bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis delta virus: Disease assessment and stratification
Authors: Koffas Apostolos , Mak Lung‐Yi , Kennedy Patrick T. F. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractHepatitis D virus (HDV) causes one of the most severe forms of hepatitis in people with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Timely and accurate assessment of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and disease stratification is mandatory for thorough pre‐therapeutic evaluation for prioritizing treatment and outcome prediction. Viral biomarkers associated with HDV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are crucial to aid in diagnosis, and monitoring of serum viral nucleic acids for both viruses is recommended. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for staging of liver fibrosis and grading of histological activity and should remain central for diagnostic purposes, but is also of importance for research to enhance our understanding of HDV. The emergence of novel non‐invasive tests for the assessment of liver fibrosis in HDV patients coupled with the well‐recognized potential complications of liver biopsy has resulted in reduced utility of liver biopsy in clinical practice. Preliminary data suggest that these emerging non‐invasive modalities appear to be reliable, and their use is supported, similar to other viral hepatitis. Nevertheless, further validation is required before their widespread adoption into clinical practice.
Electroencephalography of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in a dog with generalized tetanus
Authors: Knipe Marguerite , Embersics Colleen , Dickinson Peter 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCase SummaryA 3‐month‐old Airedale dog with clinically diagnosed generalized tetanus was investigated for the occurrence of excessive paddling and chewing movements when sleeping. Electroencephalogram (EEG) with time‐locked video over 31 hours determined occurrence of the abnormal movements to be within 20 to 180 seconds of the onset of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but not at any other stage of wakefulness or sleep. No epileptiform activity was noted. Clinical signs of generalized tetanus resolved over 8 weeks with antimicrobial and symptomatic treatment, and sleep‐associated movements resolved 6 weeks after presentation.Clinical RelevanceRapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) has been suspected in dogs with generalized tetanus but not confirmed by correlation of repeated episodes of vocalization or motor behaviors or both with REM sleep defined by an EEG. The case further defines RBD in dogs with tetanus, and highlights the value of EEG to differentiate among different parasomnias and epileptiform activity.
Interspecific introgression of MHC genes in Triturus newts: Evidence from multiple contact zones
Authors: Gaczorek Tomasz S. , Marszałek Marzena , Dudek Katarzyna , Arntzen Jan W. , Wielstra Ben , Babik Wiesław 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are central to the adaptive immune response in vertebrates. Selection generally maintains high MHC variation because the spectrum of recognized pathogens depends on MHC polymorphism. Novel alleles favoured by selection originate by interallelic recombination or de novo mutations but may also be acquired by introgression from related species. However, the extent and prevalence of MHC introgression remain an open question. In this study, we tested for MHC introgression in six hybrid zones formed by six Triturus newt species. We sequenced and genotyped the polymorphic second exons of the MHC class I and II genes and compared their interspecific similarity at various distances from the centre of the hybrid zone. We found evidence for introgression of both MHC classes in the majority of examined hybrid zones, with support for a more substantial class I introgression. Furthermore, the overall MHC allele sharing outside of hybrid zones was elevated between pairs of Triturus species with abutting ranges, regardless of the phylogenetic distance between them. No effect of past hybrid zone movement on MHC allele sharing was found. Finally, using previously published genome‐wide data, we demonstrated that MHC introgression was more extensive than genome‐wide introgression, supporting its adaptive potential. Our study thus provides evidence for the prevalence of MHC introgression across multiple Triturus hybrid zones, indicating that MHC introgression between divergent hybridizing species may be widespread and adaptive.
FtsH degrades kinetically stable dimers of cyclopropane fatty acid synthase via an internal degron
Authors: Hari Sanjay B. , Morehouse Juhee P. , Baker Tania A. , Sauer Robert T. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTargeted protein degradation plays important roles in stress responses in all cells. In E. coli, the membrane‐bound AAA+ FtsH protease degrades cytoplasmic and membrane proteins. Here, we demonstrate that FtsH degrades cyclopropane fatty acid (CFA) synthase, whose synthesis is induced upon nutrient deprivation and entry into stationary phase. We find that neither the disordered N‐terminal residues nor the structured C‐terminal residues of the kinetically stable CFA‐synthase dimer are required for FtsH recognition and degradation. Experiments with fusion proteins support a model in which an internal degron mediates FtsH recognition as a prelude to unfolding and proteolysis. These findings elucidate the terminal step in the life cycle of CFA synthase and provide new insight into FtsH function.
Response to thermal and infection stresses in an American vector of visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Martins Kelsilandia Aguiar , Morais Caroline S. , Broughton Susan J. , Lazzari Claudio R. , Bates Paul A. , Pereira Marcos H. , Dillon Rod J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLutzomyia longipalpisis known as one of the primary insect vectors of visceral leishmaniasis.For such ectothermic organisms, the ambient temperature is a critical life factor. However, the impact of temperature has been ignored in many induced‐stress situations of the vector life. Therefore, this study explored the interaction ofLu. longipalpiswith temperature by evaluating its behaviour across a thermal gradient, thermographic recordings during blood‐feeding on mice, and the gene expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) when insects were exposed to extreme temperature or infected. The results showed that 72 h after blood ingestion,Lu. longipalpisbecame less active and preferred relatively low temperatures. However, at later stages of blood digestion, females increased their activity and remained at higher temperatures. Real‐time imaging showed that the body temperature of females can adjust rapidly to the host and remain constant until the end of blood‐feeding. Insects also increased the expression of HSP90(83) during blood‐feeding. Our findings suggest thatLu. longipalpisinteracts with temperature by using its behaviour to avoid temperature‐induced physiological damage during the gonotrophic cycle. However, the expression of certain HSP might be triggered to mitigate thermal stress in situations where a behavioural response is not the best option.
Is the Sars‐CoV‐2 virus a possible trigger agent for the development of achalasia?
Authors: Furuzawa‐Carballeda Janette , Icaza‐Chávez María E. , Aguilar‐León Diana , Uribe‐Uribe Norma , Nuñez‐Pompa María C. , Trigos‐Díaz Alonso , Areán‐Sanz Rodrigo , Fernández‐Camargo Dheni A. , Coss‐Adame Enrique , Valdovinos Miguel A. , Briceño‐Souza Eduardo , Chi‐Cervera Luis A. , Olivares‐Flores Miriam , Torres‐Villalobos Gonzalo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundAchalasia is an autoimmune disease whose probable causal agent is a neurotropic virus that chronically infects the myenteric plexus of the esophagus and induces the disease in a genetically susceptible host. The association between achalasia and coronaviruses has not been reported.AimsTo evaluate the presence of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, the ACE2 expression, the tissue architecture, and immune response in the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LESm) of achalasia patients who posteriorly had SARS‐CoV‐2 (achalasia‐COVID‐19) infection before laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and compare the findings with type II achalasia patients and transplant donors (controls) without COVID‐19.MethodsThe LESm of 7 achalasia‐COVID‐19 patients (diagnosed by PCR), ten achalasia patients, and ten controls without COVID‐19 were included. The presence of the virus was evaluated by in situ PCR and immunohistochemistry. ACE2 receptor expression and effector CD4 T cell and regulatory subsets were determined by immunohistochemistry.Key ResultsCoronavirus was detected in 6/7 patients‐COVID‐19. The SARS‐CoV‐2 was undetectable in the LESm of the achalasia patients and controls. ACE2 receptor was expressed in all the patients and controls. One patient developed achalasia type II post‐COVID‐19. The percentage of Th22/Th17/Th1/pDCreg was higher in achalasia and achalasia‐COVID‐19 pre‐HLM vs. controls. The Th2/Treg/Breg cell percentages were higher only in achalasia vs. controls.Conclusion & InferencesSARS‐CoV2 and its receptor expression in the LESm of achalasia patients who posteriorly had COVID‐19 but not in the controls suggests that it could affect the myenteric plexus. Unlike achalasia, patients‐COVID‐19 have an imbalance between effector CD4 T cells and the regulatory mechanisms.
From share of choice to buyers' welfare maximization: Bridging the gap through distributionally robust optimization
Authors: Liu Maoqi , Zheng Li , Liu Changchun , Zhang Zhi‐Hai 
Published: December 2022

We study the product design problem where a decision maker selects the features of a product from a set of feasible options. We focus on two widely studied objectives in this field, that is, the share of choice (SOC) and buyers' welfare (BW). The two objectives are vulnerable to different types of customer preference misspecification, that is, deviation from the nominal utility distribution and effects of outliers, respectively. We formulate a distributionally robust optimization (DRO) SOC maximization model and a winsorized BW maximization model to obtain robust solutions to the two problems. Interestingly, we show that the two robust models are equivalent in a certain sense—for appropriate choices of robustness parameters, both models return the same solution. This observation has important ramifications. For instance, it indicates that a product designed to yield higher BW is more robust to the deviation from the nominal utility distribution for the SOC problem, while that with higher SOC is less sensitive to the effect of outliers for the BW problem. Last but not least, we use the equivalence to develop a new approach to solve the DRO model for the SOC problem, using a version of the winsorized BW model. Extensive numerical experiments demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approach.
Predicting transaction outcomes under customized pricing with discretion: A structural estimation approach
Authors: Kadiyala Bharadwaj , Phillips Robert , Şimşek A. Serdar , van Ryzin Garrett 
Published: December 2022

We consider a firm selling heterogeneous products with prices customized for each customer and the final price is set by negotiations between the seller and the customer. This type of pricing modality is referred to as customized pricing with discretion and is commonly used in insurance, consumer loans, mortgages, and many business‐to‐business markets. We assume that each sales agent has a reserve price and each customer has a willingness‐to‐pay, which are jointly drawn from a distribution and, if the transaction is successful, they agree on a price between these two values based on their relative bargaining power. Given the outcomes of a series of negotiations, our goal is to estimate the underlying joint distribution of reserve price and willingness‐to‐pay, and predict the outcomes of future transactions. We assume that the price that prevails as the outcome of the negotiation can be represented as a generalized Nash bargaining equilibrium. We develop a structural estimation method based on the expectation‐maximization algorithm to estimate the parameters of reserve price and willingness‐to‐pay distribution. Using a real‐world data set from indirect auto‐lending industry, we show that our proposed method, which accounts for heterogeneity in sales agent's reserve price and customer's willingness‐to‐pay, improves the predictive accuracy of final price (APR) and take‐up probability (i.e., probability of a customer accepting the loan) on real‐world test data by about 8.70% and 3.68%, respectively, compared to a (Tobit‐based) model, which accommodates unobserved heterogeneity in customer's willingness‐to‐pay only. Using the structural EM estimates, we conduct counterfactual analyses to understand the impact of different pricing policies, which vary in the amount of discretion provided to the sales agent during the negotiation process. For example, we find that the lender may increase profits by 13.63% compared to the status quo by optimally imposing a customized minimum price (annual percentage rate) below which a loan should not be offered to the customer.
Comparison of biopolymer scaffolds for the fabrication of skin substitutes in a porcine wound model
Authors: Dearman Bronwyn L. , Boyce Steven T. , Greenwood John E. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThis study compared three acellular scaffolds as templates for the fabrication of skin substitutes. A collagen‐glycosaminoglycan (C‐GAG), a biodegradable polyurethane foam (PUR) and a hybrid combination (PUR/C‐GAG) were investigated. Scaffolds were prepared for cell inoculation. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes were serially inoculated onto the scaffolds and co‐cultured for 14 days before transplantation. Three pigs each received four full‐thickness 8 cm × 8 cm surgical wounds, into which a biodegradable temporising matrix (BTM) was implanted. Surface seals were removed after integration (28 days), and three laboratory‐generated skin analogues and a control split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) were applied for 16 weeks. Punch biopsies confirmed engraftment and re‐epithelialisation. Biophysical wound parameters were also measured and analysed. All wounds showed greater than 80% epithelialisation by day 14 post‐transplantation. The control STSG displayed 44% contraction over the 16 weeks, and the test scaffolds, C‐GAG 64%, Hybrid 66.7% and PUR 67.8%. Immunohistochemistry confirmed positive epidermal keratins and basement membrane components (Integrin alpha‐6, collagens IV and VII). Collagen deposition and fibre organisation indicated the degree of fibrosis and scar produced for each graft. All scaffold substitutes re‐epithelialised by 4 weeks. The percentage of original wound area for the Hybrid and PUR was significantly different than the STSG and C‐GAG, indicating the importance of scaffold retainment within the first 3 months post‐transplant. The PUR/C‐GAG scaffolds reduced the polymer pore size, assisting cell retention and reducing the contraction of in vitro collagen. Further investigation is required to ensure reproducibility and scale‐up feasibility.
Isometric rigidity of Wasserstein tori and spheres
Authors: Gehér György Pál , Titkos Tamás , Virosztek Dániel 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWe prove isometric rigidity for p‐Wasserstein spaces over finite‐dimensional tori and spheres for all p. We present a unified approach to proving rigidity that relies on the robust method of recovering measures from their Wasserstein potentials.
Silicification of trilobites and biofilm from the Cambrian Weeks Formation, Utah: Evidence for microbial mediation of silicification
Authors: Melim Leslie A. , Mure-Ravaud Sebastien R. , Hegna Thomas A. , Bellott Brian J. , Lerosey-Aubril Rudy 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
We report on silicified trilobite sclerites with associated silicified biofilm from the Cambrian Weeks Formation, Utah (USA), that support a role for microbial biofilms in silicification. Silicified sclerites are typically small (&lt;3 mm) and incompletely preserved. All studied specimens are partly coated in 5–20 µm (rarely &gt;500 µm) of silica-cemented matrix. High-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) study reveals the presence of two different forms of carbon-rich threads, ribbons and mats, coating both sclerites and silica-cemented matrix. Crystalline-looking biofilm threads and ribbons composed of Si, O, and C are interpreted as silicified biofilm associated with the trilobite silicification. Rippled to smooth biofilm mats composed of more C, less Si and O, and a trace of N are post-silicification. Embedded in the silica of the sclerites and matrix are molds of framboids that we interpret as originally framboidal pyrite that was engulfed by silica. These data indicate that silica precipitation continued into the surrounding matrix following the propagation of sulfate-reducing bacteria feeding on the organic matter present in the sclerite and the neighboring sediment. This strongly supports the model that bacterially mediated decay is key to the silicification of carbonate bioclasts and provides the first direct evidence of a microbial community (biofilm). A literature review reveals that silica extends past the fossil more frequently than is recognized, suggesting that silicified biofilm might be common but overlooked.
Pre-agricultural soil erosion rates in the midwestern United States
Authors: Quarrier Caroline L. , Kwang Jeffrey S. , Quirk Brendon J. , Thaler Evan A. , Larsen Isaac J. 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Erosion degrades soils and undermines agricultural productivity. For agriculture to be sustainable, soil erosion rates must be low enough to maintain fertile soil. Hence, quantifying both pre-agricultural and agricultural erosion rates is vital for determining whether farming practices are sustainable. However, there have been few measurements of pre-agricultural erosion rates in major farming areas where soils form from Pleistocene deposits. We quantified pre-agricultural erosion rates in the midwestern United States, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. We sampled soil profiles from 14 native prairies and used in situ–produced 10Be and geochemical mass balance to calculate physical erosion rates. The median pre-agricultural erosion rate of 0.04 mm yr–1 is orders of magnitude lower than agricultural values previously measured in adjacent fields, as is a site-averaged diffusion coefficient (0.005 m2 yr–1) calculated from erosion rate and topographic curvature data. The long-term erosion rates are also one to four orders of magnitude lower than the assumed 1 mm yr–1 soil loss tolerance value assigned to these locations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hence, quantifying long-term erosion rates using cosmogenic nuclides provides a means for more robustly defining rates of tolerable erosion and for developing management guidelines that promote soil sustainability.
Linitis plastica of the rectum secondary to prostate carcinoma
Authors: Mommersteeg Michiel C , Kies Dennis A , van der Laan Jaap , Wonders Janneke 
Published: December 2022

Linitis plastica is an intramural carcinoma that may occur in any hollow organ. Rectal linitis plastica (RLP) is a morphological variant cancer that may occur as a primary form of cancer or secondary as a metastasis of a primary malignancy. We report the case of a man in his 70s with RLP secondary to prostate carcinoma who was initially suspected to have an obstructing rectal adenocarcinoma. During colonoscopy a segment of cobblestone mucosa was seen in the distal rectum. Subsequent imaging showed enhancement of all wall-layers of the rectum and diffuse retroperitoneal fat infiltration with traction on both ureters. A prostate-specific membrane antigen scan confirmed RLP secondary to a prostate carcinoma mimicking the clinical and radiological signs of an obstructing rectal carcinoma with retroperitoneal fibrosis.This case emphasises the possible pitfalls in the diagnosis of RLP and the importance of advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, as well as appropriate histological samples. The patient underwent androgen deprivation therapy to which RLP responded well and neither systemic chemotherapy or surgery was necessary.
Dose-response effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor monotherapy for the treatment of depression: systematic review of reviews and meta-narrative synthesis
Authors: Johnson Chris F , Maxwell Margaret , Williams Brian , Dougall Nadine , MacGillivray Stephen 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo assess and clarify the relations between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) dose efficacy, acceptability (early treatment discontinuation (dropouts)), and tolerability (reported adverse drug effects), and critically evaluate methods previously used to examine SSRI dose-response effects for the treatment of depression in adults.DesignSystematic review of reviews and meta-narrative synthesis.Data sourcesEmbase, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration library, from 1975 to December 2021. Reference lists of national depression treatment guidelines were systemically searched by hand.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesReviews assessing SSRI monotherapy dose-response effects for the treatment of depression in adults (age ≥18 years) reporting efficacy, acceptability, or tolerability. Reviews meeting inclusion criteria had a high degree of heterogeneity, due to methodological diversity; therefore, a meta-narrative synthesis approach was applied. Standard daily doses were defined as 20 mg citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine; 50 mg sertraline; and 10 mg escitalopram. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews tool, in line with Cochrane recommendations.ResultsThe search identified 9138 records; 387 full text reports were assessed for eligibility, 42 of which matched the inclusion criteria. The majority, 83% (n=35), of reviews included data for studies with a duration of ≤12 weeks (ie, the acute phase of depression treatment). Of 39 reviews assessing efficacy, the majority (n=26) indicated that individual SSRIs and SSRI class demonstrated flat dose-response effects; standard doses were optimal for efficacy. Acceptability or tolerability were assessed in 28 reviews. Higher than standard daily doses were associated with higher dropout rates and a greater incidence of adverse drug effects (eg, nausea, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, anxiety). Despite a range of methods being reported, there was an overall consensus regarding SSRI dose related efficacy, dropouts, and adverse drug effects.ConclusionStandard daily doses of SSRIs for the treatment of depression in adults provide a favourable balance between efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability. Patients are encouraged to talk to their prescriber or community pharmacist if they experience adverse effects or have any concerns about their drug treatments.