bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thyroid autoimmunity and adverse pregnancy outcomes: A multiple center retrospective study
Authors: Xu Yun , Chen Hui , Ren Meng , Gao Yu , Sun Kan , Wu Hongshi , Ding Rui , Wang Junhui , Li Zheqing , Liu Dan , Wang Zilian , Yan Li
Published: February 2023

Background

The relationship between thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) and adverse pregnancy outcomes is disputable, and their dose-dependent association have not been fully clarified.

Objective

To investigate the association and dose-dependent effect of TAI with multiple maternal and fetal-neonatal complications.

Methods

This study is a multi-center retrospective cohort study based on singleton pregnancies of three medical college hospitals from July 2013 to October 2021. The evolution of thyroid function parameters in TAI and not TAI women were described, throughout pregnancy. The prevalences of maternal and fetal-neonatal complications were compared between the TAI and control group. Logistic regression was performed to study the risk effects and dose-dependent effects of thyroid autoantibodies on pregnancy complications, with adjustment of maternal age, BMI, gravidity, TSH concentrations, FT4 concentrations and history of infertility.

Results

A total of 27408 participants were included in final analysis, with 5342 (19.49%) in the TAI group and 22066 (80.51%) in control group. TSH concentrations was higher in TAI women in baseline and remain higher before the third trimester. Positive thyroid autoantibodies were independently associated with higher risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR: 1.215, 95%CI: 1.026-1.439), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.088, 95%CI: 1.001-1.183), and neonatal admission to NICU (OR: 1.084, 95%CI: 1.004-1.171). Quantitative analysis showed that increasing TPOAb concentration was correlated with higher probability of pregnancy-induced hypertension, and increasing TGAb concentration was positively correlated with pregnancy-induced hypertension, small for gestational age and NICU admission. Both TPOAb and TGAb concentration were negatively associated with neonatal birthweight.

Conclusion

Thyroid autoimmunity is independently associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, neonatal lower birthweight and admission to NICU. Dose-dependent association were found between TPOAb and pregnancy-induced hypertension, and between TGAb and pregnancy-induced hypertension, small for gestational age and NICU admission.
Development of multiphysics coupling system for nuclear fuel rod with COMSOL and RMC
Authors: Liu Zhenhai , Zeng Wei , Qi Feipeng , Zhou Yi , Li Quan , Chen Ping , Yin Chunyu , Liu Yong , Zhao Wenbo , Wang Haoyu , Huang Yongzhong
Published: February 2023

Coupling fuel performance and neutronics can help improve the prediction accuracy of fuel rod behavior, which is important for fuel design and performance evaluation. A fuel rod multiphysics coupled system was developed with multiphysics software COMSOL and 3D Monte Carlo neutron transport code RMC. The fuel performance analysis module was built on top of COMSOL with the ability to simulate the fuel behavior in two-dimensional axisymmetric (2D-RZ) or three-dimensional (3D) mode. RMC was innovatively wrapped as a component of COMSOL to communicate with the fuel performance analysis module. The data transferring and the coupling process was maintained using COMSOL’s functionality. Two-way coupling was achieved by mapping power distribution and fast neutron flux fields from RMC to COMSOL and the temperature and coolant density fields from COMSOL to RMC. A fuel rod pin lattice was modeled to demonstrate the coupling. Results show that the calculated power and temperature distributions are reasonable. Considering the flexibility of the coupled system, it can be applied to the performance evaluation of new fuel design.
Long term influence of alternative corn cropping practices and corn-hay rotations on soil health, yields and forage quality
Authors: White Alissa , Darby Heather , Ruhl Lindsey , Sands Bryony
Published: February 2023

Modifications to continuous corn production systems can reduce environmental impacts and soil degradation, yet the social viability of these modifications is linked to the degree to which they also influence yields and crop quality. In this study, we focus on forage production systems and evaluate how yields, crop quality, soil health indicators, and associated ecosystem services are influenced by corn-hay rotation treatments, cover cropping, and tillage reduction in silage production using a unique 10-year dataset from Borderview Research Farm in Vermont, United States. Physical, chemical, and biological soil health indicators were monitored annually alongside yields and crop quality in a randomized complete block design experiment. We use a mixed model analysis of variance approach to demonstrate significant influences of time and treatments on yields, crop quality and soil health parameters (at p < 0.05). The winter rye cover crop treatment had no significant influence in this study. No-till significantly increased aggregate stability and had no significant effect on other metrics. When cover crop and no-till were combined, they significantly increased soil organic matter content, respiration and aggregate stability. The cover crop, no-till, and no-till cover crop combination treatments had no significant effect on yields or forage quality, suggesting these conservation practices can be adopted without sacrificing yields. Our study also found that corn-hay rotations can significantly increase soil organic matter, respiration, aggregate stability, and crude protein content compared to continuous corn, but they can negatively influence active carbon, total dry matter yield and digestibility. The length of rotation influences the degree to which corn-hay rotations maintain or reduce yields when compared to continuous corn. Shorter rotations of perennial forages (4 years of hay, 6 years of corn) can sustain dry matter yields that are not significantly different from continuous corn, but longer perennial forage rotations (8 years of hay, 2 years of corn) will significantly reduce overall dry matter yields. Among the treatments, no-till in combination with cover cropping in corn silage fields, and a rotation of 4 years of hay to 6 years of corn are likely to achieve the greatest overall benefits in forage production systems.
Exploring the impact of “double carbon target” on environmental efficiency of coal cities in China
Authors: Zhang Yuntong , Chen Zhenling , Chen Huihui , Mao Junjie
Published: February 2023

Chinese government proposed the “Double Carbon Target” (DCT) in 2020 to deal with the increasing global warming crisis. In this regard, the study identifies temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of environmental efficiency through the DEA-SBM model and further explores the impact of DCT on the environmental efficiency of coal cities using scenario analysis method. Empirical results show that: 1) Both economic efficiency and environmental efficiency of China’s coal cities are first rising and then falling during the period 2003–2022, and the gap between coal cities and non-coal cities was very small before 2011, but it begins to be enlarged after 2011. The main reason is environmental regulation has exerted a significant impact on coal cities; 2) the difference in environmental efficiency among coal cities is huge due to their policies for supporting renewable energy. Some cities have broken carbon lock-in by the favorite policy for renewable energy, while others have been trapped into path dependence on the coal-related industry; 3) generally, the more amount of emission reduction required, the lower the environmental efficiency of coal cities in the carbon neutralization scenario. Furthermore, some cities rich of renewable energy resources, such as Erdos, and Xuzhou, still have better environmental performance under different carbon neutralization scenarios, while others will encounter many transformation barriers and even may cause a social crisis. Therefore, it is suggested that some coal cities in northwest China can vigorously develop solar energy to improve environmental efficiency.
The altitudinal distribution characteristics of functional traits reflect the resource allocation strategy of Abies georgei var. smithii in southeast Tibet
Authors: Wang Chao , Duan Fei , Zhou Chenni , Lu Jie
Published: February 2023

To explore the adaptation strategies of the aboveground and underground functional traits of alpine plants along an altitudinal gradient, a typical stand of primitive dark coniferous forests (Abies georgei var. smithii.) in southeastern Tibet was taken as the research object in the present study. PCA and correlation analyses were carried out for different organ functional traits (19 key indicators in total), then RDA analysis was done in conjunction with 12 environmental factors. The variation characteristics of the functional traits of leaves, current-year twigs, trunks and fine roots in 6 continuous altitude gradients and the relationships between functional traits and environmental factors were explored. The results showed that soil organic carbon (SOC) may exert a positive effect on the construction of plant defense tissue via changes in functional traits, altitude (Alt) represents the primary influencing factor of wood density (WD) variation, particulate organic carbon (POC) content mainly affected fine root dry matter (RDWC) content and specific root length (SRL), and total potassium (TK) content was the main factor that affected fine root tissue density (RTD). Leaves, current-year twigs, and fine roots exhibited high production or nutrient acquisition capacity at an altitude of 4,000m and showed strong defense and relatively stable water and nutrient transport capacity. In conclusion, the ecological strategy of Abies georgei var. smithii. in Sejila Mountain was more conservative, and the optimal survival area of Abies georgei var. smithii. was located at 4, 000m on the shady slope of Sejila Mountain. It is of paramount significance for exploring the essence of terrestrial ecosystems and their functional processes in extremely high-altitude environments.
Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identifies key hub genes and pathways in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Bajpai Akhilesh K. , Gu Qingqing , Ashbrook David G. , Starlard-Davenport Athena , Lu Lu
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults. However, there is a gap in understanding the molecular basis of the disease, partly because key genes associated with AML have not been extensively explored. In the current study, we aimed to identify genes that have strong association with AML based on a cross-species integrative approach.

Methods: We used Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify co-expressed gene modules significantly correlated with human AML, and further selected the genes exhibiting a significant difference in expression between AML and healthy mouse. Protein-protein interactions, transcription factors, gene function, genetic regulation, and coding sequence variants were integrated to identify key hub genes in AML.

Results: The cross-species approach identified a total of 412 genes associated with both human and mouse AML. Enrichment analysis confirmed an association of these genes with hematopoietic and immune-related functions, phenotypes, processes, and pathways. Further, the integrated analysis approach identified a set of important module genes including Nfe2, Trim27, Mef2c, Ets1, Tal1, Foxo1, and Gata1 in AML. Six of these genes (except ETS1) showed significant differential expression between human AML and healthy samples in an independent microarray dataset. All of these genes are known to be involved in immune/hematopoietic functions, and in transcriptional regulation. In addition, Nfe2, Trim27, Mef2c, and Ets1 harbor coding sequence variants, whereas Nfe2 and Trim27 are cis-regulated, making them attractive candidates for validation. Furthermore, subtype-specific analysis of the hub genes in human AML indicated high expression of NFE2 across all the subtypes (M0 through M7) and enriched expression of ETS1, LEF1, GATA1, and TAL1 in M6 and M7 subtypes. A significant correlation between methylation status and expression level was observed for most of these genes in AML patients.

Conclusion: Findings from the current study highlight the importance of our cross-species approach in the identification of multiple key candidate genes in AML, which can be further studied to explore their detailed role in leukemia/AML.
Integrative analysis of the role of BOLA2B in human pan-cancer
Authors: Liang Mingxing , Fei Yinjiao , Wang Yalin , Chen Wenquan , Liu Zhen , Xu Di , Shen Hongyu , Zhou Honglei , Tang Jinhai
Published: February 2023

Objective:BOLA2B is a recently discovered protein-coding gene. Here, pan-cancer analysis was conducted to determine the expression patterns of BOLA2B and its impact on immune response, gene mutation, and possible molecular biological mechanisms in different tumors, together with investigating its potential usefulness for cancer prognosis.

Methods: Data on BOLA2B expression and mutations were downloaded from TCGA and GTEx databases. Clinical survival data from TCGA were used to analyze the prognostic value of BOLA2B. TIMER and ESTIMATE algorithms were used to assess correlations between BOLA2B and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immune cytokines, and immune scores.

Results: BOLA2B was found to be highly expressed at both mRNA and protein levels in multiple tumors, where it was associated with worse overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) in all cancers apart from ovarian cancer. BOLA2B was also found to be positively correlated with copy number variation (CNV), and mutations in TP53, TTN, and MUC16 were found to influence BOLA2B expression. Post-transcriptional modifications, including m5C, m1A, and m6A, were observed to regulate BOLA2B expression in all cancers. Functional analysis showed that BOLA2B was enriched in pathways associated with iron–sulfur cluster formation, mTOR-mediated autophagy, and cell cycle inhibition. Decreased BOLA2B expression induced the proliferation of breast cancer cells and G2/M cell cycle arrest.

Conclusion:BOLA2B was found to be highly expressed in malignant tumors and could be used as a biomarker of poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Further investigation into BOLA2B’s role and molecular functions in cancer would provide new insights for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Improving gene regulatory network inference and assessment: The importance of using network structure
Authors: Escorcia-Rodríguez Juan M. , Gaytan-Nuñez Estefani , Hernandez-Benitez Ericka M. , Zorro-Aranda Andrea , Tello-Palencia Marco A. , Freyre-González Julio A.
Published: February 2023

Gene regulatory networks are graph models representing cellular transcription events. Networks are far from complete due to time and resource consumption for experimental validation and curation of the interactions. Previous assessments have shown the modest performance of the available network inference methods based on gene expression data. Here, we study several caveats on the inference of regulatory networks and methods assessment through the quality of the input data and gold standard, and the assessment approach with a focus on the global structure of the network. We used synthetic and biological data for the predictions and experimentally-validated biological networks as the gold standard (ground truth). Standard performance metrics and graph structural properties suggest that methods inferring co-expression networks should no longer be assessed equally with those inferring regulatory interactions. While methods inferring regulatory interactions perform better in global regulatory network inference than co-expression-based methods, the latter is better suited to infer function-specific regulons and co-regulation networks. When merging expression data, the size increase should outweigh the noise inclusion and graph structure should be considered when integrating the inferences. We conclude with guidelines to take advantage of inference methods and their assessment based on the applications and available expression datasets.
Association between the site of clear corneal Phakic intraocular lens implantation incisions and the inflow of ocular surface fluid into the anterior chamber
Authors: Wan Huan , Tao Yunhan , Duan Jianan , Wang Lin , Tang Li
Published: February 2023

Background

Posterior chamber phakic intraocular implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation is an effective surgical option for the management of myopia. Over the past few years, the number of ICL surgeries has significantly increased. Postoperative inflammation and endophthalmitis are among the most serious complications after successful ICL surgery. Sometimes, when the blepharospasm is removed at the end of surgery, a small amount of the ocular surface fluid will flow into the anterior chamber, which can lead to an increased risk of infection and inflammation. However, little attention has been paid to this phenomenon.

Purpose

We conducted a retrospective study to compare the incidence of extraocular fluid inflow into the eye through the clear corneal incision (CCI) at two different positions (superior and temporal sides).

Methods

A total of 116 patients with myopia underwent superior CCI ICL implantation (n = 58) or temporal CCI ICL implantation (n = 58) at our hospital from October to December 2021. The incidence of conjunctival sac fluid entering the anterior chamber after eyelid fixative was removed was compared in both groups.

Results

Both groups were well matched in all parameters. Ocular surface fluid inflow into the anterior chamber was significantly higher in the superior CCI group (25/58, 47.1%) than in the temporal CCI group (1/58, 1.7%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In the patients with ICL implantation, the temporal CCI was better than the superior CCI in avoiding the ocular surface fluid inflow into the anterior chamber, and the potential risk of infection and inflammation was lower.
Expert opinions in nuclear medicine: Finding the “holy grail” in infection imaging
Authors: Glaudemans Andor W. J. M. , Gheysens Olivier
Published: February 2023

Nuclear medicine imaging techniques are now widely accepted and increasingly used for diagnosing and treatment monitoring of infectious and inflammatory diseases. The latter has been exemplified by numerous recent clinical guidelines in which PET imaging is now part of the diagnostic flowcharts. In this perspective paper we discuss the current available guidelines, the current limitations, and we provide the future aims of research to achieve the holy grail in nuclear medicine: the differentiation between infection, inflammation and malignancy.
Characterization of surface-exposed structural loops as insertion sites for foreign antigen delivery in calicivirus-derived VLP platform
Authors: Panasiuk Mirosława , Chraniuk Milena , Zimmer Karolina , Hovhannisyan Lilit , Krapchev Vasil , Peszyńska-Sularz Grażyna , Narajczyk Magdalena , Węsławski Jan , Konopacka Agnieszka , Gromadzka Beata
Published: February 2023

Chimeric virus-like particles (cVLPs) show great potential in improving public health as they are safe and effective vaccine candidates. The capsid protein of caliciviruses has been described previously as a self-assembling, highly immunogenic delivery platform. The ability to significantly induce cellular and humoral immunity can be used to boost the immune response to low immunogenic foreign antigens displayed on the surface of VLPs. Capsid proteins of caliciviruses despite sequence differences share similar architecture with structural loops that can be genetically modified to present foreign epitopes on the surface of cVLPs. Here, based on the VP1 protein of norovirus (NoV), we investigated the impact of the localization of the epitope in different structural loops of the P domain on the immunogenicity of the presented epitope. In this study, three distinct loops of NoV VP1 protein were genetically modified to present a multivalent influenza virus epitope consisting of a tandem repeat of M2/NP epitopes. cVLPs presenting influenza virus-conserved epitopes in different localizations were produced in the insect cells and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Specific reaction to influenza epitopes was compared in sera from vaccinated mice to determine whether the localization of the foreign epitope has an impact on the immunogenicity.
Development and efficacy evaluation of remodeled canine parvovirus-like particles displaying major antigenic epitopes of a giant panda derived canine distemper virus
Authors: Zhao Shan , Han Xinfeng , Lang Yifei , Xie Yue , Yang Zhijie , Zhao Qin , Wen Yiping , Xia Jing , Wu Rui , Huang Xiaobo , Huang Yong , Cao Sanjie , Lan Jingchao , Luo Li , Yan Qigui
Published: February 2023

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and Canine distemper virus (CDV) can cause fatal diseases in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The main capsid protein of CPV VP2 can be self-assembled to form virus-like particles (VLPs) in vitro, which is of great significance for potential vaccine development. In the present study, we remodeled the VP2 protein of a giant panda-derived CPV, where the major CDV F and N epitopes were incorporated in the N-terminal and loop2 region in two combinations to form chimeric VLPs. The reactivity ability and morphology of the recombinant proteins were confirmed by Western blot, hemagglutination (HA) test and electron microscopy. Subsequently, the immunogenicity of the VLPs was examined in vivo. Antigen-specific antibodies and neutralizing activity were measured by ELISA, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and serum neutralization test (SNT), respectively. In addition, antigen specific T cell activation were determined in splenic lymphocytes. The results indicated that the VLPs displayed good reaction with CDV/CPV antibodies, and the heterologous epitopes do not hamper solubility or activity. The VLPs showed decent HA activity, and resembled round-shaped particles with a diameter of 22–26 nm, which is identical to natural virions. VLPs could induce high levels of specific antibodies to CPV and CDV, shown by the indication of neutralizing antibodies in both VP2N and VP2L VLPs group. In addition, splenic lymphocytes of mice immunized with VLPs could proliferate rapidly after stimulation by specific antigen. Taken together, the CPV VP2 VLPs or chimeric VLPs are highly immunogenic, and henceforth could function as CPV/CDV vaccine candidates for giant pandas.
Microbiota-induced regulatory T cells associate with FUT2-dependent susceptibility to rotavirus gastroenteritis
Authors: Godefroy Emmanuelle , Barbé Laure , Le Moullac-Vaidye Béatrice , Rocher Jézabel , Breiman Adrien , Leuillet Sébastien , Mariat Denis , Chatel Jean-Marc , Ruvoën-Clouet Nathalie , Carton Thomas , Jotereau Francine , Le Pendu Jacques
Published: February 2023

The FUT2 α1,2fucosyltransferase contributes to the synthesis of fucosylated glycans used as attachment factors by several pathogens, including noroviruses and rotaviruses, that can induce life-threatening gastroenteritis in young children. FUT2 genetic polymorphisms impairing fucosylation are strongly associated with resistance to dominant strains of both noroviruses and rotaviruses. Interestingly, the wild-type allele associated with viral gastroenteritis susceptibility inversely appears to be protective against several inflammatory or autoimmune diseases for yet unclear reasons, although a FUT2 influence on microbiota composition has been observed. Here, we studied a cohort of young healthy adults and showed that the wild-type FUT2 allele was associated with the presence of anti-RVA antibodies, either neutralizing antibodies or serum IgA, confirming its association with the risk of RVA gastroenteritis. Strikingly, it was also associated with the frequency of gut microbiota-induced regulatory T cells (Tregs), so-called DP8α Tregs, albeit only in individuals who had anti-RVA neutralizing antibodies or high titers of anti-RVA IgAs. DP8α Tregs specifically recognize the human symbiont Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which strongly supports their induction by this anti-inflammatory bacterium. The proportion of F. prausnitzii in feces was also associated with the FUT2 wild-type allele. These observations link the FUT2 genotype with the risk of RVA gastroenteritis, the microbiota and microbiota-induced DP8α Treg cells, suggesting that the anti-RVA immune response might involve an induction/expansion of these T lymphocytes later providing a balanced immunological state that confers protection against inflammatory diseases.
Stroke territory and atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke patients with a history of migraine with aura
Authors: Altamura Claudia , Viticchi Giovanna , Rizzo Angelo Cascio , Maggio Paola , Brunelli Nicoletta , Marcosano Marilena , Lazzaro Vincenzo Di , Fiacco Fabrizio , Agostoni Elio Clemente , Silvestrini Mauro , Vernieri Fabrizio
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The mechanisms subtending the increased stroke risk in migraine with aura (MA) are not fully understood. Our study aims to evaluate if the clinical profile in stroke patients with MA differentiates from those without MA.

Methods

We retrieved the prospective registered electronic clinical dossiers of adult patients younger than 60 years with acute ischemic stroke admitted in four hospitals between January 2016 and June 2022. Patients were classified by the history of MA (MA+ and MA–).

Results

We identified 851 stroke patients (59 MA+, 6.9%). Compared to MA−, MA+ patients were characterized by younger age (44.0 ± 10.6 vs 50.1 ± 8.2 years), female sex (59.3% vs 29.0%), and affected by cryptogenic (OR 2.594 95% CI 1.483–4.537), and cerebellar stroke (OR 3.218 95% CI 1.657–6.250; p ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). After adjusting for age and sex, MA+ patients presented less frequently hypertension (OR 0.349 95% CI 0.167–0.470; p=0.005) and dyslipidemia (OR 0.523 95% CI 0.280–0.974; p = 0.041). After adjusting also for risk factors, the MA+ group had less frequently symptomatic large vessel stenosis (OR 0.126 95% CI 0.017–0,924; p = 0.042) and clinical atherosclerosis (OR 0.103 95% CI 0.014–0.761; p = 0.026), while intima–media thickness did not differ (p = 0.395).

Discussion

Cryptogenic and cerebellar stroke and fewer vascular risk factors and clinical atherosclerosis seem to characterize stroke patients with MA.
Increased low frequency fluctuation in the brain after acupuncture treatment in CSVDCI patients: A randomized control trial study
Authors: Yang Nan , Chen Sina , Liu Shuxue , Ling Shuiqiao , Chen Lidian
Published: February 2023

Background

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is one of two cognition-impairing diseases. Acupuncture (Acu) is a flexible treatment with few adverse effects and is thus widely used to treat neurological problems.

Methods

We recruited a total of 60 patients and assigned them to two groups (n = 30 each group). During the study, some participants were excluded by quality control, and a total of 44 subjects (25 Acu and 19 controls) were completed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture on CSVD cognitive impairment (CSVDCI). The following demographic and clinical variables were compared between the two groups: gender, age, education, smoking, alcohol, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), verbal fluency test (VFT), digit span task (DST), Boston naming test (BNT) scores, and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) under the typical band (0.01–0.08 Hz). Mixed effect analysis was utilized to test for differences between the two groups before and after the treatment.

Results

Following acupuncture treatment, the Acu group scored higher on MoCA, SDMT, VFT, DST, and BNT compared to controls (P < 0.05). The brain regions showing substantially greater ALFF values in the Acu group were the right inferior temporal gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, left superior occipital gyrus, left insula, bilateral postcentral gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right cerebellum, right precuneus, and right precentral gyrus (P < 0.005, no correction). The ALFF values in the right inferior temporal gyrus (P = 0.027), left middle occipital gyrus (P = 0.005), left superior occipital gyrus (P = 0.011), and right superior parietal gyrus (P = 0.043) were positively associated with MoCA.

Conclusion

We found that acupuncture modulates the functional activity of temporal, occipital, and parietal regions of the brain in CSVDCI patients.
Primary refractory plasmablastic lymphoma: A precision oncology approach
Authors: Witte Hanno M. , Fähnrich Anke , Künstner Axel , Riedl Jörg , Fliedner Stephanie M. J. , Reimer Niklas , Hertel Nadine , von Bubnoff Nikolas , Bernard Veronica , Merz Hartmut , Busch Hauke , Feller Alfred , Gebauer Niklas
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Hematologic malignancies are currently underrepresented in multidisciplinary molecular-tumor-boards (MTB). This study assesses the potential of precision-oncology in primary-refractory plasmablastic-lymphoma (prPBL), a highly lethal blood cancer.

Methods

We evaluated clinicopathological and molecular-genetic data of 14 clinically annotated prPBL-patients from initial diagnosis. For this proof-of-concept study, we employed our certified institutional MTB-pipeline (University-Cancer-Center-Schleswig-Holstein, UCCSH) to annotate a comprehensive dataset within the scope of a virtual MTB-setting, ultimately recommending molecularly stratified therapies. Evidence-levels for MTB-recommendations were defined in accordance with the NCT/DKTK and ESCAT criteria.

Results

Median age in the cohort was 76.5 years (range 56-91), 78.6% of patients were male, 50% were HIV-positive and clinical outcome was dismal. Comprehensive genomic/transcriptomic analysis revealed potential recommendations of a molecularly stratified treatment option with evidence-levels according to NCT/DKTK of at least m2B/ESCAT of at least IIIA were detected for all 14 prPBL-cases. In addition, immunohistochemical-assessment (CD19/CD30/CD38/CD79B) revealed targeted treatment-recommendations in all 14 cases. Genetic alterations were classified by treatment-baskets proposed by Horak et al. Hereby, we identified tyrosine-kinases (TK; n=4), PI3K-MTOR-AKT-pathway (PAM; n=3), cell-cycle-alterations (CC; n=2), RAF-MEK-ERK-cascade (RME; n=2), immune-evasion (IE; n=2), B-cell-targets (BCT; n=25) and others (OTH; n=4) for targeted treatment-recommendations. The minimum requirement for consideration of a drug within the scope of the study was FDA-fast-track development.

Discussion

The presented proof-of-concept study demonstrates the clinical potential of precision-oncology, even in prPBL-patients. Due to the aggressive course of the disease, there is an urgent medical-need for personalized treatment approaches, and this population should be considered for MTB inclusion at the earliest time.
The efficacy of Kangaroo-Mother care to the clinical outcomes of LBW and premature infants in the first 28 days: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Wang Xinchen , Chen Wenzeng , Pei Shuping , Wang Qingmin , Guan Hailian , Zhu Guang
Published: February 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to systematically determine the benefits of Kangaroo-Mother Care (KMC) on the clinical outcomes of low birthweight (LBW) and preterm infants.

Methods

For this study, the following databases were retrieved for articles published until November 2021: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and the Cochrane library. The primary clinical outcome was mortality between enrollment and 28 days. The secondary clinical outcomes were the mean duration of hospital stay, hypothermia, sepsis, exclusive breastfeeding at the end of the neonatal period, and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.

Results

We conducted a meta-analysis, which included 17 RCTs, involving overall 17,668 participants. The results of this meta-analysis showed that KMC could reduce the primary clinical outcome of mortality between enrollment and 28 days (RR: 0.80, 95% Cl: 0.71–0.91, p < 0.01). For the secondary clinical outcomes, KMC had a varying degree of benefits on the mean duration of hospital stay (SMD: −0.96, 95% Cl: −1.02–0.90, p < 0.001), hypothermia (RR: 0.45, 95% Cl: 0.27–0.75, p < 0.01), and sepsis (RR: 0.79, 95% Cl: 0.70–0.89, p < 0.001). The exclusive breastfeeding at the end of the neonatal period and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge of KMC had benefits, which was not statistically different though (OR: 2.16, 95% Cl: 0.55–8.41, p = 0.27; OR: 1.16, 95% Cl: 0.82–1.64, p = 0.39, respectively).

Conclusions

KMC was decreased mortality in LBW and premature infants between enrollment and 28 days. In addition, KMC also had a favorable effectiveness on the secondary clinical outcomes, such as mean duration of hospital stay, hypothermia, sepsis. Moreover, KMC also had a slight effectiveness on exclusive breastfeeding at the end of the neonatal period and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.
CCTCOVID: COVID-19 detection from chest X-ray images using Compact Convolutional Transformers
Authors: Marefat Abdolreza , Marefat Mahdieh , Hassannataj Joloudari Javad , Nematollahi Mohammad Ali , Lashgari Reza
Published: February 2023

COVID-19 is a novel virus that attacks the upper respiratory tract and the lungs. Its person-to-person transmissibility is considerably rapid and this has caused serious problems in approximately every facet of individuals' lives. While some infected individuals may remain completely asymptomatic, others have been frequently witnessed to have mild to severe symptoms. In addition to this, thousands of death cases around the globe indicated that detecting COVID-19 is an urgent demand in the communities. Practically, this is prominently done with the help of screening medical images such as Computed Tomography (CT) and X-ray images. However, the cumbersome clinical procedures and a large number of daily cases have imposed great challenges on medical practitioners. Deep Learning-based approaches have demonstrated a profound potential in a wide range of medical tasks. As a result, we introduce a transformer-based method for automatically detecting COVID-19 from X-ray images using Compact Convolutional Transformers (CCT). Our extensive experiments prove the efficacy of the proposed method with an accuracy of 99.22% which outperforms the previous works.
Can the establishment of national sanitary cities better resist the impact of COVID-19?
Authors: Tianqi Gan , Chunyan Zhang , Renjun Shen , Bo Li
Published: February 2023

The global spread of COVID-19 has led to profound reflection on building a global public health security system. This paper uses the urban data collected during the COVID-19 epidemic in China in 2020 to evaluate the effect of the National Sanitary City (NSC) policy on the prevention and control of that epidemic at different stages. We found that the NSC policy was able to curb the occurrence and transmission of the epidemic the epidemic effectively after controlling a series of factors such as urban characteristics, population mobility and pathogen transmission. Compared with non-NSCs, the NSCs were better able to control the number of infected people and the infection rate and transmission rate, and this performance was even more impressive when the epidemic gradually entered the sporadic distribution stage. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of the NSC policy on the prevention and control of COVID-19 differs according to the economic development level and population size. To a certain extent, the NSC policy has blocked the spread of viruses by continuously improving the urban medical and health system and strengthening the publicity concerning infectious disease prevention and control knowledge.
Mining towns and migration: Comparing three South African cases
Authors: Pretorius Anmar , Blaauw Derick
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The South African economy has a long history of mining exploration. The first mining operations were recorded in 1852. Literature has expressed the need to continue exploring the implications of internal and cross-border in-migration on the labor market of destination areas. This paper investigates migration patterns in South Africa by focusing on three mining towns (Postmasburg, Rustenburg and Emalahleni) in three different provinces.

Methods

This paper utilizes survey data from primary sources to investigate the potential link between migration patterns and mining output. The surveys formed part of an interdisciplinary research project under the auspices of the Center of Development Studies (CDS) at the University of the Free State.

Results and discussion

Postmasburg is the only mining town that experienced recent periods of expansion. This is reflected in the significant increase in the number of migrants moving to Postmasburg during 2011 and 2012, and the shorter average length of stay of migrants in Postmasburg (7.2 years compared to 9.8 years in Emalahleni and 11.0 in Rustenburg). The results resonate with the neo-classical notion of self-interest among younger people as a motivating factor for migration. Migrants in our samples were significantly younger than the locally-born respondents and display higher levels of education. Empirical results confirm this positive return on increased education levels with a positive and highly statistically significant return to every additional year of formal education. In all three towns, the dummy variable included to represent a distinction between mineworkers and non-mineworkers was statically significant. This confirms the general perception that mineworkers in all these communities receive a premium in terms of their monthly earnings-even after controlling for different levels of education. As part of a future research agenda, the role of environmental factors as a driver of migration could also be investigated in depth in Southern Africa.
Standardized metrics to quantify solar energy-land relationships: A global systematic review
Authors: Cagle Alexander E. , Shepherd Morgan , Grodsky Steven M. , Armstrong Alona , Jordaan Sarah M. , Hernandez Rebecca R.
Published: February 2023

Ground-mounted solar energy installations, including photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP), can have significant environmental, ecological, and sociocultural effects via land-use and land-cover change (LULCC). Research in disciplines ranging from engineering to environmental policy seeks to quantify solar energy-land (SE-land) interactions to better understand the comprehensive impacts of solar energy installations on society. However, increasing evidence shows that scholars across research disciplines employ disparate metrics to quantify SE-land interactions. While solar energy deployment helps to achieve progress toward sustainable development goals (SDG 7- affordable and clean energy), the inconsistent use of metrics to describe SE-land interactions may inhibit the understanding of the total environmental and ecological impacts of solar energy installations, potentially causing barriers to achieve concurrent SDG's such as life on land (SDG 15). We systematically reviewed 608 sources on SE-land relationships globally to identify and assess the most frequent metric terms and units used in published studies. In total, we identified 51 unique metric terms and 34 different units of measure describing SE-land relationships across 18 countries of author origin. We organized these findings into three distinct metric categories: (1) capacity-based (i.e., nominal), (2) generation-based, and (3) human population-based. We used the most frequently reported terms and units in each category to inform a standardized suite of metrics, which are: land-use efficiency (W/m2), annual and lifetime land transformation (m2/Wh), and solar footprint (m2/capita). This framework can facilitate greater consistency in the reporting of SE-land metrics and improved capacity for comparison and aggregations of trends, including SE-land modeling projections. Our study addresses the need for standardization while acknowledging the role for future methodological advancements. The results of our study may help guide scholars toward a common vernacular and application of metrics to inform decisions about solar energy development.
Association between evergrande FC's club debt and Chinese super league's profitability from 2014 to 2019
Authors: Liu Zeyong , Liu Yuqian ,   Agudamu, Bu Te , Matic Radenko , Corilic Dusan , Casaru Catalina , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study examined the role of Evergrande FC's club debt on the Chinese Super League (CSL)'s profitability from 2014 to 2019.

Methods

We extracted the financial statements of Evergrande FC and evaluated its correlation with the profitability of CSL and Evergrande Group, which serves as a direct indicator of commercial growth.

Results

The association between Evergrande FC's net loss and gross debt and CSL's profitability is positive, strong (all correlation coefficients > .89), and statistically significant (all p < .05). The association between Evergrande FC's net asset value and CSL's profitability is negative, strong (correlation coefficient = −.97), and statistically significant (p < .05).

Conclusion

These data imply that there is a good likelihood of a causal relationship between the negative club returns generated by real estate investments and CSL's rapid commercial growth from 2014 to 2019. In essence, a dovish monetary-regulatory policy nexus during this period drove up the CSL premium. This business history from the sports industry is another illustration of how the modern coupling of economic leverage and regulatory policy could have asymmetric impacts on short-term market growth. Based on this debt-fueled business history, CSL should progress to a higher level of development in the future.
Relevance of force-velocity and change of direction assessments for the ranking position in elite junior tennis players
Authors: Volk Nicola Reiner , Vuong Jo-Lâm , Ferrauti Alexander
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to correlate sprint mechanical parameters (SMP) of a linear sprint (LS) and a tennis specific modified 505 (Tm505) change of direction (CoD) test obtained with a motorized resistance device (MRD) to the current tennis ranking position (RP).

Methods

107 male and 86 female elite junior tennis players nationally ranked in the German Tennis Federation between 10 and 18 years participated in the study. According to their age at peak height velocity (PHV), players were divided into pre-PHV, circa-PHV, and post-PHV groups. SMP were derived from instantaneous time-velocity data of two 20 m all-out LS measured with 333 Hz. Further, mean values from two Tm505 trials with constant 3 kg loading over acceleration-deceleration (1a) and reacceleration (1b) phases were measured with an MRD. SMP of LS and CoD measurements were partially correlated with the current RP in the overall national ranking by controlling for biological maturation.

Results

Low to moderate correlations (rs = −0.1 to −0.3) were found between SMP and the RP in all male and female age groups. Correlations of the CoD measurements were overall more pronounced, particularly in girls (rs = −0.44). All linear SMP, like maximal theoretical force (F0; N/kg), and maximal theoretical velocity (v0; m/s), maximal power (Pmax; W/kg), improved over maturation for both genders with Pmax being most important for sprint performance. Further, Pmax was shown to correlate with the girls ranking position (rs = −0.31). During the Tm505, matured players achieved significantly faster overall total and CoD times. Positioning of CoM before CoD enlarged over maturation and was found to correlate to the RP in both sexes. In addition, nearly all SMP significantly correlated to the primary performance outcomes in the Tm505 test in both genders (r = −0.3 to −0.6).

Conclusion

CoD performance has a moderate and higher impact on tennis performance compared to LS. CoD performance as well as Pmax achieved a higher relevance for the ranking position predominantly in girls compared to boys. Hence, particularly Pmax as well as the transfer to on-court CoD motor skills should be a central training goal in elite junior tennis players besides technical skills and should depend on maturation status and gender.
Comparing the predictive performance of different lymph node staging systems for postoperative overall survival in patients with ampullary carcinoma
Authors: Li Xun , Chen Lin , Li Junli
Published: February 2023

Aim

This study was to analyze and compare the predictive performance of the 7th and the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N staging system, lymph nodes ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph node (LODDS) for the survival of patients with ampullary carcinomas (ACs).

Method

This retrospective cohort study included patients with primary ACs after surgery from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 2004–2015. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used. The study population was divided into a training set and a testing set in a ratio of 7–3. The C-index and area under the curve (AUC) were used to compare the predictive performance of the four staging on overall survival (OS) in the training set and the testing set.

Results

A total of 7,480 patients with primary ACs (1,178 survived and 1,128 dead) were in this study. The average follow-up time was 41.1 months. N1 stage and N2 stage of the 8th edition AJCC N staging system, LNR staging (0–0.3), LNR (>0.3), LODDS (−2.4 to −0.8) and LODDS (>−0.8) were associated with OS in AC patients after adjusting for age, race, pT stage, tumor size, grade, radiation, and insurance. The C-index of the 7th AJCC N staging was significantly lower than the C-index of the 8th AJCC N staging in the training set [0.608 vs. 0.629, P < 0.001] and testing set [0.635 vs. 0.658, P < 0.001]. The C-index of the LODDS staging was significantly higher than the C-index of the 8th AJCC N staging in the training set [0.641 vs. 0.629, P = 0.034] and testing set [0.671 vs. 0.658, P = 0.034]. LODDS staging may be a potential predictor of OS at 6 months [AUC = 0.687], 12 months (AUC = 0.692), and 48 months (AUC = 0.709), and LNR staging (AUC = 0.655) may be a potential predictor of OS at 24 months in AC patients. The predictive ability of LNR staging and LODDS staging were also found in different subgroups.

Conclusion

The LNR and LODDS staging systems' predictive performance for OS of AC patients were superior to the 8th edition AJCC N staging system, especially in patients ages ≥65 or with higher tumor grade (grade II and III). The LNR staging and the LODDS staging were potential predictors for 24-month OS, and 6, 12, 24 and 48-month OS, respectively.