bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic change in the upper lobe of the left lung of Beagle dogs at the lung migration stage of Toxocara canis infection
Authors: Zheng Wen-Bin , Qiu Hui-Jie , Xiao Han-Dan , Zou Yang , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: May 2024

Background

Toxocara canis is considered one of the most neglected parasitic zoonoses and threatens the health of millions of people worldwide with a predilection for pediatric and adolescent populations in impoverished communities. Exploring the invasion and developmental mechanisms associated with T. canis infection in its definitive canine hosts will help to better control zoonotic toxocariasis.

Methods

Proteomic changes in samples from the upper lobe of the left lung of Beagle puppies were systematically analyzed by quantitative proteomic technology of data-independent acquisition (DIA) at 96 h post-infection (hpi) with T. canis. Proteins with P-values < 0.05 and fold change > 1.5 or < 0.67 were considered proteins with differential abundance (PDAs).

Results

A total of 28 downregulated PDAs and 407 upregulated PDAs were identified at 96 hpi, including RhoC, TM4SFs and LPCAT1, which could be associated with the maintenance and repair of lung homeostasis. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of all identified proteins and PDAs revealed that many lung proteins have correlation to signal transduction, lipid metabolism and immune system.

Conclusions

The present study revealed lung proteomic alterations in Beagle dogs at the lung migration stage of T. canis infection and identified many PDAs of Beagle dog lung, which may play important roles in the pathogenesis of toxocariasis, warranting further experimental validation.

Graphical Abstract
Decitabine as epigenetic priming with CLAG induce improved outcome of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia in children
Authors: Zhang Na , Li Hong , Wang Dan , Wang Zhen , Zhu Jia-Shi , Chen Kai , Jiang Hui , Shao Jing-Bo , Cai Cheng
Published: May 2024

Background

Decitabine (DAC), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, has shown efficacy combined with chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults, but less is known about its efficacy in children. Accordingly, we conducted a study which involved a priming regimen consisting of DAC with cladribine, cytarabine, and granulocyte-stimulating factor (DAC-CLAG) and compared the efficacy and safety of this regimen with CLAG alone.

Methods

A total of 39 R/R AML children who received the CLAG or DAC-CLAG regimen in Shanghai Children’s Hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this non-randomized study. These regimens were studied sequentially over time. Twenty-two patients received CLAG from 2015, while 17 patients were administered epigenetic priming with DAC before CLAG from 2020. Patients were subsequently bridged to stem cell transplantation (SCT) or consolidation chemotherapy. Complete remission (CR) and adverse effects were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test, and survival was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

DAC-CLAG conferred a numerically higher CR compared to CLAG (70.59% vs 63.64%; P = 0.740). High CR rates occurred in patients with good cytogenetics (P = 0.029) and prior induction without cladribine (P = 0.099). The 1-year event-free survival (EFS) was 64.71% ± 11.59% and 63.31% ± 10.35% in the DAC-CLAG and CLAG group (P = 0.595), and 1-year overall survival (OS) was 81.45% ± 9.72% and 77.01% ± 9.04%, respectively (P = 0.265). The 1-year OS and EFS after SCT were higher in the DAC-CLAG than in the CLAG cohort (100% vs 92.31% ± 7.39%, P = 0.072; 92.31% ± 7.39% vs 85.71% ± 9.35%, P = 0.158). Univariate analysis revealed that a good prognosis included good cytogenetics (P = 0.002), non-complex karyotype (P = 0.056), CR on reinduction (P < 0.0001), and bridging to SCT (P = 0.0007). Use of a hypomethylating agent (P = 0.049) and bridging to SCT (P = 0.011) were independent prognostic factors. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity and infection were the main adverse events.

Conclusions

DAC prior to the CLAG regimen improved remission in pediatric R/R AML, and was feasible and well tolerated. CLAG ± DAC as a salvage therapy prior to SCT induced improved survival.
Older adults at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease show stronger associations between sleep apnea severity in REM sleep and verbal memory
Authors: Lui Kitty K. , Dave Abhishek , Sprecher Kate E. , Chappel-Farley Miranda G. , Riedner Brady A. , Heston Margo B. , Taylor Chase E. , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Okonkwo Ozioma C. , Asthana Sanjay , Johnson Sterling C. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Mander Bryce A. , Benca Ruth M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, hypoxemia during OSA has been implicated in cognitive impairment. OSA during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is usually more severe than in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, but the relative effect of oxyhemoglobin desaturation during REM versus NREM sleep on memory is not completely characterized. Here, we examined the impact of OSA, as well as the moderating effects of AD risk factors, on verbal memory in a sample of middle-aged and older adults with heightened AD risk.

Methods

Eighty-one adults (mean age:61.7 ± 6.0 years, 62% females, 32% apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE4) carriers, and 70% with parental history of AD) underwent clinical polysomnography including assessment of OSA. OSA features were derived in total, NREM, and REM sleep. REM-NREM ratios of OSA features were also calculated. Verbal memory was assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Multiple regression models evaluated the relationships between OSA features and RAVLT scores while adjusting for sex, age, time between assessments, education years, body mass index (BMI), and APOE4 status or parental history of AD. The significant main effects of OSA features on RAVLT performance and the moderating effects of AD risk factors (i.e., sex, age, APOE4 status, and parental history of AD) were examined.

Results

Apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and oxyhemoglobin desaturation index (ODI) during REM sleep were negatively associated with RAVLT total learning and long-delay recall. Further, greater REM-NREM ratios of AHI, RDI, and ODI (i.e., more events in REM than NREM) were related to worse total learning and recall. We found specifically that the negative association between REM ODI and total learning was driven by adults 60 + years old. In addition, the negative relationships between REM-NREM ODI ratio and total learning, and REM-NREM RDI ratio and long-delay recall were driven by APOE4 carriers.

Conclusion

Greater OSA severity, particularly during REM sleep, negatively affects verbal memory, especially for people with greater AD risk. These findings underscore the potential importance of proactive screening and treatment of REM OSA even if overall AHI appears low.
Carbon ion radiotherapy for mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a case report
Authors: Kobayashi Nao , Oike Takahiro , Ando Ken , Murata Kazutoshi , Tamaki Tomoaki , Noda Shin-ei , Kogure Kayoko , Nobusawa Sumihito , Oyama Tetsunari , Ohno Tatsuya
Published: May 2024

Background

Mesonephric adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare subtype of uterine cervical cancer that is associated with a poor prognosis and for which a standardized treatment protocol has not been established. Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is an emerging radiotherapy modality that has been shown to have a favorable anti-tumor effect, even for tumors resistant to conventional photon radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, there is no report on CIRT outcomes for mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Case presentation

We treated a 47-year-old Japanese woman with mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix (T2bN0M0 and stage IIB according to the 7th edition of the Union for International Cancer Control and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, respectively) with CIRT combined with brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. CIRT consisted of whole pelvic irradiation and boost irradiation to the gross tumor; 36.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) in 12 fractions and 19.2 Gy (RBE) in 4 fractions, respectively, performed once a day, four times per week. Computed tomography-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy was performed after completion of CIRT, for which the D90 (i.e., the dose prescribed to 90% of the target volume) for the high-risk clinical target volume was 20.4 Gy in a total of 3 sessions in 2 weeks. A weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) dose was administered concomitantly with the radiotherapy for a total of five courses. From 4 months post-CIRT, the patient developed metastasis of the lung, with a total of 10 lung metastases over 70 months; these lesions were treated on each occasion by photon stereotactic body radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy. At 8 years from initial treatment (i.e., 2 years after the last treatment), the patient is alive without any evidence of recurrence and maintains a high quality of life.

Conclusions

This is the first report of CIRT for treatment of mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. The present case indicates the potential efficacy of CIRT in combination with brachytherapy for treatment of this disease.
Viruses contribute to microbial diversification in the rumen ecosystem and are associated with certain animal production traits
Authors: Yan Ming , Yu Zhongtang
Published: May 2024

Background

The rumen microbiome enables ruminants to digest otherwise indigestible feedstuffs, thereby facilitating the production of high-quality protein, albeit with suboptimal efficiency and producing methane. Despite extensive research delineating associations between the rumen microbiome and ruminant production traits, the functional roles of the pervasive and diverse rumen virome remain to be determined.

Results

Leveraging a recent comprehensive rumen virome database, this study analyzes virus-microbe linkages, at both species and strain levels, across 551 rumen metagenomes, elucidating patterns of microbial and viral diversity, co-occurrence, and virus-microbe interactions. Additionally, this study assesses the potential role of rumen viruses in microbial diversification by analyzing prophages found in rumen metagenome-assembled genomes. Employing CRISPR–Cas spacer-based matching and virus-microbe co-occurrence network analysis, this study suggests that the viruses in the rumen may regulate microbes at strain and community levels through both antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. Moreover, this study establishes that the rumen virome demonstrates responsiveness to dietary shifts and associations with key animal production traits, including feed efficiency, lactation performance, weight gain, and methane emissions.

Conclusions

These findings provide a substantive framework for further investigations to unravel the functional roles of the virome in the rumen in shaping the microbiome and influencing overall animal production performance.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Streptomyces: brothers in arms to shape the structure and function of the hyphosphere microbiome in the early stage of interaction
Authors: Jin Zexing , Jiang Feiyan , Wang Letian , Declerck Stéphane , Feng Gu , Zhang Lin
Published: May 2024

Background

Fungi and bacteria coexist in a wide variety of environments, and their interactions are now recognized as the norm in most agroecosystems. These microbial communities harbor keystone taxa, which facilitate connectivity between fungal and bacterial communities, influencing their composition and functions. The roots of most plants are associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which develop dense networks of hyphae in the soil. The surface of these hyphae (called the hyphosphere) is the region where multiple interactions with microbial communities can occur, e.g., exchanging or responding to each other’s metabolites. However, the presence and importance of keystone taxa in the AM fungal hyphosphere remain largely unknown.

Results

Here, we used in vitro and pot cultivation systems of AM fungi to investigate whether certain keystone bacteria were able to shape the microbial communities growing in the hyphosphere and potentially improved the fitness of the AM fungal host. Based on various AM fungi, soil leachates, and synthetic microbial communities, we found that under organic phosphorus (P) conditions, AM fungi could selectively recruit bacteria that enhanced their P nutrition and competed with less P-mobilizing bacteria. Specifically, we observed a privileged interaction between the isolate Streptomyces sp. D1 and AM fungi of the genus Rhizophagus, where (1) the carbon compounds exuded by the fungus were acquired by the bacterium which could mineralize organic P and (2) the in vitro culturable bacterial community residing on the surface of hyphae was in part regulated by Streptomyces sp. D1, primarily by inhibiting the bacteria with weak P-mineralizing ability, thereby enhancing AM fungi to acquire P.

Conclusions

This work highlights the multi-functionality of the keystone bacteria Streptomyces sp. D1 in fungal-bacteria and bacterial-bacterial interactions at the hyphal surface of AM fungi.
Order within chaos: potential migratory strategies and individual associations in fin whales feeding off Iceland
Authors: García-Vernet Raquel , Rita Diego , Bérubé Martine , Elgueta-Serra Julia , Pascual Guasch Marina , Víkingsson Gísli , Ruiz-Sagalés Marc , Borrell Asunción , Aguilar Alex
Published: May 2024

Background

The life cycle of most baleen whales involves annual migrations from low-latitude breeding grounds to high latitude feeding grounds. In most species, these migrations are traditionally considered to be carried out according to information acquired through vertical social learning during the first months of life and made individually. However, some recent studies have suggested a more complex scenario, particularly for the species of theBalaenopteragenus.

Methods

Here, we studied the variation of δ15N and δ13C values along the growth axis of the baleen plate from 24 fin whales feeding off western Iceland to delve into their pattern of movements and to identify potential associations between individuals. The segment of baleen plate analyzed informed about at least two complete migratory cycles. We performed cluster analyses through two different methodologies and, whenever possible, we genotyped 20 microsatellite loci to determine potential existence of kinship.

Results

Results of the of δ15N and δ13C values agree with a dispersion strategy in the winter breeding grounds. However, and despite the overall large variability, several pairs or groups of individuals with no kinship showed highly similar isotopic patterns for two consecutive years for both δ15N and δ13C values.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, notably, some whales without kinship share the same migratory regime and destinations. We hypothesize that this could reflect either: (i) the sharing of particularly beneficial migratory regimes, and/or (ii) long-term association between individuals.
Methods for implementing integrated step-selection functions with incomplete data
Authors: Hofmann David D. , Cozzi Gabriele , Fieberg John
Published: May 2024

Integrated step-selection analyses (iSSAs) are versatile and powerful frameworks for studying habitat and movement preferences of tracked animals. iSSAs utilize integrated step-selection functions (iSSFs) to model movements in discrete time, and thus, require animal location data that are regularly spaced in time. However, many real-world datasets are incomplete due to tracking devices failing to locate an individual at one or more scheduled times, leading to slight irregularities in the duration between consecutive animal locations. To address this issue, researchers typically only consider bursts of regular data (i.e., sequences of locations that are equally spaced in time), thereby reducing the number of observations used to model movement and habitat selection. We reassess this practice and explore four alternative approaches that account for temporal irregularity resulting from missing data. Using a simulation study, we compare these alternatives to a baseline approach where temporal irregularity is ignored and demonstrate the potential improvements in model performance that can be gained by leveraging these additional data. We also showcase these benefits using a case study on a spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta).
A clinical-radiomics nomogram based on dual-layer spectral detector CT to predict cancer stage in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Linxia , Cen Chunyuan , Yue Xiaofei , Chen Lei , Wu Hongying , Yang Ming , Lu Yuting , Ma Ling , Li Xin , Wu Heshui , Zheng Chuansheng , Han Ping
Published: May 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiomics signatures derived from polyenergetic images (PEIs) and virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) obtained through dual-layer spectral detector CT (DLCT). Moreover, it sought to develop a clinical-radiomics nomogram based on DLCT for predicting cancer stage (early stage: stage I-II, advanced stage: stage III-IV) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

A total of 173 patients histopathologically diagnosed with PDAC and who underwent contrast-enhanced DLCT were enrolled in this study. Among them, 49 were in the early stage, and 124 were in the advanced stage. Patients were randomly categorized into training (n = 122) and test (n = 51) cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. Radiomics features were extracted from PEIs and 40-keV VMIs were reconstructed at both arterial and portal venous phases. Radiomics signatures were constructed based on both PEIs and 40-keV VMIs. A radiomics nomogram was developed by integrating the 40-keV VMI-based radiomics signature with selected clinical predictors. The performance of the nomogram was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curves analysis (DCA).

Results

The PEI-based radiomics signature demonstrated satisfactory diagnostic efficacy, with the areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of 0.92 in both the training and test cohorts. The optimal radiomics signature was based on 40-keV VMIs, with AUCs of 0.96 and 0.94 in the training and test cohorts. The nomogram, which integrated a 40-keV VMI-based radiomics signature with two clinical parameters (tumour diameter and normalized iodine density at the portal venous phase), demonstrated promising calibration and discrimination in both the training and test cohorts (0.97 and 0.91, respectively). DCA indicated that the clinical-radiomics nomogram provided the most significant clinical benefit.

Conclusions

The radiomics signature derived from 40-keV VMI and the clinical-radiomics nomogram based on DLCT both exhibited exceptional performance in distinguishing early from advanced stages in PDAC, aiding clinical decision-making for patients with this condition.
The significance of partial volume effect on the estimation of hypoxic tumour volume with [18F]FMISO PET/CT
Authors: Kafkaletos Athanasios , Mix Michael , Sachpazidis Ilias , Carles Montserrat , Rühle Alexander , Ruf Juri , Grosu Anca L. , Nicolay Nils H. , Baltas Dimos
Published: May 2024

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a retrospective correction of the partial volume effect (PVE) in [18F]fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET imaging, affects the hypoxia discoverability within a gross tumour volume (GTV). This method is based on recovery coefficients (RC) and is tailored for low-contrast tracers such as FMISO. The first stage was the generation of the scanner’s RC curves, using spheres with diameters from 10 to 37 mm, and the same homogeneous activity concentration, positioned in lower activity concentration background. Six sphere-to-background contrast ratios were used, from 10.0:1, down to 2.0:1, in order to investigate the dependence of RC on both the volume and the contrast ratio. The second stage was to validate the recovery-coefficient correction method in a more complex environment of non-spherical lesions of different volumes and inhomogeneous activity concentration. Finally, we applied the correction method to a clinical dataset derived from a prospective imaging trial (DRKS00003830): forty nine head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cases who had undergone FMISO PET/CT scanning for the quantification of tumour hypoxia before (W0), 2 weeks (W2) and 5 weeks (W5) after the beginning of radiotherapy. Here, PVE was found to cause an underestimation of the activity in small volumes with high FMISO signal.

Results

The application of the proposed correction method resulted in a statistically significant increase of both the hypoxic subvolume (171% at W0, 691% at W2 and 4.60 × 103% at W5 with p < 0.001) and the FMISO standardised uptake value (SUV) (27% at W0, 21% at W2 and by 25% at W5 with p < 0.001) within the primary GTV.

Conclusions

The proposed PVE-correction method resulted in a statistically significant increase of the hypoxic fraction (HF) with p < 0.001 and demonstrated results in better agreement with published HF data for HNSCC. To summarise, the proposed RC-based correction method can be a useful tool for a retrospective compensation against PVE.
Pilot study with randomised control of dual site theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for methamphetamine use disorder: a protocol for the TARTAN study
Authors: Yadav Tarun , Lokuge Buddhima , Jackson Melissa A. , Austin Emma K. , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Brown Amanda L. , Paton Bryan , Sequeira Marcia , Nean Martin , Mills Llewllyn , Dunlop Adrian J.
Published: May 2024

Background

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) (including the theta burst stimulation (TBS) form of TMS used in this study) is a non-invasive means to stimulate nerve cells in superficial areas of the brain. In recent years, there has been a growth in the application of TMS to investigate the modulation of neural networks involved in substance use disorders. This study examines the feasibility of novel TMS protocols for the treatment of methamphetamine (MA) use disorder in an ambulatory drug and alcohol treatment setting.

Methods

Thirty participants meeting the criteria for moderate to severe MA use disorder will be recruited in community drug and alcohol treatment settings and randomised to receive active TMS or sham (control) intervention. The treatment is intermittent TBS (iTBS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), then continuous TBS (cTBS) to the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Twelve sessions are administered over 4 weeks with opt-in weekly standardized cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) counselling and a neuroimaging sub-study offered to participants. Primary outcomes are feasibility measures including recruitment, retention and acceptability of the intervention. Secondary outcomes include monitoring of safety and preliminary efficacy data including changes in substance use, cravings (cue reactivity) and cognition (response inhibition).

Discussion

This study examines shorter TBS protocols of TMS for MA use disorder in real-world drug and alcohol outpatient settings where withdrawal and abstinence from MA, or other substances, are not eligibility requirements. TMS is a relatively affordable treatment and staff of ambulatory health settings can be trained to administer TMS. It is a potentially scalable and translatable treatment for existing drug and alcohol clinical settings. TMS has the potential to provide a much-needed adjuvant treatment to existing psychosocial interventions for MA use disorder. A limitation of this protocol is that the feasibility of follow-up is only examined at the end of treatment (4 weeks).

Trial registration

Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12622000762752. Registered on May 27, 2022, and retrospectively registered (first participant enrolled) on May 23, 2022, with protocol version 7 on February 24, 2023.
Immunoenhancing and antioxidant potentials of kimchi, an ethnic food from Korea, as a probiotic and postbiotic food
Authors: Nugroho David , Thinthasit Aphinya , Surya Ervan , Hartati  , Oh Jin-Seok , Jang Ji-Gyeol , Benchawattananon Rachadaporn , Surya Reggie
Published: May 2024

Kimchi, the traditional lactic fermented vegetables from Korea, is globally praised for its potential as a functional food owing to the presence of beneficial microorganisms known as probiotics. However, the serving of kimchi in traditional Korean dishes often involves cooking at high temperature, thus killing the probiotics. Recently, non-viable or inactivated microorganisms and their metabolites, known as postbiotics, were shown to confer health benefits when consumed, thus giving rise to a novel potential of kimchi as a postbiotic food with health functionalities. The present study aimed to explore the potential of uncooked and cooked kimchi, both as a probiotic and postbiotic food, respectively, using an animal model. Mice were fed by AIN-76 diet enriched in 10% freeze-dried uncooked or cooked kimchi for 28 days prior to kill. Several parameters related to immune system and antioxidant were evaluated. Exposure of kimchi toward heat in steaming process killed the microorganisms in kimchi, but did not alter its antioxidant activity. Interestingly, the consumption of uncooked and cooked kimchi stimulated the growth of lactic acid bacteria in the intestine indifferently, as shown in the fecal matter. In addition, kimchi supplementation, either uncooked or cooked, increased the number of splenic lymphocytes and intestinal IgA, supporting the role of kimchi in the immune system. Furthermore, kimchi supplementation reduced the level of lipid peroxidation in the fecal matter, indicating its antioxidant activity in vivo. Taken together, the findings in this study suggest the potential of kimchi both as a probiotic and postbiotic food with antioxidant and immunoenhancing properties.
Non-destructive hyperspectral imaging technology to assess the quality and safety of food: a review
Authors: Patel Dharmendrakumar , Bhise Suresh , Kapdi S. S. , Bhatt Tanmay
Published: May 2024

The quality and safety of food can be evaluated using a variety of conventional and scientific methods. But all of those ways are time-consuming, laborious, and harmful. There are two primary types of processes used to gauge the quality and safety of foods: 1) Destructive methods (like gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay, etc.); and 2) Non-destructive methods (such imaging methods, computer vision systems, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and near infrared spectroscopy). Techniques for imaging are frequently employed in the food industry to assess external quality. Imaging is the process of visualizing an object, while spectroscopy is the study of how energy is transferred from light to matter. Spectroscopy and imaging are used in the hyper spectral imaging approach. A method that may offer both spectral and spatial information about a component is called hyperspectral imaging (HSI). The HSI creates a hypercube out of spectral pictures at more than ten different wavelengths. A hypercube has three dimensions: two spatial (the x and y axes) and one spectral (λ). Fruits and vegetables, dairy goods, meat products, seafood, grains, and legumes are all evaluated for quality and safety using HSI. The HSI approach is excellent for identifying both internal and exterior food problems. Anthocyanin in grapes, Penicillium digitatum in mandarins, melamine in milk powder, and the amount of fat in cheese can all be detected using HSI. In addition to recognizing the muscles in lamb meat, HSI may also be used to assess the colour, pH, and tenderness of beef, the colour, pH, and drip loss of pork, and the presence of E. coli in pork. Additionally, HSI is utilized to identify Aspergillus niger in wheat and Aflatoxin B1 in maize. Chemometric instruments are essential to HSI. Large data storage and fast processors are needed. Improved models are required for quick and simple evaluation. The HSI has limits when it comes to microbiological contaminants’ metabolites detection and quantification, model optimization, and the development of more reliable models. Validation of developed models on several storage conditions. Combining HSI with Raman microscopic imaging (RMI) and fluorescence microscopic imaging (FMI) improves the ability to analyze microbes.

Graphical Abstract
A bioinformatics approach to reveal common genes and molecular pathways shared by cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma
Authors: Jayaraj Perumal , Bhimwal Tanisha , Kaur Khushneet , Gupta Kritika , Taluja Shreya , Priyadarshani Anjali
Published: May 2024

Background

Melanomas are highly aggressive in nature known for metastasis and death. Melanocytes that gave rise to melanomas are neural crest progenitor cells. Our research was primarily concerned with uveal melanoma (UM) and cutaneous melanoma (CM), respectively. Although they both have the same melanocytic origin, the biology of their respective is different.

Aim

The aim of our study was to recognize the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between UM and CM.

Methodology

The gene expression profile was downloaded from the GEO and analyzed by GEO2R to recognize DEGs. By applying DAVID, GO, and KEGG, pathway enrichment analysis was performed. PPI of these DEGs was analyzed using STRING and visualized by Cytoscape and MCODE. Further, we utilized HPA and GEPIA to obtain Kaplan–Meier graph for survival analysis in order to assess the prognostic value of hub genes.

Results

We examined the UM and CM datasets and discovered three common upregulated and eight downregulated DEGs based on computational analysis. HMGCS1 and ELOVL5 were shown to be enriched in a variety of altered molecular pathways and pathways in cancer. Overexpression of HMGCS1 and ELOVL5 was linked to a poor prognosis in CM.

Conclusion

Computational evaluation found that HMGCS1 and ELOVL5 were upregulated in both melanomas. Enrichment analysis showed that these genes are involved in cancer metabolism pathway and associated with poor prognosis in CM. However, the molecular study of these genes in UM is limited. Therefore, a better understanding of the cancer metabolism pathways should be carried to pave the way for clinical benefits.
Association of leptin–melanocortin gene polymorphisms with the risk of obesity in northwest Indian population
Authors: Sharma Tanmayi , Badaruddoza Badaruddoza
Published: May 2024

Background

Obesity, a multifaceted endocrine issue, is adversely affecting all age groups and is posing a significant public health challenge. The genetic polymorphisms of the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and leptin (LEP) genes likely contribute to the development of obesity. The present study aimed to explore the effects ofMC4RandLEPgene polymorphisms on obesity among the northwest Indian population.

Methods

The present study was conducted among 333 obese cases and 338 non-obese controls (aged 18–50 years). All subjects underwent measurements for anthropometric, physiometric, as well as biochemical parameters. Genotyping forMC4RandLEPgene variants was performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. However, 10% of the samples for each variant were confirmed using the Sanger sequencing method.

Results

The polymorphisms of leptin–melanocortin pathway genes (MC4R-LEP) were found to be significantly associated with various obesity-related parameters like waist circumference:p = 0.017, waist-to-height ratio:p = 0.009, total cholesterol:p = 0.0001 and triglycerides:p = 0.0001. Both theLEPgene variants rs2167270 and rs7799039 conferred 2.4- and 2.2-fold risk toward obesity under the recessive genetic model [OR (95% CI) 2.42 (1.44–4.07),p = 0.001; OR (95% CI) 2.26 (1.41–3.60),p = 0.0001, respectively]. All four polymorphisms of theMC4RandLEPgenes demonstrated a strong interaction of 82.1% with the lifestyle factor (p = 0.001). The haplotype combinations A–A for rs571312 and rs12970134 conferred twofold risk [OR (95% CI) 2.61 (1.10–6.20),p = 0.028]. However, the combination A–G for rs2167270 and rs7799039 predicted sixfold risk [OR (95% CI) 6.02 (3.39–10.68),p = 0.0001] toward the obesity development in this population.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a connection betweenMC4R(rs571312, rs12970134) andLEP(rs2167270, rs7799039) gene variants with obesity, highlighting their prominent role in assessing the risk of obesity among the northwest Indian population.
Bibliometric analysis on the structure and function of IL17
Authors: Yan Wenxia , Li Minglu , Zhang Liyun
Published: May 2024

Background

Interleukin17 (IL17) is an important cytokine in host defense at mucosal surfaces and also mediates many autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In recent years, many types of research relevant to the structure and function of IL17 have been identified. However, there is no bibliometric analysis in this research field. This study aims to explore the history, research hotspots, and emerging trends of IL17 from the perspective of the structure and function dynamics.

Methods

Articles relevant to IL17 in the last two decades were retrieved through the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The bibliometric analysis was performed by VOSview.

Results

A total of 882 papers in this research were analyzed from 65 countries, and the rate of published articles has increased from 2008 annually, with the USA, China, and Germany leading the research effort. Frontiers in Immunology has significantly impacted research in this field and the University of Pittsburgh was the leading institution. Gaffen, Sarah L. from the University of Pittsburgh was the most productive researcher in this field and Papp Ka from the Probity Medical Research Incorporate of Canada is the most co-cited author. The analysis of keywords showed that inflammation, expression, Th17 cells, and cytokines were the main hotspots and frontier directions of IL17. The trend of clinical application in the future is the development of new therapy drugs based on the structure of IL17 or IL17 signaling pathway molecular.

Conclusions

Our research summarized the developments and research trends of IL17 and would help researchers understand the research status of IL17 and provide a reference for future researchers as soon as possible.
Long-term outcome of COVID-19 patients with acute kidney injury requiring kidney replacement therapy
Authors: Godi Ilaria , Pasin Laura , Ballin Andrea , Martelli Gabriele , Bonanno Claudio , Terranova Francesco , Tamburini Enrico , Simoni Caterina , Randon Ginevra , Franchetti Nicola , Cattarin Leda , Nalesso Federico , Calò Lorenzo , Tiberio Ivo
Published: May 2024

Background

Limited data existed on the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) renal complications and the outcomes of the most critical patients who required kidney replacement therapy (KRT) during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. We aimed to describe mortality and renal function at 90 days in patients admitted for COVID-19 and KRT.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted for COVID-19 and requiring KRT from March 2020 to January 2022 was conducted in an Italian ICU from a tertiary care hospital. Primary outcome was mortality at 90 days and secondary outcome was kidney function at 90 days.

Results

A cohort of 45 patients was analyzed. Mortality was 60% during ICU stay and increased from 64% at the time of hospital discharge to 71% at 90 days. Among 90-day survivors, 31% required dialysis, 38% recovered incompletely, and 31% completely recovered renal function. The probability of being alive and dialysis-free at 3 months was 22%.

Conclusions

Critically ill patients with COVID-19 disease requiring KRT during ICU stay had elevated mortality rate at 90 days, with low probability of being alive and dialysis-free at 3 months. However, a non-negligible number of patients completely recovered renal function.
Clinical Validation of Artificial Intelligence–Powered PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score Interpretation for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response Prediction in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim Hyojin , Kim Seokhwi , Choi Sangjoon , Park Changhee , Park Seonwook , Pereira Sergio , Ma Minuk , Yoo Donggeun , Paeng Kyunghyun , Jung Wonkyung , Park Sehhoon , Ock Chan-Young , Lee Se-Hoon , Choi Yoon-La , Chung Jin-Haeng
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE

Evaluation of PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) by pathologists has been very impactful but is limited by factors such as intraobserver/interobserver bias and intratumor heterogeneity. We developed an artificial intelligence (AI)–powered analyzer to assess TPS for the prediction of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response in advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AI analyzer was trained with 393,565 tumor cells annotated by board-certified pathologists for PD-L1 expression in 802 whole-slide images (WSIs) stained by 22C3 pharmDx immunohistochemistry. The clinical performance of the analyzer was validated in an external cohort of 430 WSIs from patients with NSCLC. Three pathologists performed annotations of this external cohort, and their consensus TPS was compared with AI-based TPS.

RESULTS

In comparing PD-L1 TPS assessed by AI analyzer and by pathologists, a significant positive correlation was observed (Spearman coefficient = 0.925; P < .001). The concordance of TPS between AI analyzer and pathologists according to TPS ≥50%, 1%-49%, and <1% was 85.7%, 89.3%, and 52.4%, respectively. In median progression-free survival (PFS), AI-based TPS predicted prognosis in the TPS 1%-49% or TPS <1% group better than the pathologist's reading, with the TPS ≥50% group as a reference (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49 [95% CI, 1.19 to 1.86] v HR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.08 to 1.71] for TPS 1%-49% group, and HR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.69 to 3.35] v HR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.23 to 2.13] for TPS <1% group).

CONCLUSION

PD-L1 TPS assessed by AI analyzer correlates with that of pathologists, with clinical performance also being comparable when referenced to PFS. The AI model can accurately predict tumor response and PFS of ICI in advanced NSCLC via assessment of PD-L1 TPS.
Impact of Obesity on Hepatic Drug Clearance: What are the Influential Variables?
Authors: Zhang Tan , Calvier Elisa A. M. , Krekels Elke H. J. , Knibbe Catherijne A. J.
Published: May 2024

Drug clearance in obese subjects varies widely among different drugs and across subjects with different severity of obesity. This study investigates correlations between plasma clearance (CLp) and drug- and patient-related characteristics in obese subjects, and evaluates the systematic accuracy of common weight-based dosing methods. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling approach that uses recent information on obesity-related changes in physiology was used to simulate CLp for a normal-weight subject (body mass index [BMI] = 20) and subjects with various severities of obesity (BMI 25–60) for hypothetical hepatically cleared drugs with a wide range of properties. Influential variables for CLp change were investigated. For each drug and obese subject, the exponent that yields perfect allometric scaling of CLp from normal-weight subjects was assessed. Among all variables, BMI and relative changes in enzyme activity resulting from obesity proved highly correlated with obesity-related CLp changes. Drugs bound to α1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) had lower CLp changes compared to drugs bound to human serum albumin (HSA). Lower extraction ratios (ER) corresponded to higher CLp changes compared to higher ER. The allometric exponent for perfect scaling ranged from -3.84 to 3.34 illustrating that none of the scaling methods performed well in all situations. While all three dosing methods are generally systematically accurate for drugs with unchanged or up to 50% increased enzyme activity in subjects with a BMI below 30 kg/m2, in any of the other cases, information on the different drug properties and severity of obesity is required to select an appropriate dosing method for individuals with obesity.

Graphical Abstract
Sagittal Imbalance in Degenerative Kyphosis: Prevalence and Implication on Postoperative Mechanical Failure
Authors: Li Jie , Tang Ziyang , Hu Zongshan , Xu Yanjie , Liang Bangheng , Qiu Yong , Zhu Zezhang , Liu Zhen
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

To explore the patterns of sagittal imbalance in patients with lumbar or thoracolumbar degenerative kyphosis (DK) and determine its implication for the risk of mechanical complication (MC) after corrective surgery.

METHODS:

A total of 137 patients with DK who underwent corrective surgery were reviewed. The patients were divided into L group (with a kyphotic apex at L2 and below) and TL group (with kyphotic apex at L1 and above). Then, sacral slope (SS) (defined as S1 if SS > 0 in TL, or SS > 10 in L group) and sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm (defined as +) were used as modifier sagittal balance. The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire scores were analyzed, and the risk of mechanical failure was compared across groups.

RESULTS:

The distribution of subgroups was 38 (27.7%) in TLS1(−) group, 36 (26.3%) in TLS1(+) group, 16 (11.7%) in TLS0(−) group, and 5 (3.6%) in TLS0(+) group. For L group, the figure was 5 (3.6%) in LS1(−), 22 (16.1%) in LS1(+), 7 (5.2%) in LS0(−), and 8 (5.8%) in LS0(+). Patients in L group had significantly higher regional kyphosis, lower lumbar lordosis, and higher sagittal vertical axis, indicating a higher risk of global decompensation. The SRS function scores and pain scores were also lower in the L group compared with the TL group. At a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, χ2 test showed that the incidence of TLS0 (+), LS0 (−), and LS0 (+) had significantly higher rates of MC (>40%). In both TL and L groups, patients with MC were found to have significantly lower bone mineral density than those without.

CONCLUSION:

The findings decipher the distinct patterns of sagittal imbalance in severe DK patients with kyphotic apex at thoracolumbar or lumbar spine. Patients with kyphotic apex apex at L2 or below, low SS, and global imbalance showed the highest risk of postoperative mechanical failure.
Caudal Agenesis: Classification Based on the Pathoembryogenesis of the Spinal Cord
Authors: Shim Youngbo , Kim Kyung Hyun , Kim Seung-Ki , Park Kwanjin , Lee Seunghyun , Lee Ji Yeoun , Wang Kyu-Chang
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Caudal agenesis (CA) is a congenital disease characterized by lower vertebral bone defects. Previous classifications for CA were based on the levels of bony defects or the conus medullaris. We created a new pathoembryogenic classification that takes into account the level of conus, considering both its shape and filum. We evaluated its accuracy in reflecting the neurological status and the need for untethering.

METHODS:

Patients with radiologic studies available on our institute's electronic image view system between 1985 and 2019 were reviewed. Our classification categorized patients with CA into 3 groups: the failure of formation (a conus level > L1 or normal level conus with a blunt shape), the failure of regression (a conus level < L3 or normal level conus with a thickened filum or a filar lipoma), and the normal (a normal level conus without specific abnormalities). We analyzed which of the following 3 classifications better reflects the neurological status and the probability of recommending untethering: classifications based on (1) bony defect level, (2) conus level, and (3) pathoembryogenic mechanism.

RESULTS:

A total of 89 patients were included in this study. The pathoembryogenic classification revealed more significant differences in motor or sensory deficits compared with other classifications (failure of formation: 42%; failure of regression: 16%; and normal: 0%, P = .039). In addition, the pathoembryogenic classification emerged as a significant or suggestive predictive factor for motor and sensory deficits (motor: odds ratio 11.66, P = .007; sensory: odds ratio 5.44, P = .066). Notably, only the pathoembryogenic classification exhibited a significant difference in the probabilities of recommending untethering between groups (failure of formation: 42%; failure of regression: 81%; and normal 12%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION:

The correlation between bony classification and spinal cord abnormalities was exaggerated. Our new pathoembryogenic classification was valuable in prognosticating neurological status and identifying the patient group more likely to require untethering among patients with CA.
Association of Preoperative Serum Potassium With Postoperative Seizures in Patients Undergoing Elective Craniotomy
Authors: Tian Yixin , Zhang Yu , Cheng Xin , He Jialing , Chen Lvlin , Hao Pengfei , Li Tiangui , Peng Liyuan , Chong Weelic , Hai Yang , You Chao , Jia Lu , Fang Fang
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Patients who undergo craniotomy are at risk of developing seizures during the postoperative period. Preoperative serum potassium as an important potential risk factor has not been investigated yet.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving adults undergoing elective craniotomy at West China Hospital, from January 2011 and March 2021. The main outcome of this study was postoperative seizures in patients undergoing elective craniotomy during hospitalization. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to investigate the association of preoperative serum potassium with postoperative seizures.

RESULTS:

A total of 15 041 patients were collected after filtering by excluded criteria. The incidence of postoperative seizures was 4.87%. We identified a linear relationship between preoperative serum potassium and postoperative seizures (P for nonlinearity =.87). Compared with patients with serum potassium 3.5 to 4.5 mmol/L, the odds of postoperative seizures increased in patients with serum potassium ≥4.5 mmol/L (the adjusted odds ratios 1.46, 95% CI 1.10-1.93), and the odds of postoperative seizures decreased in patients with serum potassium ≤3.5 mmol/L (the adjusted odds ratios 0.73, 95% CI 0.53-1.01).

CONCLUSION:

We found that high preoperative serum potassium level was associated with the high risk of postoperative seizures in patients undergoing craniotomy. We demonstrated that preoperative serum potassium level was the independent risk factor of postoperative seizures.