bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual-task assessments for predicting future falls in neurologic conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Peters Joseph , Lauinger Alexa , Mayr Maximillian , Ginell Keara , Abou Libak
Published: March 2024

This review investigated the ability of dual-task tests to predict falls in people with neurological disorders (ND). Databases were searched to identify prospective cohort studies that analyzed dual-task testing and falls in people with NDs. Reviewers screened studies for eligibility and extracted key information like participant characteristics, intervention details, outcome measures, and significant outcomes. Reviewers assessed methodological quality of eligible studies using the Standard Quality Assessment Criteria. 18 studies of strong methodological qualified with 1750 participants were included in the review. Dual-task performances was predictive of future falls in people with Huntington’s disease, spinal cord injury, and moderate cognitive impairment, although only one independent study was included for each disability type. In people with stroke, thirty-seven percent of eligible studies showed dual-task assessments to be predictive of future falls. No dual-task tests predicted prospective falling in people with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Complex dual-tasks appeared to be more predictive of fall risk than simpler dual-tasks. Results suggest that disability type, severity of disability, and task complexity play a role in the predictive ability of dual-task assessments and future falling in NDs. Future studies may benefit from using this review to guide the design of effective dual-task assessments and fall interventions.
Student-Led Workshop on Disability Advocacy
Authors: Piasecki-Masters Colette , Newcomb Nora , Smeltz Lydia , Bresier Valerie , Rubenstein Dana , Ankam Nethra , Turk Margaret A.
Published: March 2024

Medical students can be powerful advocates for and in partnership with the disability community, yet opportunities for targeted advocacy training are sparse. In February 2023, a medical student-led workshop on disability advocacy for trainees took place at the Association of Academic Physiatrists’ Annual Conference. The aims of this session were for trainees to (1) identify existing gaps in disability education at their institution and in policy around disability-related issues; (2) improve perceived ability to engage in disability-related education and policy-based advocacy; and (3) apply an intersectional lens to identify opportunities for intersectionality in disability advocacy. Presession and postsession responses were anonymously submitted via Qualtrics. Of 31 presurvey respondents, 18 responded to the postsurvey, and 12 were identified as having matching unique identifiers. After the workshop, participants overall were more likely to report being very/somewhat confident about their ability to identify gaps in disability education at their institution (75.0% vs. 100.0%, P = 0.011), policy around disability-related issues (41.7% vs. 100.0%, P < 0.006), and opportunities for intersectionality in disability advocacy (33.3% vs. 91.7%, P < 0.015). Participants were more likely to report being very/somewhat confident in engaging in education-based advocacy (58.3% vs. 100.0%, P = 0.006), policy-based advocacy (16.7% vs. 91.7%, P < 0.002), and intersectional disability advocacy (41.7% vs. 91.7%, P < 0.006). All attendees strongly/somewhat agreed with the statements “I hope that this session will continue in future years” and “I think that other trainees would benefit from a similar course.” This session was shown to effectively meet the intended goals of the program.
How does orthotic walker boot design influence lower limb and trunk function during gait?
Authors: Haworth Lauren , Booth Nicole , Chohan Ambreen , Chapman Graham , Richards Jim
Published: March 2024

Background:

Undesirable lower limb gait deviations have previously been reported when wearing orthotic walker boots; therefore, there is a need to optimize orthotic walker boot designs to facilitate normal gait.

Objective:

This study explored the biomechanical effects of 2 designs of orthotic walker boot on the lower limb and trunk compared with usual footwear.

Study design:

A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate selected kinematic and kinetic variables under different walking conditions.

Methods:

Sixteen healthy participants walked in 3 conditions using: Walker A (Airselect Elite, Enovis), Walker B (Townsend XLR8 Series Walker, Thuasne, France), and a usual shoe. A 10-camera motion analysis system and 4 force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data.

Results:

Gait speed was significantly slower in both orthotic walker boots, and there was significantly decreased ankle range of motion, which is their primary function. Significant deviations in normal knee and hip kinematics and kinetics, shank-to-vertical angle, and pelvic and trunk movements were noted with both walker boots, with the greatest deviations from the shoe condition observed in Walker B. Recline and incline shank angular velocities showed the greatest differences in Walker B, which could be associated with adverse knee joint moments and a significantly greater perceived ease of walking in Walker A.

Conclusions:

Orthotic walker boot design significantly affects walking mechanics. Orthotic walkers with greater forefoot rocker profiles and inclined vertical shank angles may at least partly mitigate known gait deviations when wearing orthotic walkers.
The lived experience of military beneficiaries with amputations at the hip and pelvic level
Authors: Spinuzza Nicholas , McHugh Terrence R. , Garland Jared S. , Roddy William T. , Hewitt Melissa A. , Harrington Colin J. , Thaper Akshay , Reini Josh , Smith Douglas G. , Pasquina Paul F.
Published: March 2024

Background:

Hip- and pelvic-level amputations are devastating injuries that drastically alter patient function and quality of life. This study examined the experience of military beneficiaries with a hip- or pelvic-level amputation to better characterize their challenges and specific needs and to optimize treatment in the future.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of the Military Health System and identified 118 patients with a history of one or more amputation(s) at the hip or pelvic level between October 2001 and September 2017. Surviving participants (n = 97) were mailed a letter which explained the details of the study and requested participation in a telephonic interview. A total of six individuals (one female, five males) participated in structured interviews.

Results:

The study group included four participants with hip disarticulations and two participants with hemipelvectomies (one internal, one external). All six participants reported significant challenges with activities related to prosthetic use, mobility, residual limb health, pain, gastrointestinal and genitourinary function, psychiatric health, and sexual function.

Conclusions:

These interviews highlight the unique needs of individuals with hip- and pelvic-level amputations and may improve access to higher echelons of care that would enhance the function and quality of life for these participants.
Low Pneumoperitoneum Pressure Reduces Gas Embolism During Laparoscopic Liver Resection
Authors: Luo Wenchen , Jin Danfeng , Huang Jian , Zhang Jinlin , Xu Yongfeng , Gu Jiahui , Sun Caihong , Yu Jian , Xu Peiyao , Liu Luping , Zhang Zhenyu , Guo Chenyue , Liu Hongjin , Miao Changhong , Zhong Jing
Published: March 2024

Objective:

To compare the effect of low and standard pneumoperitoneal pressure (PP) on the occurrence of gas embolism during laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

Background:

LLR has an increased risk of gas embolism. Although animal studies have shown that low PP reduces the occurrence of gas embolism, clinical evidence is lacking.

Methods:

This parallel, dual-arm, double-blind, randomized controlled trial included 141 patients undergoing elective LLR. Patients were randomized into standard (“S,” 15 mm Hg; n = 70) or low (“L,” 10 mm Hg; n = 71) PP groups. Severe gas embolism (≥ grade 3, based on the Schmandra microbubble method) was detected using transesophageal echocardiography and recorded as the primary outcome. Intraoperative vital signs and postoperative recovery profiles were also evaluated.

Results:

Fewer severe gas embolism cases (n = 29, 40.8% vs n = 47, 67.1%, P = 0.003), fewer abrupt decreases in end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure, shorter severe gas embolism duration, less peripheral oxygen saturation reduction, and fewer increases in heart rate and lactate during gas embolization episodes was found in group L than in group S. Moreover, a higher arterial partial pressure of oxygen and peripheral oxygen saturation were observed, and fewer fluids and vasoactive drugs were administered in group L than in group S. In both groups, the distensibility index of the inferior vena cava negatively correlated with central venous pressure throughout LLR, and a comparable quality of recovery was observed.

Conclusions:

Low PP reduced the incidence and duration of severe gas embolism and achieved steadier hemodynamics and vital signs during LLR. Therefore, a low PP strategy can be considered a valuable choice for the future LLR.
Off-target depletion of plasma tryptophan by allosteric inhibitors of BCKDK
Authors: Bowman Caitlyn E. , Neinast Michael D. , Jang Cholsoon , Patel Jiten , Blair Megan C. , Mirek Emily T. , Jonsson William O. , Chu Qingwei , Merlo Lauren , Mandik-Nayak Laura , Anthony Tracy G. , Rabinowitz Joshua D. , Arany Zolt
Published: March 2024

The activation of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism has garnered interest as a potential therapeutic approach to improve insulin sensitivity, enhance recovery from heart failure, and blunt tumor growth. Evidence for this interest relies in part on BT2, a small molecule that promotes BCAA oxidation and is protective in mouse models of these pathologies. BT2 and other analogs allosterically inhibit branched chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) to promote BCAA oxidation, which is presumed to underlie the salutary effects of BT2. Potential “off-target” effects of BT2 have not been considered, however. We therefore tested for metabolic off-target effects of BT2 inBckdk-/-animals. As expected, BT2 failed to activate BCAA oxidation in these animals. Surprisingly, however, BT2 strongly reduced plasma tryptophan levels and promoted catabolism of tryptophan to kynurenine in both control andBckdk-/-mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that none of the principal tryptophan catabolic or kynurenine-producing/consuming enzymes (TDO, IDO1, IDO2, or KATs) were required for BT2-mediated lowering of plasma tryptophan. Instead, using equilibrium dialysis assays and mice lacking albumin, we show that BT2 avidly binds plasma albumin and displaces tryptophan, releasing it for catabolism. These data confirm that BT2 activates BCAA oxidation via inhibition of BCKDK but also reveal a robust off-target effect on tryptophan metabolism via displacement from serum albumin. The data highlight a potential confounding effect for pharmaceutical compounds that compete for binding with albumin-bound tryptophan.
Plasma Cell-free RNA Signatures of Inflammatory Syndromes in Children
Authors: Loy Conor J. , Servellita Venice , Sotomayor-Gonzalez Alicia , Bliss Andrew , Lenz Joan , Belcher Emma , Suslovic Will , Nguyen Jenny , Williams Meagan E. , Oseguera Miriam , Gardiner Michael A. ,   Pediatric Emergency Medicine Kawasaki Disease Research Group (PEMKDRG),   The CHARMS Study Group, Choi Jong-Ha , Hsiao Hui-Mien , Wang Hao , Kim Jihoon , Shimizu Chisato , Tremoulet Adriana , Delaney Meghan , DeBiasi Roberta L. , Rostad Christina A. , Burns Jane C. , Chiu Charles Y. , Vlaminck Iwijn De
Published: March 2024

Inflammatory syndromes, including those caused by infection, are a major cause of hospital admissions among children and are often misdiagnosed because of a lack of advanced molecular diagnostic tools. In this study, we explored the utility of circulating cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in plasma as an analyte for the differential diagnosis and characterization of pediatric inflammatory syndromes. We profiled cfRNA in 370 plasma samples from pediatric patients with a range of inflammatory conditions, including Kawasaki disease (KD), Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), viral infections and bacterial infections. We developed machine learning models based on these cfRNA profiles, which effectively differentiated KD from MIS-C — two conditions presenting with overlapping symptoms — with high performance (Test Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.97). We further extended this methodology into a multiclass machine learning framework that achieved 81% accuracy in distinguishing among KD, MIS-C, viral, and bacterial infections. We further demonstrated that cfRNA profiles can be used to quantify injury to specific tissues and organs, including the liver, heart, endothelium, nervous system, and the upper respiratory tract. Overall, this study identified cfRNA as a versatile analyte for the differential diagnosis and characterization of a wide range of pediatric inflammatory syndromes.
Detection of Suicidality Through Privacy-Preserving Large Language Models
Authors: Wiest Isabella Catharina , Verhees Falk Gerrik , Ferber Dyke , Zhu Jiefu , Bauer Michael , Lewitzka Ute , Pfennig Andrea , Mikolas Pavol , Kather Jakob Nikolas
Published: March 2024

Importance

Attempts to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in psychiatric disorders show moderate success, high-lighting the potential of incorporating information from clinical assessments to improve the models. The study focuses on using Large Language Models (LLMs) to manage unstructured medical text, particularly for suicide risk detection in psychiatric care.

Objective

The study aims to extract information about suicidality status from the admission notes of electronic health records (EHR) using privacy-sensitive, locally hosted LLMs, specifically evaluating the efficacy of Llama-2 models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The study compares the performance of several variants of the open source LLM Llama-2 in extracting suicidality status from psychiatric reports against a ground truth defined by human experts, assessing accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score across different prompting strategies.

Results

A German fine-tuned Llama-2 model showed the highest accuracy (87.5%), sensitivity (83%) and specificity (91.8%) in identifying suicidality, with significant improvements in sensitivity and specificity across various prompt designs.

Conclusions and Relevance

The study demonstrates the capability of LLMs, particularly Llama-2, in accurately extracting the information on suicidality from psychiatric records while preserving data-privacy. This suggests their application in surveillance systems for psychiatric emergencies and improving the clinical management of suicidality by improving systematic quality control and research.

Key Points

Question

Can large language models (LLMs) accurately extract information on suicidality from electronic health records (EHR)?

Findings

In this analysis of 100 psychiatric admission notes using Llama-2 models, the German fine-tuned model (Emgerman) demonstrated the highest accuracy (87.5%), sensitivity (83%) and specificity (91.8%) in identifying suicidality, indicating the models’ effectiveness in on-site processing of clinical documentation for suicide risk detection.

Meaning

The study highlights the effectiveness of LLMs, particularly Llama-2, in accurately extracting the information on suicidality from psychiatric records, while preserving data privacy. It recommends further evaluating these models to integrate them into clinical management systems to improve detection of psychiatric emergencies and enhance systematic quality control and research in mental health care.
Informing an investment case for Japanese encephalitis vaccine introduction in Bangladesh
Authors: Duque Mariana Perez , Naser Abu Mohd , Paul Kishor K. , Rahman Mahmudur , Alam Mohammad Shafiul , Al-Amin Hasan Mohammad , Ziaur Rahman Mohammed , Hossain Mohammad Enayet , Paul Repon C , Luby Stephen P. , Cauchemez Simon , Vanhomwegen Jessica , Gurley Emily S. , Salje Henrik
Published: March 2024

Background

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a major threat to human health. Bangladesh is considering introducing a JEV vaccine, however, the investment case is hampered by a poor understanding of key aspects of JEV ecology, including underlying patterns of infection, the infection fatality ratio, and which host and vectors maintain transmission.

Methods

We conducted a seroprevalence study in individuals of all ages in Chapai Nawabganj, Bangladesh. We tested blood samples for anti-JEV antibodies using a novel assay that limits cross-reactivity with dengue virus, trapped mosquitoes, and collected information about potential host species. We combined our results with data from a pig census, human case data and healthcare seeking patterns, all from the same region, and used mathematical models to recover risk factors for infection, and underlying probabilities of severe disease and death.

Findings

We found 14.3% (203/1455) of participants had antibodies against JEV. We estimated 0.5% of the susceptible population gets infected each year, however, infection risk was spatially heterogeneous, with the presence of pigs in the vicinity being the most important predictor of seropositivity. We identified 10 different known mosquito vectors for JEV. We estimated that 1 in 1,000 infections result in severe disease, 1 in 10,000 result in death, and 76% of severe cases are missed by surveillance systems.

Interpretation

JEV infection risk is highly spatially heterogeneous, with the underlying potential of vaccines linked to the distribution of pig-raising communities.

Funding

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Suicidal behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic: Results from cross-sectional surveys of Brazilian adults from 2020 to 2022
Authors: Faro André , Palhano Dandara , Silva Luanna dos Santos , Falk Derek
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to analyze the predictive capacity of fear of Covid-19, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the variable pandemic year on suicidal behaviors in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. The total sample consisted of 7,735 adults from all regions of the country and over 1.300 Brazilian cities, with an average age of 34 years. The research instruments used were the Fear of Covid-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire Scale (PHQ-9), and a question assessing the absence, presence of suicidal ideation, and suicide planning or attempts. Data analysis was conducted using multinomial logistic regression. The main findings showed that fear of Covid-19 (severe [OR = 0.696]), anxiety (mild [OR = 2.183], moderate [OR = 2.436], and severe [OR = 2.757]), and depression (mild [OR = 2.831], moderate [OR = 4.769], and severe [OR = 10.660]) were statistically significant in relation to suicidal ideation. As for suicide planning and attempts, predictors included year (2022 [OR = 1.297]), fear of Covid-19 (moderate [OR = 0.614] and severe [OR = 0.445]), anxiety (mild [OR = 2.253], moderate [OR = 2.988], and severe [OR = 3.577]), and depression (mild [OR = 3.021], moderate [OR = 8.189], and severe [OR = 40.363]). In conclusion, the effects of the pandemic need to continue to be monitored, as mental health surveillance data are crucial in guiding effective policies aimed at suicidal behavior.
A Western Dietary Pattern during Pregnancy is Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Horner David , Jepsen Jens Richardt M. , Chawes Bo , Aagaard Kristina , Rosenberg Julie B. , Mohammadzadeh Parisa , Sevelsted Astrid , Følsgaard Nilo , Vinding Rebecca , Fagerlund Birgitte , Pantelis Christos , Bilenberg Niels , Pedersen Casper-Emil T. , Eliasen Anders , Chen Yulu , Prince Nicole , Chu Su H. , Kelly Rachel S. , Lasky-Su Jessica , Halldorsson Thorhallur I. , Strøm Marin , Strandberg-Larsen Katrine , Olsen Sjurdur F. , Glenthøj Birte Y. , Bønnelykke Klaus , Ebdrup Bjørn H. , Stokholm Jakob , Rasmussen Morten Arendt
Published: March 2024

Despite the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, there is a notable gap in clinical studies exploring the impact of maternal diet during pregnancy on child neurodevelopment. This observational clinical study examined the association between pregnancy dietary patterns and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as their symptoms, in a prospective cohort of 10-year-old children (n=508). Data-driven dietary patterns were derived from self-reported food frequency questionnaires. A Western dietary pattern in pregnancy (per SD change) was significantly associated with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (OR 1.66 [1.21 - 2.27], p=0.002) and autism diagnosis (OR 2.22 [1.33 - 3.74], p=0.002) and associated symptoms (p<0.001). Findings for ADHD were validated in three large (n=59725, n=656, n=348), independent mother-child cohorts. Objective blood metabolome modelling at 24 weeks gestation identified 15 causally mediating metabolites which significantly improved ADHD prediction in external validation. Temporal analyses across five blood metabolome timepoints in two independent mother-child cohorts revealed that the association of Western dietary pattern metabolite scores with neurodevelopmental outcomes was consistently significant in early to mid-pregnancy, independent of later child timepoints. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention and provide robust evidence for targeted prenatal dietary interventions to prevent neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Corticosteroids for infectious critical illness: A multicenter target trial emulation stratified by predicted organ dysfunction trajectory
Authors: Rajendran Suraj , Xu Zhenxing , Pan Weishen , Zang Chengxi , Siempos Ilias , Torres Lisa K , Xu Jie , Bian Jiang , Schenck Edward J , Wang Fei
Published: March 2024

Corticosteroids decrease the duration of organ dysfunction in a range of infectious critical illnesses, but their risk and benefit are not fully defined using this construct. This retrospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate the association between usage of corticosteroids and mortality of patients with infectious critical illness by emulating a target trial framework. The study employed a novel stratification method with predictive machine learning (ML) subphenotyping based on organ dysfunction trajectory. Our analysis revealed that corticosteroids' effectiveness varied depending on the stratification method. The ML-based approach identified four distinct subphenotypes, two of which had a large enough sample size in our patient cohorts for further evaluation: "Rapidly Improving" (RI) and "Rapidly Worsening," (RW) which showed divergent responses to corticosteroid treatment. Specifically, the RW group either benefited or were not harmed from corticosteroids, whereas the RI group appeared to derive harm. In the development cohort, which comprised of a combination of patients from the eICU and MIMIC-IV datasets, hazard ratio estimates for the primary outcome, 28-day mortality, in the RW group was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.96 - 1.04) whereas for the RW group, it was 1.40 (95% CI: 1.28 - 1.54). For the validation cohort, which comprised of patients from the Critical carE Database for Advanced Research, estimates for 28-day mortality for the RW and RI groups were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05 - 1.46) and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.14 - 1.59), respectively. For secondary outcomes, the RW group had a shorter time to ICU discharge and time to cessation of mechanical ventilation with corticosteroid treatment, where the RI group again demonstrated harm. The findings support matching treatment strategies to empirically observed pathobiology and offer a more nuanced understanding of corticosteroid utility. Our results have implications for the design and interpretation of both observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), suggesting the need for stratification methods that account for the differential response to standard of care.
Association between prescription drugs and all-cause mortality risk in the UK population
Authors: Morin Jonas , Rolland Yves , Bischoff-Ferrari Heike A. , Ocampo Alejandro , Perez Kevin
Published: March 2024

Although most drugs currently approved are meant to treat specific diseases or symptoms, it has been hypothesized that some might bear a beneficial effect on lifespan in healthy older individuals, outside of their specific disease indication. Such drugs include, among others, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors and rapamycin. The UK biobank has recorded prescription medication and mortality data for over 500’000 patients during more than 40 years. In this work we examined the impact of the top 406 prescribed medications on overall mortality rates within the general population of the UK. As expected, most drugs harbor a negative effect on lifespan, probably due to the underlying negative effect of the disease the drug is intended for. Importantly, a few drugs seem to have a beneficial effect on lifespan, including notably Sildenafil, Atorvastatin, Naproxen and Estradiol. These retrospective results warrant further investigation in randomized controlled trials.
Automated Extraction of Stroke Severity from Unstructured Electronic Health Records using Natural Language Processing
Authors: Fernandes Marta , Westover M. Brandon , Singhal Aneesh B. , Zafar Sahar F.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Multi-center electronic health records (EHR) can support quality improvement initiatives and comparative effectiveness research in stroke care. However, limitations of EHR-based research include challenges in abstracting key clinical variables from non-structured data at scale. This is further compounded by missing data. Here we develop a natural language processing (NLP) model that automatically reads EHR notes to determine the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score of patients with acute stroke.

METHODS

The study included notes from acute stroke patients (>= 18 years) admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) (2015-2022). The MGH data were divided into training (70%) and hold-out test (30%) sets. A two-stage model was developed to predict the admission NIHSS. A linear model with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was trained within the training set. For notes in the test set where the NIHSS was documented, the scores were extracted using regular expressions (stage 1), for notes where NIHSS was not documented, LASSO was used for prediction (stage 2). The reference standard for NIHSS was obtained from Get With The Guidelines Stroke Registry. The two-stage model was tested on the hold-out test set and validated in the MIMIC-III dataset (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-MIMIC III 2001-2012) v1.4, using root mean squared error (RMSE) and Spearman correlation (SC).

RESULTS

We included 4,163 patients (MGH = 3,876; MIMIC = 287); average age of 69 [SD 15] years; 53% male, and 72% white. 90% patients had ischemic stroke and 10% hemorrhagic stroke. The two-stage model achieved a RMSE [95% CI] of 3.13 [2.86-3.41] (SC = 0.90 [0.88-0. 91]) in the MGH hold-out test set and 2.01 [1.58-2.38] (SC = 0.96 [0.94-0.97]) in the MIMIC validation set.

CONCLUSIONS

The automatic NLP-based model can enable large-scale stroke severity phenotyping from EHR and therefore support real-world quality improvement and comparative effectiveness studies in stroke.
Integrating single-cell transcriptomics with Artificial Intelligence reveals pan-cancer biomarkers of brain metastasis
Authors: Lusby Ryan , Carl Sarah , Tiwari Vijay K.
Published: March 2024

Brain metastasis (BrM) represents a devastating complication across various cancer types, posing as a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Hence, identifying robust biomarkers for early detection across various cancer types with a propensity for BrMs and their therapeutic targeting is highly timely and critical. In this study, we leveraged single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from six cancer types and combined with convolutional neural network (CNN)-based ScaiVision algorithm to identify a pan-cancer BrM signature that achieved remarkable accuracy in distinguishing BrM from primary tumour cells. Further analysis revealed that the BrM signature was not only prognostic but also detectable in bulk RNA-seq data, providing a stratification tool for patients with high or low metastatic potential. Strikingly, this signature was detected at high levels in the tumour educated platelets, showcasing its potential as a minimally invasive tool for metastasis detection. High BrM signature scores were associated with reduced patient survival, particularly in cancers prone to brain metastasis, such as renal and colorectal cancers. Further analysis uncovered VEGF signalling as a central driver of communication networks in high BrM-scored cells. Accordingly, drug repurposing analysis identified Pazopanib as a candidate for targeting highly metastatic cells that disrupts VEGF signalling networks, and potentially impedes brain metastatic progression in multiple cancer types. This study presents a comprehensive pan-cancer BrM signature with clinical implications for early detection and therapeutic intervention in brain metastasis.
Nuclear matter radii from molecular rotations using ultra-high-resolution spectroscopy
Authors: Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis Michail , Neyens Gerda
Published: March 2024

The rotational constant parametrizes the relative spacing between a molecule's rotational energy levels. It depends on the molecule's classical moments of inertia, which, in all studies, are expressed by treating the constituent nuclei as point masses separated by the bond length. We point out that treating the finite nuclear size leads to a correction to the rotational constant at the hertz level, which is resolvable with recently developed ultra-high-resolution molecular spectrometers. Nuclear-model-independent measurements of nuclear matter radii can thus be envisioned in the future using such apparatuses, advancing beyond the existing hadronic scattering experiments and further developing the intersection of nuclear and molecular physics. At the present time, it appears that the computational ability of quantum chemistry might be the limiting factor to the technical readiness of the approach. To test the premises of the proposed method, we call for benchmark experiments using HD+ that are feasible with state-of-the-art experiment and theory.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unified understanding to the rich electronic-structure evolutions of two-dimensional black phosphorus under pressure
Authors: Gao Yu-Meng , Zhang Yue-Jiao , Zhao Xiao-Lin , Li Xin-Yu , Wang Shu-Hui , Jin Chen-Dong , Zhang Hu , Lian Ru-Qian , Wang Rui-Ning , Gong Peng-Lai , Wang Jiang-Long , Shi Xing-Qiang
Published: March 2024

The electronic-structure evolutions of few-layer black phosphorus (BP) under pressure shows a wealth of phenomena, such as the nonmonotonic change of direct gap at the Γ point, the layer-number dependence, and the distinct responses to normal and hydrostatic pressures. A full and unified understanding to these rich phenomena remains lacking. Here, we provide a unified understanding from the competition between quasibonding (QB) interactions and chemical bonding interactions. The former decreases while the latter increases the band gap under pressure and the origin can be correlated to different combinations of inter- and intralayer antibonding or bonding interactions at the band edges. More interestingly, the interlayer QB interactions are a coexistence of two categories of interactions, namely, the coexistence of interactions between bands of the same occupancy (occupied-occupied and empty-empty interactions) and of different occupancies (occupied-empty interaction); and, the overall effect is a four-level interaction, which explains the anomalous interlayer-antibonding feature of the conduction band edge of bilayer BP. Our current study lays the foundation for the electronic-structure tuning of two-dimensional (2D) BP, and, our analysis method for multi-energy-level interactions can be applied to other 2D semiconductor homo- and heterostructures that have occupied-empty interlayer interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Study of the epitaxy between ɛ-Fe2O3, hematite and spinel in brown-glazed Chinese ceramics using electron diffraction mapping techniques
Authors: Holé Clément , Brunet Magali , Joulié Sébastien , Ren Zhao , Wang Tian , Wallez Gilles , Sciau Philippe
Published: March 2024

Black-to-brown Chinese ceramics have sparked the interest of material scientists since the widespread discovery of complex dendritic structures containing mainly the rare ɛ-Fe2O3 polymorph in their glazes. This study proposes to tackle this issue using two electron diffraction mapping techniques, transmission Kikuchi diffraction and automated crystal orientation mapping–precession electron diffraction, which have not been fully exploited despite their relevance for studying these structures at the scales of interest. It first demonstrates the efficiency of applying these techniques to characterize the structures at the nanoscale and discusses some limitations that may be encountered, in particular due to the specificity of heritage samples. It then focuses on the crystalline orientations obtained with these techniques, which highlight epitaxial relationships among the crystalline planes (001) of the ɛ-Fe2O3 phase, (0001) of the hematite and (111) of the spinel. Finally, it discusses the growth of such complex multi-phase structures by proposing two possible mechanisms, one based on the transformation of ɛ-Fe2O3 into hematite and spinel, and the other based on the growth of hematite and spinel on already crystallized ɛ-Fe2O3 dendrites. It also compares the dendritic structures of the two modern samples with those found in an ancient sample of Jian ware.
Bank liquidity creation, loan concentration and liquidity risk: a comparative analysis of dual banking system
Authors: Akram Hassan , Hushmat Adnan
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Keeping in view the robust growth of Islamic banking around the globe, this study aims to comparatively analyze the association between liquidity creation and liquidity risk for Islamic banks (IBANs) and conventional banks (CBANs) in Pakistan and Malaysia over a period of 2004–2021. The moderating role of bank loan concentration on the aforementioned relationship is also studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression estimation methods such as fixed effect, random effect and generalized least square are deployed for obtaining results. Liquidity creation Burger Bouwman measure (cat fat and noncat fat) and Basel-III liquidity risk measure (liquidity coverage ratio) are also used.

Findings

The results give us insight that liquidity creation is positively and significantly related to liquidity risk in both IBANs and CBANs of Pakistan and Malaysia. This relationship has been moderated negatively (reversed) and significantly by credit concentration showing the importance of risk management and loan portfolio concentration.

Practical implications

It is analyzed that during the process of liquidity creation, IBANs in Pakistan faced more liquidity risk for both on and off-balance sheet transactions in the presence of moderation of loan concentration than IBANs in Malaysia necessitating strategic policy-making for important aspects of liquidity risk management and loan concentration while creating liquidity.

Originality/value

Such studies comparing IBANs and CBANs comparison keeping in view liquidity creation, liquidity risk and loan concentration are either limited or nonexistent.
A study on site selection of wind power plant based on prospect theory and VIKOR: a case study in China
Authors: Zhao Hui , Wang Simeng , Lu Chen
Published: March 2024

Purpose

With the continuous development of the wind power industry, wind power plant (WPP) has become the focus of resource development within the industry. Site selection, as the initial stage of WPP development, is directly related to the feasibility of construction and the future revenue of WPP. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study the siting of WPP and establish a framework for siting decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, a site selection evaluation index system is constructed from four aspects of economy, geography, environment and society using the literature review method and the Delphi method, and the weights of each index are comprehensively determined by combining the Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and the entropy weight method (EW). Then, prospect theory and the multi-criteria compromise solution ranking method (VIKOR) are introduced to rank the potential options and determine the best site.

Findings

China is used as a case study, and the robustness and reliability of the methodology are demonstrated through sensitivity analysis, comparative analysis and ablation experiment analysis. This paper aims to provide a useful reference for WPP siting research.

Originality/value

In this paper, DEMATEL and EW are used to determine the weights of indicators, which overcome the disadvantage of single assignment. Prospect theory and VIKOR are combined to construct a decision model, which also considers the attitude of the decision-maker and the compromise solution of the decision result. For the first time, this framework is applied to WPP siting research.
Do nonfinancial reporting practices matter in SDG disclosure? An exploratory study
Authors: Erin Olayinka Adedayo , Olojede Paul
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The Agenda 2030 have drawn a lot of interest in academic studies. This necessitates accounting research on nonfinancial reporting and sustainable development goals (SDG) disclosure in an under-investigated context. The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of nonfinancial reporting practices to SDG disclosure by 120 companies from 12 African nations for the years 2016 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a content analysis to gauge how much information are disclosed on SDG by the selected firms. The authors carried out content analysis using the global reporting initiative frameworks to determine the level of SDG disclosure across the companies by examining the selected nonfinancial reports.

Findings

Sustainability reports account for 50% of such SDG disclosure making it the highest. This is followed by corporate social responsibility report which accounts for 23%, while environmental reports account for 20% and Chairman’s statement accounts for 7%. The result is expected since corporate sustainability report has been the major channel for disclosing activities relating to social and governance issues in recent times.

Practical implications

The results of this study demand that corporate entities in Africa take responsibility for their actions and exert significant effort to achieve the SDG. While the government has the main responsibility, corporate entities must support the SDG to be realized.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the few studies that examines nonfinancial reporting practices with a focus on SDG disclosure. In addition, this study offers novel insight into how accounting research contributes to nonfinancial reporting practices and SDG disclosure.
Commentary on “Collective effort to enhance the quality of research evidence in intellectual and developmental disabilities: a case study of an academic-practice network”
Authors: Cameron Michael J. , Shahin Jenifer , Lockerman Nicole
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to endorse and elaborate on the recommendations put forward by the Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network (SF-DDARIN), emphasising their significance in the field of developmental disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines a specific point of view. The first section focuses on integrating developmental theory and advanced technology in interventions for developmental disabilities. Subsequently, the commentary explores virtual reality (VR) and generative artificial intelligence (AI) for enhancing social skills and personalising support. Finally, the piece highlights innovations like SocialWise VR and Custom Generative Pre-Trained Transformers in aligning interventions with developmental stages.

Findings

Technologies like VR and generative AI hold vast potential to revolutionise how clinicians provide timely and relevant knowledge to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Research limitations/implications

This is strictly a commentary.

Practical implications

Availability of technology.

Social implications

Both VR and generative AI will impact service delivery in a meaningful way.

Originality/value

The paper advocates for incorporating these technologies into SF-DDARIN's approach, emphasising their potential to revolutionise evidence-based interventions in developmental disabilities.
Understanding digital consumer culture in Indonesia: a case study on youth community in Jakarta using an actor-network theory approach
Authors: Ekklesia Jan Mealino
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine digital consumer culture and behavior in the community, namely, 180° Movement Digital Training Center (DTC), in Jakarta, Indonesia. It aims to describe the dynamics of digital consumer culture in contemporary society, particularly as experienced by the youth community in Jakarta in the context of socio-technology relations and incorporates it into the diagram of digital consumer culture network.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a constructivist qualitative approach and socio-technical relation analysis through actor-network theory and digital consumer culture.

Findings

The study finds that the individual model of digital consumption is constructed through the process of problematization, interessement, enrollment and mobilization of individuals. It generates a culture in which consumers are constantly up to date with high-intensity information, but within increasingly shorter timeframes, while also considering principles of affordability, needs, desires and satisfaction. The network of digital consumer culture construction among informants is peculiar and unstable.

Research limitations/implications

The study of digital consumer culture within the 180° Movement DTC community highlights how consumer behaviors of its members are facilitated and interconnected within a digital cultural network. However, this research is constrained by the dialectical interplay between Christian principles and the emerging values of consumer culture, a result of the scarcity of theoretical resources and information. This study also provides a specific contribution as a foundation for mapping the volatile digital consumer culture for researchers.

Practical implications

Understanding the socio-technological relationships and consumption behavior of the youth community could help digital platforms tailor their services more effectively. It could also guide the 180° Movement DTC in developing programs that resonate with the youth, bridging the gap between the physical and virtual realms. Ultimately, this could lead to a more engaged and digitally literate society.

Social implications

This study contributes to a broader societal understanding of how digital technology is shaping consumer behavior and identity within youth communities, which can influence social dynamics and interactions. It provides insights into the potential social impacts of digital technology, such as changes in relationships, communication patterns and self-perception, informing societal discourse on digital culture.

Originality/value

In addition to presenting socio-technological analysis on Indonesian consumer culture using actor-network theory, some also show that studies on digital connectivity ambivalence that concern the relationship between humans as actors and non-humans as actors have become one of the popular sociology studies at present.
Interferon inducible guanylate‐binding protein 1 modulates the lipopolysaccharide‐induced cytokines/chemokines and mitogen‐activated protein kinases in macrophages
Authors: Kumar Ravindra , Kushawaha Pramod Kumar
Published: March 2024

Guanylate‐binding proteins (GBPs) are a family of interferon (IFN)‐inducible GTPases and play a pivotal role in the host immune response to microbial infections. These are upregulated in immune cells after recognizing the lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the major membrane component of Gram‐negative bacteria. In the present study, the expression pattern of GBP1–7 was initially mapped in phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐differentiated human monocytes THP‐1 and mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 cell lines stimulated with LPS. A time‐dependent significant expression of GBP1–7 was observed in these cells. Moreover, among the various GBPs, GBP1 has emerged as a central player in regulating innate immunity and inflammation. Therefore, to study the specific role of GBP1 in LPS‐induced inflammation, knockdown of the Gbp1 gene was carried out in both cells using small interfering RNA interference. Altered levels of different cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12β, IFN‐γ, tumor necrosis factor‐α), inducible nitric oxide synthase, histocompatibility 2, class II antigen A, protein kinase R, and chemokines (chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 9 [CXCL9], CXCL10, and CXCL11) in GBP1 knockdown cells were reported compared to control cells. Interestingly, the extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) transcription factor levels were considerably induced in knockdown cells compared to the control cells. However, no change in the level of phosphorylated nuclear factor‐kB, c‐Jun, and p38 transcription factors was observed in GBP1 knockdown cells compared to the control cells. This study concludes that GBP1 may alter the expression of cytokines, chemokines, and effector molecules mediated by MAP kinases and STAT1 transcription factors.