bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the impact of tumor location and size on the risk of recurrence for papillary thyroid carcinoma in the isthmus
Authors: Zhu Feng , Li Fuqiang , Xie Xiaojun , Wu Yijun , Wang Weilin
Published: May 2023

Background

The purpose of the study was to investigate the ability of new parameters in distinguishing high‐risk patients of recurrence from isthmic papillary thyroid carcinomas (iPTCs).

Methods

One hundred sixteen iPTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were identified from 3461 PTC patients from 2014 to 2019. Tumor margin to trachea midline distance (TTD), maximum tumor size (TS), and transverse diameter of trachea (TD) were measured on CT images. Cox proportional hazard models served to identify risk factors associated with recurrence‐free survival (RFS). The iPTC prognostic formula (IPF = TD/(TTD − TS) − TD/TTD) was evaluated to assess the prognosis. RFS was conducted between the different groups using the Kaplan–Meier analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of each parameter was drawn to predict recurrence.

Results

Central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and extrathyroidal invasion in iPTC were 58.6% and 31.0%, respectively. Regional recurrence occurred in 16 (13.8%) patients, and no patient died or had distant metastasis. The 3‐ and 5‐year RFS of iPTC were 87.5% and 84.5%, respectively. Gender (p = 0.001) and PLNM (prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis) (p = 0.010) in cPTC (center of iPTC located between two imaginary lines perpendicular to the surface of the skin from the most lateral points of the trachea) and non‐cPTC (iPTC patients enrolled in this study excluding cPTC) groups differed significantly. A cut‐off point of tumor size >1.1 cm and IPF ≤5.57 were established to have significant differences in prognosis (p = 0.032 and p = 0.005, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that IPF ≤5.57 was independent prognostic factor for RFS (HR: 4.415, 95%CI: 1.118–17.431, p = 0.034).

Conclusion

This study indicated the association between IPF and RFS in iPTC patients and established new models to assess risk factors for recurrence pre‐operation. IPF ≤5.57 was significantly associated with poor RFS and might be promising parameters for predicting prognosis and surgical decision‐making pre‐operation.
Fas (CD95)/FasL (CD178) system during ageing
Authors: Lagunas‐Rangel Francisco A.
Published: May 2023

The Fas/FasL system plays a central role in the physiological regulation of apoptosis and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neoplasms and diseases of the immune system. Until now, it has received little attention in the context of ageing, but there is sufficient evidence that it plays an important role in this process and its deregulation favours the development of age‐related diseases such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, eye diseases, ischaemic processes, anaemia, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. With this in mind, the aim of this work was to describe the main changes that occur in the Fas/FasL system during ageing and their association with the development of age‐related diseases. Furthermore, it discusses how exercise and diet, considered the cornerstone of almost all healthy ageing programmes, produce beneficial effects through the regulation of the Fas/FasL system.
A case report of carbamazepine‐induced oropharyngeal dysphagia in a patient with primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bishev Daniel , Malone Mercedes , Best Devon , Bazikian Yvette
Published: May 2023

Seventy‐year‐old male with primary progressive multiple sclerosis that had a severe episode of oropharyngeal dysphagia following initiation of carbamazepine. He was being treated for trigeminal neuralgia. Four days after discontinuation of carbamazepine resulted in a complete resolution of the patient's dysphagia, and he returned to baseline.
Graph Learning in Machine‐Readable Plant Topology Data
Authors: Oeing Jonas , Brandt Kevin , Wiedau Michael , Tolksdorf Gregor , Welscher Wolfgang , Kockmann Norbert
Published: May 2023

Digitalization shows that data and its exchange are indispensable for a versatile and sustainable process industry. There must be a shift from a document‐oriented to a data‐oriented process industry. Standards for the harmonization of data structures play an essential role in this change. In engineering, DEXPI (Data Exchange in the Process Industry) is already a well‐developed, machine‐readable data standard for describing piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID). In this publication, industry, software vendors, and research institutions have joined forces to demonstrate the current developments and potentials of machine‐readable P&IDs in the DEXPI format combined with artificial intelligence. The aim is to use graph neural networks to learn patterns in machine‐readable P&ID data, which results in the efficient engineering and development of new P&IDs.
Mediator‐Free S‐Scheme S‐C3N4/Ce2Zr2O7 Heterojunction Hybrid Material for Effective Photocatalytic Degradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Under Visible Light
Authors: Verma Neha , Ananthakrishnan Rajakumar
Published: May 2023

In this study, we demonstrated a Step‐scheme (S‐scheme) based S‐C3N4/Ce2Zr2O7 (SCN/CZ) organic‐inorganic heterostructure, which was synthesized by a facile wet chemical route. The photocatalyst was highly efficient for the remediation of organic pollutants (POPs), namely 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP, 20 ppm), 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP, 20 ppm), and phenol (20 ppm) via dehalogenation under visible light (λ≥420 nm). Our finding reveals that a 20 wt.% S‐C3N4 on the surface of the SCN/CZ hybrid is an optimum requirement for potential catalytic activity. We achieve excellent photocatalytic performances i. e., 94 % for 2,4‐DCP, 92 % for 4‐CP, and 90 % for phenol removal, respectively. It was identified that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals (O2⋅− and ⋅OH) are diligently participating in the reaction medium. However, the content of O2⋅− species is more, which we have quantified as ∼66 μM when 20 % SCN/CZ is used. Furthermore, we have established the reaction pathways via an S‐scheme mechanism, which has great importance for photocatalysis. The prepared catalyst is highly stable and reusable for more than five cycles. The work presented here can contribute to the new perspective for pollutant removal via the dehalogenation route over the S‐C3N4/Ce2Zr2O7 surface.
Selection of parents in a population hybrid breeding scheme for sweetpotato in Uganda
Authors: Swanckaert Jolien , Ssali Reuben , Mwanga Robert , Andrade Maria , De Boeck Bert , Eyzaguirre Raul , Campos Hugo , Grüneberg Wolfgang J.
Published: May 2023

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam. [2n = 6x = 90]) is a highly heterozygous, clonally propagated crop for which population hybrid breeding is expected to result in yield jumps and large genetic gain increases. The main objective of this study was to select parents for a heterosis exploiting breeding scheme in Uganda using general combining ability and index selection aggregating yield and biotic stress traits. Two large and very diverse breeding populations established in Uganda (UGA A, 50 parents; UGA B, 80 parents) were recombined for this study into a hybrid population comprising 8097 genotypes from 1097 interpopulation families. Parents and offspring clones were evaluated in unreplicated trials across five environments during 2018/2019, together with two commercial checks (Ejumula and NASPOT 8). Using mixed model analysis, breeding values (BVs) were estimated across traits (i.e., storage root yield, commercial roots per plant, foliage yield, and resistance to sweetpotato virus disease [SPVD] and Alternaria blight). For storage root yield, the BVs ranged from 3.5 to 10 t ha−1 and from 2 to 12 t ha−1 for parents in UGA A and B, respectively. For SPVD resistance, scored one month before harvest, the BVs ranged from 3.3 to 4.3 and from 3.1 to 4.7 for parents in UGA A and B, respectively. Out of 130 parental candidates, 40 parents were selected (20 for each parental group). The plan is to use in the future GCA values combined by a modified Pesek‐Baker index using standardized desired genetic gains to select parents together with other information such as flesh color of parental material.
Diet, commensal microbiota‐derived extracellular vesicles, and host immunity
Authors: Taitz Jemma J , Tan Jian K , Potier‐Villette Camille , Ni Duan , King Nicholas JC , Nanan Ralph , Macia Laurence
Published: May 2023

The gut microbiota has co‐evolved with its host, and commensal bacteria can influence both the host's immune development and function. Recently, a role has emerged for bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as potent immune modulators. BEVs are nanosized membrane vesicles produced by all bacteria, possessing the membrane characteristics of the originating bacterium and carrying an internal cargo that may include nucleic acid, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. Thus, BEVs possess multiple avenues for regulating immune processes, and have been implicated in allergic, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases. BEVs are biodistributed locally in the gut, and also systemically, and thus have the potential to affect both the local and systemic immune responses. The production of gut microbiota‐derived BEVs is regulated by host factors such as diet and antibiotic usage. Specifically, all aspects of nutrition, including macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and food additives (the antimicrobial sodium benzoate), can regulate BEV production. This review summarizes current knowledge of the powerful links between nutrition, antibiotics, gut microbiota‐derived BEV, and their effects on immunity and disease development. It highlights the potential of targeting or utilizing gut microbiota‐derived BEV as a therapeutic intervention.
Catechol‐Mediated Redox‐Neutral One‐pot Transformation of SiO2into SiPh4
Authors: Luo Qingqing , Greb Lutz
Published: May 2023

Organosilanes range among the most important products in chemical industries. Unfortunately, their bulk production starting from silicon oxides has a substantial ecological footprint due to the immense energy consumption and the numerous hazardous by‐products imposed by the redox cycling between Si(0) and Si(IV). Herein, we report the first redox‐neutral, one‐pot silicon−carbon bond formation starting from silica gel by combining catechol‐mediated SiO2depolymerization and nucleophilic substitution of the tris(catecholato)silicate dianion intermediates. Screening and optimization of the individual steps enables a 76 % yield of SiPh4on a preparative scale. Non‐rationalizable effects of solvents, nucleophiles, and countercations are identified, rendering suitable for statistical optimization approaches such as “design‐of‐experiments” in future studies. The general success of such process encourages the search for more energy‐ and waste‐effective organosilane production.
Laboratory-Derived Bioaccumulation Kinetic Parameters for Four Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Freshwater Mussels
Authors: Steevens Jeffery A. , Dorman Rebecca , Brunson Eric , Kunz James , Pulster Erin L. , Burket S. Rebekah , Stroski Kevin M. , Sims Jaylen L. , Simcik Matt F. , Brooks Bryan W.
Published: May 2023

Although freshwater mussels are imperiled and identified as key conservation priorities, limited bioaccumulation information is available on these organisms for contaminants of emerging concern. In the present study we investigated the bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the model freshwater pond mussel Sagittunio subrostratus because mussels provide important ecosystem services and are important components of aquatic systems where PFAS occur. In the present study we selected four representative perfluorinated carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids, then determined the bioaccumulation kinetics of freshwater mussels in a controlled laboratory study. Because uptake (ku) and elimination (ke) rate constants and time to steady state are important parameters for food web bioaccumulation models, we derived bioaccumulation kinetic parameters following exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) at 10 µg/L and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) at 1 µg/L during a 14-day uptake period followed by a 7-day elimination period. Kinetic and ratio-based bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were subsequently calculated, for example ratio-based BAFs for mussel at day 7 were determined for PFHxS (0.24 ± 0.08 L/kg), PFOS (7.73 ± 1.23 L/kg), PFDA (4.80 ± 1.21 L/kg), and PFUnDA (84.0 ± 14.4 L/kg). We generally observed that, for these four model PFAS, freshwater mussels have relatively low BAF values compared with other aquatic invertebrates and fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1190–1198. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Optimal forecasts in the presence of discrete structural breaks under long memory
Authors: Paza Mboya Mwasi , Sibbertsen Philipp
Published: May 2023

We develop methods to obtain optimal forecast under long memory in the presence of a discrete structural break based on different weighting schemes for the observations. We observe significant changes in the forecasts when long‐range dependence is taken into account. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we confirm that our methods substantially improve the forecasting performance under long memory. We further present an empirical application to inflation rates that emphasizes the importance of our methods.
Experiences of people with dementia and informal caregivers with post‐diagnostic support: Data from the international COGNISANCE study
Authors: Hevink Maud , Wolfs Claire , Ponds Rudolf , Doucet Shelley , McAiney Carrie , Vedel Isabelle , Maćkowiak Maria , Rymaszewska Joanna , Rait Greta , Robinson Louise , Poole Marie , Gresham Meredith , Jeon Yun‐Hee , Phillipson Lyn , Low Lee‐Fay , Brodaty Henry , de Vugt Marjolein , Verhey Frans
Published: May 2023

Objectives

The study aims to describe people with dementia and informal caregivers' respective experiences of support after diagnosis and compares these experiences. Additionally, we determine how people with dementia and informal caregivers who are satisfied with support differ from those dissatisfied.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey study in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Poland, and United Kingdom was carried out to examine people with dementia and informal caregivers experience with support (satisfaction with information, access to care, health literacy, and confidence in ability to live well with dementia). The separate surveys contained closed questions. Analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and Chi‐square tests.

Results

Ninety people with dementia and 300 informal caregivers participated, and 69% of people with dementia and 67% of informal caregivers said support after diagnosis helped them deal more efficiently with their concerns. Up to one‐third of people with dementia and informal caregivers were dissatisfied with information about management, prognosis, and strategies for living positively. Few people with dementia (22%) and informal caregivers (35%) received a care plan. People with dementia were more often satisfied with information, had more often confidence in their ability to live well with dementia, and were less often satisfied with access to care compared to informal caregivers. Informal caregivers who were satisfied with support were more satisfied with information and access to care compared to informal caregivers not satisfied with support.

Conclusions

Experience of dementia support can be improved and people with dementia and informal caregiver differ in their experiences of support.
Serial SOFA‐score trends in ICU‐admitted COVID‐19 patients as predictor of 28‐day mortality: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Esmaeili Tarki Farzad , Afaghi Siamak , Rahimi Fatemeh Sadat , Kiani Arda , Varahram Mohammad , Abedini Atefeh
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim

The efficacy of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score as predictor of clinical outcomes among ICU‐admitted COVID‐19 patients is still controversial. We aimed to assess whether SOFA‐score in different time intervals could predict 28‐day mortality compared with other well‐acknowledged risk factors of COVID‐19 mortality.

Methods

This observational prospective cohort was conducted on 1057 patients from March 2020 to March 2022 at Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Iran. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analysis were performed to assess the hazards of SOFA‐score models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were designed to estimate the predictive values.

Results

Mean SOFA‐score during first 96 h (HR: 3.82 [CI: 2.75–5.31]), highest SOFA‐score (HR: 2.70 [CI: 1.93–3.78]), and initial SOFA‐score (HR: 1.65 [CI: 1.30–2.11]) had strongest association with 28‐day mortality (p < .0001). In contrast, SOFA scores at 48 and 96 h as well as Δ‐SOFA: 48‐0 h and Δ‐SOFA: 96‐0 h did not show significant correlations. Among them, merely mean SOFA‐score (HR: 2.28 [CI: 2.21–3.51]; p < .001) remained as independent prognosticator on multivariate regression analysis; though having less odds of predicting value compared with age (HR: 3.81 [CI: 1.98–5.21]), hypertension (HR: 3.11 [CI: 1.26–3.81]), coronary artery disease [CAD] (HR: 2.82 [CI: 1.51–4.8]), and diabetes mellitus (HR: 2.45 [CI: 1.36–2.99]). The area under ROC (AUROC) for mean SOFA‐score (0.77) and highest SOFA‐score (0.71) were larger than other SOFA intervals. Calculating the first 96 h of SOFA trends, it was obtained that fatality rate was <12.3% if the score dropped, between 28.8% and 46.29% if the score remained unchanged, and >50.45% if the score increased.

Conclusion

To predict the 28‐day mortality among ICU‐admitted COVID‐19 patients, mean SOFA upon first 96 h of ICU stay is reliable; while having inadequate accuracy comparing with well‐acknowledged COVID‐19 mortality predictors (age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, CAD). Notably, increased SOFA levels in the course of first 96 h of ICU‐admission, prognosticate at least 50% fatality regardless of initial SOFA score.
Anxiety, coping style and hopelessness during COVID‐19 pandemic: An Iranian population‐based study
Authors: Momeni Khodamorad , Salimi Yahya , Majzoobi Mohammad Reza , Ziapour Arash , Janjani Parisa
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused new conditions such as nationwide quarantine, a dramatic decrease in‐person interaction and an increase in death anxiety for governments and people. The pandemic of an unpredictable disease with no definite treatment can pose physical and psychological risks to individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the state of anxiety, coping styles, and hopelessness of people in the lockdown period and reopening in Iran.

Methods

In this national population‐based cross‐sectional study, a total of 1191 people who had access to social networks from all over Iran completed the anxiety, hopelessness, and coping style questionnaires online using the snowball sampling method. Analysis was conducted using Stata software version 12 (Stat Corp). The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results

The results of the study suggested that women experienced higher levels of anxiety than men, and, in stressful situations, women were more likely to use emotion‐focused coping styles, while men frequently used problem‐focused coping styles. The majority of participants reported moderate levels of anxiety and low levels of hopelessness (64.04%). The results of multiple linear regression show any level of anxiety mild (ß = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32–0.85), moderate (ß = 0.72, 95% CI: 1.36–1.08), and severe (ß = 2, 95% CI: 1.36–2.56) relative to the none anxiety significantly increase the hopelessness, Furthermore, showing a negative significant adjusted association with the problem‐focused coping style (ß = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.07 to −0.04), and a significant positive association with the emotion‐focused coping style (ß = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02–0.06).

Conclusion

Our findings could be used to prevent psychological damage in societies and suggested addressing problem‐focused coping style, especially during a crisis, and providing people with preprepared mental health protocols at this pandemic.
Polymorphisms of the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) gene contribute to cervical cancer susceptibility in Bangladeshi women: A case‐control study
Authors: Shaswati Monishita , Oeishy Fihima Hossain , Mumu Sadia Biswas , Zahid Md Zahidul Islam , Hossain Murad , Haque Md Aminul , Reza Hasan Mahmud , Mostaid Md Shaki
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

Cervical cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth in the lining of cervix and it is the second major cause of cancer‐related deaths among females in Bangladesh. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a multifunctional cytokine that has been heavily linked with cervical cancer. Our aim was to investigate the association of two promoter single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ofIL‐6(rs1800795 and rs1800797) with the susceptibility of cervical cancer in Bangladeshi women.

Methods

DNA was extracted from venous blood samples from cervical cancer patients (n = 126) and healthy controls (n = 120). Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for genotyping of the selected SNPs. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) andpvalues.

Results

We found a significant association between rs1800795 and rs1800797 polymorphisms and cervical cancer. For, rs1800795 (G > C) the GC heterozygous genotype (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.55–5.07,p = 0.0007) and CC mutant homozygous genotype (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.29–9.51,p = 0.014) conferred an increased risk of cervical cancer. In case of rs1800797 (G > A) polymorphism, the AG heterozygous genotype (OR = 6.94, 95% CI = 3.76–12.81,p < 0.0001) and AA mutant homozygous genotype (OR = 3.88, 95% CI = 1.12–13.51,p = 0.0332) also exhibited an elevated risk of cervical cancer. Use of contraceptives was found as risk factor and patients who smoke were carriers of both the risk alleles and thus had an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that polymorphism of rs1800795 and rs1800797 of theIL‐6gene play a significant role in cervical cancer susceptibility in Bangladeshi women.
Road traffic accidental injuries and deaths: A neglected global health issue
Authors: Ahmed Sirwan K. , Mohammed Mona G. , Abdulqadir Salar O. , El‐Kader Rabab G. Abd , El‐Shall Nahed A. , Chandran Deepak , Rehman Mohammad E. Ur , Dhama Kuldeep
Published: May 2023

Across the world, traffic accidents cause major health problems and are of concern to health institutions; nearly 1.35 million people are killed or disabled in traffic accidents every year. In 2019, 93% of road traffic injury‐related mortality occurred in low‐ and middle‐income countries with an estimated burden of 1.3 million deaths. This issue is growing; by 2030, road traffic injuries will be the seventh leading cause of death globally. The present report highlights an overview of road traffic accidents, accidental injuries, and deaths, associated risk factors, important precautions, safety rules, and counteracting management strategies. In modern cultures, road accidents are a major source of death and serious injuries. Road traffic injuries are a substantial yet underserved public health issue around the world that requires immediate attention. To prevent accidents in the long term, it is essential to adopt conservative preventive measures that can minimize collisions and promote a safe road environment.
When Does Hammond's Postulate Predict Stabilities of Carbocations?
Authors: Mayr Herbert , Ofial Armin R.
Published: May 2023

Hammond's postulate, which relates the rate of formation of an unstable intermediate to the energy of this intermediate, has widely been used to determine stabilities of carbocations. However, the rates of formation of highly stabilized carbocations R+ by ionization of R−X are only weakly or not at all correlated with their stabilities, because the corresponding activation energies are strongly affected by intrinsic barriers. In this article we will show that consideration of the rate of the reverse reaction allows one to define the range in which Hammond's postulate holds and when its predictive power fades as the role of intrinsic barriers is gaining importance. The ambiguity of the term “carbocation stability” is discussed. Kinetic data and quantum chemical calculations show that vinyl cations are not extraordinarily high energy intermediates, but that high intrinsic barriers account for their slow formation from vinyl halides and their rather slow reactions with nucleophiles.
Effect of COVID‐19 vaccinations on menstrual cycle and postmenopausal bleeding among health care workers: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Farah Stephanie , Hijazi Mariam , Aoun Eliane , Boueri Myriam , Nasr Elena , Chlala Walid , Salem Marie Josee , Moufawad Graziella , Farah Dany , El Hayek Pamela , Jallad Karl , Ghaname Wadih , Ziadeh Hanane
Published: May 2023

Objective

To determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination and its association with sociodemographic factors on the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women and on postmenopausal bleeding.

Methods

This is a retrospective cross‐sectional study conducted between September 22, 2022, and November 30, 2022, via a questionnaire distributed to 359 health care workers (HCWs) at Lebanese American University Medical Center–Rizk Hospital and St John's Hospital. Inclusion criteria included female Lebanese HCWs who were vaccinated and aged 18 to 65 years.

Results

Change in cycle length was significantly associated with age (P = 0.025 after the first dose and P = 0.017 after the second dose), level of education (P = 0.013 after the first dose and P = 0.012 after the second dose), and fibroids (P = 0.006 after the second dose and P = 0.003 after the third dose). The change in cycle flow was significantly associated with age (P = 0.028), fibroids (P = 0.002 after the second dose and P = 0.002 after the third dose), bleeding disorders (P = 0.000), and chronic medications (P = 0.007). The change in symptoms was associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (P = 0.021), chronic medications (P = 0.019 after the second dose and P = 0.045 after the third dose), and fibroids (P = 0.000).

Conclusion

COVID‐19 vaccination can influence the menstrual cycle. Age, body mass index, level of education, underlying comorbidities, and use of chronic medications are significantly associated with changes in menstrual length, flow, and symptoms following vaccination.
Impact of COVID‐19 vaccination on menstrual cycle in women of reproductive age
Authors: Qazi Tanzeela Bashir , Dkhar Sabira Aalia , Quansar Ruqia , Khan S. Muhammad Salim
Published: May 2023

Objective

To study the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination on the menstrual cycle in response to concerns that the vaccines cause menstrual cycle disturbances and affect potential pregnancy.

Method

An online survey‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from November 20 to 27, 2021. Study participants were women of reproductive age (15–49 years) and the study tool used was a semi‐structured pretested questionnaire. A total of 300 participants were recruited for the study.

Results

The mean age (± standard deviation) of the participants was 26.2 ± 4.8 years. 232 participants (77.3%) were unmarried. Only 30 participants (10%) reported a change in the regularity of menstruation and 33 (11%) participants reported a change in cycle duration after vaccination.

Conclusion

In the present study, a change in the regularity of menstrual cycles was reported in 30 (10%) of the participants and a  change in the duration of the cycle was reported in 11% of the participants (33). There was a significant association between the type of vaccine used and the changes in the menstrual cycle after vaccination. However, its long‐term health implications are yet to be determined.
SUR7 deletion in Candida albicans impacts extracellular vesicle features and delivery of virulence factors
Authors: McKenna James A. , Garcia‐Ceron Donovan , Bleackley Mark R. , Yu Long , Bulone Vincent , Anderson Marilyn A.
Published: May 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human fungal pathogens have been implicated in fungal virulence, yet little is known about their role in the host‐pathogen interaction. Progress has been hampered by the lack of a specific marker for fungal EVs that can be used to monitor EV isolation and tracking in biological systems. Here we report the effect of a SUR7 gene knockout on the production, properties, and role of EVs in the virulence of Candida albicans. Sur7 is a component of the membrane compartment of Can1 (MCC) complex and is enriched in the EVs from C. albicans and other fungal species. MCC is a plasma membrane complex which together with the eisosome, a cytoplasmic protein complex, is a key regulator in plasma membrane organisation and plasma membrane associated processes. The SUR7 knockout strain produces smaller EVs than the wild‐type (WT) with different protein and carbohydrate cargos. Furthermore, proteins with known roles in Candida pathogenesis were present in WT EVs and absent or diminished in the sur7Δ EVs. We demonstrate that the reduced virulence of the sur7Δ cells can be partially restored with EVs from a WT strain. These findings demonstrate the importance of Sur7‐like proteins in the biogenesis of EVs in fungi and enhance our understanding of the role of fungal EVs in human pathogenesis.
Development of a CRISPR/Cas12a‐recombinase polymerase amplification assay for visual and highly specific identification of the Congo Basin and West African strains of mpox virus
Authors: Yang Xinggui , Zeng Xiaoyan , Chen Xu , Huang Junfei , Wei Xiaoyu , Ying Xia , Tan Qinqin , Wang Yi , Li Shijun
Published: May 2023

Human mpox is a zoonotic disease, similar to smallpox, caused by the mpox virus, which is further subdivided into Congo Basin and West African clades with different pathogenicity. In this study, a novel diagnostic protocol utilizing clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated 12a nuclease (CRISPR/Cas12a)‐mediated recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was developed to identify mpox in the Congo Basin and West Africa (CRISPR‐RPA). Specific RPA primers targeting D14L and ATI were designed. CRISPR‐RPA assay was performed using various target templates. In the designed CRISPR‐RPA reaction system, the exponentially amplified RPA amplification products with a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) site can locate the Cas12a/crRNA complex to its target regions, which successfully activates the CRISPR/Cas12a effector and achieves ultrafast trans‐cleavage of a single‐stranded DNA probe. The limit of detection for the CRISPR‐RPA assay was 10 copies per reaction for D14L‐ and ATI‐plasmids. No cross‐reactivity was observed with non‐mpox strains, confirming the high specificity of the CRISPR‐RPA assay for distinguishing between the Congo Basin and West African mpox. The CRISPR‐RPA assay can be completed within 45 min using real‐time fluorescence readout. Moreover, the cleavage results were visualized under UV light or an imaging system, eliminating the need for a specialized apparatus. In summary, the developed CRISPR/RPA assay is a visual, rapid, sensitive, and highly specific detection technique that can be used as an attractive potential identification tool for Congo Basin and West African mpox in resource‐limited laboratories.
Serological responses to smallpox A33 antigen and monkeypox A35 antigen in healthy people and people living with HIV‐1 from Guangzhou, China
Authors: Dai Jun , Li Feng , Yang Yingyin , Tang Xiaoping , Li Linghua , Yu Haisheng
Published: May 2023

People are expected to have been previously vaccinated with a Vaccinia‐based vaccine, as until 1980 smallpox vaccination was a standard protocol in China. It is unclear whether people with smallpox vaccine still have antibody against vaccinia virus (VACV) and cross‐antibody against monkeypox virus (MPXV). Herein, we assessed the binding antibodies with antigen of VACV‐A33 and MPXV‐A35 in the general population and HIV‐1 infected patients. Firstly, we detected VACV antibody with A33 protein to evaluate the efficiency of smallpox vaccination. The result show that 29% (23 of 79) of hospital staff (age ≥ 42 years) and 63% (60 of 95) of HIV‐positive patients (age ≥ 42 years) from Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital were able to bind A33. However, among the subjects below 42 years of age, 1.5% (3/198) of the hospital volunteer samples and 1% (1/104) of the samples from HIV patients were positive for antibodies against A33 antigen. Then, we assessed the specific cross‐reactive antibodies against MPXV A35 protein. 24% (19 of 79) hospital staff (age〉 = 42 years) and 44% (42 of 95) of HIV‐positive patients (age〉 = 42 years) were positive. 98% (194/198) of the hospital staff and 99% (103/104) of the HIV patients had no A35‐binding antibodies. Further, we found significant sex differences for the reactivity to A35 antigen were observed in HIV population, but no significant sex differences in hospital staff. Further, we analyzed the positivity rate of anti‐A35 antibody of men who have sex with men (MSM) and non‐MSM in HIV patients (age〉 = 42years). We found that 47% of no‐MSM population and 40% of MSM population were positive for A35 antigen, with no significant difference. Lastly, we found only 59 samples were positive for anti‐A33 IgG and anti‐A35 IgG in all participants. Together, we demonstrated A33 and A35 antigens binding antibodies were detected in HIV patients and general population who were older than 42 years, and cohort studies only provided data of serological detection to support early response to monkeypox outbreak.
Do hip resurfacing and short hip stem arthroplasties differ from conventional hip stem replacement regarding impingement‐free range of motion?
Authors: Kebbach Maeruan , Schulze Christian , Meyenburg Christian , Kluess Daniel , Sungu Mevluet , Hartmann Albrecht , Günther Klaus‐Peter , Bader Rainer
Published: May 2023

Total hip joint replacement (THR) is clinically well‐established. In this context, the resulting range of motion (ROM) is crucial for patient satisfaction when performing joint movements. However, the ROM for THR with different bone preserving strategies (short hip stem and hip resurfacing) raises the question of whether the ROM is comparable with conventional hip stems. Therefore, this computer‐based study aimed to investigate the ROM and type of impingement for different implant systems. An established framework with computer‐aided design 3D models based on magnetic resonance imaging data of 19 patients with hip osteoarthritis was used to analyse the ROM for three different implant systems (conventional hip stem vs. short hip stem vs. hip resurfacing) during typical joint movements. Our results revealed that all three designs led to mean maximum flexion higher than 110°. However, hip resurfacing showed less ROM (−5% against conventional and −6% against short hip stem). No significant differences were observed between the conventional and short hip stem during maximum flexion and internal rotation. Contrarily, a significant difference was detected between the conventional hip stem and hip resurfacing during internal rotation (p = 0.003). The ROM of the hip resurfacing was lower than the conventional and short hip stem during all three movements. Furthermore, hip resurfacing shifted the impingement type to implant‐to‐bone impingement compared with the other implant designs. The calculated ROMs of the implant systems achieved physiological levels during maximum flexion and internal rotation. However, bone impingement was more likely during internal rotation with increasing bone preservation. Despite the larger head diameter of hip resurfacing, the ROM examined was substantially lower than that of conventional and short hip stem.
Investigating the temporal roles of decorin and biglycan in tendon healing
Authors: Leahy Thomas P. , Fung Ashley K. , Weiss Stephanie N. , Dyment Nathaniel A. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: May 2023

The small leucine‐rich proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan, are minor components of the tendon extracellular matrix that regulate fibrillogenesis and matrix assembly. Our study objective was to define the temporal roles of decorin and biglycan during tendon healing using inducible knockout mice to include genetic knockdown at specific phases of healing: time of injury, the proliferative phase, and the remodeling phase. We hypothesized that knockdown of decorin or biglycan would adversely affect tendon healing, and that by prescribing the timing of knockdown, we could elucidate the temporal roles of these proteins during healing. Contrary to our hypothesis, decorin knockdown did not affect tendon healing. However, when biglycan was knocked down, either alone or coupled with decorin, tendon modulus was increased relative to wild‐type mice, and this finding was consistent among all induction timepoints. At 6 weeks postinjury, we observed increased expression of genes associated with the extracellular matrix and growth factor signaling in the biglycan knockdown and compound decorin–biglycan knockdown tendons. Interestingly, these groups demonstrated opposing trends in gene expression as a function of knockdown‐induction timepoint, highlighting distinct temporal roles for decorin and biglycan. In summary, this study finds that biglycan plays multiple functions throughout tendon healing, with the most impactful, detrimental role likely occurring during late‐stage healing. Statement of clinical importance: This study helps to define the molecular factors that regulate tendon healing, which may aid in the development of new clinical therapies.
Germline Genetic Testing in Unselected Squamous and Non‐Squamous Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Brake Daniela A. , Idler Beau M. , Kunze Katie L. , Golafshar Michael A. , Heald Brandie , Young Sarah , Klint Margaret , Barrus Kathleen , Esplin Edward D. , Nussbaum Robert L. , Samadder N. Jewel , Hinni Michael L. , Chang Brent A.
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study describes the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in head and neck cancer patients, the incremental yield compared to a guideline‐based approach to genetic evaluation, and the uptake of family variant testing.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Three tertiary academic medical centers.

Methods

Germline sequencing using an 84‐gene screening platform among unselected head and neck cancer patients who received care at Mayo Clinic Cancer Centers between April 2018 and March 2020.

Results

Amongst 200 patients, the median age was 62.0 years (Q1, Q3: 55, 71), 23.0% were female, 89.0% white/non‐Hispanic, 5.0% Hispanic/Latinx, 6% of another race, and 42.0% had prognostic stage IV disease. The most common subsites were the oropharyngeal (45.0%) and salivary glands (12.0%). The most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (74.5%). Twenty‐one patients (10.5%) had a total of 22 PGVs; 20 of the 21 patients (95.2%) did not meet criteria for testing by current guidelines. Regarding penetrance of the 22 PGVs, 11 were high or moderate (most commonPMS2orHOXB13), and 11 were low or recessive (most commonMUTYH,WNR, orRECQL4). One patient had a change in care based on an identified PGV. Family variant testing was completed at a rate of 4.8%.

Conclusions

Universal gene panel testing identified a PGV in 10.5% of head and neck cancer patients; almost all would have been missed by current guideline‐based testing. One of 21 patients had a treatment change due to their PGV, indicating that head and neck cancer treatment decisions are not yet widely informed by germline alterations.

Level of Evidence

3Laryngoscope, 133:3378–3388, 2023
Prognostic values of systemic inflammation and nutrition‐based prognostic indices in oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Oka Tsunehiro , Sato Fumihiko , Ono Takeharu , Kawaguchi Toshihiko , Murotani Kenta , Sueyoshi Shintaro , Kuroiwa Taikai , Kurita Takashi , Fukahori Mioko , Mitsuhashi Toshiyuki , Sato Kiminobu , Chitose Shun‐Ichi , Umeno Hirohito
Published: May 2023

Objective

Pretreatment systemic inflammation and nutrition‐based prognostic indices (SINBPI) have demonstrated significance. This study investigated the prognostic value of pretreatment SINBPI for patients with oropharyngeal cancer and identified unfavorable prognostic markers.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 124 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) who received definitive treatment between January 2010 and December 2018. The prognostic utility of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR), prognostic nutritional index, and high‐sensitivity modified Glasgow prognostic score (HS‐mGPS) was assessed for disease‐free survival (DFS), disease‐specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Multivariate analyses revealed that human papillomavirus (HPV) status and HS‐mGPS were significantly associated with DFS, DSS, and OS. Patients with a HS‐mGPS of 2 had a significantly higher rate of treatment‐related deaths than those with a HS‐mGPS of 0 or 1. The combination of the HS‐mGPS and PLR had more accurate predictive ability in DFS and OS compared with the HS‐mGPS alone, and the combination of the HS‐mGPS and LMR had more accurate predictive ability in DSS and OS.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that the HS‐mGPS was a useful prognostic marker for patients with OPSCC, and combined markers consisting of the HS‐mGPS and PLR or LMR may provide more accurate prognostic predictions.

Level of Evidence: 3.
CDK4/6 and autophagy inhibitors synergize to suppress the growth of human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Duah Ernest , Seligson Nathan D. , Persaud Avinash K. , Dam Quynh , Pabla Navjot , Rocco James W. , Li Junan , Poi Ming
Published: May 2023

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for over 10,000 deaths in the United States annually. Approximately 80% of HNSCC are human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative which have an overall poorer prognosis compared to the HPV‐positive disease. Treatment options are mainly nontargeted chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The cyclin‐d‐CDK4/6‐RB pathway, which regulates cell cycle progression, is often deregulated in HNSCC, making it an attractive therapeutic target. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of cyclin‐dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors in preclinical models of HNSCCs. Our results show that the specific CDK4/6 inhibitor, abemaciclib, inhibited cell growth, and induced apoptosis in HNSCC cell lines. We also demonstrated that both the pro‐survival autophagy pathway and the ERK pathway in HNSCC cells were activated with abemaciclib treatment through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Coinhibition of CDK4/6 and autophagy synergistically decreased cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited tumor growth in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical HNSCC models. These results reveal a potential therapeutic strategy that supports the rationale for further clinical development of a combination of CDK4/6 and autophagy inhibitors in HNSCC.
Whole‐body tumor segmentation from PET/CT images using a two‐stage cascaded neural network with camouflaged object detection mechanisms
Authors: He Jiangping , Zhang Yangjie , Chung Maggie , Wang Michael , Wang Kun , Ma Yan , Ding Xiaoyang , Li Qiang , Pu Yonglin
Published: May 2023

Background

Whole‐body Metabolic Tumor Volume (MTVwb) is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in lung cancer patients. Automatic segmentation methods have been proposed for MTV calculation. Nevertheless, most of existing methods for patients with lung cancer only segment tumors in the thoracic region.

Purpose

In this paper, we present a Two‐Stage cascaded neural network integrated with Camouflaged Object Detection mEchanisms (TS‐Code‐Net) for automatic segmenting tumors from whole‐body PET/CT images.

Methods

Firstly, tumors are detected from the Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) images of PET/CT scans, and tumors' approximate localizations along z‐axis are identified. Secondly, the segmentations are performed on PET/CT slices that contain tumors identified by the first step. Camouflaged object detection mechanisms are utilized to distinguish the tumors from their surrounding regions that have similar Standard Uptake Values (SUV) and texture appearance. Finally, the TS‐Code‐Net is trained by minimizing the total loss that incorporates the segmentation accuracy loss and the class imbalance loss.

Results

The performance of the TS‐Code‐Net is tested on a whole‐body PET/CT image data‐set including 480 Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients with five‐fold cross‐validation using image segmentation metrics. Our method achieves 0.70, 0.76, and 0.70, for Dice, Sensitivity and Precision, respectively, which demonstrates the superiority of the TS‐Code‐Net over several existing methods related to metastatic lung cancer segmentation from whole‐body PET/CT images.

Conclusions

The proposed TS‐Code‐Net is effective for whole‐body tumor segmentation of PET/CT images. Codes for TS‐Code‐Net are available at: https://github.com/zyj19/TS‐Code‐Net.
Remote nutrition care during the first wave of COVID‐19 pandemic: Did it impact nutrition therapy goals?
Authors: Lima Júlia , Bernardes Simone , Stello Bruna Barbosa , Richrot Thamy Schossler , Milanez Danielle Silla Jobim , Silva Flávia Moraes
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

Nutrition societies recommended remote hospital nutrition care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. However, the pandemic's impact on nutrition care quality is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association between remote nutrition care during the first COVID‐19 wave and the time to start and achieve the nutrition therapy (NT) goals of critically ill patients.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU) that assisted patients with COVID‐19 between May 2020 and April 2021. The remote nutrition care lasted approximately 6 months, and dietitians prescribed the nutrition care based on medical records and daily telephone contact with nurses who were in direct contact with patients. Data were retrospectively collected, patients were grouped according to the nutrition care delivered (remote or in person), and we compared the time to start NT and achieve the nutrition goals.

Results

One hundred fifty‐eight patients (61.5 ± 14.8 years, 57% male) were evaluated, and 54.4% received remote nutrition care. The median time to start NT was 1 (1–3) day and to achieve the nutrition goals was 4 (3–6) days for both groups. The percentage of energy and protein prescribed on day 7 of the ICU stay concerning the requirements did not differ between patients with remote and patients with in‐person nutrition care [95.5% ± 20.4% × 92.1% ± 26.4% (energy) and 92.9% ± 21.9% × 86.9% ± 29.2% (protein); P > 0.05 for both analyses].

Conclusion

Remote nutrition care in patients critically ill with COVID‐19 did not impact the time to start and achieve the NT goals.
Public administration in smart city: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Principale Salvatore , Cosentino Antonietta , Lombardi Rosa , Rocchi Andrea
Published: May 2023

The role of the public administration is crucial for the development of smart cities. Several scholars have highlighted the need for greater contributions focused on the relationship between public administration and smart cities. This work aims to map the contributions on the topic highlighting the status of the field in the recent years. A bibliometric analysis was performed on a sample of articles published in business and management journals. The analysis was carried out using the R‐studio Bibliometrics package. Results show that research on the topic is still in an initial stage and has several gaps that future studies could fill. The study is useful for scholars because it identifies the topics analyzed by previous research and highlights future research questions that could be investigated. The analysis highlighted the areas studied by scholars on the topic: urban planning, sustainable development, governance approach, Internet of Things and information and communication technologies.