bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AACC/NKF Guidance Document on Improving Equity in Chronic Kidney Disease Care
Authors: Pierre Christina C , Marzinke Mark A , Ahmed Sofia B , Collister David , Colón-Franco Jessica M , Hoenig Melanie P , Lorey Thomas , Palevsky Paul M , Palmer Octavia Peck , Rosas Sylvia E , Vassalotti Joseph , Whitley Cameron T , Greene Dina N
Published: June 2023

Background

Kidney disease (KD) is an important health equity issue with Black, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals experiencing a disproportionate disease burden. Prior to 2021, the commonly used estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations incorporated coefficients for Black race that conferred higher GFR estimates for Black individuals compared to non-Black individuals of the same sex, age, and blood creatinine concentration. With a recognition that race does not delineate distinct biological categories, a joint task force of the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology recommended the adoption of the CKD-EPI 2021 race-agnostic equations.

Content

This document provides guidance on implementation of the CKD-EPI 2021 equations. It describes recommendations for KD biomarker testing, and opportunities for collaboration between clinical laboratories and providers to improve KD detection in high-risk populations. Further, the document provides guidance on the use of cystatin C, and eGFR reporting and interpretation in gender-diverse populations.

Implementation of the CKD-EPI 2021 eGFR equations represents progress toward health equity in the management of KD. Ongoing efforts by multidisciplinary teams, including clinical laboratorians, should focus on improved disease detection in clinically and socially high-risk populations. Routine use of cystatin C is recommended to improve the accuracy of eGFR, particularly in patients whose blood creatinine concentrations are confounded by processes other than glomerular filtration. When managing gender-diverse individuals, eGFR should be calculated and reported with both male and female coefficients. Gender-diverse individuals can benefit from a more holistic management approach, particularly at important clinical decision points.
Epibulbar osseous choristoma: a case report
Authors: Alhasseny Khitam Fakhir , Abdulsahib Ali Mohammed
Published: June 2023

Peribulbar osseous choristoma is a benign, solid nodule; it is a subtype of epibulbar choristomas (belongs to single tissue choristomas), consisting of pure bony tissues. Epibulbar osseous choristoma is the rarest subtype of epibulbar choristomas, with only 65 cases reported since the mid-19th century; so, the rarity of the disease drove me to report it. A 7-year-old female presented with a painless left ocular superotemporal mass, which was present since birth and located under the conjunctiva. The primary diagnoses included lipodermoid and subconjunctival foreign bodies. Ocular interventions included a B-scan, examination under anesthesia and surgical excision of the mass in toto, and the histopathological examination showed that it was an osseous choristoma.
SUPREME: multiomics data integration using graph convolutional networks
Authors: Kesimoglu Ziynet Nesibe , Bozdag Serdar
Published: June 2023

To pave the road towards precision medicine in cancer, patients with similar biology ought to be grouped into same cancer subtypes. Utilizing high-dimensional multiomics datasets, integrative approaches have been developed to uncover cancer subtypes. Recently, Graph Neural Networks have been discovered to learn node embeddings utilizing node features and associations on graph-structured data. Some integrative prediction tools have been developed leveraging these advances on multiple networks with some limitations. Addressing these limitations, we developed SUPREME, a node classification framework, which integrates multiple data modalities on graph-structured data. On breast cancer subtyping, unlike existing tools, SUPREME generates patient embeddings from multiple similarity networks utilizing multiomics features and integrates them with raw features to capture complementary signals. On breast cancer subtype prediction tasks from three datasets, SUPREME outperformed other tools. SUPREME-inferred subtypes had significant survival differences, mostly having more significance than ground truth, and outperformed nine other approaches. These results suggest that with proper multiomics data utilization, SUPREME could demystify undiscovered characteristics in cancer subtypes that cause significant survival differences and could improve ground truth label, which depends mainly on one datatype. In addition, to show model-agnostic property of SUPREME, we applied it to two additional datasets and had a clear outperformance.
Placing of the recently observed bottom strange states BsJ(6063) and BsJ(6114) in bottom spectra
Authors: Garg Ritu , Gupta Pallavi , Upadhyay Alka
Published: June 2023

We employ the heavy quark effective theory (HQET) to give spin-parity quantum numbers for the bottom strange states BsJ(6063) and BsJ(6114) recently observed by the LHCb Collaboration [9]. By exploring flavor-independent parameters $\Delta _{F}^{(c)} =\Delta _{F}^{(b)}$ and $\lambda _{F}^{(c)} = \lambda _{F}^{(b)}$ appearing in the HQET Lagrangian, we calculate the masses of the experimentally missing bottom strange meson states 2S, 1P, 1D. The parameter ΔF appears in the HQET Lagrangian and gives the spin-averaged mass splitting between excited-state doublets (F) and ground-state doublets (H). Another parameter λF comes from first-order corrections in the HQET Lagrangian and gives hyperfine splittings. We also analyze these bottom strange masses by taking 1/mQ corrections, which lead to modifications of parameter terms of $\Delta _{F}^{(b)} =\Delta _{F}^{(c)} + \delta \Delta _F$ and $\lambda _{F}^{(b)} = \lambda _{F}^{(c)}\delta \lambda _F$. Further, we analyze their two-body decays, couplings, and branching ratios via the emission of light pseudoscalar mesons. Based on the predicted masses and decay widths, we tentatively identify the states BsJ(6063) as 23S1 and BsJ(6114) as 13D1. Our predictions provide crucial information for future experimental studies.
Examining the impact of a multimedia intervention on decisional conflict and psychological distress among early-stage breast cancer patients: results from a nationwide RCT
Authors: Marziliano Allison , Miller Suzanne M , Fleisher Linda G , Ropka Mary E , Stanton Annette L , Wen Kuang-Yi , Cornelius Talea , Lapitan Emmanuel , Diefenbach Michael A
Published: June 2023

We conducted a nationwide, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of Healing Choices, a novel interactive education and treatment decision program rooted in the self-regulation theory framework, on decisional conflict and psychological distress at 2-month post-intervention in women with early-stage breast cancer. Patients were randomized to receive the National Cancer Institute’s standard print material (control) or standard print material plus Healing Choices (the intervention). The final sample at 2-month post-intervention consisted of N = 388 participants (intervention: n = 197; control: n = 191). There were no significant differences in decisional conflict or its subscales; however, psychological distress was higher in the intervention group (16.09 ± 10.25) than in the control group (14.37 ± 8.73) at follow-up, B = 1.88, 95% CI [−0.03, 3.80], t(383) = 1.94, p = .05. Upon further examination, we found that engagement with the intervention was low—41%—prompting as-treated analyses, which showed no difference in distress between users and nonusers and a positive impact of Healing Choices on decisional conflict: decisional support subscale: users (35.36 ± 15.50) versus nonusers (39.67 ± 15.99), B = −4.31 (s.e. = 2.09), p = .04. Multiple recommendations for moving ahead stem from this work: (i) intent-to-treat analyses appeared to cause distress, cautioning against interventions that may lead to information overload; (ii) engagement with the intervention is low and future work needs to focus on increasing engagement and monitoring it throughout the study; and (iii) in studies with low engagement, as-treated analyses are critical.
Resuscitating the Endothelial Glycocalyx in Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Anand Tanya , Reyes Angelica Alvarez , Sjoquist Michael C. , Magnotti Louis , Joseph Bellal
Published: June 2023

The endothelium is lined by a protective mesh of proteins and carbohydrates called the endothelial glycocalyx (EG). This layer creates a negatively charged gel-like barrier between the vascular environment and the surface of the endothelial cell. When intact the EG serves multiple functions, including mechanotransduction, cell signaling, regulation of permeability and fluid exchange across the microvasculature, and management of cell-cell interactions. In trauma and/or hemorrhagic shock, the glycocalyx is broken down, resulting in the shedding of its individual components. The shedding of the EG is associated with increased systemic inflammation, microvascular permeability, and flow-induced vasodilation, leading to further physiologic derangements. Animal and human studies have shown that the greater the severity of the injury, the greater the degree of shedding, which is associated with poor patient outcomes. Additional studies have shown that prioritizing certain resuscitation fluids, such as plasma, cryoprecipitate, and whole blood over crystalloid shows improved outcomes in hemorrhaging patients, potentially through a decrease in EG shedding impacting downstream signaling. The purpose of the following paragraphs is to briefly describe the EG, review the impact of EG shedding and hemorrhagic shock, and begin entertaining the notion of directed resuscitation. Directed resuscitation emphasizes transitioning from macroscopic 1:1 resuscitation to efforts that focus on minimizing EG shedding and maximizing its reconstitution.
Arterial Resection for Pancreatic Cancer: Feasibility and Current Standing in a High-Volume Center
Authors: Ren Lei , Jäger Carsten , Schorn Stephan , Pergolini Ilaria , Göß Rüdiger , Safak Okan , Kießler Maximilian , Martignoni Marc E. , Novotny Alexander R. , Friess Helmut , Ceyhan Güralp O. , Demir Ihsan Ekin
Published: June 2023

Background:

Arterial resection (AR) during pancreatectomy for curative R0 resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a controversial procedure with high morbidity.

Objective:

To investigate the feasibility and oncological outcomes of pancreatectomy combined with AR at a high-volume center for pancreatic surgery.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed our experience in PDAC patients, who underwent pancreatic resection with AR and/or venous resection (VR) between 2007 and 2021.

Results:

In total 259 PDAC patients with borderline resectable (n = 138) or locally advanced (n = 121) PDAC underwent vascular resection during tumor resection. From these, 23 patients had AR (n = 4 due to intraoperative injury, n = 19 due to suspected arterial infiltration). However, 12 out of 23 patients (52.2%) underwent simultaneous VR including 1 case with intraoperative arterial injury. In comparison, 11 patients (47.8%) underwent AR only including 3 intraoperative arterial injury patients. Although the operation time and bleeding rate of patients with AR were respectively longer and higher than in VR, no significant difference was detected in postoperative complications between VR and AR (P = 0.11). The final histopathological findings of PDAC patients were similar, including M stage, regional lymph node metastases, and R0 margin resection. The mortality of the entire cohort was 6.2% (16/259), with a tendency to increase mortality in the AR cohort, yet without statistical significance (VR: 5% vs AR: 21.1%; P = 0.05). Although 19 (82.6%) patients had PDAC in the final histopathology, only 6 were confirmed to have infiltrated arteria. The microscopic distribution of PDAC in these infiltrated arterial walls on hematoxylin-eosin staining was classified into 3 patterns. Strikingly, the perivascular nerves frequently exhibited perineural invasion.

Conclusions:

AR can be performed in high-volume centers for pancreatic surgery with an acceptable morbidity, which is comparable to that of VR. However, the likelihood of arterial infiltration seems to be rather overestimated, and as such, AR might be avoidable or replaced by less invasive techniques such as divestment during PDAC surgery.
Hyperpigmented Mycosis Fungoides Masquerading as Longstanding Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: A Diagnostic Pitfall
Authors: Böer-Auer Almut , Jones Christian , Jepson Jordan , Asgari Masoud
Published: June 2023

Background:

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, accounting for 50%–60% of all cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cases. It has a prevalence of approximately 5–6 cases per 1 million people annually and a higher incidence in dark-skinned populations.

Case presentation:

We report a case of hyperpigmented MF in a 72-year-old dark-skinned man with a 5-year history of progressive, widespread poikilodermatous patches and thin plaques on the back and bilateral legs. The patient had been treated for lichen planus pigmentosus for 5 years without significant response to therapy.

Assessment:

Multiple biopsies revealed a band-like lymphoid infiltrate in the dermis, accompanied by intraepidermal lymphocytes, some of which had larger hyperchromatic nuclei. CD4+T lymphocytes were predominant over CD8+T-positive cells located along the epidermis, dermoepidermal junction, and in the dermis.

Diagnosis:

A diagnosis of hyperpigmented MF was made based on the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings.

Conclusion:

This case report highlights the importance of considering hyperpigmented MF as a differential diagnosis in patients with longstanding lichen planus pigmentosus, particularly when there is a lack of response to therapy.
A Case of Circumscribed Palmar or Plantar Hypokeratosis and a Mini-review of the Literature
Authors: Atak Tugba , Gonul Muzeyyen , Magsudova Leyla , Gökce Aysun , Kartal Selda Pelin
Published: June 2023

Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis (CPPH) is a new dermatologic disorder that firstly defined Pérez A et al in 2002. Since that time, further cases of CPPH have been reported by different authors in different countries. We report a 69-year-old Turkish woman who presented with asymptomatic, erythematous patches on the thenar region of the left hand and on the second left finger. Skin biopsy showed histological features of CPPH. In this article, it was emphasized that CPPH may be seen more frequently than expected and the clinical and pathological features of this disease with suspected malignant transformation should be known.
Creating a Surgical Biobank: The Hershey Medical Center Experience
Authors: Mankarious Marc M. , Connelly Tara M. , Harris Leonard , Deiling Sue , Yochum Gregory S. , Koltun Walter A.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND:

Tissue harvesting at the time of surgery offers surgeons and scientists a unique opportunity to discover and better understand disease pathophysiology. Tissue biobanking presents challenges in patient consents, specimen collection, preparation, and storage, but the potential for scientific discovery justifies the effort. Although the number of tissue biobanks is increasing worldwide, information regarding necessary infrastructure, process flow, and management of expected obstacles is lacking.

OBJECTIVE:

To provide a framework and motivation for clinician scientists intending to start an intestinal tissue biobank under their direction.

DATA SOURCES:

The Carlino Family Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases Biobank is housed at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

STUDY SELECTION:

Review.

INTERVENTION:

Implementation of a surgical tissue biobank at a large tertiary care institution.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Assess critical challenges and obstacles over the years as well as keys to the success of the program.

RESULTS:

Over 2 decades, the institutional biobank grew from an IBD biobank to one which now incorporates thousands of surgical specimens representing numerous colorectal diseases. This was done through a process of refinement focusing on patient recruitment and an efficient consenting and specimen management process. The biobank’s success is further insured by institutional, external, and philanthropic support; scientific collaborations; and sharing of biological specimens with other groups of dedicated researchers.

LIMITATIONS:

This is a single-center experience in collecting surgically resected colorectal specimens.

CONCLUSIONS:

Surgical specimen biobanks are essential in studying disease cause using genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomic technologies. Therefore, surgeons, clinicians, and scientists should build biobanks at their institutions to promote further scientific discovery and improve specimen diversity.
Intrastromal corneal ring segments: effect of depth of implantation in visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes in patients with keratoconus
Authors: Neves Cruz Carlos , Franqueira Nuno , Mendes José Carlos , Oliveira Mariana , Monteiro Tiago
Published: June 2023

Purpose:

To evaluate visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes of intracorneal ring segment implantation in relation to the achieved segment depth, using the manual technique.

Setting:

Ophthalmology Department, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We obtained 104 eyes of 93 patients with keratoconus submitted to Ferrara intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation, using a manual technique. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the achieved depth of implantation: 40% to 70% (Group 1), 70% to 80% (Group 2), and 80% to 100% (Group 3). Visual, refractive, and topographic variables were evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Topographic measurement was performed using Pentacam. Thibos-Horner and Alpins methods were used to analyze the vectorial change of refractive and topographic astigmatism, respectively.

Results:

We found a significant improvement of uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity in all groups at 6 months (P < .005); no differences were observed regarding safety and efficacy indexes in the 3 groups (P > .05). Manifest cylinder and spherical equivalent significantly reduced in all groups (P < .05). Topographic evaluation showed a significant improvement of all parameters in the 3 groups (P < .05). A shallower (Group 1) or deeper (Group 3) implantation was associated with topographic cylinder overcorrection, a higher magnitude of error, and a higher mean centroid postoperative corneal astigmatism.

Conclusions:

ICRS implantation with the manual technique showed to be equally effective in visual and refractive outcomes despite the depth of implantation; however, shallower or deeper implants were associated with topographic overcorrection and a higher mean centroid postoperative astigmatism, which explain the lower topographic predictability associated with manual surgery for ICRS implantation.
Digital Anal Rectal Examination Usage Among Individuals at Increased Risk for Anal Cancer
Authors: Nyitray Alan G. , Ridolfi Timothy J. , Nitkowski Jenna , McAuliffe Timothy L. , Deshmukh Ashish A. , Giuliano Anna R. , Chiao Elizabeth Y. ,   The Prevent Anal Cancer Self-Swab Study Team
Published: June 2023

Objective

Multiple organizations recommend an annual digital anal rectal examination (DARE) for people at highest risk for anal cancer. The authors assessed DARE usage among sexual minority men and transgender women.

Methods

Community-recruited and asymptomatic individuals from a mid-sized US city were enrolled into the Prevent Anal Cancer Self-Swab Study, a longitudinal clinical trial of anal cancer screening. Self-reported data from the baseline survey were used to assess usage of DARE in the last year and during the lifetime. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and CIs for factors associated with each outcome were determined using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 241 participants, median age was 46 years (interquartile range, 33–57 years), 27.0% were living with HIV, and 24.5% reported a previous diagnosis of anal warts. A total of 13.7% (95% CI = 9.4%–18.0%) of individuals reported a DARE in the previous year, whereas 53.9% (95% CI = 47.7%–60.2%) reported a DARE during the lifetime. The following were associated with a DARE in the previous year: increasing age (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01–1.08 for each additional year), any previous anal cytology (aOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.19–5.80, compared with no previous test or no knowledge of a test), and preferred receptive position during anal sex (aOR = 4.93; 95% CI = 1.17–20.86 compared with insertive)

Conclusions

Despite guidelines recommending an annual DARE, it was uncommonly reported. There is an urgent need to understand barriers to conducting DARE among individuals most vulnerable to anal cancer and their health care providers.
Does the New National Cervical Screening Programme Guideline Detect Cases of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions That Previously Would Have Been Missed?
Authors: Pontré Jennifer C. , Nathan Elizabeth , Goldsmith Hilary , McElhinney Bernadette
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the number of patients undergoing large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), for biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), where the original cervical screening test (CST) reported oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) and negative liquid-based cytology (LBC). This reflects the number of patients where a LLETZ procedure would not have occurred under the previous guideline.

Methods

Retrospective observational chart review of all patients (n = 477) who underwent LLETZ procedure in a single tertiary unit over a 36-month period. Prevalence of negative histopathology, positive margins, incidental cervical cancer, and accuracy of HSIL identification at colposcopy were measured. Diagnostic accuracy of HSIL diagnosis from initial colposcopic impression was calculated; factors influencing accuracy were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. There were no comparators.

Results

Of 477 LLETZs, 5.9% (n = 28) were for oncogenic HPV and normal LBC on referral CST. Demographics between the “study” (oncogenic HPV and normal LBC on referral CST) and the “standard” group were similar, except the study group was less likely to be using contraception (25% vs 47%, p = .023). In the study group, initial colposcopic cervical biopsy confirmed HSIL in 91.6% (n = 27) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 3.6% (n = 1). Histopathological analysis of LLETZ specimens confirmed HSIL in 20 patients (71.4%) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 2 (7.1%). No microinvasion was detected.

Conclusions

The renewed National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP), is detecting more “at risk” patients, predicted to lead to a further reduction in incidence of cervical cancer in adequately screened patients.
Sex and racial disparities in living donor liver transplantation in the United States
Authors: Duffey Katherine , Halegoua-DeMarzio Dina , Shah Ashesh P. , Tholey Danielle M.
Published: June 2023

Sex and racial disparities in deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) have been described, but this has not been well studied in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We aim to examine these disparities in the US LDLT population and identify potential predictors of these differences. From 2002 to 2021, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database was queried to characterize the adult LDLT population and evaluate differences between LDLT and DDLT recipients with regard to sex and race. Donor demographics, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), and socioeconomic data were all included. Of the 4961 LDLT and 99,984 DDLT recipients, males received the majority of LDLT (55% vs. 45%, p < 0.001) and DDLT (67% vs. 33%, p < 0.001) compared to females. There was a significant difference in race between male and female LDLT recipients (p < 0.001); 84% of male recipients were White and 78% of females. In both groups, females had lower levels of education and were less likely to have private insurance. There were more female living donors (N = 2545, 51%); 50% of female donors donated to males but only 40% of males donated to females. Donor-recipient relationships varied significantly by sex (p < 0.001); males received more donations from spouses (62% vs. 39%) and siblings (60% vs. 40%). In the LDLT population, significant disparities exist with respect to sex and race that disadvantage women, but these disparities are less pronounced than in the DDLT population. Although further studies are needed, complex clinical and socioeconomic differences as well as donor factors may explain these variations.
MARCH9 Mediates NOX2 Ubiquitination to Alleviate NLRP3 Inflammasome-Dependent Pancreatic Cell Pyroptosis in Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Lin Min , Jin Yuzhou , Wang Fushuang , Meng Yao , Huang Jin , Qin Xihu , Fan Zhining
Published: June 2023

Objective

The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis mainly involves NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pancreatic cell injury, although regulators of this inflammasome machinery are still not fully identified. Membrane-associated RING-CH 9 (MARCH9) is a member of MARCH-type finger proteins, which regulates innate immunity through catalyzing polyubiquitination of critical immune factors. The aim of present research is to examine the function of MARCH9 in acute pancreatitis.

Methods

Cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis was established on pancreatic cell line AR42J and rat model. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent cell pyroptosis in pancreas were examined by flow cytometry.

Results

MARCH9 was downregulated by cerulein, but overexpressing MARCH9 could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ROS accumulation, thus suppressing pancreatic cell pyroptosis and mitigating pancreatic injury. We further uncovered that the mechanism underlying such an effect of MARCH9 is through mediating the ubiquitination of NADPH oxidase-2, whose deficiency reduces cellular ROS accumulation and inflammasome formation.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that MARCH9 suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pancreatic cell injury through mediating the ubiquitination and degradation of NADPH oxidase-2, which compromises ROS generation and NLRP3 inflammasomal activation.
Impact of Scoliosis Severity on Gastrostomy-Related Complications in Children
Authors: Toker Kurtmen Bade , Nalli Aslihan , Oztan Mustafa Onur , Koyluoglu Gokhan
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the relationship between scoliosis and risk of developing complications in patients who underwent gastrostomy.

Methods:

Patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or surgical gastrostomy (SG) between 2012 and 2022 were included. Leakage, discharge, granuloma, and hyperemia were considered minor complications, while visceral injury, ileus, and re-do surgery were considered major complications. The degree of scoliosis was calculated using the Cobb angle. The SG and PEG groups were compared by evaluating the complications and their correlation with scoliosis.

Results:

A total of 104 patients with a mean age of 5.0 ± 5.3 were included; 58% of patients were treated with SG. Patients in the SG group were younger (P < 0.001). Minor complications were significantly more common in the PEG group (P = 0.018). There was no difference between the groups in terms of major complications (P = 1.000). Scoliosis was observed in 32.7% of the patients (n = 34). In the SG group, no correlation was found between the Cobb angle and the frequency of minor (P = 0.173) or major complications (P = 0.305). There was no significant difference between the Cobb angles of patients with and without minor complications in the PEG group (P = 0.478); the Cobb angles of patients with major complications (75°) were significantly higher than those without (36°) (P = 0.030).

Conclusion:

Gastrostomy is important for weight gain and nutritional needs of children. This study showed that the risk of complications in SGs did not correlate with the degree of scoliosis and that the risk of major complications in PEGs increased in patients with a high degree of scoliosis.
Pain sensation and gut microbiota profiles in older adults with heart failure
Authors: Chen Jie , Wang Zequan , Starkweather Angela , Chen Ming-Hui , McCauley Paula , Miao Hongyu , Ahn Hyochol , Cong Xiaomei
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

Heart failure (HF) patients experience severe pain and may have altered pain sensation, however, the underlying mechanisms of these symptoms are not yet fully understood. Identifying pain sensation and genomic biomarkers of pain in older adults with HF is a critical step toward developing personalized interventions to improve pain management and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the differences in pain sensation, gut microbiota, and self-reported pain and symptoms in older adults with and without HF.

Methods:

Twenty older adults with HF and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in Northeastern U.S. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) were performed on the non-dominant upper arm to detect the mechanical, thermal, and pressure pain thresholds and pain modulations. Stool samples were collected and the 16S rRNA V4 gene region of stool samples was sequenced and processed using the Mothur 1.42.3 pipeline. Self-reported pain and symptoms were measured by the brief pain inventory (BPI) and the NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). The associations between pain sensation, gut microbiota α-diversity indices, and pain and symptoms were explored using Spearman correlations.

Results:

The HF and HC subjects’ mean ages were 73.50 (SD=8.33) and 67.10 (SD=7.64), respectively. The HF participants reported significantly higher pain intensity and interference, sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, and depression than the HCs. The HF subjects also had a significantly lower level of physical function and participation in social roles and activities. Compared to the HCs, the HF subjects had significantly altered conditioned pain modulation heat effect and gut microbiota compositions and predicted metabolic functions. The Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP) indicated that the HF subjects had a significantly decreased cardiac muscle contraction pathway compared with the HCs. The correlation analysis showed that the QST profiles and gut microbiota diversity index were significantly associated with pain and symptoms in older adults with HF.

Conclusions:

Older adults with HF had more severe self-reported pain and symptoms, altered pain sensation, and different gut microbiota composition and function compared to age-matched HCs. Pain sensation and gut microbiota may contribute to pain and symptoms in older adults with HF and could serve as biomarkers of pain and symptoms of HF. Further research with a larger sample size is warranted to confirm these findings.
Multiomics approaches to uncover endometrial receptivity in embryo implantation: A mini-review
Authors: Fernando Sudini R , Yan Yang , Kumar Manish , Lai Hoi-Lam , Lee Yin-Lau , Ng Ernest HY , Yeung William SB , Lee Kai-Fai
Published: June 2023

Successful implantation requires concerted interactions during the apposition, adhesion, and invasion of the embryo into a receptive endometrium. However, the embryo implantation rate for assisted reproduction remains low despite the transfer of good quality embryos. Changes in endometrial transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and even microbiota all play important roles in embryo implantation. Specifically, the expression of steroid hormone-regulated adhesive and anti-adhesive molecules during the embryo implantation window is becoming an area of increasingly intense research. This review a) summarizes the different molecules expressed in the receptive endometrium and b) proposes the use of surface protein markers to predict pregnancy outcomes from assisted reproduction.
DQA1 Eplet Mismatch Load As an Independent Risk Factor of CLAD After Lung Transplantation
Authors: González-López Elena , Mora-Cuesta Víctor M. , Roa-Bautista Adriel , Comins-Boo Alejandra , Renaldo André , Irure-Ventura Juan , Iturbe-Fernández David , Tello-Mena Sandra , San Segundo David , Cifrián-Martínez José , López-Hoyos Marcos
Published: June 2023

Background.

Lung transplantation remains the treatment of choice for end-stage lung diseases, and recipient selection is currently based on clinical urgency, ABO compatibility, and donor size. The risk of allosensitization is classically based on HLA mismatch, but eplet mismatch load is increasingly seen to be important in long-term outcomes in solid organ transplantation. Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is relatively common and relevant, affecting almost 50% of patients 5 y after transplantation and being the first cause of death from the first year after transplantation. The overall class-II eplet mismatch load has been associated with CLAD development.

Methods.

Based on clinical data, 240 lung transplant recipients were eligible for CLAD, and HLA and eplet mismatch was analyzed using the HLAMatchmaker 3.1 software.

Results.

A total of 92 (38.3%) lung transplant recipients developed CLAD. The time free-of-CLAD was significantly decreased in patients with presence of DQA1 eplet mismatches (P = 0.015). Furthermore, when other previously described CLAD risk factors were studied in a multivariate analysis, the presence of DQA1 eplet mismatches was found to be independently associated with the early onset of CLAD.

Conclusions.

The concept of epitope load has arisen as a new tool to better define donor–recipient immunologic compatibility. The presence of DQA1 eplet mismatches potentially would increase the likelihood of developing CLAD.
Capturing synchronization with complexity measure of ordinal pattern transition network constructed by crossplot
Authors: Chen Xiaobi , Xu Guanghua , He Bo , Zhang Sicong , Su Zijvn , Jia Yaguang , Zhang Xun , Zhao Zhe
Published: June 2023

To evaluate the synchronization of bivariate time series has been a hot topic, and a number of measures have been proposed. In this work, by introducing the ordinal pattern transition network into the crossplot, a new method for measuring the synchronization of bivariate time series is proposed. After the crossplot been partitioned and coded, the coded partitions are defined as network nodes and a directed weighted network is constructed based on the temporal adjacency of the nodes. The crossplot transition entropy of the network is proposed as an indicator of the synchronization between two time series. To test the characteristics and performance of the method, it is used to analyse the unidirectional coupled Lorentz model and compared it with existing methods. The results showed the new method had the advantages of easy parameter setting, efficiency, robustness, good consistency and suitability for short time series. Finally, electroencephalogram (EEG) data from auditory-evoked potential EEG-biometric dataset are investigated, and some useful and interesting results are obtained.
Agent-based models of the cultural evolution of occupational gender roles
Authors: Cross C. P. , Boothroyd L. G. , Jefferson C. A.
Published: June 2023

The causes of sex differences in human behaviour are contested, with ‘evolutionary’ and ‘social’ explanations often being pitted against each other in the literature. Recent work showing positive correlations between indices of gender equality and the size of sex differences in behaviour has been argued to show support for ‘evolutionary’ over ‘social’ approaches. This argument, however, neglects the potential for social learning to generate arbitrary gender segregation. In the current paper we simulate, using agent-based models, a population where agents exist as one of two ‘types’ and can use social information about which types of agents are performing which ‘roles’ within their environment. We find that agents self-segregate into different roles even where real differences in performance do not exist, if there is a common belief (modelled as priors) that group differences may exist in ‘innate’ competence. Facilitating role changes such that agents should move without cost to the predicted highest-rewards for their skills (i.e. fluidity of the labour market) reduced segregation, while forcing extended exploration of different roles eradicated gender segregation. These models are interpreted in terms of bio-cultural evolution, and the impact of social learning on the expression of gender roles.
Adaptive assistive robotics: a framework for triadic collaboration between humans and robots
Authors: Gordon Daniel F. N. , Christou Andreas , Stouraitis Theodoros , Gienger Michael , Vijayakumar Sethu
Published: June 2023

Robots and other assistive technologies have a huge potential to help society in domains ranging from factory work to healthcare. However, safe and effective control of robotic agents in these environments is complex, especially when it involves close interactions and multiple actors. We propose an effective framework for optimizing the behaviour of robots and complementary assistive technologies in systems comprising a mix of human and technological agents with numerous high-level goals. The framework uses a combination of detailed biomechanical modelling and weighted multi-objective optimization to allow for the fine tuning of robot behaviours depending on the specification of the task at hand. We illustrate our framework via two case studies across assisted living and rehabilitation scenarios, and conduct simulations and experiments of triadic collaboration in practice. Our results indicate a marked benefit to the triadic approach, showing the potential to improve outcome measures for human agents in robot-assisted tasks.
Characteristic features of statistical models and machine learning methods derived from pest and disease monitoring datasets
Authors: Kishi Shigeki , Sun Jianqiang , Kawaguchi Akira , Ochi Sunao , Yoshida Megumi , Yamanaka Takehiko
Published: June 2023

While many studies have used traditional statistical methods when analysing monitoring data to predict future population dynamics of crop pests and diseases, increasing studies have used machine learning methods. The characteristic features of these methods have not been fully elucidated and arranged. We compared the prediction performance between two statistical and seven machine learning methods using 203 monitoring datasets recorded over several decades on four major crops in Japan and meteorological and geographical information as the explanatory variables. The decision tree and random forest of machine learning were found to be most efficient, while regression models of statistical and machine learning methods were relatively inferior. The best two methods were better for biased and scarce data, while the statistical Bayesian model was better for larger dataset sizes. Therefore, researchers should consider data characteristics when selecting the most appropriate method.
Low hybridization temperatures improve target capture success of invertebrate loci: a case study of leaf-footed bugs (Hemiptera: Coreoidea)
Authors: Forthman Michael , Gordon Eric R. L. , Kimball Rebecca T.
Published: June 2023

Target capture is widely used in phylogenomic, ecological and functional genomic studies. Bait sets that allow capture from a diversity of species can be advantageous, but high-sequence divergence from baits can limit yields. Currently, only four experimental comparisons of a critical target capture parameter, hybridization temperature, have been published. These have been in vertebrates, where bait divergences are typically low, and none include invertebrates where bait-target divergences may be higher. Most invertebrate capture studies use a fixed, high hybridization temperature to maximize the proportion of on-target data, but many report low locus recovery. Using leaf-footed bugs (Hemiptera: Coreoidea), we investigate the effect of hybridization temperature on capture success of ultraconserved elements targeted by (i) baits developed from divergent hemipteran genomes and (ii) baits developed from less divergent coreoid transcriptomes. Lower temperatures generally resulted in more contigs and improved recovery of targets despite a lower proportion of on-target reads, lower read depth and more putative paralogues. Hybridization temperatures had less of an effect when using transcriptome-derived baits, which is probably due to lower bait-target divergences and greater bait tiling density. Thus, accommodating low hybridization temperatures during target capture can provide a cost-effective, widely applicable solution to improve invertebrate locus recovery.
Law of elasticity and fracture limit of magnetic forcelines under their gravitational deformation
Authors: Mavrogiannis Panagiotis
Published: June 2023

Magnetic fields are a very special form of elastic medium. Within astrophysical environments (magnetized stars and protogalaxies) they counteract shear and rotational distortions as well as gravitational collapse. Their vector nature allows for their extraordinary coupling with space–time curvature in the framework of general relativity. This particular coupling points out the way to study magnetic elasticity under gravitational deformation. In this context, we reveal their law of elasticity, calculate their fracture limit and subsequently argue that they ultimately lose the battle against gravitational contraction of magnetized matter. Two illustrative applications, in a neutron star and a white dwarf, accompany the results.
Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus casei strain DSM 15096
Authors: Wildsmith Caitlin , Thomas Jonathan , Negus David
Published: June 2023

We present the first complete genome sequence of the species Staphylococcus casei. Strain DSM 15096 was sequenced with a hybrid approach using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read sequencing and Illumina short-read sequencing. The assembled sequences produced a 2,808,898 bp chromosomal molecule containing 2,705 predicted genes, plus eight plasmids.
Normal Blood Pressure in Healthy Adult Eritreans
Authors: Noury Ahmed O , Bakhit Barakat M , Osman Montasir A , Musa Omer A.
Published: June 2023

Background and objectives

Blood pressure levels may vary because of genetic, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. To date, there have been no large national studies in Eritrea on blood pressure. Therefore, we sought to establish a representative blood pressure reference interval for Health adult Eritreans

Methods

The study included a sample of 942 healthy Eritrean individuals aged between 18 and 60 years, comprising 331 males and 611 females. The participants were selected from households located in the cities of Asmara, Keren, and Mandafara. Anthropometric measurements and clinical data were collected from each participant. Blood pressure was measured twice using a standardized procedure.

Results

942 healthy adults were included, 331 (35.1 %) were males with an average age of 40, and 611 (64.9%) were females, with an average age of 41, with an age range of 18-60 years. Median blood pressure for males was 120/78 mmHg, while the Median blood pressure for female was 118/78 mmHg for female

Conclusion

The values of blood pressure were similar to international values of blood pressure and there was significantly higher blood pressure in males than in females.
Prestimulus neural variability affects behavioral performances mediated by poststimulus-evoked responses at the intraindividual and interindividual levels
Authors: Jiang Zeliang , An Xingwei , Liu Shuang , Yin Erwei , Yan Ye , Ming Dong
Published: June 2023

There are significant intra-individual and inter-individual variabilities in audiovisual temporal perception. Previous studies have shown that prestimulus neural variability could reflect behavioral variabilities. We aimed to investigate whether prestimulus neural variability can predict behavioral variability in audiovisual temporal perception. Furthermore, We also explored whether prestimulus neural variability directly influences behavioral responses or indirectly impacts perceptual decisions through post-stimulus-evoked responses. We analyzed the electroencephalography (EEG) data from a paradigm where the twenty-eight human subjects performed a simultaneity judgment (SJ) task in the beep-flash stimulus. The prestimulus weighted permutation entropy (WPE) was the indicator of neural variability in this study. We found that prestimulus frontal WPE could predict the individual’s TBW in auditory- and visual-leading conditions. In addition, increased prestimulus parietal WPE was associated with more asynchronous responses. Prestimulus frontal WPE may be associated with top-down cognitive control, while parietal WPE may be related to bottom-up cortical excitability. Furthermore, poststimulus evoked responses could mediate the relation between prestimulus WPE and the individual’s TBW or perceptual responses. These results suggested that prestimulus WPE was a marker in reflecting intra-individual and inter-individual variabilities in audiovisual temporal perception. Significantly, prestimulus WPE might influence perceptual responses by affecting poststimulus sensory representations.
A Deep Learning Approach for Modelling the Complex Relationship between Environmental Factors and Biological Features
Authors: Tripathi Devashish , Basu Analabha
Published: June 2023

Environmental factors play a pivotal role in shaping the genetic and phenotypic diversity among organisms. Understanding the influence of the environment on a biological phenomenon is essential for deciphering the mechanisms resulting in trait differences among organisms. In this study, we present a novel approach utilizing an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to investigate the impact of environmental factors on a wide range of biological phenomena. Our proposed workflow includes hyperparameter optimization using model-based methods such as Bayesian and direct-search methods such as Random Search, and a new approach combining random search and linear models (RandomSearch+lm) to ensure a robust ANN architecture. Moreover, we employed a generalized version of the variable importance method to generate the feature importance metric using estimated weights from ANN. By applying this comprehensive ANN-based approach to functional genomics, we can gain valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying trait differentiation in organisms, while simultaneously enabling prediction and feature selection tasks. This methodology provides a robust and efficient framework for studying the complex relationships between environmental factors and biological features in biological systems.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Biological Activity of Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines as Promising Lead Candidates AgainstMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rao H. Surya Prakash , Gunasundari R. , Adigopula Lakshmi Narayana , Muthukumaran Jayaraman
Published: June 2023

Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine is a medicinally privileged structure. We have achieved a new and facile synthesis of a combinatorial library of its tetra- and persubstituted derivatives by trifluoracetic acid catalysed condensation of a group of 5-aminopyrazoles and a group of α-oxoketene dithioacetals. Furthermore, we demonstrated structural modification of the products via reductive desulfurization, hydrolysis of the ester and Suzuki coupling of the bromo derivative with aryl bornoic acids. Some of the products were subjected toin vitroMABA assay againstM. tuberclulosisH37Rv strain andin silicoanalysis by binding to pantothenate synthetase fromM. tuberclulosis(MTBPS). The results indicated that the pyazolo[3,4-b]pyridine with N(1)CH3, C(3)C6H5, C(4)pCH3C6H5, C(5)CO2Et, C(6)SMe substitutions exhibits promising antituberculotic activity.