bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excess and Donation: From the Restricted Economy of Being to the An-Economy of the Gift (Or, the intriguing story of six pesos)
Authors: Villalobos-Ruminott Sergio
Published: October 2024

In the context of the recent publication of Donner le tempts II, we question the status of the gift, its singularity, its relationship, beyond the intentional structure of decision and consciousness, with the general problematic of democracy and the archive, of Khora as an enigma that haunts the same Onto-Theo-Cosmological conjugation of metaphysics and logocentrism, to show that the question about the gift is also the question about history and about the very possibility of democracy, beyond the capitalist logic of accumulation and valuation. We end up referring to the strange case of the ‘six pesos’ thematized in Miguel Angel Asturias's novel, Hombres de maiz, as a case of the incalculable. Far from an instrumental account, but also from a providential version of the gift, we try to show it as an event always already inscribed in the abyss of our exchange relations, a possibility contained in its own impossibility.
Being Careful with Conjoints: Accounting for Inattentiveness in Conjoint Experiments
Authors: Kane John V. , Costa Mia
Published: October 2024

In typical survey experiments–i.e., experiments that involve a relatively limited amount of manipulated content–respondent inattentiveness tends to biase treatment effect estimates toward zero. Such bias may be even more pronounced in conjoint experiments, which require respondents to attend to an even larger amount of manipulated content. And yet, little research has investigated strategies of accounting for inattentiveness in conjoint experiments specifically. In this study, we explore potential ways to both measure–and account for–respondent inattentiveness when estimating causal effects in both single- and two-profile conjoint experiments. Replicating published conjoint experiments with large national samples, we demonstrate how researchers can implement a simple strategy using pre-treatment measures of attentiveness. Toward this end, we propose a novel method– “conjoint attention checks” (CACs)–to both measure respondents’ attentiveness to conjoint profiles and provide for more robust tests of hypotheses in conjoint experiments.
Makna Teologis Bahtera Nuh Ditinjau Dari Ibrani 11:7 Serta Relevansinya Terhadap Pertumbuhan Iman Pada Jemaat GESBA Shaloom Kaima
Authors: Kambong Hizkia Joel , Ranting Hermin , Rakim Ristan , Nendissa Julio Eleazer
Published: October 2024

This study aims to examine the theological meaning of Noah's Ark based on Hebrews 11:7 and analyze its relevance to the faith growth of the GESBA Shaloom Kaima congregation. Noah is portrayed as a righteous and blameless figure entrusted by God to carry out the mission of saving humanity through the construction of Noah's Ark. Due to his faith, Noah and his family were saved from the Flood. This research employs a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, supported by data collection techniques such as interviews and literature studies. The interviews were conducted in an unstructured manner, allowing the researcher to interview 9 individuals, consisting of 1 pastor, 2 church council members, and 6 congregants, without strict guidelines. Literature studies were used to interpret and gather data from books and journals relevant to this research. The results show that the theological meaning of Noah's Ark significantly influences the faith growth of the GESBA Shaloom Kaima congregation and effectively nurtures the congregation's spiritual life. The study identified several key points related to the theological meaning of Noah's Ark, including a general understanding of the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible, an interpretation of the theological meaning of Noah's Ark from the perspective of Hebrews 11:7, and its relevance when integrated into Christian education and sermon materials. These findings also indicate a connection between the theological meaning of Noah's Ark and the faith growth of the GESBA congregation, including the application of the principles of Noah's Ark in daily life. Therefore, the meaning of Noah's Ark can serve as a guide for the GESBA Shaloom Kaima congregation in building a foundation for their faith growth.
Molecular interactions at the interface: polyoxometalates of the Anderson-Evans type and lipid membranes
Authors: Pashkovskaya Alina A. , Gumerova Nadiia I. , Rompel Annette , Pohl Elena E.
Published: October 2024

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are metal-oxygen clusters composed of {MO6} octahedra that have attracted considerable attention due to their remarkable antiviral, antibacterial and antitumor activities. Despite their potential, the molecular mechanisms underlying their cellular toxicity remain poorly understood. This study investigates how Anderson-Evans type polyoxotungstates (POTs) and polyoxomolybdates (POMos) interact with biological membranes by examining their effects on the zeta (ζ) – potential of the lipid bilayer and the size of small unilamellar liposomes of different phospholipid compositions. POTs affected the ζ-potential of neutral (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DOPC) and slightly negatively charged (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine; DOPC:DOPE) membranes in the order [MnW6O24]8– > [Ni(OH)6W6O18]4– > [TeW6O24]6–. The addition of negatively charged cardiolipin (CL) to DOPC reduced the interaction of POTs with the membrane. An opposite effect was observed for POMos, which changed the ζ-potential of neutral and slightly negatively charged membranes in the order [Al(OH)6Mo6O18]3– > [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]3– >> [Ni(OH)6Mo6O18]4–. The addition of POMos increased the size of the liposomes in reverse order. The binding of [Al(OH)6Mo6O18]3– to the PE-containing phospholipid membranes and the effect of ionic strength on the interaction of [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]3– with DOPC:CL liposomes could be inhibited by potassium fluoride (KF). Interestingly, KF did not inhibit the interaction of other POMos with membranes as indicated by ζ-potential measurements. These results suggest that the interaction of Anderson-Evans type POMs with phospholipid membranes is influenced more by their addenda and central ions than by their total charge. By unravelling the structure-activity relationships for the different POMs, we contribute to the design of biologically active POMs for therapeutic use.
Efficacy and safety of different drugs for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Fan Yuxin , Gu Yanhong , Xian Yi , Li Qinya , He Youli , Chen Kaiyang , Yu Hui , Deng Huan , Xiong Li , Cui Zhiwei , Yang Yang , Xiang Yin
Published: October 2024

Objective

Bacterial vaginosis is a disease caused by vaginal microecology disorder, which seriously affects female health. At present, there are many drugs to treat BV, and this study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of multiple drugs for BV through a network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods

All studies were sourced from PubMed and Embase databases from the establishment date to April 13, 2023. We evaluated the clinical cure success rate and adverse effects (abnormal increase in vaginal discharge, external genital irritation, and vulvar itching) and performed subgroup analyses of the clinical cure success rate for different modes of administration. All statistical analyses were performed using R and STATA 14.0 software for network meta-analysis.

Results

We included 42 studies that met the criteria, involving a total of 8382 patients. Network meta-analysis results showed that metronidazole and secnidazole had a higher rate of adverse reactions than placebo (RR 7.06; 95%-CI 2.61-19.10, RR 4.03; 95%-CI 1.63-9.98), the adverse reaction rate of probiotics group was lower than that of metronidazole group (RR 0.44; 95%-CI 0.21-0.93). The clinical cure rate of oral ornidazole was better than clindamycin (RR 16.08; 95%-CI 1.72-150.47), Secnidazole (RR 8.17; 95%-CI 1.66-40.25) and probiotics. Direct meta-analysis results showed that ornidazole had a better clinical cure rate than Secnidazole (RR 1.22; 95%-CI 1.10-1.34), oral ornidazole had a better clinical cure rate than Secnidazole (RR 1.23; 95%-CI 1.11-1.36). The clinical cure rate of vaginal application of sucrose was better than metronidazole (RR 1.12; 95%-CI 1.03-1.21) and metronidazole had a lower clinical cure rate than probiotics (RR 0.68; 95%-CI 0.52-0.88).

Conclusions

The results of this systematic review and network meta-analysis suggest that ornidazole may be an effective alternative for the treatment of BV, and that sucrose and probiotics are potential BV treatments that need to be validated by more high-quality clinical studies in the future.
Human and gut microbiota synergy in a metabolically active superorganism: a cardiovascular perspective
Authors: Russo Matteo Antonio , Puccetti Matteo , Costantini Claudio , Giovagnoli Stefano , Ricci Maurizio , Garaci Enrico , Romani Luigina
Published: October 2024

Despite significant advances in diagnosis and treatment over recent decades, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. This persistent burden is partly due to the incomplete understanding of fundamental pathogenic mechanisms, which limits the effectiveness of current therapeutic interventions. In this context, recent evidence highlights the pivotal role of immuno-inflammatory activation by the gut microbiome in influencing cardiovascular disorders, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues. Indeed, while atherosclerosis has been established as a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, accumulating data suggest that immune system regulation and anti-inflammatory pathways mediated by gut microbiota metabolites play a crucial role in a range of CVDs, including heart failure, pericardial disease, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathies. Of particular interest is the emerging understanding of how tryptophan metabolism—by both host and microbiota—converges on the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), a key regulator of immune homeostasis. This review seeks to enhance our understanding of the role of the immune system and inflammation in CVD, with a focus on how gut microbiome-derived tryptophan metabolites, such as indoles and their derivatives, contribute to cardioimmunopathology. By exploring these mechanisms, we aim to facilitate the development of novel, microbiome-centered strategies for combating CVD.
Nonlinear amplitude versus angle inversion using hybrid quantum ant colony optimization and the exact Zoeppritz equation
Authors: Chen Yuxing , Cheng Jiwei , Miao Hongping , Feng Defu , Wang Chengci , Zhang Chao , Song Mengxin
Published: October 2024

Prestack amplitude versus offset (AVO) inversion is an essential tool to estimate elastic properties. Approximations of P-wave reflection coefficients based on the Zoeppritz equation are limited by the assumption of weak contrast and are inaccurate for far offset, and the existing nonlinear inversion method, like ant colony optimization (ACO), cannot converge to the global optimal solution within a limited time. Consequently, we propose a nonlinear AVO inversion method based on the exact Zoeppritz equation using hybrid quantum ant colony optimization (HQACO). The Zoeppritz equation is a forward modeling approach with high accuracy at far offset and is valid at the strong-contrast interface. HQACO, as a global optimization algorithm, not only has the potential of ACO to search global solutions but also exploits the power of quantum computing to speed up optimization procedures. The self-adaptive rotating strategy is proposed to improve the flexibility and efficiency of the conventional quantum rotating gate largely. Moreover, the quantum gate is introduced to enhance the global search ability. Numerical results show that the average evaluation number required for the global solution decreases largely and the solution converges to the global optimal solution closely using the proposed method. Synthetic applications verify that HQACO shows the most reliable exploring competence to find the global solution. The new inversion method is not only suitable for the strong-contrast interface with noise but also shows promising accuracy using the wide offset range.
Protection of rotor side converter of doubly fed induction generator based wind energy conversion system under symmetrical grid voltage fluctuations
Authors: Sreenivasulu Panisetty , Hussain Jakeer
Published: October 2024

This paper presents the protection of the rotor side converter in a grid-connected doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind energy conversion system (WECS) during a symmetrical voltage dip. In order to manage rotor current and regulate DC link voltage, an efficient active crowbar protection circuit is implemented in the rotor side converter (RSC). To improve the low-voltage ride-through capability for grid-connected wind turbine systems, an integrated DFIG-based WECS role is crucial because wind turbines must remain connected to the utility grid during faults to ensure continuity and reliability of power supply. This paper aims to design and implement an efficient active crowbar protection technique to protect the RSC and avoid excessive rotor current during a symmetrical voltage dip. Therefore, the efficient active crowbar protection circuit is designed using MATLAB-Simulink software, and its performance is validated using a real-time (RT) simulator. Finally, the existing methods are compared with the proposed work outcomes, and a conclusion is made.
Causal relationship between Women’s reproductive traits and postpartum depression: a multivariate mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Kang Zhen , Wu Qingming , Cao Jianan , Zhu Mohao , You Zhaoling , Li Dandan , Liu Weiai
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The relationship between women’s reproductive traits and postpartum depression (PPD) has not been clarified. We reveal the association between genetically predicted modifiable women’s reproductive traits and PPD using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

We used genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to obtain instrumental variables (IVs) of 9 women’s reproductive traits. Univariate and multivariate MR analyses were used to examine the association between traits and the risk of PPD (13,657 cases and 236,178 controls). The primary causal effect assessment employed the IVW method. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test. Multiple horizontal effects were assessed using the MR-PRESSO and MR-Egger intercept. Leave-one-out and LASSO regression analyses were used to check the robustness of the UVMR and MVMR results, respectively.

Results

In the UVMR result, genetic prediction showed that age at first sexual intercourse (AFS) (OR = 0.474, 95% CI 0.396–0.567; p = 4.6 × 10–16), age at first birth (AFB) (OR = 0.865, 95% CI 0.805–0.930; p = 8.02 × 10−5), and age at last live birth (ALLB) (OR = 0.296, 95% CI 0.138–0.636; p = 0.002) were significantly inversely associated with PPD, while a higher lifetime number of sexual partners (LNSP) (OR = 1.431, 95% CI 1.009–2.031; p = 0.045) and a greater number of spontaneous miscarriages (OR = 1.519, 95% CI 1.021–2.262; p = 0.039) are suggested to be associated with an increased risk of PPD. In the MVMR result, only AFB (OR = 0.804, 95% CI 0.661–0.978; p = 0.029) retained a direct causative relationship with PPD.

Conclusion

The study indicates that AFB is a significant risk factor for PPD. Furthermore, the likelihood of developing PPD appears to decrease with increasing gestational age at the time of the first childbirth.
Circulating hsa-miR-320a and its regulatory network in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nizam Rasheeba , Malik Md Zubbair , Jacob Sindhu , Alsmadi Osama , Koistinen Heikki A. , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Alkandari Hessa , Al-Mulla Fahd , Thanaraj Thangavel Alphonse
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Increasing evidence from human and animal model studies indicates the significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in pancreatic beta cell function, insulin signaling, immune responses, and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

We aimed, using next-generation sequencing, to screen miRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of eight independent Kuwaiti-Arab families with T1D affected siblings, consisting of 18 T1D patients and 18 unaffected members, characterized by no parent-to-child inheritance pattern.

Results

Our analysis revealed 20 miRNAs that are differentially expressed in T1D patients compared with healthy controls. Module-based weighted gene co-expression network analysis prioritized key consensus miRNAs in T1D pathogenesis. These included hsa-miR-320a-3p, hsa-miR-139-3p, hsa-miR-200-3p, hsa-miR-99b-5p and hsa-miR-6808-3p. Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs indicated that PI3K-AKT is one of the key pathways perturbed in T1D. Gene ontology analysis of hub miRNAs also implicated PI3K-AKT, along with mTOR, MAPK, and interleukin signaling pathways, in T1D. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we validated one of the key predicted miRNA-target gene-transcription factor networks in an extended cohort of children with new-onset T1D positive for islet autoantibodies. Our analysis revealed that hsa-miR-320a-3p and its key targets, including PTEN, AKT1, BCL2, FOXO1 and MYC, are dysregulated in T1D, along with their interacting partners namely BLIMP3, GSK3B, CAV1, CXCL3, TGFB, and IL10. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis highlighted the diagnostic potential of hsa-miR-320a-3p, CAV1, GSK3B and MYC for T1D.

Discussion

Our study presents a novel link between hsa-miR-320a-3p and T1D, and highlights its key regulatory role in the network of mRNA markers and transcription factors involved in T1D pathogenesis.
Mitochondrial regulation in the tumor microenvironment: targeting mitochondria for immunotherapy
Authors: Ahn Minseo , Ali Akhtar , Seo Jae Ho
Published: October 2024

Mitochondrial regulation plays a crucial role in cancer immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Infiltrating immune cells, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages, undergo mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming to survive the harsh conditions of the TME and enhance their antitumor activity. On the other hand, immunosuppressive cells like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), mast cells, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) rely on mitochondrial regulation to maintain their function as well. Additionally, mitochondrial regulation of cancer cells facilitates immune evasion and even hijacks mitochondria from immune cells to enhance their function. Recent studies suggest that targeting mitochondria can synergistically reduce cancer progression, especially when combined with traditional cancer therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Many mitochondrial-targeting drugs are currently in clinical trials and have the potential to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. This mini review highlights the critical role of mitochondrial regulation in cancer immunity and provides lists of mitochondrial targeting drugs that have potential to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Genomic instability as a driver and suppressor of anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Requesens Marta , Foijer Floris , Nijman Hans W. , de Bruyn Marco
Published: October 2024

Genomic instability is a driver and accelerator of tumorigenesis and influences disease outcomes across cancer types. Although genomic instability has been associated with immune evasion and worsened disease prognosis, emerging evidence shows that genomic instability instigates pro-inflammatory signaling and enhances the immunogenicity of tumor cells, making them more susceptible to immune recognition. While this paradoxical role of genomic instability in cancer is complex and likely context-dependent, understanding it is essential for improving the success rates of cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the underlying mechanisms that link genomic instability to pro-inflammatory signaling and increased immune surveillance in the context of cancer, as well as discuss how genomically unstable tumors evade the immune system. A better understanding of the molecular crosstalk between genomic instability, inflammatory signaling, and immune surveillance could guide the exploitation of immunotherapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer.
Bidirectional regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and its association with immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yurui , Wang Yudi , Mu Peizheng , Zhu Xiao , Dong Yucui
Published: October 2024

Adaptive anti-tumor immunity is currently dependent on the natural immune system of the body. The emergence of tumor immunotherapy has improved prognosis and prolonged the survival cycle of patients. Current mainstream immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy, and monoclonal antibody therapy, are linked to natural immunity. The cGAS-STING pathway is an important natural immunity signaling pathway that plays an important role in fighting against the invasion of foreign pathogens and maintaining the homeostasis of the organism. Increasing evidence suggests that the cGAS-STING pathway plays a key role in tumor immunity, and the combination of STING-related agonists can significantly enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy and reduce the emergence of immunotherapeutic resistance. However, the cGAS-STING pathway is a double-edged sword, and its activation can enhance anti-tumor immunity and immunosuppression. Immunosuppressive cells, including M2 macrophages, MDSC, and regulatory T cells, in the tumor microenvironment play a crucial role in tumor escape, thereby affecting the immunotherapy effect. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway can bi-directionally regulate this group of immunosuppressive cells, and targeting this pathway can affect the function of immunosuppressive cells, providing new ideas for immunotherapy. In this study, we summarize the activation pathway of the cGAS-STING pathway and its immunological function and elaborate on the key role of this pathway in immune escape mediated by the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Finally, we summarize the mainstream immunotherapeutic approaches related to this pathway and explore ways to improve them, thereby providing guidelines for further clinical services.
Case report: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy with overlapping autoimmune syndrome
Authors: Wei Wu-xiao , Chen Ming-li , Meng Lian
Published: October 2024

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a rare autoimmune disease, which is characterized by the immune system attacking astrocytes in the central nervous system, resulting in inflammation and damage to the nervous system. We reported a 41-year-old female patient with only drowsiness for 3 months, who was, otherwise, healthy with no other signs of meningoencephalitis or myelitis. There were no obvious abnormalities in her neurological and ophthalmic tests. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plain scan + enhancement with the gadolinium contrast agent revealed patchy hypointensity on T1-weighted imaging, hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging, hyperintensity on T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery in the left basal ganglia, corona radiata, and local septum pellucida, with no enhancement in the enhanced lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed white blood cell count of 5.00 × 106/L, CSF protein of 828.53 mg/L, and glucose of 2.83 mmol/L. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody and GFAP antibody were all positive, whereas the remaining autoimmune encephalitis antibody tests were negative. Oncology screening [including head, chest, and whole-abdomen (involving the pelvic cavity) CT and tumor markers] did not reveal any obvious evidence of tumor presence. The patient received systemic treatment with high-dose intravenous injection of steroids combined with immunosuppressive agents, and the clinical and imaging features of the patients improved. To the best of our knowledge, reports on overlapping positivity of AQP4 antibody and NMDAR antibody in patients with GFAP astrocytopathy were still very rare. We hope to supplement the existing literature on this topic, review the relevant literature, and strive to increase the understanding toward GFAP astrocytopathy with overlapping autoimmune syndrome so as to enable early diagnosis and early treatment and to improve the clinical outcome of patients.
Ex vivo and in vitro methods as a platform for studying anthropogenic effects on marine mammals: four challenges and how to meet them
Authors: Vazquez Juan Manuel , Khudyakov Jane I. , Madelaire Carla B. , Godard-Codding Céline A. , Routti Heli , Lam Emily K. , Piotrowski Elizabeth R. , Merrill Greg B. , Wisse Jillian H. , Allen Kaitlin N. , Conner Justin , Blévin Pierre , Spyropoulos Demetri D. , Goksøyr Anders , Vázquez-Medina José Pablo
Published: October 2024

Marine mammals are integral to global biodiversity and marine health through their roles in coastal, benthic, and pelagic ecosystems. Marine mammals face escalating threats from climate change, pollution, and human activities, which perturb their oceanic environment. The diverse biology and extreme adaptations evolved by marine mammals make them important study subjects for understanding anthropogenic pressures on marine ecosystems. However, ethical and logistical constraints restrict the tractability of experimental research with live marine mammals. Additionally, studies on the effects of changing ocean environments are further complicated by intricate gene-environment interactions across populations and species. These obstacles can be overcome with a comprehensive strategy that involves a systems-level approach integrating genotype to phenotype using rigorously defined experimental conditions in vitro and ex vivo. A thorough analysis of the interactions between the genetics of marine mammals and their exposure to anthropogenic pressures will enable robust predictions about how global environmental changes will affect their health and populations. In this perspective, we discuss four challenges of implementing such non-invasive approaches across scientific fields and international borders: 1) practical and ethical limitations of in vivo experimentation with marine mammals, 2) accessibility to relevant tissue samples and cell cultures; 3) open access to harmonized methods and datasets and 4) ethical and equitable research practices. Successful implementation of the proposed approach has the potential impact to inspire new solutions and strategies for marine conservation.
Demographic-based disparities in outcomes for adults with central line-associated bloodstream infections in the United States: a National Inpatient Sample database study (2016–2020)
Authors: Dix Marie , Belleville Troy , Mishra Anjali , Walters Ryan W. , Millner Paul , Jabbar Ali Bin Abdul , Tauseef Abubakar
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are prevalent and preventable hospital-acquired infections associated with high morbidity and costs. Disparities based on race, ethnicity, and hospital factors remain underexplored. This study compares cost, length of stay, and mortality for adults with CLABSI by race-ethnicity, hospital location-teaching status, and geographic region in the United States using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020.

Methods

The hospitalization cohort included adults diagnosed with CLABSI, excluding those with primary CLABSI diagnoses, cancer, immunosuppressed states, or neonatal conditions. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and hospital costs, adjusted to mid-year 2020 US dollars. Independent variables included race-ethnicity, hospital location-teaching status, and geographic region. All analyses accounted for NIS sampling design.

Results

From 2016 to 2020, there were approximately 19,835 CLABSI hospitalizations. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 9.1%, with a median hospital stay of 16.9 days and median cost of $44,810. Hispanic patients experienced significantly higher mortality, longer length of stay, and higher costs compared to non-Hispanic Black and White patients. Urban teaching hospitals had longer stays and higher costs than rural and urban non-teaching hospitals. Regionally, the Northeast and West had higher costs and longer stays than the Midwest and South, but mortality rates did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

This study highlights significant disparities in CLABSI outcomes based on demographic factors. Addressing these disparities is crucial for improving CLABSI management and healthcare equity. Further research should explore the underlying causes of these differences to inform targeted interventions.
Effect of air pollution on the global burden of cardiovascular diseases and forecasting future trends of the related metrics: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Authors: Mao Qingsong , Zhu Xiaoyi , Zhang Xinyi , Kong Yuzhe
Published: October 2024

Background

This study assesses the worldwide cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden attributed to air pollution, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Methods

We explored the impact of air pollution on CVDs globally, regionally, and nationally, while considering correlations with age, gender, and socio-demographic index (SDI). A decomposition analysis was conducted to discern the contributions of aging, population growth, and epidemiological shifts to the changes in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. Additionally, an ARIMA model was used to forecast the future CVD burden through 2050.

Results

In 2021, air pollution was responsible for approximately 2.46 million deaths and 58.3 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to CVDs, with a discernible decrease over the period studied. The greatest impacts were observed in individuals aged 75–79 and over 80, particularly among males. The decomposition analysis indicated that shifts in epidemiology were the primary factors driving these changes. Future projections suggest potential increases in mortality and DALY rates in regions with low and high-middle SDI, alongside rising age-standardized death and mortality rates in high SDI areas.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the urgency of implementing targeted CVD prevention and air pollution control strategies to mitigate the impact on public health.
Sports-ACtrans Net: research on multimodal robotic sports action recognition driven via ST-GCN
Authors: Lu Qi
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Accurately recognizing and understanding human motion actions presents a key challenge in the development of intelligent sports robots. Traditional methods often encounter significant drawbacks, such as high computational resource requirements and suboptimal real-time performance. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel approach called Sports-ACtrans Net.

Methods

In this approach, the Swin Transformer processes visual data to extract spatial features, while the Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Network (ST-GCN) models human motion as graphs to handle skeleton data. By combining these outputs, a comprehensive representation of motion actions is created. Reinforcement learning is employed to optimize the action recognition process, framing it as a sequential decision-making problem. Deep Q-learning is utilized to learn the optimal policy, thereby enhancing the robot's ability to accurately recognize and engage in motion.

Results and discussion

Experiments demonstrate significant improvements over state-of-the-art methods. This research advances the fields of neural computation, computer vision, and neuroscience, aiding in the development of intelligent robotic systems capable of understanding and participating in sports activities.
Effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation on upper limb function in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Junyue , Huang Jiahao , Ye Anqi , Xie Chen , Bu Pan , Kang Jiliang , Hu Jiaxuan , Wen Youliang , Huang Haoyuan
Published: October 2024

Background

Stroke is a serious health issue that affects individuals, families, and society. Particularly, the upper limb dysfunction caused by stroke significantly reduces the quality of life for patients and may lead to psychological issues. Current treatment modalities are not fully effective in helping patients regain upper limb motor function to optimal levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new rehabilitation methods to address this issue.

Objective

The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review is to explore the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on upper limb function in stroke patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PEDro and China National Knowledge Internet as of April 8, 2024. Retrieved a total of 100 articles. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results

The study included a total of 9 trials and involved 224 patients. The results demonstrate that compared to the control group, iTBS therapy significantly improved Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE) scores (SMD = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.11–1.66; P = 0.03, I2 = 84%), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) scores (SMD = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.16–1.50; P = 0.02, I2 = 57%), and Barthel Index (BI) scores (SMD = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.53–1.32; P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%) in stroke patients.

Conclusions

The comprehensive evidence suggests that iTBS has superior effects in improving upper limb function and activities of daily living in stroke patients.
Causal relationship between metabolites and embolic stroke: based on Mendelian randomization and metabolomics
Authors: Hang Ying , Chen Zanhao , Ren Jiayi , Wang Yu , Zhu Kangle , Zhu Qianhong
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This research employed Mendelian randomization (MR) methods to explore whether metabolites are causally associated with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS).

Methods

Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data regarding metabolites and ESUS were downloaded from the database. Metabolites were employed as exposure factors, ESUS served as the outcome variable, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) exhibiting significant association with ESUS were chosen as instrumental variables. The causal association between exposure factor metabolites and the outcome variable ESUS was assessed using two methods: MR-Egger regression and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) analysis.

Results

A causal relationship was observed between X-11593--O-methylascorbate* and ESUS, indicating a protective factor. Moreover, a causal relationship was identified between cholesterol esters in large very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), cholesterol esters in medium low-density lipoprotein (LDL), concentration of medium LDL particles, phospholipids in medium LDL, phenylalanine, total cholesterol in small LDL, total lipids in medium LDL and ESUS, representing risk factor. Funnel plots exhibited a symmetrical distribution of SNPs, while pleiotropic tests (p > 0.05) and leave-one-out tests indicated that the results were relatively stable.

Conclusion

Metabolites are causally associated with ESUS. LDL and VLDL-related metabolites are identified as risk factors for ESUS.
Swin Transformer-based automatic delineation of the hippocampus by MRI in hippocampus-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy
Authors: Li Liang , Lu Zhennan , Jiang Aijun , Sha Guanchen , Luo Zhaoyang , Xie Xin , Ding Xin
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to develop and validate SwinHS, a deep learning-based automatic segmentation model designed for precise hippocampus delineation in patients receiving hippocampus-protected whole-brain radiotherapy. By streamlining this process, we seek to significantly improve workflow efficiency for clinicians.

Methods

A total of 100 three-dimensional T1-weighted MR images were collected, with 70 patients allocated for training and 30 for testing. Manual delineation of the hippocampus was performed according to RTOG0933 guidelines. The SwinHS model, which incorporates a 3D ELSA Transformer module and an sSE CNN decoder, was trained and tested on these datasets. To prove the effectiveness of SwinHS, this study compared the segmentation performance of SwinHS with that of V-Net, U-Net, ResNet and VIT. Evaluation metrics included the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Jaccard similarity coefficient (JSC), and Hausdorff distance (HD). Dosimetric evaluation compared radiotherapy plans generated using automatic segmentation (plan AD) versus manual hippocampus segmentation (plan MD).

Results

SwinHS outperformed four advanced deep learning-based models, achieving an average DSC of 0.894, a JSC of 0.817, and an HD of 3.430 mm. Dosimetric evaluation revealed that both plan (AD) and plan (MD) met treatment plan constraints for the target volume (PTV). However, the hippocampal Dmax in plan (AD) was significantly greater than that in plan (MD), approaching the 17 Gy constraint limit. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in D100% or maximum doses to other critical structures between the two plans.

Conclusion

Compared with manual delineation, SwinHS demonstrated superior segmentation performance and a significantly shorter delineation time. While plan (AD) met clinical requirements, caution should be exercised regarding hippocampal Dmax. SwinHS offers a promising tool to enhance workflow efficiency and facilitate hippocampal protection in radiotherapy planning for patients with brain metastases.
Altered brain texture features in end-stage renal disease patients: a voxel-based 3D brain texture analysis study
Authors: Fang Jie , Xu Hongting , Zhou Yu , Zou Fan , Zuo Jiangle , Wu Jinmin , Wu Qi , Qi Xiangming , Wang Haibao
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Cognitive impairment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with brain structural damage. However, no prior studies have investigated the relationship between brain texture features and the cognitive function in ESRD patients. This study aimed to investigate changes in brain texture features in ESRD patients and their relationships with cognitive function using voxel-based 3D brain texture analysis (TA), and further predict individual cognitive-related brain damage in ESRD patients.

Methods

Forty-seven ESRD patients and 45 control subjects underwent whole-brain high-resolution 3D T1-weighted imaging scans and neuropsychological assessments. The voxel-based 3D brain TA was performed to examine inter-group differences in brain texture features. Additionally, within the ESRD group, the relationships of altered texture features with neuropsychological function and clinical indicators were analyzed. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability of brain texture features for cognitive-related brain damage in ESRD patients.

Results

Compared to the control group, the ESRD group exhibited altered texture features in several brain regions, including the insula, temporal lobe, striatum, cerebellum, and fusiform gyrus (p < 0.05, Gaussian random-field correction). Some of these altered texture features were associated with scores from the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and the Trail Making Test Parts A (p < 0.05), and showed significant correlations with serum creatinine and calcium levels within the ESRD group (p < 0.05). Notably, ROC curve analysis revealed that the texture features in the right insula and left middle temporal gyrus could accurately predict cognitive-related brain damage in ESRD patients, with the area under the curve values exceeding 0.90.

Conclusion

Aberrant brain texture features may be involved in the neuropathological mechanism of cognitive decline, and have high accuracy in predicting cognitive-related brain damage in ESRD patients. TA offers a novel neuroimaging marker to explore the neuropathological mechanisms of cognitive impairment in ESRD patients, and may be a valuable tool to predict cognitive decline.
Inflammation and olfactory loss are associated with at least 139 medical conditions
Authors: Leon Michael , Troscianko Emily T. , Woo Cynthia C.
Published: October 2024

Olfactory loss accompanies at least 139 neurological, somatic, and congenital/hereditary conditions. This observation leads to the question of whether these associations are correlations or whether they are ever causal. Temporal precedence and prospective predictive power suggest that olfactory loss is causally implicated in many medical conditions. The causal relationship between olfaction with memory dysfunction deserves particular attention because this sensory system has the only direct projection to memory centers. Mechanisms that may underlie the connections between medical conditions and olfactory loss include inflammation as well as neuroanatomical and environmental factors, and all 139 of the medical conditions listed here are also associated with inflammation. Olfactory enrichment shows efficacy for both prevention and treatment, potentially mediated by decreasing inflammation.
Terbium sisters: current development status and upscaling opportunities
Authors: Moiseeva Anzhelika N. , Favaretto Chiara , Talip Zeynep , Grundler Pascal V. , van der Meulen Nicholas P.
Published: October 2024

The interest in terbium radionuclides, which can be used in nuclear medicine, has increased tremendously over the last decade. Several research studies have shown the potential of four terbium radionuclides 149,152,155,161Tb both for cancer diagnosis as well as therapy. The comparison of 161Tb and 177Lu showed 161Tb as the preferred candidate not only for standard radiotherapy, but also for the treatment of minimal residual disease. Nevertheless, among the terbium sisters, currently, only 161Tb has an established production protocol where its no-carrier-added form is obtained via neutron irradiation of enriched 160Gd targets. The other terbium radioisotopes face challenges related to production capacity and production yield, which currently restricts their use in nuclear medicine. The purpose of this review is to report on recent research on the production and separation of terbium sisters and to assess the prospects for upscaling their production for nuclear medicine applications.
Association between diverse obesity indicators and sleep quality in elderly Chinese people: a National Study
Authors: Liang Zhenzhen , Jin Wei , Huang Li , Chen Huajian
Published: October 2024

Background

The association between obesity indicators and sleep quality remains unclear among elderly Chinese people. Therefore, we aimed to assess this association by utilizing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).

Methods

A total of 10,505 participants aged 65 and above from the 2018 CLHLS were included. Calculate body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) based on measured weight, height, and waist circumference. Based on BMI values, individuals were classified as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–23.9 kg/m2) and overweight or obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2). In the survey, sleep quality was rated in a 5-point format (“1 = very good,” “2 = good,” “3 = fair,” “4 = poor,” or “5 = very poor”), and we categorized “1” and “2” as good sleep quality and “3,” “4,” and “5” as poor sleep quality. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with subgroup analysis and restricted-cubic-spline (RCS) conducted.

Results

The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 47.06%. There are significant differences in obesity indicators and other factors between the two groups of people with good sleep and poor sleep. After adjusting for potential confounding factors (including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle behaviors, health-related issues and activities of daily living), our analyses revealed significant negative associations of BMI [OR 0.96 (95% CI 0.95–0.98)], WC [OR 0.99 (95% CI 0.98–0.99)] and WHtR [OR 0.18 (95% CI 0.09–0.35)] with poor sleep quality. RCS regression also showed that BMI, WC, WHtR and WWI were all strongly negatively correlated with poor sleep quality.

Conclusions

In elderly Chinese people, overweight/obese elderly people may have a better sleep quality compared to elderly people with normal weight, while underweight elderly people are unfavorable for sleep quality.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer: a bibliometric analysis, 2004–2023
Authors: Sun Lamei , Zhang Rong , Gu Yidan , Huang Lei , Jin Chunhui
Published: October 2024

Background

An increasing number of studies have turned their lens to the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Objective

To clarify and visualize the basic situation, research hotspots, and development trends of AI in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC, and provide clues for research in the future.

Methods

On January 31, 2024, the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was searched to screen and export the relevant research published during 2004-2023, and Cite Space, VoSviewer, Bibliometrix were used to visualize the number of publications, countries (regions), institutions, journals, authors, citations, keywords, etc.

Results

A total of 2715 pieces of literature were included. The number of publications grew slowly until the end of 2016, but rapidly after 2017, till to the peak of 798 in 2023. A total of 92 countries, 3997 organizations, and 15,667 authors were involved in this research. Chinese scholars released the highest number of publications, and the U.S. contributed the highest number of total citations. As to authors, MORI, YUICHI had the highest number of publications, and WANG, PU had the highest number of total citations. According to the analysis of citations and keywords, the current research hotspots are mainly related to “Colonoscopy”, “Polyp Segmentation”, “Digital Pathology”, “Radiomics”, “prognosis”.

Conclusion

Research on the application of AI in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC has made significant progress and is flourishing across the world. Current research hotspots include AI-assisted early screening and diagnosis, pathology, and staging, and prognosis assessment, and future research is predicted to put weight on multimodal data fusion, personalized treatment, and drug development.