bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementary Figure S6 from Health Disparities among Patients with Cancer Who Received Molecular Testing for Biomarker-Directed Therapy
Authors: Heath Elisabeth , Dyson Gregory , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Xiu Joanne , Poorman Kelsey , Mamdani Hirva , Al-Hallak Mohammed N. , Shields Anthony F. , Elayoubi Jailan A. , Winer Ira S. , Cackowski Frank C. , Puckrein Gary A. , Lopes Gilberto de Lima , Jones Nathaniel , Hauke Ralph J. , Kareff Samuel A. , Radovich Milan , Sledge George W. , Spetzler David B. , Vidal Gregory A. , Marshall John L.
Published: October 2024

Prevalence of common mutations in tumor subtypes
Supplementary Figure S2 from Health Disparities among Patients with Cancer Who Received Molecular Testing for Biomarker-Directed Therapy
Authors: Heath Elisabeth , Dyson Gregory , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Xiu Joanne , Poorman Kelsey , Mamdani Hirva , Al-Hallak Mohammed N. , Shields Anthony F. , Elayoubi Jailan A. , Winer Ira S. , Cackowski Frank C. , Puckrein Gary A. , Lopes Gilberto de Lima , Jones Nathaniel , Hauke Ralph J. , Kareff Samuel A. , Radovich Milan , Sledge George W. , Spetzler David B. , Vidal Gregory A. , Marshall John L.
Published: October 2024

Overall survival of cohort by stage
Figure 4 from Health Disparities among Patients with Cancer Who Received Molecular Testing for Biomarker-Directed Therapy
Authors: Heath Elisabeth , Dyson Gregory , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Xiu Joanne , Poorman Kelsey , Mamdani Hirva , Al-Hallak Mohammed N. , Shields Anthony F. , Elayoubi Jailan A. , Winer Ira S. , Cackowski Frank C. , Puckrein Gary A. , Lopes Gilberto de Lima , Jones Nathaniel , Hauke Ralph J. , Kareff Samuel A. , Radovich Milan , Sledge George W. , Spetzler David B. , Vidal Gregory A. , Marshall John L.
Published: October 2024

Analysis of treatment-associated outcomes and effect of mutation status among patients in Caris CODEai clinico-genomic database. A and B, Kaplan–Meier analysis comparing posttreatment OS between patients with STK11-mutated (mut, blue lines) and STK11-wild type (wt, red lines) NSCLC treated with (A) carboplatin (no pembrolizumab) and (B) pembrolizumab (no carboplatin). C and D, Kaplan–Meier analysis comparing (C) posttreatment OS and (D) TOT between patients treated with pemetrexed (blue lines) and osimertinib (red lines) for EGFR-mut NSCLC. E and F, Kaplan–Meier analysis comparing posttreatment OS between patients with EGFR-mut (blue lines) and EGFR-wt (red lines) NSCLC treated with (E) osimertinib or (F) pemetrexed. G and H, Kaplan–Meier analysis comparing (G) posttreatment OS and (H) TOT between patients treated with fluorouracil (blue lines) and capecitabine (red lines) for colorectal cancer.
Figure 3 from Health Disparities among Patients with Cancer Who Received Molecular Testing for Biomarker-Directed Therapy
Authors: Heath Elisabeth , Dyson Gregory , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Xiu Joanne , Poorman Kelsey , Mamdani Hirva , Al-Hallak Mohammed N. , Shields Anthony F. , Elayoubi Jailan A. , Winer Ira S. , Cackowski Frank C. , Puckrein Gary A. , Lopes Gilberto de Lima , Jones Nathaniel , Hauke Ralph J. , Kareff Samuel A. , Radovich Milan , Sledge George W. , Spetzler David B. , Vidal Gregory A. , Marshall John L.
Published: October 2024

Gene mutations by race. A, Percentage of tumors from Black versus White patients that are positive for the indicated gene mutations. #, P < 0.001; ns, not significant. B–E, Probability of Black patients having a TP53 (B), APC (C), KRAS (D), or PIK3CA (E) mutation relative to White patients for each individual tumor type. *, P < 0.05; #, P < 0.001. When data are not shown, we did not produce confidence intervals because of low gene mutation prevalence for the indicated cancer type.
Figure 1 from Health Disparities among Patients with Cancer Who Received Molecular Testing for Biomarker-Directed Therapy
Authors: Heath Elisabeth , Dyson Gregory , Ribeiro Jennifer R. , Xiu Joanne , Poorman Kelsey , Mamdani Hirva , Al-Hallak Mohammed N. , Shields Anthony F. , Elayoubi Jailan A. , Winer Ira S. , Cackowski Frank C. , Puckrein Gary A. , Lopes Gilberto de Lima , Jones Nathaniel , Hauke Ralph J. , Kareff Samuel A. , Radovich Milan , Sledge George W. , Spetzler David B. , Vidal Gregory A. , Marshall John L.
Published: October 2024

Tumor lineages of the cohort and analysis of OS by race. A, Total numbers of each tumor type broken down by study site. B, Percentage of the total made up by each study site for the top 10 most represented tumor types. C, Kaplan–Meier curve for OS of White patients (black line) and Black patients (red line) among molecularly-tested cohort. D, COXPH analyzing the effect of race on OS in individual tumor types. *, P < 0.05. E and F, Median survival among the Caris cohort (E) or 5-year survival among the SEER cohort (F) was plotted for male and female White and non-White patients in three different age groups (<50 years; 50 ≤ years < 65; and ≥65).
Calciphylaxis Mimicking Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report
Authors: Alyousef Nada , Alsakran Wael A. , Maktabi Azza
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Calciphylaxis is a condition that causes vascular calcification and intimal proliferation with thrombotic occlusion of small-to-medium-sized vessels. Case Presentation: We describe a case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with a clinical picture that was suggestive of anterior arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy due to giant cell arteritis (GCA), but was found to have calciphylaxis confirmed by histologic examination. When calciphylaxis affects the blood supply to the eye, commonly it causes sudden vision loss, pallid optic disk edema, and a relative afferent pupillary defect, all of which were observed in our patient. Conclusion: There is no known cure for calciphylaxis, while in GCA, high-dose corticosteroid therapy is essential to prevent involvement of the contralateral eye. As the management approaches for these two diseases are different, it is important to have performed a thorough clinical examination along with detailed histopathological testing to rule out calciphylaxis of the temporal artery in patients suspected to have GCA.
Breaching-through-Service: Accounting and Shaping Social Order with Service Design
Authors: Wu Yiying , Acharya Karthikeya
Published: October 2024

This article proposes a novel approach called breaching-through-service (BtS) that integrates the microsociological approach of ethnomethodology and field-based design experimentation. BtS is service-in-action that is embedded with incongruity. It provides an operational and analytical framework for researchers to breach a social situation by designing and delivering a service, accounting for what occurs in that context, and then acting based on the ensuing interaction. In this way, it enables inquiry and service delivery simultaneously. The BtS approach enriches the practice of studying and harnessing micro-interactions with and for service design. With this, it advances the investigative and transformational capacity of service design.
Measurement variability of blood–brain barrier permeability using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Varatharaj Aravinthan , Jacob Carmen , Darekar Angela , Yuen Brian , Cramer Stig , Larsson Henrik , Galea Ian
Published: October 2024

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is used to quantify the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability–surface area product. Serial measurements can indicate changes in BBB health, of interest to the study of normal physiology, neurological disease, and the effect of therapeutics. We performed a scan–rescan study to inform both sample size calculation for future studies and an appropriate reference change value for patient care. The final dataset included 28 healthy individuals (mean age 53.0 years, 82% female) scanned twice with mean interval 9.9 weeks. DCE-MRI was performed at 3T using a 3D gradient echo sequence with whole brain coverage, T1 mapping using variable flip angles, and a 16-min dynamic sequence with a 3.2-s time resolution. Segmentation of white and grey matter (WM/GM) was performed using a 3D magnetization-prepared gradient echo image. The influx constant Ki was calculated using the Patlak method. The primary outcome was the within-subject coefficient of variation (CV) of Ki in both WM and GM. Ki values followed biological expectations in relation to known GM/WM differences in cerebral blood volume (CBV) and consequently vascular surface area.

Subject-derived arterial input functions showed marked within-subject variability which were significantly reduced by using a venous input function (CV of area under the curve 46 vs. 12%, p < 0.001). Use of the venous input function significantly improved the CV of Ki in both WM (30 vs. 59%, p < 0.001) and GM (21 vs. 53%, p < 0.001). Further improvement was obtained using motion correction, scaling the venous input function by the artery, and using the median rather than the mean of individual voxel data. The final method gave CV of 27% and 17% in WM and GM, respectively. No further improvement was obtained by replacing the subject-derived input function by one standard population input function. CV of Ki was shown to be highly sensitive to dynamic sequence duration, with shorter measurement periods giving marked deterioration especially in WM. In conclusion, measurement variability of 3D brain DCE-MRI is sensitive to analysis method and a large precision improvement is obtained using a venous input function.
Immediate post-discharge care among US adults hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Sato Reiko , Judy Jen , Yacisin Kari , Begier Elizabeth , Sardana Poorva , Agrawal Neha , Goswami Anchita , Sharma Manvi
Published: October 2024

Background

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an important pathogen causing acute respiratory illnesses in adults. RSV infection can lead to severe outcomes, including hospitalizations and even death. Despite the increased recognition of the burden in older adults, immediate post-discharge care needs among adults hospitalized with RSV are not well characterized and have not been compared to other serious medical conditions (such as influenza, acute myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke) for which there have been long-standing disease prevention efforts.

Objectives

This study aims to describe the immediate post-discharge care needs among adults hospitalized with RSV in the United States and descriptively compare it to those hospitalized with influenza, acute MI, or stroke.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Patients

Adults aged ≥ 18 years, hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of RSV, influenza, acute MI, or stroke from January 01, 2016, to December 31, 2019, were identified from the Premier Healthcare Database using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes.

Main measures

Immediate post-discharge care was categorized into three different levels of care based on the discharge dispositions. Descriptive analyses were performed.

Key results

In total, 3,629 RSV, 303,577 influenza, 388,682 acute MI, and 416,750 stroke hospitalizations were identified, the majority occurred among patients aged ≥ 65 years. Professional home care needs were the highest for RSV hospitalizations (19.1%), followed by influenza (17.7%), stroke (15.4%), and acute MI (9.8%). Additionally, institutional care needs immediately following discharge were similar for RSV, influenza, and acute MI hospitalizations (14.2%, 15.8%, and 14.1%, respectively).

Conclusions

Immediate post-discharge care needs among adults hospitalized with RSV, especially in older adults, can be considerable and comparable to influenza and acute MI discharges. With recently approved RSV vaccines, efforts to increase vaccination in older adults are needed to prevent RSV and associated healthcare consequences.
“Evaluation of Silver Diamine Fluoride Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (SMART) on hypomineralized first permanent molar”- a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Saad Aya Ehab , Alhosainy Ashraf Yassin , Abdellatif Abeer M.
Published: October 2024

Background

Restoring first permanent molars affected with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is challenging. Focusing on improving the quality of life for children affected by MIH, at least until the complete eruption of first permanent molars to receive full coverage, to decrease the hypersensitivity and to be able to perform proper oral hygiene measures, the purpose of this study was to compare silver modified atraumatic restorative technique (SMART) versus the conventional restoration and fluoride varnish application on moderate to severe hypomineralized molars. The comparison considered the restoration survival, hypersensitivity, and digital surface area changes after one year follow up.

Methods

Twenty-eight children were selected (20 girls and 8 boys) with at least 2 MIH molars with the same defect severity. The study comprised 2 groups; MOD group (moderate hypomineralized molar severity) and SEV group (Severe hypomineralized molar severity) (n = 28 tooth). Each group was further subdivided into 2 subgroups according to the technique of restoration: SMART subgroup and CONV subgroup (high viscosity glass ionomer restoration and fluoride varnish application) (each = 14 tooth). Evaluation was done in terms of the restoration survival (6 months and 12 months), hypersensitivity at 1 weak, 6 months and 12 months and occlusal surface area changes at 12 months). Professional Fluoride varnish application and home prophylaxis using MI paste were the protocol for each child patient.

Results

There was no significant difference between the 4 subgroups, regarding tooth restoration integrity at 6-months vs. 12-months. However, a statistically significant difference in tooth restoration integrity between the 4 subgroups at 12-months (P = .049). Also, the hypersensitivity score, there was a statistically significant difference between the 4-time intervals (P < .001) and a statistically significant difference in surface area changes between the 4 subgroups.

Conclusions

Selective removal of carious tissue and SMART restoration, combined with dental home and professional preventive measures every 3 months maintained the integrity of restorations in severely and moderately affected permanent molars up to 1 year.

Trial registration

The study protocol was retrospectively registered on Clinical Trials (NCT05931822–05/ 07/2023).
CLN3 transcript complexity revealed by long-read RNA sequencing analysis
Authors: Zhang Hao-Yu , Minnis Christopher , Gustavsson Emil , Ryten Mina , Mole Sara E.
Published: October 2024

Background

Batten disease is a group of rare inherited neurodegenerative diseases. Juvenile CLN3 disease is the most prevalent type, and the most common pathogenic variant shared by most patients is the “1-kb” deletion which removes two internal coding exons (7 and 8) in CLN3. Previously, we identified two transcripts in patient fibroblasts homozygous for the 1-kb deletion: the ‘major’ and ‘minor’ transcripts. To understand the full variety of disease transcripts and their role in disease pathogenesis, it is necessary to first investigate CLN3 transcription in “healthy” samples without juvenile CLN3 disease.

Methods

We leveraged PacBio long-read RNA sequencing datasets from ENCODE to investigate the full range of CLN3 transcripts across various tissues and cell types in human control samples. Then we sought to validate their existence using data from different sources.

Results

We found that a readthrough gene affects the quantification and annotation of CLN3. After taking this into account, we detected over 100 novel CLN3 transcripts, with no dominantly expressed CLN3 transcript. The most abundant transcript has median usage of 42.9%. Surprisingly, the known disease-associated ‘major’ transcripts are detected. Together, they have median usage of 1.5% across 22 samples. Furthermore, we identified 48 CLN3 ORFs, of which 26 are novel. The predominant ORF that encodes the canonical CLN3 protein isoform has median usage of 66.7%, meaning around one-third of CLN3 transcripts encode protein isoforms with different stretches of amino acids. The same ORFs could be found with alternative UTRs. Moreover, we were able to validate the translational potential of certain transcripts using public mass spectrometry data.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the complexity of CLN3 transcription, highlighting the importance of studying both canonical and non-canonical CLN3 protein isoforms as well as the regulatory role of UTRs to fully comprehend the regulation and function(s) of CLN3. This knowledge is essential for investigating the impact of the 1-kb deletion and rare pathogenic variants on CLN3 transcription and disease pathogenesis.
Personalized mRNA vaccines in glioblastoma therapy: from rational design to clinical trials
Authors: Karimi-Sani Iman , Molavi Zahra , Naderi Samaneh , Mirmajidi Seyedeh-Habibeh , Zare Iman , Naeimzadeh Yasaman , Mansouri Atena , Tajbakhsh Amir , Savardashtaki Amir , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: October 2024

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumors, presenting significant challenges for treatment due to their invasive nature and localization in critical brain regions. Standard treatment includes surgical resection followed by radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ). Recent advances in immunotherapy, including the use of mRNA vaccines, offer promising alternatives. This review focuses on the emerging use of mRNA vaccines for GBM treatment. We summarize recent advancements, evaluate current obstacles, and discuss notable successes in this field. Our analysis highlights that while mRNA vaccines have shown potential, their use in GBM treatment is still experimental. Ongoing research and clinical trials are essential to fully understand their therapeutic potential. Future developments in mRNA vaccine technology and insights into GBM-specific immune responses may lead to more targeted and effective treatments. Despite the promise, further research is crucial to validate and optimize the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in combating GBM.

Graphical Abstract
Revisiting the scope and expectations of Implementation Science and Implementation Science Communications
Authors: Wilson Paul , Aarons Gregory A. , Sales Anne , Xu Dong , Wensing Michel , Hutchinson Alison , Beidas Rinad S. , Geng Elvin
Published: October 2024

This editorial updates the scope and submission expectations of Implementation Science and Implementation Science Communications. We refine our protocol publishing policies and set out new expectations for reporting studies describing determinants and their relationship with implementation outcomes. Our central focus remains on the implementation of evidence-based interventions into healthcare practice and policy. We are most interested in rigorous empirical studies of the implementation of evidence-based healthcare interventions, practices, and policies, and the de-implementation of those that are demonstrated to be of low-value or no benefit. Alongside this, we remain interested in the systematic study of implementation mechanisms and processes and on the influences of patient, professional, and organizational behaviours. Novel theoretical and methodological developments are considered. For all submissions, we expect authors to demonstrate how their work is integrated with existing knowledge in the field and to clearly state the added value of the work to the field broadly.
Infusion parameters, safety, and practical guidance for the manual administration of subcutaneous immunoglobulin 20% (Ig20Gly)
Authors: Grosse-Kreul Dorothea , Allen Crystal , Kalicinsky Chrystyna , Keith Paul K.
Published: October 2024

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), also referred to as inborn errors of immunity, constitute a group of genetic conditions that affect the immune system. The current standard of care for patients with PIDs is lifelong immunoglobulin replacement therapy, delivered by intravenous (IVIG) or subcutaneous (SCIG) infusion. Immune globulin subcutaneous (human) 20% solution stabilized with glycine (Ig20Gly) is indicated as a replacement therapy for PIDs in adults and children of any age in Europe and in patients aged 2 years and above in the USA. Typically, Ig20Gly is administered using an infusion pump; however, delivery of Ig20Gly by manual administration has recently been approved in Europe. Practical recommendations on the use of Ig20Gly manual administration are lacking; this review therefore aims to provide guidance for use of this method of administration. Additionally, we summarize the infusion parameters, safety, patient-reported outcomes, and economic benefits associated with Ig20Gly manual administration. Manual administration of Ig20Gly was shown to permit faster rates of infusion than administration via infusion pump. Patients typically infused at two or fewer infusion sites with manual administration of Ig20Gly. Safety and tolerability profiles were similar for Ig20Gly manual administration and administration by infusion pump. Overall, there were comparable levels of patient satisfaction with manual administration and infusion pump, with patient preference deemed to be a key determinator of success for either method of administration. Economic studies identified cost savings for the healthcare system through manual administration compared with IVIG or SCIG infusion by infusion pump because of the reduced equipment costs and nurse support. For infusion of Ig20Gly by manual administration, a syringe and butterfly needle are used; patients are advised to start infusion at 1–2 mL/min to prevent discomfort. Overall, manual administration of Ig20Gly offers an effective and well-tolerated alternative to administration by infusion pump.
Is pericapsular nerve group block superior to other regional analgesia techniques following total hip arthroplasty? a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Wan Lang , Huang Hua , Zhang Fumin , Li Yanbing , Zhou Yantao
Published: October 2024

Background

A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the safety and efficacy of pericapsular nerve group block (PENGB) with other regional analgesia techniques in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for relevant research from inception to May, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PENGB with other regional analgesia techniques in patients undergoing THA were included. The primary outcome was resting pain scores at 6 h after surgery. The NMA was made by using Stata 15.1 software. Potential risk of bias was assessed by using CINeMA. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed on the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 11 RCTs including 766 patients were eligible for inclusion. For postoperative resting and movement pain scores within 24 h analysis, PENGB + periarticular local anesthetic infiltration (PLAI) was found to be significantly more effective than other treatments and its Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was the lowest. Moreover, PENGB + PLAI was ranked the best in reducing opioid consumption within 24 h and the length of hospital stay. PENGB was found to have significantly lower incidence of quadriceps motor block and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

Conclusions

PENGB is more likely to reduce the incidence of quadriceps motor block and PONV in patients undergoing THA, but PENGB + PLAI is superior to other regional analgesia techniques (PLAI, PENGB, fascia iliaca compartment block, and quadratus lumborum block) in improving postoperative pain and shortening the length of hospital stay.

Trial registration number

CRD42024538421.
Computed tomography-based radiomics nomogram for prediction of lympho-vascular and perineural invasion in esophageal squamous cell cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tang Bin , Wu Fan , Peng Lin , Leng Xuefeng , Han Yongtao , Wang Qifeng , Wu Junxiang , Orlandini Lucia Clara
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Lympho-vascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) have been established as prognostic factors in various types of cancers. The preoperative prediction of LVI and PNI has the potential to guide personalized medicine strategies for patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). This study investigates whether radiomics features derived from preoperative contrast-enhanced CT could predict LVI and PNI in ESCC patients.

Methods and materials

A retrospective cohort of 544 ESCC patients who underwent esophagectomy were included in this study. Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT images, pathological results of PNI and LVI, and clinical characteristics were collected. For each patient, the gross tumor volume (GTV-T) and lymph nodes volume (GTV-N) were delineated and four categories of radiomics features (first-order, shape, textural and wavelet) were extracted from GTV-T and GTV-N. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to select significant features associated with LVI and PNI in turn. Subsequently, radiomics signatures for LVI and PNI were constructed using LASSO regression with ten-fold cross-validation. Significant clinical characteristics were combined with radiomics signature to develop two nomogram models for predicting LVI and PNI, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the models.

Results

The radiomics signature for LVI prediction consisted of 28 features, while the PNI radiomics signature comprised 14 features. The AUCs of the LVI radiomics signature were 0.77 and 0.74 in the training and validation groups, respectively, while the AUCs of the PNI radiomics signature were 0.69 and 0.68 in the training and validation groups. The nomograms incorporating radiomics signatures and significant clinical characteristics such as age, gender, thrombin time and D-Dimer showed improved predictive performance for both LVI (AUC: 0.82 and 0.80 in the training and validation group) and PNI (AUC: 0.75 and 0.72 in the training and validation groups) compared to the radiomics signature alone.

Conclusion

The radiomics features extracted from preoperative contrast-enhanced CT of gross tumor and lymph nodes have demonstrated their potential in predicting LVI and PNI in ESCC patients. Furthermore, the incorporation of clinical characteristics has shown additional value, resulting in improved predictive performance.
High levels of bisphenol A among infertile men can impair spermatogenesis by oxidative stress and elevated levels of microRNA-337
Authors: Ahmad Manar A. , Ismail Nashaat Nabil , Ghaleb Sherien S. , Hassan Dalia Abd Elwhab , Al-Fakharany Reham S. , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Ahmed Amany M. , Lotfy Amr Mohamed , AboSief Ahmed Fathy Mohamed
Published: October 2024

Background

Studies have shown that Bisphenol A may interfere with the process of spermatogenesis and result in a decrease in the quality of semen. Nevertheless, the fundamental processes remain unclear. This study was done to investigate the connections between exposure to Bisphenol A, spermatogenesis with microRNA-337, and malondialdehyde in infertile men.

Methods

This study was a case–control study on 73 participants. Infertile group (1a): azoospermia (n = 16), infertile group (1b): oligozoospermia (n = 22), and control group (2): normospermic (n = 35) were enrolled in this study. Full history, local examination, semen analysis, and urine and blood samples were taken from all participants. Urinary Bisphenol A, malondialdehyde, and serum microRNA-337 were measured.

Results

The mean Bisphenol A level in azoospermia group shows statistically significant increase comparing to fertile control group. The mean microRNA-337 level in oligozoospermia and azoospermia group shows statistically significant increase comparing to fertile controls. The mean malondialdehyde level in infertility groups shows statistically significant increase comparing to fertile control group. No linear correlations were recorded between Bisphenol A levels with semen quality parameters, hormonal profile, and microRNA-337.

Conclusion

While there is no significant change in the levels of Bisphenol A between normal fertile males and infertile males with oligozospermia, a significant elevation in the BPA level was observed in infertile males with azoospermia. A significant upregulation of the miRNA-337 gene expression in infertile males either oligozospermia or azoospermia was also observed. In addition, lipid peroxidation as evident by the significant elevation of MDA levels was marked among infertile patients.
Multi-modal artificial intelligence enhanced systematic colorectal cancer pathology evaluation.
Authors: Lin Po-Jen , Lee Tsung-Lu Michael , Tsai Cheng-Hsiu , Gong Xuan , Tsai Mu-Hung , Liu Hsi-Huei , Huang Amy H , Lee Irene Tai-Lin , Hsieh Ronan Wenhan , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Yu Kun-Hsing
Published: October 2024

3532

Background:
Multi-modal artificial intelligence (AI) approaches have substantial promise for capturing the relationships between pathology images, text descriptions, and patients’ clinical characteristics. Previous attempts showed that multi-modal AI methods classified colorectal cancer (CRC) types with an accuracy of 90%. However, it is unclear if this new AI framework can reliably predict histologic grade and the extent of primary tumor at scale (T stage). To address this research gap, here we developed a multi-modal AI system for detailed CRC pathology analyses, with a focus on histologic factors related to patient prognoses.
Methods:
We obtained whole-slide pathology images, pathology reports, and detailed clinical information from 441 colorectal adenocarcinoma patients who participated in The Cancer Genome Atlas. These patients were divided into training or testing sets using a 75/25 split. We extracted histology types (invasive adenocarcinoma with or without mucinous features), histology grades (well, moderate, or poorly differentiated), and the extent of the primary tumor (pT2, pT3, or pT4) from the pathology reports in the training subset. We employed the CLIP (Contrastive Language-Image Pre-Training) prefix captioning model as a backbone and developed an AI model for predicting these pathology profiles using whole-slide pathology images. We evaluated the performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and F1 score) of our model by comparing the model-based prediction in the testing set and the ground-truth information from the pathology reports.
Results:
Our model successfully predicted histology types with an accuracy of 0.89 and an F1 score of 0.93 (sensitivity = 0.92, specificity = 0.76, and precision = 0.94). In addition, our approach further predicted histology grades with an accuracy of 0.79 and an F1 score of 0.87 (sensitivity = 0.96, specificity = 0.31, and precision = 0.80). Furthermore, our model achieved an accuracy of 0.69 and an F1 score of 0.80 (sensitivity = 0.78, specificity = 0.38, and precision = 0.83) in predicting T stages.
Conclusions:
Our study suggests that multi-modal AI has the potential to assist with the histopathology diagnosis of CRC tissues. Our approaches performed well in identifying CRC types and could provide second opinions on CRC diagnosis. However, the performance of our model varies across prediction tasks. Extensive external validation using larger and more diverse pathology datasets is crucial to moving our novel AI approaches closer to clinical applications.

Category
Sensitivity
Specificity
Accuracy
Precision
F1 score

Histology types
0.92
0.76
0.89
0.94
0.93

Histology grades
0.96
0.31
0.79
0.80
0.87

T stages
0.78
0.38
0.69
0.83
0.80
Phase II trial of intravesical camrelizumab in BCG-unresponsive high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Authors: Shen Yijun , Peng Liangju , Xu Peihang , Wang Yanhao , Wang Xiang , Xudong Yao , Liu Yushan , Ye Ding-Wei
Published: October 2024

4594

Background:
In a phase I study, intravesical camrelizumab (at a maximum tolerated dose [MTD] of 200 mg) was well tolerated by patients with BCG-unresponsive high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This phase II trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of intravesical camrelizumab at the established phase I MTD.
Methods:
Patients with histologically confirmed BCG-unresponsive high-risk NMIBC, who were ineligible for or declined radical cystectomy, received intravesical camrelizumab at a dose of 200 mg every week for up to 6 weeks as the induction course. Subsequently, the maintenance therapy started with 200 mg administered every 3 weeks and continued until reaching the maximum treatment duration of 2 years or in the event of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was the 3-month event-free survival (EFS) rate. The secondary endpoints included 6-month EFS rate, 1-year EFS rate, recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Biomarker exploration included PD-L1 expression and protein sequencing.
Results:
Between June 2021, and December 2023, 14 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of camrelizumab, all of whom were included in the safety analysis.At a median follow-up of 23.1 months (IQR 15.8-28.6), the median EFS was 12.68 months (95% CI 6.31-NE), with a 3-month EFS rate of 92.3% (95%CI 77.8-100), a 6-month EFS rate of 75.5% (95%CI 51.4-99.7) and a 12-month EFS rate of 50.3% (95%CI 22.1-78.6). Both median RFS and PFS was 12.68 months (95% CI 6.31-NE). Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 2 (14.3%) patients, one with urinary tract infection and the other with vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Serious TEAEs occurred in one (7.1%) patient. No deaths were reported. PD-L1 expression was not related to treatment efficacy. Protein sequencing revealed a total of 296 proteins with differential expression between responsive and unresponsive patients. Analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway demonstrated that the responsive group was associated with activated biological processes, including T cell receptor signaling pathway, alpha-beta T cell activation, and adaptive immune response.
Conclusions:
Intravesical camrelizumab demonstrated promising anti-tumor activity and acceptable tolerance in patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC who either declined or were ineligible for radical cystectomy. This suggests its potential as an effective non-surgical and topical treatment option for this specific population. The efficacy was attributed to enhanced immune pathway activation.
Clinical trial information: NCT04706598
.
Clinical outcomes of patients with HR-positive advanced breast cancer treated with eribulin: A retrospective multicenter study from China.
Authors: Li Aodi , Lv Zheng , Zhang Zhiqiang , Shi Jing , Zhao Lei , Cao Lili , Teng Yuee
Published: October 2024

e13010

Background:
Approximately 75% of patients with metastatic breast cancer are hormone receptor positive (HR+)/ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) and are treated with endocrine therapy based on subtype. However, the high rate of resistance to endocrine therapy requires switching to new approaches, including chemotherapy. Eribulin is a novel synthetic analog of halichondrin B that acts as a non-taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor and inhibits the G2-M growth phase. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the clinical outcomes of Chinese patients with HR+ advanced breast cancer (ABC) who received eribulin.
Methods:
The study included 62 patients with HR+/HER2– ABC in three Chinese institutions between August 2019 and August 2023. Socio-demographic, clinical, pathology, imaging, and therapy records were reviewed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and tumor response were evaluated.
Results:
A total of 62 patients were included. The median age was 50.0 years. Eribulin was used as a second, third, fourth and fifth or more therapy agent in 4 (6.5%), 23 (37.1%), 15 (24.2%) and 20 (32.3%) of ABC patients, respectively. 54.8% of the patients had previously used CDK4/6 inhibitors. Eribulin monotherapy and eribulin-based combination therapy were 59.7% and 40.3% of patients. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 21.0% (13/62) and 88.7% (55/62) overall. By number of lines of therapy, the less than or equal third line ORR was 33.3% and the greater than third line ORR was 11.4% (
p
= 0.0577). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of total population was 5.2 months (95% CI: 4.1–5.8). The mPFS was 6.1 and 4.1 months in the eribulin-based combination therapy group and eribulin monotherapy group (
p
= 0.0219), respectively. By number of lines of therapy, the mPFS was 5.8 and 4.1 months in the less than or equal third line and greater than third line treatment (
p
= 0.05), respectively. Whether CDK4/6i had been used in these ABC patients had no effect on PFS, which was 5.0 and 5.5 months, respectively.
Conclusions:
This retrospective study suggests that eribulin was effective in HR+ Chinese patients with ABC. The front-line and combined therapy of eribulin in HR+ ABC need further exploration.
Anesthesia for Posterior Tracheopexy in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Muñoz Carlos J. , Kuo Frederick H. , Hernández Michael R. , Alrayashi Walid , Sullivan Cornelius A. , Wang Jue T. , Jennings Russell W.
Published: October 2024

Tracheobronchomalacia refers to an abnormally excessive collapse of the trachea and/or bronchi during exhalation. In the pediatric population, tracheobronchomalacia is increasingly recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Historically, options for medical management and surgical intervention were limited, and patient outcomes were poor.

Over the last decade, select US pediatric institutions have devoted significant resources to the establishment of dedicated surgery and anesthesia teams and the development of novel techniques for the successful identification, assessment, and surgical correction of tracheobronchomalacia in a highly complex subset of the pediatric population. The close communication, collaboration, and evolution of anesthesia techniques to meet the unique requirements of new surgical procedures have greatly improved patient safety and optimized outcomes. More than 800 cases have been performed across 2 US pediatric institutions using these techniques. This article reviews the posterior tracheopexy procedure, a newer but increasingly common surgery designed to address tracheobronchomalacia, and provides an overview of related anesthesia considerations and unique challenges. In addition, this article describes novel anesthesia techniques developed specifically to facilitate optimal diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia and intraoperative management of posterior tracheopexy and similar airway surgeries. These include methods to safely enable 3-phase rigid dynamic bronchoscopy for accurate tracheobronchomalacia diagnosis, recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during cervical and thoracic surgical dissection, continuous intraoperative bronchoscopy to enable real-time images during airway reconstruction, and intraoperative assessment of airway repair adequacy to ensure successful correction of tracheobronchomalacia.
From Loíza to Yauco’s Mountainous Area
Authors: Ocasio Vega Mónica B.
Published: October 2024

This essay explores fugitivity in Puerto Rican culinary practices, centering the cooks María Dolores “Lula” de Jesús and Viña “la Gran Pastelera” Hernández. By analyzing two visual texts—Eat, Drink, Share Puerto Rico’s episode “El Burén de Lula” and Hernández’s recipe video for pasteles dough—it examines how nostalgia and a longing for “lost” culinary traditions are shaped by notions of space, race, and gender. Drawing on Pedro Lebrón’s concept of cimarronería analéctica, this essay argues that these practices represent a fugitive relationship to food, escaping Eurocentric modernity and affirming a distinct world.
Blood and Noise
Authors: Chude-Sokei Louis
Published: October 2024

This essay gauges the significance and legacy of Carolyn Cooper’s Noises in the Blood: Orality, Gender, and the “Vulgar” Body of Jamaican Popular Culture (1993). It discusses the book’s impact across and against the “Black Atlantic” paradigm, the rise and limits of global feminisms, and shifts in Black popular and academic cultures in the 1990s. Just past its thirtieth anniversary, the book’s critical methodologies enabled much of contemporary thinking about race, gender, and popular cultures in the African diaspora. However, it also establishes some aesthetic and political refusals that are still necessary in an intellectual climate where the Caribbean continues to struggle against the hegemonizing demands of elite Pan-African solidarities.
Sounding Jamaican—After Carolyn Cooper
Authors: Hamilton Njelle
Published: October 2024

This essay pays homage to the influential scholarship and activism of the Jamaican literary and cultural critic Carolyn Cooper. In form, it imitates Cooper’s code-switching newspaper columns and analysis of Sistren Theater Collective’s Lionheart Gal, traversing the borderline between scholarship and autobiography, between Patwa (Jamaican/Jumiekan) and English. Cooper’s legacy in championing the native tongue of Jamaica—not as bad English or noise but as a capacious language for both academic discourse and creative work—is to offer multiple ways to sound authentically Jamaican on the page. For creative writers navigating a global publishing market of anglophone editors and readers, this ongoing quest for a truer yet accessible orthography has both creative and market risk. But it also holds out rewards in reclaiming the Jamaican mother tongue and in developing an unapologetically Jamaican literature on the global stage.
Methodology of scientific research (agroengineering): The workshop
Authors: Kravchenko Igor' , Pastuhov Aleksandr , Kuznecov Yuriy , Velichko Sergey , Apatenko Aleksey , Martynov Aleksey
Published: October 2024

The textbook contains practical work on the main topics of the discipline "Methodology of scientific research", which allows you to master the course you are studying qualitatively, as well as acquire practical skills in the field of planning, organizing and conducting research and development work. Examples and various situational tasks with detailed numerical solutions are given in order to develop practical calculation skills necessary to perform independent work. For each of the works under consideration, a list of sample questions for the final control of knowledge is presented, as well as verification test tasks aimed at the practical application of the studied material are formulated.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For undergraduates, postgraduates and teachers of agroengineering areas of universities, as well as engineering and technical workers of agricultural enterprises.
Collection of problems in chemistry
Authors: Bagnavec Natal'ya , Dmitrevskaya Inna , Osipova Alla , Eliseeva Ol'ga , Grigor'eva Marina , Zhevnerov Aleksey
Published: October 2024

The textbook is intended for students' independent work and consists of seven chapters devoted to the main sections of general and inorganic chemistry. Each chapter includes a brief theoretical introduction with the presentation of fundamental concepts and calculation formulas for describing processes of various nature, examples of solving typical tasks and thirty options for individual tasks.
The manual presents applications with physico-chemical quantities necessary to solve computational problems. A special feature of this textbook is the orientation towards the future professional activities of students.
The glossary contains the basic terms and concepts necessary to understand the material being studied.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
The textbook contains information necessary for the formation of professional competencies of students in the areas of training 35.03.03 "Agrochemistry and agro-soil science", 35.03.04 "Agronomy".
Media Guide
Authors: Uvarkin Gennadiy
Published: October 2024

In recent years, media law, or media regulation, as an independent academic discipline has gained recognition in the curricula of law schools and faculties, as well as universities and faculties providing training in the fields of Journalism and Media Communications. The understanding of media law as an academic discipline designed to replace the discipline of "Legal regulation of mass media" is confirmed in connection with the development of so-called new media distributed on the Internet, and phenomena such as Web 2.0 and citizen journalism, which fundamentally changed the approach to the creation and dissemination of mass media. The convergence and pluralism of media in the modern world force us to take a new look at the legal regulation of traditional issues of mass media production and dissemination.
Regulatory legal acts are listed as of 05/01/2023.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For law students and students studying in the fields of "Media Communication" and "Journalism", graduate students, teachers, as well as practicing lawyers and representatives of the media business (producers, directors, other administrative staff).
The game is a non-educational game (experience, analysis, reflections of a game technician teacher)
Authors: Kruglikov Viktor
Published: October 2024

Based on the analysis of many years of experience in the development and application of didactic games in order to teach all categories of students from schoolchildren and students to university faculty, the monograph attempts to revise established, controversial and contradictory views on the phenomenon of the game. The author's vision of how to answer such long-standing questions is proposed: what is a game and a non-game, how the game happened, what characteristics it has. The concept of behavioral games is introduced. The signs and driving forces of traditional and behavioral games are analyzed.
In the practice-oriented part of the work, in the context of the modern paradigm of the educational process, the main milestones in the history of the development of educational games, age-specific gaming activities are considered. The analysis of the practice of developing and applying educational games by novice university teachers is given, the principles of using individual game elements in the context of the requirements of active pedagogy are given.
The theoretical basis for the analysis of the game was the author's motivational activity theory of active learning.
For students, postgraduates and teachers of pedagogical universities and faculties, as well as a wide range of readers interested in education and training.
Theoretical provisions of accounting and analytical support of effectiveness and efficiency
Authors: Necheuhina Nadezhda , Mustafina Ol'ga , Chepulyanis Anton
Published: October 2024

The monograph presents the theoretical and practical provisions of accounting and analytical support for efficiency and effectiveness at enterprises in the consumer market services sector. The main directions of the development of theoretical and methodological provisions are substantiated.
It is addressed to researchers, university teachers and students of economic fields of study and specialties, as well as specialists in the field of accounting and analytical support, financial managers and managers. It can be used in studying courses such as "Enterprise Economics (by industry)", "Accounting (by industry)", "Accounting and Management Accounting", "Fundamentals of financial management at consumer market service enterprises".