bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An intramuscular hemangioma of the semispinalis muscle: A case report
Authors: Sellami Moncef , Ayadi Sirine , Sellami Nesrine , Triki Meriem , Souissi Basma , Boudaouara Tahia , Ben Mahfoudh Khaireddine , Charfeddine Ilhem
Published: October 2023

Intramuscular hemangiomas are uncommon benign endotheliomas that typically occur in the trunk and limbs. Head and neck involvement is relatively infrequent, with the masseter muscle being the most commonly affected site. We present a rare case of intramuscular hemangiomas arising from the semispinalis muscle. A 31-year-old male presented with a painless swelling in the left upper neck region, gradually increasing in size over the past year. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined mass originating from the semispinalis muscle. Surgical excision was performed successfully, and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a mixed intramuscular hemangioma. The patient remained recurrence-free during the 2-year follow-up period. Intramuscular hemangiomas in the posterior neck muscles are rare, with only a few reported cases. Wide surgical resection with control of feeding vessels is the optimal treatment, and follow-up is recommended to monitor for local recurrence. This case report highlights the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and successful surgical management of intramuscular hemangiomas in a unique location, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this rare tumor.
Does Targeted Poverty Alleviation Policy Reduce Poverty? Evidence From Rural China
Authors: Yu Wenguang , Wang Qi , Wang Yaxuan , Guan Guofeng , Gao Yixin
Published: October 2023

Poverty is a common challenge faced by human beings. China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) policy provides the international community with a Chinese solution to poverty governance. Based on the goal of China’s TPA policy of “Two No Worries, Three Guarantees,” this paper selects appropriate indicators to evaluate the implementation effect of China’s TPA policy since 2013. The results show that there are significant differences between poor families and non-poor families in food consumption, clothing consumption, education, and housing. After the implementation of the TPA policy, the gap between poor families and non-poor families has been significantly reduced. However, from the perspective of per capita household consumption, there is still a certain gap between poor families and non-poor families, and it is still necessary to maintain the continuity to further improve the living standards of low-income families.

JEL Classification: I32
Overdue Assignment: A Case Study on Academic Writing Development for Postgraduate Health Professional Trainees in Kenya
Authors: Onguka Stephanie , de Meijer Fleur , Basnight-Brown Dana M
Published: October 2023

OBJECTIVES

Though essential for research capacity building, development of authorial identity for thesis projects and publications has been overlooked in African postgraduate residency programs. This study aims to explore authorial identity among postgraduate health professional trainees at two universities in Kenya. It also evaluated the effect of Age of Acquisition of English on confidence in writing.

METHODS

This exploratory case study utilized quantitative and qualitative data. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were generated from learning objectives and evaluated confidence in writing and plagiarism awareness, both important attributes of authorial identity. As confidence in writing might be influenced by the English Age of Acquisition, the questionnaire also included items from the Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire. Pre- and post-workshop responses were analyzed using planned comparisons. Focus group discussions further explored authorial identity among participants and were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

A total of 57 postgraduate trainees from nine medical specialties participated in the study. Both confidence in writing and plagiarism awareness improved significantly after the workshop: confidence in writing pre-test ( M = 3.20, SD = 0.59) and post-test ( M = 3.97, SD = 0.61), t(56) = 6.93, P < .001, d = 0.9; plagiarism awareness pre-test ( M = 3.01, SD 0.72) and post-test ( M = 3.92, SD 0.65), t(56) = 6,8, P < .001, d = 0.9. The average English Age of Acquisition was 4.98 years and showed no correlation with confidence in writing. Participants recognized that authentic authorship requires hard work and suggested plagiarism is driven by inadequate writing instruction. They proposed that changing perceptions of research and writing could overcome a graduation requirement mindset among trainees.

CONCLUSIONS

Interactive workshops using procedural and enculturation approaches may be useful to develop authorial identity among postgraduate health professionals in Kenya. Further research is needed on evaluating workshop effectiveness using direct indicators of learning and other curricular reforms to promote authorship.
Okruginite, Cu2SnSe3, a new mineral from the Ozernovskoe deposit, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia
Authors: Vymazalová Anna , Kozlov Vladimir V. , Laufek František , Stanley Chris J. , Shkilev Ilya A. , Kudaeva Sharapat , Košek Filip
Published: October 2023

Okruginite, Cu2SnSe3 is a new mineral discovered from the high-sulfidation epithermal Au Ozernovskoye deposit, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. It occurs as distinct Se-rich zones in Se-bearing mohite crystals or forms aggregates of small crystals 10–15 μm in size in quartz. In plane-polarised light, okruginite appears brownish grey. Pleochroism and bireflectance are discernible, anisotropy is weak, with rotation tints pale blue-grey to pale grey-brown; it exhibits no internal reflections. Reflectance values of the synthetic analogue of okruginite in air (R1, R2 in %) are: 25.9, 26.5 at 470 nm, 27.5, 26.5 at 546 nm, 27.8, 28.4 at 589 nm and 27.7, 28.4 at 650 nm. Twenty seven electron-microprobe analyses of okruginite give an average composition: Cu 29.48, Sn 28.10, Se 33.40 and S 8.75, total 99.73 wt.%, corresponding to the empirical formula Cu1.99Sn1.02(Se1.82S1.17)Σ2.99 based on 6 atoms; the average of seven analyses on its synthetic analogue is: Cu 23.62, Sn 24.37 and Se 49.09, total 97.08 wt.%, corresponding to Cu1.86Sn1.03Se3.11. The density, calculated on the basis of the empirical formula, is 5.126 g/cm3. The mineral is monoclinic, space group Cc, with a = 6.9906(2), b = 12.0712(4) Å, c = 6.9723(2) Å, β = 109.350(10)°, V = 555.1(2) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure was solved and refined from the powder X-ray-diffraction data of synthetic Cu2SnSe3. Okruginite is the selenium-end member of the Cu2SnS3–Cu2SnSe3 solid solution. The mineral name is in honour of Dr. Victor Mikhailovich Okrugin, a Russian mineralogist, for his contributions to mineralogy and geology of epithermal deposits, in particular of the Au–Ag deposits in Kamchatka.
Thermal-Mechanical Effect and Removal Mechanism of Ti-6Al-4V During Laser-Assisted Grinding
Authors: Xiao Guijian , Zhu Shengwang , He Yi , Liu Gang , Ni Yuanhe
Published: October 2023

The low density and high corrosion resistance of titanium alloy make it a material with various applications in the aerospace industry. However, because of its high specific strength and poor thermal conductivity, there are problems such as high cutting force, poor surface integrity, and high cutting temperature during conventional machining. As an advanced processing method with high efficiency and low damage, laser-assisted machining can improve the machinability of titanium alloy. In this study, a picosecond pulse laser-assisted scratching (PPLAS) method considering both the temperature-dependent material properties and ultrashort pulse laser’s characteristics is first proposed. Then, the effects of laser power, scratching depth, and scratching speed on the distribution of stress and temperature field are investigated by simulation. Next, PPLAS experiments are conducted to verify the correctness of the simulation and reveal the removal behavior at various combinations of laser power and scratching depths. Finally, combined with simulated and experimental results, the removal mechanism under the two machining methods is illustrated. Compared with conventional scratching (CS), the tangential grinding force is reduced by more than 60% and the material removal degree is up to 0.948 during PPLAS, while the material removal is still primarily in the form of plastic removal. Grinding debris in CS takes the form of stacked flakes with a “fish scale” surface, whereas it takes the form of broken serrations in PPLAS. This research can provide important guidance for titanium alloy grinding with high surface quality and low surface damage.
Protein-modified nanomaterials: emerging trends in skin wound healing
Authors: Sharda Deepinder , Kaur Pawandeep , Choudhury Diptiman
Published: October 2023

Prolonged inflammation can impede wound healing, which is regulated by several proteins and cytokines, including IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-β. Concentration-dependent effects of these molecules at the target site have been investigated by researchers to develop them as wound-healing agents by regulating signaling strength. Nanotechnology has provided a promising approach to achieve tissue-targeted delivery and increased effective concentration by developing protein-functionalized nanoparticles with growth factors (EGF, IGF, FGF, PDGF, TGF-β, TNF-α, and VEGF), antidiabetic wound-healing agents (insulin), and extracellular proteins (keratin, heparin, and silk fibroin). These molecules play critical roles in promoting cell proliferation, migration, ECM production, angiogenesis, and inflammation regulation. Therefore, protein-functionalized nanoparticles have emerged as a potential strategy for improving wound healing in delayed or impaired healing cases. This review summarizes the preparation and applications of these nanoparticles for normal or diabetic wound healing and highlights their potential to enhance wound healing.

Graphical abstract
Laparoscopic ureteroplasty using onlay appendix flap: a case series
Authors: Guliev B. , Komyakov B. , Avazkhanov J. , Shevnin M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Currently, strictures of the ureters often develop after endourology of the upper urinary tract, gynecological, and surgical interventions. For long proximal ureteral strictures, ureteroplasty with an on-lay appendix flap may be an option for treatment.

Case presentation

Five patients had laparoscopic onlay appendicoureteroplastic for long right ureter strictures. The average age of the patients was 42.5 years old. Four patients developed a stricture after transurethral contact ureterolithotripsy; one patient had it after laparoscopic ureterolysis. The average stricture length was 3.5 (2.8–5.2) cm. The length of the stricture was controlled, including using near-infrared fluorescence imaging. With an average observation time of 14.6 (6.2–28.4) months, the operation was effective in all patients. The urodynamics of the upper urinary tract recovered completely in three patients and comparatively improved in two patients. All of the patients stopped feeling any pain. The observed patients were saved from external and internal drainage.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic onlay ureteroplasty with an appendix in a selected group of patients may be the method of choice for long strictures of the middle and upper parts of the right ureter.
Motivational stimuli to donate sperm among non-donor students
Authors: Ronen Maya , Kedem Alon , Avraham Sarit , Youngster Michal , Yerushalmi Gil , Hourvitz Ariel , Gat Itai
Published: October 2023

Background

Sperm banks face a continuously evolving gap between the increasing demand for sperm donation (SD) vs. limited available reserve. To improve donors’ recruitment and increase supply, motivations towards SD should be investigated specifically among young men who have the potential to become donors. Our aim was to evaluate factors which increase and decrease predisposition to donate sperm among non-donor students, who represent a “potential pool” for possible donors’ recruitment.

Results

Ninety-three men fulfilled the questionnaire with mean age of 28.2 ± 4.5 years. The most powerful incentive to donate sperm was financial reward followed by a willingness to help others to build a family (3.8 and 3.4, respectively). The most dominant consideration to decline donation was the fear of anonymity loss and future regret (4 and 3.8). While participants’ willingness for anonymous SD was fair (2.8), the open-identity donation was rated significantly lower (1.75, p < 0.01). Familiarity with recipients and offspring had lower scores (1.9–2.2) as well.

Conclusions

Young single men represent a suitable cohort for anonymous donation. Financial reward and willingness to help others are important positive incentives while anonymity preservation is crucial to maintain their willingness towards SD. Regulatory shifting towards open-identity SD necessitates the establishment of an alternative “potential pool” population as a reliable source to recruit donors.
Supporting the “hallway residents”: a qualitative descriptive study of staff perspectives on implementing the Namaste Care intervention in long-term care
Authors: Li Donny H.Y. , Yous Marie-Lee , Hunter Paulette V. , Coker Esther , Just Danielle , Bello-Haas Vanina Dal , McAiney Carrie , Wickson-Griffiths Abigail , Kaasalainen Sharon
Published: October 2023

Background

Long-term care (LTC) settings are becoming home to an increasing number of people living with advanced or late-stage dementia. Residents living with advanced dementia represent some of society’s most vulnerable and socially excluded populations and are thus at an increased risk of social isolation. A multisensory intervention tailored to this population, Namaste Care, has been developed to improve quality of life for residents living with advanced dementia in LTC homes. To date, limited research has explored the perspectives of staff in implementing the Namaste Care program with an emphasis on social inclusion of residents in Canadian LTC homes. This study aimed to describe the perspectives of LTC staff on the implementation facilitators and barriers of Namaste Care as a program to support the social inclusion of residents living with advanced dementia.

Methods

Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews (n = 12) and focus groups (n = 6) were conducted in two LTC homes in Southern Ontario, Canada, over a 6-month period. Convenience sampling was used to recruit LTC home staff from the two participating sites. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data.

Results

LTC staff (n = 46) emphasized the program’s ability to recognize the unique needs of residents with advanced dementia, and also stated its potential to facilitate meaningful connections between families and residents, as well as foster care partnerships between staff and families. Findings indicated staff also perceived numerous facilitators and barriers to Namaste Care. In particular, providing staff with dedicated time for Namaste Care and implementing volunteer and family participation in the program were seen as facilitators, whereas the initial perception of the need for extra staff to deliver Namaste Care and identifying times in the day where Namaste Care was feasible for residents, families, and staff, were seen as barriers.

Conclusions

LTC staff recognized the need for formalized programs like Namaste Care to address the biopsychosocial needs of residents with advanced dementia and offer positive care partnership opportunities between staff and family members. Although staffing constraints remain the largest barrier to effective implementation, staff valued the program and made suggestions to build LTC home capacity for Namaste Care.
Machine learning for differentiation of lipid-poor adrenal adenoma and subclinical pheochromocytoma based on multiphase CT imaging radiomics
Authors: Xiao Dao-xiong , Zhong Jian-ping , Peng Ji-dong , Fan Cun-geng , Wang Xiao-chun , Wen Xing-lin , Liao Wei-wei , Wang Jun , Yin Xiao-feng
Published: October 2023

Background

There is a paucity of research investigating the application of machine learning techniques for distinguishing between lipid-poor adrenal adenoma (LPA) and subclinical pheochromocytoma (sPHEO) based on radiomic features extracted from non-contrast and dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of multiphase spiral CT scans, including non-contrast, arterial, venous, and delayed phases, as well as thin- and thick-thickness images from 134 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed. A total of 52 patients with LPA and 44 patients with sPHEO were randomly assigned to training/testing sets in a 7:3 ratio. Additionally, a validation set was comprised of 22 LPA cases and 16 sPHEO cases from two other hospitals. We used 3D Slicer and PyRadiomics to segment tumors and extract radiomic features, respectively. We then applied T-test and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to select features. Six binary classifiers, including K-nearest neighbor (KNN), logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP), were employed to differentiate LPA from sPHEO. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) values were compared using DeLong’s method.

Results

All six classifiers showed good diagnostic performance for each phase and slice thickness, as well as for the entire CT data, with AUC values ranging from 0.706 to 1. Non-contrast CT densities of LPA were significantly lower than those of sPHEO (P < 0.001). However, using the optimal threshold for non-contrast CT density, sensitivity was only 0.743, specificity 0.744, and AUC 0.828. Delayed phase CT density yielded a sensitivity of 0.971, specificity of 0.641, and AUC of 0.814. In radiomics, AUC values for the testing set using non-contrast CT images were: KNN 0.919, LR 0.979, DT 0.835, RF 0.967, SVM 0.979, and MLP 0.981. In the validation set, AUC values were: KNN 0.891, LR 0.974, DT 0.891, RF 0.964, SVM 0.949, and MLP 0.979.

Conclusions

The machine learning model based on CT radiomics can accurately differentiate LPA from sPHEO, even using non-contrast CT data alone, making contrast-enhanced CT unnecessary for diagnosing LPA and sPHEO.
Analysis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a 20-year retrospective analysis of patients of a single institution
Authors: Chen Danzhi , Wang Qinchuan , Dong Minjun , Chen Fei , Huang Aihua , Chen Cong , Lu Yi , Zhao Wenhe , Wang Linbo
Published: October 2023

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been widely applied in operable breast cancer patients. This study aim to identify the predictive factors of overall survival(OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) in breast cancer patients who received NAC from a single Chinese institution.

Patients and Methods

There were 646 patients recruited in this study. All the patients were treated at department of Surgical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between February 25, 1999 and August 22, 2018. The relevant clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected retrospectively. RFS and OS were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was also employed. Multi-variate logistic regression model was simulated to predict pathologic complete response (pCR).

Results

In total, 118 patients (18.2%) achieved pCR during NAC. The 5-year OS was 94.6% versus 78.1% in patients with and without pCR, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year RFS was 95.3% and 72.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). No difference was detected among molecular subtypes of 5-year RFS in patients obtained pCR. Factors independently predicting RFS were HER2-positive subtype (hazard ratio(HR), 1.906; P = 0.004), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (HR,2.079; P = 0.003), lymph node positive after NAC(HR,2.939; P < 0.001), pCR (HR, 0.396;P = 0.010), and clinical stage III (HR,2.950; P = 0.016). Multi-variate logistic regression model was simulated to predict the pCR rate after NAC, according to clinical stage, molecular subtype, ki-67, LVSI, treatment period and histology. In the ROC curve analysis, the AUC of the nomogram was 0.734 (95%CI,0.867–12.867).

Conclusions

Following NAC, we found that pCR positively correlated with prognosis and the molecular subtype was a prognostic factor.
Incidence of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy following cataract surgery: a population-based nation-wide study – FreYAG1 study
Authors: Brézin Antoine P. , Labbe Antoine , Schweitzer Cédric , Lignereux François , Rozot Pascal , Goguillot Mélanie , Bugnard Françoise , Dot Corinne
Published: October 2023

Rationale

Nd:YAG (neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) capsulotomy (Nd:YAG-caps) is the gold standard for the treatment of PCO (Posterior Capsule Opacification). There is a lack of real-world data about Nd:YAG-caps use.

Purpose

This study’s objectives were to estimate Nd:YAG-caps incidence in France, to describe the patient characteristics, and to analyze the time between surgeries and capsulotomies. Setting: The study was based on data extracted from the EGB database, a 1/97th sample representative of the French population. Design: observational, retrospective, cohort study using national claims data.

Methods

French adult patients who underwent Nd:YAG-caps between 2014 and 2017 were selected. Main outcomes were the number of patients and procedures performed and the risk factors associated with early Nd:YAG-caps. Results: During the study period, Nd:YAG-caps were performed in 8,425 patients accounting for 10,774 procedures. The extrapolation to the French population led to estimate that 253.103 patients had Nd:YAG-caps, representing 312.103 procedures in 2017. The mean age at Nd:YAG-caps was 75.1 (± 10.2) years. About 36% of patients presented at least one ocular comorbidity. Nd:YAG-caps was performed within 2 years after surgery in 33.0% of patients and within one year in 9.8% of patients. Patients with Nd:YAG-caps within the first year (OR CI95 0.721 [0.673–0.772]) or in the first two years (OR CI95 0.721 [0.673–0.772]) were younger than patients with later Nd:YAG-caps and had a more frequent history of treated ocular diseases (OR 1.516 and 1.178, respectively).

Conclusions

This study brought new real-world and large-scale data regarding Nd:YAG-caps use and gave an updated insight into the patients’ characteristics.
Minority stress, social support and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students in China: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Li Huijun , Liu Xiaoling , Zheng Qingyong , Zeng Siyuan , Luo Xiaofeng
Published: October 2023

Background

The existing body of research exploring minority stressors and their impact on the mental health of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) students in China remains limited in scope and often restricted to specific geographic regions..

Methods

A combination of snowball and targeted sampling strategies was used to recruit lesbian, gay and bisexual students (N = 1,393) for a cross-sectional, online survey in China. Participants (Mage = 20.00 years; 60.23% assigned male at birth) were tasked with completing a comprehensive questionnaire designed to capture various dimensions, including gender expression, minority stressors (e.g., school bullying, internalized homophobia), social psychological resources (e.g., perceived social support), and mental health-related outcomes (e.g., depression, anxious and stress). Our analytical approach involved hierarchical multiple regression analyses, mediation and moderated mediation modeling to elucidate the intricate interplay among these factors.

Results

Our findings shed light on the pronounced mental health disparities afflicting LGB college students in China, with notable prevalence rates of depression (48.1%), anxiety (57.1%), and stress (37.5%). A significant positive correlation was observed between experiences of school-based victimization and internalized homophobia, which, in turn, exhibited a direct association with affective symptoms.School bullying was positive with internalized homophobia, which was positively associated with affective symptoms.In addition to unveiling the indirect effects of school bullying on affective symptoms, our study identified direct links in this complex relationship. Notably, the availability of social support emerged as a pivotal factor, serving as a moderator within the mediation model by mitigating the path from school-based victimization bullying to internalized homophobia (β = -0.077, P = 0.040).

Conclusions

This study underscores the pervasive and concerning mental health disparities experienced by LGB college students in China. In response, institutions of higher learning should intensify anti-bullying initiatives tailored to LGB students and implement comprehensive gender education programs. Moreover, concerted efforts should be directed at enhancing the accessibility of social support resources for LGB college students, with the aim of cultivating and sustaining favorable psychological well-being.
A novel lupene derivative from Thymus capitatus possesses an apoptosis-inducing effect via Let-7 miRNA/Cyclin D1/VEGF cascade in the A549 cell line
Authors: Aborehab Nora M. , Salama Maha M. , Ezzat Shahira M.
Published: October 2023

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a type of epithelial lung cancer accounting for about 85% of all lung cancers. In our research, a novel lupene derivative namely acetoxy-lup-5(6), 20(29)-diene (ALUP), as well as two known triterpenes; lupeol (LUP) and betulinic acid (BA) were isolated through the chromatographic purification of the 95% ethanolic extract of Thymus capitatus. Identification of the compounds was carried out by physicochemical properties as well as spectral 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The anti-cancer activity of the three triterpenes was assessed on non-small cell lung cancer cell line; A549 using MTT assay and cell cycle analysis using annexin V/propidium iodide. The molecular mechanism underlying anti-apoptotic effects was determined by analyzing Let-7 miRNA and miRNA-21 expression, the mRNA gene expression level of Bax, CASP-8, CD95, Bcl2, KRAS, VEGF, Cyclin D1 using qRT-PCR. Our results revealed that the three isolated compounds ALUP, LUP, and BA caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase with an increase in the apoptosis which may be attributed to their significant effect on raising Bax, CASP-8, and CD95 and reducing the mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2, KRAS, VEGF, and Cyclin D1 compared to control cells. RT-PCR results showed that the ALUP, LUP, and BA significantly downregulated miRNA-21 expression. Meanwhile, the three compounds caused significant overexpression of Let-7 miRNA. This is the first report on the anti-cancer activity of acetoxy-lup-5(6), 20(29)-diene (ALUP) in reducing the proliferation and differentiation of the A549 cell line through inducing apoptosis. Finally, by targeting the Let-7 miRNA/Cyclin D1/VEGF cascade, acetoxy-lup-5(6), 20(29)-diene could be a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer.
Prevalence and demographic variation of cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, and mental health conditions in 12 million english primary care records
Authors: Cooper Jennifer , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Crowe Francesca , Azcoaga-Lorenzo Amaya , McCowan Colin , Jackson Thomas , Acharya Aditya , Gokhale Krishna , Gunathilaka Niluka , Marshall Tom , Haroon Shamil
Published: October 2023

Background

Primary care electronic health records (EHR) are widely used to study long-term conditions in epidemiological and health services research. Therefore, it is important to understand how well the recorded prevalence of these conditions in EHRs, compares to other reliable sources overall, and varies by socio-demographic characteristics. We aimed to describe the prevalence and socio-demographic variation of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic (CRM) and mental health (MH) conditions in a large, nationally representative, English primary care database and compare with prevalence estimates from other population-based studies.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum primary care database. We calculated prevalence of 18 conditions and used logistic regression to assess how this varied by age, sex, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. We searched the literature for population prevalence estimates from other sources for comparison with the prevalences in CPRD Aurum.

Results

Depression (16.0%, 95%CI 16.0–16.0%) and hypertension (15.3%, 95%CI 15.2–15.3%) were the most prevalent conditions among 12.4 million patients. Prevalence of most conditions increased with socio-economic deprivation and age. CRM conditions, schizophrenia and substance misuse were higher in men, whilst anxiety, depression, bipolar and eating disorders were more common in women. Cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) were more prevalent in black and Asian patients compared with white, but the trends in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases by ethnicity were more variable. The recorded prevalences of mental health conditions were typically twice as high in white patients compared with other ethnic groups. However, PTSD and schizophrenia were more prevalent in black patients. The prevalence of most conditions was similar or higher in the primary care database than diagnosed disease prevalence reported in national health surveys. However, screening studies typically reported higher prevalence estimates than primary care data, especially for PTSD, bipolar disorder and eating disorders.

Conclusions

The prevalence of many clinically diagnosed conditions in primary care records closely matched that of other sources. However, we found important variations by sex and ethnicity, which may reflect true variation in prevalence or systematic differences in clinical presentation and practice. Primary care data may underrepresent the prevalence of undiagnosed conditions, particularly in mental health.
Comprehensive information management system for a medical research cohort biobank based on quality by design
Authors: Zheng Lianshuai , Wang Leilei
Published: October 2023

Background

With the development of big health and big data, cohort research has become a medical research hotspot. As an important repository of human genetic resources, biobanks must adapt to the requirements of large-scale and efficient operation. Thus, biobanks urgently need to design and build a legal, convenient, and efficient information management system.

Methods

This study applies the concept of “quality by design” to build a comprehensive biobank information management system based on the analysis of user requirements, legal and regulatory risks, and industry-standard requirements. The system integrates the management of scientific research projects, biological specimens, clinical information, quality control, and multi-dimensional information query and development. After 10 months of its operation, the comprehensive management system was evaluated through statistical analysis of the efficiency of the construction of the pregnancy–birth cohort and the quality of genetic resources.

Results

Since the system’s launch, the statistics on cohort construction efficiency show that the enrollment rate of eligible pregnant women has increased, and the rate of missing volunteers has dropped. The time needed to establish a 1000-person cohort (with complete biological samples and clinical information in early, middle, and late pregnancy) was reduced, and the effective tracking rate of the samples was 77.42%. The error rate of the deep cryogenic refrigerator decreased, with a clinical information integrity rate of 96.47%.

Conclusions

The comprehensive biobank information management system constructed with the “quality by design” concept is well suited to meet the requirements of medical research. This study provides a solution for designing a comprehensive information system for medical institutions’ biobanks.
Effectiveness of evidence-based decision aids for women with pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants in the german health care context: results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kautz-Freimuth Sibylle , Redaèlli Marcus , Shukri Arim , Kentenich Hannah , Simic Dusan , Mildenberger Vanessa , Schmutzler Rita , Rhiem Kerstin , Stock Stephanie
Published: October 2023

Background

Women with pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Preventive options include risk-reducing breast and ovarian surgeries and intensified breast surveillance. However, individual decision-making is often associated with decisional conflicts. Two evidence-based decision aids have recently been developed for these women (healthy or with unilateral breast cancer) for the German context to support them in their decision-making process. This study evaluated their effectiveness.

Methods

In a randomized controlled study, women (aged 18–70 years) with pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants were randomly assigned 1:1 to the intervention (IG, n = 230) or control (CG, n = 220) group. All participants received usual care. After baseline survey (t0), IG participants additionally received the DAs. Follow-up surveys were at three (t1) and six (t2) months. Primary outcome was decisional conflict at t1. Secondary analyses included decision status, decision regret, knowledge on risks and preventive options, self-reported psychological symptoms, acceptability of DAs, and preparation for decision-making.

Results

Of 450 women recruited, 417 completed t0, 398 completed t1 and 386 completed t2. Compared to CG, IG participants had lower decisional conflict scores at t1 (p = 0.049) and t2 (p = 0.006) and higher scores for knowledge (p = 0.004), acceptability (p = 0.000), and preparation for decision-making (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

These DAs can help improve key parameters of decision-making in women with pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants and, thus, provide a useful add-on to the current counseling and care concept for these women in Germany.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS-ID: DRKS00015823, retrospectively registered 14/06/2019.
Methylomics and cancer: the current state of methylation profiling and marker development for clinical care
Authors: Liu Chengyin , Tang Han , Hu Nana , Li Tianbao
Published: October 2023

Epigenetic modifications have long been recognized as an essential level in transcriptional regulation linking behavior and environmental conditions or stimuli with biological processes and disease development. Among them, methylation is the most abundant of these reversible epigenetic marks, predominantly occurring on DNA, RNA, and histones. Methylation modification is intimately involved in regulating gene transcription and cell differentiation, while aberrant methylation status has been linked with cancer development in several malignancies. Early detection and precise restoration of dysregulated methylation form the basis for several epigenetics-based therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the current basic understanding of the regulation and mechanisms responsible for methylation modification and cover several cutting-edge research techniques for detecting methylation across the genome and transcriptome. We then explore recent advances in clinical diagnostic applications of methylation markers of various cancers and address the current state and future prospects of methylation modifications in therapies for different diseases, especially comparing pharmacological methylase/demethylase inhibitors with the CRISPRoff/on methylation editing systems. This review thus provides a resource for understanding the emerging role of epigenetic methylation in cancer, the use of methylation-based biomarkers in cancer detection, and novel methylation-targeted drugs.
The impact of body weight on the development of peritoneal metastases in colorectal cancer patients: results from a nationwide cohort study
Authors: van de Vlasakker Vincent C. J. , van Erning Felice N. , Lurvink Robin J. , de Hingh Ignace H. J. T. , Nienhuijs Simon W.
Published: October 2023

Background

Obesity is a major global health problem and an important risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) is increased body weight. Obesity plays a role in the peritoneal dissemination of cancer; however, it is unclear whether this also applies for peritoneal dissemination of CRC. The purpose of this study was to provide insight in the role of obesity on the peritoneal dissemination of colorectal cancer.

Methods

Of all patients diagnosed with CRC in the Netherlands in the first half of 2015, follow-up data was completed in 2019. Weight at time of primary diagnosis was categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Logistic regression modelling was used to assess the association between weight and the presence of synchronous colorectal peritoneal metastases (CPM), and Cox regression modelling was used to assess the association between weight and metachronous CPM. Patient and tumor characteristics were taken into account. The analyses were adjusted for tumor stage, nodal stage, tumor location, and tumor histology.

Results

In total, 6436 patients were included in this study. Two-hundred ninety-three (4.6%) patients presented with synchronous CPM at the time of primary diagnosis, while another 278 (5.1%) patients developed metachronous CPM after a median time of 16.5 months. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression modelling did not identify an effect of weight on the presence of synchronous CPM. Neither underweight (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% CI 0.48–2.54), nor overweight (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.71–1.29), or obesity (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.56–1.26) was either positively or negatively associated with the presence of synchronous peritoneal metastases as compared to normal weight. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression modelling did not identify an effect of weight on the development of metachronous CPM. Neither underweight (HR 0.162, 95% CI 0.02–1.16), nor overweight (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.82–1.39), or obesity (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.73–1.16) was either positively or negatively associated with the presence of synchronous peritoneal metastases as compared to normal weight.

Conclusion

CRC patients who are overweight or obese are not more at risk for the presence of synchronous CPM nor development of metachronous CPM than their normal-weight counterparts.
Fibroblast growth factor signaling in axons: from development to disease
Authors: Tomé Diogo , Dias Marta S. , Correia Joana , Almeida Ramiro D.
Published: October 2023

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family regulates various and important aspects of nervous system development, ranging from the well-established roles in neuronal patterning to more recent and exciting functions in axonal growth and synaptogenesis. In addition, FGFs play a critical role in axonal regeneration, particularly after spinal cord injury, confirming their versatile nature in the nervous system. Due to their widespread involvement in neural development, the FGF system also underlies several human neurological disorders. While particular attention has been given to FGFs in a whole-cell context, their effects at the axonal level are in most cases undervalued. Here we discuss the endeavor of the FGF system in axons, we delve into this neuronal subcompartment to provide an original view of this multipurpose family of growth factors in nervous system (dys)function.
Prevalence, clinical significance, and persistence of autoantibodies in COVID-19
Authors: Lee Se Ju , Yoon Taejun , Ha Jang Woo , Kim Jinnam , Lee Ki Hyun , Lee Jung Ah , Kim Chang Hyup , Lee Sang-Won , Kim Jung Ho , Ahn Jin Young , Ku Nam Su , Choi Jun Yong , Yeom Joon-Sup , Jeong Su Jin
Published: October 2023

Background

Interest in complications and sequelae following Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing. Several articles have reported COVID-19-associated autoimmune diseases and the association between autoantibodies and the severity of COVID-19. Thromboembolic complications are frequent in patients with COVID-19, and the anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) is frequently detected. We conducted this study to investigate the prevalence, clinical significance, and persistence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and aPLs in COVID-19.

Methods

We enrolled patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with oxygen demand and admitted to a tertiary hospital in South Korea between July 2020 and March 2022. ANA and aPLs levels were assessed using an immunoassay kit.

Results

A total of 248 patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, five patients were ANA-positive, and 41 were aPL-positive (IgM anti-cardiolipin (aCL) antibody in seven patients, IgG aCL in seven patients, IgM anti-β2Glycoprotein1 antibody (aβ2-GPI) in 32 patients, and IgG aβ2-GPI in one patient). Two of five ANA-positive patients, 13 of 32 IgM aβ2-GPI-positive patients, 5 of 7 IgM aCL-positive patients, and 2 of 7 IgG aCL-positive patients were eligible for follow-up analysis, and 100%, 69.2%, 40%, and 50% of the patients remained autoantibody-positive, respectively. There were no differences in clinical outcomes between the autoantibody-positive and autoantibody-negative groups, except for the IgG aCL group showing a tendency for worse outcomes.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients with oxygen demand were autoantibody-positive, and autoantibodies persisted for several months after symptom onset. Whether these autoantibodies are related to long-term sequelae in COVID-19 patients requires further investigation.
LncRNA FTO-IT1 promotes glycolysis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through modulating FTO-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification on GLUT1 and PKM2
Authors: Wang Fan , Hu Yuhang , Wang Hongda , Hu Ping , Xiong Hewei , Zeng Zhu , Han Shengbo , Wang Decai , Wang Jie , Zhao Yong , Huang Yan , Zhuo Wenfeng , Lv Guozheng , Zhao Gang
Published: October 2023

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been extensively studied to play essential roles in tumor progression. However, more in-depth studies are waiting to be solved on how lncRNAs regulate the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Different expression levels of lncRNAs in HCC cells were compared by analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. The effects of lncRNA FTO Intronic Transcript 1 (FTO-IT1) on HCC cells were assessed by gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Colony formation assay, Edu assay, glucose uptake and lactic acid production assay were performed to evaluate the regulation of proliferation and glycolysis of HCC cells by FTO-IT1. The binding between protein interleukin enhancer binding factor 2/3 (ILF2/ILF3) and FTO-IT1 was determined by RNA pull-down, mass spectroscopy and RNA immunoprecipitation experiments. RNA stability assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the regulatory mechanisms of FTO-IT1 on fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO). Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation assay was used to assessed the regulation of key enzymes of glycolysis by FTO. The role of FTO-IT1/FTO in vivo was confirmed via xenograft tumor model.

Results

LncRNA FTO-IT1, an intronic region transcript of FTO gene, was highly expressed in HCC and associated with poor prognosis of patients with HCC. FTO-IT1 was related to proliferation and glycolysis of HCC cells, and contributed to the malignant progression of HCC by promoting glycolysis. Mechanistically, FTO-IT1 induced stabilization of FTO mRNA by recruiting ILF2/ILF3 protein complex to 3’UTR of FTO mRNA. As a demethylase for N6-methyladenosine (m6A), FTO decreased m6A modification on mRNAs of glycolysis associated genes including GLUT1, PKM2, and c-Myc which alleviated the YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2 (YTHDF2)-mediated mRNA degradation. Therefore, the upregulated expression of FTO-IT1 leaded to overexpression of GLUT1, PKM2, and c-Myc by which enhanced glycolysis of HCC. Meanwhile, it was found that c-Myc transcriptional regulated expression of FTO-IT1 by binding to its promoter area under hypo-glucose condition, forming a reciprocal loop between c-Myc and FTO-IT1.

Conclusions

This study identified an important role of the FTO-IT1/FTO axis mediated m6A modification of glycolytic genes contributed to glycolysis and tumorigenesis of HCC, and FTO-IT1 might be served as a new therapeutic target for HCC.
Phospholipase D4 as a signature of toll-like receptor 7 or 9 signaling is expressed on blastic T-bet + B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yasaka Ken , Yamazaki Tomohide , Sato Hiroko , Shirai Tsuyoshi , Cho Minkwon , Ishida Koji , Ito Koyu , Tanaka Tetsuhiro , Ogasawara Kouetsu , Harigae Hideo , Ishii Tomonori , Fujii Hiroshi
Published: October 2023

Background

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), autoreactive B cells are thought to develop by-passing immune checkpoints and contribute to its pathogenesis. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 9 signaling have been implicated in their development and differentiation. Although some B cell subpopulations such as T-bet + double negative 2 (DN2) cells have been identified as autoreactive in the past few years, because the upregulated surface markers of those cells are not exclusive to them, it is still challenging to specifically target autoreactive B cells in SLE patients.

Methods

Our preliminary expression analysis revealed that phospholipase D4 (PLD4) is exclusively expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples. Monoclonal antibodies against human PLD4 were generated, and flow cytometry analyses were conducted for PBMCs from 23 healthy donors (HDs) and 40 patients with SLE. In vitro cell culture was also performed to study the conditions that induce PLD4 in B cells from HDs. Finally, recombinant antibodies were synthesized from subpopulations of PLD4 + B cells from a patient with SLE, and their antinuclear activity was measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

pDCs from both groups showed comparable frequency of surface PLD4 expression. PLD4 + B cells accounted for only a few percent of HD B cells, whereas they were significantly expanded in patients with SLE (2.1% ± 0.4% vs. 10.8% ± 1.2%, P < 0.005). A subpopulation within PLD4 + B cells whose cell size was comparable to CD38 + CD43 + plasmablasts was defined as “PLD4 + blasts,” and their frequencies were significantly correlated with those of plasmablasts (P < 0.005). PLD4 + blasts phenotypically overlapped with double negative 2 (DN2) cells, and, in line with this, their frequencies were significantly correlated with several clinical markers of SLE. In vitro assay using healthy PBMCs demonstrated that TLR7 or TLR9 stimulation was sufficient to induce PLD4 on the surface of the B cells. Finally, two out of three recombinant antibodies synthesized from PLD4 + blasts showed antinuclear activity.

Conclusion

PLD4 + B cells, especially “blastic” ones, are likely autoreactive B cells undergoing TLR stimulation. Therefore, PLD4 is a promising target marker in SLE treatment.
Antimicrobial peptides modulate lung injury by altering the intestinal microbiota
Authors: Abdelgawad Ahmed , Nicola Teodora , Martin Isaac , Halloran Brian A. , Tanaka Kosuke , Adegboye Comfort Y. , Jain Pankaj , Ren Changchun , Lal Charitharth V. , Ambalavanan Namasivayam , O’Connell Amy E. , Jilling Tamás , Willis Kent A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Mammalian mucosal barriers secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as critical, host-derived regulators of the microbiota. However, mechanisms that support microbiota homeostasis in response to inflammatory stimuli, such as supraphysiologic oxygen, remain unclear.

Results

We show that supraphysiologic oxygen exposure to neonatal mice, or direct exposure of intestinal organoids to supraphysiologic oxygen, suppresses the intestinal expression of AMPs and alters intestinal microbiota composition. Oral supplementation of the prototypical AMP lysozyme to hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice reduced hyperoxia-induced alterations in their microbiota and was associated with decreased lung injury.

Conclusions

Our results identify a gut-lung axis driven by intestinal AMP expression and mediated by the intestinal microbiota that is linked to lung injury in newborns. Together, these data support that intestinal AMPs modulate lung injury and repair.