Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic performance and physicians’ perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted CT diagnostic technology for the classification of pulmonary nodules

Background Lung cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in 2020. Although artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic technologies have shown promise and has been used in clinical practice in recent years, no products related to AI-assisted CT diagnostic technologies for the classification of pulmonary nodules have been approved by the National Medical Products Administration in China. The objective of this article was to systematically review the diagnostic performance of AI-assisted CT diagnostic technology for the classification of pulmonary nodules as benign or malignant and to analyze physicians’ perceptions of this technology in China. Methods All relevant studies from 6 literature databases were searched and screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted and the study quality was assessed by two reviewers. The study heterogeneity and publication bias were estimated. A questionnaire survey on the perceptions of physicians was conducted in 9 public tertiary hospitals in China. A meta-analysis, meta-regression and univariate logistic model were used in the systematic review and to explore the association of physicians’ perceptions with their rate of support for the clinical application of the technology. Results Twenty-seven studies with 5,727 pulmonary nodules were finally included in the meta-analysis. We found that the quality of the included studies was generally acceptable and that the pooled sensitivity and specificity of AI-assisted CT diagnostic technology for the classification of pulmonary nodules as benign or malignant were 0.90 and 0.89, respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 70.33. The majority of the surveyed physicians in China perceived “reduced workload for radiologists” and “improved diagnostic efficiency” as the important benefits of this technology. In addition, diagnostic accuracy (including misdiagnosis) and practical experience were significantly associated with whether physicians supported its clinical application. Conclusions In the context of lung cancer diagnosis, AI-assisted CT diagnostic technology for the classification of pulmonary nodules as benign or malignant has good diagnostic performance, but its specificity needs to be improved.
A basic model for cell cholesterol homeostasis

Cells manage their cholesterol by negative feedback using a battery of sterol‐responsive proteins. How these activities are coordinated so as to specify the abundance and distribution of the sterol is unclear. We present a simple mathematical model that addresses this question. It assumes that almost all of the cholesterol is associated with phospholipids in stoichiometric complexes. A small fraction of the sterol is uncomplexed and thermodynamically active. It equilibrates among the organelles, setting their sterol level according to the affinity of their phospholipids. The activity of the homeostatic proteins in the cytoplasmic membranes is then set by their fractional saturation with uncomplexed cholesterol in competition with the phospholipids. The high‐affinity phospholipids in the plasma membrane (PM) are filled to near stoichiometric equivalence, giving it most of the cell sterol. Notably, the affinity of the phospholipids in the endomembranes (EMs) is lower by orders of magnitude than that of the phospholipids in the PM. Thus, the small amount of sterol in the EMs rests far below stoichiometric capacity. Simulations match a variety of experimental data. The model captures the essence of cell cholesterol homeostasis, makes coherent a diverse set of experimental findings, provides a surprising prediction and suggests new experiments.
OGDH is involved in sepsis induced acute lung injury through the MAPK pathway

Background Acute lung injury (ALI) induced by sepsis is a common cause of death in clinical practice, and there remains a lack of clinical effective treatment. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is a classic animal model of sepsis, which can induce ALI. Studies have shown that in the lung injury cell model, OGDH (oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) transcription is up-regulated, which is a potential therapeutic target for acute pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of OGDH on lung injury and inflammation in animal and cell models, and to explore its mechanism. Methods By analyzing the GSE16650 gene set, the upregulated OGDH gene was detected in the lung injury cell model. In a sepsis animal model established by CLP and a lung injury cell model, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, WB, and other techniques were used to verify the upregulation of OGDH expression, which was then was down-regulated with shRNA to confirm its relationship with ALI. Further, ELISA, RT-PCR, and WB were used to detect the effect of OGDH on the expression of pro-inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α. The downstream pathway of OGDH was predicted using KEGG and GSEA tools and verified by WB and immunofluorescence. Results The results showed OGDH was highly expressed in a lung injury cell model and the lung tissue of ALI mice induced by CLP, and downregulation of OGDH alleviated sepsis induced ALI. In animal models and cell models, the expression of OGDH was positively correlated with the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. OGDH may act through the MAPK pathway. Conclusions Under the pathological condition of sepsis, OGDH amplifies the inflammatory response through the MAPK pathway, releases pro-inflammatory factors, and induces ALI.
Voltammetric Determination of Anti-Hypertensive Drug Hydrochlorothiazide Using Screen-Printed Electrodes Modified with L-Glutamic Acid

This work deals with the development of screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with L-glutamic acid via two different approaches: electropolymerization (SPCE/PGA) and aryl diazonium electrochemical grafting (SPCE/EGA). SPCE/PGA and SPCE/EGA were analytically compared in the determination of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) by differential pulse voltammetry. Both electrochemical characterization and analytical performance indicate that SPCE/EGA is a much better sensor for HCTZ. The detection and quantification limits were at the level of μmol L−1 with a very good linearity in the studied concentration range. In addition, the proposed SPCE/EGA was successfully applied for the determination of HCTZ in an anti-hypertensive drug with high reproducibility and good trueness.
Diagnostic Accuracy of FEC-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT, and Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Detection of Nodal Metastases in Surgically Treated Endometrial and Cervical Carcinoma

Purpose: Preoperative nodal staging is important for planning treatment in cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, but remains challenging. We compare nodal staging accuracy of 18F-ethyl-choline-(FEC)-PET/CT, 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose-(FDG)-PET/CT, and diffusion-weighted-MRI (DW-MRI) with conventional morphologic MRI. Experimental Design: A prospective, multicenter observational study of diagnostic accuracy for nodal metastases was undertaken in 5 gyne-oncology centers. FEC-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT, and DW-MRI were compared with nodal size and morphology on MRI. Reference standard was strictly correlated nodal histology. Eligibility included operable cervical cancer stage ≥ 1B1 or endometrial cancer (grade 3 any stage with myometrial invasion or grade 1–2 stage ≥ II). Results: Among 162 consenting participants, 136 underwent study DW-MRI and FDG-PET/CT and 60 underwent FEC-PET/CT. In 118 patients, 267 nodal regions were strictly correlated at histology (nodal positivity rate, 25%). Sensitivity per patient (n = 118) for nodal size, morphology, DW-MRI, FDG- and FEC-PET/CT was 40%*, 53%, 53%, 63%*, and 67% for all cases (*, P = 0.016); 10%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 25% in cervical cancer (n = 40); 65%, 75%, 70%, 80% and 88% in endometrial cancer (n = 78). FDG-PET/CT outperformed nodal size (P = 0.006) and size ratio (P = 0.04) for per-region sensitivity. False positive rates were all <10%. Conclusions: All imaging techniques had low sensitivity for detection of nodal metastases and cannot replace surgical nodal staging. The performance of FEC-PET/CT was not statistically different from other techniques that are more widely available. FDG-PET/CT had higher sensitivity than size in detecting nodal metastases. False positive rates were low across all methods. The low false positive rate demonstrated by FDG-PET/CT may be helpful in arbitration of challenging surgical planning decisions.
The nine development bands: A conceptual framework and global theory for waste and development

Solid waste management (SWM) is an essential utility service. More than two to three billion people worldwide still lack basic services, whereas some countries are already moving beyond SWM towards waste and resource management (WaRM) and a circular economy. This paper sets out a novel conceptual framework and global theory of waste and development, providing a road map, allowing a country or city to locate their current position and plot their way ahead. We identify nine development bands (9DBs) with significant commonalities in terms of critical challenges and developmental pressure points. DB1–DB4 reflect stepwise improvement towards the new baseline of meeting the SDG 11.6. 1 indicators of universal collection and management in controlled facilities (DB5). Countries can then choose to move towards environmentally sound management and the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ (3Rs) (DB6-9), with an ultimate aspiration of ‘zero waste’. We test the 9DBs conceptual framework against historical journeys of higher income countries. The main application will be in low- and middle-income countries striving towards SDG 11.6. 1, where it fills a key gap in the practitioners’ toolkit by enabling initial framing/scoping of the problem and smarter interventions to be designed and sense checked. Key insights include targeted governance/institutional reforms, appropriate and affordable systems/technology and adapting solutions to a diversity of local needs and realities.
Changes in Older Adults’ Social Contact During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Objectives To understand changes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in weekly contact with nonresident family and friends for U.S. adults aged 70 and older in residential care and community settings. Methods Participants in the National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 mail supplement (N = 3,098) reported frequency of phone, electronic, video, and in-person contact with nonresident family and friends in a typical week before and during the pandemic. We examined less than weekly contact by mode for those in residential care settings and community residents with and without limitations. We estimated multinomial logit models to examine predictors of change to less than weekly contact (vs. maintaining weekly or more contact) by mode, overall, and stratified by setting. Results Weekly in-person contact fell substantially (from 61% to 39%) and more so in residential care (from 56% to 22%), where nearly 4 in 10 transitioned to less than weekly in-person contact (doubling to 8 out of 10). Weekly or more contact was largely stable for electronic and telephone modes across settings. Weekly or more video contact increased mainly for community residents without limitations. Compared to community residents without limitations, those in assisted living or nursing homes had more than 5 times the odds (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.3; p = .01) of changing to less than weekly in-person contact; those in independent living also had higher odds of changing to less than weekly in-person (AOR = 2.6; p = .01) and video (AOR = 3.4; p = .01) contact. Discussion The pandemic revealed the importance of ensuring that communication technologies to maintain social ties are available to and usable by older adults, particularly for those living in residential care settings.
Development and validation of nomograms for predicting survival and recurrence in patients with parotid gland cancer.

Background To develop nomograms for predicting recurrence risk and long-term survival in patients with parotid gland cancer (PGC). Methods A total of 301 consecutive patients with PGC who underwent surgery were enrolled and randomly divided into a training cohort (n=210) and a validation cohort (n=91). Predictive nomograms were constructed based on the independent indicators of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) as determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis. The discrimination and calibration of nomograms were evaluated using C-indices and calibration curves. Results Six independent predictors of OS were identified. Incorporating these factors, the nomogram showed good concordance statistics of 0.84 and 0.78 in predicting the 5-year OS in the training and validation cohorts. Five independent predictors of DFS were identified and integrated into the nomogram. The concordance statistics were 0.84 and 0.74 in predicting the 5-year DFS in the training and validation cohorts. The predictive performance of the nomograms outperformed the TNM model. Additionally, the patients were divided into two groups according to the nomogram score, and significant differences in OS and DFS were observed between the high risk and low risk groups. Finally, the role of postoperative treatments was evaluated based on the risk stratification; patients at high risk of disease recurrence showed an improvement in DFS after receiving postoperative treatments. Conclusions The nomogram showed good performance in predicting both OS and DFS in patients with PGC. It might be useful for selecting patients for postoperative treatments.
Pathogens Associated With Linear Growth Faltering in Children With Diarrhea and Impact of Antibiotic Treatment: The Global Enteric Multicenter Study

Abstract Background The association between childhood diarrheal disease and linear growth faltering in developing countries is well described. However, the impact attributed to specific pathogens has not been elucidated, nor has the impact of recommended antibiotic treatment. Methods The Global Enteric Multicenter Study enrolled children with moderate to severe diarrhea (MSD) seeking healthcare at 7 sites in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. At enrollment, we collected stool samples to identify enteropathogens. Length/height was measured at enrollment and follow-up, approximately 60 days later, to calculate change in height-for-age z scores (ΔHAZ). The association of pathogens with ΔHAZ was tested using linear mixed effects regression models. Results Among 8077 MSD cases analyzed, the proportion with stunting (HAZ below −1) increased from 59% at enrollment to 65% at follow-up (P < .0001). Pathogens significantly associated with linear growth decline included Cryptosporidium (P < .001), typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (P = .01), and untreated Shigella (P = .009) among infants (aged 0–11 months) and enterotoxigenic E. coli encoding heat-stable toxin (P < .001) and Cryptosporidium (P = .03) among toddlers (aged 12–23 months). Shigella-infected toddlers given antibiotics had improved linear growth (P = .02). Conclusions Linear growth faltering among children aged 0–23 months with MSD is associated with specific pathogens and can be mitigated with targeted treatment strategies, as demonstrated for Shigella.
Complete Genome Sequence of Erwinia amylovora Strain TS3128, a Korean Strain Isolated in an Asian Pear Orchard in 2015

Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight, a devastating disease of apples and pears. Here, we report the complete genome sequence and annotation of E. amylovora strain TS3128, which was isolated from Anseong, South Korea, where fire blight first occurred in 2015, using the PacBio RS II system. ABSTRACT Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight, a devastating disease of apples and pears. Here, we report the complete genome sequence and annotation of E. amylovora strain TS3128, which was isolated from Anseong, South Korea, where fire blight first occurred in 2015, using the PacBio RS II system.
Annexin A1 attenuates cardiac diastolic dysfunction in mice with inflammatory arthritis

Significance Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are susceptible to heart failure accompanied by diastolic dysfunction. It is unknown what causes diastolic dysfunction in RA, and current therapies do not reduce the risk of heart problems. Here, we characterize a murine model of arthritis, which mirrors the diastolic dysfunction observed in RA patients; this dysfunction is associated with fibrous tissue formation, enlargement of the heart, and changes in the number/type of inflammatory cells within the heart. Importantly, treatment with the protein Annexin A1 not only halts the progression of diastolic dysfunction, but, when given at a later stage, it reverses established diastolic dysfunction and attenuates cardiac remodeling in arthritic mice. This model can help develop treatments for heart failure in RA. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) carries a twofold increased incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, accompanied by diastolic dysfunction, which can lead to death. The causes of diastolic dysfunction are unknown, and there are currently no well-characterized animal models for studying these mechanisms. Current medications for RA do not have marked beneficial cardio-protective effects. K/BxN F1 progeny and KRN control mice were analyzed over time for arthritis development, monitoring left ventricular diastolic and systolic function using echocardiography. Excised hearts were analyzed by flow cytometry, qPCR, and histology. In pharmacological experiments, K/BxN F1 mice were treated with human recombinant AnxA1 (hrAnxA1, 1 μg/mouse) or vehicle daily. K/BxN F1 mice exhibited fully developed arthritis with normal cardiac function at 4 wk; however, by week 8, all mice displayed left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. This dysfunction was associated with cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, and inflammatory markers. Daily treatment of K/BxN F1 mice with hrAnxA1 from weeks 4 to 8 halted progression of the diastolic dysfunction. The treatment reduced cardiac transcripts of proinflammatory cytokines and profibrotic markers. At the cellular level, hrAnxA1 decreased activated T cells and increased MHC IIlow macrophage infiltration in K/BxN F1 hearts. Similar effects were obtained when hrAnxA1 was administered from week 8 to week 15. We describe an animal model of inflammatory arthritis that recapitulates the cardiomyopathy of RA. Treatment with hrAnxA1 after disease onset corrected the diastolic dysfunction through modulation of both fibroblast and inflammatory cell phenotype within the heart.
Predictive Factors for Pneumomediastinum During Management of Connective Tissue Disease-related Interstitial Lung Disease: A Retrospective Study

Objective To identify factors associated with pneumomediastinum during management of connective tissue disease (CTD)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods Patients diagnosed with pneumomediastinum after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy for their CTD-ILD were enrolled. The baseline characteristics of patients who developed pneumomediastinum after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy (n=13, all occurring within 120 days) were compared to those of patients who did not develop pneumomediastinum (n=49). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with pneumomediastinum. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to assess the predictive performance. Results The body mass index (BMI) [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 0.482 (0.272-0.853)] and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [OR (95% CI) 1.013 (1-1.025)] levels at baseline were identified as independent factors associated with pneumomediastinum after corticosteroid initiation. The optimal cut-off points of the BMI and LDH levels for predicting pneumomediastinum development, as estimated by the Youden index, were 20.2 kg/m2 and 378 U/L, respectively. LDH showed a sensitivity of 61.5% and the highest specificity of 87.8%. Importantly, combining these markers resulted in the highest sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 71.4%. Conclusion A low BMI and high serum LDH levels at baseline are useful predictive factors for pneumomediastinum development in CTD-ILD patients.
A Prognostic Nomogram for Predicting Overall Survival in Pediatric Wilms Tumor Based on an Autophagy-related Gene Signature.

BACKGROUND Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common primary renal malignancy in children. Autophagy plays dual roles in the promotion and suppression of various cancers. OBJECTIVE The goal of our study was to develop a novel autophagy-related gene (ARG) prognostic nomogram for WT. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used. We screened the expression profiles of ARGs in 136 WT patients. The differentially expressed prognostic ARGs were evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis and survival analysis. A novel prognostic nomogram based on the ARGs and clinical characteristics was established using multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS First, 69 differentially expressed ARGs were identified in WT patients. Then, multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine 4 key prognostic ARGs (CC3CL1, ERBB2, HIF-α and CXCR4) in WT. According to their ARG expression levels, the patients were clustered into high- and low-risk groups. Next, survival analysis indicated that high-risk patients had significantly poorer overall survival than low-risk patients. The results of functional enrichment analysis suggested that autophagy may play a tumor-suppressive role in the initiation of WT. Finally, a prognostic nomogram with a Harrell's concordance index (C-index) of 0.841 was used to predict the survival probability of WT patients by integrating clinical characteristics and the 4-ARG signature. The calibration curve indicated its excellent predictive performance. CONCLUSION In summary, the ARG signature could be a promising biomarker for monitoring the outcomes of WT. We established a novel nomogram based on the ARG signature, which accurately predicts the overall survival of WT patients.
Increased alveolar epithelial TRAF6 via autophagy-dependent TRIM37 degradation mediates particulate matter-induced lung metastasis

ABSTRACT Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with an increased incidence of lung cancer and metastasis. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated the central role of PM-induced neutrophil recruitment in promoting lung cancer metastasis. We found that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated alveolar epithelial macroautophagy/autophagy was essential for initiating neutrophil chemotaxis and pre-metastatic niche formation in the lungs in response to PM exposure. During PM-induced autophagy, the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM37 was degraded and protected TRAF6 from proteasomal degradation in lung epithelial cells, which promoted the NFKB-dependent production of chemokines to recruit neutrophils. Importantly, ROS blockade, autophagy inhibition or TRAF6 knockdown abolished PM-induced neutrophil recruitment and lung metastasis enhancement. Our study indicates that host lung epithelial cells and neutrophils coordinate to promote cancer metastasis to the lungs in response to PM exposure and provides ideal therapeutic targets for metastatic progression. Abbreviations: ACTA2/α-SMA: actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; ATII: alveolar type II; Cho-Traf6 siRNA: 5'-cholesterol-Traf6 siRNA; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; HBE: human bronchial epithelial; HCQ: hydroxychloroquine; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; NAC: N-acetyl-L-cysteine; NFKB: nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells; NS: normal saline; PM: particulate matter; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TRAF6: TNF receptor-associated factor 6; TRIM37: tripartite motif-containing 37.