bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from The Genetic, Pharmacogenomic, and Immune Landscapes Associated with Protein Expression across Human Cancers
Authors: Chen Chengxuan , Liu Yuan , Li Qiang , Zhang Zhao , Luo Mei , Liu Yaoming , Han Leng
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Proteomics is a powerful approach that can rapidly enhance our understanding of cancer development. Detailed characterization of the genetic, pharmacogenomic, and immune landscape in relation to protein expression in patients with cancer could provide new insights into the functional roles of proteins in cancer. By taking advantage of the genotype data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and protein expression data from The Cancer Proteome Atlas, we characterized the effects of genetic variants on protein expression across 31 cancer types and identified approximately 100,000 protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL). Among these, over 8000 pQTLs were associated with patient overall survival. Furthermore, characterization of the impact of protein expression on more than 350 imputed anticancer drug responses in patients revealed nearly 230,000 significant associations. In addition, approximately 21,000 significant associations were identified between protein expression and immune cell abundance. Finally, a user-friendly data portal, GPIP (https://hanlaboratory.com/GPIP), was developed featuring multiple modules that enable researchers to explore, visualize, and browse multidimensional data. This detailed analysis reveals the associations between the proteomic landscape and genetic variation, patient outcome, the immune microenvironment, and drug response across cancer types, providing a resource that may offer valuable clinical insights and encourage further functional investigations of proteins in cancer.
Significance:
Comprehensive characterization of the relationship between protein expression and the genetic, pharmacogenomic, and immune landscape of tumors across cancer types provides a foundation for investigating the role of protein expression in cancer development and treatment.
Association of Molecular Subtypes with Pathologic Response, PFS, and OS in a Phase II Study of COXEN with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Lerner Seth P. , McConkey David J. , Tangen Catherine M. , Meeks Joshua J. , Flaig Thomas W. , Hua Xing , Daneshmand Siamak , Alva Ajjai Shivaram , Lucia M. Scott , Theodorescu Dan , Goldkorn Amir , Milowsky Matthew I. , Choi Woonyoung , Bangs Rick , Gustafson Daniel L. , Plets Melissa , Thompson Ian M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

The Coexpression Extrapolation (COXEN) gene expression model with chemotherapy-specific scores [for methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, cisplatin (ddMVAC) and gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC)] was developed to identify responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We investigated RNA-based molecular subtypes as additional predictive biomarkers for NAC response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients treated in S1314.

Experimental Design:

A total of 237 patients were randomized between four cycles of ddMVAC (51%) and GC (49%). On the basis of Affymetrix transcriptomic data, we determined subtypes using three classifiers: TCGA (k = 5), Consensus (k = 6), and MD Anderson (MDA; k = 3) and assessed subtype association with path response to NAC and determined associations with COXEN. We also tested whether each classifier contributed additional predictive power when added to a model based on predefined stratification (strat) factors (PS 0 vs. 1; T2 vs. T3, T4a).

Results:

A total of 155 patients had gene expression results, received at least three of four cycles of NAC, and had pT-N response based on radical cystectomy. TCGA three-group classifier basal-squamous (BS)/neuronal, luminal (Lum), Lum infiltrated, and GC COXEN score yielded the largest AUCs for pT0 (0.59, P = 0.28; 0.60, P = 0.18, respectively). For downstaging (<pT2), the three-category Consensus classifier [BS/neuroendocrine (NE)-like, Lum, stroma-rich] increased the AUC from 0.57 (strat factors alone) to 0.61 (P = 0.10). The MDA classifier AUC was 0.63 (P = 0.18) and the GC COXEN score AUC was 0.62 (P = 0.23), but neither significantly improved the AUC. There was no statistically significant association of stratification factors and subtypes with PFS or OS.

Conclusions:

The Consensus classifier, based in part on the TCGA and MDA classifiers, modestly improved prediction for pathologic downstaging but subtypes were not associated with PFS or OS.
Preclinical Characterization of AZD9574, a Blood–Brain Barrier Penetrant Inhibitor of PARP1
Authors: Staniszewska Anna D. , Pilger Domenic , Gill Sonja J. , Jamal Kunzah , Bohin Natacha , Guzzetti Sofia , Gordon Jacob , Hamm Gregory , Mundin Gill , Illuzzi Giuditta , Pike Andy , McWilliams Lisa , Maglennon Gareth , Rose Jonathan , Hawthorne Glen , Cortes Gonzalez Miguel , Halldin Christer , Johnström Peter , Schou Magnus , Critchlow Susan E. , Fawell Stephen , Johannes Jeffrey W. , Leo Elisabetta , Davies Barry R. , Cosulich Sabina , Sarkaria Jann N. , O'Connor Mark J. , Hamerlik Petra
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

We evaluated the properties and activity of AZD9574, a blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetrant selective inhibitor of PARP1, and assessed its efficacy and safety alone and in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) in preclinical models.

Experimental Design:

AZD9574 was interrogated in vitro for selectivity, PARylation inhibition, PARP-DNA trapping, the ability to cross the BBB, and the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. In vivo efficacy was determined using subcutaneous as well as intracranial mouse xenograft models. Mouse, rat, and monkey were used to assess AZD9574 BBB penetration and rat models were used to evaluate potential hematotoxicity for AZD9574 monotherapy and the TMZ combination.

Results:

AZD9574 demonstrated PARP1-selectivity in fluorescence anisotropy, PARylation, and PARP-DNA trapping assays and in vivo experiments demonstrated BBB penetration. AZD9574 showed potent single agent efficacy in preclinical models with homologous recombination repair deficiency in vitro and in vivo. In an O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)–methylated orthotopic glioma model, AZD9574 in combination with TMZ was superior in extending the survival of tumor-bearing mice compared with TMZ alone.

Conclusions:

The combination of three key features—PARP1 selectivity, PARP1 trapping profile, and high central nervous system penetration in a single molecule—supports the development of AZD9574 as the best-in-class PARP inhibitor for the treatment of primary and secondary brain tumors. As documented by in vitro and in vivo studies, AZD9574 shows robust anticancer efficacy as a single agent as well as in combination with TMZ. AZD9574 is currently in a phase I trial (NCT05417594).

See related commentary by Lynce and Lin, p. 1217
Tumor Explants Elucidate a Cascade of Paracrine SHH, WNT, and VEGF Signals Driving Pancreatic Cancer Angiosuppression
Authors: Hasselluhn Marie C. , Decker-Farrell Amanda R. , Vlahos Lukas , Thomas Dafydd H. , Curiel-Garcia Alvaro , Maurer H. Carlo , Wasko Urszula N. , Tomassoni Lorenzo , Sastra Stephen A. , Palermo Carmine F. , Dalton Tanner C. , Ma Alice , Li Fangda , Tolosa Ezequiel J. , Hibshoosh Hanina , Fernandez-Zapico Martin E. , Muir Alexander , Califano Andrea , Olive Kenneth P.
Published: November 2023

The sparse vascularity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a mystery: What prevents this aggressive malignancy from undergoing neoangiogenesis to counteract hypoxia and better support growth? An incidental finding from prior work on paracrine communication between malignant PDAC cells and fibroblasts revealed that inhibition of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway partially relieved angiosuppression, increasing tumor vascularity through unknown mechanisms. Initial efforts to study this phenotype were hindered by difficulties replicating the complex interactions of multiple cell types in vitro. Here we identify a cascade of paracrine signals between multiple cell types that act sequentially to suppress angiogenesis in PDAC. Malignant epithelial cells promote HH signaling in fibroblasts, leading to inhibition of noncanonical WNT signaling in fibroblasts and epithelial cells, thereby limiting VEGFR2-dependent activation of endothelial hypersprouting. This cascade was elucidated using human and murine PDAC explant models, which effectively retain the complex cellular interactions of native tumor tissues.

Significance:

We present a key mechanism of tumor angiosuppression, a process that sculpts the physiologic, cellular, and metabolic environment of PDAC. We further present a computational and experimental framework for the dissection of complex signaling cascades that propagate among multiple cell types in the tissue environment.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 201
Supplementary Figure 9 from Ultra-Deep Sequencing Reveals the Mutational Landscape of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Gomez Felicia , Fisk Bryan , McMichael Joshua F. , Mosior Matthew , Foltz Jennifer A. , Skidmore Zachary L. , Duncavage Eric J. , Miller Christopher A. , Abel Haley , Li Yi-Shan , Russler-Germain David A. , Krysiak Kilannin , Watkins Marcus P. , Ramirez Cody A. , Schmidt Alina , Martins Rodrigues Fernanda , Trani Lee , Khanna Ajay , Wagner Julia A. , Fulton Robert S. , Fronick Catrina C. , O'Laughlin Michelle D. , Schappe Timothy , Cashen Amanda F. , Mehta-Shah Neha , Kahl Brad S. , Walker Jason , Bartlett Nancy L. , Griffith Malachi , Fehniger Todd A. , Griffith Obi L.
Published: November 2023

Co-Occurrence and Mutual Exclusivity Among Significantly Mutated Genes
Supplementary Figure 3 from Ultra-Deep Sequencing Reveals the Mutational Landscape of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Gomez Felicia , Fisk Bryan , McMichael Joshua F. , Mosior Matthew , Foltz Jennifer A. , Skidmore Zachary L. , Duncavage Eric J. , Miller Christopher A. , Abel Haley , Li Yi-Shan , Russler-Germain David A. , Krysiak Kilannin , Watkins Marcus P. , Ramirez Cody A. , Schmidt Alina , Martins Rodrigues Fernanda , Trani Lee , Khanna Ajay , Wagner Julia A. , Fulton Robert S. , Fronick Catrina C. , O'Laughlin Michelle D. , Schappe Timothy , Cashen Amanda F. , Mehta-Shah Neha , Kahl Brad S. , Walker Jason , Bartlett Nancy L. , Griffith Malachi , Fehniger Todd A. , Griffith Obi L.
Published: November 2023

Relationship between Variant Validation Rate and The Number of HRS Cells/HPF
Supplementary Figure 15 from Ultra-Deep Sequencing Reveals the Mutational Landscape of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Gomez Felicia , Fisk Bryan , McMichael Joshua F. , Mosior Matthew , Foltz Jennifer A. , Skidmore Zachary L. , Duncavage Eric J. , Miller Christopher A. , Abel Haley , Li Yi-Shan , Russler-Germain David A. , Krysiak Kilannin , Watkins Marcus P. , Ramirez Cody A. , Schmidt Alina , Martins Rodrigues Fernanda , Trani Lee , Khanna Ajay , Wagner Julia A. , Fulton Robert S. , Fronick Catrina C. , O'Laughlin Michelle D. , Schappe Timothy , Cashen Amanda F. , Mehta-Shah Neha , Kahl Brad S. , Walker Jason , Bartlett Nancy L. , Griffith Malachi , Fehniger Todd A. , Griffith Obi L.
Published: November 2023

VAF Distribution of JAK/STAT and Hippo/TAZ/YAP regulation associated variants
Supplementary Data File 1 from Ultra-Deep Sequencing Reveals the Mutational Landscape of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Gomez Felicia , Fisk Bryan , McMichael Joshua F. , Mosior Matthew , Foltz Jennifer A. , Skidmore Zachary L. , Duncavage Eric J. , Miller Christopher A. , Abel Haley , Li Yi-Shan , Russler-Germain David A. , Krysiak Kilannin , Watkins Marcus P. , Ramirez Cody A. , Schmidt Alina , Martins Rodrigues Fernanda , Trani Lee , Khanna Ajay , Wagner Julia A. , Fulton Robert S. , Fronick Catrina C. , O'Laughlin Michelle D. , Schappe Timothy , Cashen Amanda F. , Mehta-Shah Neha , Kahl Brad S. , Walker Jason , Bartlett Nancy L. , Griffith Malachi , Fehniger Todd A. , Griffith Obi L.
Published: November 2023

Haloplex amplicons
The COVID-19 Anxiety, Depression and Stress Levels of AIMS Students and their Impact on Well-Being: Inputs for Mental Resiliency Program
Authors: Jasmin Patricia , Garibay Marianne , Adesna Marjorie C. , Makilang Diane M. , Pangilinan Jo Anne E.
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainties and complexities to both national and global societies, impacting various sectors, including education. This study focuses on the effects of pandemic-related challenges on students' achievement and mental well-being at the Asian Institute of Maritime Students (AIMS). The closure of schools and the rapid shift to online learning during lockdowns disrupted students' achievement and mental health. This research aimed to assess the levels of COVID-19-related anxiety, depression, and stress among AIMS students and their subsequent impact on overall well-being.

Using a descriptive-correlation research design, data on anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being were collected from a sample of 369 AIMS students through stratified random sampling. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) by Lovibond and Lovibond (1995) measured mental health, while the Well-Being Checklist by Loomans (2018) assessed overall well-being.

Results indicate that AIMS students experienced mild stress (M= 17.31) and moderate depression (M= 16.78), with notably severe levels of anxiety (M= 15.67). Their overall well-being ranged from moderate to high, encompassing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions, resulting in an overall well-being score of 6.95 (moderate). Notably, depression exhibited a significant inverse correlation with overall well-being, while anxiety and stress also showed significant relationships when considered separately.

The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to enhance students' mental resilience. Programs addressing depression were recommended, given its potential long-term negative impact on students' well-being. These insights contribute to the development of a comprehensive mental resiliency program, vital for promoting the holistic welfare of AIMS student.
An Assessment of the Performance Management System of Asian Institute of Maritime Studies: Basis for System Automation and Integration Plan in the Human Resource Integrated System (HRIS)
Authors: Garbin Marvin M.
Published: November 2023

Performance management is a structured approach aimed at enhancing individual and organizational performance to meet desired objectives. This process involves various strategies, tools, and activities to align employee performance with overall organizational goals. The Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) also employs its Performance Management System (PMS) to improve employee engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction while driving organizational success. However, manual operation of AIMS' PMS has revealed areas needing enhancement, affecting measurement accuracy and completeness. The process initiates an endless cycle of follow-ups.

To address these challenges, the study aims to evaluate AIMS' existing PMS and provide a foundation for its automation and integration within the Human Resource Integrated System (HRIS). By automating the PMS, AIMS aims to decrease manual effort, enhance accuracy and consistency, enable data-driven decisions, and create a user-friendly experience.

The study employed a descriptive-survey design, targeting Deans, Directors, Program Chairs, and Department Heads at AIMS. Out of 60 targeted participants, 36 responded. A four-part online survey collected data, assessing respondent profiles, PMS documentation, the actual system, and soliciting improvement suggestions. Weighted mean analysis was used to evaluate scores from each variable.

Findings indicate agreement with PMS Documentary Report and System criteria in Parts 2 and 3. However, weighted means are slightly below the average agreement level of 4. Notably, gaps are prominent in Part 4, where respondent suggestions highlight areas for improvement based on user experiences. As a result, it's recommended to proceed with automating the Performance Management System, and integrating it into the HRIS.
TikTokers Turned Influencers: iGeneration’s Perceptions toward their 'Preferred' TikTok Influencers to Follow
Authors: Balatbat Maricel S. , Cabungcal Miguel Angelo C. , Centeno Mica Beatrize C. , Fabrigar Jose Rapahel G. , Garfin Alejandra Beatrize M. , Blasa-Cheng Angelique C. , Vergara Raymond Allan G. , Vergara Kimberly Christie S.
Published: November 2023

Purpose – This study explored the potential factors the iGeneration considers before intending to follow TikTok influencers, assessed their behavioral response as an outcome of the intention, and examined the impact TikTok influencers had on their potential followers.

Design/methodology/approach – The researchers used a convergent mixed-parallel design to interpret data gathered from interviews and surveys with the quantitative data analyzed through the Jamovi software. This study used the philosophies of pragmatism and interpretivism.

Findings – TikTok users considered perceived added value to personal lifestyle and perceived hedonic experience the most compared to other antecedents tested. The researchers classified them according to the findings and arrived at three (3) distinct categories, transitioning from intention to behavior; (A) Nonchalant, (B) Serious, and (C) Adaptive.

Research Limitations/Implications – The scope and delimitations of this study only involved students currently enrolled in De La Salle University, between 17 to 24 years old. The researchers used purposive and convenience sampling to acquire respondents for the Google Forms survey and Zoom interviews.

Practical and Social Implications – This study has implications for business and e-commerce, especially in the current commercial climate where influencer marketing is gaining popularity. Furthermore, it can help enterprises look for suitable influencers who can positively impact their branding to the public.

Originality/Value – This study addressed the gap in the literature on TikTok users and their behavior toward the consumption of influencer content, with the increasing popularity of TikTok as a social platform and the growth of influencers as online opinion leaders.
Hukum Organisasi Internasional
Authors: Puspitawati Dhiana , Kusumaningrum Adi , Kurniaty Rika , Ruslijanto Patricia Audrey , Ula Hikmatul , Madjid Yasniar Rachmawati , Susanto Fransiska Ayulistya , Widagdo Setyo
Published: November 2023

Hukum Organisasi Internasional merupakan materi yang sangat berkembang khususnya dalam perkembangan pengaturan Hukum Internasional. Organisasi internasional merupakan lembaga yang berperan penting dalam hubungan internasional dan merupakan materi pembahasan yang sudah cukup lama sejak perkembangan hubungan internasional yang cukup kompleks. Buku ini ditulis karena bacaan terkait dengan bidang Hukum Organisasi Internasional masih belum banyak. Jumlah literatur dasar untuk memahami bidang hukum ini kebanyakan berbahasa asing/Inggris, yang berbahasa Indonesia sangat kurang. Buku ini berisi tentang ruang lingkup Hukum Organisasi Internasional meliputi definisi, pembentukan organisasi internasional, status dan kedudukan hukum dalam hukum internasional, serta hubungannya dalam interaksi internasional. Selanjutnya dalam buku ini juga ditampilkan tentang perkembangan dunia dan masyarakat internasional dewasa ini, sebagai akibat kemajuan teknologi dan informasi serta perubahan kemajuan dan peradaban manusia itu sendiri yang berkaitan dengan perkembangan pengaturan dari organisasi internasional. Tentunya akan timbul banyak hal-hal atau masalah-masalah ataupun pengaturan baru, yang pengaturannya disalurkan melalui wadah hukum yaitu melalui organisasi internasional. Ruang lingkup bidang hukum ini pun cukup luas mencakup hubungan internal organisasi internasional dengan anggotanya serta hubungan eksternal dengan negara nonanggota atau dengan subjek hukum internasional yang lain.
How Is a “Kitchen Chair” like a “Farm
Horse”? Exploring the Representation of Noun-Noun Compound Semantics in
Transformer-based Language Models
Authors: Ormerod Mark , del Rincón Jesús Martínez , Devereux Barry
Published: November 2023

Despite the success of Transformer-based language models in a wide variety of natural language processing tasks, our understanding of how these models process a given input in order to represent task-relevant information remains incomplete. In this work, we focus on semantic composition and examine how Transformer-based language models represent semantic information related to the meaning of English noun-noun compounds. We probe Transformer-based language models for their knowledge of the thematic relations that link the head nouns and modifier words of compounds (e.g., KITCHEN CHAIR: a chair located in a kitchen). Firstly, using a dataset featuring groups of compounds with shared lexical or semantic features, we find that token representations of six Transformer-based language models distinguish between pairs of compounds based on whether they use the same thematic relation. Secondly, we utilize fine-grained vector representations of compound semantics derived from human annotations, and find that token vectors from several models elicit a strong signal of the semantic relations used in the compounds. In a novel “compositional probe” setting, where we compare the semantic relation signal in mean-pooled token vectors of compounds to mean-pooled token vectors when the two constituent words appear in separate sentences, we find that the Transformer-based language models that best represent the semantics of noun-noun compounds also do so substantially better than in the control condition where the two constituent works are processed separately. Overall, our results shed light on the ability of Transformer-based language models to support compositional semantic processes in representing the meaning of noun-noun compounds.
Size-assortative mating of Buergeria buergeri (Anura: Rhacophoridae): breeding strategies for balancing fertilisation rate and swimming ability
Authors: Takahashi Keigo
Published: November 2023

Buergeria buergeri is a stream-breeding rhacophorid frog. The sexual dimorphism in body size is significant in this species, which might be advantageous for its movement within the stream in an amplected state. However, the fertilisation rate of egg masses decreases as the body size difference between both sexes in the amplectant pair increases because the distance between the cloacae increases. In this study, we examined the mating pattern of B. buergeri and the relationship between female/male SVL ratio in the amplectant pair and fertilisation rate, and the swimming ability within the stream. As a result, when the female/male SVL ratio was less than 1.45, the fertilisation rate reached a plateau (nearly 100%). However, the fertilisation rate decreased as the female/male SVL ratio increased when this ratio was greater than 1.45. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between the female/male SVL ratio and swimming ability. These results suggest that there was a trade-off between fertilisation rate and swimming ability via the female/male SVL ratio. In the field, we observed a significant positive correlation between male and female SVLs in 16 amplectant pairs, with a mean female/male SVL ratio of 1.44. Our experimental results suggest that when the female/male SVL ratio is 1.44, the fertilisation rate is close to 100%, and the swimming ability can be maintained at an intermediate level. Therefore, B. buergeri adopts a size-assortative mating and maintains the female/male SVL ratio of approximately 1.44 to balance both fertilisation rate and swimming ability, thereby increasing reproductive success.
Plant-parasitic nematodes associated with bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides) in South Africa and their relationship with physico-chemical soil properties
Authors: Guga Itani P. , Steyn Willem P. , Marais Mariette , Swart Antoinette , Girgan Chantelle , Mbatyoti Akhona , Mudau Fhatuwani N. , De Waele Dirk , Daneel Mieke S.
Published: November 2023

Bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides) is an aromatic, perennial, leafy shrub that is endemic to the northeastern mountain ranges of South Africa and has a high potential for commercialisation as an alternative to caffeine-containing tea. During the summer and winter of 2018-2019, a survey was carried out at nine localities in the northeastern regions of South Africa to study the diversity of nematodes associated with bush tea and, in terms of frequency of occurrence and abundance, identify the dominant plant-parasitic nematodes. Twenty-one plant-parasitic nematode species belonging to 14 genera were identified in 90 rhizosphere soil and root samples. Meloidogyne and Helicotylenchus were the dominant plant-parasitic nematode genera. Meloidogyne javanica and Scutellonema brachyurus were found at all localities, followed by M. enterolobii, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Rotylenchulus parvus, H. martini and S. truncatum (found at 7-8 localities). Other species identified included Criconema corbetii, C. sphaerocephalus, C. xenoplax, Criconemoides ihlathum, C. parvus, Discocriconemella glabrannulata, H. dihystera, H. erythrinae, H. paraplatyurus, Hemicycliophora typica, M. hapla, M. incognita, Rotylenchulus unisexus and R. clavicaudatus. Individuals of Crossonema, Paratylenchus, Ogma, the Xiphinema americanum-group and X. americanum sensu lato could not be identified to species level due to the low number of specimens present in the samples. Comparison of the two methods used to identify the Meloidogyne populations to species level shows that morphological identification (particularly perineal pattern morphology) provided a more complete picture of the Meloidogyne species present in the samples compared with the molecular SCAR-PCR technique. High levels of Cu, K and pH were associated with the highest relative population densities (RPD% = average population density of a nematode genus/total nematode population density × 100) of Meloidogyne, whilst high levels of Al and soil resistivity were associated with the lowest RPD% of Meloidogyne. By contrast, high levels of K and pH were associated with the lowest RPD% of Helicotylenchus, whilst high levels of Al and soil resistivity were associated with the highest RPD% of Helicotylenchus.
China’s Role in Ensuring Human Security in North Korea
Authors: Fish Amanda
Published: November 2023

This study analyzes China’s current role in human security in North Korea, utilizing both broad and narrow interpretations of human security in its analysis. It outlines Chinese engagement with North Korea, human security as a concept, and Chinese conceptualizations of human security, then examines the role China plays in North Korean human security in terms of food aid, development and infrastructure projects, refugee repatriation, and sanctions. It argues that while China protects human security in terms of food aid, it does not promote human security intentionally, as its motivations are strongly related to traditional territorial security. Furthermore, China harms North Korean security when it comes to refugees. In areas of infrastructure and sanctions, however, it has negligible impact. The study thus concludes ways in which China ensures, harms, and negligibly impacts human security in North Korea.
A new genus and two new species of Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Oriental region
Authors: RANJITH A.P. , ACHTERBERG CORNELIS VAN , KUMAR P. GIRISH , PRIYADARSANAN DHARMA RAJAN
Published: November 2023

A new genus of Braconinae, Pseudorhadinobracon Ranjith & van Achterberg, is described based on the species (P. luteus (Szépligeti) gen. et. comb. nov.) earlier classified under the genus Rhadinobracon Szépligeti. Additionally, the genus Rhadinobracon is newly reported from the Oriental region with the description of two new species from India, R. levigatus Ranjith and R. nitidus Ranjith. A taxonomic key to separate Pseudorhadinobracon from Rhadinobracon is provided. The generic diagnosis of Rhadinobracon is revised along with a taxonomic key to the extant species.
Phragmacossia bozanoi—a new species from southern Greece with some notes on Phragmataecia and Phragmacossia (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae)
Authors: SALDAITIS AIDAS , PROZOROV ALEXEY M. , MÜLLER GÜNTER C. , YAKOVLEV ROMAN V.
Published: November 2023

The taxonomic relationship between the genera Phragmataecia Newman, 1850 and Phragmacossia Schawerda, 1924 is considered. Diagnostic characters and distribution of the species Phragmataecia castaneae (Hübner, 1790), Phragmataecia albida (Erschoff, 1874), Phragmacossia ariana (Grum-Grshimailo, 1899), Phragmacossia territa (Staudinger, 1879), and Phragmacossia minos Reisser, 1963 are studied in detail. A new species, Phragmacossia bozanoi sp. n., is described from the Peloponnese Peninsula and the South Greek mainland.
Taxonomic notes, distribution update and the first chromosomal analysis of Vectius niger (Simon, 1880) and Trochanteria gomezi Canals, 1933 (Araneae: Trochanteriidae)
Authors: POMPEO JENNIFER NUNES , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO DOMINGOS , ARAUJO DOUGLAS
Published: November 2023

Spiders of the family Trochanteriidae are characterized by the carapace being extremely flat, with a reflex border, medium posterior eyes flattened, laterigrade legs, the absence of claw tufts, anterior lateral spinnerets with an incomplete distal article, and an inflatable and epiginal plate formed by a divided plate. Two out of the six worldwide genera of Trocantheriids have species in the Brazilian areas: Trochanteria Karsch and Vectius Simon. Here we present the redescription of Vectius niger and morphological data of Trochanteria gomezi, with an expansion of the distribution of these species in the Neotropical region and unpublished chromosomal data of both species. Mitotic and meiotic cells of both T. gomezi and V. niger showed 2n♂=22 and 2n♀=24 telocentric chromosomes, with a sex chromosome system of the type X1X2 in males/X1X1X2X2 in females. The chromosomal data shown here matches those found in trochanteriids to date.
Experiments on the Thermal Performance and Service Life of Three High-Albedo Roof Materials in Nanjing, China
Authors: Xiao Shanchuan , Cheng Di , Hu Ning , Wang Yongwei , Zhang Huilin , Gou Yuwang , Li Xiang , Lv Zhenglin
Published: November 2023

The use of high-albedo roof materials is a simple and effective way to reduce roof temperature, conserve electricity required for air conditioning, and ease power shortages. In this study, three common cooling roof materials, namely, white elastomeric acrylic (AC) paint, a white thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane, and an aluminum foil composite film–covered styrene–butadiene–styrene bituminous (SBS) membranes, were chosen to conduct a nearly 4-yr experiment in Nanjing, China, to study the difference in surface temperatures (ΔTs) between the cooling roof materials and concrete. The results showed that even during heatwaves, ΔTs was only 2.1°C (AC), 3.8°C (TPO), and 7.0°C (SBS) on average and 6.9°–18.2°C to the greatest extent, which was far less than those reported by many studies. The intensity of solar radiation where the cooling roof material is used and the roof material’s albedo contribute to the difference in ΔTs. The initial albedo of the AC was 0.53 and dropped to 0.16 due to rapid aging, which is close to that of concrete, in less than 3 months. The albedo of TPO and SBS dropped to 0.16 after 9 and 4.7 years, respectively. Further, SBS is the optimal choice in terms of cost and performance, costing only USD 0.67 m−2 yr−1. However, its albedo exhibits seasonal fluctuations and is significantly affected by air pollution. In particular, particulate matter settles on the surface, thereby decreasing the albedo. Nevertheless, manual cleaning can recover the albedo, extend service life, and further reduce costs.
Changes in ADAR RNA editing patterns in CMV and ZIKV congenital infections
Authors: Wales-McGrath Benjamin , Mercer Heather , Piontkivska Helen
Published: November 2023

Background

RNA editing is a process that increases transcriptome diversity, often through Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA (ADARs) that catalyze the deamination of adenosine to inosine. ADAR editing plays an important role in regulating brain function and immune activation, and is dynamically regulated during brain development. Additionally, the ADAR1 p150 isoform is induced by interferons in viral infection and plays a role in antiviral immune response. However, the question of how virus-induced ADAR expression affects host transcriptome editing remains largely unanswered. This question is particularly relevant in the context of congenital infections, given the dynamic regulation of ADAR editing during brain development, the importance of this editing for brain function, and subsequent neurological symptoms of such infections, including microcephaly, sensory issues, and other neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Here, we begin to address this question, examining ADAR expression in publicly available datasets of congenital infections of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) microarray expression data, as well as mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and mouse/ human induced pluripotent neuroprogenitor stem cell (hiNPC) Zika virus (ZIKV) RNA-seq data.

Results

We found that in all three datasets, ADAR1 was overexpressed in infected samples compared to uninfected samples. In the RNA-seq datasets, editing rates were also analyzed. In all mouse infections cases, the number of editing sites was significantly increased in infected samples, albeit this was not the case for hiNPC ZIKV samples. Mouse ZIKV samples showed altered editing of well-established protein-recoding sites such as Gria3, Grik5, and Nova1, as well as editing sites that may impact miRNA binding.

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence for changes in ADAR expression and subsequent dysregulation of ADAR editing of host transcriptomes in congenital infections. These changes in editing patterns of key neural genes have potential significance in the development of neurological symptoms, thus contributing to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Further experiments should be performed to explore the full range of editing changes that occur in different congenital infections, and to confirm the specific functional consequences of these editing changes.
Impact of gasless vNOTES vs. traditional vNOTES on hemodynamic profiles and outcomes in patients with benign gynecological disease: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Kai , Huang Qinghua , Wang Yanjun , Zhang Qianqian , Feng Dan , Gong Zhaolin , Chen Jiaojiao , He Li , Cui Yu , Lin Yonghong
Published: November 2023

Background

Literature regarding the advantages of gasless vNOTES is insufficient. The aim of our study is to compare gasless vNOTES vs. traditional vNOTES on hemodynamic profiles and outcomes in patients with benign gynecological disease. We hypothesize that compared with those in the traditional vNOTES group, hemodynamic profiles will be changed less during gasless vNOTES, while safety can be promised.

Methods

This is a single-center, prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, which has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Hospital on September 27, 2022. One hundred and twenty patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the traditional vNOTES group or the gasless vNOTES group in a 1:1 ratio. For patients allocated to the traditional vNOTES group, after insertion of one port through the vagina, CO2 gas is infused with a pressure of 12–14 mmHg; while for those allocated to the gasless vNOTES group, a special device is used as an abdominal wall-lifting device to facilitate gasless surgery. CO2 pneumoperitoneum will not be used during the whole gasless vNOTES procedure. The primary outcome is vital signs at different time points. The secondary outcomes include surgical conversion rate, duration of surgery and anesthesia, anesthetic consumption, intraoperative estimated blood loss, VAS and PONV scores at postoperative 2 h and 24 h, administration of vasopressor drugs from the beginning of general anesthesia induction to 15 min after endotracheal intubation, including times, dosage, and type, intraoperative and postoperative complications, time of first getting out of bed after surgery, and time of first eating after surgery, including light drink.

Discussion

This is the first randomized controlled trial to compare the impacts of gasless vNOTES vs. traditional vNOTES on hemodynamic profiles and outcomes in patients with benign gynecological disease. If a favorable effect and safety of gasless vNOTES for hemodynamic profiles and outcomes in patients are shown, gasless vNOTES would be an optimal treatment option for patients with benign gynecological disease.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=182441 with registration No. ChiCTR2200064779 on Oct 17, 2022.
A short length of hospital stay is not associated with risk of readmission among hip fracture patients – a Swedish national register-based cohort study
Authors: Ek Stina , Meyer Anna C. , Wennberg Alexandra , Greve Katarina , Hedström Margareta , Modig Karin
Published: November 2023

Background

Hospital length of stay (LoS) after a hip fracture likely mirrors health status; however, a too short hospitalization might increase the risk of readmission. In this national register-based study, we investigated the association between LoS after a hip fracture and the risk of readmissions.

Methods

73,551 patients with a first hip fracture between 2012 and 2019 were followed for 4 months after discharge. LoS was categorized by cubic splines and the association with readmissions was analyzed with Cox regression models.

Results

The mean LoS was 11 ± 6 days and 25% of the study population had at least one readmission. Compared to the mean LoS of 9–12 days, there was a 18% decreased risk of readmission for LoS of 2–4 days (HR 0.82 [95% CI 0.77–0.87]) and 13% decrease for 5–8 days (HR 0.87 [95% CI 0.83–0.91]), when adjusting for sex, age, walking ability, ASA score, CCI, complications during hospitalization and living arrangements. For longer LoS, risk of readmission increased (13–23 days: HR 1.09 [95% CI 1.05–1.13] and 24 + days: HR 1.19 [95% CI 1.11–1.28]). The results were robust across sex, age, and living arrangements. The most common specific reasons for readmission were trauma/injury, cardiovascular and complications, and the proportions did not differ considerably between short and long LoS-categories.

Conclusions

While a long LoS can be explained by the care need of the patient, a short LoS - compared to the average stay - does not increase the risk of readmission regardless of health status and hospital complications in a Swedish setting.
Odontoid fracture in geriatric patients — analysis of complications and outcome following conservative treatment vs. ventral and dorsal surgery
Authors: Jung Matthias K. , Hörnig Lukas , Raisch Philipp , Grützner Paul A. , Kreinest Michael
Published: November 2023

Background

Different treatment options are discussed for geriatric odontoid fracture. The aim of this study was to compare the treatment options for geriatric odontoid fractures.

Methods

Included were patients with the following criteria: age ≥ 65 years, identification of seniors at risk (ISAR score ≥ 2), and odontoid fracture type A/B according to Eysel and Roosen. Three groups were compared: conservative treatment, surgical therapy with ventral screw osteosynthesis or dorsal instrumentation. At a follow-up examination, the range of motion and the trabecular bone fracture healing rate were evaluated. Furthermore, demographic patient data, neurological status, length of stay at the hospital and at the intensive care unit (ICU) as well as the duration of surgery and occurring complications were analyzed.

Results

A total of 72 patients were included and 43 patients could be re-examined (range: 2.7 ± 2.1 months). Patients with dorsal instrumentation had a better rotation. Other directions of motion were not significantly different. The trabecular bone fracture healing rate was 78.6%. The patients with dorsal instrumentation were hospitalized significantly longer; however, their duration at the ICU was shortest. There was no significant difference in complications.

Conclusion

Geriatric patients with odontoid fracture require individual treatment planning. Dorsal instrumentation may offer some advantages.
Convolutional neural network-based kidney volume estimation from low-dose unenhanced computed tomography scans
Authors: Müller Lukas , Tibyampansha Dativa , Mildenberger Peter , Panholzer Torsten , Jungmann Florian , Halfmann Moritz C.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Kidney volume is important in the management of renal diseases. Unfortunately, the currently available, semi-automated kidney volume determination is time-consuming and prone to errors. Recent advances in its automation are promising but mostly require contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans. This study aimed at establishing an automated estimation of kidney volume in non-contrast, low-dose CT scans of patients with suspected urolithiasis.

Methods

The kidney segmentation process was automated with 2D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models trained on manually segmented 2D transverse images extracted from low-dose, unenhanced CT scans of 210 patients. The models’ segmentation accuracy was assessed using Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), for the overlap with manually-generated masks on a set of images not used in the training. Next, the models were applied to 22 previously unseen cases to segment kidney regions. The volume of each kidney was calculated from the product of voxel number and their volume in each segmented mask. Kidney volume results were then validated against results semi-automatically obtained by radiologists.

Results

The CNN-enabled kidney volume estimation took a mean of 32 s for both kidneys in a CT scan with an average of 1026 slices. The DSC was 0.91 and 0.86 and for left and right kidneys, respectively. Inter-rater variability had consistencies of ICC = 0.89 (right), 0.92 (left), and absolute agreements of ICC = 0.89 (right), 0.93 (left) between the CNN-enabled and semi-automated volume estimations.

Conclusion

In our work, we demonstrated that CNN-enabled kidney volume estimation is feasible and highly reproducible in low-dose, non-enhanced CT scans. Automatic segmentation can thereby quantitatively enhance radiological reports.
Characteristics and predictors of stroke mimics in young patients in the norwegian tenecteplase stroke trial (NOR-TEST)
Authors: Jacobsen Eskil , Logallo Nicola , Kvistad Christopher Elnan , Thomassen Lars , Idicula Titto
Published: November 2023

Background

Several studies have shown that stroke mimics occur more often among young patients. Our aims were to identify the common mimics in young patients under the age of 60 years who received thrombolysis, to analyze the risk of hemorrhage after treatment with thrombolysis, and to identify risk factors and clinical parameters that might identify mimics in this group.

Methods

Norwegian Tenecteplase Stroke Trial was a phase-3 trial investigating safety and efficacy of tenecteplase vs. alteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients diagnosed with either acute cerebral ischemia or transient ischemic attack were categorized as stroke group, and patients with any diagnosis other than ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack as mimics group. Patients were grouped post-hoc into young (< 60 years) and old (≥ 60 years). Logistic regression analyses were performed with mimics vs. stroke as dependent variable to identify predictors of mimics.

Results

Of the 1091 patients included in the trial, 211 patients (19.3%) were under the age of 60 years. Out of the 1091 patients, 434 (39.8%) were female, median age 77 years (18–99 years), and median NIHSS was 4. Sixty-nine patients (32.7%) out of the 211 patients under the age of 60 were diagnosed as mimic. Mimics were significantly more frequent among the young (OR = 3.3, 32.7% vs. 12.8%, p = < 0.001). The most frequent mimics diagnoses among patients under 60 years of age were migraine (11.8%), no definite diagnosis (11.4%) and peripheral vertigo (3.3%). Mimics were independently associated with age < 50 years (OR = 4.97, p = < 0.001), not currently working/studying (OR = 3.38, p = 0.002) and not having aphasia on admission (OR = 2.95, p = 0.025). None of the mimics under the age of 60 years had symptomatic or asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage as a complication to thrombolysis.

Conclusion

We found significantly more mimics in the young, of which migraine was the most predominant diagnosis. Thrombolysis with alteplase or tenecteplase did not cause ICH in any mimics under 60 years.
Prevalence of symptoms in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lan Xiaoyan , Wu Junjun , Liao Zhenling , Wu Yong , Hu Rong
Published: November 2023

Background

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) experience multiple symptoms that occur in complicated patterns and negatively affect patient outcomes. To date, no systematic review has been performed on the prevalence of symptoms in children with ALL.

Objective

The study aimed to report and analyse the prevalence of symptoms in children with ALL during treatment.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in eight databases (PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, China WanFang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) for studies published between January 1, 2000, and August 12, 2023. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed to pool the prevalence of symptoms.

Results

In total, 17 studies were included, from which 34 symptoms were identified. The symptom prevalence ranged between 1.5 and 91.0% and the most frequent symptoms observed were fatigue, lack of energy, dry mouth, lack of appetite, sweating, and feeling irritable, which occurred in at least 60% of the patients.

Conclusions

Symptoms remain highly prevalent in paediatric patients with ALL, which provides support for the need for symptom assessment in the clinical setting. Specific intervention is urgently needed to mitigate the symptoms in children with ALL and help them cope with the symptom burden.
Bilateral angle closure glaucoma with retinitis pigmentosa in young patients: case series
Authors: Lu Ziyang , Wang Lu , Ying Xi , Tan Lian
Published: November 2023

Background

To report the ocular characteristics and management of three cases of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) concurrent primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG).

Case presentation

Three middle-aged patients presenting with diminished vision, high intraocular pressure (IOP), and typical fundus manifestations of RP were clinically evaluated. The individualized treatment was based on the ocular conditions of each case. A novel genetic alteration in ZNF408 was identified in one patient. Two patients with short-axial eyes received unilateral combined trabeculectomy, cataract surgery, and Irido-zonulo-hyaloid-vitrectomy. One of them had a subluxated lens, managed with a capsular tension ring implantation. Their contralateral eyes, respectively, underwent laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. The third patient underwent bilaterally combined laser peripheral iridoplasty, LPI, and medication. Ultimately, all patients achieved the target IOP during a two-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Young patients with RP may have a risk of developing angle closure glaucoma, and conversely, patients with angle closure glaucoma at younger age should be aware of the presence of RP. Therefore, routine gonioscopy and IOP monitoring are required for RP patients, and detailed fundus examinations are warranted for young PACG patients.