bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where theories of terrain might land: Towards ‘pluriversal’ engagements with terrain
Authors: Squire Rachael
Published: April 2021

This brief commentary draws on Stuart Elden’s thought provoking article, ‘Terrain, Politics, History’, to make two interventions. The first argues that understandings of terrain and Earth’s materiality would be enriched by engaging with ‘pluriversal’ perspectives where Earth is inherently animated, lively, and heterogenous. This includes indigenous perspectives and those attending to non-human animal life. The second calls for a more concerted engagement within geography with terrains as voluminous constructs, whether that be in mountains, the air, or increasingly in artificial environments. It concludes by advocating for a further stretching of ‘terrain’ as presented in the paper to see where diverse understandings of terrain might land or indeed, climb, float, sink, or soar.
Quantified Nostalgia: Social Media, Metrics, and Memory
Authors: Jacobsen Benjamin N. , Beer David
Published: April 2021

As social media platforms have developed over the past decade, they are no longer simply sites for interactions and networked sociality; they also now facilitate backwards glances to previous times, moments, and events. Users’ past content is turned into definable objects that can be scored, rated, and resurfaced as “memories.” There is, then, a need to understand how metrics have come to shape digital and social media memory practices, and how the relationship between memory, data, and metrics can be further understood. This article seeks to outline some of the relations between social media, metrics, and memory. It examines how metrics shape remembrance of the past within social media. Drawing on qualitative interviews as well as focus group data, the article examines the ways in which metrics are implicated in memory making and memory practices. This article explores the effect of social media “likes” on people’s memory attachments and emotional associations with the past. The article then examines how memory features incentivize users to keep remembering through accumulation. It also examines how numerating engagements leads to a sense of competition in how the digital past is approached and experienced. Finally, the article explores the tensions that arise in quantifying people’s engagements with their memories. This article proposes the notion of quantified nostalgia in order to examine how metrics are variously performative in memory making, and how regimes of ordinary measures can figure in the engagement and reconstruction of the digital past in multiple ways.
More Than Just Shouting? Distinguishing Interpersonal-Directed and Elite-Directed Incivility in Online Political Talk
Authors: Rossini Patrícia
Published: April 2021

Online political talk is often deemed toxic to democracy due to the pervasiveness of incivility. This study challenges this perspective by examining the discursive and contextual conditions related to interpersonal incivility in contrast with incivility targeted at political elites on Facebook comments and news websites. Findings suggest that much of the vitriol online is targeted at politicians and characterized by justified opinions. Interpersonal incivility is associated with disagreement, but less likely to be associated with replies—suggesting that users refrain from uncivil direct confrontation. Taken together, these findings indicate that interpersonal-directed and elite-directed incivility are characterized by distinct discursive features and happen in opposite directions. Incivility is more than just shouting, and it is frequently used to criticize political elites and justify opinions than to attack others in a discussion. As such, it should not be inherently associated with toxic behaviors or be considered a problematic feature of online discussions.
Influence Without Metrics: Analyzing the Impact of Far-Right Users in an Online Discussion Forum
Authors: Åkerlund Mathilda
Published: April 2021

The study presented in this article explores the processes through which influence takes shape in eclectic online forums with few vanity metrics. Using a dataset of 7.5 million posts in the large Swedish online discussion forum Flashback, it explores who becomes influential, their strategies for appealing to the community, and others’ support of them. While it has been known that Flashback hosts far-right users and content, the current study shows that these sentiments are not fringe or obscure, but instead seemingly widely supported and influential in the forum. It illustrates that the influential users—those who are supported and acknowledged by others as important—exclusively and continuously expressed far-right ideas and displayed an embeddedness within the far-right, as well as in the forum’s culture. The study finds that despite few visible markers, many users learned to recognize influential users and their far-right content as worthy of support. In the absence of built-in functions, some users engaged in manual “liking” and “sharing” of influential users’ content via their replies, acknowledging it as a way to legitimize them. At the same time, the analysis showcased how a lack of vanity metrics countered potential echo chamber effects in the forum as disliked users—advocating progressive gender and immigration ideas—were unintentionally amplified by those who attempted to silence them. The article also discusses the role of Flashback as a platform in the proliferation of hate.
Misinformation Concerns and Online News Participation among internet Users in India
Authors: Neyazi Taberez Ahmed , Kalogeropoulos Antonis , Nielsen Rasmus K.
Published: April 2021

The rise of misinformation often circulated in various social media platforms has not only raised concerns among the policymakers and civil society groups, but also among citizens. Drawing upon a cross-sectional survey ( n = 1,013) among English-language internet users in India, this paper tries to identify factors that affect concerns for online misinformation among citizens and how online news participation is affected by the rise of misinformation. After controlling for gender, age, education and income, we found that WhatsApp use, party identification and trust in news are positively associated with the concern for misinformation. Similarly, partisans are more likely to engage with news online. While Facebook and Twitter use are positively associated with online news sharing, the use of WhatsApp is not significant. The empirical evidence adds new insights to the literature on misinformation and online news engagement from the world’s largest democracy.
Constructing Sexual Fields: Chinese Gay Men’s Dating Practices Among Pluralized Dating Apps
Authors: Wu Shangwei , Trottier Daniel
Published: April 2021

In this study, we draw on sexual field theory to examine the structural nature of metropolitan Chinese gay men’s mobile dating practices in a polymedia environment where one can access an array of dating apps. We define structures of desire in the sexual field as not only the transpersonal valuations of desirability but also the dominance of particular desires that coordinate actors’ expectations and practices. Based on interviews with 52 urban Chinese gay men, we discuss the differing structures of desire hosted by four dating apps: Aloha, Blued, Grindr, and Tinder. Our analysis indicates that factors such as design features of dating apps, marketing strategies of app companies, and internet regulations have shaped the structures of desire by unevenly distributing the platform access to users across social classes and territorial divisions and (dis)enabling particular communicative practices in collective sexual life to different extents. The distance-sorted display of nearby users contributes to the predominance of immediate hook-ups on Blued and Grindr, while the matching mechanism of Aloha and Tinder functions as a “speed bump” and nourishes users’ expectations for lasting connections. As Blued is the most popular gay dating app on the heavily guarded Chinese internet market, the diversity of its users drives away many metropolitan middle-class gay men who only desire their own kind. In comparison, Aloha, Grindr, and Tinder, with smaller user bases, are more specialized sexual sites where the dominant currency of sexual capital reflects the middle-class standard for “quality.”
Epidemiology of Lumbar Degenerative Phenotypes of Children and Adolescents: A Large-Scale Imaging Study
Authors: Wan Zhong-Yuan , Zhang Jun , Shan Hua , Liu Tang-Fen , Song Fang , Samartzis Dino , Wang Hai-Qiang
Published: April 2021

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Objective:

Recently, there has been a rise in children and adolescents developing low back pain and/or sciatica. Degenerative lumbar spine MRI phenotypes can occur in this population but reports have been sporadic and the true incidence of such spine changes remains debatable. As such, the study aimed to address the epidemiology of MRI phenotypes of the lumbar spine in this young population.

Methods:

597 children and adolescents with lumbar MRIs were included in the study. T1- and T2-weighted lumbar images from L1/2 to L5/S1 were analyzed in axial and sagittal planes. Global phenotype assessment was performed of each level and based on established nomenclature protocols.

Results:

The cohort consisted of 57.3% (342) boys and 42.7% (255) girls, with a mean age of 10.75 ± 5.25 years (range: 0 to 18 years). The prevalence of imaging findings of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) were 2.2% (95% CI: 0.93–3.43) and 5.8% (95%CI: 2.58-8.99), respectively. There was significant difference between each disc segment from L1/2 to L5/S1 for both LDD and LDH. Schmorl’s nodes were noted in 16 cases (2.7%, youngest case as 15 years), with 11 boys (68.8%) and most frequent segment as L3/4. Modic changes and high-intensity zones were absent in this cohort.

Conclusions:

LDD can emerge as early as the first decade of life with Schmorl’s nodes, without additional specific phenotypes, including Modic changes and high-intensity zones. The study provides valuable information of a unique age group that is often under-represented but equally important as adults.
Effect of Leg Dominance on Medium- to Long-Term Functional Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Revision Rates After Isolated ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Uzun Erdal , Misir Abdulhamit , Guney Ahmet
Published: April 2021

Background:

The effect of leg dominance on short-term functional outcomes and return to sports after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has been evaluated. However, postoperative medium- to long-term recovery and revision rates are not well known.

Purpose:

To investigate whether leg dominance affects medium- to long-term clinical and functional scores and revision rates after ACLR.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included in this study were 235 patients (205 male and 30 female) who underwent isolated arthroscopic ACLR. Patients were divided according to the leg dominance status of their injured limb into 2 groups: dominant leg injured (120 patients) and nondominant leg injured (115 patients). Preoperative and postoperative functional outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated using the visual analog scale for pain, Tegner activity scale, Lysholm knee score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and overall patient satisfaction. Moreover, the revision rates of the 2 groups were compared according to leg dominance, patient characteristics, and operative features.

Results:

The mean follow-up period was 8.0 ± 2.3 years (range, 5-13 years). A significant preoperative to postoperative improvement in range of motion and functional scores was noticed in both groups ( P < .001 for all). However, the improvement was significantly higher in the dominant leg group for the Tegner ( P = .001), Lysholm ( P = .006), and IKDC ( P < .001) scores as well as for the SF-36 domain scores for general health ( P = .009), social role ( P = .048), and emotional role ( P = .032). Also, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the dominant leg group ( P = .007). The dominant leg group was associated with a lower revision rate compared with the nondominant leg group (5.8% vs 15.7%, respectively; P = .015).

Conclusion:

High recovery rates were seen after arthroscopic ACLR, regardless of leg dominance. However, leg dominance had a significant effect on postoperative medium- to long-term functional outcomes, HRQoL, and revision rates.
A comparative study on the formation of Sinoxenic person nouns in Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese
Authors: Jiyoung Lee
Published: April 2021

This study attempts to sketch out how Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese (hereafter K, C, J, and V, respectively) have produced Sinoxenic personal nouns. The formation of Sinoxenic personal noun falls into one of three types: (1) with an affix attached to the original word; (2) semantic expansion; (3) expansion to figurative meanings. One observes all three types throughout KCJV; however, specific patterns differ slightly between Vietnamese and the other three languages. The differences between Vietnamese and the other three in Sinoxenic formation result from differences in geographical distances and frequencies of linguistic exchanges. Meanings of Sinoxenic words stayed similar among Korea, China, and Japan, due to frequent human and literary exchanges, which did not occur between Vietnam and the other three countries.
The technopolitics of energy transitions: Materiality, expertise, and fixed capital in Japan’s power grid disputes
Authors: Spivey Hudson
Published: April 2021

This article examines recent controversies in Japan surrounding access to the power grid by renewable energy producers to think through the possibilities of a political ecology of socio-technical systems. Beginning in summer 2016, regional power utilities across Japan began denying applications from renewable energy producers seeking access to the grid because it was “at capacity.” Questions about what constituted “capacity,” how and by whom capacity was determined, and what energy sources were given preferential access to the grid were significant topics of contention among renewables developers, solar advocates, power utility administrators, and central government bureaucrats. On days with excess sun or wind and low power demand, renewables producers have also been denied access to maintain grid stability. Bringing together literature on the material politics of socio-technical systems and the political economy of electric power, this article examines the grid as a networked infrastructure with its own intrinsic materiality that shapes the trajectories of renewable energy transitions. It draws on interviews with central government policymakers, utility representatives, and renewables advocates to argue that regional grid operators appeal to technical constraints to restrict the amount of renewable energy on the power grid and safeguard fixed capital investments in nuclear power. It highlights the role of expertise and counter-expertise in these disputes and calls for greater attention to how the materiality of the power grid shapes the political dynamics of renewable energy transitions.
Heme activates platelets and exacerbates rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury via CLEC-2 and GPVI/FcRγ
Authors: Oishi Saori , Tsukiji Nagaharu , Otake Shimon , Oishi Naoki , Sasaki Tomoyuki , Shirai Toshiaki , Yoshikawa Yuri , Takano Katsuhiro , Shinmori Hideyuki , Inukai Takeshi , Kondo Tetsuo , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue
Published: April 2021

There is increasing evidence that platelets participate in multiple pathophysiological processes other than thrombosis and hemostasis, such as immunity, inflammation, embryonic development, and cancer progression. A recent study revealed that heme (hemin)-activated platelets induce macrophage extracellular traps (METs) and exacerbate rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (RAKI); however, how hemin activates platelets remains unclear. Here, we report that both C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) and glycoprotein VI (GPVI) are platelet hemin receptors and are involved in the exacerbation of RAKI. We investigated hemin-induced platelet aggregation in humans and mice, binding of hemin to CLEC-2 and GPVI, the RAKI-associated phenotype in a mouse model, and in vitro MET formation. Using western blotting and surface plasmon resonance, we showed that hemin activates human platelets by stimulating the phosphorylation of SYK and PLCγ2 and directly binding to both CLEC-2 and GPVI. Furthermore, hemin-induced murine platelet aggregation was partially reduced in CLEC-2–depleted and FcRγ-deficient (equivalent to GPVI-deficient) platelets and almost completely inhibited in CLEC-2–depleted FcRγ-deficient (double-knockout) platelets. In addition, hemin-induced murine platelet aggregation was inhibited by the CLEC-2 inhibitor cobalt hematoporphyrin or GPVI antibody (JAQ-1). Renal dysfunction, tubular injury, and MET formation were attenuated in double-knockout RAKI mice. Furthermore, in vitro MET formation assay showed that the downstream signaling pathway of CLEC-2 and GPVI is involved in MET formation. We propose that both CLEC-2 and GPVI in platelets play an important role in RAKI development.
Prospective KIR genotype evaluation of hematopoietic cell donors is feasible with potential to benefit patients with AML
Authors: Shaffer Brian C. , Le Luduec Jean-Benoit , Park Soo , Devlin Sean , Archer Anne , Davis Eric , Cooper Candice , Nhaissi Melissa , Suri Beth , Wells Deborah , Tamari Roni , Papadopoulos Esperanza , Jakubowski Ann A. , Giralt Sergio , Hsu Katharine C.
Published: April 2021

Donor KIR and recipient HLA combinations that minimize inhibition and favor activation of the NK repertoire are associated with improved outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with myeloid neoplasia. We prospectively evaluated a weighted donor ranking algorithm designed to prioritize HLA-compatible unrelated donors (URDs) with weak inhibitory KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4 interaction, followed by donors with nontolerized activating KIR2DS1, and finally those with KIR centromeric B haplotype. During donor evaluation, we performed KIR genotyping and ranked 2079 URDs for 527 subjects with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Among all patients, 394 (75%) had at least 1 KIR-advantageous donor, and 263 (50%) underwent HCT. In patients with AML, KIR3DL1 weak inhibition provided protection from relapse. Compared with KIR3DL1-Weak Inhibiting donors, KIR3DL1-Noninteracting donors were associated with increased risk of relapse (HR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.33-6.64; P = .008) and inferior event-free survival (EFS; HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.16-3.95; P = .015). KIR3DL1-Strong Inhibiting donors were associated with HR, 1.65 (95% CI, 0.66-4.08; P = .25) for AML relapse and HR, 1.6 (95% CI, 0.81-3.17; P = .1) for EFS when compared with the use of KIR3DL1-weak inhibiting donors. Donor KIR2DS1/HLA-C1 status and centromeric KIR haplotype-B content were not associated with decreased risk of AML relapse. There was no benefit to KIR-based donor selection in patients with MDS. This study demonstrates that donor KIR typing is feasible, and prioritization of donors with certain KIR3DL1 genotypes may confer a protection from relapse after HCT in patients with AML.
The landscape of copy number variations in classical Hodgkin lymphoma: a joint KU Leuven and LYSA study on cell-free DNA
Authors: Buedts Lieselot , Wlodarska Iwona , Finalet-Ferreiro Julio , Gheysens Olivier , Dehaspe Luc , Tousseyn Thomas , Fornecker Luc-Matthieu , Lazarovici Julien , Casasnovas René-Olivier , Gac Anne-Claire , Bonnet Christophe , Bouabdallah Kamal , Copie-Bergman Christiane , Fabiani Bettina , Dierickx Daan , Marcelis Lukas , Vermeesch Joris , André Marc , Vandenberghe Peter
Published: April 2021

The low abundance of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells in lymph node biopsies in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) complicates the analysis of somatic genetic alterations in HRS cells. As circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) contains circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from HRS cells, we prospectively collected cfDNA from 177 patients with newly diagnosed, mostly early-stage cHL in a monocentric study at Leuven, Belgium (n = 59) and the multicentric BREACH study by Lymphoma Study Association (n = 118). To catalog the patterns and frequencies of genomic copy number aberrations (CNAs), cfDNA was sequenced at low coverage (0.26×), and data were analyzed with ichorCNA to yield read depth-based copy number profiles and estimated clonal fractions in cfDNA. At diagnosis, the cfDNA concentration, estimated clonal fraction, and ctDNA concentration were significantly higher in cHL cases than controls. More than 90% of patients exhibited CNAs in cfDNA. The most frequent gains encompassed 2p16 (69%), 5p14 (50%), 12q13 (50%), 9p24 (50%), 5q (44%), 17q (43%), 2q (41%). Losses mostly affected 13q (57%), 6q25-q27 (55%), 4q35 (50%), 11q23 (44%), 8p21 (43%). In addition, we identified loss of 3p13-p26 and of 12q21-q24 and gain of 15q21-q26 as novel recurrent CNAs in cHL. At diagnosis, ctDNA concentration was associated with advanced disease, male sex, extensive nodal disease, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, metabolic tumor volume, and HRS cell burden. CNAs and ctDNA rapidly diminished upon treatment initiation, and persistence of CNAs was associated with increased probability of relapse. This study endorses the development of ctDNA as gateway to the HRS genome and substrate for early disease response evaluation.
CDX2 regulates ACE expression in blood development and leukemia cells
Authors: El Omar Reine , Julien Emmanuelle , Biasch Katia , Guffroy Blandine , Lioure Bruno , Vallat Laurent , Gross Isabelle , Domon-Dell Claire , Lanza François , Gachet Christian , Negroni Matteo , Freund Jean-Noël , Tavian Manuela
Published: April 2021

Key Points

Expression of caudal-related homeobox gene 2 (CDX2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) correlates during hematopoietic emergence. This emergence occurs in human and mouse embryos and in human acute myeloid leukemia; CDX2 homeoprotein also binds to the ACE promoter.
Laser Additive Manufacturing on Metal Matrix Composites: A Review
Authors: Li Neng , Liu Wei , Wang Yan , Zhao Zijun , Yan Taiqi , Zhang Guohui , Xiong Huaping
Published: April 2021

Important progresses in the study of laser additive manufacturing on metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been made. Recent efforts and advances in additive manufacturing on 5 types of MMCs are presented and reviewed. The main focus is on the material design, the combination of reinforcement and the metal matrix, the synthesis principle during the manufacturing process, and the resulted microstructures as well as properties. Thereafter, the trend of development in future is forecasted, including: Formation mechanism and reinforcement principle of strengthening phase; Material and process design to actively achieve expected performance; Innovative structure design based on the special properties of laser AM MMCs; Simulation, monitoring and optimization in the process of laser AM MMCs.
Explaining demand patterns during COVID-19 using opportunistic data: a case study of the city of Munich
Authors: Mahajan Vishal , Cantelmo Guido , Antoniou Constantinos
Published: April 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is a new phenomenon and has affected the population’s lifestyle in many ways, such as panic buying (the so-called “hamster shopping”), adoption of home-office, and decline in retail shopping. For transportation planners and operators, it is interesting to analyze the spatial factors’ role in the demand patterns at a POI (Point of Interest) during the COVID-19 lockdown viz-a-viz before lockdown.

Data and Methods

This study illustrates a use-case of the POI visitation rate or popularity data and other publicly available data to analyze demand patterns and spatial factors during a highly dynamic and disruptive event like COVID-19. We develop regression models to analyze the correlation of the spatial and non-spatial attributes with the POI popularity before and during COVID-19 lockdown in Munich by using lockdown (treatment) as a dummy variable, with main and interaction effects.

Results

In our case-study for Munich, we find consistent behavior of features like stop distance and day-of-the-week in explaining the popularity. The parking area is found to be correlated only in the non-linear models. Interactions of lockdown with POI type, stop-distance, and day-of-the-week are found to be strongly significant. The results might not be transferable to other cities due to the presence of different city-specific factors.

Conclusion

The findings from our case-study provide evidence of the impact of the restrictions on POIs and show the significant correlation of POI-type and stop distance with POI popularity. These results suggest local and temporal variability in the impact due to the restrictions, which can impact how cities adapt their transport services to the distinct demand and resulting mobility patterns during future disruptive events.
MSIFinder: a python package for detecting MSI status using random forest classifier
Authors: Zhou Tao , Chen Libin , Guo Jing , Zhang Mengmeng , Zhang Yanrui , Cao Shanbo , Lou Feng , Wang Haijun
Published: April 2021

Background

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a common genomic alteration in colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, and other solid tumors. MSI is characterized by a high degree of polymorphism in microsatellite lengths owing to the deficiency in the mismatch repair system. Based on the degree, MSI can be classified as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and microsatellite stable (MSS). MSI is a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy efficacy in advanced/metastatic solid tumors, especially in colorectal cancer patients. Several computational approaches based on target panel sequencing data have been used to detect MSI; however, they are considerably affected by the sequencing depth and panel size.

Results

We developed MSIFinder, a python package for automatic MSI classification, using random forest classifier (RFC)-based genome sequencing, which is a machine learning technology. We included 19 MSI-H and 25 MSS samples as training sets. First, we selected 54 feature markers from the training sets, built an RFC model, and validated the classifier using a test set comprising 21 MSI-H and 379 MSS samples. With this test set, MSIFinder achieved a sensitivity (recall) of 1.0, a specificity of 0.997, an accuracy of 0.998, a positive predictive value of 0.954, an F1 score of 0.977, and an area under the curve of 0.999. To further verify the robustness and effectiveness of the model, we used a prospective cohort consisting of 18 MSI-H samples and 122 MSS samples. MSIFinder achieved a sensitivity (recall) of 1.0 and a specificity of 1.0. We discovered that MSIFinder is less affected by a low sequencing depth and can achieve a concordance of 0.993 while exhibiting a sequencing depth of 100×. Furthermore, we realized that MSIFinder is less affected by the panel size and can achieve a concordance of 0.99 when the panel size is 0.5 M (million bases).

Conclusion

These results indicate that MSIFinder is a robust and effective MSI classification tool that can provide reliable MSI detection for scientific and clinical purposes.
Relationship between small dense low density lipoprotein and cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , He Lingjie
Published: April 2021

Background

Residual risk remained significant despite effective low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering treatment. Small dense low density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) as part of LDL-C has been found to be predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with stable CHD independently of LDL-C. However, to date, few studies have explored the role of sdLDL-C in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the association of sdLDL-C with CV events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI.

Methods

Patients hospitalized with ACS undergoing PCI were enrolled and followed up for 18 months. The risk of sdLDL-C for CV events was compared according to sdLDL-C quartiles. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCE), which was the composite of all cause of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke or unplanned repeat revascularization. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to estimate the risk of CV events. Subgroup analysis according to diabetes status and LDL-C were performed separately for MACCE.

Results

A total of 6092 patients were included in the analysis (age: 60.2 ± 10.13 years, male: 75.3%, BMI: 25.9 ± 3.33 kg/m2, dyslipidemia: 74.1% and diabetes: 44.5%). During 18 months of follow-up, 320 (5.2%) incident CV events occurred. Compared to the lowest sdLDL-C quartile group, patients in the highest quartile had a greater risk of CV events after multivariable adjustment (HR 1.92; 95% CI 1.37–2.70). In addition, it was mainly due to the increase of unplanned repeat revascularization. In the subgroup analyses, significant association was observed regardless of level of LDL-C and diabetes status.

Conclusions

Patients with elevated sdLDL-C have a higher risk of CV events in Chinese patients with ACS undergoing PCI, providing additional value for better risk assessment.
MicroRNA-200b-3p promotes endothelial cell apoptosis by targeting HDAC4 in atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhang Fan , Cheng Naixuan , Du Jie , Zhang Haibo , Zhang Congcong
Published: April 2021

Background

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) shares the same microcirculation with coronary arteries through coronary arteries branches, and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the formation of atherosclerosis. However, the alteration of miRNA profile in EAT during atherosclerosis is still uncovered.

Methods

The miRNA expression profiles of EAT from non-coronary atherosclerosis disease (CON, n = 3) and coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD, n = 5) patients was performed to detect the differentially expressed miRNA. Then the expression levels of miRNA in other CON (n = 5) and CAD (n = 16) samples were confirmed by realtime-PCR. miR-200b-3p mimic was used to overexpress the miRNA in HUVECs. The apoptosis of HUVECs cells was induced by H2O2 and ox-LDL, and detected by Annexin V/PI Staining, Caspase 3/7 activity and the expression of BCL-2 and BAX.

Results

250 miRNAs were differentially expressed in EAT from CAD patients, which were associated with metabolism, extracellular matrix and inflammation process. Among the top 20 up-regulated miRNAs, the expression levels of miR-200 family members (hsa-miR-200b/c-3p, miR-141-3p and miR-429), which were rich in endothelial cells, were increased in EAT from CAD patients significantly. Upregulation of miR-200 family members was dependent on the oxidative stress. The overexpression of miR-200b-3p could promote endothelial cells apoptosis under oxidative stress by targeting HDAC4 inhibition.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that EAT derived miR-200b-3p promoted oxidative stress induced endothelial cells damage by targeting HDAC4, which may provide a new and promising therapeutic target for AS.
Antibiotic prescriptions for children younger than 5 years with acute upper respiratory infections in China: a retrospective nationwide claims database study
Authors: Xue Fengxia , Xu Baoping , Shen Adong , Shen Kunling
Published: April 2021

Background

In China, there were few studies to estimate antibiotic use for children with upper respiratory infections at the national level. The aim of this study was to describe the antibiotic prescribing practice for children aged < 5 years old with upper respiratory infections (URIs) using a nationwide claims database.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using a sampled database from the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA). Study subjects included children younger than 5 years with outpatient visits in 2015 that resulted in a diagnosis of a upper respiratory infection. We calculated the percentage of visits who received antibiotics, the proportion of injection formulations, the percentage of combined antibiotics and the proportion of each antibiotic class. The patterns of antibiotic prescription were also described by medical institution type, city level and geographical region.

Results

Among the 92,821 visits, 27.1% were prescribed antibiotics, of which 27.0% received injection formulations. The rate of antibiotic prescribing varied by age group (P < 0.001), with the lowest (16.0%) in infants and the highest in patients at age 3 to < 4 years (29.9%) and age 4 to < 5 years (32.5%). The Midwestern region, underdeveloped cities and low-level hospitals represented relatively higher rates of prescribing antibiotics (P < 0.001) and higher proportions of injection dosage forms (P < 0.001). The most 3 common antibiotic classes prescribed of all visits with antibiotic prescriptions were the third-generation cephalosporins (34.9%), macrolides (24.3%), and the second-generation cephalosporins (23.3%).

Conclusions

In mainland China, the overall rate of antibacterial prescribing and the proportion of injection formulations prescribed in children under 5 years with URIs were at a low level, but still higher in underdeveloped regions and cities. Moreover, the overuse of the second and third generation cephalosporins, macrolides, remains a serious issue. Further efforts should be focused on reducing those non-first-line antibiotic prescribing and narrowing the gaps among regions and cities.
Decreased blood CD4+ T lymphocyte helps predict cognitive impairment in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Yang Yuan , Pan Dengji , Gong Zhenxiang , Tang Jiahui , Li Zehui , Ding Fengfei , Liu Mao , Zhang Min
Published: April 2021

Background

ALS patients have changed peripheral immunity. It is unknown whether peripheral immunity is related to cognitive dysfunction in ALS patients.

Objective

To explore the relationship between the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and the cognitive status in ALS patients.

Methods

Among 81 ALS patients, we compared the demographic, clinical, and peripheral levels of total T lymphocyte, CD4+ T lymphocyte, CD8+ T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, and NK cell between those with cognitive impairment (ALS-ci) and those without (ALS-nci). The cognitive status was evaluated via the Chinese version of the Edinburgh cognitive and behavioral screen (ECAS). Significant predictors of cognitive impairment in univariate logistic regression analysis were further examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

39.5% of all ALS patients had cognitive impairment. The ALS-ci group had shorter education time, older age at both symptom onset and testing, longer disease duration, and lower levels of peripheral total, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte than the ALS-nci group. Frequency of behavioral impairment did not differ between the two groups. While parameters with significant differences identified by group comparison were also significant predictors of cognitive impairment in univariate logistic regression analysis except the level of B lymphocyte, only older age at testing, education time less than 9 years, and lower level of CD4+ T lymphocyte remained significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The predictive model combining these three parameters had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.842 with a sensitivity of 90.6% and a specificity of 67.3%.

Conclusion

In Chinese ALS patients, blood CD4+ T lymphocyte might help evaluate cognitive impairment along with age and education level.
Mothers and their children’s health (MATCH): a study protocol for a population‐based longitudinal cohort
Authors: Pirjani Reihaneh , Moini Ashraf , Heshmati Javad , Mardi-Mamaghani Azar , Esmaeili Mahnaz , Shafaatdoost Mehrnoosh , Maleki-Hajiagha Arezoo , Karimi Elham , Hossein-boroujerdi Mojgan , Shokri Fatemeh , Mosanezhad Zahra , Bajool Niloofar , Noori Matina , Hosseini Ladan , Persad Emma , Sepidarkish Mahdi
Published: April 2021

Background

The quality of prenatal care is critical for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 64 % of women worldwide have access to over four sessions of prenatal care throughout their pregnancy. Thus, studies that address factors affecting maternal and child health status before and after pregnancy are of immense importance. The primary aim of the mothers and their children’s health (MATCH) cohort study is to evaluate the effect of nutrition, sleep quality, and lifestyle on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods

A prospective cohort of > 2500 pregnant women in the first trimester (before 12 weeks’ gestation) will be recruited at Arash Women’s Hospital in Tehran, Iran between February 2020 and August 2021. All eligible pregnant women will be followed from their first trimester of pregnancy until delivery at four time points and assessed through a series of in-person visits with interviewer-administered questionnaires and telephone interviews. Detailed data will be collected on maternal demographics, lifestyle, medical history, reproductive history, obstetric history, dietary intake, sleep pattern, blood specimens, and anthropometric measurements, alongside paternal demographics, lifestyle, and family history. The outcomes will include antenatal, peripartum, and postnatal maternal complications and infant growth and neurodevelopment.

Discussion

The results of the MATCH cohort study will support the development of contextual interventions that can enhance antenatal, peripartum, and postnatal status, neonatal outcomes, and longevity mother and child.
Bioinformatics analysis of the expression and role of microRNA-221-3p in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Ziyan , Wu Wenling , Li Jixi , Liu Chang , Xiao Zixi , Lai Qinqiao , Qin Rongxing , Shen Mingjun , Shi Shuo , Kang Min
Published: April 2021

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. However, the target genes of miR-221-3p and the underlying mechanism involved in HNSCC are still not clear. Therefore, in the current study, we studied the role of miR-221-3p in the HNSCC.

Methods

Tissues collected from 48 control and 21 HNSCC patients were processed to check the differential expression of miR-221-3p by RT-qPCR. Overexpression of microRNA-221-3p (miR-221-3p) is significantly correlated to the onset and progression of HNSCC. We also conducted the meta-analysis of the cancer literature from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to estimate the expression of miR-221-3p in HNSCC. The miR-221-3p target genes in the HNSCC were predicted with the miRWalk and TCGA databases, and functionally annotated via the Gene Ontology. Finally, Spearman’s analysis was used to determine the role of the related target genes in important pathways involved in the development of HNSCC.

Results

We observed a significantly higher expression of miR-221-3p in HNSCC compared to the normal with a summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) of 0.86(95% Cl: 0.83,0.89). The KEGG and GO comprehensive analysis predicted that miR-221-3p might be involved in the development of HNSCC through the following metabolic pathways, viz. Drug metabolism - cytochrome P450 UGT1A7 and MAOB may be important genes for the role of miR-221-3p.

Conclusion

Based on bioinformatics analysis, our results indicate that miR-221-3p may be used as a non-invasive and hypersensitive biomarker in the diagnosis. Thus, it can be concluded that miR-221-3p may be an extremely important gene locus involved in the process of the deterioration and eventual tumorigenesis of HNSCC. Hopefully, additional work will validate its usefulness as a target for future clinical research.
Kaempferol induces ROS-dependent apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells via TGM2-mediated Akt/mTOR signaling
Authors: Wang Fengjiao , Wang Lai , Qu Chao , Chen Lianyu , Geng Yawen , Cheng Chienshan , Yu Shulin , Wang Dan , Yang Lina , Meng Zhiqiang , Chen Zhen
Published: April 2021

Background

Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid, exhibits anticancer properties by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that, under certain conditions, kaempferol can inhibit tumor growth by upregulating ROS levels. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether kaempferol effectively suppresses pancreatic cancer through upregulation of ROS, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods

PANC-1 and Mia PaCa-2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of kaempferol. Cell proliferation and colony formation were evaluated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the ROS levels and cell apoptosis. The mRNA sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed genes and to reveal significantly enriched signaling pathways in response to kaempferol treatment. Based on biological analysis, we hypothesized that tissue transglutaminase (TGM2) gene was an essential target for kaempferol to induce ROS-related apoptosis in pancreatic cancer. TGM2 was overexpressed by lentivirus vector to verify the effect of TGM2 on the ROS-associated apoptotic signaling pathway. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively. The prognostic value of TGM2 was analyzed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) tools based on public data from the TCGA database.

Results

Kaempferol effectively suppressed pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. Kaempferol promoted apoptosis in vitro by increasing ROS generation, which was involved in Akt/mTOR signaling. TGM2 levels were significantly increased in PDAC tissues compared with normal tissues, and high TGM2 expression was positively correlated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. Decreased TGM2 mRNA and protein levels were observed in the cells after treatment with kaempferol. Additionally, TGM2 overexpression downregulated ROS production and inhibited the abovementioned apoptotic signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Kaempferol induces ROS-dependent apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells via TGM2-mediated Akt/mTOR signaling, and TGM2 may represent a promising prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.
Effects of lid debris debridement combined with meibomian gland expression on the ocular surface MMP-9 levels and clinical outcomes in moderate and severe meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Moon Su Young , Han Sol Ah , Kwon Hye Ji , Park So Young , Lee Jae Hyuck , Chung Ho Seok , Kim Jae Yong , Tchah Hungwon , Lee Hun
Published: April 2021

Background

To evaluate the effects of lid debris debridement and meibomian gland expression (MGX) on extracellular matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels and clinical outcomes of moderate and severe MGD.

Methods

In this retrospective case series study, a total 48 eyes of 24 patients with moderate and severe MGD underwent one session of lid debris debridement using the BlephEx combined with MGX. We evaluated the tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining scores, Schirmer 1 test, biomicroscopic examination of lid margins and meibomian gland (MG), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire score, and extracellular MMP-9 levels using a point-of-care MMP-9 immunoassay device before and 4 weeks after lid debris debridement and MGX. Linear mixed model and generalized estimating equations model were used to evaluate possible differences.

Results

There were significant improvements in the TBUT (P = 0.002), SICCA and Oxford staining scores (all P < 0.001), lid margin telangiectasia (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), lid thickness (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), MG orifice plugging (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), meibum color (P = 0.026 for upper eyelid, P < 0.001 for lower eyelid), meibum consistency (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), meibum grade (P < 0.001), MGD stage (P < 0.001), and OSDI score (P = 0.002). MMP-9 immunoassay positivity rate significantly decreased from 83.3 to 50.0% 4 weeks after treatment (P = 0.014).

Conclusions

In patients with moderate to severe MGD, lid debris debridement using the BlephEx combined with MGX improved clinical findings, subjective symptoms, meibomian gland function, along with ocular surface MMP-9 level. We hereby suggest lid debris debridement using BlephEx combined with MGX as an effective clinical strategy for treatment of moderate to severe MGD.
Correction to: Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health disorders associate with greater decreases in physical capability in older women
Authors: Juopperi Samuli , Sund Reijo , Rikkonen Toni , Kröger Heikki , Sirola Joonas
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Transpedicular bi‐vertebrae wedge osteotomy in treatment of post‐tubercular spinal deformity: a retrospective study
Authors: Huang Yi , Hu Wenhao , Li Jing , Wang Tianhao , Liu Huawei , Zheng Guoquan , Zhang Xuesong , Wang Yan
Published: April 2021

Background

In the late stage of spinal tuberculosis, the bony destruction and vertebral collapse often leads to significant kyphosis, presenting clinically as a painful gibbus deformity, with increased instability, vertebral body translations and increased risk of neurologic involvement. Spinal osteotomy is thought to be suitable for most patients with severe rigid kyphosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transpedicular bi-vertebrae osteotomy technique in the patients with Pott’s kyphosis and other post-tubercular spinal deformity.

Methods

Between January 2012 and December 2015, 18 patients with post-tubercular spinal deformity underwent the transpedicular bi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy, with a minimum follow up of 27.0 months. Preoperative and postoperative kyphotic angle, sagittal plane parameters (TK for thoracic deformity, TLK for thoracolumbar and LL for lumbar deformity) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual analog scale (VAS) and modified American Spinal Injury Association grading (ASIA) of preoperative and final follow-up were documented and compared.

Results

The average operation time was 305 minutes (range, 200–430 minutes) with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 425 mL (range, 200-700 mL). The kyphotic angles decreased from 80.3° (range, 28.5°-130.8°) preoperatively to 26.1° (range, 7.0°-63.3°) at the final follow-up (P<0.01). The mean VAS score was reduced from preoperative 5.2(range, 2-9) to 0.9(range, 0-2,P<0.01) and the ODI improved from 55.3% (range, 46%-76%) to 6.3% (range, 2%-18%,P<0.01). At final follow-up, there was radiographic evidence of solid fusion at the osteotomy site and fixed segments in all patients. Neurological function improved from ASIA scale D to E in 7 patients, C to D in 3 patients.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that transpedicular bi-vertebrae wedge osteotomy is a safe and effective treatment option for post-tubercular spinal deformity. This technique achieves satisfying correction and fusion rates with adequate decompression of neurological elements.