bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revitalizing established teaching and assessment methods in oncological rehabilitation comprehensive laboratory course
Authors: Li Yang , Li Xiao-meng , Liang Hong , Wei Qian
Published: September 2024

In the reform of medical laboratory courses, innovative teaching methods and the development of a teaching assessment system are crucial. However, in past practices, assessments have encountered some issues: a greater emphasis on recording outcomes, neglecting supervision of the process; a focus on summarizing writing, overlooking the importance of analysis and improvement. In the teaching process of Jilin University’s Oncological Rehabilitation Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, the Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) model is employed to enhance students’ learning approaches. The innovative incorporation of Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) and Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) facilitates effective assessment and feedback. The combination of these reform measures not only addresses issues in experimental teaching but also enhances the internalization of students’ knowledge and skills. In this study, we applied the evaluation systems of Direct Observation of Procedural Skills and Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) to the comprehensive laboratory course in oncological rehabilitation. We utilized questionnaires to assess the impact of these reforms on students, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of the course modifications. Statistical analysis of the data revealed a high level of student approval and a strong willingness to learn under the new evaluation system. Compared to traditional teaching methods, the introduction of DOPS and Mini-CEX significantly enhanced students’ overall competencies and improved the quality of the oncological rehabilitation course. Our approach represents an innovative reform, suggesting that incorporating DOPS and Mini-CEX into teaching could provide a widely applicable and promising new educational method. This paper explores and systematically elaborates on the reform and practice of the teaching model and formative assessment in the comprehensive laboratory course of oncological rehabilitation.
Comparative effects of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine and 3,5,3’-triiodo-L-thyronine on mitochondrial damage and cGAS/STING-driven inflammation in liver of hypothyroid rats
Authors: Giacco Antonia , Petito Giuseppe , Silvestri Elena , Scopigno Nicla , Vigliotti Michela , Mercurio Giovanna , de Lange Pieter , Lombardi Assunta , Moreno Maria , Goglia Fernando , Lanni Antonia , Senese Rosalba , Cioffi Federica
Published: September 2024

Maintaining a well-functioning mitochondrial network through the mitochondria quality control (MQC) mechanisms, including biogenesis, dynamics and mitophagy, is crucial for overall health. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress and further exacerbated by impaired quality control can trigger inflammation through the release of the damage-associated molecular patterns (mtDAMPs). mtDAMPs act by stimulating the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. Recently, aberrant signalling of the cGAS-STING axis has been recognised to be closely associated with several sterile inflammatory diseases (e.g. non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity). This may fit the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder characterised by the reduction of thyroid hormone production associated with impaired metabolic fluxes, oxidative balance and inflammatory status. Both 3,5,3’-triiodo-L-tyronine (T3) and its derivative 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,5-T2), are known to mitigate processes targeting mitochondria, albeit the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we used a chemically induced hypothyroidism rat model to investigate the effect of 3,5-T2 or T3 administration on inflammation-related factors (inflammatory cytokines, hepatic cGAS-STING pathway), oxidative stress, antioxidant defence enzymes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, release and repair, and the MQC system in the liver. Hypothyroid rats showed: i) increased oxidative stress, ii) accumulation of mtDNA damage, iii) high levels of circulating cytokines, iv) hepatic activation of cGAS-STING pathways and v) impairment of MQC mechanisms and autophagy. Both iodothyronines restored oxidative balance by enhancing antioxidant defence, preventing mtDNA damage through the activation of mtDNA repair mechanisms (OGG1, APE1, and POLγ) and promoting autophagy progression. Concerning MQC, both iodothyronines stimulated mitophagy and dynamics, with 3,5-T2 activating fusion and T3 modulating both fusion and fission processes. Moreover, only T3 enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis. Notably, 3,5-T2, but not T3, reversed the hypothyroidism-induced activation of the cGAS-STING inflammatory cascade. In addition, it is noteworthy that 3,5-T2 seems more effective than T3 in reducing circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1B and in stimulating the release of IL-10, a known anti-inflammatory cytokine. These findings reveal novel molecular mechanisms of hepatic signalling pathways involved in hypothyroidism, which could be targeted by natural iodothyronines, particularly 3,5-T2, paving the way for the development of new treatment strategies for inflammatory diseases.
nth-order feature adjoint sensitivity analysis methodology for response-coupled forward/adjoint linear systems: II. Illustrative application to a paradigm energy system
Authors: Cacuci Dan Gabriel
Published: September 2024

This work presents a representative application of the newly developed “nth-order feature adjoint sensitivity analysis methodology for response-coupled forward/adjoint linear systems” (abbreviated as “nth-FASAM-L”), which enables the most efficient computation of exactly obtained mathematical expressions of arbitrarily high-order (nth-order) sensitivities of a generic system response with respect to all of the parameters (including boundary and initial conditions) underlying the respective forward/adjoint systems. The nth-FASAM-L has been developed to treat responses of linear systems that simultaneously depend on both the forward and adjoint state functions. Such systems cannot be considered particular cases of nonlinear systems, as illustrated in this work by analyzing an analytically solvable model of the energy distribution of the “contributon flux” of neutrons in a mixture of materials. The unparalleled efficiency and accuracy of the nth-FASAM-L stem from the maximal reduction in the number of adjoint computations (which are “large-scale” computations) for determining the exact expressions of arbitrarily high-order sensitivities since the number of large-scale computations when applying the nth-FASAM-N is proportional to the number of model features as opposed to the number of model parameters (which are considerably more than the number of features). Hence, the higher the order of computed sensitivities, the more efficient the nth-FASAM-N becomes compared to any other methodology. Furthermore, as illustrated in this work, the probability of encountering identically vanishing sensitivities is much higher when using the nth-FASAM-L than other methods.
Meta-analysis of set-based multiple phenotype association test based on GWAS summary statistics from different cohorts
Authors: Zhu Lirong , Zhang Shuanglin , Sha Qiuying
Published: September 2024

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as popular tools for identifying genetic variants that are associated with complex diseases. Standard analysis of a GWAS involves assessing the association between each variant and a disease. However, this approach suffers from limited reproducibility and difficulties in detecting multi-variant and pleiotropic effects. Although joint analysis of multiple phenotypes for GWAS can identify and interpret pleiotropic loci which are essential to understand pleiotropy in diseases and complex traits, most of the multiple phenotype association tests are designed for a single variant, resulting in much lower power, especially when their effect sizes are small and only their cumulative effect is associated with multiple phenotypes. To overcome these limitations, set-based multiple phenotype association tests have been developed to enhance statistical power and facilitate the identification and interpretation of pleiotropic regions. In this research, we propose a new method, named Meta-TOW-S, which conducts joint association tests between multiple phenotypes and a set of variants (such as variants in a gene) utilizing GWAS summary statistics from different cohorts. Our approach applies the set-based method that Tests for the effect of an Optimal Weighted combination of variants in a gene (TOW) and accounts for sample size differences across GWAS cohorts by employing the Cauchy combination method. Meta-TOW-S combines the advantages of set-based tests and multi-phenotype association tests, exhibiting computational efficiency and enabling analysis across multiple phenotypes while accommodating overlapping samples from different GWAS cohorts. To assess the performance of Meta-TOW-S, we develop a phenotype simulator package that encompasses a comprehensive simulation scheme capable of modeling multiple phenotypes and multiple variants, including noise structures and diverse correlation patterns among phenotypes. Simulation studies validate that Meta-TOW-S maintains a desirable Type I error rate. Further simulation under different scenarios shows that Meta-TOW-S can improve power compared with other existing meta-analysis methods. When applied to four psychiatric disorders summary data, Meta-TOW-S detects a greater number of significant genes.
Dormancy and awakening of cancer cells: the extracellular vesicle-mediated cross-talk between Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde
Authors: D’Antonio Concetta , Liguori Giovanna L.
Published: September 2024

Cancer cell dormancy is a reversible process whereby cancer cells enter a quiescent state characterized by cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cell migration and invasion, and increased chemoresistance. Because of its reversibility and resistance to treatment, dormancy is a key process to study, monitor, and interfere with, in order to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis and improve the prognosis of cancer patients. However, to achieve this goal, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this complex and dynamic dual process. Here, we review the contribution of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to the regulation of cancer cell dormancy/awakening, focusing on the cross-talk between tumor and non-tumor cells in both the primary tumor and the (pre-)metastatic niche. Although EVs are recognized as key players in tumor progression and metastasis, as well as in tumor diagnostics and therapeutics, their role specifically in dormancy induction/escape is still largely elusive. We report on the most recent and promising results on this topic, focusing on the EV-associated nucleic acids involved. We highlight how EV studies could greatly contribute to the identification of dormancy signaling pathways and a dormancy/early awakening signature for the development of successful diagnostic/prognostic and therapeutic approaches.
Biomass, production and growth strategies of the eelgrass Zostera marina, a relict cold-loving species: the Venice Lagoon as a study case
Authors: Sfriso Adriano , Buosi Alessandro , Tomio Yari , Silan Giulia , Wolf Marion Adelheid , Sciuto Katia , Sfriso Andrea Augusto
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the biomass production and growth strategies of the relict seagrass Zostera marina, a species sensitive to high temperatures, within the Venice Lagoon (Italy). Monthly data collected from January to December 2019 and November 2020 to October 2021 in a single station in proximity of one lagoon port-entrance, along with seasonal data from 2018 and 2021 for the whole lagoon, were analyzed in conjunction with environmental parameters and macroalgal presence. The objective was to understand the impact of climate changes, particularly rising water temperatures, on the cover, standing crop and net primary production of Z. marina and the effect of the MoSE gate closures designed to protect Venice from high-water events. Despite expectations of a decline due to temperature increase and reduced water exchange, our findings reveal a notable adaptability of Z. marina, with increases in both cover and biomass. This resilience suggests that Z. marina can counteract environmental challenges, making this study relevant for broader ecological and conservation contexts beyond the Venice Lagoon.
Traditional Chinese medicine interventions based on meridian theory for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Shu-Cheng , Ruan Jia-Yin , Zhang Bohan , Pang Lok-Yi , Zhong Linda , Lin Shuang-Lan , Wong Ka-Po , Ouyang Hui-Xi , Yeung Wing-Fai , Fu Qin-Wei , Chen Bo-Qian
Published: September 2024

Objective

To determine the comparative effects and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions based on meridian theory for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

Methods

This is a systematic review with network meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing meridian-based TCM interventions with waitlist, placebo, western medicine, and conventional therapies for PD pain. A SUCRA was used to estimate the probability ranking for the effects of interventions.

Results

57 RCTs involving 3,903 participants and 15interventions were included. Thirty-two RCTs were rated as low risk of bias. A network diagram was drawn with 105 pairs of comparisons. Compared with NSAIDs and waitlist, significantly better effects were found in acupressure [SMD = −1.51, 95%CI (−2.91, −0.12)/SMD = −2.31, 95%CI (−4.61, −0.02)], warm needling [SMD = −1.43, 95%CI (−2.68, −0.18)/SMD = −2.23, 95%CI (−4.43, −0.03)], moxibustion [SMD = −1.21, 95%CI (−1.85, −0.57)/SMD = −2.10, 95%CI (−3.95, −0.07)], and acupuncture [SMD = −1.09, 95%CI (−1.62, −0.55)/SMD = −1.89, 95%CI (−3.67, −0.11)]. No adverse events were detected.

Conclusion

For PD pain, the effects of acupressure, acupuncture, warm needling, and moxibustion were superior to those of NSAIDs and waitlist. Oral contraceptive pill, electro-acupuncture, acupressure, and warm needling demonstrated higher probabilities of being better interventions. More high-quality clinical trials are needed to provide more robust evidence of this network.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42022373312.
Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2C: a role in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chang Chu Hua , Lim Kah Leong , Foo Jia Nee
Published: September 2024

Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2C (SV2C), characterized by its selective expression in discrete brain regions such as the midbrain, has recently emerged as a promising player in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) – a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide. This review aims to consolidate our current understanding of SV2C’s function, its involvement in PD pathogenesis, and to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. Integrating previous findings of SV2C, from genetics to molecular studies, and drawing on insights from the largest East Asian genome-wide association study that highlights SV2C as a novel risk factor for PD, we explore the potential pathways through which SV2C may influence the disease. Our discussion extends to the implications of SV2C’s role in synaptic vesicle trafficking, neurotransmitter release, and α-synuclein homeostasis, thereby laying the groundwork for future investigations that could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in combating PD.
CoA synthase plays a critical role in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration
Authors: Cavestro Chiara , D’Amato Marco , Colombo Maria Nicol , Cascone Floriana , Moro Andrea Stefano , Levi Sonia , Tiranti Valeria , Di Meo Ivano
Published: September 2024

Coenzyme A (CoA), which is widely distributed and vital for cellular metabolism, is a critical molecule essential in both synthesizing and breaking down key energy sources in the body. Inborn errors of metabolism in the cellular de novo biosynthetic pathway of CoA have been linked to human genetic disorders, emphasizing the importance of this pathway. The COASY gene encodes the bifunctional enzyme CoA synthase, which catalyzes the last two reactions of the CoA biosynthetic pathway and serves as one of the rate-limiting components of the pathway. Recessive variants of this gene cause an exceptionally rare and devastating disease called COASY protein-associated neurodegeneration (CoPAN) while complete loss-of-function variants in COASY have been identified in fetuses/neonates with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia type 12 (PCH 12). Understanding why the different symptoms emerge in these disorders and what determines the development of one syndrome over the other is still not achieved. To shed light on the pathogenesis, we generated a new conditional animal model in which Coasy was deleted under the control of the human GFAP promoter. We used this mouse model to investigate how defects in the CoA biosynthetic pathway affect brain development. This model showed a broad spectrum of severity of the in vivo phenotype, ranging from very short survival (less than 2 weeks) to normal life expectancy in some animals. Surviving mice displayed a behavioral phenotype with sensorimotor defects. Ex vivo histological analysis revealed variable but consistent cerebral and cerebellar cortical hypoplasia, in parallel with a broad astrocytic hyper-proliferation in the cerebral cortex. In addition, primary astrocytes derived from this model exhibited lipid peroxidation, iron dyshomeostasis, and impaired mitochondrial respiration. Notably, Coasy ablation in radial glia and astrocytic lineage triggers abnormal neuronal development and chronic neuroinflammation, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.
Involvement of ubiquitination in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lin Nan , Gao Xi-Yan , Li Xiao , Chu Wen-Ming
Published: September 2024

The hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) consist of senile plaques, which are formed by extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, and neurofibrillary tangles, which are formed by the hyperphosphorylation of intra-neuronal tau proteins. With the increase in clinical studies, the in vivo imbalance of iron homeostasis and the dysfunction of synaptic plasticity have been confirmed to be involved in AD pathogenesis. All of these mechanisms are constituted by the abnormal accumulation of misfolded or conformationally altered protein aggregates, which in turn drive AD progression. Proteostatic imbalance has emerged as a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of AD. Ubiquitination modification is a major pathway for maintaining protein homeostasis, and protein degradation is primarily carried out by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). In this review, we provide an overview of the ubiquitination modification processes and related protein ubiquitination degradation pathways in AD, focusing on the microtubule-associated protein Tau, amyloid precursor protein (APP), divalent metal transporter protein 1 (DMT1), and α-amino-3-hyroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. We also discuss recent advances in ubiquitination-based targeted therapy for AD, with the aim of contributing new ideas to the development of novel therapeutic interventions for AD.
Causal interactions and dynamic stability between limbs while walking with imposed leg constraints
Authors: Williams Genevieve K. R. , Vicinanza Domenico , Attias Michael , Armand Stéphane
Published: September 2024

Aim

To investigate the dynamics of the motor control system during walking by examining the complexity, stability, and causal relationships of leg motions. Specifically, the study focuses on gait under both bilateral and unilateral constraints induced by a passive exoskeleton designed to replicate gastrocnemius contractures.

Methods

Kinematic data was collected as 10 healthy participants walked at a self-selected speed. A new Complexity-Instability Index (CII) of the leg motions was defined as a function of the Correlation Dimension and the Largest Lyapunov Exponent. Causal interactions between the leg motions are explored using Convergent Cross Mapping.

Results

Normal walking is characterized by a high mutual drive of each leg to the other, where CII is lowest for both legs (complexity of each leg motion is low and stability high). The effect of the bilateral emulated contractures is a reduced drive of each leg to the other and an increased CII for both legs. With unilateral emulated contracture, the mechanically constrained leg strongly drives the unconstrained leg, and CII was significantly higher for the constrained leg compared to normal walking.

Conclusion

Redundancy in limb motions is used to support causal interactions, reducing complexity and increasing stability in our leg dynamics during walking. The role of redundancy is to allow adaptability above being able to satisfy the overall biomechanical problem; and to allow the system to interact optimally. From an applied perspective, important characteristics of functional movement patterns might be captured by these nonlinear and causal variables, as well as the biomechanical aspects typically studied.
New insights into muscle activity associated with phantom hand movements in transhumeral amputees
Authors: Chateaux Manon , Rossel Olivier , Vérité Fabien , Nicol Caroline , Touillet Amélie , Paysant Jean , Jarrassé Nathanaël , De Graaf Jozina B.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Muscle activity patterns in the residual arm are systematically present during phantom hand movements (PHM) in transhumeral amputees. However, their characteristics have not been directly investigated yet, leaving their neurophysiological origin poorly understood. This study pioneers a neurophysiological perspective in examining PHM-related muscle activity patterns by characterizing and comparing them with those in the arm, forearm, and hand muscles of control participants executing intact hand movements (IHM) of similar types.

Methods

To enable rigorous comparison, we developed meta-variables independent of electrode placement, quantifying the phasic profile of recorded surface EMG signals and the specificity of their patterns across electrode sites and movement types.

Results

Similar to the forearm and hand muscles during IHM, each signal recorded from the residual upper arm during PHM displays a phasic profile, synchronized with the onset and offset of each movement repetition. Furthermore, the PHM-related patterns of phasic muscle activity are specific not only to the type of movement but also to the electrode site, even within the same upper arm muscle, while these muscles exhibit homogeneous activities in intact arms.

Discussion

Our results suggest the existence of peripheral reorganization, eventually leading to the emergence of independently controlled muscular sub-volumes. This reorganization potentially occurs through the sprouting of severed axons and the recapture of muscle fibers in the residual limb. Further research is imperative to comprehend this mechanism and its relationship with PHM, holding significant implications for the rehabilitation process and myoelectric prosthesis control.
Optimizing neuroscience data management by combining REDCap, BIDS and SQLite: a case study in Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Stawiski Marc , Bucciarelli Vittoria , Vogel Dorian , Hemm Simone
Published: September 2024

Neuroscience studies entail the generation of massive collections of heterogeneous data (e.g. demographics, clinical records, medical images). Integration and analysis of such data in research centers is pivotal for elucidating disease mechanisms and improving clinical outcomes. However, data collection in clinics often relies on non-standardized methods, such as paper-based documentation. Moreover, diverse data types are collected in different departments hindering efficient data organization, secure sharing and compliance to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. Henceforth, in this manuscript we present a specialized data management system designed to enhance research workflows in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a state-of-the-art neurosurgical procedure employed to treat symptoms of movement and psychiatric disorders. The system leverages REDCap to promote accurate data capture in hospital settings and secure sharing with research institutes, Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) as image storing standard and a DBS-specific SQLite database as comprehensive data store and unified interface to all data types. A self-developed Python tool automates the data flow between these three components, ensuring their full interoperability. The proposed framework has already been successfully employed for capturing and analyzing data of 107 patients from 2 medical institutions. It effectively addresses the challenges of managing, sharing and retrieving diverse data types, fostering advancements in data quality, organization, analysis, and collaboration among medical and research institutions.
Deep learning-based image analysis predicts PD-L1 status from 18F-FDG PET/CT images in non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Liang Chen , Zheng Meiyu , Zou Han , Han Yu , Zhan Yingying , Xing Yu , Liu Chang , Zuo Chao , Zou Jinhai
Published: September 2024

Background

There is still a lack of clinically validated biomarkers to screen lung cancer patients suitable for programmed dead cell-1 (PD-1)/programmed dead cell receptor-1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy. Detection of PD-L1 expression is invasively operated, and some PD-L1-negative patients can also benefit from immunotherapy; thus, the joint modeling of both deep learning images and clinical features was used to improve the prediction performance of PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Retrospective collection of 101 patients diagnosed with pathology in our hospital who underwent 18F FDG PET/CT scans, with lung cancer tissue Tumor Propulsion Score (TPS) ≥1% as a positive expression. Lesions were extracted after preprocessing PET/CT images, and using deep learning 3D DenseNet121 to learn lesions in PET, CT, and PET/CT images, 1,024 fully connected features were extracted; clinical features (age, gender, smoking/no smoking history, lesion diameter, lesion volume, maximum standard uptake value of lesions [SUVmax], mean standard uptake value of lesions [SUVmean], total lesion glycolysis [TLG]) were combined for joint modeling based on the structured data Category Embedding Model.

Results

Area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and accuracy of predicting PD-L1 positive for PET, CT, and PET/CT test groups were 0.814 ± 0.0152, 0.7212 ± 0.0861, and 0.90 ± 0.0605, 0.806 ± 0.023, 0.70 ± 0.074, and 0.950 ± 0.0250, respectively. After joint clinical feature modeling, the AUC and accuracy of predicting PD-L1 positive for PET/CT were 0.96 ± 0.00905 and 0.950 ± 0.0250, respectively.

Conclusion

This study combines the features of 18F-FDG PET/CT images with clinical features using deep learning to predict the expression of PD-L1 in NSCLC, suggesting that 18F-FDG PET/CT images can be conducted as biomarkers for PD-L1 expression.
Decoding the past and future of distant metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma: a bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2023
Authors: Wang Jiaxi , Yan Mingzhu , Liu Hanqing , Chen Chuang
Published: September 2024

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, and its distant metastasis (PTCDM), although uncommon, seriously affects the survival rate and quality of life of patients. With the rapid development of science and technology, research in the field of PTCDM has accumulated rapidly, presenting a complex knowledge structure and development trend.

Methods

In this study, bibliometric analysis was used to collect 479 PTCDM-related papers published between 2004 and 2023 through the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Keyword clustering analysis was performed using VOSviewer and citespace, as well as dual-map overlay analysis, to explore knowledge flows and interconnections between different disciplines.

Results

The analysis indicated that China, the United States, and South Korea were the most active countries in conducting research activities. Italy’s research was notable due to its higher average citation count. Keyword analysis revealed that “cancer,” “papillary thyroid carcinoma,” and “metastasis” were the most frequently used terms in these studies. The journal co-citation analysis underscored the dominant roles of molecular biology, immunology, and clinical medicine, as well as the growing importance of computer science in research.

Conclusion

This study identified the main trends and scientific structure of PTCDM research, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the crucial role of top academic journals in promoting high-quality research. The findings not only provide valuable information for basic and clinical research on thyroid cancer but also offer guidance for future research directions.
Early recognition of pain: improving colic outcomes in horses in Senegal
Authors: Laleye B. O. F-X. V. , Seye Mamadou , Chiavaccini Ludovica
Published: September 2024

Background

Limited knowledge exists on recognition and treatment of equine abdominal pain in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed at finding indicators for recognizing abdominal pain, evaluating responses to clinical and behavioral changes, and assessing the impact of timely referral on colic outcomes in a suburban region of Senegal. The final goal was to identify factors that may be leveraged to improve the outcome of horses presented for abdominal pain in Senegal.

Study design

Retrospective, observational cohort study.

Methods

Data from 26 foals and 40 adult horses referred for acute abdomen between 2013 and 2014 and the first semester of 2023 were reviewed. Signs of abdominal pain were grouped into behavioral, posture modification and animal interactions with the environment. Time to referral was defined as the time between the recognition of abdominal pain and referral. The association of time to referral and the outcome was calculated for each subpopulation and compared using logistic regression analysis as appropriate.

Results

A significant proportion of owners (47%) and veterinarians (77.8%) relied on behavioral changes to detect abdominal pain in foals. Most owners referred foals within 24 h, while veterinarians referred within 12 h. Mortality in foals exceeded 50% when referral was delayed by 12 h or more. In adult horses, groomers often were the first noticing behavioral changes (79%), and they referred the horse within three hours, whereas owners typically delayed referral for 24 h or longer, leading to increased hospitalization expenses.

Limitations

The study considered a limited cohort in an suburban area of Senegal. Sourcing complete data was challenging. Additionally, accurately assessing owner experience was difficult due to the participant group's heterogeneity. Absence of a reliable system to measure daily horse-owner interaction time and logistical challenges in the abdominal pain symptom alert chain were also limiting factors.

Conclusions

Early detection is critical for positive colic outcomes in both foals and adult horses. Therefore, raising awareness and providing training to horse owners for prompt recognition of symptoms and referral is essential. This proactive approach aims to improve overall outcomes and reduce the financial burden of equine hospitalization in Senegal.
Ambroxol hydrochloride spray (Luo Runchang®) in the treatment of acute respiratory infectious diseases: a prospective, multicenter, open label, randomized controlled study
Authors: Cheng Lu , Liu Min , Wang Rong , Cao Sufen , Li Rui , Su Bo , Wei Hongyan , Yang Haijuan , Hou Lingyun , Geng Chunyu , Han Yuling , Yang Tianrui
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Cough and sputum are the most common clinical symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection. Ambroxol is a mucolytic expectorant commonly used in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and compliance of ambroxol hydrochloride spray (Luo Runchang ®) for the treatment of acute respiratory tract diseases in children.

Methods

This was a multicenter, open-labeled, randomized controlled study. The experimental group received ambroxol hydrochloride oral sprays, and the control group received ambroxol hydrochloride oral solutions. The primary endpoint was the change in cough symptom scores from baseline. Secondary endpoints include changes in cough severity score, quality of life, adherence, and adverse events.

Results

A total of 154 subjects were randomized and included in the analysis. The mean change of total cough symptom score of the spray group at the end of treatment was −4.7 (1.54) compared to −4.2 (1.62) in the solution group (P = 0.0005). The mean change of cough severity score was −5.7 (2.09) in the spray group compared to −5.2(2.04) in the solution group (P = 0.012). Quality of life scores significantly improved in the spray group (P < 0.0001) compared to the oral solution group. Medication adherence markers were significantly better in the spray group (P < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group (1.33%) was lower than that in the control group (6.33%), but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Ambroxol hydrochloride spray significantly improved cough symptom score, cough severity score, and quality of life score compared to ambroxol hydrochloride oral solution.
Risk factors and predictive indicators of rupture in cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Wang Xiguang , Huang Xu
Published: September 2024

Cerebral aneurysms are abnormal dilations of blood vessels in the brain that have the potential to rupture, leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage and other serious complications. Early detection and prediction of aneurysm rupture are crucial for effective management and prevention of rupture-related morbidities and mortalities. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on risk factors and predictive indicators of rupture in cerebral aneurysms. Morphological characteristics such as aneurysm size, shape, and location, as well as hemodynamic factors including blood flow patterns and wall shear stress, have been identified as important factors influencing aneurysm stability and rupture risk. In addition to these traditional factors, emerging evidence suggests that biological and genetic factors, such as inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and genetic polymorphisms, may also play significant roles in aneurysm rupture. Furthermore, advancements in computational fluid dynamics and machine learning algorithms have enabled the development of novel predictive models for rupture risk assessment. However, challenges remain in accurately predicting aneurysm rupture, and further research is needed to validate these predictors and integrate them into clinical practice. By elucidating and identifying the various risk factors and predictive indicators associated with aneurysm rupture, we can enhance personalized risk assessment and optimize treatment strategies for patients with cerebral aneurysms.
GWAS of resistance to three bacterial diseases in the Andean common bean diversity panel
Authors: Soler-Garzón Alvaro , Mulube Mwiinga , Kamfwa Kelvin , Lungu Davies M. , Hamabwe Swivia , Roy Jayanta , Salegua Venâncio , Fourie Deidré , Porch Timothy G. , McClean Phillip E. , Miklas Phillip N.
Published: September 2024

Bacterial brown spot (BBS) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss), common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) and Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans (Xff), and halo bacterial blight (HBB), caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Psph), are major bacterial diseases that severely affect common bean yields and global food security. Andean-origin dry beans, representing large-seeded market classes, are particularly susceptible. Using 140,325 SNPs, a multi-locus GWAS was conducted on subsets of the Andean diversity panel (ADP) phenotyped for BBS in South Africa, CBB in Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Zambia, and HBB in South Africa, through natural infection, artificial inoculation, or both. Twenty-four QTL associated with resistance were identified: nine for BBS, eight for CBB, and seven for HBB. Four QTL intervals on Pv01, Pv03, Pv05, and Pv08 overlapped with BBS and HBB resistance. A genomic interval on Pv01, near the fin gene, which determines growth habit, was linked to resistance to all three pathogens. Different QTLs were detected for BBS and CBB resistance when phenotyped under natural infection versus artificial inoculation. These results underscore the importance of combining phenotyping methods in multi-GWAS to capture the full genetic spectrum. Previously recognized CBB resistance QTL SAP6 and SU91 and HBB resistance QTL HB4.2, and HB5.1, were observed. Other common (MAF >0.25) and rare (MAF <0.05) resistance QTL were also detected. Overall, these findings enhance the understanding and utilization of bacterial resistance present in ADP for the development of common beans with improved resistance.
Psychological impact of COVID-19 on the Ecuadorian population: a comparative analysis 1 year after quarantine measures
Authors: Gallardo-Rumbea Jorge Andrés , Farfán Bajaña María José , Mautong Hans , Moncayo-Rizzo Jorge , Andrade Derly , Cherrez-Ojeda Ivan , Alvarado-Villa Geovanny
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Social isolation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked interest in its psychological and neurobiological consequences. The pandemic has been associated with an increase in anxiety, depression, and stress, according to some cross-sectional studies. This study aims to analyze changes in the levels of anxiety, depression and stress by comparing the confinement phase to the post-confinement period in the Ecuadorian population.

Methods

A longitudinal, comparative, prospective study was conducted using an online survey comprising two sections. The first section gathered demographic information, whereas the second section included the DASS-21 questionnaire. Ecuadorian participants who completed the survey during the initial data-collection period were included.

Results

In total, 162 participants were included in the final analysis. The average age of the participants was 29.6 ± 11.7 years, and the majority were women (63.3%). In 2020, the median depression, anxiety, and stress scores were 6 (IQR 2–12), 6 (IQR 2–10), and 10 (IQR 6–16) respectively. In 2021, the median depression score was 8 (IQR 4–14), the median anxiety score was 8 (IQR 4–14.5), and the median stress and its interquartile range were 10 (IQR 6–18). The levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly inversely correlated with age, number of children, self-reported general health, and self-reported mental health in both 2020 and 2021.

Conclusion

Exercise, being a student, sex and having had COVID-19 examination may be predictors for the changes in the levels of psychological disorders. Implementing psychological strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and physiological interventions, like regular physical activity, early in the post-lockdown period could help mitigate the negative mental health impacts observed in the aftermath of the pandemic. These interventions can provide necessary support and coping mechanisms for those at higher risk, thereby improving overall mental health outcomes.
Uncertainty about paternity: a study on deliberate ignorance
Authors: Gigerenzer Gerd , Garcia-Retamero Rocio
Published: September 2024

Deliberate ignorance is the willful choice not to know the answer to a question of personal relevance. The question of whether a man is the biological father of his child is a sensitive issue in many cultures and can lead to litigation, divorce, and disinheritance. Thanks to DNA tests, men are easily able to resolve the uncertainty. Psychological theories that picture humans as informavores who are averse to ambiguity suggest men would do a DNA test, as does evolutionary theory, which considers investing in raising a rival’s offspring a mistake. We conducted two representative studies using computer-based face-to-face interviews in Germany (n = 969) and Spain (n = 1,002) to investigate whether men actually want to know and how women would react to this desire. As a base line, Germans (Spanish) estimated that 10% (20%) of fathers mistakenly believe that they are the biological father of their child. Nevertheless, in both countries, only 4% of fathers reported that they had performed a DNA paternity test, while 96% said they had not. In contrast, among men without children, 38% (33%) of Germans (Spanish) stated they would do a DNA test if they had children, mostly without telling their partners. Spanish women with children would more often disapprove of a paternity test or threaten their husbands with divorce (25%) than would German women (13%). We find that a simple test of risk aversion, measured also by the purchase of non-mandatory insurances, is correlated with not wanting to know.
Mind wandering on command
Authors: Safati Adrian B. , Carr Thomas H. , Lowe Cassandra J. , Smilek Daniel
Published: September 2024

Three experiments (N = 336) examined whether participants can systematically adjust levels of mind wandering on command. Participants performed four blocks of the metronome response task (MRT) in which they pressed a spacebar in sync with a steady audio tone. Levels of spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering were measured using intermittent thought probes. Performance was indexed with MRT response time variability and omission errors. Each block started with instructions to mind wander either 20, 40, 60, or 80% of the time. Analysis was primarily conducted using linear mixed effects models. We found that mind wandering (spontaneous and deliberate), response time variability, and omission errors increased progressively with instructions to mind wander more and that these instruction-related changes were larger for deliberate than spontaneous mind wandering (Experiments 1–3). This pattern held regardless of whether participants’ eyes were open or shut (Experiment 2). Relative to a control group receiving no commands to mind wander, instructing people to mind wander 60 or 80% of the time led to more deliberate mind wandering, and strikingly, asking people to mind wander 20% of the time led to less spontaneous mind wandering (Experiment 3). Our results suggest that individuals can titrate mind wandering experiences to roughly match instructed levels indicating that mind wandering can be manipulated through simple instructions. However, other features of the data suggest that such titration is effortful and may come with a cost to performance.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for the imaging of bone and soft tissue tumors
Authors: Sabeghi Paniz , Kinkar Ketki K. , Castaneda Gloria del Rosario , Eibschutz Liesl S. , Fields Brandon K. K. , Varghese Bino A. , Patel Dakshesh B. , Gholamrezanezhad Ali
Published: September 2024

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning offer numerous opportunities in musculoskeletal radiology to potentially bolster diagnostic accuracy, workflow efficiency, and predictive modeling. AI tools have the capability to assist radiologists in many tasks ranging from image segmentation, lesion detection, and more. In bone and soft tissue tumor imaging, radiomics and deep learning show promise for malignancy stratification, grading, prognostication, and treatment planning. However, challenges such as standardization, data integration, and ethical concerns regarding patient data need to be addressed ahead of clinical translation. In the realm of musculoskeletal oncology, AI also faces obstacles in robust algorithm development due to limited disease incidence. While many initiatives aim to develop multitasking AI systems, multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for successful AI integration into clinical practice. Robust approaches addressing challenges and embodying ethical practices are warranted to fully realize AI's potential for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and advancing patient care.
Noise-induced modality-specific pretext learning for pediatric chest X-ray image classification
Authors: Rajaraman Sivaramakrishnan , Liang Zhaohui , Xue Zhiyun , Antani Sameer
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Deep learning (DL) has significantly advanced medical image classification. However, it often relies on transfer learning (TL) from models pretrained on large, generic non-medical image datasets like ImageNet. Conversely, medical images possess unique visual characteristics that such general models may not adequately capture.

Methods

This study examines the effectiveness of modality-specific pretext learning strengthened by image denoising and deblurring in enhancing the classification of pediatric chest X-ray (CXR) images into those exhibiting no findings, i.e., normal lungs, or with cardiopulmonary disease manifestations. Specifically, we use a VGG-16-Sharp-U-Net architecture and leverage its encoder in conjunction with a classification head to distinguish normal from abnormal pediatric CXR findings. We benchmark this performance against the traditional TL approach, viz., the VGG-16 model pretrained only on ImageNet. Measures used for performance evaluation are balanced accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F-score, Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient (MCC), Kappa statistic, and Youden’s index.

Results

Our findings reveal that models developed from CXR modality-specific pretext encoders substantially outperform the ImageNet-only pretrained model, viz., Baseline, and achieve significantly higher sensitivity (p < 0.05) with marked improvements in balanced accuracy, F-score, MCC, Kappa statistic, and Youden’s index. A novel attention-based fuzzy ensemble of the pretext-learned models further improves performance across these metrics (Balanced accuracy: 0.6376; Sensitivity: 0.4991; F-score: 0.5102; MCC: 0.2783; Kappa: 0.2782, and Youden’s index:0.2751), compared to Baseline (Balanced accuracy: 0.5654; Sensitivity: 0.1983; F-score: 0.2977; MCC: 0.1998; Kappa: 0.1599, and Youden’s index:0.1327).

Discussion

The superior results of CXR modality-specific pretext learning and their ensemble underscore its potential as a viable alternative to conventional ImageNet pretraining for medical image classification. Results from this study promote further exploration of medical modality-specific TL techniques in the development of DL models for various medical imaging applications.