bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term survivors demonstrate superior quality of life after haploidentical stem cell transplantation to matched sibling donor transplantation
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Jiao , Liu Yuqiu , Liu Jie , Wang Bei , Zhang Qiuhui , Guan Wei , Zhang Huijuan , Xu Li , Liu Guiying , Zhang Ping , He Yi , Feng Sizhou , Han Mingzhe , Li Changping , Jiang Erlie , Xie Wenjun
Published: October 2022

Background: It has been well-documented that haplo-identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HSCT) can provide outcomes comparable to conventional matched sibling donor (MSD) HSCT, however, little is known about the effects on quality of life (QoL) in long-term survivors. This study is to investigate the differences in longitudinal recovery of QoL between HID and MSD HSCT using a comprehensive assessment system.
Methods: This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients who had received allogenic-HSCT (allo-HSCT) between January 2018 and December 2019 in our center. All patients were informed to complete QoL questionnaires including the Mos 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT, version 4), using an online applet, before transplantation and at scheduled time points after transplantation. The linear mixed-effects modal was used to analyze the variation trend of different dimensions of both SF-36 and FACT-BMT with different follow-up times.
Results: Of the 425 participants, recipients of HID and MSD who survived more than 1 year (n = 230) were included in the final analysis of QoL (median age [range]: 36, [15,66]). The 3-year overall survival (OS) of HID and MSD was 82.42% and 86.46%, respectively. QoL was assessed using both SF-36 and FACT-BMT and there was longitudinal recovery with clinical significance in the cohort. Compared to MSD-HSCT patients, HID-HSCT recipients demonstrated superior QoL recovery in some subscales describing physical and mental wellness. Specifically, the difference in physical performance is more remarkable using FACT-BMT whereas that in mental wellness is more significant using SF36. In the subsequent stratified analysis, patients with a history of aGVHD or CMV reactivation demonstrated inferior QoL.
Conclusions and relevance: Long-term survivors of HID HSCT achieved better QoL in some sub-scales compared to MSD HSCT. In addition, SF-36 and FACT-BMT demonstrated different performance thus combination of both improved capacity of the evaluation system.
Research on the Win-win Performance of Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction and High-quality Development under the “Dual-carbon” Goal in China
Authors: Huaping Shi
Published: October 2022

As the country with the largest total and incremental carbon dioxide emissions in the world, China is under increasing international pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. At present, China is in the post industrialization development stage, facing the dilemma of economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions reduction. Therefore, it is the most urgent task for the Chinese government to study the performance path of achieving a win-win situation of carbon dioxide emissions reduction and high-quality development under the “dual-carbon” goal. This paper calculates the comprehensive evaluation index of high-quality development in 30 provinces of China from 2005 to 2019, and uses the Spatial Dubin Model (SDM) to investigate the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions reduction and high-quality development. The research results show that there is a U-shaped nonlinear relationship between carbon dioxide emissions reduction and high-quality development, and the impact of carbon dioxide emissions reduction on high-quality development has significant spatial heterogeneity. Although carbon dioxide emission reduction policies will reduce economic growth in the short term, the Chinese government should strengthen carbon dioxide emission reduction policies in the long run.
HCN-channel-dependent hyperexcitability of the layer V pyramidal neurons in IL-mPFC contributes to fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in male rats
Authors: Wang Xixi , Gan Sifei , Zhang Zeru , Zhu Pengfei , Li Chenhong , Luo Fang
Published: October 2022

Opioids are often first-line analgesics in pain therapy. However, prolonged use of opioids causes paradoxical pain, termed “opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH)”. The infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex (IL-mPFC) has been suggested to be critical in inflammatory and neuropathic pain processing through its dynamic output from Layer V pyramidal neurons. Whether OIH condition induces excitability changes of these output neurons and what mechanisms underlie these changes remains elusive. Here, with combination of patch-clamp recording, immunohistochemistry, as well as optogenetics, we revealed that IL-mPFC Layer V pyramidal neurons exhibited hyperexcitability together with higher input resistance. In line with this, optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of these neurons aggravate behavioral hyperalgesia in male OIH rats. Inhibition of these neurons alleviates hyperalgesia in male OIH rats but exerts an opposite effect in male control rats. Electrophysiological analysis of hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) demonstrated that decreased Ih is a prerequisite for the hyperexcitability of IL-mPFC output neurons. This decreased Ih was accompanied by a decrease in HCN1, but not HCN2, immunolabeling, in these neurons. In contrast, the application of HCN channel blocker increased the hyperalgesia threshold of male OIH rats. Consequently, we identified an HCN-channel-dependent hyperexcitability of IL-mPFC output neurons, which governs the development and maintenance of OIH in male rats.
Chronic hypoparathyroidism is associated with increased cortical bone density evaluated by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography
Authors: Rosa Renata Gervais Santa , Polonine Simone , Pichone Alinie , Gomes Carlos Perez , Lima Luis Felipe Cardoso , Neto Francisco de Paula Paranhos , Mendonça Laura Maria Carvalho , Farias Maria Lucia Fleiuss , Madeira Miguel
Published: October 2022

Purpose
This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate BMD, bone microarchitecture and prevalent fractures in women with chronic hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT).
Methods
Twenty-seven women with HypoPT and 44 age-matched healthy women were included. Dual-energy x-rays absorptiometry (DXA) was used to evaluate areal BMD (aBMD) at the spine and hip as well as morphometric vertebral fractures (VFA). Microarchitecture and volumetric BMD (vBMD) were evaluated at distal radius and tibia using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Biochemical parameters, including FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23), CTX (C- terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) and P1NP (procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide), were measured. Previous low-impact fractures were also assessed, and the 10-year fracture risk was estimated using the FRAX tool for Brazilian population.
Results
There was a low risk of fractures on FRAX tool in all patients, and only two had morphometric vertebral fractures: one patient presented severe VF (T5) and moderate VF (T6); another patient had moderate spinal deformity at T8. No patient had a history of previous clinical fractures. Compared to controls, HypoPT women had higher aBMD in the lumbar spine (p = 0.030), femoral neck and total hip (p < 0.001) and higher cortical vBMD (p = 0.020 in the radius and p < 0.001 in the tibia). Trabecular bone was not affected. Both bone turnover markers P1NP and CTX were compatible with low turnover in the HypoPT patients. However, we found no statistically significant correlations between BMD and any biochemical data, including serum phosphate, CTX and P1NP.
Conclusions
There was a low prevalence of fragility fractures, compatible with the low fracture risk estimated by FRAX, in the twenty-seven HypoPT women studied. These patients had higher areal BMD and cortical vBMD as compared to controls, but the association with decreased bone turnover was not clear. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms involved in the bone fragility described in HypoPT patients.
Investigating the synergies between the Urban Heat Island (UHI) and Heatwaves (HWs)
Authors: Nadeem Faisal , Tariq Salman , Haq Zia Ul , Khan Hassan Saeed
Published: October 2022

South Asian cities are now experiencing high-intensity of heatwaves. Heatwaves (HWs) severely threaten human health, particularly in urbanized areas more susceptible to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Due to climate change, heatwaves are becoming stronger, coupled with the intensity of urbanization, exacerbating the thermal risk for urbanites. Explored the synergistic interaction of UHI with HWs and non-HWs periods were investigated in Lahore city. Lahore's climate is subtropical, with relatively dry, moderate winters and extremely hot summers. The city has a distance of 2,179.55 mi (3,507.65 km) north of the equator. A strong relationship was observed between UHI and heatwaves. Land surface temperature (LST) measured by satellite is a widely used indicator for analyzing heatwaves. It has a wider spatial coverage compared to surface air temperature measured at weather stations. Measured the UHI intensity with both datasets. The UHI was analyzed during HWs and non-heatwaves using the heat index method, while SUHI intensity was analyzed using the MFOZs method. The LULC revealed the change in urban built-up class was 56.87% over the last 24 years. It was observed that a high population density zone has more urban heat island intensity. The peak average temperature difference during heatwave and non-heatwave was 5.15°C. During heatwaves, the difference in peak surface temperature was 14°C in the daytime and 6.74°C at night time.
Histological characteristics of macrodontic cheek teeth of the guinea pig
Authors: Ignaszak-Dziech Justyna , Kuropka Piotr , Piasecki Tomasz
Published: October 2022

Macrodontia is the enlargement of tooth dimensions of different ethology. The work aims to show a histological picture of macrodontic teeth in guinea pigs. The material was obtained from animals post mortem. 90 structural changes derived from 24 guinea pigs were evaluated. All teeth used in the study showed macrodontic changes. The samples were decalcified, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Material was cutted in the transverse and longitudinal plane in relation to the alveolar bone. Histological evaluation included apical bud cells, pulp cavity cells, periodontium, dentin, enamel, cementum and alveolar bone tissue. Individual elements were evaluated in respect of morphology and distribution. Moreover, the arrangement of the individual hard tooth structures was assessed on the teeth. No atypia of the cells that make up the apical bud as well as pulp and periodontal cavity was found. Displacement of periodontal cells or odontoblasts towards pulp cavity as well as disorganization of the cell system in the pulp cavity were observed. Changes in the dentine ligaments and the reconstruction of the alveolar bone were also observed in areas where dentine and cement systems were affected. It was observed on dental slides that the enamel is also involved in structural remodeling of the pulp cavity. Histological assessment led to the finding that structural changes in macrodontic teeth are made up of re-arranged typical tooth tissues.
The Heat is On: Temperature Increase Mimics Allosteric Signaling in Imidazole-Glycerol Phosphate Synthase
Authors: Maschietto Federica , Morzan Uriel , Tofoleanu Florentina , Gheeraert Aria , Chaudhuri Apala , Kyro Gregory , Nekrasov Peter , Brooks Bernard , Loria (Joseph) Pat , Rivalta Ivan , Batista Victor
Published: October 2022

Allosteric drugs have the potential to revolutionize biomedicine due to their enhanced selectivity and protection against overdosage. However, we need to better understand allosteric mechanisms in order to fully harness their potential in drug discovery. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are used to investigate how increases in temperature affect allostery in imidazole glycerol phosphate synthase. Results demonstrate that temperature increase triggers a cascade of local amino acid-to-amino acid dynamics that remarkably resembles the allosteric activation that takes place upon effector binding. The differences in the allosteric response elicited by temperature increase as opposed to effector binding are conditional to the alterations of collective motions induced by either mode of activation. This work provides an atomistic picture of temperature-dependent allostery, which could be harnessed to more precisely control enzyme function.
The relevant research of adverse childhood experiences and “risky drinking” in children of alcoholics in China
Authors: Sun Guangqiang , Wu Tingfang , Huang Chengbing , Yu Mingchao , Guo Yan , Zhu Xihua , Yu Xin , Qiu Yujia
Published: October 2022

Objective: To determine whetheradverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of children of alcoholics (COA) were associated with their current “risky drinking”.
Methods: This case-control study used the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT, cutoff is 7) to divide the participants into two groups, a “risky drinking group" (N=53) and a "non-risky drinking group" (N=97). Demographic data, Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) were used for assessment. The specific relationships between ACEs and “risky drinking” were explored.
Results: Respondents ranged in age from 29.70±6.72 years; 74.5% were females; 94.7% were of Han nationality; 56.7% had a level of education above high school; 12% had no formal or stable job. The “risky drinking” group was more likely to have experienced a major depressive episode (P＜0.05), nonalcohol psychoactive substance use disorder and bulimia nervosa (P<0.01), and they also experienced more physical abuse(P＜0.05), community violence (P＜0.01) and collective violence (P＜0.05). In a single factor logistic regression, physical abuse, community violence and collective violence were associated with a two to eleven fold increase in “risky drinking” in the adult COA, and in multiple factor logistic regression, community violence showed a graded relationship with “risky drinking”.
Conclusion: The childhood adverse experiences contribute to “risky drinking” in COA. This finding in the Chinese context have significant implications for prevention not only in China but in other cultures. There must be greater awareness of the role of ACEs in the perpetuation of alcoholism.
First report of invasive Fall armyworm and African armyworm sharing the same maize plants in the field: implications for intra-guild competition
Authors: Carter R. , Gómez-Undiano I. , Rwezaauva P. , Florian F. , Mushobozi W. , Wilson K.
Published: October 2022

Both the native African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta Walker), AAW, and the invasive Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith), FAW, attack maize in Africa. The invasion of FAW in Africa has created a scenario where these two Spodoptera species might co-occur and interact with each other. This could have implications for pest management, including insecticide resistance management, biological control and the effectiveness of management practices. Given the much more aggressive nature of FAW in comparison to AAW, we predicted that where the two species co-occur, FAW would dominate the intra-guild interaction. Our study includes field observations of armyworms on both Cynodon grasses and maize, including the systematic sampling of smallholder maize farms in Arusha, Tanzania. We found that FAW larvae and AAW larvae can occur in the same field and even on the same plant and leaf simultaneously however, statistically, their joint distributions are consistent with a non-competitive association.
Targeting the p53 pathway to treat Malignant Rhabdoid and Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors
Authors: Roussel Martine , Cho Hyekyung , Stripay Jennifer , Refaat Alaa , Blankenship Kaley , Williams Justin , Mercer Kimberly , Connelly Michele , Ganguly Debolina , Robinson Sarah , Dhanda Sandeep , Stewart Clinton , Freeman Burgess , Roberts Charles , Tinkle Christopher , Stewart Elizabeth , Upadhyaya Santhosh , Shelat Anang
Published: October 2022

Rhabdoid tumors (RTs) predominantly affect young children and are among the deadliest pediatric solid tumors. Despite multimodal therapy consisting of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, children with these tumors have median survival of less than one year. RTs can arise throughout the body, including the central nervous system (CNS) where they are called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs), and in extra-CNS locations such as the kidneys and other soft tissues where they are designated malignant RTs (MRTs). We previously identified MDM2 and MDM4 as therapeutic vulnerabilities in RTs and showed that treatment with the MDM2 inhibitor idasanutlin increased survival in mice bearing MRT xenografts. However, the therapeutic potential of idasanutlin in CNS RT tumors is unknown. Moreover, single agent therapies are prone to resistance and often show limited clinical benefit on their own. Therefore, we sought to identify combination strategies incorporating idasanutlin that would be effective in both CNS and extra-CNS RTs. Here, we show that the XPO1 inhibitor selinexor increased nuclear retention of p53 and potentiated idasanutlin-induced p53 pathway activation and cytotoxicity in AT/RT and MRT cell lines in vitro. Importantly, combination therapy limited acquired resistance through TP53 mutation. In vivo, combination therapy was well-tolerated, reduced tumor burden, and increased survival in orthotopic models of both AT/RT and MRT. Our results demonstrate that combining idasanutlin with selinexor is a promising therapeutic strategy for children with rhabdoid tumors.
Association between levels of exposure to heavy metals and renal function indicators of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas
Authors: Kwon Jung-Yeon , Lee Seungho , Surenbaatar Ulziikhishig , Lim Hyoun-Ju , Kim Byoung-Gwon , Eom Sang-Yong , Cho Yong Min , Kim Woo Jin , Yu Byeng-Chul , Lee Kwan , Hong Young-Seoub
Published: October 2022

Abandoned metal mines and refineries are considered environmentally vulnerable areas owing to high levels of exposure to heavy metals. This study examined the association between heavy metal exposure and renal function indicators. We studied a total of 298 participants, of which 74 and 68 resided in low- and high-exposure abandoned metal mine areas, respectively, with 121 in the refinery area and 35 in the control area. Blood and urine samples were collected from the participants to analyze the levels of blood lead, cadmium, and creatinine and urinary cadmium, NAG, and β2-MG. The estimated glomerular filtration rate, which is calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation, was used for assessments.
The study participants comprised more females than males, and their mean age was 70.3 years. The blood lead and cadmium as well as urinary cadmium levels were 2.12 μg/dL, 1.89 μg/L, and 2.11 μg/L, respectively, in the heavy metal-exposure areas, and 1.18 μg/dL, 0.89 μg/L, and 1.11 μg/L, respectively, in the control area. The odds ratio (OR) for exceeding the reference value showed that blood cadmium in the refinery area was 38 times higher than that in the control area. Urinary cadmium was seven times higher in the low-exposure abandoned metal mine area than in the control area. NAG showed a positive correlation with urinary cadmium in all areas. In the refinery area, correlations were observed between β2-MG and urinary cadmium levels and the eGFR and blood cadmium level; in the high-exposure abandoned metal mine area, correlations were observed between NAG, β2-MG, and the eGFR and blood cadmium.
In this study, the association between Cd exposure and some renal function indicators was observed. This study’s findings and the obtained biological samples can serve as a basis for future molecular biological research.
Real feelings and experiences of obesity patients in metabolic surgery of weight loss in Shandong,China: A qualitative research
Authors: YANG Hailing , Zhao Lingling , Wang Chao , Zheng Xing , Sun Chunhua , LI Lihua
Published: October 2022

Background: This was to investigate the real feelings and experiences of losing weight after metabolic surgery of weight loss in obesity patients.
Methods: A qualitative study using focus groups was undertaken at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University,China. After obtaining ethical permission and informed consent of the interviewees, semi-structured interviews were conducted on 15 obese patients who underwent metabolic surgery for weight loss. The NVIVO 12 software was used to analyze the data using the Colaizzi 7-step method.
Results: 1) morbid obesity complications and severity of complications, awareness of weight loss surgery, family and peer support, and access to professional hospital information all have an impact on patients' surgical decisions. 2) insufficient knowledge of surgical weight loss leads to fear of surgery and the discomforts of obesity complications aggravate preoperative anxiety. The unfamiliar feelings in the intensive care unit after surgery and discomfort in tubing and physical restraint lead to a negative experience while the intimacy of medical staff visiting bedside and the joy of physical improvement help improve mood. 3)insufficient self-management confidence, and eagerly hope that medical staff continues to care. 4) pay attention to the weight management of relatives, friends and the next generation. And be willing to actively help others to share their experiences and scientifically reduce weight.
Conclusion: Medical staffs and patients should pay more attention to self-management and strengthen the health knowledge, peer support and extended care after discharge.
ELAC2 functions as a key gene in the early development of placental formation based on WGCNA
Authors: Liang Junyong , Liang Jingjie , Tan Qiang , Chen Kaiyu , Wang Zhengguang
Published: October 2022

Placenta plays a crucial role in mammalian fetal growth. The most important cell type in the placenta is the trophoblast cell. Many genes have been reported to play important functions in the differentiation of early placental trophoblast cells. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a systematic biological method for describing the correlation patterns among genes across microarray samples. We used WGCNA to screen placental trophoblast development-related genes and through experimental confirmation, we showed that among these genes, ELAC2 may play an important regulatory role in the early development of mammalian placental formation. ELAC2 regulates early placental trophoblast differentiation by affecting cell migration and cell proliferation. In addition, ELAC2 may be involved in regulating cell migration processes in a manner that affects epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).
The effect of co-administration of levodopa , benserazide and nortriptyline of behavioral symptoms in an exprimental model of Parkinson's rats
Authors: ezzedin Maryam , safari Manouchehr , zarbakhsh sam , ghanbari ali , vafaei Abbas ali , mohsenvand zohre , seyedinia seyed ali , tarahomi parnia
Published: October 2022

Background : The characteristic of parkinson's disease is the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in neurons . Nortriptyline inhibits the accumulation of alpha-synuclein.
In this article, the simultaneous effectiveness of nortriptyline in 3 different doses with levodopa and benserazide was investigated.
Methods : In this study , 49 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 7. 5 groups were diagnosed with parkinson's unilaterally by injecting 6 - OHDA into the substantia nigra of the midbrain. 1 group was subjected to stereotaxic surgery, but 6 - OHDA was not injected and they did not have parkinsonism, and 1 group was kept healthy. of the 5 groups with parkinson's, the control group did not receive treatment, the other group was treated with levodopa at a dose of 10 mg/kg and benserazide at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, and groups 3 to 5 received nortriptyline in doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg in addition to levodopa and benserazide. behavioral changes were measured and recorded with elevated body swing test, open field and elevated plus maze ( EPM ).
Results : The results showed that the best findings in terms of improvement of behavioral symptoms were obtained in the nortriptyline treatment group with a dose of 10 mg/kg along with levodopa and benserazide.
Conclusion : The addition of nortriptyline, especially at a dose of 10 mg/kg to the treatment of levodopa and benserazide, in behavioral changes in rats that were treated with different doses of nortriptyline along with levodopa and benserazide, is significant, and the greatest effect is at a dose of 10 mg/kg of nortriptyline, and the behaviors they were less negative.
Relation of interdigitation zone changes and right-angle vessels in Macular Telangiectasia Type-2 (MacTel)
Authors: Chandran Kiran , Giridhar Anantharaman , Gopalakrishnan Mahesh , Sivaprasad Sobha
Published: October 2022

Background
To study the relation between interdigitation zone (IDZ) and right-angle vessel (RAV) in Macular Telangiectasia Type-2 (MacTel).
Methods
A total of 43 eyes of 38 patients with presence of definite RAV on color fundus photograph (Gass and Blodi-only stage-3) were confirmed on multimodal imaging. The relation of IDZ changes and associated ellipsoid zone (EZ) alterations on spectral-domain-OCT with RAV were studied at baseline and these OCT changes were followed up in 15 eyes over a mean of 3.86 years.
Results
A total of 58 RAVs were found in the 43 eyes and 53/58 (91.3%) RAVs were associated with IDZ alterations in 39 eyes. On follow-up, IDZ attenuation progressed to IDZ loss and subsequent EZ attenuation and loss. A pre-existing IDZ loss was associated with subsequent EZ defect (P = 0.002). In 36 eyes that had OCT-A, eyes with RAV showed deep capillary plexus telangiectasia in all 36 (100%) eyes and 32/36 (89%) eyes showed IDZ changes with or without EZ loss.
Conclusions
IDZ attenuation and/or loss are associated with RAV and may serve as predictor of EZ loss in MacTel.
Nomogram for predicting overall survival in metastatic gastric cancer: a population-based study from SEER
Authors: Wang Xiao , Li Jiaxin , Wang Jian
Published: October 2022

Background

Gastric cancer is a highly malignant tumor, and many patients already have distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, so the mortality rate is very high. It is necessary to establish an effective prognostic prediction model to guide treatment.

Methods

The cases diagnosed as metastatic gastric cancer from 2010 to 2018 in Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were selected, and the clinicopathological characteristics were included in the cox regression model to determine which are the independent factors affecting prognosis. Then all cases were divided into training cohort and verification cohort. A nomogram for predicting overall survival (OS) was established using the training cohort, and the effectiveness was verified with the verification cohort.

Result

A total of 4208 stage IV gastric cancer patients were enrolled in this study. firstly, they were randomly divided into training cohort and verification cohort according to the proportion of 2:1. The median overall survival was 8 (95% CI 7.6–8.4) months in the training cohort. Age at diagnosis, gender, histology grade, T stage, N stage, surgery for primary site, performance of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, existence of bone, liver or lung metastasis were independent prognostic factors. Then a nomogram was established using the training cohort (2948), and the concordance index (C index) is calculated as 0.696 (95%CI 0.684–0.708). It was also found that the model has good prediction ability by using the calibration chart. ROC curve showed that the model can accurately predict the OS, AUC of 1 year, 3 years and 5 years survival are 0.7, 0.756 and 0.76365 respectively. Finally, the calibration chart and ROC curve were used in the verification cohort to prove these results.

Conclusion

In this study, based on the data of patients with metastatic gastric cancer in SEER database, a nomogram which can predict overall survival was established, from which several independent prognostic factors were verified. C index, ROC curve and calibration chart were used to verify the effectiveness of the nomogram, which can provide a reference for predicting prognosis and guiding individualized treatment for advanced gastric cancer patients.
Artificial intelligence-aided method to detect uterine fibroids in ultrasound images: a retrospective study
Authors: Huo Tongtong , Li Lixin , Chen Xiting , Wang Ziyi , Zhang Xiaojun , Liu Songxiang , Huang Jinfa , Zhang Jiayao , Yang Qian , Wu Wei , Xie Yi , Wang Honglin , Ye Zhewei , Deng Kaixian
Published: October 2022

To explore a new artificial intelligence-assisted method to assist junior ultrasonographers in improving the diagnostic performance of uterine fibroids and further compare it with senior ultrasonographers to confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of artificial intelligence. In this retrospective study, we collected a total of 3870 ultrasound images from 667 patients (mean age: 42.45 years ± 6.23 [SD]) who were pathological diagnosed with uterine fibroids and 570 women (mean age: 39.24 years ± 5.32 [SD]) without uterine lesions from Shunde Hospital between 2015 and 2020. The DCNN model was trained and developed on the training dataset (2706 images) and internal validation dataset (676 images). To evaluate the performance of the model, on the external validation dataset (488 images), we assessed the diagnostic performance of the DCNN with ultrasonographers possessing different levels of seniority. The DCNN model aided the junior ultrasonographers (Averaged) in diagnosing uterine fibroids with higher accuracy (94.72% vs. 86.63%, P < 0.001), sensitivity (92.82% vs. 83.21%, P = 0.001), specificity (97.05% vs. 90.80%, P = 0.009), positive predictive value (97.45% vs. 91.68%, P = 0.007), and negative predictive value (91.73% vs. 81.61%, P = 0.001) than they achieved alone. Their ability was comparable to that of the senior ultrasonographers (Averaged) in terms of accuracy (94.72% vs. 95.24%, P = 0.66), sensitivity (92.82% vs. 93.66%, P = 0.73), specificity (97.05% vs. 97.16%, P = 0.79), positive predictive value (97.45% vs. 97.57%, P = 0.77), and negative predictive value (91.73% vs. 92.63%, P = 0.75). The DCNN-assisted strategy can significantly improve the uterine fibroid diagnosis performance of junior ultrasonographers and is comparable to that of senior ultrasonographers.
Association between serum calcium level and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fang Dingfeng , Chen Haibo
Published: October 2022

The association between serum calcium levels and the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the association between serum calcium and in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI. A total of 7284 patients were eventually enrolled in this study, of which 799 (10.97%) died during hospitalization. For each patient, serum calcium, corrected to albumin, was calculated and categorized into four groups: Q1 ≤8.5, Q2 8.5-9.5, Q3 9.5-10.5, and Q4 >10.5 mg/dL. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that corrected sCa was an independent predictor of in-hospital death (Q2 vs. Q1, OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7, P<0.001; Q3 vs. Q1, OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.0, P=0.035; Q4 vs. Q1, OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3, P=0.008). The association remained stable in the fully adjusted model. A significant U-shaped association between corrected serum calcium and in-hospital mortality was observed in piecewise linear regression model (Corrected sCa < 9.4 mg/dL, OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9, P<0.001; corrected sCa > 9.4 mg/dL, OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.8, P<0.001). In conclusion, both decreased and increased corrected serum calcium is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI, and patients may have the lowest risk of in-hospital death when corrected serum calcium is 9.4 mg/dL (2.35mmol/L).
An EPQ model with process-based cost method for manufacturing of EV battery cell: A case study of NMC-622 cell
Authors: Narang Pankaj , De Pijus Kanti , Kumari Mamta
Published: October 2022

A real-world industry issue inspires this study. The cost of EV batteries is critical for the market growth of electric vehicles in today’s era. The cost-effective manufacturing of battery cells is a popular topic in industry and academics. Manufacturers invest billions of dollars in battery cell factories based on predicted EV growth rates. However, manufacturers require information on total manufacturing costs, plant area, total capital equipment costs, and their cost drivers to achieve the goal of a profitable firm. Driven by these concerns, an EPQ model with a process-based cost modeling technique is developed for the large-scale manufacturing of EV battery cells. The data used in this model is collected from the BatPac model (version 4) developed by Argonne National Laboratory. This study considers two types of battery cells used in electric vehicles, and the firm produces 5% of defective cells. This model provides directions to maximize profit by solving the profit function with genetic algorithm considering the production rate and selling price as decision variables. Moreover, this study shows which process steps and cost aspects significantly impact the total cost. Finally, managerial implications and conclusions are presented that support manufacturers in increasing the firm's profit.
Long-Term Outcome from the Parents' Perspective - Comparison of Children with Severe Paediatric Feeding and Eating Disorders by Comorbidities
Authors: Blank Lydia Ariane , Hoffmann Georg Friedrich , Blank Rainer Joachim
Published: October 2022

Purpose
This is an exploratory research on the long-term outcome of severe paediatric feeding and eating disorders as perceived by caregivers by comparison of comorbidity subgroups of the neurodevelopmental and behavioural field.
Methods
A consecutive sample (n=253, ICD-10 F98.2, received a 4-week inpatient eating intervention between 2009 and 2016) was questioned by a parent survey between May and October 2017. Main target parameters included age-appropriate eating, long-term improvement and satisfaction with treatment results. For analysis of outcome comorbidity subgroups are build and their characteristics compared.
Results
After a mean follow-up period of 3.5 years 103 cases were included after completion of the survey and subdivided into: 1) neurological comorbidities (“Neuro-group”, n=28), 2) behavioural comorbidities (“Psy-group”, n=24), 3) developmental delays without severe neurological or behavioural disorders (“DD-group”, n=22) and 4) without any neurodevelopmental or behavioural disorders (non-DNP-group, n=29).
The non-DNP-group (normal development and low rate of comorbidities) achieved the best outcome from the parental view. The Neuro-group ranked lowest at age-appropriate eating at follow-up, while their caregivers experienced good life satisfaction and a surprisingly low burden of disease; they were similarly satisfied with previous treatment as caregivers of non-DNP-group. Surprisingly, caregivers of Psy-group described a comparatively poor long-term improvement, further experienced the lowest satisfaction with intervention results and the highest burden of disease.
Conclusions
Feeding and eating disorders are persisting for a long time in children with disabilities. It seems that caregivers of children with neurological disabilities adequately lowered their outcome expectations and developed better coping strategies. This stays in contrast to caregivers of children with behavioural disorders.
Do we need to screen bone mineral density in patients with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver: Upper Egypt experience
Authors: Hassan Amro Metwaly , shawky Muhammad Abdel-Gawad shawky Abdel-Gawad , Haridy Mustafa Ahmed , Aziz Tarek Abdel – , Shoaeir Mohamed , Qura Mohamed , Kenawy Eglal , Mansour Tarek , elsayed Sameh Salaheldin , Ali Wael , Abdelmeguid Mona
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been linked with a number of extra hepatic diseases and could be a potential risk factor of decreasing bone mineral density (BMD).
Aim: To assess bone mineral density, serum calcium and serum vitamin D in Upper Egyptian patients with NAFLD to determine if patients who have NAFLD are at risk of developing osteoporosis or not.
Methods: cross-section study was done on a total 100 individuals; 50 patients diagnosed with NAFLD crossed-matched with 50 individuals without NAFLD regarding to age, sex and body mass index (BMI). Bone mineral density, serum calcium and phosphorus levels, serum parathyroid hormone, serum vitamin D and fasting insulin level were assessed.
Results: In this study, there is significant difference in bone mineral density between patients with NAFLD (-2.29 ± 0.4) and controlled individuals (-1.53 ± 0.1) with p value < 0.001 and osteoporosis was more prevalent in patients with NAFLD than control group with p value < 0.001. Serum vitamin D level was statistical significant predicts osteoporosis (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The study showed a significant decreased in bone density, vitamin D and serum calcium in patients with NAFLD than controls.
Usefulness of Procalcitonin at Admission as a Risk-Stratifying Biomarker for 50-Day In- Hospital Mortality Among Patients with Community-Acquired Bloodstream Infection: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Oussalah Abderrahim , Callet Jonas , Manteaux Anne-Elisabeth , Thilly Nathalie , Jay Nicolas , Guéant Jean-Louis , Lozniewski Alain
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To assess the association between plasma procalcitonin concentration at hospital admission and the risk of 50-day in-hospital mortality among patients with community-acquired bloodstream infections.
Methods: We carried out a retrospective, observational cohort study with all consecutive patients with bacteriologically confirmed community-acquired bloodstream infections hospitalized between 2006 and 2012. We aimed to assess the association between plasma procalcitonin at admission and 50-day in-hospital mortality. Patients were included in the analysis if they had undergone a blood culture test within 48 hours of hospitalization with a concomitant procalcitonin assay (time < 12 hours between the two tests). Inclusion in the study began on the day of hospital admission, and each patient was followed until death, discharge from hospital, or last known follow-up in the 50 days following hospital admission. The endpoint was the occurrence of all-cause in-hospital mortality during the 50 days following hospital admission.
Results: During the 7-year study period, 1593 patients were admitted to one of the health care facilities of the University Hospital of Nancy from home or through the emergency department and had positive blood cultures and concomitant procalcitonin assays. Among the patients, 452 met the selection criteria and were analyzed. In ROC analysis, procalcitonin at baseline was significantly associated with 50-day in-hospital mortality, with an optimal threshold > 4.24 ng/mL. A baseline procalcitonin > 4.24 ng/mL was independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (multivariable logistic regression: odds ratio, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.57–4.25; P = 0.0002; Cox proportional hazard regression: hazard ratio, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.30–3.11; P = 0.002). In sensitivity analyses, baseline procalcitonin quartiles were independently associated with 50-day in-hospital mortality (multivariable logistic regression: odds ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.17–1.85; P = 0.001; Cox proportional hazard regression: hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07–1.60; P = 0.008). The independent associations between baseline procalcitonin and the risk of 50-day in-hospital mortality were maintained after adjusting for C-reactive protein and sepsis status at admission.
Conclusion:Our data provide the first evidence of the usefulness of plasma procalcitonin at admission as a risk-stratifying biomarker for predicting 50-day in-hospital mortality among patients with community-acquired bloodstream infections.
Sustainability in Interventional Radiology: Are we doing enough to save the environment?
Authors: Shum Pey Ling , Kok Hong Kuan , Maingard Julian , Zhou Kevin , Damme Vivienne Van , Barras Christen D. , Slater Lee-Anne , Chong Winston , Chandra Ronil V. , Jhamb Ashu , Brooks Mark , Asadi Hamed
Published: October 2022

BackgroundHealthcare waste contributes substantially to the world’s carbon footprint. Our aims are to review the current knowledge of Interventional Radiology (IR) waste generation and ways of reducing waste in practice, to quantify the environmental and financial impact of waste generated and address green initiatives to improve IR waste management.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in July 2022 using the Medline and Embase literature databases. The scope of the search included the field of IR as well as operating theatre literature, where relevant to IR practice.ResultsOne-hundred articles were reviewed and 68 studies met the inclusion criteria. Greening initiatives include reducing, reusing and recycling waste, as well as strict waste segregation. Interventional radiologists can engage with suppliers to reformulate procedure packs to minimize unnecessary items and packaging. Opened but unused equipment can be prevented if there is better communication within the team and increased staff awareness of wasted equipment cost. Incentives to use soon-to-expire equipment can be offered. Power consumption can be reduced by powering down operating room lights and workstations when not in use, changing to Light Emitting Diode (LED) and motion sensor lightings. Surgical hand wash can be replaced with alcohol-based hand rubs to reduce water usage. Common barriers to improving waste management include the lack of leadership, misconceptions regarding infectious risk, lack of data, concerns about increased workload, negative staff attitudes and resistance to change. Education remains a top priority to engage all staff in sustainable healthcare practices.ConclusionInterventional radiologists have a crucial role to play in improving healthcare sustainability. By implementing small, iterative changes to our practice, financial savings, greater efficiency and improved environmental sustainability can be achieved.
An Improved Algorithm for Flux Variability Analysis
Authors: Kenefake Dustin , Armingol Erick , Lewis Nathan E. , Pistikopoulos Efstratios N.
Published: October 2022

Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) is an optimization based approach to find the optimal steady state of a metabolic network, commonly of microorganisms such as yeast strains and Escherichia coli. However, the resulting solution from an FBA is typically not unique, as the optimization problem is, more often than not, degenerate. Flux variability analysis (FVA) is a method to determine the range of possible reaction fluxes that still satisfy, within some optimality factor, the original FBA problem. The resulting range of reaction fluxes can be utilized to determine metabolic reactions of high importance, amongst other analyses. In the literature, this has been done by solving 2n+1 linear programs (LPs), with n being the number of reactions in the metabolic network. However, FVA can be solved with less than 2n+1 LPs by utilizing the basic feasible solution property of bounded LPs to reduce the number of LPs that are needed to be solved. In this work, a new algorithm is proposed to solve FVA that requires less than 2n+1 LPs. The proposed algorithm is benchmarked on a problem set of 112 metabolic network models ranging from single cell organisms (iMM904, ect) to a human metabolic system (Recon3D). Showing a reduction in the number of LPs required to solve the FVA problem and thus the time to solve an FVA problem.
Association between BMI, RFM and mortality and possible mediators: prospective findings from the Moli-sani study
Authors: Ghulam Anwal , Gianfagna Francesco , Bonaccio Marialaura , Costanzo Simona , Castelnuovo Augusto Di , De Curtis Amalia , Gialluisi Alessandro , Cerletti Chiara , Donati Maria Benedetta , de Gaetano Giovanni , Iacoviello Licia
Published: October 2022

Background
Body mass index (BMI) is the most frequently used adiposity measure, yet it is unable to differentiate fat mass from lean mass. Relative fat mass (RFM) has been proposed as alternative. The aim of this paper is to study RFM and BMI association with mortality in a general Italian population and potential mediators.
Methods
20,587 individuals from the Moli-sani cohort were analysed (mean age = 54 ± 11, 52% women, median follow up = 11.2years, interquartile range 1.96 years). Cox regressions were used to assess BMI, RFM and their interactive association with mortality. Dose-response relationships were assessed with spline regression, mediation analysis was performed. All analyses were separated for men and women.
Results
Men and women with BMI > 35 kg/m2 and men in the 4th quartile of RFM showed an independent association with mortality (HR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.30–2.26 BMI in men, HR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.01–1.85 BMI in women, HR = 1.37 CI95%=1.11–1.68 RFM in men), that was lost once adjusted for potential mediators. Cubic splines showed a U-shaped association for BMI in men and women, and for RFM in men. Mediation analysis showed that 46.5% of the association of BMI with mortality in men was mediated by glucose, C reactive protein, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and cystatin C; 82.9% of the association of BMI in women was mediated by HOMA index, cystatine C and FEV1; lastly 55% of RFM association with mortality was mediated by glucose, FEV1 and cystatin C. Regression models including BMI and RFM showed that RFM drives most of the risk in men, but is not predictive in women.
Conclusions
The association between anthropometric measures and mortality is U shaped and it is largely dependent on sex. Associations were mediated by glucose metabolism, renal and lung function. Public health should mainly focus on severely obese people, or people with impaired metabolic, renal, or respiratory function.
EEG complexity correlates with residual consciousness level of disorders of consciousness
Authors: Liu Yangfeng , Zeng Wentao , Pan Na , Xia Xiaoyu , Huang Yonghua , He Jianghong
Published: October 2022

Background and objective
Electroencephalography (EEG) and neuroimaging measurements have been highly encouraged to be applied in clinics of disorders of consciousness (DOC) to improve consciousness detection. We tested the relationships between neural complexity measured on EEG and residual consciousness levels in DOC patients.
Methods
Resting-state EEG was recorded from twenty-five patients with DOC. Lempel–Ziv complexity (LZC) and permutation Lempel–Ziv complexity (PLZC) were measured on the EEG, and their relationships were analyzed with the consciousness levels of the patients.
Results
PLZC and LZC values significantly distinguished patients with a minimally conscious state (MCS), vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), and healthy controls. PLZC was significantly correlated with the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) scores of DOC patients in the global brain, particularly in the anterior and posterior brain regions. Patients with higher CRS-R scores showed higher PLZC values. The significant difference in PLZC values between MCS and VS/UWS was mainly located in the anterior and posterior brain regions.
Conclusion
Neural complexity measured on EEG correlates with residual consciousness levels of DOC patients. PLZC showed higher sensitivity than LZC in the classification of consciousness levels.