bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overcoming Immunodeficiency in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: Current Knowledge and Perspectives
Authors: McClanahan Fabienne , Gribben John
Published: January 2023

While the standard of care for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) leads to high overall response rates and a long progression-free survival, it can be highly toxic for many patients, particularly in the elderly who often present concurrent diseases with associated morbidities. Treatment-related immune system burden and complications are challenging as most CLL patients already show immunodeficiency and are at high risk of infection. The latter are the main cause for increased morbidity and mortality and are correlated with disease severity and type of therapy. In the last few years, many new approaches and innovative agents such as second-generation anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, lenalidomide, B cell receptor signalling inhibitors, and novel cellular therapies have advanced the outlook for CLL management. Indeed, novel therapies could soon be addressing the need to promote immune reactivation and re-sensitise the immune system. By doing so, they could reach two main objectives, namely lowering the high proportion of patients at risk of infection, and acting as effective tools for the immune system to overcome its defects and fight malignant cells.
Overlapping Clinical Features Between NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome in Children
Authors: Alisi Anna , Nobili Valerio
Published: January 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cluster of pathological liver conditions of emerging importance in overweight and obese children. NAFLD is associated with central obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia, which are considered to be the main features of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Prevention of the adverse outcomes of NAFLD, as well as the risk of MetS, depends on the identification of genetic background and environmental factors that modulate susceptibility to these diseases. However, several lines of evidence highlight the strong correlation and co-currency of these two chronic diseases, both in children and in adults. In the present review, we provide an overview of the current clinical proofs on the link between NAFLD and MetS in children, with particular focus on all the possible overlapping features that connect them at paediatric age.
Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update
Authors: Cozzolino Mario , Cosa Francesco , Ciceri Paola , Elli Francesca , Ricca Flavia , Cappelletti Laura , Bellasi Antonio , Cus Daniele
Published: January 2023

Vascular calcification involves passive degeneration and an active process of arterial mineralisation, resembling osteogenesis. In chronic kidney disease, several proteins that physiologically control bone mineralisation, are also involved in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. In fact, arterial cells grown in culture are induced to become osteogenic by inflammatory and atherogenic stimuli, such as high phosphate concentration. Mechanisms linking them must be considered in clinical decisions. Further understanding of processes causing vascular calcification may be considered for new therapeutic options for vascular disease in renal patients.
Mode of Delivery in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: D’Amico Emanuele , Messina Silvia , Patti Francesco
Published: January 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system, affecting women of childbearing age. Little is known about the possible association between mode of delivery and the risk of MS in offspring. Delivery represents a unique event in a woman’s lifetime, with complex mechanisms controlling human parturition. Concurrent with the trend of increasing numbers of caesarean deliveries (CD), there has been an increasing frequency of autoimmune diseases such as MS. Several theories have emerged suggesting that environmental influences are contributing to this phenomenon. The data available in literature seem reassuring for women with MS, suggesting that the disease is not associated with adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes. On the other hand, there is little information in the literature regarding the role of mode of delivery in predicting the post-partum disease activity, pregnancy, and birth outcomes in women with MS. The aim of our review is to provide a brief summary of the available data on the role of mode of delivery in MS, and the eventual correlation with disease outcome.
Neuroimaging of Acute Ischaemic Stroke: Current Challenges
Authors: Wegener Susanne
Published: January 2023

Over the last decade, neuroimaging methods have been refined to improve clinical decisions regarding acute stroke treatment. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are routinely used to rule out intracerebral haemorrhage or other contraindications of thrombolysis, to detect stroke mimics and to estimate the time of stroke onset. With the availability of fast and advanced imaging methods, there is a growing interest in expanding their application for the prediction of success and risks of specific therapies. The mismatch concept, which has long been controversial, has now experienced a breakthrough due to further development and standardisation of imaging parameters, and a separation of different, clinically relevant mismatch patterns. In this review, we will highlight existing neuroimaging modalities for acute stroke. To interpret neuroimaging results, knowledge about the clinical situation is essential. Furthermore, the factors of time since stroke onset and collateral blood supply need to be incorporated into existing imaging-based therapeutic strategies.
EXAMINING FACTORS INFLUENCING COPING WITH THE OUTBREAK DURING THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC IN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS
Authors: ÖZKAN Esma , ALTUNTAŞ Onur
Published: January 2023

In this study, we aimed to examine the factors affecting coping with the epidemic during the COVID-19 epidemic in elderly individuals. Participants were asked to complete the Coping with the Outbreak Scale (CwOS), the Spirituality Scale (SS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). A total of 76 people (61.8% females) with a mean age of 73.1±8.2 were included in the study. Multivariate linear regression analysis using the backward method was used to examine the factors affecting coping with the epidemic. Multidimensional perceived social support, spirituality, and perceived economic status were significant predictors, and an increase of 1 unit in these variables resulted in an increase of 0.305, 0.410, and 4.426 units in the CwOS variable, respectively. It was observed that the variable dwelling place was also a significant predictor, and an increase of 1 unit in this variable caused a decrease of -4.362 units in the CwOS variable. The independent variables in the model explained 65.1% of the change in the CwOS score. Social support, spirituality, perceived income status and dwelling place are the factors that affect coping with the COVID-19 outbreak in elderly individuals. These factors are recommended to be considered by healthcare professionals dealing with elderly individuals.
WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE: A COMPARISON OF THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTING AND DESIRE TO AVOID PREGNANCY
Authors: GÜNEY Esra , KARATAŞ OKYAY Esra
Published: January 2023

This cross-sectional study was carried out between 10 October and 10 December 2022 to compare the perceptions of women who were exposed to violence about being a parent and their desire to avoid pregnancy. The data were collected from 657 participants using an online questionnaire. The participants exposed to verbal violence scored higher than those exposed to physical violence (p<0.05). It was also determined that those who experienced verbal, physical, psychological, and sexual violence had higher pregnancy avoidance scores and lower positive parenting perception scores, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p>0.05). As a result of the study, it is recommended to increase the education levels of women, provide accurate and timely diagnosis and intervene in violence in the early period, to prevent negative situations that may pose a threat to women's health.
Case report: Clinical characteristics of two cases of pneumonia caused with different strains of Chlamydia psittaci
Authors: Wang Zheng , Chen Chen , Lu Hu , Wang Li , Gao Lin , Zhang Jing , Zhu Chi , Du Furong , Cui Lunbiao , Tan Yan
Published: January 2023

Background

With the development of metagenomic sequencing technologies, more and more cases of pneumonia caused with Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) have been reported. However, it remains unknown about the characteristics of patients with pneumonia caused by different strains of C. psittaci. Here, we shared the clinical characteristics of two cases of pneumonia caused with C. psittaci strains SZ18-2 and SZ15 which were rarely identified in humans.

Case presentation

Case 1: A 69-year-old male farmer who fed ducks presented to hospital for cough, diarrhea and lethargy with the temperature of 39.8°C. Case 2: A 48-year-old male worker who slaughtered ducks was transferred to hospital for high fever, cough, myalgia, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Both patients did not take any protective measures (wearing face masks or gloves) while processing ducks. C. psittaci pneumonia was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing and polymerase chain reaction. After treatment with doxycycline and azithromycin individually, they recovered well and discharged from hospital. Through OmpA sequencing, two different strains of SZ18-2 and SZ15 were identified in case 1 and case 2, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients infected with different strains of C. psittaci may own different clinical manifestations. C. psittaci infection should be suspected when pneumonia appears, accompanied by digestive symptoms and multiple organ dysfunction, especially under the exposure of specific birds.
Identification of hub genes and pathways of ferroptosis in Fusarium keratitis by bioinformatics methods
Authors: Teng Xingbo , Xiong Xuewei , Sha Xiaoyuan , Lei Yahui , Diao Yuyao , Liu Jiayan , Tian Yuan , Liu Lian , Zhong Jingxiang
Published: January 2023

Background

Fungal keratitis is a common blinding eye disease, and Fusarium is one of the main species that cause fungal keratitis. As is well known, oxidative stress plays an important role in Fusarium keratitis and it is also a significant initiating factor of ferroptosis. But the relationship between Fusarium keratitis and ferroptosis is currently unclear. This study aimed to speculate and validate potential ferroptosis-related genes in Fusarium keratitis using bioinformatics analysis, which provided ideas for further research on its specific mechanism and new targets for its treatment.

Methods

The microarray expression profiling dataset (GSE58291) came from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by the limma package of the R software. The DEGs were performed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Then, the DEGs were intersected with the genes in the ferroptosis database. The top 5 hub genes were obtained by the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and the cytoHubba plug-in of Cytoscape software. The hub genes were subjected to GSEA analysis. Then we analyzed the immune infiltration of the samples by CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithm. Finally, we validated the mRNA of hub genes by qPCR.

Results

A total of 1,368 DEGs were identified and 26 ferroptosis-related DEGs were obtained. At the same time, ferroptosis-related pathways were enriched by GO and KEGG using DEGs. HMOX1, CYBB, GPX2, ALOX5 and SRC were obtained by the PPI network analysis and the cytoHubba plug-in of Cytoscape software. The iron metabolism and immune response related pathways were enriched using GSEA. They included hematopoietic cell lineage, lysosome and FC gamma R mediated phagocytosis. T cells follicular helper, monocytes, macrophages and mast cells might play an important role in Fusarium keratitis using analysis of immune infiltration. Finally, qPCR confirmed that the expression of HMOX1, CYBB, ALOX5 mRNA in the DON group was significantly elevated, while the expression of GPX2 were significantly decreased.

Conclusions

Ferroptosis may play an important role in Fusarium keratitis. HMOX1, CYBB, ALOX5 and GPX2 may be key ferroptosis-related genes in the pathogenesis of Fusarium keratitis.
Water deprivation induces hypoactivity in rats independently of oxytocin receptor signaling at the central amygdala
Authors: Felintro Viviane , Trujillo Verónica , dos-Santos Raoni C. , da Silva-Almeida Claudio , Reis Luís C. , Rocha Fábio F. , Mecawi André S.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are neuropeptides produced by magnocellular neurons (MCNs) of the hypothalamus and secreted through neurohypophysis to defend mammals against dehydration. It was recently demonstrated that MCNs also project to limbic structures, modulating several behavioral responses.

Methods and Results

We found that 24 h of water deprivation (WD) or salt loading (SL) did not change exploration or anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. However, rats deprived of water for 48 h showed reduced exploration of open field and the closed arms of EPM, indicating hypoactivity during night time. We evaluated mRNA expression of glutamate decarboxylase 1 (Gad1), vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Slc17a6), AVP (Avpr1a) and OXT (Oxtr) receptors in the lateral habenula (LHb), basolateral (BLA) and central (CeA) amygdala after 48 h of WD or SL. WD, but not SL, increased Oxtr mRNA expression in the CeA. Bilateral pharmacological inhibition of OXTR function in the CeA with the OXTR antagonist L-371,257 was performed to evaluate its possible role in regulating the EPM exploration or water intake induced by WD. The blockade of OXTR in the CeA did not reverse the hypoactivity response in the EPM, nor did it change water intake induced in 48-h water-deprived rats.

Discussion

We found that WD modulates exploratory activity in rats, but this response is not mediated by oxytocin receptor signaling to the CeA, despite the upregulated Oxtr mRNA expression in that structure after WD for 48 h.
Predicting the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with vitiligo: Development and assessment of a new predictive nomogram
Authors: Ma Ze , Cai Menghan , Yang Kang , Liu Junru , Guo Tao , Liu Xiaojie , Zhang Junling
Published: January 2023

Background

This study aimed to develop an autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) risk prediction model for patients with vitiligo based on readily available characteristics.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics, demographics, skin lesions, and laboratory test results of patients with vitiligo. To develop a model to predict the risk of AITD, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method was used to optimize feature selection, and logistic regression analysis was used to select further features. The C-index, Hosmer–Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the calibration, discrimination ability and clinical utility of the model. Internally, the model was verified using bootstrapping; externally, two independent cohorts were used to confirm model accuracy.

Results

Sex, vitiligo type, family history of AITD, family history of other autoimmune disease, thyroid nodules or tumors, negative emotions, skin involvement exceeding 5% of body surface area, and positive immune serology (IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, and C4) were predictors of AITD in the prediction nomogram. The model showed good calibration and discrimination (C-index: 0.746; 95% confidence interval: 0.701–0.792). The accuracy of this predictive model was 74.6%.In both internal validation (a C-index of 1000 times) and external validation, the C-index outperformed (0.732, 0.869, and 0.777). The decision curve showed that the AITD nomogram had a good guiding role in clinical practice.

Conclusion

The novel AITD nomogram effectively evaluated the risk of AITD in patients with vitiligo.
High-precision bus voltage control based on NLESO and TSMC predicted load current and grid voltage differential feedforward
Authors: Xie Di , Wang Liangliang , Zhang Zhi , Wang Shoumo , Kang Longyun , Yao Jigang
Published: January 2023

Power battery test equipment is widely used to produce and test new energy vehicles and storage containers. To address the problem of DC bus voltage fluctuations that affect the accuracy of output voltage and current, a high-accuracy bus voltage control strategy is based on nonlinear extended state observation (NLESO) and terminal silding mode controller (TSMC) load current estimation. Simulation and experimental results show that the control strategy has a good suppression effect on the DC bus voltage fluctuation and can effectively improve the accuracy of the DC side output voltage and current. Grid voltage differential feedforward is adopted, which can achieve fast suppression of DC bus voltage fluctuations in power battery test equipment and meet the high precision output requirements of the system DC bus.
Mobbing behavior of songbirds in response to calls of an ambush-predator, the Northern Pygmy-Owl
Authors: Scott Madeleine , Robinson W. Douglas
Published: January 2023

Mobbing is a widespread but risky behavior where prey actually approach and may even attack their predators. Small songbirds gather in multi-species flocks to direct mobbing at birds of prey such as the Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma), a small diurnal species of owl in mountainous western North America. We hypothesized that intensity of mobbing behavior would vary according to risk to songbirds and that risk varied seasonally and across elevations. In particular, we expected mobbing intensity to change seasonally as a function of two primary sources of risk: seasonal dietary changes of pygmy-owls and distribution of pygmy-owls as a function of elevation. Pygmy-owls are known to shift their diet from mostly mammals in early spring to birds in early summer, so we hypothesized risk of predation would vary in parallel. Likewise, risk was expected to vary as the distribution of pygmy-owls was thought to vary seasonally across elevations. To elicit mobbing in a controlled manner, we conducted owl call playback experiments in the Oregon Coast Range mountains, United States. Overall, we found mobbing to be rare, observing it in 8.1% of 663 experiments. The frequency of mobbing did not appear to vary across elevations. Instead, mobbing varied mostly by season. The frequency of mobbing was highest during fall at lower elevations. Mobbing was rarest (1.3% of trials) during winter. Mobbing occurred during seasons when pygmy-owls tend to consume more birds, consistent with the hypothesis that seasonal variation in risk influences mobbing. In our study, mobbing happened when risk was higher. However, the increased risk may be offset by the influence of mobbing group size. Mobbing was more likely to occur at sites where the number of songbirds, especially chickadees (Poecile sp.) and nuthatches (Sitta sp.), was larger. Yet, even when songbird numbers were high, mobbing was rare during winter, suggesting an interaction between risk and energetic costs of mobbing. Additional experiments manipulating food resource availability may be able to reveal the strength and influence of the interaction on mobbing decisions.
The association between altered intestinal microbiome, impaired systemic and ocular surface immunity, and impaired wound healing response after corneal alkaline-chemical injury in diabetic mice
Authors: Bu Yashan , Shih Kendrick Co , Wong Ho Lam , Kwok Sum Sum , Lo Amy Cheuk-Yin , Chan Joseph Yau-Kei , Ng Alex Lap-Ki , Chan Tommy Chung-Yan , Jhanji Vishal , Tong Louis
Published: January 2023

Purpose

We aim to investigate the effect of sustained hyperglycemia on corneal epithelial wound healing, ocular surface and systemic immune response, and microbiome indices in diabetic mice compared to controls after alkaline chemical injury of the eye.

Methods

Corneal alkaline injury was induced in the right eye of Ins2Akita (Akita) mice and wild-type mice. The groups were observed at baseline and subsequently days 0, 3, and 7 after injury. Corneal re-epithelialization was observed under slit lamp with fluorescein staining using a cobalt blue light filter. Enucleated cornea specimens were compared at baseline and after injury for changes in cornea thickness under hematoxylin and eosin staining. Tear cytokine and growth factor levels were measured using protein microarray assay and compared between groups and time points. Flow cytometry was conducted on peripheral blood and ocular surface samples to determine CD3+CD4+ cell count. Fecal samples were collected, and gut microbiota composition and diversity pattern were measured using shotgun sequencing.

Results

Akita mice had significantly delayed corneal wound healing compared to controls. This was associated with a reduction in tear levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A, angiopoietin 2, and insulin growth factor 1 on days 0, 3, and 7 after injury. Furthermore, there was a distinct lack of upregulation of peripheral blood and ocular surface CD3+CD4+ cell counts in response to injury in Akita mice compared to controls. This was associated with a reduction in intestinal microbiome diversity indices in Akita mice compared to controls after injury. Specifically, there was a lower abundance of Firmicutes bacterium M10-2 in Akita mice compared to controls after injury.

Conclusion

In diabetic mice, impaired cornea wound healing was associated with an inability to mount systemic and local immune response to ocular chemical injury. Baseline and post-injury differences in intestinal microbial diversity and abundance patterns between diabetic mice and controls may potentially play a role in this altered response.
Peptidomics analysis of plasma in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Zhang Guo-ning , Xu Ying-jia , Jin Lei
Published: January 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore the differential expression of peptides associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, enabling identification of potential functional peptides to provide the basis for the novel intervention targets for AS.

Material and Methods

3 AS patients and 3 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The expression profiles for peptides present in the plasma of AS patients and the healthy individual were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The physicochemical properties and biological functions of identified peptides were further analyzed by bioinformatics. The results of peptide identification were verified by cell viability analysis, using CCK8 and Edu staining assay, and the differential peptides relevant to the disease were screened.

Results

52 differential peptides were successfully identified using mass spectrometry. 44 peptides were up-regulated, while eight were down-regulated. FGA-peptide (sequences: DSGEGDFLAEGGGVRGPR), C4A-peptide (sequences: NGFKSHAL), and TUBB-peptide (sequences: ISEQFTAMFR) were screened out that could significantly promote the proliferation of fibroblasts in AS patients. Bioinformatics analysis showed these differentially expressed peptides might be associated with “MHC class I protein binding” and “pathogenic Escherichia coli infection” pathways, which might further affect the progression of AS.

Conclusion

This pilot study shows 3 differentially expressed peptides may have the potential function for the occurrence and development of AS, may provide novel insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of AS based on peptide omics.
Characterization of METRNβ as a novel biomarker of Coronavirus disease 2019 severity and prognosis
Authors: Gao Xun , Chan Paul Kay-Sheung , Wong Katie Ching-Yau , Ng Rita Wai-Yin , Yeung Apple Chung-Man , Lui Grace Chung-Yan , Ling Lowell , Hui David Shu-Cheong , Huang Danqi , Wong Chun-Kwok
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing worldwide, with complications due to frequent viral mutations, an intricate pathophysiology, and variable host immune responses. Biomarkers with predictive and prognostic value are crucial but lacking.

Methods

Serum samples from authentic and D614G variant (non-Omicron), and Omicron-SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were collected for METRNβ detection and longitudinal cytokine/chemokine analysis. Correlation analyses were performed to compare the relationships between serum METRNβ levels and cytokines/chemokines, laboratory parameters, and disease severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of METRNβ in COVID-19.

Results

The serum level of METRNβ was highly elevated in non-Omicron-SARS-CoV-2 infected patients compared to healthy individuals, and the non-survivor displayed higher METRNβ levels than survivors among the critical ones. METRNβ concentration showed positive correlation with viral load in NAPS. ROC curve showed that a baseline METRNβ level of 1886.89 pg/ml distinguished COVID-19 patients from non-infected individuals with an AUC of 0.830. Longitudinal analysis of cytokine/chemokine profiles revealed a positive correlation between METRNβ and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL6, and an inverse correlation with soluble CD40L (sCD40L). Higher METRNβ was associated with increased mortality. These findings were validated in a second and third cohort of COVID-19 patients identified in a subsequent wave.

Discussion

Our study uncovered the precise role of METRNβ in predicting the severity of COVID-19, thus providing a scientific basis for further evaluation of the role of METRNβ in triage therapeutic strategies.
Extracorporeal blood purification in patients with liver failure: Considerations for the low-and-middle income countries of Latin America
Authors: Villanueva Vladimir Barrera , Barrera Amorós Daniel Alejandro , Castillo Echeverria Eira Ingrid , Budar-Fernández Luis F. , Salas Nolasco Omar Israel , Juncos Luis A. , Rizo-Topete Lilia
Published: January 2023

Severe liver failure is common in Low-and-Medium Income Countries (LMIC) and is associated with a high morbidity, mortality and represents an important burden to the healthcare system. In its most severe state, liver failure is a medical emergency, that requires supportive care until either the liver recovers or a liver transplant is performed. Frequently the patient requires intensive support until their liver recovers or they receive a liver transplant. Extracorporeal blood purification techniques can be employed as a strategy for bridging to transplantation or recovery. The most common type of extracorporeal support provided to these patients is kidney replacement therapy (KRT), as acute kidney injury is very common in these patients and KRT devices more readily available. However, because most of the substances that the liver clears are lipophilic and albumin-bound, they are not cleared effectively by KRT. Hence, there has been much effort in developing devices that more closely resemble the clearance function of the liver. This article provides a review of various non-biologic extracorporeal liver support devices that can be used to support these patients, and our perspective keeping in mind the needs and unique challenges present in the LMIC of Latin America.
Discussing sexuality with patients with neurological diseases: A survey among neurologists working in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almalki Daifallah Mohammed , Kotb Mamdouh Ali , Albarrak Anas Mohammed
Published: January 2023

Background

Neurological diseases frequently affect sexual activity, and the resulting sexual dysfunction can cause much distress for patients. However, despite the importance of such complaints, neurologists frequently do not ask patients about their sexual symptoms or how their neurological illness and medications are affecting their sexual health. This study aimed to identify these difficulties as well as potential obstructions to conversations for addressing sexual dysfunction in patients with neurological diseases.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed by sending invitation letters and questionnaires to registered neurologists in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was constructed to determine the possibility of discussing sexual activities and function with patients with neurological diseases and the possible obstacles neurologists face in this regard. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 25, and p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 258 of 750 neurologists (34.4%) returned the survey, of which 252 had completed the entire survey; therefore, their responses were considered suitable for further analysis. The majority of the respondents (63.1%) seldom discussed sexuality with their patients, more than half of the participants never discussed sexuality with female patients, and patients aged 60 years or older. The most commonly reported barriers were the lack of spontaneous communication by patients regarding their sexual problems (82.1%), insufficient consultation time (60.7%), and barriers based on language/culture/religion (53.6%). The majority of the respondents (61.9%) expressed the need for training on discussing sexuality as a measure that may enhance the discussion of sexual life with patients. Most of the respondents (92.9%) considered the patients responsible for bringing up problems in their sexual functioning during a patient interview.

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction is rarely discussed with patients showing neurological diseases, particularly with female patients. This is due to the patient's inability to articulate their sexual problems freely as well as a lack of consultation time. Training on discussing sexuality may enhance the discussion of sexual life with patients.
Psychotherapeutic and neurobiological processes associated with ayahuasca: A proposed model and implications for therapeutic use
Authors: Perkins Daniel , Ruffell Simon G. D. , Day Kimberley , Pinzon Rubiano Diego , Sarris Jerome
Published: January 2023

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive Amazonian plant brew. It is usually made from theBanisteriopsis caapivine (Spruce ex Griseb. Morton, Malpighiaceae), which contains three primary harmala alkaloids, along with the leaves ofPsychotria viridis(Ruiz et Pavon, Rubiaceae) in which the potent psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is found. DMT-harmaloid concoctions have gained popularity in recent years, due to growing anecdotal and scientific reports of therapeutic benefits associated with their consumption. Ayahuasca is now ingested in a variety of different settings across the globe, from traditional ethnobotanical to so called “neo-shamanic” ceremonies. Furthermore, related preparations involving alternative sources of DMT and harmala alkaloids are becoming increasingly common as knowledge of ayahuasca continues to spread internationally. This article reviews the existing literature and draws on original qualitative data from a large cross-sectional study of ayahuasca drinkers, to propose a model of psychotherapeutic processes associated with the consumption of ayahuasca. We assert that it is these processes, facilitated by a range of neurobiological effects, that lead to beneficial mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Our proposed model identifies five key psychotherapeutic processes or effects inherent to the ayahuasca experience; somatic effects; introspection and emotional processing; increased Self-connection; increased spiritual connection, and finally the gaining of insights and new perspectives. We note some important differences in these processes compared with other classic psychedelics as well as the implications of the model for the therapeutic use of ayahuasca. Improved understanding of the psychotherapeutic processes involved with the ayahuasca experience will better equip practitioners to work with this potentially transformative concoction and enable the optimization of therapeutic treatment models for potential clinical use.
Precise diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer - A clinical perspective
Authors: Yang Yongjun , Wang Chen , Li Zonglin , Lu Qiang , Li Yuanwei
Published: January 2023

According to the guidelines, transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by intravesical therapy remains the standard strategy for the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, even if patients receive standard strategy, the risk of postoperative recurrence and progression is high. From the clinical perspective, the standard strategy needs to be optimized and improved. Compared to conventional TURBT, the technique of en bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) removes the tumor tissue in one piece, thus following the principles of cancer surgery. Meanwhile, the integrity and spatial orientation of tumor tissue is protected during the operation, which is helpful for pathologists to make accurate histopathological analysis. Then, urologists can make a postoperative individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s clinical characteristics and histopathological results. To date, there is no strong evidence that NMIBC patients treated with ERBT achieve better oncological prognosis, which indicates that ERBT alone does not yet improve patient outcomes. With the development of enhanced imaging technology and proteogenomics technology, en bloc resection combined with these technologies will make it possible to achieve precise diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. In this review, the authors analyze the current existing shortcomings of en bloc resection and points out its future direction, in order to promote continuous optimization of the management strategy of bladder cancer.
A multicenter randomized trial for quality of life evaluation by non-invasive intelligent tools during post-curative treatment follow-up for head and neck cancer: Clinical study protocol
Authors: Cavalieri Stefano , Vener Claudia , LeBlanc Marissa , Lopez-Perez Laura , Fico Giuseppe , Resteghini Carlo , Monzani Dario , Marton Giulia , Pravettoni Gabriella , Moreira-Soares Mauricio , Filippidou Despina Elizabeth , Almeida Aitor , Bilbao Aritz , Mehanna Hisham , Singer Susanne , Thomas Steve , Lacerenza Luca , Manfuso Alfonso , Copelli Chiara , Mercalli Franco , Frigessi Arnoldo , Martinelli Elena , Licitra Lisa ,   BD4QoL Consortium
Published: January 2023

Patients surviving head and neck cancer (HNC) suffer from high physical, psychological, and socioeconomic burdens. Achieving cancer-free survival with an optimal quality of life (QoL) is the primary goal for HNC patient management. So, maintaining lifelong surveillance is critical. An ambitious goal would be to carry this out through the advanced analysis of environmental, emotional, and behavioral data unobtrusively collected from mobile devices. The aim of this clinical trial is to reduce, with non-invasive tools (i.e., patients’ mobile devices), the proportion of HNC survivors (i.e., having completed their curative treatment from 3 months to 10 years) experiencing a clinically relevant reduction in QoL during follow-up. The Big Data for Quality of Life (BD4QoL) study is an international, multicenter, randomized (2:1), open-label trial. The primary endpoint is a clinically relevant global health-related EORTC QLQ-C30 QoL deterioration (decrease ≥10 points) at any point during 24 months post-treatment follow-up. The target sample size is 420 patients. Patients will be randomized to be followed up using the BD4QoL platform or per standard clinical practice. The BD4QoL platform includes a set of services to allow patients monitoring and empowerment through two main tools: a mobile application installed on participants’ smartphones, that includes a chatbot for e-coaching, and the Point of Care dashboard, to let the investigators manage patients data. In both arms, participants will be asked to complete QoL questionnaires at study entry and once every 6 months, and will undergo post-treatment follow up as per clinical practice. Patients randomized to the intervention arm (n=280) will receive access to the BD4QoL platform, those in the control arm (n=140) will not. Eligibility criteria include completing curative treatments for non-metastatic HNC and the use of an Android-based smartphone. Patients undergoing active treatments or with synchronous cancers are excluded.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT05315570).
Guidance for clinicians and patients with non-small cell lung cancer in the time of precision medicine
Authors: Villaruz Liza C. , Socinski Mark A. , Weiss Jared
Published: January 2023

Major advances in the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have resulted in a sharp decline in associated mortality rates, thereby propelling NSCLC to the forefront of precision medicine. Current guidelines recommend upfront comprehensive molecular testing for all known and actionable driver alterations/biomarkers (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS, NTRK, MET, RET, HER2 [ERBB2], and PD-L1), especially in advanced disease stages, as they significantly influence response to therapy. In particular, hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing (HC-NGS) with an RNA fusion panel to detect gene fusions is a veritable requirement at both diagnosis and progression (resistance) of any-stage non-squamous adenocarcinoma NSCLCs. This testing modality ensures selection of the most timely, appropriate, and personalized treatment, maximization of therapeutic efficacy, and prevention of use of suboptimal/contraindicated therapy. As a complement to clinical testing and treatment, patient, family, and caregiver education is also key to early screening and diagnosis, access to care, coping strategies, positive outcomes, and survival. The advent of social media and increased internet access has amplified the volume of educational and support resources, consequently changing the dynamics of patient care. This review provides guidance on integration of comprehensive genomic testing with an RNA fusion panel as a global diagnostic standard for all adenocarcinoma NSCLC disease stages and provides key information on patient and caregiver education and resources.
PlantTribes2: Tools for comparative gene family analysis in plant genomics
Authors: Wafula Eric K. , Zhang Huiting , Von Kuster Gregory , Leebens-Mack James H. , Honaas Loren A. , dePamphilis Claude W.
Published: January 2023

Plant genome-scale resources are being generated at an increasing rate as sequencing technologies continue to improve and raw data costs continue to fall; however, the cost of downstream analyses remains large. This has resulted in a considerable range of genome assembly and annotation qualities across plant genomes due to their varying sizes, complexity, and the technology used for the assembly and annotation. To effectively work across genomes, researchers increasingly rely on comparative genomic approaches that integrate across plant community resources and data types. Such efforts have aided the genome annotation process and yielded novel insights into the evolutionary history of genomes and gene families, including complex non-model organisms. The essential tools to achieve these insights rely on gene family analysis at a genome-scale, but they are not well integrated for rapid analysis of new data, and the learning curve can be steep. Here we present PlantTribes2, a scalable, easily accessible, highly customizable, and broadly applicable gene family analysis framework with multiple entry points including user provided data. It uses objective classifications of annotated protein sequences from existing, high-quality plant genomes for comparative and evolutionary studies. PlantTribes2 can improve transcript models and then sort them, either genome-scale annotations or individual gene coding sequences, into pre-computed orthologous gene family clusters with rich functional annotation information. Then, for gene families of interest, PlantTribes2 performs downstream analyses and customizable visualizations including, (1) multiple sequence alignment, (2) gene family phylogeny, (3) estimation of synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates among homologous sequences, and (4) inference of large-scale duplication events. We give examples of PlantTribes2 applications in functional genomic studies of economically important plant families, namely transcriptomics in the weedy Orobanchaceae and a core orthogroup analysis (CROG) in Rosaceae. PlantTribes2 is freely available for use within the main public Galaxy instance and can be downloaded from GitHub or Bioconda. Importantly, PlantTribes2 can be readily adapted for use with genomic and transcriptomic data from any kind of organism.
Comparative analysis of 84 chloroplast genomes of Tylosema esculentum reveals two distinct cytotypes
Authors: Li Jin , Cullis Christopher
Published: January 2023

Tylosema esculentum (marama bean) is an important orphan legume from southern Africa that has long been considered to have the potential to be domesticated as a crop. The chloroplast genomes of 84 marama samples collected from various geographical locations in Namibia and Pretoria were compared in this study. The cp genomes were analyzed for diversity, including SNPs, indels, structural alterations, and heteroplasmy. The marama cp genomes ranged in length from 161,537 bp to 161,580 bp and contained the same sets of genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The genes rpoC2 and rpoB, and the intergenic spacers trnT-trnL and ndhG-ndhI were found to be more diverse than other regions of the marama plastome. 15 haplotypes were found to be divided into two groups, differing at 122 loci and at a 230 bp inversion. One type appears to have greater variability within the major genome present, and variations amongst individuals with this type of chloroplast genome seems to be distributed within specific geographic regions but with very limited sampling for some regions. However, deep sequencing has identified that within most of the individuals, both types of chloroplast genomes are present, albeit one is generally at a very low frequency. The inheritance of this complex of chloroplast genomes appears to be fairly constant, providing a conundrum of how the two genomes co-exist and are propagated through generations. The possible consequences for adaptation to the harsh environment in which T. esculentum survives are considered. The results pave the way for marama variety identification, as well as for understanding the origin and evolution of the bean.
Grain shape is a factor affecting the stigma exsertion rate in rice
Authors: Tan Quanya , Chen Songliang , Gan Zhenpeng , Lu Qimiao , Yan Zhenguang , Chen Guodong , Lin Shaojun , Yang Weifeng , Zhao Jiao , Ba Yuanyuan , Zhu Haitao , Bu Suhong , Liu Guifu , Liu Zupei , Wang Shaokui , Zhang Guiquan
Published: January 2023

Stigma exsertion rate (SER) is an index of outcrossing ability in rice and is a key trait of male sterile lines (MSLs) in hybrid rice. In this study, it was found that the maintainer lines carrying gs3 and gs3/gw8 showed higher SER. Single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) carrying gs3, gw5, GW7 or gw8 genes for grain shape and gene pyramiding lines were used to reveal the relationship between grain shape and SER. The results showed that the grain shape regulatory genes had pleiotropic effects on SER. The SERs were affected by grain shapes including grain length, grain width and the ratio of length to width (RLW) not only in low SER background, but also in high SER background. The coefficients of determination (R2) between grain length and SER, grain width and SER, and grain RLW and SER were 0.78, 0.72, and 0.91 respectively. The grain RLW was the most important parameter affecting SER, and a larger grain RLW was beneficial to stigma exsertion. The pyramiding line PL-gs3/GW7/gw8 showed the largest grain RLW and the highest SER, which will be a fine breeding resource. Further research showed that the grain shape regulatory genes had pleiotropic effects on stigma shape, although the R2 values between grain shape and stigma shape, and stigma shape and SER were lower. Our results demonstrate that grain shape is a factor affecting SER in rice, in part by affecting stigma shape. This finding will be helpful for breeding MSLs with high SER in hybrid rice.
Micropropagation and elicited production of triterpenoid saponin glycosides and stigmasterol via precursor and elicitor feeding in Bacopa floribunda (R.Br.) Wettst.—A potential nootropic herb
Authors: Otari Shreedhar S. , Devkar Suraj P. , Patel Suraj B. , Ghane Savaliram G.
Published: January 2023

Bacopa floribunda (Family: Plantaginaceae) is used in folklore medicines for the management of cognitive dysfunction. It has nootropic, antiaging, anti-inflammatory, anti-cholinesterase, and antioxidant properties. We developed an efficient and reproducible protocol for in vitro propagation of B. floribunda using the nodal explants. We assessed the effects of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with various plant growth regulatory substances (PGRs), a precursor, and elicitors and their optimal combinations on regeneration and production of total saponins, triterpenoid saponin glycosides (bacoside A3, bacopaside X, bacopaside II, and bacosaponin C), and stigmasterol content in in vitro grown biomass of B. floribunda. The growth of the shoots and roots was stimulated by MS + 2.0 mg/l BAP + 2.0 mg/l KIN and MS + 0.5 mg/l IAA + 0.5 mg/l IBA + 1.0 mg/l NAA, respectively. After 10 weeks of acclimatization, plantlets of B. floribunda had a survival rate of 95%. The highest total saponin content (35.95 ± 0.022 mg DE/g DW) was noted in the treatment of MS + 2.0 mg/l BAP + 1.5 μM SQ. Similarly, total triterpenoid saponin glycosides and stigmasterol were found maximum in biomass derived from MS + 2.0 mg/l BAP + 1.5 μM SQ and MS + 2.0 mg/l BAP, respectively. At the same treatments, bacoside A3 (1.01 ± 0.195 mg/g DW), bacopaside II (43.62 ± 0.657 mg/g DW), bacopaside X (1.23 ± 0.570 mg/g DW), bacosaponin C (0.19 ± 0.195 mg/g DW), and stigmasterol (7.69 ± 0.102 mg/g DW) were reported. The present findings will help to highlight B. floribunda as a potent memory-enhancing herb, and in future also, it could be a potential substitute to B. monnieri. The current work is the first to describe the micropropagation and the elicited production of bioactive metabolites from the in vitro grown biomass of B. floribunda. In addition, further research is needed on production of bioactives, their pharmacological effects, and the elicited production using callus, cell suspension, and hairy root cultures.