bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERBANDINGAN ELEVASI DASAR SUNGAI BERDASARKAN HASIL ANALISIS PADA DEM DRONE, DEMNAS dan DEM SRTM
Authors: Zufrimar Zufrimar , Zainal Edwina
Published: December 2023

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are essential to accurately predict river cross-section in the watershed. Technological developments of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drone has received a lot of attention in various research field to get the latest information from the area, because of its mobility, high resolution, and low cost, so it can be a competitive alternative to produce maps with precise georeferences. However, this has not been tested so far. In this study, We evaluated the accuracy of the DEMs generated from UAV imagery by comparing it to DEMNAS, DEM SRTM, and direct topographic measurements. We performed regression analysis on the river bed elevation of the Kuranji River Padang, where the river bed elevation is the result of the analysis of each DEM. The result found that for river bed elevation of the DEM Drone performed competitively to DEMNAS with the correlation test value (r) were 0,992 and 0.954, respectively. The result of the DEM SRTM analysis has a wider range of data variations than the DEM Drone and DEMNAS.
Use of I-Ready in Tiered Instructions for ESL Students: A Quantitative Case Study
Authors: Samsonova Olga
Published: December 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of implementing tiered instructions in conjunction with the I-Ready online program on the academic advancement of English as a second language (ESL) learners. The research utilized a quantitative case study design to examine the diagnostic test scores at the one academic year’s commencement, midpoint, and conclusion. The RAT framework assisted the investigation. Data was obtained from a sample of 45 ESL third-grade students. Students in Tier 1 who needed further assistance in achieving proficiency standards were allocated to small groups during the regular lesson. In contrast, students in Tier 2 were provided with a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) block with a different teacher, and Tier 3 students were assigned to the learning lab for the personalized I-Ready lessons. The study’s findings revealed that implementing tiered instructions significantly enhanced students’ academic performance. Superior outcomes were achieved in phonics, high-frequency words, and vocabulary. This research study has contributed to the advancement of ESL teaching and learning by providing a foundation for future investigations into the efficacy of the online tiered approach in aiding ESL students.
Construction of A Physical Fitness Test Battery for Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Koley Abhıjıt , Bandyopadhyay Nita
Published: December 2023

Proper measuring tools can provide the exact information about an individual’s fitness level. The purpose of the study was to construct a suitable physical fitness test battery and to develop norms for middle-aged women in the Indian population. A total number of 405 middle-aged Indian women of 40-59 years were selected from three basic occupations of homemaking, office job, and manual labor. They were divided into two groups 40-49 years (n=230) and 50-59 years (n=175). The selected physical fitness variables for the construction of the physical fitness test battery were strength, strength endurance, agility, flexibility, balance, coordination, gait velocity, and cardiovascular endurance, which were measured by the standard and valid tests such as hand grip dynamometer, wall squat test, figure of eight-run test, sit and reach test, one leg stand test, plate tape test, and 6 min walk test respectively. Descriptive statistics, normality of the data, Pearson product-moment correlation, and Percentile score were calculated by SPSS version 21. Cajori’s 5-grade evaluation norms were applied. The External validity of the newly constructed test battery was examined by using Eviews software version 9. Results revealed that the obtained data was normal and the selected variables were highly correlated. The Percentile scale revealed that the score from P0 -P100 for each variable for both the groups and grading was expressed in five grades such as excellent, good, average, below average, and poor. External validity confirmed the validity of the physical fitness test battery for middle-aged women across the world.
Creativity, Skill, Integrity, Intelligence and Community: A Conversation on the Nature of Practice in Hip Hop
Authors: Hylton Robert , Burrows Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Robert Hylton is a first-generation UK hip hop theatre practitioner, who is currently writing a PhD at the Centre for Dance Research Coventry University on the nature of transmission of knowledge in black British Popping. Jonathan Burrows is a choreographer and Associate Professor at C-DaRE Coventry, who has worked for many years with hip hop artist Jonzi-D, mentoring hip hop artists interested in theatre practice. Robert and Jonathan have shared a long and ongoing conversation over many years about the nature of hip hop and its uneasy relationship to contemporary dance. The following text reflects that conversation, focussing specifically on the nature of practice in hip hop dance including transmission of physical and philosophical knowledge, respect for lineage, innovation and the relationship or not to academic research and the space of theatre.
Charging the Dead: The Necroeconomies of Burial Laws and the Legal Suspension of the Dead
Authors: Zigarovich Jolene
Published: December 2023

While Victorian studies have traditionally examined anatomy laws and the dissection of executed criminals, this article discusses laws that required payment for execution and burial costs, and uncovers actual cases in which families refused payment and as a result the state refused to release the corpse. Capital punishment looms over novels such as Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, and Great Expectations, and Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Yet, conspicuously absent from these novels are the necropolitics and economics surrounding the dead body of the executed, which saw more legal protections in the nineteenth century. The aim is to not only excavate laws rarely discussed in critical literature, but to interrogate the astonishing lengths the common law and ecclesiastical court systems were taking in order to manage bodies (through fees, burial prescriptives, customary laws, and so on). Execution and burial fees were designed to financially exploit the grieving poor. Therefore, what often resulted was a suspension of burial – a delay caused by necroeconomies built into these grim financial systems. The article thus brings together ecclesiastical court cases to underscore the tension between customary burial fees, Poor Laws, and their critique in fiction.
Aplikasi Peta Persebaran Penduduk Miskin Menggunakan Javascript Maps
Authors: Andika Kurnia Adi Pradana
Published: December 2023

Berdasarkan undang-undang No.13 tahun 2011 tentang fakir miskin menyatakan bahwa fakir miskin adalah orang yang sama sekali tidak mempunyai sumber mata pencaharian dan atau mempunyai sumber mata pencaharian tetapi tidak mempunyai kemampuan memenuhi kebutuhan dasar yang layak bagi kehidupan dirunya dan atau keluarganya. Dilanjutkan pada pasal 5 UU No.13 tahun 2011 penanganan fakir miskin Penanganan fakir miskin dilaksanakan secara terarah, terpadu, dan berkelanjutan oleh Pemerintah, pemerintah daerah, dan masyarakat. Data pada Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) tahun 2011 menyebutkan Kabupaten dan Kota Kediri memiliki presentase penduduk miskin sebesar 14,44% dan 23,3%. Umumnya peta sebaran penduduk miskin disusun secara tradisional dengan pendataan indeks penduduk secara manual di setiap wilayah administrasi. Peta tradisional ini memiliki kekurangan pada definisi kemiskinan yang tidak konsisten, jumlah yang tidak valid dan sulit melakukan perubahan tahunan atau per semester. Menyikapi kelemahan yang ada maka perlu dibangun sebuah aplikasi yang mampu memetakan persebaran penduduk miskin di Kediri dengan lebih baik. Javascript Map adalah sebuah teknologi yang dapat digunakan untuk memetakan secara interaktif fungsionalitas peta dengan lebih baik pada halaman sebuah web. Dengan menggunakan Javascript Map maka diharapkan dapat menjadi alat yang penting untuk penanggulangan kemiskinan dan pengambilan kebijakan pemerintah.
Sistem Informasi Pendaftaran Bimbingan Proyek II Prodi Teknik Informatika Politeknik Kediri
Authors: Whenty Ariyanti  , Agustono Heriadi
Published: December 2023

The process of registration of guidance proyek II in D3 Informatics Engineering Program Polytechnic Kediri through three (3) stage, which is to find and meet the supervisor, print registration form, and collect the file to the department office. Viewed from various angles, there are several disadvantages such as lecturers seeking time-consuming, cost-consuming printing, and time-consuming recording and energy in rewriting the participants guidance data proyek ii. Making the registration information system guidance proyek iiis using waterfall method for analysis activities up to the test phase. Stages performed on research activities here is the analysis, design, coding, and testing. For the maintenance phase is not implemented in this study.The result of this research is the system design and an information system for registration of guidance proyek ii for D3 Program of Informatics Engineering Polytechnic of Kediri. This system shortens the selection process without having to meet the lecturer in question and facilitate the recording activity for the administration.
Pengembangan Marketplace Maemma sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Pemasaran Usaha Makanan Bayi dan Anak
Authors: Andika Kurnia Adi Pradana  , Ellya Nurfarida
Published: December 2023

E-Marketplace is the one of ecommerce model that growth rapidly now. The concept of marketplace almost the same as other ecommerce, but there are any differences. E-marketplace can be consist of one provider that called admin or many provider that called seller. Now, we can access many e-marketplace such as tokopedia, olx, bukalapak and lazada. The e-marketplace business's are not selling specific product. They sell  alot of products. On the other hand, the business that run by UMKM can not develop as fast as the existing e-marketplaces. This also happen to the UMKM that sell baby's foods and needs. Whereas the food they sell contain balanced nutrition and do not contain subtances that harmfull to the baby. Maemma.id is the e-marketplace that built to provide babby's need especially UMKM food products and needs in Kediri Area. Maemma.id built using CodeIgniter framework, bootstrap and MySql database provide catalog product from each UMKM. The result of the research is e-marketplace website with  maemma.id domain. Maemma.id has access right for admin, seller and visitors. Admin serve to manage the seller data, seller manage the baby food products and needs they offer and visitors can see the good offered by certain categories and see the shop owner.
Cover & Daftar Isi Vol. 14 No. 2 (2022)
Authors: Admin
Published: December 2023

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Directionally weakened diffusion for image segmentation using active contours
Authors: Wang Zhitao , Li Nana , Zhang Quan , Wei Jin , Zhang Lei , Wang Yuanquan
Published: December 2023

The active contour model, also known as the snake model, is an elegant approach for image segmentation and motion tracking. The gradient vector flow (GVF) is an effective external force for active contours. However, the GVF model is based on isotropic diffusion and does not take the image structure into account. The GVF snake cannot converge to very deep concavities and blob-like concavities and fails to preserve weak edges neighboring strong ones. To address these limitations, we first propose the directionally weakened diffusion (DWD), which is anisotropic by incorporating the image structure in a subtle way. Using the DWD, a novel external force called directionally weakened gradient vector flow (DWGVF) is proposed for active contours. In addition, two spatiotemporally varying weights are employed to make the DWGVF robust to noise. The DWGVF snake has been assessed on both synthetic and real images. Experimental results show that the DWGVF snake provides much better results in terms of noise robustness, weak edge preserving, and convergence of various concavities when compared with the well-known GVF, the generalized GVF (GGVF) snake.
The necessity of pen replication to account for and understand the impacts of social dynamics on individual laying hen behavior
Authors: Campbell Dana L. M. , Horton Brian J.
Published: December 2023

Individual laying hens within the same group show variation in their temperament traits and cognitive learning abilities, which can be affected by both their early rearing experiences and housing environments. Hens also have distinct individual patterns of movement within housing systems that may correlate with temperament and cognition. Individual behavioral tests can measure treatment impacts, but social dynamics may impact on an individual’s behavior. The aims of this perspective piece are to provide further evidence of pen-level variation using original data on social ranging patterns and fear assessment of free-range hens exposed to different, enriched rearing environments; and to encourage more studies to consider pen replicate variation as a means to better understand causes and mechanisms. A literature review showed that, while most published studies over the past decade assessing individual laying hen behavior included group-level replication (i.e., 83% of 54 articles reviewed), almost none considered inter-pen variation. The original data analysis of individual hens’ range use recordings showed significant treatment pen replicate variation in pop-hole following movements and hen–pair associations in the time spent together inside or outside. Significant inter-pen variation was also seen in tonic immobility tests on a subset of hens from the same study. Pen-level replication is important for scientific validity and for improving our understanding of why commercial flocks in the same environment can be so variable in their behavior to inform management practices. Further research could help to understand the mechanisms behind why groups of hens reared and housed in the same environments will show significant inter-group variation.
A variable mineralization time and solution concentration intervene in the microstructure of biomimetic mineralized collagen and potential osteogenic microenvironment
Authors: Zhu Xiujie , Bai Haotian , Liu He , Wang Zhonghan , Wang Yao , Zhang Jiaxin , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Hui , Wang Jincheng
Published: December 2023

The absence of a conducive bone formation microenvironment between fractured ends poses a significant challenge in repairing large bone defects. A promising solution is to construct a bone formation microenvironment that mimics natural bone tissue. Biomimetic mineralized collagen possesses a chemical composition and microstructure highly similar to the natural bone matrix, making it an ideal biomimetic bone substitute material. The microstructure of biomimetic mineralized collagen is influenced by various factors, and its biomineralization and microstructure, in turn, affect its physicochemical properties and biological activity. We aimed to utilize mineralization time and solution concentration as variables and employed the polymer-induced liquid precursor strategy to fabricate mineralized collagen with diverse microstructures, to shed light on how mineralization parameters impact the material microstructure and physicochemical properties. We also investigated the influence of microstructure and physicochemical properties on cell biocompatibility and the bone-forming microenvironment. Through comprehensive characterization, we examined the physical and chemical properties of I-EMC under various mineralization conditions and assessed the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenic performance. By investigating the relationship between mineralization parameters, material physicochemical properties, and osteogenic performance, we revealed how microstructures influence cellular behaviors like biocompatibility and osteogenic microenvironment. Encouragingly, mineralization solutions with varying concentrations, stabilized by polyacrylic acid, successfully produced intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar mineralized collagen. Compared to non-mineralized collagen, all mineralized samples demonstrated improved bone-forming performance. Notably, samples prepared with a 1× mineralization solution exhibited relatively smooth surfaces with even mineralization. Extending the mineralization time enhanced the degree of mineralization and osteogenic performance. Conversely, samples prepared with a 2× mineralization solution had rough surfaces with large calcium phosphate particles, indicating non-uniform mineralization. Overall, our research advances the potential for commercial production of mineralized collagen protein products, characterized by dual biomimetic properties, and their application in treating various types of bone defects.
Contrasting mechanistic susceptibilities of hematopoietic and endothelial stem-progenitor cells in respective pathogeneses of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infections
Authors: Koka Prasad S. , Ramdass Bharathi
Published: December 2023

The multitude of cellular types can be expected to behave differently when receiving invading pathogens such as mammalian viruses. The nature-dictated causes for such intrinsic cellular diversity become the criteria for the emergence of specific virus-receptor interactions on that particular host cellular surface, in order to accommodate contact with various other living entities whether desirable to the host or not. At present, we are presented with an example of two contrasting behaviours wherein the well-known HIV-1 and the more recently emergent SARS-CoV-2 cause adverse consequences to the differentiation and functions of progenitor stem cells. These include the two different downstream multipotent CD34+ hematopoietic (HSPC) and CD133+ endothelial (ESPC) stem-progenitor cells of their common pluripotent hemangioblast precursors. The two viruses target the respective endothelial and hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells to thrive upon the relevant host cellular surrounded stromal microenvironments by adopting reciprocally-driven mechanistic routes, which incidentally cause pathogenesis either directly of ESPC (SARS-CoV-2), or indirectly of HSPC (HIV-1). HIV-1 utilizes the CD4+ T-lymphocyte receptor thereby advancing pathogenesis indirectly to the CD34+ HSPC. SARS-CoV-2 directly targets the CD133+ ESPC via ACE2 receptor causing cytokine storms of the CD4+ T-lymphocytes. In this manner, these two viruses cause and extend their damage to the other cellular sub/types coexisting in the host cellular microenvironments. The infected individuals require clinical interventions that are efficacious to prevent cellular dysfunction and ultimate cell depletion or death. We infer from these viruses mediated pathogeneses mechanisms a potential common origin of microRNA molecular therapies to address cellular dysfunctions and prevent cell loss.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of sex differences in clinical outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Liu Guyue , Su Li , Lang Mingjian
Published: December 2023

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is recognized as the most prevalent form of genetic cardiomyopathy, and recent investigations have shed light on the existence of sex disparities in terms of clinical presentation, disease progression, and outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to systematically review the literature and perform a meta-analysis to comprehensively compare the clinical outcomes between female and male patients with HCM.

Methods

A thorough search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, encompassing literature from inception until June 2023. The primary endpoints examined were: (1) all-cause mortality; (2) an arrhythmic endpoint comprising sudden cardiac death (SCD), sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or aborted SCD; and (3) a composite endpoint incorporating either (1) or (2), in addition to hospitalization for heart failure or cardiac transplantation. Pooled estimates were derived using a random-effects meta-analysis model.

Results

The analysis encompassed a total of 29 observational studies, involving 44,677 patients diagnosed with HCM, of which 16,807 were female. Baseline characteristics revealed that the female group exhibited an advanced age [55.66 ± 0.04 years vs. 50.38 ± 0.03 years, pooled mean difference (MD) = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.22–0.40, p = 0.000, I2 = 88.89%], a higher proportion of New York Heart Association class III/IV patients [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.55–2.43, p = 0.000, I2 = 85.92%], and a greater prevalence of left ventricular outflow tract gradient greater than or equal to 30 mmHg (pooled OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.27–1.73, p = 0.000, I2 = 68.88%) compared to the male group. The female group were more likely to have a positive genetic test (pooled OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08–1.48, p = 0.000, I2 = 42.74%) and to carry the myosin heavy chain beta 7 mutation (pooled OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04–1.54, p = 0.020, I2 = 0.00%) compared to the male group. Female sex exhibited a significant association with increased risks of all-cause mortality (pooled OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.38–1.89, p = 0.000, I2 = 72.78%) and the composite endpoint (pooled OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.20–1.79, p = 0.000, I2 = 84.96%), while no substantial difference was observed in the arrhythmic endpoint (pooled OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.87–1.34, p = 0.490, I2 = 55.48%).

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that female patients with HCM tend to experience poorer clinical outcomes. It is imperative to critically reevaluate disease definitions and enhance awareness to mitigate delays in the diagnosis and treatment of HCM in women, thereby fostering equitable healthcare practices.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, PROSPERO (CRD42023431881).
The estimated glomerular filtration rate was U-shaped associated with abdominal aortic calcification in US adults: findings from NHANES 2013–2014
Authors: Wang Liangliang , Li Qiang , Su Baolin , Zhang En , Zhang Shu , Tu Haitao , Zhang Liangyou , Wang Chao , Chen Gangyi
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The high incidence of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is well-documented in individuals with severe renal function decline. However, there is limited research on the historical relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the risk of AAC occurrence in the general population undergoing routine medical examinations. The main objective of this study was to investigate the historical relationship between eGFR and AAC in the general population of the United States.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 database. Weighted multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the associations of eGFR with AAC score. Smooth curve fitting and two-piecewise linear regression were employed to explore the potential non-linear relationship.

Results

A total of 2,978 participant (48.22% were male) aged 40–80 years were included in this study. The fully-adjusted model demonstrated a negative correlation between eGFR and AAC score (β = −0.015, 95% CI: −0.023 to −0.006). However, when applying the smooth curve fitting method, a U-shaped relationship was identified, and the inflection point was calculated at 76.43 ml/min/1.73 m2 using the two-piecewise linear regression model.

Conclusions

There was a U-shaped association between eGFR and AAC score in general US adults, with an inflection point at about 76.43 ml/min/1.73 m2.
Three-dimensional printing of mitral valve models using echocardiographic data improves the knowledge of cardiology fellow physicians in training
Authors: Bulbul Ziad , El Rassi Issam , Hamade Ramsey , Tamim Hani , Bitar Fadi
Published: December 2023

Background

High fidelity three-dimensional Mitral valve models (3D MVM) printed from echocardiography are currently being used in preparation for surgical repair.

Aim

We hypothesize that printed 3DMVM could have relevance to cardiologists in training by improving their understanding of normal anatomy and pathology.

Methods

Sixteen fellow physicians in pediatric and adult cardiology training were recruited. 3D echocardiography (3DE) video clips of six mitral valves (one normal and five pathological) were displayed and the fellows were asked to name the prolapsing segments in each. Following that, three still images of 3D MVMs in different projections: enface, profile and tilted corresponding to the same MVs seen in the clip were presented on a screen. Participating physicians were presented with a comprehensive questionnaire aimed at assessing whether the 3D MVM has improved their understanding of valvular anatomy. Finally, a printed 3D MVM of each of the valves was handed out, and the same questionnaire was re-administered to identify any further improvement in the participants' perception of the anatomy.

Results

The correct diagnosis using the echocardiography video clip of the Mitral valve was attained by 45% of the study participants. Both pediatric and adult trainees, regardless of the year of training demonstrated improved understanding of the anatomy of MV after observing the corresponding model image. Significant improvement in their understanding was noted after participants had seen and physically examined the printed model.

Conclusion

Printed 3D MVM has a beneficial impact on the cardiology trainees' understanding of MV anatomy and pathology compared to 3DE images.
Comparing pre-service teacher attitudes toward the use of students’ home language(s) in linguistically diverse English as an additional language classrooms in Norway and Cyprus
Authors: Neokleous Georgios , Karpava Sviatlana
Published: December 2023

Background

Globalization, increased transnational mobility, and growing refugee populations have shifted the focus from traditionally monolingual to incrementally multilingual and multicultural classrooms and have put a significant mark on language teaching. Attention to multilingualism and multiculturalism in educational settings is important to raising awareness and recognition of linguistic and cultural diversity at the individual and societal levels.

Methods

This comparative study investigated the beliefs of 59 pre-service teachers in Norway and Cyprus regarding the use of students’ home language(s) (HLs) in increasingly linguistically diverse English as an Additional Language (EAL) settings. The teachers were observed during their teaching practicum and were interviewed with respect to their views, beliefs, and self-reflections on the impact and role of HL for EAL teaching and learning purposes.

Results

The analysis of the data revealed that more than half of the participants in both countries were in favor of employing multilingual pedagogies. However, most of them acknowledged certain challenges in their practical implementation and the need for further training.

Conclusion

The study concludes with the authors stressing the catalyst role teacher educators could play in making EAL classrooms more inclusive for multilingual learners.
Low glucose availability potentiates the effects of metformin on model T cell activation and exhaustion markers in vitro
Authors: Repas Jernej , Peternel Lea , Sourij Harald , Pavlin Mojca
Published: December 2023

Modulation of immune cell metabolism is one of promising strategies to improve cancer immunotherapies. Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug with potential anti-cancer effects, ranging from normalization of blood glucose and insulin levels, direct anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells to emerging immunomodulatory effects on anti-tumor immunity. Metformin can reduce tumor hypoxia and PD-L1 expression, as well as normalize or improve T cell function and potentiate the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors, making it a promising adjuvant to immunotherapy of tumors with poor response such as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, although the effects of metformin on cancer cells are glucose-dependent, the role of glucose in modulating its effect on T cells has not been systematically studied. We thus investigated the effect of metformin as a function of glucose level on Jurkat cell and PBMC T cell models in vitro. While low metformin concentrations had little effect on T cell function, high concentration reduced proliferation and IFN-γ secretion in both models and induced a shift in T cell populations from memory to effector subsets. The PD-1/CD69 ratio was improved by high metformin in T cells from PBMC. Low glucose and metformin synergistically reduced PD-1 and CD69 expression and IFN-γ secretion in T cells from PBMC. Low glucose level itself suppressed Jurkat cell function due to their limited metabolic plasticity, but had limited effects on T cells from PBMC apart from reduced proliferation. Conversely, high glucose did not strongly affect either T cell model. Metformin in combination with glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) reduced PD-1 in Jurkat cells, but also strongly suppressed their function. However, low, physiologically achievable 2DG concentration itself reduced PD-1 while mostly maintaining IL-2 secretion and, interestingly, even strongly increased IFN-γ secretion regardless of glucose level. Overall, glucose metabolism can importantly influence some of the effects of metformin on T cell functionality in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we show that 2DG could potentially improve the anti-tumor T cell response.
Impact of disulfidptosis-associated clusters on breast cancer survival rates and guiding personalized treatment
Authors: Chen Xiong , Hu Guohuang , Yu Qianle
Published: December 2023

Background

Breast cancer (BC) poses a serious threat to human health. Disulfidptosis is a recently discovered form of cell death associated with cancer prognosis and progression. However, the relationship between BC and disulfidptosis remains unclear.

Methods

We integrated single-cell sequencing and transcriptome sequencing in BC to assess the abundance and mutation status of disulfidptosis-associated genes (DAGs). Subsequently, we clustered the samples based on DAGs and constructed a prognostic model associated with disulfidptosis. Additionally, we performed pathway enrichment, immune response, and drug sensitivity analyses on the model. Finally, we validated the prognostic genes through Immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

The single-cell analysis identified 21 cell clusters and 8 cell types. By evaluating the abundance of DAGs in different cell types, we found specific expression of the disulfidoptosis core gene SLC7A11 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Through unsupervised clustering of DAGs, we identified two clusters. Utilizing differentially expressed genes from these clusters, we selected 7 genes (AFF4, SLC7A11, IGKC, IL6ST, LIMD2, MAT2B, and SCAND1) through Cox and Lasso regression to construct a prognostic model. External validation demonstrated good prognostic prediction of our model. BC patients were stratified into two groups based on riskscore, with the high-risk group corresponding to a worse prognosis. Immune response analysis revealed higher TMB and lower TIDE scores in the high-risk group, while the low-risk group exhibited higher CTLA4/PD-1 expression. This suggests that both groups may respond to immunotherapy, necessitating further research to elucidate potential mechanisms. Drug sensitivity analysis indicated that dasatinib, docetaxel, lapatinib, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and sunitinib may have better efficacy in the low-risk group. Finally, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) validated the expression of prognostic genes, demonstrating higher levels in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue.

Conclusion

Our study has developed an effective disulfidptosis-related prognostic prediction tool for BC and provides personalized guidance for the clinical management and immunotherapy selection of BC patients.
Bibliometric analysis and visualization of endocrine therapy for breast cancer research in the last two decade
Authors: Wang Dasong , Yang Yan , Yang Lei , Yang Hongwei
Published: December 2023

Background

Breast cancer endocrine therapy research has become a crucial domain in oncology since hormone receptor-positive breast cancers have been increasingly recognized, and targeted therapeutic interventions have been advancing over the past few years. This bibliometric analysis attempts to shed light on the trends, dynamics, and knowledge hotspots that have shaped the landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research between 2003 and 2022.

Methods

In this study, we comprehensively reviewed the scientific literature spanning the above-mentioned period, which included publications accessible through the database of the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Next, a systematic and data-driven analysis supported by sophisticated software tools was conducted, such that the core themes, prolific authors, influential journals, prominent countries, and critical citation patterns in the relevant research field can be clarified.

Results

A continuous and substantial expansion of breast cancer endocrine therapy research was revealed over the evaluated period. A total of 1,317 scholarly articles were examined. The results of the analysis suggested that research on endocrine therapy for breast cancer has laid a solid basis for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. From a geographical perspective, the US, the UK, and China emerged as the most active contributors, illustrating the global impact of this study. Furthermore, our analysis delineated prominent research topics that have dominated the discourse in the past two decades, including drug therapy, therapeutic efficacy, molecular biomarkers, and hormonal receptor interactions.

Conclusion

This comprehensive bibliometric analysis provides a panoramic view of the ever-evolving landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research. The findings highlight the trajectory of past developments while signifying an avenue of vast opportunities for future investigations and therapeutic advancements. As the field continues to burgeon, this analysis will provide valuable guidance for to researchers toward pertinent knowledge hotspots and emerging trends, which can expedite the discoveries in the realm of breast cancer endocrine therapy.
Gender perspective on the association between liver enzyme markers and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from the general population
Authors: Qiu Jiajun , Kuang Maobin , He Shiming , Yu Changhui , Wang Chao , Huang Xin , Sheng Guotai , Zou Yang
Published: December 2023

Objective

Every distinct liver enzyme biomarker exhibits a strong correlation with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aims to comprehensively analyze and compare the associations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) with NAFLD from a gender perspective.

Methods

This study was conducted on 6,840 females and 7,411 males from the NAGALA cohort. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to compare the associations between liver enzyme markers and NAFLD in both genders, recording the corresponding adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of individual liver enzyme markers and different combinations of them in identifying NAFLD.

Results

Liver enzyme markers ALT, AST, and GGT were all independently associated with NAFLD and exhibited significant gender differences (All P-interaction<0.05). In both genders, ALT exhibited the most significant association with NAFLD, with adjusted standardized ORs of 2.19 (95% CI: 2.01-2.39) in males and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.35-1.89) in females. Additionally, ROC analysis showed that ALT had significantly higher accuracy in identifying NAFLD than AST and GGT in both genders (Delong P-value < 0.05), and the accuracy of ALT in identifying NAFLD in males was higher than that in females [Area under the ROC curve (AUC): male 0.79, female 0.77]. Furthermore, out of the various combinations of liver enzymes, ALT+GGT showed the highest accuracy in identifying NAFLD in both genders, with AUCs of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75-0.79) in females and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.78-0.81) in males.

Conclusion

Our study revealed significant gender differences in the associations of the three commonly used liver enzyme markers with NAFLD. In both genders, the use of ALT alone may be the simplest and most effective tool for screening NAFLD, especially in males.
Evaluation of regression methods and competition indices in characterizing height-diameter relationships for temperate and pantropical tree species
Authors: Jha Sakar , Yang Sheng-I , Brandeis Thomas J. , Kuegler Olaf , Marcano-Vega Humfredo
Published: December 2023

Height-diameter relationship models, denoted as H-D models, have important applications in sustainable forest management which include studying the vertical structure of a forest stand, understanding the habitat heterogeneity for wildlife niches, analyzing the growth rate pattern for making decisions regarding silvicultural treatments. Compared to monocultures, characterizing allometric relationships for uneven-aged, mixed-species forests, especially tropical forests, is more challenging and has historically received less attention. Modeling how the competitive interactions between trees of varying sizes and multiple species affects these relationships adds a high degree of complexity. In this study, five regression methods and five distance-independent competition indices were evaluated for temperate and pantropical tree species in different physiographic regions. A total of 163,922 individual tree measurements from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) database were used in analyses, which cover Appalachian plateau (AP) and Ridge and Valley (VR) in the southeastern US, as well as Caribbean (CAR) and Pacific (PAC) islands. Results indicated that the generalized additive model (GAM) and the Pearl and Reed model provided more accurate predictions than other regression methods examined. Models with competition indices had a varying level of predictability, while diameter ratio, cumulative distribution function and partitioned stand density index (PSDI) were found to improve the prediction accuracy for AP, VR and CAR. The results of this work provide additional insights on modeling H-D relationships for a variety of species in temperate and pantropical forests.
Monocyte populations are involved in the pathogenesis of experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
Authors: Akbarzadeh Reza , Czyz Christianna , Thomsen Sarah-Yasmin , Schilf Paul , Murthy Sripriya , Sadik Christian D. , König Peter
Published: December 2023

Monocytes play a significant role in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases. Herein, different subpopulations of monocytes often play differential, partially antagonistic roles, in the regulation of tissue populations. Pemphigoid diseases constitute a group of autoimmune blistering skin diseases featuring a marked infiltration of the dermis with immune cells, including monocytes. The monocyte subsets infiltrating the skin, however, have largely remained elusive. Monocyte adhesion and recruitment into the inflamed tissues are regulated by chemokine receptors, most prominently by CCR2 and CX3CR1. To delineate the involvement of monocyte populations in autoimmune blistering skin diseases, we spatiotemporally monitored the dynamic spectrum of monocyte populations that infiltrate the inflamed skin using multiphoton intravital imaging and reporter mice for chemokine receptors. Experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) was induced by injection of anti-murine type VII collagen (amCOLVII) IgG into the Csf1rEGFP-reporter mice, where circulating myeloid cells, such as monocytes and neutrophils, express an EGFP. EGFP+ cells, including neutrophils and monocytes, were present in the skin, immediately after the deposition of the amCOLVII antibody at the dermal-epidermal junction. To investigate the recruitment and involvement of different monocyte-derived cell populations in the disease course further, EBA was induced in CCR2RFP/+-reporter and CX3CR1GFP/+-reporter mice. A comparable distribution of red fluorescent protein (RFP)+ or green fluorescent protein (GFP)+ was found in both diseased mice and their respective controls over time, indicating the similar recruitment of monocytes into the skin following the binding of autoantibodies. Experiments were extended to the CCR2RFP/RFP-deficient and CX3CR1GFP/GFP-deficient mice to determine whether monocyte recruitment and disease severity are compromised in the absence of the receptor. A comparable pattern was seen in the recruitment of monocytes into the skin in both reporter and deficient mice. However, in contrast to similar disease severity between CX3CR1-deficient and reporter mice, CCR2-deficient mice developed significantly less disease than CCR2-reporter mice, as indicated by the percentage of affected area of ears. Collectively, our observations indicate that while CCR2 and CX3CR1 receptors are not involved in the recruitment of monocytes into the skin, CCR2 deficiency is associated with improved disease outcomes in experimental EBA in mice.
The role of macrophages in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Jiaqing , Hu Can , Zhang Ruolan , Xu Jingli , Zhang Yanqiang , Yuan Li , Zhang Shengjie , Pan Siwei , Cao Mengxuan , Qin Jiangjiang , Cheng Xiangdong , Xu Zhiyuan
Published: December 2023

As one of the deadliest cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, there has been limited improvement in long-term survival rates for gastric cancer (GC) in recent decades. The poor prognosis is attributed to difficulties in early detection, minimal opportunity for radical resection and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Macrophages are among the most abundant infiltrating immune cells in the GC stroma. These cells engage in crosstalk with cancer cells, adipocytes and other stromal cells to regulate metabolic, inflammatory and immune status, generating an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) and ultimately promoting tumour initiation and progression. In this review, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of the origin of macrophages and their types and polarisation in cancer and provide an overview of the role of macrophages in GC carcinogenesis and development and their interaction with the GC immune microenvironment and flora. In addition, we explore the role of macrophages in preclinical and clinical trials on drug resistance and in treatment of GC to assess their potential therapeutic value in this disease.
Improving access to lymphatic filariasis MMDP services through an enhanced evidence-based, cascaded training model for health worker capacity strengthening in Ghana: an evaluation study
Authors: Ahorlu Collins Stephen , Atinbire Solomon Abotiba , Sedzro Kojo Mensah , Alomatu Bright , de Souza Dziedzom K. , Asamenyi-Mensah Kofi , Opare Joseph , Saunderson Paul , Weiland Stefanie
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Ghana has made significant progress in reducing the transmission rate of lymphatic filariasis. However, very little progress has been made in the provision of morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) services, which is one of the key requirements for certification of elimination as a disease of public health importance. This study was designed to compare pre-post- intervention to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a cascade training model for health worker capacity strengthening in Ghana, using the WHO recommended minimum intervention package to improve access to MMDP services.

Methods

This study used a quasi-experimental design to assess the impact of evidence-based training of patients with lymphatic filariasis (LF) in the Upper West region of Ghana. All lymphedema patients who were available at the time of data collection participated in the study before and after the training.

Results

The mean age of respondents was 54.67 years (SD ± 16.89 years) at baseline and 54.70 years (SD ± 15.80 years) at evaluation. The majority (i.e., 76.30% at baseline and 80.50% at evaluation) of the respondents were female. Most of the respondents had not completed primary school (83.82% at baseline and 85.40% at evaluation). We found an improvement in the quality of life among LF patients, that is, the proportion of respondents who reported having a high quality of life increased from 2.9% at baseline to 20.12% at evaluation (p < 0.001). The lymphedema management practice of “hygiene/washing and drying of affected limb” was reported by 73.17% of respondents at evaluation compared with only 32.95% of respondents at baseline (p < 0.001). The acute attack management technique of “cooling the affected limb in cool water/cold compress” was reported by 70.15% of respondents at evaluation compared with 23.70% of respondents at baseline (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The research confirmed that LF-related perceptions remained generally the same at baseline and evaluation among community members. The implementation of the LF-related morbidity management (MMDP) project has led to a significant improvement in the morbidity management practices among patients at evaluation compared with baseline. Our findings also showed that self-care led to an improvement in patients’ quality of life. This justifies the need for investment in morbidity management interventions in endemic communities.
Seasonal SIMS δ18O record in Astarte borealis from the Baltic Sea tracks a modern regime shift in the NAO
Authors: Hughes Hunter P. , Surge Donna , Orland Ian J. , Zettler Michael L. , Moss David K.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Astarte borealis holds great potential as an archive of seasonal paleoclimate, especially due to its long lifespan (several decades to more than a century) and ubiquitous distribution across high northern latitudes. Furthermore, recent work demonstrates that the isotope geochemistry of the aragonite shell is a faithful proxy of environmental conditions. However, the exceedingly slow growth rates of A. borealis in some locations (<0.2mm/year) make it difficult to achieve seasonal resolution using standard micromilling techniques for conventional stable isotope analysis. Moreover, oxygen isotope (δ18O) records from species inhabiting brackish environments are notoriously difficult to use as paleoclimate archives because of the simultaneous variation in temperature and δ18Owater values.

Methods

Here we use secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to microsample an A. borealis specimen from the southern Baltic Sea, yielding 451 SIMS δ18Oshell values at sub-monthly resolution.

Results

SIMS δ18Oshell values exhibit a quasi-sinusoidal pattern with 24 local maxima and minima coinciding with 24 annual growth increments between March 1977 and the month before specimen collection in May 2001.

Discussion

Age-modeled SIMS δ18Oshell values correlate significantly with both in situ temperature measured from shipborne CTD casts (r2 = 0.52, p<0.001) and sea surface temperature from the ORAS5-SST global reanalysis product for the Baltic Sea region (r2 = 0.42, p<0.001). We observe the strongest correlation between SIMS δ18Oshell values and salinity when both datasets are run through a 36-month LOWESS function (r2 = 0.71, p < 0.001). Similarly, we find that LOWESS-smoothed SIMS δ18Oshell values exhibit a moderate correlation with the LOWESS-smoothed North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) Index (r2 = 0.46, p<0.001). Change point analysis supports that SIMS δ18Oshell values capture a well-documented regime shift in the NAO circa 1989. We hypothesize that the correlation between the SIMS δ18Oshell time series and the NAO is enhanced by the latter’s influence on the regional covariance of water temperature and δ18Owater values on interannual and longer timescales in the Baltic Sea. These results showcase the potential for SIMS δ18Oshell values in A. borealis shells to provide robust paleoclimate information regarding hydroclimate variability from seasonal to decadal timescales.