bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of multiple environmental factors on global carbon allocation
Authors: Xia Jiangzhou , Chen Yang , Yuan Wenping , Wang Ying-Ping
Published: December 2023

Background

The allocation of photosynthate among the parts of plants (e.g., leaves, wood tissues and roots) strongly regulates their growth, and this conditions the terrestrial carbon cycle. Recent studies have shown that atmospheric CO2 and climate change dominate the changes in carbon allocation in plants, but the magnitude and mechanism of its effects remain unclear.

Methods

The Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) model can accurately simulate the responses of carbon allocation to environmental changes. This study quantifies the contributions of four environmental factors—atmospheric CO2, temperature, precipitation, and radiation—on resource availability and carbon allocation from 1979 to 2014 by using the CABLE model.

Results

The results of the CABLE model showed that rising CO2 significantly reduced carbon allocation to the leaves of plants at a global scale, but the other three environmental factors exhibited contrasting effects that dominated the rise in carbon allocation to the leaves. The increased precipitation and CO2 significantly reduced the light availability and increased carbon allocation to the wooden parts of plants. By contrast, the rising temperature reduced the water availability, resulting in a decrease in carbon allocation to the wooden parts. All four environmental factors consistently exhibited negative effects on carbon allocation to the roots, with rising precipitation causing the largest reduction in carbon allocation to them. Moreover, except for CO2, the effects of the other three environmental factors were heterogeneous owing to their variable interactions in different regions.

Conclusions

The CABLE model can accurately represent the mechanisms of response of resource availability and carbon allocation to environmental changes. Our study highlights the substantial environmental regulation of global carbon allocation. The responses of carbon allocation to global environmental changes need to be extensively studied through ecosystem models based on different hypotheses.
Cardiometabolic-related dietary patterns and thyroid function: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Moslehi Nazanin , Mohammadpour Saba , Mirmiran Parvin , Mehran Ladan , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: December 2023

Background

Little is known about the association of dietary patterns with thyroid function. Since thyroid function and cardiometabolic variables are inter-related, we investigated whether cardiometabolic-related dietary patterns are associated with thyroid function.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 3520 Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study participants. Reduced rank regression was used to find dietary patterns with body mass index, serum fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL-C, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures as response variables. Two patterns were retained, one based on 35 food groups (native-based pattern) and the other based on the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Germany (EPIC) food grouping (n = 33). A confirmatory cardio-metabolic dietary pattern was also created according to the weight of food groups proposed by the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS). The association of each pattern with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and the odds of thyroid dysfunction was examined by linear and logistic regression, respectively.

Results

The two exploratory dietary patterns were highly correlated and associated with greater TSH levels in euthyroid participants. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of subclinical hypothyroidism per one standard deviation was 1.14 (1.01, 1.28) for the native-based pattern and 1.16 (1.03, 1.31) for the EPIC-based pattern. The odds of subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly greater in the second and third tertiles of the native-based pattern compared to the first tertile in the adjusted model (p-trend = 0.005). The odds of subclinical hypothyroidism increased across the tertiles of the EPIC-based pattern, but the odds was significantly higher only in tertile 3 compared to tertile 1, with an OR (95% CI) of 1.44 (1.07, 1.94) in the adjusted model. The adjusted odds of clinical hypothyroidism were greater in tertile 3 of the native-based pattern compared with tertile 1 (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.04, 2.62). The patterns were unrelated to hyperthyroidism or TPOAb positivity. The FOS-based confirmatory score was unrelated to thyroid function.

Conclusions

A diet high in fast foods, soft drinks, and legumes and low in confectionery, potatoes, butter, and jam and honey was associated with higher TSH levels in euthyroidism and higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism.
Accuracy of migraine diagnosis and treatment by neurologists in the Baltic states: e-survey with clinical case challenge
Authors: Jokubaitis Mantas , Vrublevska Greta , Zvaune Linda , Braschinsky Mark , Leheste Alo-Rainer , Saknītis Gatis , Žukovs Danils , Ryliškienė Kristina
Published: December 2023

Background

Underdiagnosis of migraine causes a significant health burden, including lower quality of life, excessive medication use, and a delay in effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate migraine diagnosis accuracy and to review the treatment approaches used by neurologists in the Baltic states.

Methods

The research was conducted as an anonymous e-survey with four cases in March and April 2021.

Results

119 practicing adult neurologists have participated. The migraine diagnostic accuracy was 63.2%. The most commonly used diagnostic criteria were moderate/severe pain, unilateral pain, and disruption of daily activities. Diagnostic accuracy did not differ significantly between neurologists who always use ICHD-3 criteria and those who don’t (68.4% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.167). It was higher in neurologists who were working in headache centers (91.7% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.012), and was related to a higher percentage of migraine diagnoses in all consulted headache patients (R2 = 0.202, adjusted R2 = 0.195, p < 0.001), prophylaxis with onabotulinumtoxin A [OR = 4.332, 95% Cl (1.588–11.814)], and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies [OR = 2.862, 95% Cl (1.186–6.907)].

Conclusions

Migraine diagnostic accuracy is improved through practical patient counseling and modern treatment prescription. Although the neurologists in the Baltic states follow current European guidelines, there is room for improvement in diagnostic accuracy to reduce migraine burden.
A feedback loop of PPP and PI3K/AKT signal pathway drives regorafenib-resistance in HCC
Authors: Yang Huihua , Chen Dahong , Wu Yafei , Zhou Heming , Diao Wenjing , Liu Gaolin , Li Qin
Published: December 2023

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a principal type of liver cancer with high incidence and mortality rates. Regorafenib is a novel oral multikinase inhibitor for second-line therapy for advanced HCC. However, resistance to regorafenib is gradually becoming a dilemma for HCC and the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to reveal the metabolic profiles of regorafenib-resistant cells and the key role and mechanism of the most relevant metabolic pathway in regorafenib resistance.

Methods

Metabolomics was performed to detect the metabolic alteration between drug-sensitive and regorafenib-resistant cells. Colony formation assay, CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were applied to observe cell colony formation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The protein and mRNA levels were detected by western blot and RT-qPCR. Cell lines of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD) knockdown in regorafenib-resistant cells or G6PD overexpression in HCC cell lines were stably established by lentivirus infection technique. G6PD activity, NADPH level, NADPH/NADP+ ratio, the ratio of ROS positive cells, GSH level, and GSH/GSSG ratio were detected to evaluate the anti-oxidative stress ability of cells. Phosphorylation levels of NADK were evaluated by immunoprecipitation.

Results

Metabonomics analysis revealed that pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) was the most relevant metabolic pathway in regorafenib resistance in HCC. Compared with drug-sensitive cells, G6PD enzyme activity, NADPH level and NADPH/NADP+ ratio were increased in regorafenib-resistant cells, but the ratio of ROS positive cells and the apoptosis rate under the conditions of oxidative stress were decreased. Furthermore, G6PD suppression using shRNA or an inhibitor, sensitized regorafenib-resistant cells to regorafenib. In contrast, G6PD overexpression blunted the effects of regorafenib to drug-sensitive cells. Mechanistically, G6PD, the rate-limiting enzyme of PPP, regulated the PI3K/AKT activation. Furthermore, PI3K/AKT inhibition decreased G6PD protein expression, G6PD enzymatic activity and the capacity of PPP to anti-oxidative stress possibly by inhibited the expression and phosphorylation of NADK.

Conclusion

Taken together, a feedback loop of PPP and PI3K/AKT signal pathway drives regorafenib-resistance in HCC and targeting the feedback loop could be a promising approach to overcome drug resistance.
STEAP4 inhibits cisplatin-induced chemotherapy resistance through suppressing PI3K/AKT in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xie Binhui , Zhong Baiyin , Zhao Zhenxian , Hu Jie , Yang Jianqiong , Xie Yuankang , Zhang Jianhong , Long Jianting , Yang Xuewei , Li Heping
Published: December 2023

Chemotherapy resistance is the leading cause for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-induced death. Exploring resistance generation mechanism is an urgent need for HCC therapy. Here, we found STEAP4 was significantly downregulated in HCC patients with recurrence. Patients with low STEAP4 had poor outcome, suggesting STEAP4 might inhibit chemotherapy resistance. Cell viability assay, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay, soft agar growth assay, and tumor animal model showed STEAP4 inhibited cisplatin resistance. Mechanism analysis showed STEAP4 inhibited PI3K/AKT pathway through directly interacting with AKT. Double knockdown of STEP4 and AKT significantly inhibited cisplatin resistance. We also found STEAP4 expression was negatively correlated with PI3K/AKT pathway activity in clinic specimens. In summary, our findings suggested STEAP4 inhibited cisplatin resistance through suppressing PI3K/AKT pathway activity, providing a target for HCC therapy.

Graphical Abstract
Patient experiences of a 10-weeks weight-neutral treatment program for clinical binge eating disorder in a higher weight population
Authors: Berg Kjersti Hognes , Natvik Eli , Eik-Nes Trine Tetlie
Published: December 2023

Background

Weight based stigma might drive the development of both higher weight and binge eating disorder (BED). To improve treatment and outcomes, a deeper understanding of how stigma and shame are correlated in clinical encounters is needed. The current study was designed to gain insight into how participating in a 10-weeks weight-neutral treatment program for patients with binge eating disorder and higher weight was experienced.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 patients who had completed the BED treatment. The intervention was group based, addressing stigma and shame, using models of attachment and affect regulation in the presentation of BED. Interviews were analyzed guided by van Manen’s hermeneutic-phenomenological approach.

Results

A profound feeling of inferiority due to weight stigma and adverse childhood experiences appeared to have kept the participants stuck in a shame driven carousel  of dieting, weight loss, bingeing, and weight regain. Participants and health care professionals’ mutual acknowledgement of driving elements of binge eating appeared to support participants feeling more equal. Feeling equal was described as facilitating increased awareness and tolerance of bodily sensations and emotions, and a deeper understanding and self-caring attitude towards themselves. Feeling less shame was described as important for self-disclosure in family relationships, leading to increased understanding and support from others. Simultaneously, unchanged stigmatizing surroundings were described to relate to challenges with eating patterns and weight after end of treatment.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that relational symmetry, by patients experienced as being met with recognition, compassionate acceptance, and mutual investigation of subjective experience, can contribute to reduction of weight stigma and shame, and the burdensome notion of inferiority experienced by the participants in everyday life, hence improving treatment outcomes.

Trail registration The study was approved and registered by the Data Access Committee at Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust August 8th, 2019, registration number 2019_2335.
EFL learners’ problematic use of social media usage, classroom anxiety, perfectionism, and language attainment: correlations and perceptions
Authors: Shu Juan
Published: December 2023

Background

The effect of social media (SM) on university students' educational progress and mental health has been studied in various contexts. However, the correlation between Chinese EFL learners' use of SM (problematic and non-problematic) and their language achievement, foreign language anxiety, and perfectionism requires further investigation.

Objectives

To address this gap, a mixed-method research design was utilized. This study recruited 480 English language learners from Ningbo University of Finance and Economics in China using convenience sampling.

Method

SM usage questionnaires, a perfectionism scale, a foreign language anxiety scale, self-assessment grids (CEFR) developed by the Council of Europe, and an interview checklist were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics (mean and SD) and Pearson correlation coefficient for each question were analyzed using SPSS. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews.

Results

The results revealed that problematic use of social media is associated with several negative consequences, such as low language achievement, high foreign language anxiety level, high academic burnout, and negative aspects of perfectionism.

Conclusions and implications

These findings have theoretical and practical implications for language learners and teachers. The results can inform language educators about the potential negative effects of problematic SM use on language learning outcomes, mental health, and well-being. It is important to raise awareness of problematic SM use and to promote healthy SM habits among language learners. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of promoting the non-problematic use of SM as a potential resource to enhance language learning outcomes.
The influence of resource-gaining capacity on mate preferences: an eye tracking study
Authors: Zhao Ziyue , Su Wei , Hou Juan
Published: December 2023

To investigate whether resource-gaining capacity influences mate preferences, explicit (self-report data) and implicit tasks (eye tracking data) were used to explore whether individuals’ resource-gaining capacity influences mate preferences and whether there are sex differences in mate preferences under two different conditions (short-term and long-term strategies). A total of 59 college students completed a questionnaire collecting basic demographic information, the Resource-Gaining Capacity Scale and the two above tasks. The results showed that (1) in the short-term mating, individuals with higher resource-gaining capacity paid more attention to “good parent” than those with lower resource-gaining capacity, while individuals with lower resource-gaining capacity preferred “good provider” than those with higher resource-gaining capacity. (2) In the long-term mating, women valued “good provider” traits more than men, and they paid more attention to “good parent” traits than men in the short-term. In addition, no matter in the short-term or the long-term mating, men placed more value on “good genes” traits than women. (3) Compared with long-term mating, individuals of both sexes had preferences based on “good genes” in short-term mating, while they had preferences based on “good parent” and “good provider” in long-term mating compared with short-term mating. (4) Regarding explicit mate selection, “good parent” traits were most preferred by the participants, while the implicit eye tracking data indicated that participants preferred partners who were “good providers” and had “good genes”.
Phrenic nerve stimulation to prevent diaphragmatic dysfunction and ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Panelli Alessandro , Verfuß Michael A. , Dres Martin , Brochard Laurent , Schaller Stefan J.
Published: December 2023

Side effects of mechanical ventilation, such as ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), occur frequently in critically ill patients. Phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) has been a valuable tool for diagnosing VIDD by assessing respiratory muscle strength in response to magnetic PNS. The detection of pathophysiologically reduced respiratory muscle strength is correlated with weaning failure, longer mechanical ventilation time, and mortality. Non-invasive electromagnetic PNS designed for diagnostic use is a reference technique that allows clinicians to measure transdiaphragm pressure as a surrogate parameter for diaphragm strength and functionality. This helps to identify diaphragm-related issues that may impact weaning readiness and respiratory support requirements, although lack of lung volume measurement poses a challenge to interpretation. In recent years, therapeutic PNS has been demonstrated as feasible and safe in lung-healthy and critically ill patients. Effects on critically ill patients’ VIDD or diaphragm atrophy outcomes are the subject of ongoing research. The currently investigated application forms are diverse and vary from invasive to non-invasive and from electrical to (electro)magnetic PNS, with most data available for electrical stimulation. Increased inspiratory muscle strength and improved diaphragm activity (e.g., excursion, thickening fraction, and thickness) indicate the potential of the technique for beneficial effects on clinical outcomes as it has been successfully used in spinal cord injured patients. Concerning the potential for electrophrenic respiration, the data obtained with non-invasive electromagnetic PNS suggest that the induced diaphragmatic contractions result in airway pressure swings and tidal volumes remaining within the thresholds of lung-protective mechanical ventilation. PNS holds significant promise as a therapeutic intervention in the critical care setting, with potential applications for ameliorating VIDD and the ability for diaphragm training in a safe lung-protective spectrum, thereby possibly reducing the risk of VILI indirectly. Outcomes of such diaphragm training have not been sufficiently explored to date but offer the perspective for enhanced patient care and reducing weaning failure. Future research might focus on using PNS in combination with invasive and non-invasive assisted ventilation with automatic synchronisation and the modulation of PNS with spontaneous breathing efforts. Explorative approaches may investigate the feasibility of long-term electrophrenic ventilation as an alternative to positive pressure-based ventilation.
Bioengineering Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1: a robust whole-cell biocatalyst for efficient PET microplastic degradation
Authors: Cao Zhanqing , Xia Wei , Wu Shilei , Ma Jiale , Zhou Xiaoli , Qian Xiujuan , Xu Anming , Dong Weiliang , Jiang Min
Published: December 2023

The escalating crisis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic contamination in biological wastewater treatment systems is a pressing environmental concern. These microplastics inevitably accumulate in sewage sludge due to the absence of effective removal technologies. Addressing this urgent issue, this study introduces a novel approach using DuraPETase, a potent enzyme with enhanced PET hydrolytic activity at ambient temperatures. Remarkably, this enzyme was successfully secreted from Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1, a dominant species in the active sludge. The secreted DuraPETase showed significant hydrolytic activity toward p-NPB and PET nanoplastics. Furthermore, the CNB-1 derived whole-cell biocatalyst was able to depolymerize PET microplastics under ambient temperature, achieving a degradation efficiency of 9% within 7 days. The CNB-1-based whole biocatalysts were also capable of utilizing PET degradation intermediates, such as terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG), and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-TPA (BHET), for growth. This indicates that it can completely mineralize PET, as opposed to merely breaking it down into smaller molecules. This research highlights the potential of activated sludge as a potent source for insitu microplastic removal.

Graphical Abstract
Pancreas CT assessment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resectability: effect of tube voltage and slice thickness on image quality and diagnostic performance
Authors: Lee Dong Ho , Lee Seung Soo , Lee Jeong Min , Choi Jin-Young , Lee Chang Hee , Ha Hong Il , Kang Bo-Kyeong , Yu Mi Hye , Chang Won , Park Sae Jin
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To assess the resectability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the evaluation of tumor vascular contact holds paramount significance. This study aimed to compare the image quality and diagnostic performance of high-resolution (HR) pancreas computed tomography (CT) using an 80 kVp tube voltage and a thin slice (1 mm) for assessing PDAC resectability, in comparison with the standard protocol CT using 120 kVp.

Methods

This research constitutes a secondary analysis originating from a multicenter prospective study. All participants underwent both the standard protocol pancreas CT using 120 kVp with 3 mm slice thickness (ST) and HR-CT utilizing an 80 kVp tube voltage and 1 mm ST. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between parenchyma and tumor, along with the degree of enhancement of the abdominal aorta and main portal vein (MPV), were measured and subsequently compared. Additionally, the likelihood of margin-negative resection (R0) was evaluated using a five-point scale. The diagnostic performance of both CT protocols in predicting R0 resection was assessed through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

A total of 69 patients (37 males and 32 females; median age, 66.5 years) were included in the study. The median CNR of PDAC was 10.4 in HR-CT, which was significantly higher than the 7.1 in the standard CT (P=0.006). Furthermore, HR-CT demonstrated notably higher median attenuation values for both the abdominal aorta (579.5 HU vs. 327.2 HU; P=0.002) and the MPV (263.0 HU vs. 175.6 HU; P=0.004) in comparison with standard CT. Following surgery, R0 resection was achieved in 51 patients. The pooled AUC for HR-CT in predicting R0 resection was 0.727, slightly exceeding the 0.699 of standard CT, albeit lacking a significant statistical distinction (P=0.128).

Conclusion

While HR pancreas CT using 80 kVp offered a notably greater degree of contrast enhancement in vessels and a higher CNR for PDAC compared to standard CT, its diagnostic performance in predicting R0 resection remained statistically comparable.
Use of the National Cancer Institute Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events to assess treatment tolerability in pulmonary arterial hypertension: qualitative patient research findings in current and former users of oral selexipag
Authors: Davis Stacy , Edwards Teresa , Norcross Lindsey , Fehnel Sheri , Beaudet Amélie , Eckart Marie , Fastenau John
Published: December 2023

Background

Understanding patients’ perspectives regarding drug tolerability, in addition to effectiveness, provides a complete picture of the patient experience and supports more informed therapeutic decision-making. The item library of the National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) was developed to measure patient-reported frequency, severity, and interference of adverse events (AEs) associated with cancer therapies. This qualitative interview study assessed the suitability of items selected from the PRO-CTCAE library for assessing tolerability of selexipag, a medication targeting the prostacyclin pathway for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

Two rounds of 10 qualitative, web-assisted telephone interviews following a semi-structured guide were conducted in individuals with recent experience taking oral selexipag for PAH. Each interview included concept elicitation to gather participants’ perspectives on symptomatic AEs (type, frequency, severity, and interference) and cognitive debriefing of PRO-CTCAE items addressing the most frequently reported AEs of oral selexipag.

Results

Interviews were conducted with 20 participants with PAH (mean [range] age 50 [24–68] years; 75% female; 85% in World Health Organization Functional Class II–III), comprising different races/ethnicities, levels of education, and employment status. Fifteen participants were currently treated with selexipag; five had taken selexipag for ≥ 6 months before discontinuing. The most frequently reported AEs included headache, jaw pain, and nausea (n = 15, 12, and 10 participants, respectively). Diarrhea and headache were identified as the most bothersome AEs by 5 and 4 participants, respectively. Some AEs were transitory (e.g., jaw pain); others were long-lasting (e.g., muscle pain). Based on findings from Round 1 interviews, a flushing item was added and the PRO-CTCAE general pain item was modified to be specific to jaw pain for testing in Round 2. Interview findings identified the following AEs as relevant to assess in a PAH clinical trial: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flushing, jaw pain, headache, aching muscles, and aching joints.

Conclusions

The PRO-CTCAE items selected in this study and the additional symptomatic AEs identified as patient-relevant have the potential to be included in assessments capturing the patient perspective on tolerability in future studies of selexipag and possibly other PAH therapies.
Head-to-head comparison of 18F-FDG and 18F-FES PET/CT for initial staging of ER-positive breast cancer patients
Authors: Kiatkittikul Peerapon , Mayurasakorn Supanida , Promteangtrong Chetsadaporn , Kunawudhi Anchisa , Siripongsatian Dheeratama , Hirata Natdanai , Jantarato Attapon , Boonkawin Natphimol , Yaset Sukanya , Kongsakorn Pattanapong , Phewnual Warunya , Chotipanich Chanisa
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 18F-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for initial staging of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients with ER-positive breast cancer underwent 18F-FDG and 18F-FES PET/CT for initial staging. Diagnostic performance and concordance rates were analyzed for both radiotracers. Semiquantitative parameters of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumor-to-normal ratio (T/N ratio) were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Factors potentially affecting the degree of radiotracer uptake were analyzed by multi-level linear regression analysis.

Results

The overall diagnostic performance of 18F-FES was comparable to 18F-FDG, except for higher specificity and NPV, with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 87.56%, 100%, 100%, 35.14%, and 88.35%, respectively, for 18F-FES and 83.94%, 30.77%, 94.74%, 11.43%, and 95.37%, respectively, for 18F-FDG. Diagnostic performance of strong ER expression was better in 18F-FES but worse for 18F-FDG. There was a correlation of mucinous cell type and Allred score 7–8 with 18F-FES uptake, with correlation coefficients of 26.65 (19.28, 34.02), 5.90 (− 0.005, 11.81), and p-value of < 0.001, 0.05, respectively. Meanwhile, luminal B and Ki-67 were related to 18F-FDG uptake, with correlation coefficients of 2.76 (1.10, 0.20), 0.11 (0.01, 0.2), and p-value of 0.018, 0.025, respectively.

Conclusion

Diagnostic performance of 18F-FES is comparable to 18F-FDG, but better for strongly ER-positive breast cancer. Combination of 18F-FES and 18F-FDG would potentially overcome the limitations of each tracer with more accurate staging.
Collagen-based biomaterials in organoid technology for reproductive medicine: composition, characteristics, and applications
Authors: Feng Bo , Yang Hao , Zhu Manman , Li Jinlin , Chang Hsun-Ming , Leung Peter C. K. , Guo Junling , Zhang Yaoyao
Published: December 2023

Collagen-based biomaterials (CBB) are highly esteemed by researchers in materials science and biomedicine due to their extensive applications across various biomedical disciplines. In recent years, owing to advancements in developmental biology techniques, this superior biomaterial has seen increasing utilization in 3D in vitro tissue culture. Three-dimensional cell cultures, often referred to as organoids, have emerged in response to technological advancements in biomaterials and the growing need in the field of medical research. They serve as important models for simulating normal physiological activities in vivo, addressing limitations in experimental material sources, and resolving ethical issues. In this review, we discuss the material characteristics of CBBs commonly used for organoid culture, integrating aspects such as Matrigel and decellularized ECM as culture matrices. We also analyzed the development prospects and directions of various materials in the context of biology, clinical medicine, and particularly reproductive medicine. Currently, despite the FDA approval and clinical research incorporating numerous CBBs, existing challenges in multiple studies indicate a significant unmet need in the development of key tissue models for both medical research and clinical applications. In summary, CBBs are swiftly broadening their applicability in the realms of organoid nature and medical research, serving as a versatile and high-performing material for 3D in vitro tissue culture.

Graphical abstract
REC8 regulates neuroblastoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis via STAT3/VEGF signaling
Authors: Wang Qiang , Fan Wei , Hao ZengHui , Liang Bingxue , Fan Meili , Zhao Zijian , Li Zhaozhu
Published: December 2023

Background

Neuroblastoma, one of the most prevalent childhood cancers, is often treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, prognosis and survival are still dismal for children with neuroblastoma at high risk. Consequently, it is vital to identify new and effective treatment targets. As a component of the meiotic cohesion complex, REC8 is involved in a wide range of malignancies. The current work assessed the impact of REC8 knockdown on SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS neuroblastoma cells and delved into the molecular mechanism behind this effect.

Methods

Knockdown of REC8 using the small interfering (si) RNA technology, and the results were verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine cell proliferation, while flow cytometry was used to examine cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Analyses of angiogenesis included tube formation experiments. Transwell tests were used to examine cell migration and invasion.

Results

The data showed that downregulation of the REC8 led to a substantial decrease in cell proliferation by stopping the cell cycle in the G1 phase. REC8 knockdown significantly reduced neuroblastoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, induced cell cycle arrest, and enhanced apoptosis. We also discovered that repressing REC8 expression in neuroblastoma cell lines SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS reduced their ability to activate the STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Neuroblastoma therapy may benefit from targeting REC8 and its downstream targets.
Bedside test for estimating stiff index in mechanically ventilated ARDS patient: a pilot study
Authors: Fatma E. , Rahman Gamal A. , Algendy M. , Mahmoud M. , Mona A. , Yousra T.
Published: December 2023

Stiff index is defined as the proportion of lung tissue elasticity in relation to chest wall elasticity to pertain to its cyclic tidal volume. It is meant to reflect the risk of overloading lung pressure. Introducing the Stiff index into bedside management determines the pressure needed to keep the lung open with no risk of barotrauma.

Aim of the work The primary endpoint was to highlight the stiff index in ARDS patients as a potential surrogate for detecting the changes in lung mechanics and the assumptions underlying the estimation of relevant respiratory parameters. Secondly, we aimed to assess intrathoracic pressure ITP in view of chest wall elastance Ecw in relation to respiratory system elastance Ers within the same population.

Subjects and methods Data were collected from forty ARDS patients, diagnosed according to Berlin definition, who were admitted to ICUS Ain Shams University hospitals during the period between December 2022 and April 2023. These populations were patients’ purposive samples who underwent volume‐controlled ventilation at least 2 days prior to study enrollment. Their mean age was 64.68 ± 15.01 years with males (N = 22) to females (N = 18) ratio 55%. Measurements of peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and delta airway pressure change ∆Paw measured three times on end-expiratory (ee) and on end-inspiratory (ei) occlusion tests, and the higher of the three readings were reported.

Results The calculated mean Stiff index was (0.66 ± 0.159) which was correlated with Peak pressure (r =  − 0.377, P = 0.017) and with trans-pulmonary end inspiration TPPei (r = 0.312, P = 0.05). The stiff index was also found to be correlated with intra-thoracic pressure ITP (r = 0.769, P 0.001), but is not statistically significant with inspiratory tidal volume (r = 0.132, P 0.416).

Conclusion Lung pressure loading in ARDS could be recognized by estimating an increase in stiff index. The cut point of stiff factor that limited the plateau at or below 30 cmH2o was 0.75 with 71% sensitivity and 0.63% specificity, respectively. The more the Stiff index the more was the ITP, and it had no relation to TV.
Associations of an individual's need for cognition with structural brain damage and cognitive functioning/impairment: cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Truin Lotte S. , Köhler Sebastian , Heger Irene S. , van Boxtel Martin P. J. , Schram Miranda T. , Backes Walter H. , Jansen Jacobus F. A. , van Dongen Martien M. C. J. M. , de Vries Nanne K. , de Vries Hein , Eussen Simone J. P. M. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , de Vugt Marjolein E. , Deckers Kay
Published: December 2023

Background

High cognitive activity possibly reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Aims

To investigate associations between an individual's need to engage in cognitively stimulating activities (need for cognition, NFC) and structural brain damage and cognitive functioning in the Dutch general population with and without existing cognitive impairment.

Method

Cross-sectional data were used from the population-based cohort of the Maastricht Study. NFC was measured using the Need For Cognition Scale. Cognitive functioning was tested in three domains: verbal memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning and attention. Values 1.5 s.d. below the mean were defined as cognitive impairment. Standardised volumes of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and presence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) were derived from 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses were used adjusted for demographic, somatic and lifestyle factors.

Results

Participants (n = 4209; mean age 59.06 years, s.d. = 8.58; 50.1% women) with higher NFC scores had higher overall cognition scores (B = 0.21, 95% CI 0.17–0.26, P < 0.001) and lower odds for CSVD (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.60–0.91, P = 0.005) and cognitive impairment (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.48–0.76, P < 0.001) after adjustment for demographic, somatic and lifestyle factors. The association between NFC score and cognitive functioning was similar for individuals with and without prevalent cognitive impairment. We found no significant association between NFC and WMH or CSF volumes.

Conclusions

A high need to engage in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with better cognitive functioning and less presence of CSVD and cognitive impairment. This suggests that, in middle-aged individuals, motivation to engage in cognitively stimulating activities may be an opportunity to improve brain health.
Remimazolam Sedation and Neuraxial Anesthesia in a Patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Undergoing an Open Colectomy: A Case Report
Authors: Nimma Sindhuja , Gans Asaf , Wardhan Richa , Allen Wesley
Published: December 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neurons. Perioperative management of patients with ALS can be challenging due to the risk of hemodynamic instability, aspiration, and ventilatory failure. We discuss a 58-year-old male patient with ALS who underwent open abdominal surgery under regional anesthesia utilizing a remimazolam infusion for sedation. While various sedation agents have been used successfully in patients with ALS, remimazolam, a new short-acting benzodiazepine with unique pharmacologic properties and reversible anxiolysis, provides amnesia while avoiding ventilatory depression.
Comedy of Terrors
Authors: Li Darryl
Published: December 2023

The national security state crafts an enormous volume of materials “connecting the dots” between seemingly unrelated events and people to identify and anatomize sources of threat. This essay traces the production and circulation of these forms of bureaucratic and judicial artifice, or national security fictions, which are the everyday currency of state-led conspiracy theorizing. The chapter takes up the example of documents seized by US soldiers in a raid on an Islamic charity, and it shows how, through the questionable use of these documents in a federal court case, they came to be widely cited as minutes of the founding meetings of al-Qa‘ida. The trajectory of these documents reveals how rules of evidence governing the use of hearsay can operate as a form of judicially supervised conspiracy theorization. This chapter sketches the citational afterlives of these documents, from a sprawling multibillion dollar lawsuit against Saudi Arabia to canonical histories of the rise of al-Qa‘ida.
Factors Associated with Symptom Resolution after Aerobic Exercise Intervention in Adolescent and Young Adults with Concussion
Authors: Wingerson Mathew J. , Hunt Danielle L. , Wilson Julie C. , Mannix Rebekah C. , Meehan William P. , Howell David R.
Published: December 2023

Background

Aerobic exercise facilitates post-concussion symptom resolution at the group-level, but patient-level characteristics may affect the likelihood of treatment efficacy.

Purpose

To investigate demographic and clinical characteristics which differentiate post-concussion aerobic exercise treatment efficacy from non-efficacy in the intervention arm of a randomized clinical trial.

Methods

Adolescent and young-adult participants initiated a standardized aerobic exercise intervention within 14 days of concussion, consisting of self-selected exercise for 100-minutes/week at an individualized heart rate (80% of heart rate induced symptom exacerbation during graded exercise testing). Treatment efficacy was defined as symptom resolution within 28-days post-concussion. Treatment efficacy and non-efficacy groups were compared on demographics, clinical characteristics, intervention adherence, and persistent symptom risk using the Predicting Persistent Post-Concussive Problems in Pediatrics (5P) clinical risk score.

Results

27 participants (16.1 ± 2.3 years old, range: 11-21 years; 52% female) began the intervention a mean of 9.5 ± 3.7 days after concussion; half (n = 13; 48%) demonstrated treatment efficacy (symptom resolution within 28 days post-concussion). Those whose symptoms resolved within 28 days had significantly lower pre-intervention Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory scores (21.2 ± 13.2 vs 41.4 ± 22.2; p < .01), greater adherence to the intervention (77% vs 36%; p = .05), and longer average exercise duration (49.7 [36.8, 68.6] vs 30.4 [20.7, 34.7] minutes; p < .01), than those whose symptoms lasted more than 28 days. Groups were similar in age, sex, timing of intervention, and pre-intervention 5P risk score.

Conclusions

A standardized aerobic exercise intervention initiated within 14 days of concussion demonstrated efficacy for approximately half of participants, according to our definition of treatment efficacy. This multisite aerobic exercise intervention suggests that lower symptom severity, higher intervention adherence, and greater exercise duration are factors which increase the likelihood of symptoms resolving within 28 days of concussion.
Türkiye’de Metaverse ile İlgili Tweetlerin İncelenmesi: Bir Sosyal Ağ Analizi
Authors: Gazaz Doğan Can
Published: December 2023

İlk kez 1992 yılında yayınlanan “Snow Crash” romanında kullanılan Metaverse kavramı, yıllar içerisinde gelişerek bir kurgu olmaktan çıkmış ve insanlara gerçek dünya benzeri alternatif dijital evrenler sunar hale gelmiştir. İnsanlar arasında Metaverse’nin faaliyet alanlarına ilişkin bilgiler, sosyal medya paylaşımları aracılığıyla yayılırken konuyla ilgili literatürde sosyal ağ olarak adlandırılan iletişim ağlarını oluşturmaktadır. Bu ağlardaki etkili aktörler ise ağdaki bilgi akışını yönlendirebilmektedirler. Çalışmanın temel amacı, Türkiye’de Metaverse ile ilgili sosyal ağların hangi faaliyetler çerçevesinde şekillendiğini ve etkili aktörlerin ağı nasıl yönlendirdiğini dönemsel olarak karşılaştırarak Metaverse’nin Türkiye’de nasıl ve hangi amaçlar doğrultusunda insanlar arasında yayıldığını sorgulamaktır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, Twitter’da “#metaverse” etiketine sahip toplamda 745.784 adet Türkçe paylaşım, R dili fonksiyonları kullanılarak tam arşiv taramasıyla alınmıştır. Tam arşiv taraması ile Twitter’dan zamansal kısıtlılıklar olmaksızın ilgili etiketi içeren tüm paylaşımlar alınabilmektedir. Veri ve metin madenciliği süreçlerinden geçen paylaşımlara sosyal ağ ve duygu analizleri uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlar, ağdaki etkili aktörlerin yönlendirmesiyle insanların Metaverse evrenlerindeki ekonomik yatırım faaliyetleriyle ilgilendiklerini göstermektedir. Ancak, dönemsel olarak ekonomik yatırımlarla ilgili paylaşımlar arttıkça genel kitlenin pozitif tutumu azalmakta ve paylaşımlardaki nötr ve negatif eğilimlerin oranı artmaktadır.
Sarmaşık Filminin Zayıf/Başarısız Devlet ve Rejim Güvenliği Kavramları Çerçevesinde İncelenmesi
Authors: Uluer Ahmet Göksel
Published: December 2023

Bu çalışma, senaryo ve yönetmenliğini Tolga Karaçelik’in üstlendiği 2015’te vizyona giren Sarmaşık filmini, güvenlik çalışmaları, zayıf/başarısız devlet ve rejim güvenliği çerçevesinde analiz etmeye yöneliktir. Siyaset biliminden erkeklik çalışmalarına, etnik araştırmalardan psikolojiye dek pek çok disiplinde incelenen filmin ve filmin ana karakteri haline bürünmüş olan geminin, işlev, meşruiyet ve dışlayıcılık nitelikleriyle imlenen bir zayıf devlet olarak ele alınabileceği ve film boyunca kaptan-mürettebat arasında süregelen ilişkinin de rejim güvenliği kavramlarıyla açıklanabileceği öne sürülmüştür. Bu bağlamda, gemi metaforu, gemi ve güven(siz)lik ilişkisi, zayıf/başarısız devlet ve rejim güvenliği alanındaki literatür incelenirken; filmin senaryosu, karakterleri ve diyaloglar zayıf/başarısız devlet ve rejim güvenliği kısır döngüsü çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiştir. Böylece filmlerin ya da genel anlamda kurgusal/sanatsal yapıtların uluslararası siyasette öngörülen “estetik dönüşüm”ün bir uzantısı olarak kavranmasındaki pedagojik ve açılımsal rollerin üzerinde durularak, Sarmaşık’ın, zayıf/başarısız devlet ve rejim güvenliği ilişkisini netleştirecek ve bu ilişkiye dair yeni kavramlar geliştirecek bir araç olarak kullanılabileceği ileri sürülmüştür.
Pandeminin Siyasal Söylemi: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın Covid-19 Konuşmalarının Metafor Analizi
Authors: Zararsız Ömer Faruk , Seyhan Ahmet Selman
Published: December 2023

Bu çalışmada, Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın Covid-19 pandemisi süresince yapmış olduğu konuşmalarda, pandemiden sosyal ve ekonomik olarak olumsuz etkilenen toplumu kendi politik hedefleri doğrultusunda konsolide edebilmek, politik kariyerini hedef alan tehditleri ortadan kaldırmak ve geleceğe dair topluma umut verebilmek için kullandığı metaforlar tespit edilmektedir. Kullanılan metaforların ideolojik ve kültürel çerçevesinin detaylı şekilde açıklanabilmesi için Mart 2020 – Mart 2022 dönemleri arasında her mecrada yapılmış olan toplam 127 konuşma eleştirel metafor analizi yöntemiyle incelenmektedir. Bulgular, Erdoğan’ın konuşmalarının Covid-19, toplum sağlığı, ekonomi, iç politika ve dış politika olmak üzere beş konu başlığına odaklandığını ve kültürel, savaş, ekonomi, din, ahlak-etik, liyakat, zaman, değer, sağlık ve hareket olmak üzere on başlıkta gruplanan metaforların beş başlıkta belirtilen konularda yoğun bir şekilde kullanıldığını göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak Erdoğan’ın metaforların ikna edici gücünden söylemlerinde sıklıkla yararlandığı, metaforları bilinçli şekilde seçerek konuşmalarında vurgulamak istediği noktaların anlamını güçlendirdiği ve özellikle kendi hedeflerine yönelik toplumun desteğini alarak onları hedefleri doğrultusunda harekete geçirmek istediği tespit edilmiştir.
Status, distribution, and threats of the last surviving fan mussel populations in Greece
Authors: PAPADAKIS ORESTIS , MAMOUTOS IOANNIS , RAMFOS ALEXIS , CATANESE GAETANO , PAPADIMITRIOU EVANGELOS , THEODOROU A. JOHN , BATARGIAS COSTAS , PAPAIOANNOU CHARIKLEIA , KAMILARI MARIA , TRAGOU ELINA , ZERVAKIS VASSILIS , KATSANEVAKIS STELIOS
Published: December 2023

Since the first confirmed records of mass mortality events (MME) in the Aegean Sea in 2018, Pinna nobilis populations in Greek seas have been decimated. To bolster recovery efforts, this study aimed to assess the status of fan mussel populations in the Aegean and Ionian seas and investigate potential recolonization through natural recruitment. From May 2022 to May 2023, 163 independent underwater visual surveys were conducted across various locations and depths along the Greek coastline. A total of 4348 P. nobilis individuals was recorded, of which 87.3% were found dead and 12.7% were alive. The sole surviving fan mussel populations were located in the semi-enclosed gulfs of Amvrakikos in the Ionian Sea and of Kalloni in the Aegean Sea, with estimated recent mortality rates (excluding potential poaching) of 7.7% and 6.3%, respectively. To track potential new recruitment, a network of larvae collectors was deployed in multiple locations. Additionally, an ocean circulation model (OCM) was developed to predict the export and fate of larvae from the surviving populations in the Marmara Sea towards the Aegean Sea. Beyond the MME, this study identified several other threats, which significantly endanger fan mussel survival. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need to implement protection measures and restoration actions to enhance the chances of P. nobilis survival and recovery in the Greek seas.