bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Complex Case of Right Heart Masses in a Leukemia Patient: A case report
Authors: Wang Xiaoning , Fatahichegeni Mahsa , Ansarian Mohammad Amin , Ranjbarha Seifollah , Ren Juan
Published: December 2024

Background: An acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patient presented with a cardiac mass of unknown nature. This case report discusses a 33-year-old male who was initially diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). During medical check-ups before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT), cardiac ultrasound revealed several mobile, homogenous, and calcified masses of unidentified nature in his right atrium and right ventricle. The nature of these masses has presented gradually increasing calcification but remains unknown.
Case presentation: The patient was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and achieved complete remission after multiple rounds of chemotherapy. From a leukemia treatment perspective, an allo-HSCT was needed as soon as possible. However, several masses were found in his right heart before the transplant. A series of tests were performed to determine the nature of the cardiac mass. His echocardiograms and cardiac MRI revealed persistent, calcified, and mobile nodular masses in the right atrium and right ventricular lateral wall. These masses did not exhibit delayed enhancement, complicating the differential diagnosis. Finally considering the need for leukemia treatment, allo-HSCT was performed after extensive workup, including echocardiography, MRI, and PET/CT, which ruled out leukemic infiltration, typical infectious vegetation, and primary or metastatic cardiac tumors. At present, more than 2 years after transplantation, dynamic detection of the masses revealed gradually increasing calcification, but of a still unknown nature.
Conclusions: The case of this 33-year-old male with AML and concomitant cardiac masses highlights a complex challenge in his diagnosis and treatment. Despite extensive imaging and multidisciplinary consultations, including echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and PET/CT, the exact nature of these calcified, mobile nodular masses in the right atrium and right ventricular lateral wall remains elusive. Their persistence and atypical imaging characteristics underscore the need for continued research and collaboration to elucidate their underlying pathology. This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and a multidisciplinary approach in managing rare cardiac complications in leukemia patients. It aims for improved diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes in similar challenging scenarios.
Geographic Disparities in Hospital Readmissions: a Retrospective Cohort Study among Patients with Chronic Disease in Rural China
Authors: Li Mingyue , Tang Haoqing , Zheng Huixian , Zhang Baisong , Cheng Haozhe , Wang Yanshang , Zhou Yuxun , Zhang Xiaotian , Geldsetzer Pascal , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: December 2024

Background
Frequent hospital readmissions place a significant burden on patients, families, and society. Many high-income countries have implemented financial incentives to reduce readmissions. In China, readmission metrics have also been introduced as part of the performance evaluation for secondary hospitals. However, the understanding of hospital readmissions, particularly in rural and remote areas of China, remains limited. This study aims to analyze geographic disparities in hospital readmissions among high-need patients.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study used anonymized hospital discharge data from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, from three public secondary county hospitals. We included rural patients aged 15 and older with hypertension or type 2 diabetes. The outcomes were 30-day, 90-day, and annual readmissions. The explanatory variable was the travel distance to county hospitals, calculated based on the longitude and latitude of registered addresses. Covariates included patient demographics (gender, age, marital status, and ethnicity); health status (Charlson comorbidity score, types of chronic diseases, surgery, and length of stay); and other factors (health insurance and admitted departments). We first reported unweighted readmissions stratified by travel distances (< 40 km versus ≥ 40 km). Multiple logistic regression models were then used to examine the relationship between travel distances and readmissions.
Results
The 30-day, 90-day and annual readmission rates for hypertension or type 2 diabetes were 8.5%, 19.1%, and 39.7%, respectively. Patients living far away were more vulnerable – older (aged 65 and older 59.1% versus 58.5%, P < 0.001), predominantly minorities (Minority 55.6% versus 29.4%, P < 0.001), and having more hypertension and diabetes-related complications, as well as undergoing more surgeries (surgery 29.4% versus 23.3%, P < 0.001) compared to those living nearby. After adjusting covariates and weights, patients living 40km away had 11% decrease in the odds of being readmitted within 30 days (OR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.83–0.96), 10% decrease in the odds of 90-day readmissions (OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.85–0.94), and 13% decrease in the odds of annual readmissions (OR = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.84–0.91) compared to those living within 40km.
Conclusion
We found significant geographic disparities in hospital readmissions among high-need patients. Patients living farther from hospitals had significantly lower odds of readmissions. Readmission rates reflect patients’ healthcare utilization patterns in rural and remote areas. Policymakers should address the geographic access barriers and be cautious when using readmission rates as a measure of hospital performance.
Clinical presentation, acute care management and discharge information of patients with thoracic trauma in South Africa and Sweden: a prospective multicenter observational study.
Authors: Aswegen Heleen van , Roos Ronel , Svensson-Raskh Anna , Svensson Annie , Sehlin Maria , Caragounis Eva-Corina , Plani Frank , Olsén Monika Fagevik
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
Thoracic trauma causes pain and hospitalisation. Middle- and high-income countries have different trauma contexts and populations. To report patients’ clinical presentation (pain and shortness of breath) and its influence on hospital length of stay (LOS), acute care management, and discharge destinations in South Africa (SA) and Sweden.
Methods:
Prospective observational multicenter study by means of clinical record review. One thousand nine hundred and eighteen adults with thoracic trauma were screened. Study objectives guided information retrieved from clinical records. Statistical analysis was done with significance at p-value < 0.05.
Results:
Three-hundred-sixty-four participants were recruited with most being male (n = 170 (95%) SA; n = 125 (68%) Sweden). Type and mechanism of injury differed (SA penetrating (82%) versus Sweden blunt (95%); SA assaults (90%) versus Sweden falls (44%)). Unilateral haemopneumothorax was common (SA 68%, Sweden 35%) and managed with intercostal drainage. Rib cage injuries were common in the Swedish cohort with rib fixation surgery for 17%. Physiotherapy treatment frequency was mostly daily. Swedish participants reported higher pain levels during deep breathing (day 1: p = 0.053; day 2: p < 0.001; day 3: p < 0.001). Shortness of breath during activity was higher for the Swedish cohort (day 1: p = 0.023; day 2: p = 0.001; day 3: p < 0.001). LOS was shorter for SA cohort (5.4 (± 4.3) versus 6.6 (± 5.1) days; p = 0.024). Pulmonary complications (p = 0.013) and moderate-to-severe pain on day 3 (p = 0.005) influenced LOS. Discharge destination was mostly home (99% SA, 56% Sweden).
Conclusion:
Moderate-to-severe pain on day three suggests priority care for those with thoracic trauma to prevent pulmonary complications and prolonged hospitalisation.
Genome-wide DNA mutations in two peatland adapted Coffea liberica varieties
Authors: Melia Tisha , Fatayat Fatayat , Wahibah Ninik Nihayatul , Fatonah Siti , Roslim Dewi Indriyani , Adnan Arisman
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Coffea liberica is one of the species within the Coffeagenus known for its distinctive flavor and resistance to leaf rust disease. Through breeding approaches, two superior varieties of C. liberica, designated as Liberoid Meranti 1 (Lim 1) and Liberoid Meranti 2 (Lim 2), were introduced in 2015. These varieties are known for their high adaptability in peatlands. The genetic basis of plant adaptability to peatlands remains largely unknown. It is therefore essential to identify genome-wide DNA mutations in Lim 1 and 2 in order to gain insights into its capacity for adaptation in peatlands.
Data description: Whole genome sequencing was performed on three plants from each variety (Lim 1 and 2), resulting in 430 million sequencing reads. The mean depth of sequencing for each sample was 36.90x. The reads were mapped to the Coffea canephora genome, with an average mapping rate of 96.34%. The sequencing data revealed the presence of 3,766,805 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1,123,683 insertion-deletions (indels) in all six plants. Among the SNPs, there was a notable prevalence of transitions, with a ratio of approximately twofold compared to transversions. The generated data offers invaluable genomic resources for marker development, with significant implications for understanding peatlands adaptability.
Coexistence and control of firing patterns in a heterogeneous neuronal network coupled by memristive synapses
Authors: Wu Jinyi , Li Zhijun , Lan Yonghong
Published: December 2024

To simulate the complex electrical activity exhibited in biological neuronal networks more accurately, a heterogeneous neuron-coupled network is established in this study. This network consists of an Hindmarsh-Rose (HR) neuron and a tri-cell Hopfield Neural Network (HNN) interconnected via three memristive synapses. The complex dynamical behaviors of the heterogeneous coupled network are investigated by means of bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponent, time series and phase portrait. The firing pattern transitions are also revealed as the memristive synaptic coupling strengths vary. Furthermore, coexisting firing patterns, including period-1, period-2, period-4 and chaotic firing, are also observed by manipulating the initial conditions. Especially, a linear augmentation strategy is introduced to target a desired firing pattern. Both numerical simulations and hardware experimental tests demonstrate that the linear augmentation method can not only select the desired firing patterns, but also promote synchronous firing activities within the heterogeneous neuronal network.
Key Metrics for Monitoring Performance Variability in Edge Computing Applications
Authors: Giannakopoulos Panagiotis , Knippenberg Bart van , Joshi Kishor Chandra , Calabretta Nicola , Exarchakos George
Published: December 2024

Edge computing is an emerging approach that enables applications to run closer to users, accommodating their specific execution time requirements. Edge computing systems usually consist of heterogeneous processing and networking components, resulting in task performance inconsistency. To improve the performance consistency of edge computing, this study presents a method for identifying the factors that affect task execution time variability. We test a set of Single Particle Analysis (SPA) algorithms, designed for an electron microscopy use case, running on a Kubernetes cluster monitored by Prometheus. Our experiments revealed a significant increase in the variability of round trip time when tasks share resources. The proposed approach identifies the most relevant performance metrics from the 442 collected, with correlations reaching up to 87%. This process reduces the number of metrics to 90, achieving an 80% reduction. As a result, the overhead of the monitoring system is decreased, and the use of these metrics for further processing, such as predictive modeling and scheduling, is simplified. These selected metrics not only help in understanding the causes of performance variability but also possess predictive value, enabling more efficient scheduling. The prediction power of these metrics is shown using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis.
Red cell distribution width as a cardiovascular risk predictor in adults with hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.
Authors: Ibrahim Olayinka , Hutton-Mensah Kojo Awotwi , Adeniyi Funmi , Nketiah George , Nwankwo Adaku , Natogmah Abukari , Ogunmodede James , Ojji Dike , Adesola Olumide , Alabi Biodun , Sarpong Daniel , Mokuolu Olugbenga
Published: December 2024

Red cell distribution width (RDW) quantifies the degree of variation in erythrocyte size, is identified as a potential marker of adverse cardiovascular events, and maybe a surrogate marker for assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in low-resource settings. We evaluated RDW as a predictor of CVD risk compared to the WHO CVD risk score among adults with hypertension attending primary healthcare centers in Ghana and Nigeria. Adults with hypertension attending selected PHCs in Ghana and Nigeria participated in a cross-sectional study. Each participant underwent BP measurement and laboratory evaluation (RDW, total cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar) following standard methods. We recruited 319 adults aged 40–74 years from the study sites. The mean (standard deviation) RDW was 13.96 (1.1%). The median CVD risk score was 8.11% [interquartile range (IQR) 4.00 to 11.00]. For participants with hemoglobin (Hb) levels ≥ 12 g/dL, RDW showed positive correlations with age (r=0.136;p=0.042); systolic BP (r=0.183; p=0.006), diastolic BP (r=0.206, p=0.002) and WHO CVD risk scores (r=0.166, p=0.013). Multiple linear regression showed an independent association between RDW and WHO CVD risk scores with an upward gradient and was most significant at 3rd quartiles. Using ROC analysis, the C-statistic was 0.673 (95% CI 0.618 to 0.724), p=0.031. With a cut-off of > 14, the RDW demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.82% and specificity of 55.84%. This study shows that at Hb levels ≥ 12 g/dL, RDW modestly predicted CVD risk in adults with hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.
Gender Differences in the Cognitive Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhao Jiawei , Li xin
Published: December 2024

Background: With the global population aging rapidly and dementia cases expected to rise substantially, identifying effective strategies to mitigate cognitive decline has become crucial. This scoping review aimed to systematically examine the existing evidence on gender differences in the cognitive protective effects of physical activity among older adults and to provide recommendations for future research.
Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Researches that evaluated the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive function in older adults and examined gender differences were included.
Results: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies (95.5%) were of moderate to high methodological quality. Approximately 60% of the studies found significant gender differences in cognitive outcomes or other related outcomes following physical activity interventions, while the remaining studies observed no gender differences. In subgroups, studies targeting on the old with mild cognitive impairment all shows significant gender difference. When gender differences were present, women appeared to benefit more from physical activity in cognition, especially executive function, compared to men.
Conclusion: This review suggested that physical activity may provide cognitive benefits differing between genders with women benefiting more. However, due to varied study design, intervention and outcome measures among the included studies, future studies should employ more rigorous designs, larger samples, and longer follow-ups to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize interventions for both genders.
Stathmin 1 Expression in Neuroendocrine and Proliferating Prostate Cancer
Authors: Shi Yingli , Yeh Yunshin A. , Cheng Siyuan , Gu Xin , Yang Shu , Li Lin , Khater Nazih P. , Kasper Susan , Yu Xiuping
Published: December 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men in the United States. While PCa initially responds to androgen deprivation therapy, a significant portion progresses to castration-resistant PCa. Approximately 20–25% of these cases acquire aggressive neuroendocrine (NE) features, ultimately leading to neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). In this study, we used bioinformatics analysis, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining to investigate the expression of stathmin 1 (STMN1) in PCa cell lines and tissue samples from human PCa and mouse models. Our findings revealed a correlation between elevated STMN1 expression, high Gleason Score, and poor clinical outcomes in PCa patients. Additionally, STMN1 expression was positively correlated with the cell proliferation marker Ki67. Importantly, we observed a significant increase in STMN1 expression in NEPC compared to prostate adenocarcinoma, suggesting its potential role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for advanced PCa. Furthermore, elevated STMN1 expression was detected in TRAMP tumors, a mouse model of PCa, further supporting its association with PCa progression. In summary, our study highlights the increased expression of STMN1 in NEPC and proliferating prostate adenocarcinoma cells, indicating its potential utility as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for advanced PCa.
Pregnancy outcomes in egg donation programs are similar when vitrified imported oocytes are compared to egg-sharing in a retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Trindade Vanessa Devens , Hentschke Marta Ribeiro , Dornelles Victoria Campos , Badalotti-Teloken Isadora , de Vasconcelos Natália Fontoura , Colombo Talita , Petracco Alvaro , Poli-de-Figueiredo Carlos Eduardo , Badalotti Mariangela
Published: December 2024

Background: In the past decade, the use of donated oocytes has increased, with egg donation (ED) cycles accounting for nearly 10% of all assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the United States, with live birth rates exceeding 50% per cycle. Legal frameworks for ED vary across countries; for example, Brazil permits voluntary and shared donation but prohibits commercial donation, leading to imported egg-sharing programs. Despite the growing use of both fresh and vitrified oocytes, no studies have yet compared pregnancy rates between these different egg-sharing programs. Does the use of imported vitrified oocytes from an international bank result in similar pregnancy rates when compared to an egg-sharing donation with fresh oocytes?
Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort including in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles involving egg donation from January 2010 to December 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: those participating in the egg-sharing program and those receiving imported vitrified oocytes from an international bank.
Results: A total of 391 patients were included, with 224 from egg-sharing group (comprising 251 IVF cycles) and 170 from the imported vitrified oocyte group (comprising 179 IVF cycles). The data between the groups were as follows, respectively: mature oocytes: 6.11±3.03, vs 6.88 ±1.69, p = 0.001; total embryos formed: 3.10±1.78, vs 3.26±1.73, p = 0.373, clinical pregnancy rate: 40.1%, vs 47.4%, p = 0.099, live birth and ongoing pregnancy rate: 30.7% vs 38%, p = 0.084, birth weight 2842±765 vs 3048± 547, p = 0.040, small for gestational age 21.6 vs 7.7%, p = 0.036. In the imported oocytes group, the pregnancy rates according to endometrial thickness were as follows: <8mm: 23.5%, 8-12mm: 53.8%,>12 mm 34.6%, p = 0.002.
Conclusions: Egg recipient treatment using imported vitrified oocytes demonstrated similar laboratory outcomes and clinical pregnancy rates compared to the egg-sharing program. Additionally, recipients using vitrified oocytes achieved higher pregnancy rates when transfers were conducted with an endometrial thickness of 8-12 mm.
Assessment of Fusarium Cutinases for Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Biodegradion: Insights from Molecular Dynamics and Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: de Souza Carlos Gabriel da Silva , Costa Clauber Henrique Souza da , de Oliveira Maycon Vinicius Damasceno , Silva Pedro H. A. , Silva Edilene Oliveira da , Skaf Munir S. , Santos Alberdan Silva , Lameira Jerônimo
Published: December 2024

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a polymer of significant industrial importance due to its outstanding physical and chemical properties, making it a key material in various sectors. While PET plays a crucial role in modern applications, its environmental persistence underscores the need for sustainable management and recycling strategies. Enzymatic degradation, particularly through cutinases derived from Fusarium species, has emerged as a promising approach for PET biodegradation. Cutinases from Fusarium oxysporum (FoCut5a) and Fusarium solani (FsCut1) demonstrate the ability to hydrolyze PET into monomers, offering a potential sustainable solution for plastic waste management. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to analyze the structural changes in FoCut5a and FsCut1. To explore the structural rearrangements, we conducted a Free Energy Landscape (FEL) analysis, which revealed that the dynamics of the flap helix and binding loop (residues 74–93 and 172–192 respectively) of FoCut5a allow it to exist in both open and closed states, whereas FsCut1 predominantly adopts a closed state. This difference in conformational dynamics has significant implications for enzymatic efficiency, as the transition between open and closed states facilitates substrate binding and product release. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the interaction of F. oxysporum with PET surfaces, further highlighting its biodegradation potential. Understanding the mechanistic basis of PET degradation by cutinases is important for engineering enzyme systems to enhance PET degradation and improve the turnover of specific products, offering valuable insights for the development of biotechnological strategies aimed at sustainable materials management in the context of plastic waste recycling.
Preferences for breast cancer survivorship programs among multiracial and ethnic women
Authors: Anderson Lisa , Bhattacharyya Oindrila , Clark Akia , Smith Sharnell , Grimm Michael , Fox Elizabeth , Trance Annie , Oppong Bridget A.
Published: December 2024

Purpose: With advancements in breast cancer treatment, survivorship has increased, leading to 3.8 million survivors in the US. These women have diverse supportive care needs, often addressed through Survivorship Programs (SPs), which provide clinical and non-clinical support services. SPs aim to deliver a holistic approach to comprehensive breast cancer treatment and recurrence prevention. Historically, disparities in SP utilization exist among minority and elderly women. This study aims to explore trends varying in SP participation by age and race within a single institution.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients' survivorship needs at the James Comprehensive Cancer Center was conducted. Data were collected from JamesCare for Life programs (2019-2022), including demographics and referrals to clinical resources such as Adolescent/Young Adult care, Fertility preservation, Palliative care, Psychosocial support, and Survivorship. Participation in non-clinical areas, including Art, Education, Exercise, Mind-Body-Spirit, and Nutrition, was also evaluated. Descriptive statistics summarized patterns based on age, race, and ethnicity.
Results: From 2019-2022, 2,198 patients attended SPs, with Nutrition and Exercise being the most popular. Most attendees were 60-69 years old and White. Black attendees declined from 9.9% (2019) to 5.7% (2022). Clinical resources showed the highest referral rate to survivorship clinics. Black patients saw an increase in palliative care referrals, rising from 11% to 21%.
Conclusion: Data reveal differences in clinical referrals by age and race, with fewer referrals for older women and more for Black patients. Participation in non-clinical SPs was similar across groups. Future program development will focus on inclusivity and equitable access.
Unhealthy lifestyles are associated with incidence and mortality of chest pain among the U.S. population: a cross-sectional and cohort study based on NHANES
Authors: Yin Jumei , Zhang Huan , Zhang Ju , Yao Nuo , Shi Yongquan , Han Zheyi
Published: December 2024

Background: Unhealthy lifestyles have been linked to a range of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and unfavorable prognosis. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the correlation between unhealthy lifestyles and chest pain. This study aimed to evaluated the relationship between unhealthy lifestyles and the occurrence of chest pain as well as overall mortality among subjests presenting with chest pain.
Methods: The data utilized for this study were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which spans 2001 to 2018. Unhealthy lifestyles, ranging from 0 to 5, were constructed based on five factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, unhealthy waist circumference, and unhealthy diet. Logistic regression models assessed the correlation between unhealthy lifestyles and chest pain. All-cause mortality was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves, Cox regression analysis, and restricted cubic splines (RCS). Mediation analysis was utilized to explore the indirect impact of unhealthy lifestyles on chest pain mediated through CVD.
Results: A total of 11786 participants (8581 without pain, 3205 with pain) were enrolled. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis showed individuals with more unhealthy lifestyles
were significantly more likely to suffer chest pain (odds ratio (OR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.33). Notably, CVD partially mediated the association between unhealthy lifestyles and chest pain by a 24.85% proportion, respectively. Over a median follow-up of 6.42 years, 1811 subjects (15.4%) died. Weighted Cox proportional hazards models indicated that for each additional unit of unhealthy lifestyle, an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 1.43 (95% CI 1.32-1.56) for all participants, 1.59 (95% CI 1.36-1.86) for participants with chest pain and 1.37 (95% CI 1.24-1.50) for participants without chest pain.
Conclusion: Unhealthy lifestyles were strongly linked to increased incidence of chest pain and all-cause mortality.
A Rare Case of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Lynx
Authors: Ma Yuan , Lv Jinbao , Ding Yulin , Wang Wenlong , Wang Rui , Gao wa , Zheng Bingwu , Le Husen , Wang Jinling
Published: December 2024

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare neoplastic disease caused by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells and their associated interstitial lesions in the lungs, which can involve multiple systems, including bone, skin, and lymph nodes, and lead to organ dysfunction. An 8-year-old male lynx in Hohhot Zoo presented clinical manifestations of depression, lethargy, loss of appetite due to lethargy, reduced movement, gradual emaciation, and respiratory distress, over a period of 2 months, before finally dying from exhaustion. Necropsy revealed severe emaciation and dehydration with pleural and abdominal effusions. Based on clinical diagnosis and histopathological features, Lynx confirmed PLCH.According to the literature, this case represented the first report of PLCH in lynx, and this case report should improve our understanding of lynx PLCH and the ability to diagnose and treat it at an early stage.
Medial sural artery perforator free flap for small to medium-sized defects in head and neck reconstruction : a suitable replacement for radial forearm free flap
Authors: Tang Xi , Wu Jian , Zhang Yulian , Pan Keran
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives
To compare clinical outcomes and donor site morbidity between medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap and radial forearm free (RFF) flap for soft tissue reconstruction of head and neck.
Methods
46 patients who underwent free flaps reconstruction at the head and neck cancer center from February 2019 to March 2021 were included, of which 25 RFF flaps and 21 MSAP flaps, The patient and flap characteristics ( age, sex, flap size, harvest time, etc.) and outcomes (success rate, donor site complications including infection, hematoma and fistula, etc, donor site morbidity including abnormal sensation, weakness, range of motion, postoperative oral function, etc.) were recorded and compared. Patients were followed up for at least 12 months after surgery. The patients were assessed subjective donor-site morbidity and satisfaction with overall functional result using a self-reported questionnaire.
Results: The success rates of RFF flaps and MSAP flaps were 96%and 95.2%. There were no significant differences in the age, sex, flap size, pedicle length, postoperative treatment and postoperative oral function. MSAP flap showed less donor site morbidity and better subjective satisfaction at donor site than RFF flap did after 12 months follow-up. A dominant perforator of medial sural artery emerges constantly near the point which is approxmately 15 cm from popliteal fossa center vertically, and 3 cm from postor midline of leg horizontally.
Conclusion
Due to less donor site morbidity and higher patients’ satisfaction, MSAP flap can be used as a replacement for RFF flap for small to medium-sized defects in head and neck reconstruction.
Radiomic-based models are able to predict the pathologic response to different neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal cancer: a cohort study
Authors: Annamaria Agnes , Boldrini Luca , Perillo Federica , Tran Huong Elena , Brizi Maria Gabriella , Ricci Riccardo , Lenkowicz Jacopo , Votta Claudio , Biondi Alberto , Manfredi Riccardo , Valentini Vincenzo , D'Ugo Domenico , Persiani Roberto
Published: December 2024

Background. There is a clinical need to identify early predictors for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC and GEJC). This study aimed to apply radiomics to build prediction models for the response to NAC.
Methods. All consecutive patients with non-metastatic GC and GEJC undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and surgical resection in an Italian high-volume referral center between 2005-2021 were considered eligible. In patients selected, the CT scans performed upon staging were reviewed to segment the tumor and extract radiomic features using MODDICOM. The primary endpoint was to develop and validate radiomic-based predictive models to identify major responders (MR: tumor regression grade TRG 1-2) and non-responders (NR: TRG 4-5) to NAC. Following an initial feature selection, radiomic and combined radiomic-clinicopathologic prediction models were built for the MR or NR status based on logistic regressions. Internal validation was performed for each model. Radiomic models (in the entire case series and according to NAC regimens) were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and negative predictive value (NPV).
Results. The study included 77 patients undergoing NAC and subsequent tumor resection. The MR prediction model after all types of NAC had an overall good screening value (AUC 0.876, CI 95% 0.786−0.966, sensitivity 83%, and NPV 96%). The models predicting NRs among patients undergoing epirubicin with cisplatin and fluorouracil (ECF), epirubicin with oxaliplatin and capecitabin (EOX), or fluorouracil with oxaliplatin and docetaxel (FLOT) (AUC 0.760, CI 95% 0.639-0.882), oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (AUC 0.810, CI 95% 0.692-0.928), and FLOT (AUC 0.907, CI 95% 0.818 − 0.995) had satisfactory performance.
Conclusions. The developed radiomic models resulted promising in predicting the response to different neoadjuvant chemotherapy strategies. Once further implemented on larger datasets, they could be valuable and cost-effective instruments to target multimodal treatment in patients with GC.
What underlies high episodic memory function in older age? No evidence for aging-specific relationships to hippocampal atrophy and retrieval activity
Authors: Fjell Anders M. , Sneve Markus H. , Amlien Inge K , Grydeland Håkon , Mowinckel Athanasia M. , Vidal-Piñeiro Didac , Sørensen Øystein , Walhovd Kristine B.
Published: December 2024

Some older adults show high episodic memory performance compared to same-age peers. It is not known whether their high function is caused by special brain features in aging, or whether superior memory has the same brain foundation throughout adult life. To address this, we measured hippocampal volume and atrophy, microstructural integrity by diffusion tensor imaging, and activity during an episodic memory encoding and retrieval task in cognitively healthy adults (n = 277, age 20.1–81.5 years). Atrophy was quantified by repeated MRIs (2–7 examinations, mean max follow-up time 9.3 years). Superior memory in older adults was associated with higher retrieval activity in the anterior hippocampus and less hippocampal atrophy. There were no significant age-interactions, suggesting stable correlates of superior memory function. Age-memory performance curves across the full age-range were similar for participants with high memory performance compared to those with normal and low performance. These trajectories were based on cross-sectional data but did not indicate preserved memory among the superior functioning older adults. In conclusion, the results confirm that aspects of hippocampal structure and function are related to superior memory, without evidence to suggest that the best performing older adults are characterized by special brain features compared to their younger counterparts.
Effect of perceived stress on psychological distress in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing TACE: the mediating role of experiential avoidance and the moderating role of trait mindfulness
Authors: Liu Zengxia , Li Min , Jia Yong , Zheng Lufang , Chen Li
Published: December 2024

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the moderated mediation mechanism of the relationships among perceived stress, psychological distress, experiential avoidance and trait mindfulness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in China.Methods This study utilized a cross-sectional approach to gather data from 458 HCC patients undergoing TACE. Participants completed self-report measures assessing psychological distress, perceived stress, experiential avoidance and trait mindfulness. Mediation and moderation analyses are carried out in SPSS macro PROCESS.Results Perceived stress could affect psychological distress and experiential avoidance could mediate this relationship(mediation effect = 0.041, [95%CI=(0.027, 0.056)]). Trait mindfulness played a role as a moderator in the direct and indirect effect of perceived stress on psychological distress.Conclusion Our findings underscore the vital role of experiential avoidance and trait mindfulness to relieve psychological distress, and provide practical implications for mental health intervention programs of HCC patients undergoing TACE.
Traumatic Head Injuries in Children: Demographics, Injury Patterns, and Outcomes in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Albargi Hussin , Alharbi Rayan Jafnan , Almuwallad Ateeq , Harthi Naif , Khormi Yahya , Kanthimathinathan Hari Krishnan , Chowdhury Sharfuddin
Published: December 2024

Background
Traumatic head injuries (THIs) are among the leading cause of mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in children worldwide. Most of the published literature concerning THIs arises predominantly from North America and Europe. However, only limited data about the incidence, characteristics and impact on children in Saudi Arabia exists.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of THIs in children (≤ 18 years of age) using data from the Saudi TraumA Registry (STAR) from August 2017 to December 2022. Data included patient demographic characteristics, the mechanism, type and severity of injury. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between outcomes and clinical factors.
Results
We identified 466 children with THI. Most children were over six years of age (69.5%) and male (76.6%). Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) were the most common cause of THIs (51.9%), with falls being more common in infants (69.8%). Over half of the children required ICU admission. Children with higher injury severity score, heart rate at presentation to the ED, hospital stay duration, respiratory assistance and need for surgery were more likely to require ICU admission. The overall mortality rate was 7.7%, with schoolchildren (age: 6–12 years) having the highest mortality rate (10.8%). Higher rates of ICU admission were associated with increases in the injury severity score (ISS), hospital stay duration, respiratory assistance and the need for surgery.
Conclusions
Children in the 6–12 year age-group had the highest mortality rate, reflecting high injury severities associated with increased ICU admissions. These findings highlight the importance of targeting preventive measures for MVCs in older children and improving trauma care for severe cases.
Efficacy and safety of pretraction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection for treating rectal neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Guo Xiaoxiong , Liu Miao , Zhong Canmei , Lin Liying , Zhuang Mingkai , Chen Yunxin , Zhang Sihan , Zhuang Minxian , Huang Tingxuan , Chen Fenglin
Published: December 2024

Background
Multiple endoscopic treatment options are available for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), with conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection (c-ESD) being the most commonly used method. However, there are certain challenges in the use of c-ESD to treat rectal NETs. To address these issues, pretraction-assisted ESD (p-ESD) was developed. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of p-ESD and c-ESD for the treatment of rectal NETs.
Methods
This retrospective observational study included consecutive patients with rectal NETs measuring less than 15 mm in size who underwent p-ESD or c-ESD at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the dissection time, en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, and adverse event rate between the p-ESD and c-ESD groups.
Results
A total of 103 patients were included in the study, with 49 in the p-ESD group and 54 in the c-ESD group. The dissection time in the p-ESD group was significantly shorter than that in the c-ESD group (median 9.3 vs. 14.9 min, P < 0.001). Additionally, the p-ESD group required no further injections after the first injection, whereas the c-ESD group required significantly more injections (0 vs. 1.54 ± 0.57 injections, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in en bloc resection rates between the groups. The R0 resection rate was notably greater in the p-ESD group (49/49 patients, 100% vs. 48/54 patients, 88.9%, P = 0.028). The p-ESD group also had a lower rate of intraoperative bleeding (2/49, 4.1% vs. 10/54, 18.5%, P = 0.048). No significant differences in other adverse events were found.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that p-ESD for rectal NETs is both effective and safe, reducing procedure complexity while ensuring a high R0 resection rate. p-ESD also reduces the dissection time and decreases the incidence of intraoperative bleeding.
Comparative study on the reaction mechanism of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural on Pd(111) and Cu(111)
Authors: Gao Yuzeng , Liu Fang Feixue , Wang Haolan , Xu Kainan , Chen Rongxin , Zhang Wenxin , Shi Yun
Published: December 2024

Context
In this paper, the comparative study on the catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) on precious Pd(111) and non-precious Cu(111) was systematically studied using periodic density functional theory (DFT) including zero-point energy (ZPE) correction and dispersion correction. Based on the calculated activation energy (Ea) and reaction energy (Er), it was concluded that the optimal energy path for the HMF (F-CHO) conversion to BHMF (F-CH2OH) on Pd(111) is as follows: F-CHO + 2H → F-CHOH + H → F-CH2OH; and the minimum reaction path on Cu(111) is: F-CHO + 2H → F-CH2O + H → F-CH2OH. On Cu(111), the formation of F-CH2OH from F-CH2O hydrogenation displays the highest reaction energy barrier and the smallest rate constant so that it is the rate-determining step. The comparison of HMF hydrogenation on Pd(111) and Cu(111) reveals their inherent differences in selectivity mainly due to the different adsorption geometries of HMF and BHMF, and it was concluded the non-precious Cu(111) is a promising hydrogenation catalyst for the production of BHMF from the hydrogenation of HMF.
Methods
All plane-wave DFT calculations were performed by using Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP, version 5.3.5). The exchange and correlation energies were computed using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) functional with the projector augmented wave (PAW) method.
Differences in the frequency of restorer-of-fertility 1 haplotype are associated with crop history of garden beet and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Taniguchi Eigo , Kanomata Yohei , Tanaka Haruto , Oishi Mion , Hayakawa Ryo , Matsuhira Hiroaki , Narihiro Tsubasa , Kuroda Yosuke , Kagami-Katsuyama Hiroyo , Kubo Tomohiko , Kitazaki Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2024

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is used in breeding to facilitate hybrid seed production. Restorer of fertility (Rf), the suppressor of CMS, consists of a gene cluster with multiple haplotypes. Selection of restoring or non-restoring alleles depends on the discrimination of Rf haplotypes using DNA markers. The efficacy of this system is decreased if the Rf haplotype differs within the population of interest, which can occur during the crop evolution. In sugar beet, the Rf1gene has multiple haplotypes that are grouped by a linked polymorphic region (s17), with one group, termed p4, uniquely linked to the recessive rf1haplotype. Garden beet is the predecessor cultivar group of the sugar beet group. We questioned whether Rf1 haplotypes differ between these two cultivar groups to assess the utility of marker-assisted selection. We analyzed 48 garden beet landraces and observed differences in the s17 polymorphism compared to sugar beet, suggesting that the Rf1 haplotype frequency has changed during evolution of the crop. We next selected non-restoring genotypes from the garden beet landraces through test crosses and identified three recessive rf1 haplotypes: one is identical to the p4 haplotype and the others are novel haplotypes. The p4 haplotype occurs in a few accessions and its frequency in garden beet is approximately 0.01. We analyzed the s17 polymorphism in modern garden beet hybrids and their constituents. We identified the p4 haplotype and suggest the presence of other recessive rf1 haplotypes. Selection of p4 haplotype was efficient on the identification of non-restoring genotype in garden beet.
Recovery of saltmarsh macroinfauna after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Authors: Pant Manisha , Fleeger John , Johnson David , Riggio Rita , Hou Aixin , Deis Donald
Published: December 2024

To examine invertebrate resiliency after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we monitored the recovery of macroinfauna in replicated reference, moderately and heavily oiled salt marshes in Barataria Bay Louisiana for 8.5 y after the spill. Plants suffered near 100% mortality in heavily oiled marshes, profoundly altering the sedimentary environment. Plants in moderately oiled marshes did not suffer extensive mortality but experienced reduced above- and belowground plant biomass. A community analysis based on 40 macroinfaunal taxa was conducted during early, 2011–2012, middle, 2013–2017 and late, 2017–2018, stages of recovery. The early stage was marked by very low taxonomic diversity and low total macroinfaunal abundance in all marshes, while the middle stage was denoted by relatively high diversity and very high abundances in heavily oiled marshes where densities far exceeded reference and regional means. The community in the heavily oiled marshes diverged from reference and moderately oiled marshes during the middle recovery period when the crustaceans Apocorophium louisianum and Leptochelia rapax, the polychaete Alitta succinea, and oligochaetes dramatically increased in abundance, while at the same time, abundance increases of the polychaetes Manayunkia aestuarina, Streblospio gynobrachiata, and Capitellidae sp. lagged behind increasing trends at reference and moderately oiled sites. Macroinfaunal community similarity in moderately oiled marshes differed from reference and heavily oiled marshes in all three recovery stages but did not differ from reference sites on the last collection date. Heavily oiled community similarity not only differed from moderately oiled and reference marshes in all three recovery stages but remained different from reference sites on the last collection date. These observations indicate that moderately oiled marshes recovered by about 8 years, but that heavily oiled marshes require more than a decade to achieve resiliency.
Quantum Bioinformatics: A Novel Approach to Understanding Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Andrade Luis Jesuino de Oliveira , de Oliveira Gabriela Correia Matos , Andrade João Cláudio Nunes Carneiro , Bittencourt Alcina Maria Vinhaes , de Oliveira Luisa Correia Matos , de Oliveira Luís Matos
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder posing a significant global health concern. While classical biochemical models have provided valuable insights, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this disease remain incompletely understood. Recent advancements in quantum mechanics and bioinformatics have opened new avenues for exploring the quantum nature of biological processes, including those involved in DM.
Objective: To investigate the potential role of quantum mechanics in the pathophysiology of DM by employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates quantum mechanical calculations with bioinformatics analysis.
Methods: A comprehensive dataset of proteins implicated in DM was curated from the Protein Data Bank. Quantum mechanical calculations, including Density Functional Theory and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory, were performed to elucidate the electronic structure, vibrational properties, and potential quantum effects in key amino acid residues and active sites of these proteins. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze protein-protein interaction networks, identify allosteric sites, and predict the impact of mutations on protein structure and function.
Results: Our findings provide strong evidence that quantum effects, particularly vibrational coherence and electronic tunneling, may play a crucial role in regulating enzymatic activity, protein-ligand interactions, and energy transfer processes involved in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling. Key findings include the identification of quantum tunneling pathways in key enzymes, evidence for quantum coherence in protein-protein interactions, and the role of vibronic coupling in modulating protein function.
Conclusion: This study offers a novel perspective on the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes mellitus by integrating quantum mechanics and bioinformatics. Our findings suggest that quantum effects may contribute to the pathogenesis of DM, opening new avenues for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.