bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of the hypertensive patient in dentistry: narrative review
Authors: Nagni Matteo , Verdino Flavia , Potenza Sofia , Pensa Vittorio , Martinelli Andrea , D'Orto Bianca
Published: January 2025

Purpose: Considering the issues surrounding the treatment of a patient with hypertension in the dental setting, this narrative review aims to highlight what approaches and guidelines should be kept in mind when approaching a hypertensive patient.
Methods: All articles and reviews considering the topic of hypertension management in dentistry were searched on the online platform of scientific reading sites such as PubMed and Medline, selecting the most current ones, up to January 2022, including any language. Considering the keywords "hypertension," "Dentistry," "blood pressure' and "posology," randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective studies, observational studies, reviews, and retrospective studies were considered. Textbooks relevant to the topic were then examined, and the citations of each retrieved article and those of reviews and expert opinions were examined to include as much knowledge as possible.
Result: by analyzing the literature data, it could be inferred that hypertension should be carefully attended to and treated with appropriate precautions especially in the pre-surgical phase. 
Conclusion: controlled hypertension does not represent a contraindication to dental and surgical treatment; nevertheless, in some cases, pressure abnormalities due to severe stress attributable to the hospital environment (white coat hypertension) can be found, which if they were to lead to a pressure higher than 200 mmGH in the pre-surgical phase should lead to the cessation of clinical treatment.
PTERIGOID IMPLANTS: a viable alternative for the rehabilitation of the posterior sectors of the atrophic maxilla
Authors: Rastelli Sofia , Capogreco Mario , D'Amario Maurizio , Falisi Gianni , Severino Marco , Iacomino Enzo
Published: January 2025

Osseointegrated implants are considered one of the best treatments for dental prosthetic rehabilitation. (Papaspyridakos et al., 2013, Brånemark et al., 1969).
In cases of posterior maxillary atrophy, dental rehabilitation with osseointegrated implants is challenging as there is less bone volume (pneumatisation of the maxillary sinus) and poor bone quality (type III and IV according to Misch’s classification).
In 1989, Tuslane and Tessier first described pterygoid implants, which can now be considered one of the rehabilitation solutions for patients with posterior maxillary atrophy.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the survival and success rates of pterygoid implants 3 years after placement.
The surgical activity was conducted from January 2017 to January 2019 with a sample of 37 edentulous patients (partially and/or totally) characterized by poor bone quality and quantity in the posterior maxillary area.
The results of this study supported the research hypothesis because the survival and success rates of the pterygoid implants were 99%
Bi-maxillary rehabilitation using the all-on-four method in patients with hypertension: case report and literature review
Authors: Nagni Matteo , Severino Marco , Cotticelli Ciro , Bussolari Elena , Grechi Camilla , Collina Giorgio , Oddi Carlo
Published: January 2025

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are diseases of the circulatory system that affect the anatomy and pathophysiology of the heart and blood vessels; hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. This case report aims to illustrate the implant survival rate and marginal bone loss in patients with hypertension undergoing fixed prosthetic rehabilitation, according to the all-on-four method, in both arches, at two years of follow-up.
Materials and methods: The patient, suffering from hypertension, presented with severe diffuse periodontitis in both arches. Requiring a fixed rehabilitation, considering a more severe bone loss in the posterior maxillary and mandibular sectors, we opted for rehabilitation with a reduced number of implants according to the “All-on-Four” method. Follow-up visits were performed one week after surgery, after six months, and once a year for the following period (24 months). Any intra- and postoperative complications were noted so that the patient could be monitored. Every four months after surgery, hygiene maintenance sessions were carried out.
Results: No implants were lost during the follow-up period, and no intra- and postoperative complications were recorded.
Conclusion: By promoting reasonable blood pressure control, implant placement in patients with hypertension could be considered a predictable and safe procedure.
Moreover, constant patient monitoring and adherence to a strict hygiene maintenance protocol could be crucial to promote implant survival
Impact of oral surgery, with or without amoxicillin, on the oral microbiome, salivary flow and buffering capacity of saliva
Authors: Memè Lucia , Bambini Fabrizio , Marcattili Domenico , Noudeh J Gholami , Sampalmieri Francesco , Mummolo Stefano
Published: January 2025

In the post-operative period due to tooth extraction operations, antibiotic prophylaxis is not usually recommended. However in more traditional clinical practices the use of amoxicillin continues to represent the most effective factor in preventing bacterial infections. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of such an approach in the dental field, a phase IV, randomized, controlled, single-center double-blind clinical study was conducted, according to the split-mouth design. The investigation concerned only simple tooth extraction operations, in which patients were divided into two groups. Only one of the established groups was prescribed antibiotic therapy.
The evolution of the oral microbiome was thus evaluated, through the count of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus, the salivary flow and the buffering power of the saliva before and after the extraction procedure.
In the antibiotic-treated group, several units reported a significant change in bacterial load, from baseline to seven days and fourteen days after surgery. In the same group, however, no significant changes occurred in the salivary flow and in the buffering capacity of the saliva.
Given the high complexity of the salivary microbiome and its barrier functions for the human organism against attacks by pathogenic microbes, it is considered necessary to promote further studies aimed at investigating the mutations induced by antibiotic therapy, even if the results emerging from the most recent literature highlights the preventative role of prophylaxis in post-extraction complications. However, given the low incidence of infections even in the absence of prophylaxis, it becomes crucial to investigate how the risks of potential antibiotic resistance can compromise the benefits deriving from antibiotic use.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Memè Lucia , Bambini Fabrizio , Pizzolante Tommaso , Inchingolo Francesco , Marricco Francesca , Sampalmieri Francesco , Mummolo Stefano
Published: January 2025

Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) is a drug-related complication characterized by the presence of necrotic bone or fistula in the maxillofacial region for over eight weeks in patients treated with anti-resorptive and/or anti-angiogenic drugs, without head and neck radiation therapy. Initially documented in cancer patients treated with bisphosphonates in 2003, the definition of ONJ has expanded to include cases associated with other drugs such as denosumab and bone-modifying agents, leading to the broader term Medication Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ). These drugs are used to treat bone metastases, multiple myeloma, and osteoporosis due to their antiosteoclastic and antiangiogenic effects. Although effective in reducing cancer-related skeletal events, their use can lead to ONJ, causing pain and infections.
This study focuses on renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which often presents with bone metastases, increasing the risk of skeletal events. The systematic literature review evaluated the incidence of MRONJ in patients with metastatic RCC treated with bisphosphonates and other drugs. Retrospective studies were analyzed to identify risk factors for ONJ, including drug type, administration, treatment duration, and local or systemic conditions. Out of 130 initial articles, 6 retrospective studies were included in the review, highlighting an overall incidence of ONJ of 1.3% in patients with metastatic RCC. These findings underscore the importance of carefully monitoring patients undergoing BMA treatment to prevent and effectively manage ONJ
El derecho al acceso a la justicia: Las rutas y destinos de mujeres víctimas de violencia doméstica bajo un enfoque intercultural en las zonas rurales y urbanas del Perú
Authors: Rivero Ynfantas Fernando , Rivera Alarcón Eliana Lia , Chávez Hurtado Robert , Rojas-Salas Gladis
Published: January 2025

El artículo tiene como objetivo identificar las rutas y destinos de mujeres que denuncian ser víctimas de violencia doméstica bajo un enfoque intercultural en zonas rurales y urbanas del Cusco-Perú. La investigación es de enfoque cualitativo fenomenológico recogiéndose los datos a través de grupos focales y entrevistas a profundidad realizadas en cada región a las mujeres víctimas de violencia. Los resultados de testimonios se analizaron con el programa Atlas Ti V 8.
Concluimos que, una vez ocurrida la violencia, las mujeres de acuerdo a la región de procedencia toman diferentes decisiones:  en la sierra sur, en la mayoría de los casos hubo  tolerancia, secreto, silencio por seguir viviendo con el agresor, (Apurímac),  la resolución de problemas a través de la autoridad comunitaria con participación de los ronderos (Cusco) es predominante lo que implica gran participación de las mujeres;  mayor  indiferencia  por parte de la comunidad ante la violencia  y dejando a la víctima sola para la resolución del problema (Arequipa), o dejan el  problema oculto por temor o vergüenza;  en la  selva norte (San Martín)  las mujeres  tienen acceso a la justicia a través de los apus comunales solo en determinados casos se ponen en comunicación del sistema de justicia.
Learning a family of rheological constitutive models using neural operators
Authors: Mangal Deepak , Saadat Milad , Jamali Safa
Published: January 2025

Data-driven frameworks have emerged as powerful tools for predictions of the rheological properties of a complex fluid by combining phenomenological solutions and observed experimental data. These physics-informed machine learning algorithms usually tackle an instance-wise problem, meaning that the stored solution (or parameters) cannot be generalized to other geometries or flow protocols. Neural operators, on the other hand, offer exceptional capabilities in learning families of constitutive relations, i.e., the operator that maps the input function space to the output space. In this study, we explore the application and accuracy of neural operators in learning constitutive models under diverse flow conditions and fluids of choice. Specifically, we employ four neural operator architectures—Physics-Informed Deep Neural Operators and Fourier Neural Operators, along with data-driven DeepONets and FNOs—to learn and predict two classes of complex fluids: thixotropic elastoviscoplastic (TEVP) and tensorial 2D Giesekus, under several canonical and arbitrary flow protocols. For TEVP fluid, the outputs include shear stress and structure parameter, while for the tensorial 2D Giesekus model, the outputs are the shear and normal stresses. Our results clearly show that neural operators can effectively learn the mapping between the input and output spaces for both scalar and tensorial constitutive models. Furthermore, they can replicate arbitrary flow protocols when trained with sufficient random input functions. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of neural operators to serve as digital twins for rheometers well beyond the common flow kinematics applied in conventional rheometry.
A Yearlong Psychological-Skills-Training Program With Chinese Athletes: A Narrative Exploration
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Werthner Penny
Published: January 2025

Decades of research have illustrated the value of sport psychology interventions in high-performance sport settings. Research has also explored the effectiveness of sport psychology practitioners, the sport psychology practitioner–athlete working relationship, the role of reflective practice in ensuring effective learning, and the delivery of sport psychology services in various sport contexts. The purpose of the present paper was twofold: (a) to explore athletes’ perceptions of the effectiveness of a yearlong psychological-skills-training program in the context of the Chinese sport system and (b) to enable athletes to reflect and personally develop in sport and for their life outside of sport. Guided by a narrative methodology, pre- and postprogram interviews were conducted with 13 volleyball players on two Chinese provincial women’s volleyball teams. The four narratives illustrate the athletes’ experiences that speak to the effectiveness of the yearlong program and the issues faced that hindered that effectiveness.
Genome sequences of
Methylobacterium
and
Methylorubrum
isolates from Cd-contaminated soils in the Tar Creek Superfund site
Authors: Grimes Evan S. , Bergerson Samuel J. , McHugh Emily P. , Monismith David , Campbell James H. , Campbell Alisha G.
Published: January 2025

Soil bacteria were isolated from the Tar Creek Superfund site in the presence of cadmium. Eight of these strains belong to the genus
Methylobacterium
, whereas one strain belongs to the genus
Methylorubrum
. Here, we report drafts of their genome sequences and highlight cadmium-resistance genes required in an exceptionally contaminated environment.
Chronic postsurgical pain increases postoperative depression risk
Authors: Sun Mingyang , Wang Xiaolin , Lu Zhongyuan , Yang Yitian , Lv Shuang , Miao Mengrong , Chen Wan-Ming , Wu Szu-Yuan , Zhang Jiaqiang
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and the risk of postoperative depression in patients undergoing major surgery.

Methods

Data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database were analysed for patients aged over 20 years who underwent major surgery between 2004 and 2018. CPSP was defined as the use of prescribed analgesics for over 3 months postsurgery, with a prescription exceeding 90 cumulative defined daily doses. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to match patients with and without CPSP. Cox regression analysis and competing risk analysis were conducted to evaluate the risk of postoperative depression in the CPSP group compared with the no CPSP group.

Results

Before PSM, 141 466 patients were included, with 37 303 (26.37%) experiencing CPSP. After PSM, 74 606 patients were matched in both groups. The incidence of depression was significantly higher in the CPSP group compared with the no CPSP group (p<0.0001). Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly elevated risk of depression in the CPSP group (adjusted HR: 1.41; 95% CI 1.35 to 1.48; p<0.0001), which persisted across various adjustment models and competing risk analysis. The cumulative depression risk increased over the follow-up period.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a strong association between CPSP and postoperative depression risk. Addressing CPSP may offer a promising approach to reducing the incidence of postoperative depression and its socioeconomic and familial burdens. Further research is needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms and optimise preventive interventions.
Rational use of human albumin: plan-do-check-act cycle in clinical practice
Authors: Huang Xiaowei , Jiang Xuehui , Xiong Fangfang , Fu Xinyang , Hong Lei , Xu Xiaohui , Lin Zhihang
Published: January 2025

Objective

Improper use of human albumin (HA) is now common in clinical settings. This study aims to explore the feasibility of the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle in promoting the rational use of HA.

Methods

The differences between the control and observation groups (after the PDCA cycle) in terms of serum albumin detection rate, serum albumin values, HA usage, and rationality were analysed and compared using a before-and-after control method.

Results

A total of 372 patients were recruited, including 186 in each of the control and observation groups. On comparison, it was observed that the overall use of HA improved after the PDCA cycle compared with the preintervention period, and the rational rate of HA prescriptions increased from 68.3% to 96.2%. The serum albumin detection rate before applying for HA increased from 83.9% to 98.9%, and the median values decreased from 26.7 (22.8–30.9) g/L to 24.7 (22.7–27.2) g/L. Regarding the use of HA, the median amount of HA used was reduced by 20 g compared with the preintervention period, meanwhile, the median duration was shortened by 2 days.

Conclusion

The PDCA cycle is desirable when employed to promote the rational use of HA.
A phenomenological estimate of rescattering effects in $$B_s\rightarrow K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$$
Authors: Yu Yao , Fu Hai-Bing , Zhang Han , Ke Bai-Cian
Published: January 2025

The measurements in

$$b\rightarrow s$$

b
→
s

penguin-dominated decays are widely recognized as a powerful test for searching for New Physics by studying the deviation from theoretical estimations within the Standard Model. We examine the final-state rescattering effects on the decay

$$B_s\rightarrow K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$$

B
s

→

K

∗
0

K

¯

∗
0

and provide estimations of the branching ratio and longitudinal polarization of

$$B_s\rightarrow K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$$

B
s

→

K

∗
0

K

¯

∗
0

, which is consistent with experimental observations. Our conclusion is that both short- and long-distance interactions contribute significantly in this decay. The small longitudinal polarization in

$$B\rightarrow VV$$

B
→
V
V

modes may not be a signal for New Physics.
Addressing $$\gamma _5$$ in nondimensional regularizations: a case study on the Bumblebee model
Authors: Rosado Ricardo J. C. , Cherchiglia Adriano , Sampaio Marcos , Hiller Brigitte
Published: January 2025

We examine the subtleties of regularization schemes in four-dimensional space (4S), related in particular to the introduction of the

$$\gamma _5$$

γ
5

matrix. To illustrate we use a “Bumblebee” model featuring dynamically induced Lorentz symmetry violation. The analysis centers on how different regularization methods affect the solutions to the gap equation in this model. We highlight the resolution of ambiguities associated with the

$$\gamma _5$$

γ
5

matrix in ultraviolet divergent integrals by employing an enhanced Implicit Regularization (IREG) method. This method extends IREG to a quasi-four-dimensional space,

$$Q4S = 4S \oplus X$$

Q
4
S
=
4
S
⊕
X

, drawing parallels with the consistent approach of Dimensional Reduction (DRED). Comparative analysis is conducted against results from the ’t Hooft–Veltman regularization scheme, conventional IREG in strict 4S, and sharp momentum cutoff techniques. Our results illustrate a scheme to compute

$$\gamma _5$$

γ
5

interactions in physical dimension of divergent amplitudes, confirming the approach in Bruque et al. (JHEP 08:109, 2018).
Tibetan Text Classification based on Prompt Learning and Ensemble Learning
Authors: Tang Chao , Tan Zelin , Zhao Xiaobing
Published: January 2025

With the advancement of pre-trained language models, prompt learning has emerged as a trend for text classification. It offers several advantages over traditional machine learning methods, particularly for low-resource natural language processing tasks. Prompt learning enables fine-tuning of pre-trained language models on relatively small datasets, eliminating the need for a large number of expensive labeled samples. This article proposes an effective approach that combines prompt learning and ensemble learning, aiming to enhance the performance of individual language models in Tibetan text classification tasks. This approach introduces a different perspective by transforming the traditional text classification problem into an entailment relationship exploration. Instead of directly assigning categories to sentences, models judge the sentence category based on whether it is entailed by a given prompt. This innovative method enables us to leverage the strengths of prompt learning and ensemble learning simultaneously, resulting in improved classification accuracy. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted extensive experiments on two public datasets, TNCC and WCM. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, achieving weighted F1 scores of 72.72% and 78% on TNCC and WCM, respectively. Compared to traditional machine learning methods, this prompt learning approach exhibits a significant 10% performance gain in low-resource natural language processing tasks.
Hierarchical Deployment and Square Tessellation for Connected k-Coverage in Heterogeneous Planar Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nakka Kalyan , Ammari Habib M.
Published: January 2025

Coverage and connectivity are the major performance metrics that reflect the quality of service provided by heterogeneous planar wireless sensor networks (PWSNs) monitoring a planar field of interest (PFoI), where the deployed sensors may not necessarily have the same capabilities in terms of their sensing range, communication range, and maximum battery power capacity. Precisely, coverage is considered as the main functionality of PWSNs, which is meaningful only when connectivity is guaranteed. Therefore, it is important that both coverage and connectivity be jointly considered in the deployment of heterogeneous PWSNs. In order to account for joint coverage and connectivity, we propose to solve the problem of connected
k
-coverage in heterogeneous PWSNs, where every point in a PFoI is covered by at least
k
sensors simultaneously, while all the deployed sensors are mutually connected, either directly or indirectly, with
k
> 1. While most existing studies of this problem focus on homogeneous sensors, which have the same above-mentioned capabilities (
i.e.
, initial energy, sensing range, and communication range), our study in this paper considers heterogeneous ones. More specifically, we propose a hierarchical (or multi-tier) deployment of heterogeneous sensors in a square FoI, which is divided into concentric square bands with the same width difference to achieve
k
-coverage of this PFoI. Based on this multi-tier sensor deployment and the slicing of a square FoI into square bands for
k
-coverage, we establish the necessary relationship for connectivity among the sensors located in adjacent bands. Finally, we propose our heterogeneous
k
-coverage protocol and validate our theoretical analysis using simulation results. We find that the deployment of heterogeneous sensors helps achieve much better results compared to those obtained using homogeneous sensors. Furthermore, our proposed protocol outperforms an existing connected
k
-coverage protocol for heterogeneous PWSNs with respect to various performance metrics.
Deep Generative Models for Therapeutic Peptide Discovery: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lai Leshan , Liu Yuansheng , Song Bosheng , Li Keqin , Zeng Xiangxiang
Published: January 2025

Deep learning tools, especially deep generative models (DGMs), provide opportunities to accelerate and simplify the design of drugs. As drug candidates, peptides are superior to other biomolecules because they combine potency, selectivity, and low toxicity. This review examines the fundamental aspects of current DGMs for designing therapeutic peptide sequences. First, relevant databases in this field are introduced. Next, the current situation of data representation and where it can be optimized are discussed. Then, after introducing the basic principles and variants of diverse DGM algorithms, the applications of these methods to design and optimize peptides are stated. Finally, we present several challenges to devising a powerful model that can meet the requirements of learning the different biological properties of peptides, as well as future research directions to address these challenges.
ACM fellow: Ramón Cáceres
Authors: Cox Landon
Published: January 2025

My friend and collaborator Ramón Cáceres was recently named an ACM Fellow. I had the pleasure of interviewing him over email about his work and career.
Energy and Exergy Evaluation of the Integrated Waste Energy Recovery System (IWERS) and the Solar‐Powered Integrated Waste Energy Recovery System (SPIWERS) in Various Climates
Authors: Ríos-Fernández Juan Carlos
Published: January 2025

The integrated waste energy recovery system (IWERS) is a thermal system that recovers waste heat from steam generated in bakery ovens to produce hot water. This reduces energy and water consumption in shopping centers. This article analyzes the technical improvement of incorporating renewable solar thermal energy into the system. It introduces the new solar‐powered IWERS (SPIWERS) for the first time. The exergetic efficiency of IWERS and SPIWERS was measured over 1 year in real supermarkets located in different climatic zones to determine their performance variables. This paper presents precise data for future improvements in the energy efficiency of waste heat recovery systems, making it an innovative contribution to the field. The exergetic efficiency of IWERS was found to be lower in subtropical climates, but no significant variation was observed in other climates studied. Additionally, the exergetic efficiency of IWERS components decreases with ambient temperature, particularly in warm months. Regarding SPIWERS, the highest exergetic efficiency values were obtained in oceanic climates. IWERS employs electric boilers, whereas SPIWERS system utilizes solar collectors. Although IWERS exhibited superior overall exergy efficiency, particularly in cold climates, SPIWERS distinguished itself with a reduced environmental impact, wholly supplanting electric power with solar thermal energy and a swift economic return on investment within a period of less than 4 years, a duration that is half that of IWERS. A detailed examination of the individual components of each system will facilitate the identification of potential avenues for enhancement, ensuring the system’s capacity for adaptation to specific climatic conditions and seasonal variations. Thus, the exergy efficiency of the DWH tank in IWERS remains constant across all climatic zones and throughout the year. This exergy efficiency is approximately 65%. In contrast, a notable variation is observed in the case of SPIWERS, which is more pronounced in more favorable weather conditions. On the other hand, the exergy efficiency of electric water boilers is greater in colder climates and times of the year, with a range of 30%–40%. Additionally, the exergy efficiency of the solar collector is greater in months and areas with cool ambient temperatures, optimal solar radiation, and moderate fluid temperatures within the collector, with a range of 5%–11%.
MAPK Pathway–Activating Alteration and Immunotherapy Efficacy in Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma: Results from the Randomized, Prospective SQUINT Trial
Authors: Cappuzzo Federico , Ricciuti Biagio , Delmonte Angelo , Bonanno Laura , Wang Xiaoyue , Lye Weng Kit , Görtz Andreas , Andrikou Kalliopi , Dal Maso Alessandro , Minuti Gabriele , Papi Maximilian , Alessi Joao Victor , Di Federico Alessandro , Rodig Scott , Awad Mark Magdi , Metro Giulio , Attili Ilaria , Vitiello Fabiana , Pilotto Sara , Gori Stefania , Rossi Giulio , Buglioni Simonetta , Giannarelli Diana , Landi Lorenza
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

The role of activating alterations in the MAPK pathway in predicting immunotherapy efficacy in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is largely unknown. The aims of the randomized, phase II SQUINT trial were to assess the efficacy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NI) versus platinum-based chemotherapy plus nivolumab (N-CT) and to identify clinically available biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic LSCC.

Patients and Methods:

SQUINT was an open-label, randomized, parallel, noncomparative, phase II trial of NI versus N-CT in chemo-naïve adult patients with metastatic or recurrent LSCC. The study was conducted across 15 Italian centers from September 2017 to February 2022 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03823625).

Results:

Forty-five patients were included in the NI arm and 46 patients in the N-CT arm. At 12 months, the overall survival (OS) rate was 62% in the NI arm and 50% in the N-CT arm. In total, 74 patients were included in the analyses for individual biomarkers. In patients with mutations or copy-number variations of genes involved in the MAPK pathway, we observed higher response to immunotherapy (43% vs. 15%), longer progression-free survival (P = 0.03), and OS (P < 0.001). A higher density of CD8+PD1+ T cells (P = 0.04) among MAPK-altered tumors versus that in wild-type tumors, together with an increased CD8+PD1+/FOXP3 ratio (P = 0.047), was observed. In the validation cohort of patients not exposed to immunotherapy, OS was similar between MAPK1/3-mutant and wild-type LSCC.

Conclusions:

We showed for the first time that MAPK pathway–activating alterations influence the outcome of LSCC treated with immunotherapy, highlighting the relevance of gene profiling.
Development of a microvessel density gene signature and its application in precision medicine
Authors: Kuronishi Megumi , Ozawa Yoichi , Kimura Takayuki , Li Shuyu Dan , Kato Yu
Published: January 2025

Combination therapy with anti-angiogenic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown enhanced clinical activity and has been approved for the treatment of multiple tumor types. Despite extensive research, predictive biomarkers for combination therapy remain poorly understood. Microvessel density (MVD), a surrogate marker for aberrant angiogenesis measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC), has been associated with response to monotherapy with anti-angiogenesis inhibitors. However, obtaining tumor tissue with a sufficient mass for IHC analysis is not always practical, and IHC-based MVD measurements are unavailable in large public datasets. In this study, we developed an MVD gene score based on RNA-sequencing data that reflects MVD by using RNA-seq and MVD measured by IHC in 12 mouse syngeneic tumor models. We explored the relationship between the MVD gene score and a gene signature predicting the response to anti-PD-1 therapy in mouse and human tumor datasets. The MVD gene score correlated with the antitumor activity of lenvatinib, a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor mainly targeting VEGFRs and FGFRs, in mouse tumor models and MVD measured by IHC in commercially available human formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples. Tumor types in The Cancer Genome Atlas were classified into four subgroups based on the MVD gene score and T-cell inflamed gene expression profile (TcellinfGEP), which were correlated with clinical indications for treatment. In conclusion, the newly developed MVD gene score enables the estimation of MVD in large public datasets where IHC data are unavailable and has potential clinical utility together with the TcellinfGEP to characterize patients’ tumors for precision medicine.
A Case Series of Gastric Diverticulum Masquerading as Adrenal Adenoma
Authors: Morrison Amy E. , Shah Vikas , Levy Miles J.
Published: January 2025

Introduction: This case series highlights initial misdiagnoses of incidental left adrenal adenomas, identified on CT imaging. With the increasing incidence of adrenal incidentaloma diagnoses, we present an important and recognised differential diagnosis to be considered. A gastric diverticulum is a rare anatomical abnormality, referring to an outpouching of the stomach wall. Although commonly asymptomatic, these can be complicated by ulceration, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and potentially malignancy. Case Presentations: We describe seven cases in which a gastric diverticulum was misdiagnosed as a left adrenal adenoma on CT and the role of both specialist multidisciplinary team input, and alternate imaging modalities, use of contrast media, and positioning strategies, in identifying diagnostic features to define a gastric diverticulum. Following identification of an adrenal incidentaloma, extensive biochemical investigations and further imaging are dictated by international guidelines in the field. This has implications for the individual; in time-costs as well as the psychological burden of potential diagnoses following investigation. Additionally, time, financial, and healthcare service burden costs ensue with each reported adrenal adenoma on CT imaging and endocrinology department referral. It is imperative to ensure initial imaging diagnoses are correct, in order to prevent these unnecessary processes. Conclusions: Gastric diverticulum is an important consideration in differential diagnoses on initial imaging. As seen in these cases, the use of multiplanar reformats, oral contrast and altered patient positioning during imaging to highlight air/fluid or fat/fluid levels, can aid confirmation of this alternate diagnosis.
Flexible Vacuum-assisted Ureteral Access Sheath for Treating Impacted Ureteral Stones
Authors: Chen Yujun , Yang Heng , Xi Haibo , Yu Yue , Deng Wen , Zhou Xiaochen , Wang Gongxian
Published: January 2025

Introduction: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of using the novel flexible vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheath (FV-UAS) in flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) treatment of impacted non-distal ureteral stones.
Methods: We analyzed data from patients who underwent FV-UAS treatment for impacted non-distal ureteral stones between January 2022 and September 2023. Perioperative parameters were evaluated, including operative time, ureteral injury, and complications. The FV-UAS have a 10 cm passive deflection segment at the distal end of the ureteral access sheath that can bend following the deflection of the F-URS, while also being connected to a vacuum device for aspiration.
Results: A total of 62 consecutive patients (35 females) were included. Mean (range) patient age was 50.0 (29-75) years. Mean (range) largest stone size was 13.8 (9-16) mm. Mean (range) total time was 34.2 (18-46) min. In 57 patients (91.9%), no residual stones were detected in the renal, while 5 patients (8.1%) had residual stones smaller than 4 mm. A 5-tier classification quantified ureteral injury severity at stone impaction sites: grade 0 (n=10); grade 1 (n=47); grade 2 (n=5); grade 3 and 4 (n=0). Nine patients (14.5%) underwent placement of two double-J stent. Two patients (3.2%) developed postoperative fever requiring antibiotics and conservative management. Mean (range) postoperative hospital stay was 1.2 (1-2) day. At the 3-month follow-up, no ureteral strictures had occurred. No additional surgical interventions were necessary during follow-up.
Conclusion: The use of the FV-UAS for the treatment of impacted non-distal ureteral stones is a safe and effective surgical method.
Global burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias during 1990-2021: a Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors Study 2021-based study
Authors: Wang Renxi
Published: January 2025

Introduction: In most countries and territories, current data on the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are lacking. We aimed to assess the trends, burden, and inequalities of AD and other dementias at global, regional, and national level from 1990 to 2021. Methods: The data on disease burden of AD and other dementias during 1990-2021 were extracted from Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors Study 2021 (GBD 2021). Average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of age-standardized prevalence, mortality, and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were estimated as an indicator to evaluate the healthcare system. Result: The global age-standardized prevalence of AD and other dementias increased from 672 (95% uncertainty interval: 589 to 764) per 100,000 population in 1990 to 694 (603 to 794) per 100,000 population in 2021, with AAPCs of 0.09% (95% confidence interval: 0.06% to 0.11%). However, age-standardized mortality did not change (AAPCs: 0.00% (−0.01% to 0.02%)) and age-standardized DALYs slightly increased from 446 (206 to 958) to 451 (213 to 950) per 100,000 population (AAPCs: 0.01% (0.00% to 0.03%). While the highest prevalence remained in population aged 65-69 and the countries with a high-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) such as East Asia (e.g., China), the highest mortality and DALYs were found in population aged 65-69 and the countries with a low-middle SDI such as South Asia (e.g., India). High fasting plasma glucose ranked the highest risk factor for DALYs during 1990-2021. Conclusion: The global increased prevalence of AD and other dementias may partly be attributed to population aged 65-69 in the countries with a high-middle SDI (e.g., China), whereas mortality and DALY ratio of population aged 65-69 from the countries with a low-middle SDI (e.g., India) is the most significantly growing. Controlling of high fasting plasma glucose may be needed for the reduction of DALYs from AD and other dementias.
Complex congenital cardiac defect associated with the combination of 5p deletion and 4q duplication in a newborn: A case report
Authors: Kırman Ülkü Nur , Aliyev Ferid , Soğukpınar Merve , Şimşek Kiper Pelin Özlem , Aykan Hayrettin Hakan , Çelik Hasan Tolga
Published: January 2025

Background:Congenital cardiac defects are defined in cases with the deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5 and the duplication of the long arm of chromosome 4. Septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus are among the most common defects reported in the literature.
Case: We reported on a case with a complex congenital cardiac defect, dysmorphic facial features, cat-like cry, hypotonia, hyporeflexia, weak swallowing and sucking, limb anomalies, and bilateral undescended testicles. A chromosomal microarray revealed a duplication of chromosome 4q26q35.2 and a deletion of chromosome 5p15.33p14.3, originating from the unbalanced maternal translocation 46, XX t(4;5) (q27;pter). Our patient showed clinical characteristics compatible with both deletion of 5p and duplication of 4q.
Discussion: We reported a case with a rare chromosomal rearrangement. Similarities and differences between the cases in the literature are discussed.
Chromosomal Microarray Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool in Congenital Heart Diseases
Authors: Esener Zeynep , Ates Kübra , Ozturk Murat , Karakurt Cemsit , Elkiran Ozlem , Tekedereli Ibrahim
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases are a group of diseases present at birth, including anatomical and physiological abnormalities of the heart. They are the most common birth defects observed in the populations. The etiology is quite diverse. Although they mostly shows a multifactorial inheritance pattern, chromosome abnormalities, copy number variations, single gene diseases and environmental factors are involved in the etiology. Even though the etiology can be detected at a higher rate in syndromic cases, it has not been elucidated in most syndromic and non-syndromic cases. Our study aimed to detect copy number variations in syndromic and non-syndromic cases through chromosomal microarray analysis, to reveal the diagnostic value of the method, and to determine possible new loci.
Methods: Patient files, photographs, and laboratory results of 85 cases (55 syndromic and 30 non-syndromic) who had congenital heart disease and chromosomal microarray analysis were retrospectively evaluated. The differences between the groups were analyzed with Chi-Square and Mann Whitney-U tests.
Results: Pathogenic/likely pathogenic copy number variations were detected in 32.7% (18/55) of the syndromic case group and 6,7% (2/30) of the non-syndromic case group. The diagnostic efficacy of chromosomal microarray analysis in the diagnosis and the age at the time of admission were statistically significant between groups.
Conclusions: Our study suggest that the chromosomal microarray analysis is a valuable diagnostic tool to elucidate the etiology of congenital heart diseases.
“Sou eu quem cuida”: a pandemia narrada por mulheres atravessadas por um megaempreendimento
Authors: Melo Ana Letícia Cordeiro de , Santos Suely Emília de Barros , Cunha Clarissa de Oliveira Gomes Marques da
Published: January 2025

Este artículo analiza los significados que las mujeres campesinas, en un territorio vulnerable por el megaproyecto de transposición del río São Francisco, atribuyen a su experiencia con la pandemia de COVID-19. La investigación tiene un enfoque cualitativo, y se fundamenta en una comprensión fenomenológica hermenéutica en diálogo con el ecofeminismo y el feminismo decolonial. Se utilizó la cartografía clínica y las entrevistas narrativas individuales como forma de ingresar al territorio y escuchar las narrativas. Para analizarlos utilizamos el Análisis de Significado, de Dulce Critelli. Se podría entender que la pandemia incrementó varios procesos de vulnerabilidad que ya existían en la experiencia de las mujeres en el territorio, debido a las obras de transposición, además de crear nuevas complejidades.
Gestão de corpos, emoções e subjetividade entre a juventude evangélica no movimento "Eu Escolhi Esperar"
Authors: Paz Sthefanye
Published: January 2025

Este texto analiza, con base en una investigación etnográfica en un campamento del movimiento evangélico "Yo Elegí Esperar" (EEE), cómo los jóvenes cristianos vivencian un proyecto de gestión de la sexualidad y las emociones. El trabajo de campo revela la resignificación de prácticas corporales, expresiones emocionales y sociabilidades a través de categorías religiosas, produciendo formas específicas de subjetividad. El EEE utiliza estrategias pedagógicas que involucran controles externos y tecnologías de autogestión de deseos y afectos. La dimensión digital emerge como parte constitutiva de esta experiencia religiosa. A pesar del éxito del movimiento en movilizar a los jóvenes en torno a valores tradicionalmente restrictivos, el texto problematiza sus limitaciones, como el refuerzo de concepciones normativas sobre la sexualidad y los efectos psicológicos del énfasis en el autocontrol.
Survivorship After Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Hall Eric J. , Agarwal Sachin , Cullum C. Munro , Sinha Shashank S. , Ely E. Wesley , Farr Maryjane A.
Published: January 2025

Advances in critical care therapies for patients with cardiogenic shock (CS), including temporary mechanical circulatory support and multidisciplinary shock teams, have led to improved survival to hospital discharge, ranging from 60% to 70%. After their index hospitalization, however, survivors of CS may continue to face cardiac as well as extracardiac sequelae of these therapies and complications for years to come. Most studies in CS have focused primarily on survival, with limited data on long-term recovery measures among survivors. In other forms of critical illness, research indicates that many intensive care unit survivors experience impairments in multiple domains, such as cognitive function, physical ability, and mental health. These impairments, collectively referred to as Post–Intensive Care Syndrome, in turn impact survivors’ quality of life and future prognosis. This review identifies unique aspects of CS–related survivorship, highlights lessons learned from other forms of critical illness, and outlines future research directions to determine specific strategies to enhance recovery and survivorship after CS.
A Systematic Review of International Bereavement Models of Care and Implementation Barriers and Facilitators
Authors: Bartley Nicci , Rodriguez Grieve Luna , Cooper Claire , Kirsten Laura , Wilson Cindy , Sajish Betsy , Shaw Joanne
Published: January 2025

Bereavement care can facilitate adjustment to death and reduce immediate distress and long-term morbidity, mortality and health service utilisation. This systematic review aimed to identify international models of bereavement care, and barriers and facilitators to implementing such models. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO identified 64 studies for inclusion. The most common forms of bereavement support were bereavement packs, memory-making activities, condolence cards, memorial services, and follow-up contact. Only 14 models included a formal assessment of complex grief, and 17 studies considered culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Barriers included lack of institutional/financial support, staff discomfort delivering care, lack of dedicated staffing, and difficulty collecting/maintaining information. Facilitators were adequate funding/infrastructure, formal protocols/procedures, dedicated staffing, and staff training and support. Future research should address bereavement models of care in settings beyond palliative care, considering culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and should provide implementation data and strategies.
Talented Youths or Dangerous Criminals? Exploring Judicial Attitudes in the Sentencing of Data Crime Cases in Chinese Courts
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Cheng Hongming
Published: January 2025

The focal concerns framework stands as the leading theoretical approach in criminology to account for differences in sentencing outcomes. Despite extensive empirical research, this framework has yet to be thoroughly examined in the context of cybercrime or data crime and in non-Western legal cultures. This study examines the following question: to what degree and in what ways do Chinese judges take into account the original focal concerns of blameworthiness, protecting the community, and practical limitations when making their sentencing decisions? By analyzing 2,052 cases and focusing on 34 detailed sentencing remarks from cases adjudicated in China from 2013 to 2023, along with insights from semi-structured interviews with 14 judges specializing in data crime, our research indicates that sentencing decisions in data crime cases in China are consistently shaped by the blameworthiness and community protection, although rather different factors associated with these concerns impact the assessment of data crime case severity.