bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IBing: An Efficient Interleaved Bidirectional Ring All-Reduce Algorithm for Gradient Synchronization
Authors: Zong Ruixing , Zhang Jiapeng , Tang Zhuo , Li Kenli
Published: January 2025

Ring all-reduce is currently the most commonly used collective communication technique in the fields of data parallel and distributed computing. It consists of three phases: communication establishment, data transmission, and data processing at each step. However, this method may suffer from increased communication latency as the number of computation nodes increases, excessive communication steps and data processing procedures can lead to insufficient bandwidth utilization.

To address this issue, this paper proposes an Interleaved Bidirectional Ring (IBing) all-reduce method, which uses specially crafted communication operations to improve communication efficiency by reducing the effects of both communication establishment and data processing time. IBing reduces the number of communication steps by half compared to the Ring all-reduce. The results of extensive experiments indicate that the proposed IBing design can reduce total communication consumption by an average of 8.49% and up to 49.73%.
HEANA
: A Hybrid Time-Amplitude Analog Optical Accelerator with Flexible Dataflows for Energy-Efficient CNN Inference
Authors: Sri Vatsavai Sairam , Karempudi Venkata Sai Praneeth , Thakkar Ishan
Published: January 2025

Several photonic microring resonator (MRR)-based analog accelerators have been proposed to accelerate the inference of integer-quantized Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with remarkably higher throughput and energy efficiency compared to their electronic counterparts. However, the existing analog photonic accelerators suffer from three shortcomings: (1) severe hampering of wavelength parallelism due to various crosstalk effects, (2) inflexibility of supporting various dataflows with temporal accumulations, and (3) failure in fully leveraging the ability of photodetectors to perform in situ accumulations. These shortcomings collectively hamper the performance and energy efficiency of prior accelerators. To tackle these shortcomings, we present a novel

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alog optical

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ccelerator, called HEANA. HEANA employs hybrid time-amplitude analog optical modulators (TAOMs) in a spectrally hitless arrangement, which significantly reduces optical signal losses and crosstalk effects, thereby increasing the wavelength parallelism in HEANA. HEANA employs our invented balanced photo-charge accumulators (BPCAs) that enable buffer-less, in situ, spatio-temporal accumulations to eliminate the need to use reduction networks in HEANA, relieving it from related latency and energy overheads. Moreover, TAOMs and BPCAs increase the flexibility of HEANA to efficiently support spatio-temporal accumulations for various dataflows. Our evaluation for the inference of four modern CNNs indicates that HEANA provides improvements of at least 25× and 32× in frames per second (FPS) and FPS/W (energy efficiency), respectively, for equal-area comparisons on gmean over two MRR-based analog CNN accelerators from prior work.
Implicit Bonded Discrete Element Method with Manifold Optimization
Authors: Lu Jia-Ming , Cao Geng-Chen , Li Chenfeng , Hu Shi-Min
Published: January 2025

This article proposes a novel simulation approach that combines implicit integration with the Bonded Discrete Element Method (BDEM) to achieve faster, more stable, and more accurate fracture simulation. The new method leverages the efficiency of implicit schemes in dynamic simulation and the versatility of BDEM in fracture modeling. Specifically, an optimization-based integrator for BDEM is introduced and combined with a manifold optimization approach to accelerate the solution process of the quaternion-constrained system. Our comparative experiments indicate that our method offers better scale consistency and more realistic collision effects than finite element method and material point method fragmentation approaches. Additionally, our method achieves a computational speedup of 2.1 to 9.8 times over explicit BDEM methods.
C2lRec: Causal Contrastive Learning for User Cold-start Recommendation with Social Variable
Authors: Xu Xiaolong , Dong Hongsheng , Xiang Haolong , Hu Xiyuan , Li Xiaoyong , Xia Xiaoyu , Zhang Xuyun , Qi Lianyong , Dou Wanchun
Published: January 2025

Embedding-based recommender systems rely on historical interactions to model users, which poses challenges for recommending to new users, known as the user cold-start problem. Some approaches incorporate social networks to deduce preferences based on the social circles of cold-start users to solve the problem of sparse features. However, such methods have difficulty distinguishing between superficial correlations and causal relationships in social behaviors, leading to inaccuracies in predicting user preferences. To address the aforementioned issues, we propose the Causal Contrastive Learning Recommendation (C2lRec) framework. Specifically, we causally model the inference of hidden preferences from the feature and historical behavior of warm users and predict user interactions based on such preferences. The counterfactual inference is subsequently performed to intervene and extract interactions from historical behaviors of warm users that influence their preferences, designating as primary causal variables. Additionally, we utilize the primary causal variables from users within the social circle of cold-start users to substitute the missing historical interactions of cold-start users and employ a similar causal modeling approach to uncover hidden preferences as we do with warm users. Finally, we realize causal contrastive learning to enhance the distribution of cold-start users. Extensive experiments conducted on three public datasets demonstrate that the recommendation performance of C2lRec exceeds that of state-of-the-art methods.
The Politics of Childcare
Authors: Morgan Kimberly J.
Published: January 2025

The politics of childcare has become a vibrant area of research. This review analyzes the evolution of this research over several decades and identifies two phases of scholarship. The first phase concerned the limited public supports for childcare in most countries and how this reinforced a particular gender order. A second current of research took off as many countries expanded their childcare systems and highlighted the role of electoral politics and ideas about public spending on childcare as an investment in human capital. In the drive to explain patterns of policy change, the research focus has narrowed, occluding the substantive impact of different childcare systems. Future research should probe the stubbornness of gender inequalities in paid work and care and how politics and public policies shape different care economies.
Promoting the internationalization of POPNeuro, a successful neurophysiology outreach program
Authors: Germano Andresa M. C. , Crespo Bruna Tarasuk Trein , Tadielo Ana Luiza Trombini , Rosa Patrícia A. Batista da , Strohbach Melanie , Mauersberger Ludwig , Mello-Carpes Pâmela B.
Published: January 2025

The internationalization of scientific work is recognized as an essential resource for quality research in different areas and countries. However, international cooperation is less common in teaching and outreach than in research. We shared the experience of a successful international neurophysiology outreach cooperation between Brazil and Germany: the POPNeuro Program. The success of POPNeuro’s spin-off in Germany reveals that promoting internationalization and expanding successful outreach projects have positive impacts.
Carbohydrate ingestion eliminates hypoglycemia and improves endurance exercise performance in triathletes adapted to very low- and high-carbohydrate isocaloric diets
Authors: Prins Philip J. , Noakes Timothy D. , Buga Alex , Gerhart Hayden D. , Cobb Brandon M. , D’Agostino Dominic P. , Volek Jeffrey S. , Buxton Jeffrey D. , Heckman Kara , Plank Emma , DiStefano Samuel , Flaming Isaak , Kirsch Lauren , Lagerquist Britta , Larson Emily , Koutnik Andrew P.
Published: January 2025

This study examines the belief that very-low-carbohydrate diets (LCHF) impair prolonged exercise performance during strenuous exercise by comparing it with high-carbohydrate diets in competitive triathletes. After 6-wk diet adaptation, time-to-exhaustion (TTE) performance was similar across both diets. Minimal carbohydrate supplementation (10 g/h) during exercise eliminated exercise-induced hypoglycemia and improved TTE by 22% on both diets. These findings suggest that LCHF diets do not impair exercise performance and require a 4-wk adaptation period for metabolic homeostasis.
The mysterious case of missing lymphocytes: a cautionary tale of interinstitutional variability in outcomes of lung dissociation protocols
Authors: Harlow Olivia S. , Ravi Vijay Raaj , Ke Fang , Sanders Nathan L. , Armstrong Elise , Mizgerd Joseph P. , Shenoy Anukul T.
Published: January 2025

Rigor and reproducibility are vital to scientific advancement. It is unclear whether a protocol optimized for tissue dissociation in one institution performs well universally. Here, the authors share their experience with interinstitutional variability that led to the discovery that a protocol optimized for murine lung dissociation in one institution failed to reproduce similar lymphocyte outcomes elsewhere. This report, thus, serves as a cautionary tale against directly adopting tissue dissociation protocols across institutions without reoptimization.
Magnitude of Depression and Associated Factors in Women Living With HIV in Northwest, Ethiopia: Mediation Analysis
Authors: Zeleke Tadele Amare , Ayele Tadesse Awoke , Denu Zewditu Abdissa , Mwanri Lillian , Azale Telake
Published: January 2025

Background: Depression in women living with HIV (WLWHIV), is one of the most common public health concerns worldwide. Depression has a negative impact on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, quality of life, poor HIV treatment outcomes, and mortality. However, there is a paucity of evidence in low‐income countries such as Ethiopia in WLWHIV.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the magnitude of depression and related factors, and how social support mediates HIV‐related stigma and depression in WLWHIV.

Method: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1043 patients in a health institution, employing a systematic random sampling technique to select the study participants. The structured Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), Oslo Social Support Scale, Perceived HIV‐related stigma scale, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and Violence Against Women Scale were used to measure depression, social support, stigma, food insecurity, and intimate partner violence, respectively. Descriptive statistics were computed, and multivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with depression and how they mediate it.

Results: The prevalence of depression among WLWHIV was 41.7% (95% CI: 38.7% and 44.5%). Being single (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.09–2.99), divorced (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11–2.19), widowed (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.31–2.84), experiencing medical illness comorbidity (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.75–4.30), having a high viral load (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.00–3.45), receiving social support (AOR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84–0.96), experiencing perceived HIV‐related stigma (AOR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06), experiencing food insecurity (AOR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03–1.11), and experiencing psychological violence (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.30–3.23) were significantly associated with depression. Social support partially mediated the relationship between perceived HIV‐related stigma and depression.

Conclusion: More than two of five WLWHIV developed depression. Depression is indirectly affected by perceived HIV‐related stigma through social support. Social support enhances mental health well‐being.
Brain Transcriptome Profiles of Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) Juveniles Under Long‐Term Hypo‐ and Hypersaline Stress
Authors: Ru Xiaoying , Huang Yang , Zhou Tong , Yang Tonglin , Chen Peipei , Yang Jiahui , Zhu Chunhua , Shi Hongjuan
Published: January 2025

The fish brain plays a crucial role in regulating growth, reproduction, development, and adaptation to environmental stress. However, there are few studies that have examined the entire fish brain transcriptome and its responses to long‐term hypo‐ and hyper‐salinity stress. Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) has a high commercial value in mariculture worldwide due to its high growth rate and excellent flesh quality. Consequently, high‐throughput RNA‐Seq was employed to elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying salinity adaptation by identifying gene expression changes in the brain of greater amberjack exposed to elevated and/or reduced salinity environments. We subjected individuals to salinity levels of 20, 30, and 40 ppt (parts per thousand) for 30 days. A total of 272 (198 up‐regulated and 74 down‐regulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the B30 vs. B20 group, 21 (10 up‐regulated and 11 down‐regulated) DEGs in the B30 vs. B40 group, and 343 (119 up‐regulated and 224 down‐regulated) DEGs in the B20 vs. B40 group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that salinity stress influenced the expression of genes associated with amino acid metabolism and transport (gpt, arg2, LOC111237759, slc3a2, and slc7a5), carbohydrate metabolism (aldob, ldhba, and gapdh), and signal transduction (map3k8, map3k2, map2k7, and lepr). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolism pathways, especially in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, transcription, translation, et cetera. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that the metabolism, signal transduction, translation, immune system, and transport and catabolism pathways were more active in the brain. These findings provide a foundation for further studies to clarify the molecular mechanisms of salinity adaptation and transcriptional regulation in the brain of marine fish.
Assessment of Different Turbulence Models on Melt Pool Natural Convection Simulations With Internal Heat Source
Authors: Guo Pengya , Yu Peng , Quan Fengyang , Yuan Yidan , Yu Jiyang , Ma Weimin
Published: January 2025

In the context of severe nuclear accidents, the migration of corium into the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) poses significant hazards, prompting the proposal of the in‐vessel melt retention (IVR) strategy, particularly the external reactor vessel cooling (ERVC) approach. Evaluating the accuracy of turbulence models within the melt pool is crucial for assessing the feasibility of IVR. However, previous studies have yet to reach a consensus about the most suitable model due to the lack of data comparison. We aim to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of turbulence models to evaluate their performance across a range of Rayleigh numbers, particularly under conditions relevant to IVR scenarios. Therefore, this study employs six commonly used turbulence models in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, ANSYS Fluent, to simulate three natural convection experiments (Kulacki–Goldstein, BALI, and LIVE‐3D). The results demonstrate that the choice of turbulence model significantly impacts the accuracy of temperature and heat flux predictions within the melt pool. Although the relative temperature deviation is less than 0.1% in all the simulations of the Kulacki–Goldstein experiment, the differences among turbulence models become increasingly pronounced with rising Rayleigh numbers. Among the models tested, wall‐modeled large eddy simulation (WMLES) proved the most reliable for complex geometries and high Rayleigh numbers, while the realizable k‐epsilon and generalized k‐omega (GEKO) models also showed consistent performance. However, the Reynolds stress model (RSM)–baseline (BSL) and detached eddy simulation (DES) models exhibited notable limitations, particularly in scenarios involving solidification and melting. These findings provide valuable guidance for selecting appropriate turbulence models in IVR‐related natural convection simulations and highlight the need for further refinement to improve model accuracy across varying melt pool conditions.
Existence and Nonexistence of Periodic Solutions for a Class of Fourth‐Order Partial Difference Equations
Authors: Li Dan , Long Yuhua
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we investigate multiplicity, existence, and nonexistence of periodic solutions to a fourth‐order partial difference equation via linking theorem and saddle point theorem. Our obtained results significantly generalize and improve some existing ones. We also provide examples and numerical simulations to illustrate applications of our main results.
Generic Revision of the Southeast and East Asian Torrent Carp Subfamily Acrossocheilinae (Pisces: Teleostei) With Description of Three New Genera and a New Species From Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Huy Duc , Jang-Liaw Nian-Hong , Pham Hung Manh , Tran Ngan Trong , Durand Jean-Dominique , Nguyen Tao Dinh , Pfeiffer John , Page Lawrence M.
Published: January 2025

Molecular data from 35 of the 50 Acrossocheilinae species suggest that the species‐level diversity in the subfamily has been overestimated, likely due to inadequate taxon and geographic sampling and reliance on morphological characters that vary intraspecifically. Three new genera, one resurrected genus, two resurrected species, and one new species are diagnosed and described herein. Nine synonyms of three valid species of Acrossocheilinae are recognized from the Yangtze, Xijiang, Song Hong, Annamite, and Mekong ecoregions in East and Southeast Asia. Thirty‐two valid and six putative new species are indicated by molecular data and a key to the genera is provided. As more molecular and morphological data become available, additional taxonomic changes in this widespread and generally poorly known subfamily are likely.
Age Classifications of Young Adults With Chronic Illness: A Scoping Review
Authors: Gustafson Carolina M. , Cimiotti Jeannie P. , Vong Gerard , Hertzberg Vicki , Song Mi-Kyung
Published: January 2025

Background: Young adults living with chronic illness have unique and complex needs related to their life stage. Currently, little clarity exists on what constitutes young adulthood, and the needs of young adults are often treated as equivalent to those of other developmental groups, particularly adolescents.

Purpose: To describe the impact of age classification as reported in research on young adults living with chronic illness.

Methods: A scoping review was performed by the investigative team. EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were used to identify articles that met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Summary statistics were used to describe articles included in the review.

Results: The initial search yielded 5028 articles and 482 articles were included in the final review. The age classification of young adulthood varied widely and no clear patterns of age range were noted. Of studies targeting only young adults, 100 different age classifications were reported and nearly a quarter of studies used a young adulthood age classification that was unique to the study. Over half of the included articles on young adults reported a minimum age of 18 years. More variability existed in the maximum age reported for young adulthood, with ages that ranged from 18 to 80 years. About half of the studies included young adults as part of a broader population.

Conclusion: A better delineation and classification of young adulthood in chronic illness is needed. Much of current research reports on the term young adulthood with little consistency in age classification, which can lead to false equivalency between studies.
Supplemental Figure 1 from Validating Wave 1 (2014) Urinary Cotinine and TNE-2 Cut-points for Differentiating Wave 4 (2017) Cigarette Use from Non-use in the United States Using Data from the PATH Study
Authors: Edwards Kathryn C. , Khan Asia , Sharma Eva , Wang Lanqing , Feng June , Blount Benjamin C. , Sosnoff Connie S. , Smith Danielle M. , Goniewicz Maciej L. , Pearson Jennifer , Villanti Andrea C. , Delnevo Cristine D. , Bover-Manderski Michelle T. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Niaura Raymond , Everard Colm , Kimmel Heather L. , Duffy Kara , Rostron Brian L. , Del Valle-Pinero Arseima Y. , van Bemmel Dana M. , Stanton Cassandra A. , Hyland Andrew
Published: January 2025

Supplemental Figure 1 shows the analytic sample flow chart.
Table S6 from Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity Is an Independent Predictor of Worse Survival for Gastric Cancer in a Multicenter Safety-Net Patient Population
Authors: Klingbeil Kyle D. , Dillon Dustin L. , Zarrinkhoo Erfan , Bechay Kirollos , Park Joon Y. , Rook Jordan M. , Mederos Michael A. , Girgis Mark D. , Chen Keren , Chen Kuan-Ting , Bastani Roshan , Manouchehr-Pour Shawdi , Dubé Priyanka , Viragh Karoly , Thomas Mariam , Chiu Victor , Kadera Brian E.
Published: January 2025

Cox model stratified by ‘Misdiagnosed’
TBK1 Targeting Is Identified as a Therapeutic Strategy to Enhance CAR T-Cell Efficacy Using Patient-Derived Organotypic Tumor Spheroids
Authors: Sun Yi , Maggs Luke , Panda Apekshya , Wright Samuel J. , Cicerchia Angelina M. , Jenney Anne , Perricone Matthew D. , Mills Caitlin E. , Cattaneo Giulia , Ventin Marco , Chen Feng , Rasmussen Martin Q. , Miranda Alex , Revach Or-Yam , Fang Jacy , Fu Amina , Bowling Peter J. , Sharova Tatyana , Lawless Aleigha , Sorger Peter K. , Bardeesy Nabeel , Wang Xinhui , Flaherty Keith T. , Boland Genevieve M. , Mehta Arnav , Sade-Feldman Moshe , Ferrone Cristina R. , Jenkins Russell W.
Published: January 2025

Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells as a treatment of solid tumors. Multiple tumor microenvironmental factors are thought to contribute to resistance to CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors, and appropriate model systems to identify and examine these factors using clinically relevant biospecimens are limited. In this study, we examined the activity of B7-H3–directed CAR T cells (B7-H3.CAR-T) using 3D microfluidic cultures of patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (PDOTS) and then confirmed the activity of B7-H3.CAR T cells in PDOTS. Although B7-H3 expression in PDOTS was associated with B7-H3.CAR-T sensitivity, mechanistic studies revealed dynamic upregulation of co-inhibitory receptors on CAR T-cells following target cell encounter that led to CAR T-cell dysfunction and limited efficacy against B7-H3–expressing tumors. PD-1 blockade restored CAR T-cell activity in monotypic and organotypic tumor spheroids with improved tumor control and upregulation of effector cytokines. Given the emerging role of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) as an immune evasion gene, we examined the effect of TBK1 inhibition on CAR T-cell efficacy. Similar to PD-1 blockade, TBK1 inhibition restored CAR T-cell activity in monotypic and organotypic tumor spheroids, prevented CAR T-cell dysfunction, and enhanced CAR T-cell proliferation. Inhibition or deletion of TBK1 also enhanced the sensitivity of cancer cells to immune-mediated killing. Taken together, our results demonstrate the feasibility and utility of ex vivo profiling of CAR T cells using PDOTS and suggest that targeting TBK1 could be used to enhance CAR T-cell efficacy by overcoming tumor-intrinsic and -extrinsic resistance mechanisms.
Evaluating Ovarian Cancer Risk–Reducing Salpingectomy Acceptance: A Survey
Authors: Lukey Alexandra , Sowamber Ramlogan , Huntsman David , Pearce Celeste Leigh , Howard A. Fuchsia , Meza Rafael , Law Michael R. , Phung Minh Tung , Hanley Gillian E.
Published: January 2025

With evidence that salpingectomy is effective in preventing high-grade serous carcinoma, it is time to consider offering this procedure to people at higher-than-average lifetime risk for ovarian cancer, despite not having a pathogenic genetic variant that increases the risk for ovarian cancer. This targeted approach has potential to be effective at reducing ovarian cancer incidence, and unlike opportunistic salpingectomy, it is focused on people with an increased lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. However, the acceptability of this approach within the population of potential patients remains unknown. We conducted an online survey of adults in British Columbia, Canada, who were defined as “at risk” for ovarian cancer (i.e., people born with ovaries). Participants completed a questionnaire on demographics, ovarian cancer risk and protective factors, concerns about risk-reducing salpingectomy (RSS), and the risk they considered high enough to warrant RRS. We included 211 participants. Among these participants, 42% (n = 88) indicated that they would consider RRS at any lifetime risk or any risk above the population average. Another 20 participants chose risks between 1.5% and 4% for a cumulative 51% of the sample choosing risks below thresholds for oophorectomy. In contrast, 6% (n = 12) indicated that they would not consider the procedure at any risk level. None of the factors collected were associated with the likelihood that a person would find RRS acceptable. Overall, our participants showed broad interest in RRS as an ovarian cancer prevention strategy. These results suggest that there would likely be uptake if RRS was offered.

Significance:

This study found that many participants were willing to consider RRS to prevent ovarian cancer. Further research on RRS should be undertaken to understand how this can be best used for ovarian cancer prevention.
In vivo Predictors of Focal Type In-stent Restenosis: A Clinical, Angiographical and Optical Coherence Tomography Study
Authors: Shen Youcheng , Liu Changpei , Liu Zhijiang , Zhang Wei , Rong Jidong , Gu Ning , Shen Changyin , Chen Panke , Deng Chancui , Wang Xi , Yang Shuangya , Xia Qianhang , Xu Guanxue , Shi Bei
Published: January 2025

Introduction：Few studies have evaluated different patterns of in-stent restenosis by optical coherence tomography (OCT). This study aims to identify in vivo predictors for focal restenosis in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR).
Methods: The study recruited patients with ISR who underwent OCT examination in the Cardiology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from October 2018 to December 2022. Based on the angiographic classification of ISR lesions, the patients were divided into two groups: the focal group (n=58) and the non-focal group (n=158).
Results： The white blood cell count was higher in the non-focal group than those in focal type (7.8±3.0 vs. 6.6±2.1, P = 0.007). The prevalence of lipid rich plaque was higher in patients with focal ISR (65.5% vs. 42.4%, P = 0.003). The occurrence of red thrombus (27.8% vs. 12.1%, P = 0.016) and white thrombus (41.1% vs. 24.1%, P = 0.021) was higher in the non-focal group. Multivariate analysis showed that low density lipoprotein cholesterol C (odds ratio [OR]:3.341, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.714-9.784, P = 0.046) was independently associated with focal restenosis. While white blood cell count (OR: 0.814, 95% CI: 0.657-0.913, P = 0.047) and stent malapposition (OR: 0.228, 95% CI: 0.057-0.896, P = 0.037) were independently associated with non-focal restenosis.
Conclusion：There were significant differences in clinical baselines and OCT identified morphological characteristics in patients between focal and non-focal group. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol C was independent associated with focal restenosis. White blood cell count and stent malapposition were correlated with non-focal restenosis.
Development and External Validation of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cutaneous Abscess Prediction Score-2 (HSCAPS-2): A Clinical Decision Support Tool for Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa over Cutaneous Abscess
Authors: Garg Amit , Koptyev Jonathan , Butt Melissa , Kirby Joslyn , Strunk Andrew
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) experience a 10-year diagnosis delay, on average. Accordingly, time to diagnosis represents one of the greatest unmet needs in HS, which to date has not been adequately addressed. A general lack of awareness about HS in the medical community and a notable heterogeneity in clinical presentation, which is most often confused with cutaneous abscess (CA), forms the basis of poor disease recognition and diagnosis delay. Our objective was to develop and validate a prediction model for diagnosis of HS versus site-specific cutaneous abscess (CA).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in which the model was developed using a large clinical database and externally validated using a sample of clinical records at Penn State Health. Prediction model discrimination and calibration were evaluated using the c-statistic, calibration intercept/slope, and a flexible calibration curve.

Results: Variable selection identified 15 predictors, 7 of which remained after model simplification. The following characteristics were predictive of HS relative to site-specific CA: female sex, increasing age up to 44 years, African American race, race other than White or African American, increasing body mass index, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and acne. The c-statistics of the 7-variable model in validation was 0.77 (95% CI 0.73-0.80). Calibration intercept and slope were 0.29 (95% CI 0.14, 0.43) and 1.09 (95% CI 0.90, 1.28).

Conclusion: Clinical characteristics can predict diagnosis of HS over CA in practice without reliance on a specialty-specific examination to identify disease and potentially reduce diagnosis delay.
Effect of pelvic floor muscle training combined with electrical stimulation therapy on stress urinary incontinence: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Shenghua , Zhang Shengjing , Zhao Liangwei , Xiong Xiangli
Published: January 2025

Introduction SUI is a common pelvic floor dysfunction in middle-aged and elderly women, which has a serious negative impact on the patient's quality of Life (QoL), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and electrical stimulation (ES), as common non-surgical treatment modalities, have been widely used in the management of SUI. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of the combined application of these two interventions. For this reason, this study evaluated the efficacy of PFMT combined with ES in the treatment of SUI by Meta-analysis. To systematically evaluate the efficacy of PFMT combined with ES in improving urinary incontinence symptoms, increasing pelvic floor muscle strength, enhancing QoL, and improving clinical symptoms, with the aim of providing more adequate evidence to support clinical treatment.
Methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from database construction to October 2024 to include RCTs and case-control studies evaluating PFMT combined with ES for the treatment of SUI. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool and NOS were used to assess the quality of the included literature, and effect sizes were calculated by random-effects model and fixed-effects model, and the main outcome indicators included incontinence symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength, QoL and clinical symptoms.
Results Eight studies were ultimately included, with a total sample size of 885 cases. Meta-analysis showed that PFMT combined with ES was significantly better than the control group on all outcome measures. The combined effect size for improvement in urinary incontinence symptoms was OR = 1.42 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.85, P < 0.05), that for pelvic floor muscle strength was OR = 1.55 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.05, P < 0.01), that for QoL improvement was OR = 4.29 (95% CI: 3.68, 4.99, P < 0.0001), and the combined effect size for clinical symptom improvement was OR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.70, P < 0.05). Heterogeneity between studies was low (I² values were less than 40%), indicating a high degree of consistency in the effect of the combination treatment.
Conclusion PFMT combined with ES showed significant benefits in improving incontinence symptoms, enhancing pelvic floor muscle strength, boosting QoL and improving clinical symptoms. Future studies should further standardize the intervention parameters and extend the follow-up period to fully assess the long-term effects of the combined treatment.
In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of a skin ointment and its active pharmaceutical ingredients larch turpentine, turpentine oil, and eucalyptus oil
Authors: Zimmermann Elisa , Günnewich Nils , Zimmermann Christian , Petrini Orlando , Diaz-Miyar Juan , Fragoso-Corti Cristina
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Turpentine derivatives and Eucalyptus oil are herbal substances traditionally used to treat various skin infections. Limited non-clinical data suggest they exert an immunological activity, but only scant information exists on their antibiotic effects. This in vitro study has been carried out to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of a marketed skin ointment, its active pharmaceutical ingredients larch turpentine, eucalyptus oil, and turpentine oil, and their mixture, against bacteria and yeasts commonly present on the skin and causing skin infections. Methods: The antibiotic activity was tested using the drop dilution assay on the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (wild type), a methicillin resistant S. aureus strain, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the yeasts Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. Results: The ointment exerts a strong inhibitory effect on all Gram-positive bacteria at a concentration of 5 g/100 mL in the Müller-Hinton medium. It also has inhibiting effect on both Candida species but does not inhibit P. aeruginosa growth. As for the single active pharmaceutical ingredients, larch turpentine was the most active substance. The mixture of the three ingredients, in the concentrations used in the ointment, had a higher antibiotic effect than any of the individual ingredients studied, suggesting at least an additive activity. Conclusions: Our study has shown that the herbal ingredients and their combination exert antimicrobial activities, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, that justify their use in the treatment of skin infections.
Homeopathic and conventional treatments for acute upper respiratory tract infections (aURTI): Real-World cohort study on recurrence and antibiotic prescriptions.
Authors: Banik Norbert , De Jaegere Sabine , Niederle Sabine , Reineke Thorsten
Published: January 2025

Introduction: The study evaluated the recurrence of acute upper respiratory tract infections (aURTI) and the number of antibiotic prescriptions within 12-month follow-up in patients prescribed with either homeopathic medicines or medicines from one of four conventional medication classes for aURTI therapy.
Methods: This explorative cohort study used real-world electronic healthcare data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). Included were patients of all ages from Germany with an index diagnosis of aURTI between 2010 and 2018, who had prescriptions for either homeopathic, conventional cough & cold, nasal, or throat medicines, or nonopioid analgesics on the day of diagnosis or within six days afterwards. aURTI recurrence was assessed by multivariable logistic regression, the number of antibiotic prescriptions by multivariable negative binomial regression.
Results: From 3,628,295 patients with aURTI diagnosis initially identified in the database in the relevant time interval, a total of 610,118 patients, fulfilling the in- and not violating the exclusion criteria, were retained for analysis. In the multivariate analyses on all patients, prescriptions of nasal medicines were associated with a significant, slightly higher (OR: 1.18, CI: 1.10-1.26, p<0.001) risk of aURTI recurrence compared to homeopathic medicines within 12 months. Prescriptions of cough & cold (OR: 0.92, CI: 0.86-0.97, statistically significant, p=0.005) as well as throat medicines (OR: 0.93, CI: 0.86-1.01, p=0.086), and nonopioid analgesics (OR: 0.95, CI: 0.89-1.02, p=0.181) were associated with slightly lower risk of aURTI recurrence compared to homeopathic medicines. In the analysis of the age-dependent subgroups, there were some deviations from the overall population in terms of statistical significance; however, the directions of the effect estimates were unchanged. Almost all results of negative binomial regression analyses assessing differences in the frequency of antibiotic prescriptions during follow-up, both in all patients and in the age-dependent subgroups were statistically significant in favor of homeopathic medicines.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that follow-up recurrence and antibiotic prescriptions in patients with uncomplicated aURTI are at least comparable between patients treated with homeopathic and conventional medicines in real-world practice. Despite some methodological limitations inherent to the used database, the results of this study indicate that homeopathic medicines present a valuable therapeutic option for managing aURTI.
Safety and Effectiveness of Eculizumab throughout Three Pregnancies in a Patient with Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report
Authors: Khalil Nadia , Guerra Hernandez Claudia , Farias Jerrica , Murray Kathleen , Suresh Niraja , Gooch Clifton , Vu Tuan H.
Published: January 2025

We describe maternal and fetal outcomes in a patient who had three successful pregnancies while being treated with eculizumab for AChR+ gMG. This is a follow-up to our previously published report describing outcomes with this C5 complement inhibitor during the patient’s first pregnancy. Eculizumab conferred adequate gMG disease control during these pregnancies, although there were instances of increased gMG symptoms during the first trimester and postpartum period without requirement for rescue therapy. The patient experienced disseminated gonococcal infection once during her second pregnancy, a serious adverse event that was likely related to complement inhibition by eculizumab. The patient additionally experienced two nonserious and treatment responsive yeast infections. There were no negative outcomes reported with any of the pregnancies in fetal, neonatal, or infantile periods. In the context of the existing literature, this report provides additional insight on potential outcomes with use of eculizumab in patients with gMG. While the report suggests favorable effectiveness and fetal outcomes, it also highlights potential for adverse events, namely, maternal infections. Additional reports on clinical outcomes in pregnancy in patients with gMG are needed to guide risk-benefit stratification for eculizumab.
Supplements in Oncology: Uses, Hurdles, Guidance, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Scafuri Luca , Buonerba Carlo , Amato Anna Rita , Verde Antonio , Montanaro Vittorino , Marotta Vincenzo , Riccio Vittorio , Fortino Federica , Di Lorenzo Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

This editorial explores the intricate landscape of supplement use in oncology, highlighting the growing interest and challenges surrounding their integration into cancer care. It discusses the disparity in regulatory oversight between supplements and pharmaceutical drugs, the blurred lines in their classification, and the ethical complexities in patient-doctor communication. The importance of transparency, shared decision-making, and realistic expectations is emphasized. While acknowledging the value of traditional research models, the editorial advocates for innovative approaches like retrospective studies, biomarker analysis, and personalized medicine to advance our understanding of supplement efficacy and safety. By integrating these diverse perspectives, we can unlock the full potential of supplements in oncology, ensuring that they are used effectively and responsibly to enhance patient outcomes.
Recurrence of glomerular diseases after kidney transplantation: What do we know new?
Authors: Rodrigo Emilio , Belmar Lara , Pérez-Canga José Luis
Published: January 2025

Background:
The recurrence of primary glomerulonephritis (GN) following kidney transplantation poses a significant threat to graft survival. To enhance kidney transplant outcomes, we must lessen the burden of recurrence. In recent years, there has been progress in understanding the incidence, risk factors for recurrence, pathophysiology, biomarkers, and therapeutics, making it worthwhile to conduct an update on primary glomerulonephritis that may recur following kidney transplantation.
Summary:
We conducted a narrative review of the literature on the novel discoveries of primary GN that can recur following kidney transplantation. To summarize, developing a broad consensus on recurrence diagnosis would greatly advance our understanding, and its development would be a valuable collaborative effort. The key risk factors for recurrence have been better understood, particularly in individuals with complement-related or monoclonal gammopathy-related recurrent membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Furthermore, we can identify better recurrent IgA nephropathy patients who are more likely to experience graft loss. New biomarkers for membranous nephropathy (anti-PLA2R-Ab) and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (anti-nephrin-Ab) can assist in identifying and monitoring patients at risk of recurrence. Regarding therapy, the focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis consensus will enhance recurrence treatment. Some complement inhibitors and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies are already promising in treating and healing recurrent C3 glomerulopathy and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, respectively. Finally, new drugs developed specifically to treat IgA nephropathy in the native kidney will also change the outcome of IgA nephropathy recurrence.
Key Messages:
Although there has been progress in understanding the recurrence of primary glomerulonephritis following kidney transplantation, a worldwide effort should be undertaken to gather research that will allow for improved diagnosis, monitoring, and management of these patients.
Nephroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Murine Models of Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Husain Sufia , Kamal Bayoumy Nervana Mustafa , Noor Fatima , Hagar Hanan
Published: January 2025

Introduction: This study aims to explore the reno-protective effect of Curcumin in focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in Murine models, a common chronic glomerulopathy that leads to end stage renal disease.
Methods: Adult Wistar rats were used in this experiment. One group was treated with intravenous Adriamycin (ADR) injection to induce FSGS similar to that seen in humans and a second group was co-administered ADR and Curcumin (ADR-CUR). Saline treated rats served as controls. Renal injury was assessed by measuring the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), triglyceride and urinary protein. The homogenates of renal cortex were used to estimate the renal content of the inflammatory marker, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a); oxidative stress marker, Malonaldehyde (MDA); and two anti-oxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, the rat kidneys were harvested by ends of week-8 and week-12 and examined for histological abnormalities.
Results: The ADR-treated rats showed biochemical and histological evidence of FSGS, in the form of proteinuria, elevated serum creatinine, BUN and triglycerides, elevated renal TNF-a and MDA, and segmental glomerulosclerosis. The ADR-CUR treated rats showed significant correction of all these variables. Co-administration with Curcumin resulted in improvement of the proteinuria, serum creatinine, BUN and triglyceride. The renal tissue levels of anti-oxidants SOD and GSH increased and that of TNF-a and MDA decreased and the histology revealed reduction in the extent of segmental glomerulosclerosis. The FSGS associated renal damage was notably antagonized by curcumin treatment.
Conclusion: Our findings confirm the reno-protective effects of Curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent in protection against the progression of FSGS and indicate that it is mitigated by inhibition of oxidant injury and inflammation and also by promotion of antioxidants. Curcumin ameliorated the ADR-induced FSGS in murine models. It may be a promising compound in the treatment of FSGS in human subjects. More human studies are needed to further elucidate its effects in FSGS.
Genetic and Iatrogenic Defects in Peripheral Tolerance Associated with Anti-Nephrin Antibody-Associated Minimal Change Disease
Authors: Jefferson J. Ashley , Chen Karin , Hingorani Sangeeta , Malik A. Bilal , Tykodi Scott S. , Keller Keith H. , Huang Yuan , Smith Kelly D. , Reed Robyn C. , Weins Astrid , Akilesh Shreeram
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children and adults. Immune dysregulation is a contributor, but the relative roles of individual components of the immune system in MCD pathogenesis remain unclear. Case Presentation: Here, we present 2 patients with defects in immune tolerance mechanisms that developed MCD associated with anti-nephrin antibodies. The first patient had a pathogenic deletion in FOXP3, leading to reduced regulatory T cells. Serum could not be obtained from this patient during the active phase of MCD to directly establish the presence of anti-nephrin antibodies. However, this patient demonstrated IgG dusting over podocyte cell bodies by immunofluorescence microscopy, as well as colocalization of IgG with nephrin in confocal microscopy. The second patient developed MCD in the context of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment for metastatic carcinoma. Anti-nephrin antibodies were detected in this patient during active disease. The patient’s kidney biopsy also showed evidence of binding of anti-nephrin antibodies within the glomeruli. Conclusion: These cases demonstrate that genetic and iatrogenic mechanisms of breakdown in peripheral tolerance can lead to MCD.