bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of EGFR-Directed Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) with Radiotherapy in Brain Metastases from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A 2010–2019 Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tatineni Vineeth , O’Shea Patrick J. , Saxena Shreya , Khosla Atulya A. , Ozair Ahmad , Kotecha Rupesh R. , Jia Xuefei , Rauf Yasmeen , Murphy Erin S. , Chao Samuel T. , Suh John H. , Peereboom David M. , Ahluwalia Manmeet S.
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Traditionally, brain metastases have been treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), whole-brain radiation (WBRT), and/or surgical resection. Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), over half of which carry EGFR mutations, are the leading cause of brain metastases. EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have shown promise in NSCLC; but their utility in NSCLC brain metastases (NSCLCBM) remains unclear. This work sought to investigate whether combining EGFR-TKI with WBRT and/or SRS improves overall survival (OS) in NSCLCBM. Methods: A retrospective review of NSCLCBM patients diagnosed during 2010–2019 at a tertiary-care US center was performed and reported following the ‘strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology’ (STROBE) guidelines. Data regarding socio-demographic and histopathological characteristics, molecular attributes, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes were collected. Concurrent therapy was defined as the combination of EGFR-TKI and radiotherapy given within 28 days of each other. Results: A total of 239 patients with EGFR mutations were included. Of these, 32 patients had been treated with WBRT only, 51 patients received SRS only, 36 patients received SRS and WBRT only, 18 were given EGFR-TKI and SRS, and 29 were given EGFR-TKI and WBRT. Median OS for the WBRT-only group was 3.23 months, for SRS + WBRT it was 3.17 months, for EGFR-TKI + WBRT 15.50 months, for SRS only 21.73 months, and for EGFR-TKI + SRS 23.63 months. Multivariable analysis demonstrated significantly higher OS in the SRS-only group (HR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.17–0.84, p = 0.017) compared to the WBRT reference group. There were no significant differences in overall survival for the SRS + WBRT combination cohort (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.60, 2.82, p = 0.50), EGFR-TKIs and WBRT combination cohort (HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.41, 2.08, p = 0.85), or the EGFR-TKI + SRS cohort (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.20, 1.09, p = 0.07). Conclusions: NSCLCBM patients treated with SRS had a significantly higher OS compared to patients treated with WBRT-only. While sample-size limitations and investigator-associated selection bias may limit the generalizability of these results, phase II/III clinicals trials are warranted to investigate synergistic efficacy of EGFR-TKI and SRS.
Hydrogenation of CO2 to Valuable C2-C5 Hydrocarbons on Mn-Promoted High-Surface-Area Iron Catalysts
Authors: Zepeda Trino A. , Aguirre Sandra , Galindo-Ortega Yunuen I. , Solís-Garcia Alfredo , Navarro Yerga Rufino M. , Pawelec Barbara , Fierro-Gonzalez Juan C. , Fuentes Sergio
Published: June 2023

Mn-promoted bulk iron catalysts with a high specific surface area (82–211 m2·g−1) were synthesized by coprecipitation followed by drying under supercritical conditions. The catalysts were tested in the CO2 hydrogenation to valuable C2-C5 hydrocarbons. The Mn-promoted iron catalysts exhibited better textural properties than the bare Fe2O3 catalyst, allowing better dispersion of the active phase, easier reduction and carburization of iron oxides and, consequently, resulting in higher catalytic activity than the bare Fe2O3 catalyst. The best activity results were obtained by catalyst promotion with a very low amount of Mn (Mn/Fe atomic ratio of 0.05). Upon steady state conditions (T = 340 °C, total pressure of 20 bar and H2/CO2 = 3), this catalyst exhibited high CO2 conversion (44.2%) and selectivity to C2-C4 hydrocarbons (68%, olefin to paraffin ratio of 0.54), while the selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbons, CH4 and CO was about 3.2, 38.5 and 5%, respectively. A close correlation was found between catalyst textural properties and CO2 conversion. The most active MnFe-0.05 catalyst exhibited high stability during 72 h of reaction related to a low amount of soft coke formation and catalyst activation through the formation of the χ-Fe5C2 phase during the on-stream reaction.
Maternal Diabetes Deregulates the Expression of Mecp2 via miR-26b-5p in Mouse Embryonic Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Shyamasundar Sukanya , Ramya Seshadri , Kandilya Deepika , Srinivasan Dinesh Kumar , Bay Boon Huat , Ansari Suraiya Anjum , Dheen S Thameem
Published: May 2023

Maternal diabetes has been associated with a greater risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. It has been established that hyperglycemia alters the expression of genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) regulating the fate of neural stem cells (NSCs) during brain development. In this study, the expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 (Mecp2), a global chromatin organizer and a crucial regulator of synaptic proteins, was analyzed in NSCs obtained from the forebrain of embryos of diabetic mice. Mecp2 was significantly downregulated in NSCs derived from embryos of diabetic mice when compared to controls. miRNA target prediction revealed that the miR-26 family could regulate the expression of Mecp2, and further validation confirmed that Mecp2 is a target of miR-26b-5p. Knockdown of Mecp2 or overexpression of miR-26b-5p altered the expression of tau protein and other synaptic proteins, suggesting that miR-26b-5p alters neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis via Mecp2. This study revealed that maternal diabetes upregulates the expression of miR-26b-5p in NSCs, resulting in downregulation of its target, Mecp2, which in turn perturbs neurite outgrowth and expression of synaptic proteins. Overall, hyperglycemia dysregulates synaptogenesis that may manifest as neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring from diabetic pregnancy.
Additional Enhancement of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectra of Myoglobin Precipitated under Action of Laser Irradiation on Self-Assembled Nanostructured Surface of Ag Films
Authors: Boginskaya Irina A. , Slipchenko Ekaterina A. , Sedova Marina V. , Zvyagina Julia Yu. , Maximov Alexander D. , Baburin Aleksandr S. , Rodionov Ilya A. , Merzlikin Alexander M. , Ryzhikov Ilya A. , Lagarkov Andrey N.
Published: June 2023

The modifications of the microstructure of myoglobin deposited onto SERS-active Ag-based substrates by drying a drop of aqueous solution with and without laser irradiation and the corresponding surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra are studied. It is shown that drying with laser irradiation leads to the formation of protein aggregates of various types, including crystal-like aggregates. It is also shown that after such drying, the aggregates generally have SERS spectra characterized by a change in the position of the vibration bands and the ratios of their amplitudes compared to the spectra of proteins dried without additional treatment. In particular, parts of the SERS spectra of aggregates formed under laser irradiation are characterized by an additional enhancement (up to 100×) compared to the SERS spectra of myoglobin dried in air at room temperature. The crystallization processes were modeled using the results of atomic force microscopy morphology studies of dried myoglobin on the SERS-active substrates to determine the conditions under which crystal-like aggregates start to grow at surface irregularities, specifically those with a volume close to that of the critical-size nucleus, and where the lowest energy of formation occurs. A correlation is established between surface irregularities, the amplitude, and the change in the SERS spectra during the drying of a myoglobin solution sample on a nanostructured Ag-based surface.
Synthesis of Flower-like ZnO and Its Enhanced Sensitivity towards NO2 Gas Detection at Room Temperature
Authors: Cai Zhicheng , Park Jiho , Park Sunghoon
Published: June 2023

A flower-like ZnO was successfully synthesized via a simple chemical precipitation method at room temperature (RT) in distilled water, without the use of any catalysts or substrates. The sample’s structure was analyzed using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (FETEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which confirmed its hexagonal structure. UV–visible optical absorption measurements also revealed the presence of UV absorption at 365 nm. A reasonable growth mechanism for the formation of flower-like ZnO was proposed based on these analyses. The response of the sample to low concentrations of NO2 (1 ppm) was evaluated at different calcination temperatures, and the results showed that the best response was achieved when the sample was calcined at 600 °C. The flower-like ZnO sample labeled as 6ZnO showed the highest response of 54.18 when exposed to 1 ppm of NO2 gas at RT. Additionally, 6ZnO exhibited good response and recovery properties of 11 s and 93 s, respectively, at low concentrations of NO2 at 1 ppm. The gas sensing mechanism and the mechanism of the enhanced gas response of the flower-like ZnO are discussed.
Prognosis Communication in Pediatric Oncology: A Systematic Review
Authors: Boeriu Estera , Borda Alexandra , Miclea Eunice , Boeriu Amalia-Iulia , Vulcanescu Dan Dumitru , Bagiu Iulia Cristina , Horhat Florin George , Kovacs Alexandra Flavia , Avram Cecilia Roberta , Diaconu Mircea Mihai , Vlaicu Luiza Florina , Sirb Otniel Dorian , Arghirescu Smaranda Teodora
Published: May 2023

Background: While communication plays an important role in medicine, it also often represents a challenge when the topic at hand is the prognosis of a high-risk condition. When it comes to pediatric oncology, the challenge becomes even greater for physicians who have to adapt their discourse to both the child and their family. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, an advanced search on PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library was performed, from 1 January 2017 to 31 October 2022. Demographic data for caregivers, pediatric patients and physicians were extracted, as well as diagnosis, prognosis, presence at discussion, emotional states and impact on life, trust, decision roles, communication quality and other outcomes. Results: A total of 21 articles were analyzed. Most studies (17) focused on caregivers, while only seven and five studies were focused on children and physicians, respectively. Most parents reported high trust in their physicians (73.01%), taking the leading role in decision making (48%), moderate distress levels (46.68%), a strong desire for more information (78.64%), receiving high-quality information (56.71%) and communication (52.73%). Most children were not present at discussions (63.98%); however, their desire to know more was expressed in three studies. Moreover, only two studies observed children being involved in decision making. Most physicians had less than 20 years of experience (55.02%) and reported the use of both words and statistics (47.3%) as a communication method. Conclusions: Communication research is focused more on caregivers, yet children may understand more than they seem capable of and want to be included in the conversation. More studies should focus on and quantify the opinions of children and their physicians. In order to improve the quality of communication, healthcare workers should receive professional training.
Novel Methods for Managing and Assessing Gait and Posture in Pediatric Population
Authors: Ghai Shashank
Published: May 2023

The ability to walk and maintain proper posture is fundamental to human mobility and independence [...]
Factor Validity and Generic Reliability of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire in the Czech Population
Authors: Vlasakova Nikol , Musalek Martin , Cepicka Ladislav
Published: June 2023

The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) is widely used as a brief parent questionnaire designed to screen for motor coordination in children, aged 5 to 15 years. There is no validated version of the DCDQ for the Central Europe, which could help for first catch of children with motor difficulties, whose amount has been seriously raised. In addition, the World Health Organization recommends the cross-cultural validation of existing instruments, for Loir costs and time consuming, and the availability of instruments in several languages enables therapists to use validated tools with non-English speaking clients. The aim of this study was to validate the DCDQ in the Czech culture in a population of Czech parents whose children were aged six to ten. Using data from 651 Czech parents of children (six to ten years; 7.8 ± 0.8 years), confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were used. The goodness-of-fit indices CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.93, and RMSEA = 0.08 supported the original three-factor model of the DCDQ. In addition, the factor loadings of each question discovered in Czech DCDQ were non-significantly different from the original DCDQ. Furthermore, we also found strong between factor correlation; general coordination and control movement r = 0.87 probably measure the same underlying construct. Even though this is in conformity with original DCDQ structure, we suggest that responses in these two DCDQ factors might have violated the local independency and, therefore, could bias the final score. The generic reliability of the individual factors was acceptable and ranged from McDonald ω 0.83–0.88. Results from this study suggest that cross-validated version of the original DCDQ can be considered as sufficiently valid and reliable clinical screening tool for children who have coordination challenges for Czech children aged six to ten.
Numerical Investigation of a High-Quality Factor Refractometric Nano-Sensor Comprising All-Dielectric Metamaterial Structures
Authors: Asim Arslan , Cada Michael , Fine Alan , Ma Yuan , Ibraheem Farheen
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes an optical sensor based on nanoscale metamaterial structures. The design of the sensor has been explored with respect to biosensing applications through numerical modeling and analysis. The sensor comprises silica substrate and diamond nanostructures, both of which represent dielectrics. The sensing principle is based on the detection of ambient refractive index change. As the analyte properties change, the refractive index changes, as well. The refractive index change has been detected by striking electromagnetic waves onto the structure and noting the spectral response. Ultraviolet waves have been utilized for recording spectral responses and evaluating sensor performance. The sensor displays multiple sharp resonance peaks in the reflected beam. By altering the refractive index of the analyte present around the sensor, the peaks can be seen choosing different wavelengths. The resonance peaks have been investigated to observe electric and magnetic field dipoles in the sensor structure. The spectrum peaks have also been studied to understand fabrication tolerances. The sensor displays a linear response, along with a large Quality (Q) factor. The maximum value of the achieved Quality (Q) factor for the proposed sensor is 1229 while operating across the refractive index range of 1.4–1.45. The claim has been supported by comparison with contemporary works on similar platforms. A range of other sensing parameters have also been calculated and benchmarked. Metamaterial-based optical sensors can provide smaller device sizes, faster response times and label-free detection.
Effect of Rare Earth Yttrium on Inclusion Characteristics of Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel
Authors: Guo Zhihong , Li Xiangyang , Liu Yu , Zheng Yaxu , Zhu Liguang , Zhang Yuanxiang , Sun Huilan , Feng Jie , Cao Ruifang
Published: May 2023

To investigate the influence of heavy rare earth element yttrium on the type, morphology, and quantity distribution of inclusions in grain-oriented silicon steel, thermodynamic calculation was carried out on the typical rare earth inclusions in grain-oriented silicon steel containing yttrium. The main inclusions in the experimental steels with and without yttrium were observed and analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM, Zeiss Gemini SEM 300) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS, OXFORD Ultim Extreme). The electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD, OXFORD Symmetry) was used to analyze the local average misorientation of the hot-rolled plate. The results show that the inclusions in the Y-free steel are mainly long MnS, irregular Al2O3 and MnS-Al2O3. The inclusions in the Y-bearing steel are spherical rare earth compounds. The number of inclusions in Y-bearing steel decreases and the size increases compared with Y-free steel. The mean value of local average misorientation and the dislocation density of Y-bearing steel are smaller compared with Y-free steel, which could avoid the cracking problem caused by dislocation accumulation during hot rolling. After heating the rough-rolling sample to 1350 °C, there is no obvious difference in the inclusions type between the Y-free steel and Y-bearing steel. However, the area fraction of inclusions in Y bearing steel increases slightly. According to the thermodynamic calculation results, there are mainly three kinds of rare earth inclusions, YS, Y2S3 and Y2O2S, in Y-bearing steel, among which YS has the strongest stability and the stability of Y2O2S is the weakest. The rare earth element yttrium can effectively modify the inclusions, transforming the irregular Al2O3 inclusions, formed during the deoxidation of silicon steel into spherical rare earth inclusions, which suppress the precipitation of long MnS inclusions. Thus, the formability of the steel could be improved.
Structural and Magnetic Properties of the {Cr(pybd)3[Cu(cyclen)]2}(BF4)4 Heteronuclear Complex
Authors: Santanni Fabio , Chelazzi Laura , Sorace Lorenzo , Timco Grigore A. , Sessoli Roberta
Published: June 2023

Heterotopic ligands containing chemically different binding centers are appealing candidates for obtaining heteronuclear metal complexes. By exploiting this strategy, it is possible to introduce different paramagnetic centers characterized by specific anisotropic magnetic properties that make them distinguishable when weakly magnetically coupled. This molecular approach has great potential to yield multi-spin adducts capable of mimicking logical architectures necessary for quantum information processing (QIP), i.e., quantum logic gates. A possible route for including a single-ion magnetic center within a finite-sized heterometallic compound uses the asymmetric (1-pyridyl)-butane-1,3-dione (pybd) ligand reported in the literature for obtaining Cr3+−Cu2+ metallo-cages. To avoid the formation of cages, we adopted the cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) ligand as a “capping” agent for the Cu2+ ions. We report here the structural and magnetic characterization of the unprecedented adduct {Cr(pybd)3[Cu(cyclen)]2}(BF4)4, whose structure is characterized by a central Cr3+ ion in a distorted octahedral coordination environment and two peripheral Cu2+ ions with square-pyramidal coordination geometries. As highlighted by Continuous Wave Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and Direct Current (DC) magnetometry measurements, this adduct shows negligible intramolecular magnetic couplings, and it maintains the characteristic EPR signals of Cr3+ and Cu2+ moieties when diluted in frozen solutions.
Optimizing Growth and Rearing Techniques for Larvae and Juveniles of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria arguinensis
Authors: Sousa João , Félix Pedro M. , Brito Ana C. , Venâncio Eliana , Azevedo e Silva Francisco , Simões Tomás , Amorim Ana , Dâmaso-Rodrigues Maria Luísa , Pombo Ana
Published: June 2023

The ever-growing demand for sea cucumbers is a threat to these echinoderms and their habitats; however, a way to relieve stock pressure lies in meeting demand through aquaculture. As such, this study aimed to improve the growth and survival percentage of Holothuria arguinensis during larval development, settlement and juvenile growth. Three diets of microalgae (Diet RbPt = Rhodomonas baltica + Phaeodactylum tricornutum; Diet RbSm = Rhodomonas baltica + Skeletonema marinoi; Diet RbCc = Rhodomonas baltica + Chaetoceros calcitrans) were administered daily to the larval phase. Additionally, three substrates were supplied (pvc rolls, wavy pvc plaques and tile) at three different depths in order to determine the most favourable for settlement. Lastly, the potential benefits on growth and survival from introducing macroalgae (Sacchoriza polyschides) in the juvenile diet were assessed over a period of 6 months. Despite larvae under diet RbPt having presented a larger mean width, H. arguinensis fed with Diet RbCc presented a higher settlement survival at the end of the trial. No preferences were noted among the tested substrates, regardless of diet. Lastly, juveniles with added S. polyschides in their diet showed increased growth in mean weight and length when compared to individuals that were not fed with this seaweed.
A Red Sea Depth Record of the Coral-Dwelling Crab Opecarcinus (Decapoda: Cryptochiridae) in the Mesophotic Zone
Authors: Vimercati Silvia , van der Meij Sancia E. T. , Terraneo Tullia I. , Chimienti Giovanni , Marchese Fabio , Eweida Ameer A. , Purkis Sam J. , Rodrigue Mattie , Benzoni Francesca
Published: June 2023

Coral-dwelling gall crabs (Cryptochiridae) are obligate symbionts of stony corals and occur on shallow and deep reefs across the tropical belt. The circumtropical genus Opecarcinus associates with Agariciidae corals, a dominant component of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs). Here, we report the first Red Sea mesophotic record, with 89 m as the deepest record to date, for Opecarcinus—collected from Leptoseris cf mycetoseroides—from the NEOM marine area in Saudi Arabia. This observation reconfirms the depth range flexibility of Opecarcinus species and highlights the need for further mesophotic explorations of reef-associated fauna.
Comparative Metabolome Profiles and Antioxidant Potential of Four Coffea arabica L. Varieties Differing in Fruit Color
Authors: Hu Faguang , Bi Xiaofei , Fu Xingfei , Li Yanan , Li Guiping , Li Yaqi , Liu Dexin , Yang Yang , Shi Rui , Dong Wenjiang
Published: June 2023

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most consumed non-alcoholic beverages. To expand the coffee market and attract consumers to a diversity of coffee types, data on the nutritional potential of different coffee varieties are needed. The present study assessed the phytochemical constituents, i.e., total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), and total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activities of extracts from Bourbon coffee berries differing in color. Furthermore, the metabolome profiles of the four Bourbon berries, i.e., purple (PF), red (RF), orange (ORF), and yellow (YF), were explored. The results indicated that the TFC and TPC were significantly higher in RF (7.12 ± 0.96 and 9.01 ± 1.36 mg/g), followed by YF (6.54 ± 0.38 and 7.80 ± 0.10 mg/g), ORF (6.31 ± 0.15 and 7.20 ± 0.40 mg/g), and PF (4.66 ± 0.53 and 6.60 ± 1.10 mg/g). A UPLC-MS/MS analysis resulted in the identification of 579 metabolites belonging to 11 different compound classes. Of these, 317 metabolites were differentially accumulated in the four varieties. These differentially accumulated metabolites were majorly classified as flavonoids, organic acids, phenolics, and amino acids and derivatives. Based on the metabolome profiles, we discuss the major compounds in each Bourbon coffee variety and highlight their nutritional and health potentials. These findings will serve as a foundation for the promotion of each variety and provide useful information for coffee improvement programs.
Autochthonous Versus Allochthonous Resources in a Tropical Rocky Shore Trophic Web Adjacent to a Marine Riparian Area
Authors: Pires-Teixeira Larissa M. , Neres-Lima Vinicius , Creed Joel C.
Published: June 2023

Marine riparian areas and coastal vegetation are essential and important to the coastal marine ecosystem, although their interactions and functions are still unknown and ignored in marine ecological studies and integrated management planning. In southeastern Brazil, allochthonous resources derived from riparian Atlantic rainforests bordering rocky shores have been observed in abundance together with the shallow subtidal rocky reef benthos. In this study, we used stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) to characterize the main components in a benthic trophic web on a shallow tropical rocky shore, to identify the proportional contributions of allochthonous (marine riparian vegetation—MRV) to autochthonous (phytoplankton and algae) inputs and to test which basal food resources contributed most to the marine community on the Atlantic Forest–rocky coast interface. We found eight major food resources and seventeen consumers that we classified into different groups according to their feeding habits and biology. Although the main source of basal resources in the benthic trophic web in the present study remained autochthonous, the allochthonous resources were assimilated by all consumers. MRV is thus an important resource for some primary consumers and it should be included as a potential source of basal resources in marine ecosystems adjacent to marine riparian areas.
A Clinico-Pathological Multidisciplinary Team Increases the Efficacy of Skin Biopsy and Reduces Clinical Risk in Dermatology
Authors: Tomasini Carlo Francesco , Michelerio Andrea , Isoletta Eugenio , Barruscotti Stefania , Wade Barbara , Muzzi Alba
Published: June 2023

A clinical risk is an inherent risk in healthcare processes, including skin biopsy procedures, and may lead to misdiagnoses, increased healthcare costs and potential harm to patients. Indeed, clinical and histopathological data must be integrated if we are to reduce clinical risks and improve diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of dermatologic diseases. Although dermopathology services used to be part of a dermatologist’s duty, the recent centralization of these laboratories has caused a loss of expertise and increased both complexity and safety issues. Some countries have implemented clinical-pathological correlation programs aimed at facilitating communication between clinicians and dermatopathologists. However, Italy has regulatory and cultural barriers that make the implementation of these programs difficult. Therefore, an internal analysis was carried out to assess the efficacy and impact that skin biopsy procedures for inflammatory and neoplastic conditions have on the quality of care in our dermatology department. As the analysis evidenced a high number of descriptive pathologic reports and discordant diagnoses, a multidisciplinary group of four dermatologists, four general pathologists and one dermatopathologist was set up. Herein, we present the results of this analysis and project and describe the structure of the multidisciplinary group. We also discuss the pros and cons, possibilities and limitations of our project, including the regulatory barriers of the Italian National Health System.
Fat Hounsfield Unit Reference Interval Derived through an Indirect Method
Authors: Pop Marian , Mărușteri Marius
Published: May 2023

Background: In vivo Hounsfield Unit (HU) values have traditionally been determined using direct CT image measurements. These measurements are dependent on the window/level used to examine the CT image and the individual conducting the fat tissue tracing. Methods: Using an indirect method, a new reference interval (RI) is proposed. A total of 4000 samples of fat tissues were collected from routine abdominal CT examinations. A linear regression equation was then calculated using the linear part of the cumulative frequency plot of their average values. Results: The regression function for total abdominal fat was determined to be y = 35.376*x − 123.48, and a 95% confidence RI of −123 to −89 was computed. A significant difference of 3.82 was observed between the average fat HU values of visceral and subcutaneous areas. Conclusions: Using statistical methods and the in vivo measurements of patient data, a series of RIs were determined for fat HU that is consistent with theoretical values.
Identification of New Prognostic Genes and Construction of a Prognostic Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Xueping , Yu Liqun , Zhang Honglei , Jin Hua
Published: May 2023

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a rapidly progressive malignancy, and its mortality rate is very high. In this study, we aimed at finding novel prognosis-related genes and constructing a credible prognostic model to improve the prediction for LUAD patients. Differential gene expression, mutant subtype, and univariate Cox regression analyses were conducted with the dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to screen for prognostic features. These features were employed in the following multivariate Cox regression analysis and the produced prognostic model included the stage and expression of SMCO2, SATB2, HAVCR1, GRIA1, and GALNT4, as well as mutation subtypes of TP53. The exactness of the model was confirmed by an overall survival (OS) analysis and disease-free survival (DFS) analysis, which indicated that patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis compared to those in the low-risk group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.793 in the training group and 0.779 in the testing group. The AUC of tumor recurrence was 0.778 in the training group and 0.815 in the testing group. In addition, the number of deceased patients increased as the risk scores raised. Furthermore, the knockdown of prognostic gene HAVCR1 suppressed the proliferation of A549 cells, which supports our prognostic model that the high expression of HAVCR1 predicts poor prognosis. Our work created a reliable prognostic risk score model for LUAD and provided potential prognostic biomarkers.
Clinical, Histological, and Molecular Prognostic Factors in Childhood Medulloblastoma: Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Ntenti Charikleia , Lallas Konstantinos , Papazisis Georgios
Published: May 2023

Medulloblastomas, highly aggressive neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) that present significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation, disease course, and treatment outcomes, are common in childhood. Moreover, patients who survive may be diagnosed with subsequent malignancies during their life or could develop treatment-related medical conditions. Genetic and transcriptomic studies have classified MBs into four subgroups: wingless type (WNT), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Group 3, and Group 4, with distinct histological and molecular profiles. However, recent molecular findings resulted in the WHO updating their guidelines and stratifying medulloblastomas into further molecular subgroups, changing the clinical stratification and treatment management. In this review, we discuss most of the histological, clinical, and molecular prognostic factors, as well the feasibility of their application, for better characterization, prognostication, and treatment of medulloblastomas.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Real Practice—New Role of Primary Care Services in Antibiotic Resistance Era
Authors: Alfaro Enrique , Sostres Carlos , Lanas Angel
Published: May 2023

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a key agent in several upper gastrointestinal diseases. Treatment of H. pylori infection is the main strategy for resolving the associated gastroduodenal damage in infected patients and for the prevention of gastric cancer development. Infection management is becoming complex due to the increase in antibiotic resistance, which already represents a global healthcare problem. Resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin or metronidazole have forced the adaptation of eradication regimens in this new reality to reach the eradication rate target recommended in most international guidelines (>90%). In this challenging scenario, molecular methods are revolutionizing the diagnosis of antibiotic-resistant infections and the detection of antibiotic resistance and opening a path towards personalized treatments, although their use is not yet widespread. Moreover, the infection management by physicians is still not adequate, which contributes to aggravating the problem. Both gastroenterologists and mainly primary care physicians (PCPs), who currently routinely manage this infection, perform suboptimal management of the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection by not following the current consensus recommendations. In order to improve H. pylori infection management and to increase PCPs’ compliance with guidelines, some strategies have been evaluated with satisfactory results, but it is still necessary to design and evaluate new different approaches.
Urinary Tract Infection and Microbiome
Authors: Kim Dong Soo , Lee Jeong Woo
Published: May 2023

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections and can cause major burdens, not only to individuals but also to an entire society. Current knowledge of the microbial communities in the urinary tract has increased exponentially due to next-generation sequencing and expanded quantitative urine culture. We now acknowledge a dynamic urinary tract microbiome that we once thought was sterile. Taxonomic studies have identified the normal core microbiota of the urinary tract, and studies on the changes in microbiome due to sexuality and age have set the foundation for microbiome studies in pathologic states. Urinary tract infection is not only caused by invading uropathogenic bacteria but also by changes to the uromicrobiome milieu, and interactions with other microbial communities can also contribute. Recent studies have provided insights into the pathogenesis of recurrent urinary tract infections and antimicrobial resistance. New therapeutic options for urinary tract infections also show promise; however, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of the urinary microbiome in urinary tract infections.
Nomogram for Predicting Live Birth after the First Fresh Embryo Transfer in Patients with PCOS Undergoing IVF/ICSI Treatment with the GnRH-Ant Protocol
Authors: Si Manfei , Jiang Huahua , Zhao Yue , Qi Xinyu , Li Rong , Long Xiaoyu , Qiao Jie
Published: June 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. A better understanding of factors associated with pregnancy outcomes and successful prediction of live birth after IVF/ICSI are important to guide clinical practice. This was a retrospective cohort study investigating live birth after the first fresh embryo transfer using the GnRH-ant protocol in patients with PCOS between 2017 and 2021 at the Reproductive Center of Peking University Third Hospital. A total of 1018 patients with PCOS were qualified for inclusion in this study. BMI, AMH level, initial FSH dosage, serum LH and progesterone levels on the hCG trigger day, and endometrial thickness were all independent predictors of live birth. However, age and infertility duration were not significant predictors. We developed a prediction model based on these variables. The predictive ability of the model was demonstrated well, with areas under the curve of 0.711 (95% CI, 0.672–0.751) and 0.713 (95% CI, 0.650–0.776) in the training cohort and validation cohort, respectively. Additionally, the calibration plot showed good agreement between the prediction and the observation (p = 0.270). The novel nomogram could be helpful for clinicians and patients in clinical decision-making and outcome evaluation.
Exploring Non-Invasive Salivary Biomarkers for Acute Pain Diagnostics: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Stendelyte Laura , Malinauskas Mantas , Grinkeviciute Dovile Evalda , Jankauskaite Lina
Published: June 2023

Pain is one of the most common complaints leading to a pediatric emergency department visit and is associated with various painful procedures, leading to increased anxiety and stress. Assessing and treating pain in children can be challenging, so it is crucial to investigate new methods for pain diagnosis. The review aims to summarize the literature on non-invasive salivary biomarkers, such as proteins and hormones, for pain assessment in urgent pediatric care settings. Eligible studies were those that included novel protein and hormone biomarkers in acute pain diagnostics and were not older than 10 years. Chronic pain studies were excluded. Further, articles were divided into two groups: studies in adults and studies in children (<18 years). The following characteristics were extracted and summarized: study author, enrollment date, study location, patient age, study type, number of cases and groups, as well as tested biomarkers. Salivary biomarkers, such as cortisol, salivary α-amylase, and immunoglobulins, among others, could be appropriate for children as saliva collection is painless. However, hormonal levels can differ among children in different developmental stages and with various health conditions, with no predetermined levels of saliva. Thus, further exploration of biomarkers in pain diagnostics is still necessary.
Three-Dimensional Craniofacial Landmark Detection in Series of CT Slices Using Multi-Phased Regression Networks
Authors: Nishimoto Soh , Saito Takuya , Ishise Hisako , Fujiwara Toshihiro , Kawai Kenichiro , Kakibuchi Masao
Published: June 2023

Geometrical assessments of human skulls have been conducted based on anatomical landmarks. If developed, the automatic detection of these landmarks will yield both medical and anthropological benefits. In this study, an automated system with multi-phased deep learning networks was developed to predict the three-dimensional coordinate values of craniofacial landmarks. Computed tomography images of the craniofacial area were obtained from a publicly available database. They were digitally reconstructed into three-dimensional objects. Sixteen anatomical landmarks were plotted on each of the objects, and their coordinate values were recorded. Three-phased regression deep learning networks were trained using ninety training datasets. For the evaluation, 30 testing datasets were employed. The 3D error for the first phase, which tested 30 data, was 11.60 px on average (1 px = 500/512 mm). For the second phase, it was significantly improved to 4.66 px. For the third phase, it was further significantly reduced to 2.88. This was comparable to the gaps between the landmarks, as plotted by two experienced practitioners. Our proposed method of multi-phased prediction, which conducts coarse detection first and narrows down the detection area, may be a possible solution to prediction problems, taking into account the physical limitations of memory and computation.
Unraveling Soft Squeezing Transformations in Time-Variant Elastic Fields
Authors: Fuentes Jesús
Published: June 2023

Quantum squeezing, an intriguing phenomenon that amplifies the uncertainty of one variable while diminishing that of its conjugate, may be studied as a time-dependent process, with exact solutions frequently derived from frameworks grounded in adiabatic invariants. Remarkably, we reveal that exact solutions can be ascertained in the presence of time-variant elastic forces, eschewing dependence on invariants or frozen eigenstate formalism. Delving into these solutions as an inverse problem unveils their direct connection to the design of elastic fields, responsible for inducing squeezing transformations onto canonical variables. Of particular note is that the dynamic transformations under investigation belong to a class of gentle quantum operations, distinguished by their delicate manipulation of particles, thereby circumventing the abrupt energy surges commonplace in conventional control protocols.
Improvement of Error Correction in Nonequilibrium Information Dynamics
Authors: Zeng Qian , Li Ran , Wang Jin
Published: May 2023

Errors are inevitable in information processing and transfer. While error correction is widely studied in engineering, the underlying physics is not fully understood. Due to the complexity and energy exchange involved, information transmission should be considered as a nonequilibrium process. In this study, we investigate the effects of nonequilibrium dynamics on error correction using a memoryless channel model. Our findings suggest that error correction improves as nonequilibrium increases, and the thermodynamic cost can be utilized to improve the correction quality. Our results inspire new approaches to error correction that incorporate nonequilibrium dynamics and thermodynamics, and highlight the importance of the nonequilibrium effects in error correction design, particularly in biological systems.
Comparison of Heart Autonomic Control between Hemodynamically Stable and Unstable Patients during Hemodialysis Sessions: A Bayesian Approach
Authors: Oliveira Natália de Jesus , Oliveira Alinne Alves , Costa Silvania Moraes , Pirôpo Uanderson Silva , Teles Mauro Fernandes , Freitas Verônica Porto de , Souza Dieslley Amorim de , Pereira Rafael
Published: May 2023

Intradialytic hypotension is a common complication during hemodialysis sessions. The analysis of successive RR interval variability using nonlinear methods represents a promising tool for evaluating the cardiovascular response to acute volemic changes. Thus, the present study aims to compare the variability of successive RR intervals between hemodynamically stable (HS) and unstable (HU) patients during a hemodialysis session, through linear and nonlinear methods. Forty-six chronic kidney disease patients volunteered in this study. Successive RR intervals and blood pressures were recorded throughout the hemodialysis session. Hemodynamic stability was defined based on the delta of systolic blood pressure (higher SBP-lower SBP). The cutoff for hemodynamic stability was defined as 30 mm Hg, and patients were stratified as: HS ([n = 21]: ≤29.9 mm Hg) or HU ([n = 25]: ≥30 mm Hg). Linear methods (low-frequency [LFnu] and high-frequency [HFnu] spectra) and nonlinear methods (multiscale entropy [MSE] for Scales 1–20, and fuzzy entropy) were applied. The area under the MSE curve at Scales 1–5 (MSE1–5), 6–20 (MSE6–20), and 1–20 (MSE1–20) were also used as nonlinear parameters. Frequentist and Bayesian inferences were applied to compare HS and HU patients. The HS patients exhibited a significantly higher LFnu and lower HFnu. For MSE parameters, Scales 3–20 were significantly higher, as well as MSE1–5, MSE6–20, and MSE1–20 in HS, when compared to HU patients (p < 0.05). Regarding Bayesian inference, the spectral parameters demonstrated an anecdotal (65.9%) posterior probability favoring the alternative hypothesis, while MSE exhibited moderate to very strong probability (79.4 to 96.3%) at Scales 3–20, and MSE1–5, MSE6–20, and MSE1–20. HS patients exhibited a higher heart-rate complexity than HU patients. In addition, the MSE demonstrated a greater potential than spectral methods to differentiate variability patterns in successive RR intervals.
Emotions of University Professors and Students in Times of Pandemic: An Analysis from the Perspective of Resilience in Chilean Higher Education
Authors: Riquelme Enrique , Villarroel Verónica , García Ricardo , Pérez Carlos , Fuentes Gerardo
Published: May 2023

COVID-19 forced a change in the usual face-to-face teaching–learning process to remote modalities in a matter of weeks. An abrupt change, within the context of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, significantly increased the stress experienced by professors, students, and their families. Black screens were also a sign of anxiety in the face of new emergency didactic interaction. It has been documented that emotions influence learning; however, few studies have analyzed learning during a pandemic from a resilience approach. The perceptions of the teaching–learning process of 654 professors and 1540 students from 34 Chilean universities were analyzed. Emotions experienced in remote education during the pandemic were studied in relation to professor empathy, respect in the virtual classroom, student/professor technological resources, didactic strategies, student participation, group work, tutoring, perception of learning, assessment, and perception of demand. The results show a direct relationship between professor and student positive emotions and the quality of perceived pedagogical practice and interaction.
Cross-Border Dialogues: A Collaborative Instructional Design Inquiry to Promote Equity and Diversity
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Lee Icy , Chan Helen Wan Yu , Guo Qi , Kuan Angela , Lee Jessica Sum Laam , Ma Qianhui , Ng Natalie Ching Tung , Trad Rozan
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic complicates ingrained educational inequalities around the globe and foregrounds the pertaining challenges that teachers have encountered due to school closures and the shift to distance learning. This cross-border teacher education project intended to examine how academics and pre-service teachers in different geographic locales could collaboratively explore equitable learning opportunities for diverse learners through the use of critical media literacies to respond to interconnected global crises. In this six-week cross-border teacher education project, we recruited four Mandarin and English literacy teacher candidates in Hong Kong to interact with one another and one Canadian professor as part of the teacher preparation phase of a larger-scale cross-border research project that connects youth from Hong Kong and Canada in a social networking space. For the purposes of teacher professional development, the Hong Kong teacher candidates and Canadian researchers engaged in collective exploration of how instructional designs in literacy education could promote equitable learning opportunities for diverse learners. Findings show that the cross-border teacher education project supported teacher candidates’ development of pedagogical skills and espoused their agency in promoting educational equity and collective problem-solving through critical media literacies. Findings relate the teacher candidates’ shifted perspectives from focusing on students’ decontextualized language skills to nurturing critical media skills. Changing from a deficit-oriented view about what literacy learners could not do, the teacher candidates also adopted an asset-oriented view about the linguistic and cultural repertoires that diverse learners could bring to literacy classrooms.
Representing Identity: The Importance of Literature and the Translanguaging Space for EAL/D Early Years Literacy Learning
Authors: Dutton Janet , Rushton Kathy
Published: June 2023

Quality literature is a natural fit when choosing resources to support learning in early years settings. This qualitative research reports how literary texts can be used to foster EAL/D students’ poetry writing and represent their identity. During professional learning, teachers were supported to select a range of engaging literary texts and design quality literacy experiences focused on thirdspace drama and other creative strategies. Students were afforded agency to respond to the texts and then employed Janks’ redesign cycle to craft identity text poems using their home language(s) and English. The lesson sequence generated a creative translanguaging space, and the poems highlight the richness of the students’ stories and give voice to their distinctive views of self and the world.