bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on the global patterns in the design and development of ventricular assist devices: a visualization approach
Authors: Sood Ajay K. , Prasada Rao A. K.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are lifesavers for people with advanced heart failure. The design of these devices has undergone drastic changes over time with the latest designs being far more efficient, small, lightweight, and more user-friendly. This study aims to analyze publications using bibliometric analysis and see the progress and identify key themes, trends, and collaboration networks.

Method

Data relevant to this study were obtained from Scopus and Web of Science databases from 1990 to 2023. Data analysis was done using Biblioshiny which is an R-based software and is part of RStudio and Microsoft Excel to analyze collaboration between countries, authors, keyword analysis, trend topics, and evolution of various themes related to this study.

Results

A total of 489 published documents were analyzed, and these documents were from 158 different sources and 1,753 authors. The top contributing journals were Artificial Organs and Asaio Journal with 116 and 81 publications, respectively. The top contributing authors in terms of total documents were Nose Y (35) and Throckmorton A (30) and in terms of total citations were Pagani F (2005) and Mehra M (1952). Top countries include the USA, China, and Germany. The trend topics include miniaturization, machine learning, wireless, shear flow, and fiber-optic sensors.

Discussion

The latest technological advancements in VAD design are making them a more suitable choice for a large number of patients. This bibliometric work will aid in identifying the newest trends and developments in this field and highlight the areas where more research is needed. These data are crucial for driving innovation in this field and for improving the lives of patients who depend on VADs. Future studies can be conducted to explore the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning that can learn from data about patients and then adapt as per the requirements of the patients.
Positive and negative aspects of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in the view of Brazilian university students who received university assistance
Authors: Capellini Vera Lucia Messias Fialho , Zhang Jie , Garcia Luciana Marolla , Hashimoto Marcelo Setsuo , da Rocha Eduardo Pimentel
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic generated concerns about people’s life and future globally. Regarding education, students worldwide faced problems (personal, social and/or economic) to continue studying. In this study, we investigated the perceptions of Brazilian undergraduate students who received university assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, examining the positive and negative aspects of remote learning and assessing the impact of the assistance on student retention at the university.

Methods

127 students participated in the study. Data was obtained through an online survey. The snowball technique was used to collect data.

Results

Being close to family, reduced expenses on campus, flexible schedules, and the ability to review lessons and related materials outside of class were the positive factors listed by the students. These positive factors may have contributed to reducing stress caused by COVID-19, increasing student retention and course completion rate, and improving student’s quality of life. On the contrary, participants reported negative aspects, such as lack of internet access, excess of activities, concerns about teaching quality, inadequate study environments, family-related problems, and insufficient materials and technology tools.

Discussion

Despite the fears and insecurities, the pandemic brought to the students, our study found that the help offered by the university to students proved to be beneficial, positively impacting student development and retention. Notably, 89 participating students (70.08%) completed all courses without experiencing any personal, social, or educational setbacks caused by the pandemic.
Association between triglyceride-glucose index and its composite obesity indexes and cardio-renal disease: analysis of the NHANES 2013-2018 cycle
Authors: Wu Yu , Liu Chengsen , Cao Jiandong
Published: January 2025

Background

The association between triglyceride-glucose (TYG) and its composite obesity indexes and cardio-renal disease in the American population remains insufficiently researched.

Methods

This study examined a cohort of 11,491 American adults aged 20 years and older from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). To explore the associations between TYG, TyG-Waist-to-Height Ratio (TyG-WHtR), TyG-Body Mass Index (TyG-BMI), TyG-Waist Circumference (TyG-WC), and chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), we utilized weighted multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), Receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and subgroup analyses.

Results

Adjusted for confounding factors, there are positive associations between the likelihood of CKD, CVD, and CRS, as well as TYG and its composite obesity indexes. The TYG index was correlated most strongly with CKD (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11, 1.82; P = 0.007), while TyG-WHtR had the strongest correlations with CVD (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.19, 2.22; P = 0.003) and CRS (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.00, 2.08; P = 0.055). A nonlinear connection was found by RCS analysis between TYG and its composite obesity indexes with CKD (P for overall < 0.001, P for nonlinear < 0.05), while the association with CVD and CRS was predominantly linear (P for overall < 0.001, P for nonlinear > 0.05). Based on ROC curves, TyG-WHtR and TyG-WC emerged as more reliable diagnostic tools than TYG for cardiac and renal diseases. According to subgroup analyses, TyG and its composite obesity measurements were more strongly associated with CKD in younger individuals (≤ 50), males, and those with diabetes mellitus (P for interaction 0.05).

Conclusions

The TyG-WHtR and TyG-WC are associated with an increased risk of cardiac and renal disease, indicating enhanced diagnostic accuracy. These metrics provide an effective tool for identifying early cardiorenal disease and improving risk stratification.
Modulation strategy of dynamic voltage restorer based on dual-feedforward active disturbance rejection compound controller
Authors: Huang Langchen , Liu Weiling , Zhang Ning , Yan Qingyun , Wei Xinwei
Published: January 2025

Given the contradiction between compensating speed and compensating overshoot in traditional Proportional Integral (PI) control of Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR), A Feedforward compensation-active Disturbance Rejection Control (FC-ADRC) strategy based on Feedforward Compensation is proposed. ADRC control is used to improve the problem of compensating oversets existing in traditional PI control, and the voltage and current of the LC filter are introduced as the feedforward quantity to compensate the DVR controller to realize the rapid voltage compensation for the voltage dip on the user side and ensure the safety and stability of the voltage on the user side. The simulation results show that the proposed control strategy not only keeps the high dynamic response of the DVR device but also ensures the device’s adaptability to deal with uncertain disturbances.
iMESc – an interactive machine learning app for environmental sciences
Authors: Vieira Danilo Cândido , Paula Fabiana S. , Yaginuma Luciana Erika , Fonseca Gustavo
Published: January 2025

As environmental sciences increasingly rely on complex datasets, machine learning (ML) has become crucial for identifying patterns and relationships. However, the integration of ML into workflows can pose challenges due to technical barriers or the time-intensive nature of coding. To address these issues, we developed iMESc, an interactive ML app designed to streamline and simplify ML workflows for environmental data. Developed in R and built on the Shiny platform, iMESc enables the integration of supervised and unsupervised ML methods, along with tools for data preprocessing, visualization, descriptive statistics, and spatial analysis. The Datalist system ensures seamless transitions between analytical workflows, while the “savepoints” feature enhances reproducibility by preserving the analysis state. We demonstrate iMESc’s flexibility with four workflows applied to a case study predicting nematode community structure based on environmental data. The classical statistical approaches, the Redundancy Analysis (RDA) and Piecewise RDA (pwRDA), explained 30.7% and 53%, respectively. The SuperSOM model achieved an R2 of 0.60 for training and 0.291 for testing, identifying spatial patterns across depth zones. Finally, a hybrid model combining an unsupervised SOM and followed by the supervised Random Forest model returned an accuracy of 83.47% for the training and 80.77% for the test, with Bathymetry, Chlorophyll, and Coarse Sand as key predictive variables. IMESc permits the customization of plots and saving the workflows into “savepoints” guarantying reproducibility. iMESc bridges the gap between the complexity of machine learning algorithms and the need for user-friendly interfaces in environmental research. By reducing the technical burden of coding, iMESc allows researchers to focus on scientific inquiry, improving both the efficiency and depth of their analyses.
Revealing study and breeding implications for production traits and tail characteristics in Simmental cattle by GWAS
Authors: Wang Jie , Shen Na , Zhao Kaisen , Liao Jiayu , Jiang Genglong , Xiao Jianghai , Jia Xianbo , Sun Wenqiang , Lai Songjia
Published: January 2025

Simmental cattle are renowned for their dual purpose as meat and dairy breeds. The study recorded phenotype data from 183 Simmental cattle and performed a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) analysis to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying milk production, body size traits, and tail characteristics. Statistical analysis of phenotype data showed that season, parity, and age at first calving (AFC) factors had a significant effect on milk production (P < 0.05). The results of GWAS on cattle linear traits revealed that the candidate genes SH3RF2, DCHS2, ADAMTS1, CAMK4, PPARGC1A, PRL, PRP6, and CORIN have been found to affect body circumference (BC) and cannon circumference (CC). Through GWAS analysis of tail traits, including Circumference over tail root (COTR) and Tail Length (TL) in Simmental cattle, candidate genes associated with tail length, such as KIF26B, ITPR2, SLC8A1, and SLIT3 were identified. Interestingly, candidate genes IL1RAP, AQP9, ITPR2, and PKD2 were also associated with metabolic inflammation in cattle tails. These genetic markers offer valuable insights into the traits of Simmental cattle, facilitating the development of molecular breeding strategies to enhance production value and provide references for breeding programs.
Case report: JAK inhibitor treatment of immune dysregulation symptoms in a patient with PTPN2 deficiency
Authors: Roppelt Anna , Markina Ulyana , Beloglazova Irina , Parshin Vasily , Kanner Dmitry , Pershin Dmitry , Fadeeva Mariia , Raykina Elena , Aleksenko Maxim , Karaulov Alexander , Lysenko Mariana , Fomina Daria
Published: January 2025

A heterozygous mutation in the PTPN2 gene has recently been described in several patients exhibiting symptoms of immune dysregulation. The gene encodes a ubiquitous non-receptor T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase that exerts a negative feedback on the JAK–STAT pathway. Limited clinical data are available advocating the use of JAK inhibitors as an effective treatment for autoimmune complications of PTPN2 deficiency. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis for these complications suggests this possibility. We report on a 32-year-old male patient with interstitial lung disease, cytopenia, and lymphadenopathy accompanied by de-novo deletion in PTPN2. The patient has been receiving systemic steroid treatment for decades, which has resulted in hormone dependence as well as therapy-related adverse side effects. After the diagnosis of PTPN2 deficiency, treatment with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib was initiated at a dose of 15 mg per day, which was escalated to 30 mg daily after 1 month. The steroid treatment was discontinued within 3 months. At the 9- and 16-month checkpoint, after 6 and 13 months correspondingly of monotherapy with ruxolitinib at a dosage of 30 mg per day, the patient had stable blood counts, lymphadenopathy decreased, and the lung interstitial disease improved. Thus, according to our experience, JAK inhibitors are able to alleviate the PTPN2 deficiency symptoms, including hematological changes and interstitial lung damage.
The immunoregulatory effects of scoparone on immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
Authors: Qiu Feifei , Lin Jingru , Huang Xiaofei , Yang Bin , Lu Weihui , Dai Zhenhua
Published: January 2025

Scoparone (SCO), also known as 6,7-Dimethoxycoumarin, is a naturally occurring bioactive ingredient originally derived from Chinese herb Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yin-Chen-Hao). Previous studies have shown that it is effective in treating some of the liver diseases. Beyond its hepatoprotective effects, an expanding body of research has underscored the immunoregulatory properties of SCO, indicating its potential therapeutic benefits for autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases. Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in understanding the mechanistic insights into its effects on immune-mediated diseases as well as liver diseases. SCO has an impact on various immune cells, including mast cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and T cells, and affects a broad range of intracellular signaling pathways, including TLR4/Myd88/NFκB, TGFβR/Smad3 and JNK/Sab/SHP-1 etc. Therefore, this review not only summarizes the immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects of SCO on immune-based inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, allergic rhinitis, acute lung injury, type 1 diabetes and neuroinflammatory diseases etc., but also provides a comprehensive summary of its therapeutic effects on hepatic diseases, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fulminant hepatic failure and hepatic fibrosis. In this review, we also include the broad impacts of SCO on intracellular signaling pathways, such as TLR4/Myd88/NFκB, TGFβR/Smad3, Nrf2/P38, JAK2/STAT3 and JNK/Sab/SHP-1 etc. Further researches on SCO may help understand its in-depth mechanisms of action and pave the way for the development of novel drugs to prevent and treat various immune-mediated inflammatory disorders as well as hepatic diseases, thereby significantly advancing its innovations and pharmaceutical applications.
Impacts of IOD and ENSO on the phytoplankton’s vertical variability in the Northern Indian Ocean
Authors: Hu Qiwei , Chen Xiaoyan , He Xianqiang , Bai Yan , Jiang Tingchen , Huan Yu , Liang Zhanlin
Published: January 2025

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are the primary climatic modes that profoundly impact physical and biological processes in the Northern Indian Ocean (NIO). IOD- and ENSO-related vertical phytoplankton anomalies, however, remain poorly understood. Using the three-dimensional Chlorophyll a concentration dataset generated by a machine learning model, this study examines IOD- and ENSO-linked vertical phytoplankton anomalies over the entire euphotic layer (0–100 m) in the NIO during 2000–2019. Results reveal that IOD and ENSO trigger significant opposite changes in phytoplankton at 0–50 m and 50–100 m. The effects of IOD and ENSO on the vertical structure of phytoplankton are generally asymmetric, with anomalies at 0–50 m being significantly larger than that at 50–100 m. During summer and fall, the significant vertical phytoplankton anomalies in the Central Arabian Sea (CAS), Southern Tip of India (STI), and the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean (EEIO), are primarily related to IOD forcing. IOD-linked negative (positive) phytoplankton anomalies at 0–50 m (50–100 m) are driven by the westward propagating downwelling Rossby waves. During winter and spring, due to the local wind anomalies and shallower thermocline, the Seychelles–Chagos Thermocline Ridge (SCTR) is the only region where ENSO exhibits greater positive effects on phytoplankton at 50–100 m than IOD. Different from IOD, the ENSO-related wind reversal impedes subsurface upwelling in the STI and EEIO, thereby constraining vertical biological activity. These findings could shed light on how phytoplankton will respond to changing ocean dynamics under global warming.
Investigating key elements of digital resilience among nursing undergraduates: a qualitative study
Authors: Li Fanfan , Ma Qiuping , Yang Chunxiao , Zhong Mingyang
Published: January 2025

Objective

To explore key elements of digital resilience in nursing undergraduates, providing a foundation for comprehensive assessment and training during medical colleges’ digital transformation.

Methods

Conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 nursing undergraduates experienced in online learning or digital resource use from March–May 2024, utilizing descriptive qualitative research and directed content analysis.

Results

Identified five themes with nineteen sub-themes: understanding digital threats (information overload, decreased learning engagement, impaired social interaction, digital technology failures, digital security risks), knowing coping strategies (seeking teacher support, seeking peer support, seeking social support), learning knowledge and skills (nursing expertise, autonomous learning ability, digital technology application skills, digital learning skills, digital communication skills), overcoming digital threats stress (psychological resilience, learning perseverance), and adapt to digital environment (self-regulation and motivational efficacy, online learning self-efficacy, digital skills self-efficacy, social interaction self-efficacy).

Conclusion

Nursing undergraduates’ digital resilience is multifaceted. Medical colleges should strengthen these aspects to empower students to confidently navigate digital risks and adapt to educational and healthcare digital transformation.
Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zheng Lu , Bian Yanzhu , Hu Yujing , Tian Congna , Zhang Xinchao , Li Shuheng , Yang Xin , Qin Yanan
Published: January 2025

Objective

To analyse positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging and clinical data from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to identify characteristics of survival beneficiaries of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment and to establish a survival prediction model.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on PET/CT imaging and clinical parameters of 155 NSCLC patients who underwent baseline PET/CT examination at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hebei General Hospital. The Kaplan–Meier curve was employed to compare progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the ICIs and non-ICIs group and to assess the impact of variables on PFS and OS in the ICIs group. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted with parameters significantly associated with survival in univariate analysis.

Results

Significant differences were observed in PFS (χ2 = 11.910, p = 0.0006) and OS (χ2 = 8.343, p = 0.0039). Independent predictors of PFS in the ICIs group included smoking history[hazard ratio (HR) = 2.522, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.044 ~ 6.091, p = 0.0398], SUVmax of the primary lesion(HR = 0.2376, 95%CI: 0.1018 ~ 0.5548, p = 0.0009), MTVp (HR = 0.0755, 95%CI: 0.0284 ~ 0.2003, p < 0.001), and TLGp (HR = 0.1820, 95%CI: 0.0754 ~ 0.4395, p = 0.0002). These were also independent predictors of OS in the ICIs group[HR(95%CI) were 2.729 (1.125 ~ 6.619), 0.2636 (0.1143 ~ 0.6079), 0.0715 (0.0268 ~ 0.1907), 0.2102 (0.0885 ~ 0.4992), both p < 0.05)]. Age was an additional independent predictor of OS (HR = 0.4140, 95%CI: 0.1748 ~ 0.9801, p = 0.0449).

Conclusion

Smoking history, primary lesion SUVmax, MTVp, and TLGp were independent predictors of PFS, whilst age, smoking history, SUVmax, MTVp, and TLGp were independent predictors of OS in the ICIs group. Patients without a history of smoking and with SUVmax ≤19.2, MTVp ≤20.745cm3, TLGp ≤158.62 g, and age ≤ 60 years benefited more from ICI treatment.
Crab bioturbation alters the community assemblies of abundant and rare bacteria on an intertidal wetland in the Yellow River estuary
Authors: Wang Zhikang , Wang Yongqi , Yang Jisong , Yan Junfen , Yang Kaixin , Ren Zhonghua , Wang Wei , He Yang , Li Min , Zhan Junfei , Guan Bo , Wang Xuehong , Li Yunzhao , Zhou Di , Cui Buli , Yu Junbao
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Revealing assembly patterns of abundant and rare bacteria is pivotal for comprehending the responses of soil bacterial community to environmental changes. Crabs exert significant impacts on soil environments through their frequent burrowing activities in intertidal wetlands. However, there remains a paucity of knowledge regarding the influencing mechanism of crab bioturbation on community assemblies of abundant and rare bacteria.

Methods

We delved into community structures, co-occurrence networks, and assembly processes of abundant and rare bacteria within crab-bioturbated soils (encompassing burrows and mounds) across an intertidal wetland.

Results and discussion

The compositions and diversities of abundant and rare subcommunities were notably altered in crab-bioturbated soils. Moreover, the co-occurrence network analysis unveiled that crab bioturbation substantially modified the interaction patterns of rare bacteria, whereas its influence on abundant bacteria was comparatively minor. Furthermore, we discovered that the assembly processes of abundant subcommunities were primarily influenced by stochastic processes, while rare subcommunity assemblies were collectively shaped by both stochastic and deterministic processes. In conclusion, our study elucidates the mechanism by which crab bioturbation mediates the distinct assembly processes of abundant and rare subcommunities, and underscores the importance of considering rare bacteria when evaluating the ecological functions of intertidal wetlands.
Transitioning of protein substitutes in patients with phenylketonuria: a pilot study
Authors: Yilmaz Nas Ozlem , Ashmore Catherine , Evans Sharon , Pinto Alex , Daly Anne , Yabanci Ayhan Nurcan , MacDonald Anita
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In phenylketonuria (PKU), there is limited information about transitioning between protein substitutes and the influencing factors, particularly in young children. This pilot study assessed the stepwise transition from second to third-stage protein substitutes in children with PKU, aged 3–5 years.

Methods

Demographics, child behavior, maternal anxiety, and food neophobia scores were collected at baseline, mid-transition, and final assessment. Blood phenylalanine (Phe) was collected from 6 months pre-baseline to post-final assessment.

Results

Twelve children (n = 4 males, 33%, median age 3.2 years) participated. Sixty-seven percent (n = 8) transitioned to liquid amino acid-based protein substitute and 33% (n = 4) to glycomacropeptide (cGMP) powder. Forty-two percent (n = 5/12) had a smooth transition (Group 1, median 3.5 months), while the remaining faced difficulty (n = 3, 25%, Group 2), or failed full transition (n = 4, 33%, Group 3). In Groups 2 and 3, caregivers failed to follow instructions, demonstrating inconsistencies and child resistance. Group 2 children had significantly higher blood Phe levels (above 360 μmol/L), that was significantly higher than Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01), with Groups 1 and 3 maintaining blood Phe within target (p < 0.01). Higher maternal education and nursery/school attendance significantly influenced transition success (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in child neophobia, maternal anxiety, or child behavior (p > 0.05). Mothers generally reported satisfaction with the stepwise transition process.

Conclusion

A stepwise transition to third-stage protein substitutes in PKU is effective, but is dependent on child metabolic control, parental education, and nursery/school support.
Prognosis of nodal micrometastasis in resectable pN0 non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Siwachat Sophon , Tantraworasin Apichat , Lertprasertsuke Nirush , Saeteng Somcharoen
Published: January 2025

Background

Nodal micrometastasis (NMM) is the presence of a small cluster of tumor cells in a regional lymph node. However, the prognostic value of NMM in resectable NSCLC is still debated.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from 2006 to 2017 assesses the prognostic impact of nodal micrometastasis in resectable pN0 NSCLC patients, using immunohistochemistry staining for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, p53, and BerEp4. Patients are categorized into three groups: pN0 without nodal micrometastasis, pN0 with nodal micrometastasis, and pN+. Overall survival is the primary endpoint, with disease-free survival as the secondary endpoint.

Results

Out of 225 patients, 98 had pathological N0 (pN0) status and 127 had pathological N positive (pN+) status. Among pN0 patients, nodal micrometastasis was found in 21 cases (21.43%), distributed as follows: 2 (2.04%) in hilar and interlobar regions (N1), 17 (17.35%) in the mediastinal region (N2), and 2 in both hilar and mediastinal regions (N1+N2) (2.04%).Univariable analysis revealed that male sex and the presence of tumor necrosis increased both the recurrence rate of lung cancer and the mortality rate, whereas larger tumor size, intra-tumoral vascular invasion, and pleural invasion were associated solely with cancer recurrence. However, multivariable analysis showed no statistically significant difference in disease-free survival and overall survival between pN0 patients with and without NMM, with hazard ratios of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.31-3.08, P=0.973) and 1.11 (95% CI: 0.23-5.42, P=0.900), respectively.

Conclusion

Nodal micrometastasis was identified in 21.43% of pN0 resectable NSCLC patients. However, the benefits of NMM detection in resectable cases remain controversial due to conflicting results from retrospective studies. Larger prospective cohort studies are needed to better understand disease prognosis and inform treatment strategies.
Risk factors for lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Ziyue , Zhu Dajian
Published: January 2025

Background and objective

Lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) metastasis is one of the prominent reasons for local recurrence in patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs). The evaluation criteria of lateral lymph node metastasis for patients and the indications and value of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLD) have been controversial. Total mesorectal excision (TME), a conventional surgical treatment for RNETs, excluding lateral lymph nodes, may be one of the reasons for postoperative local recurrence. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for LPLN metastasis in patients with RNETs in order to guide surgical methods.

Methods

We searched relevant databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) for articles published between 1 January 2000 and 1 April 2024 to evaluate the risk factors for LPLN metastasis in patients with RNETs in this meta-analysis.

Results

A total of seven articles with 433 patients were included in this study. The overall results showed that a WHO grade > G1, tumor invasion of the muscularis propria or deeper, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), mesorectal lymph node metastasis (MLNM), and distant metastasis (M1) were significant risk factors for LPLN metastasis in patients with RNETs (P <0.05).

Conclusion

This study identified key risk factors for LPLN metastasis in patients with RNETs, providing guidance for treatment strategies. A comprehensive evaluation of these risk factors and imaging findings is recommended to tailor personalized treatment strategies that optimize survival outcomes and improve quality of life.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024581891.
Prognostic and clinicopathological role of soluble programmed cell death ligand-1 in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Hongbin , Luo Lulu , Mi Jie , Sun Min , Wang Huaping , Wang Zheng , Ding Wenwen
Published: January 2025

Background

The significance of soluble programmed death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1) in predicting the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been previously analyzed, but with conflicting results. This study investigated the effect of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) expression on the prognosis of patients with DLBCL.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and CNKI databases between their inception and August 14, 2024. The value of sPD-L1 in predicting the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with DLBCL was analyzed by computing the combined hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Associations between sPD-L1 and the clinicopathological factors of DLBCL were explored by combining odds ratios (ORs) and 95%CIs.

Results

Seven articles involving 826 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Based on our pooled data, elevated sPD-L1 was closely related to poor OS (HR = 2.81, 95%CI = 1.99–3.95, p < 0.001) and inferior PFS (HR = 3.16, 95%CI = 1.41–7.08, p = 0.005) of DLBCL. Moreover, based on the pooled data, higher sPD-L1 was significantly related to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale (ECOG PS) ≥2 (OR=4.10, 95%CI=1.82-9.24, p=0.001), clinical stage III-IV (OR = 3.30, 95%CI = 1.48–7.39, p = 0.004), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (OR = 2.14, 95%CI = 1.07–4.30, p = 0.032), and the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score 3–5 (OR = 3.83, 95%CI = 1.91–7.68, p < 0.001) in DLBCL.

Conclusion

According to our findings, a higher sPD-L1 level was a significant predictor of poor OS and PFS in patients with DLBCL. Elevated sPD-L1 levels are closely related to factors representing disease aggressiveness in DLBCL.
Phytochemical-based therapeutics from traditional eastern medicine: analgesic effects and ion channel modulation
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Chung Geehoon , Kim Sun Kwang
Published: January 2025

Pain management remains a major challenge in the healthcare system. While synthetic analgesics are widely used for pain management, their effectiveness in managing chronic pain is often limited due to low efficacy or side effects. Thus, there is growing interest in exploring alternative pain relief methods, particularly using medicinal plants from traditional Eastern medicine and their phytochemicals. Previous studies have demonstrated the modulatory effects of various phytochemicals derived from herbal medicine on pain-related ion channels, such as voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav), calcium channels (Ca2+), and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Since these ion channels are integral to the transmission and modulation of pain signals, the ability of specific phytochemicals to activate or inhibit these channels presents a promising avenue for the development of novel analgesics. The goal of this review is to merge herbal insights with ion channel research to highlight the potential of natural compounds for safe and effective pain management. In this regard, we summarize the discovery and characterization of pain-relieving phytochemicals from herbal medicine, and we discuss their mechanisms of action and their potential to mimic or enhance the effects of conventional analgesics through ion channel modulation.
Preparation of Tragopogon graminifolius-loaded electrospun nanofibers and evaluating its wound healing activity in a rat model of skin scar
Authors: Almasi Leila , Arkan Elham , Farzaei Mohammad Hosein , Iranpanah Amin , Jalili Cyrus , Abbaszadeh Fatemeh , Aghaz Faranak , Fakhri Sajad , Echeverría Javier
Published: January 2025

Background

Growing reports are dedicated to providing novel agents for wound healing with fewer adverse effects and higher efficacy. The efficacy of nanofibers composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO)/chitosan (CS) in promoting wound healing can be attributed to their ability to stimulate collagen production. Among the herbal agents with fewer adverse effects, Tragopogon graminifolius DC. [Asteraceae] (TG), also called “Sheng” in traditional Iranian medicine, is one of the most efficacious plants for treating various skin injuries due to its several pharmacological and biological effects like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Purpose

In the present study, our objective was to assess the wound-healing activity of PVA/PEO/CS nanofibers containing TG in a rat model of excision wound repair.

Methods

Synthesized nanofibers from PVA, PEO, and CS were done by the electrospinning method and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The release tests of nanofibers were assessed through the UV-visible method at different time intervals, which were conducted for about 60 h. To evaluate the wound healing effects, rats were divided into four distinct groups, including negative control (untreated), phenytoin cream (as positive control), polymer (PVA/PEO/CS), and drug (nanofiber-containing 50% of TG extract; named PVA/PEO/CS/TG) groups. All treatments were administered topically once daily for 14 days. Wound size changes were investigated in different time intervals. On the 15th day, nitrite and catalase serum levels were measured. Furthermore, samples of skin tissue were extracted and subjected to histopathological analysis.

Results

PVA/PEO/CS nanofibers containing 1.2 g of PVA, 0.3 g of PEO, and 0.8 g of CS, along with 50% of TG extract (PVA/PEO/CS/TG) at 17 kV were selected based on its favorable morphology and uniform quality. PVA/PEO/CS/TG represented a notable reduction in wound sizes. Moreover, in histopathological analysis, PVA/PEO/CS/TG showed a lower presence of inflammatory cells, higher density of dermis collagen fibers, and better regeneration of the epidemic layer. In addition, PVA/PEO/CS/TG elevated plasma antioxidant capacity via increasing catalase while reducing nitrite levels.

Conclusion

PVA/PEO/CS/TG is a promising wound dressing nanofiber with antioxidant and tissue regeneration potential. These results encourage further studies for the development of TG nanofibers as promising agents in treating and accelerating the process of excision wound repair.
MP-LLAVRec: an agricultural product recommendation algorithm based on LLAVA and user modal preference
Authors: Li Peishan , Gao Lutao , Zhang Lilian , Peng Lin , Bai Chunhui , Yang Linnan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

With the booming development of e-commerce, agricultural product recommendation plays an increasingly important role in helping consumers discover and select products. However, the following three problems still exist in the traditional agricultural product recommendation domain: (1) the problem of missing modalities made it difficult for consumers to intuitively and comprehensively understood the product information; (2) most of them relied on shallow information about the basic attributes of agricultural products and ignored the deeper associations among the products; (3) they ignored the deeper connections among individual users and the intrinsic associations between the user embedding and the localized user representation in different modalities, which affected the accuracy of user modeling and hindered the final recommendation effect.

Methods

To address these problems, this paper innovatively proposed an agricultural product recommendation algorithm based on LLAVA and user behavioral characteristics, MP-LLaVRec(Modal Preference - Large Language and Vision Recommendation). It consisted of three main components: (1) LLAVA data enhancement, which introduced a multimodal macromodel to improve the understanding of node attributes; (2) agricultural product association relationship fusion, which constructed and improved the complex association network structure among products to ensure that the system can better understand the substitution relationship, complementary relationship, and implied consumption logic among products; (3) user modal preference feature extraction block, which deeply mined the interaction data between consumers and products, and advanced the effective user feature information from the correspondence between global user representations and local modal user representations.

Results and Discussion

We conduct experiments on a real dataset from Amazon's large-scale e-commerce platform to verify the effectiveness of MP-LLAVRec. The experimental results of four metirs, NDCG@10, NDCG@20, Recall@10 and Recall@20, showed that the method has a better performance than the baseline model.
Serum advanced glycation end products as a putative biomarker in Type2 DKD patients’ prognosis
Authors: Wang Ze-Hou , Zhang Zong-Jin , Wang Yue-Fen , Xie Jin , Li Yi-Min , Shen Cun , Meng Yuan , Zhao Wen-Jing , Sun Lu-Ying , Liu Wei Jing
Published: January 2025

Aim

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are pivotal mediators in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, their prognostic utility remains underexplored. This study introduced corrected lgAGEs [novel biomarker derived by adjusting logarithmically transformed AGEs (lgAGEs) levels based on serum albumin (ALB) levels] to enhance the prediction of adverse renal outcomes in patients with type 2 DKD (T2DKD).

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 196 T2DKD patients were followed up longitudinally. Serum AGEs levels were log-transformed and adjusted for ALB to calculate corrected lgAGEs. Participants were stratified into the high- and low-level groups based on the median corrected lgAGEs. The association between corrected lgAGEs and renal outcomes was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to evaluate the predictive performance of corrected lgAGEs alone and in combination with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR).

Results

High level of corrected lgAGEs was independently associated with adverse renal outcomes [hazard ratio (HR), 3.252; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.461–7.243; p = 0.003]. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients in the high-level group (12 months) exhibited significantly shorter median survival times compared with those in the low-level group (50 months). ROC analysis showed that UACR alone had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.782 (95% CI, 0.705–0.858), with 82.8% sensitivity and 61.5% specificity. Corrected lgAGEs achieved an AUC of 0.725 (95% CI, 0.637–0.814), with 69.0% sensitivity and 76.9% specificity. Combining UACR and corrected lgAGEs improved the specificity to 75.6%, with an AUC of 0.764 (95% CI, 0.682–0.847), while maintaining a sensitivity of 70.7%.

Conclusion

Corrected lgAGEs are novel and independent biomarkers for predicting adverse renal outcomes in T2DKD. Combining UACR with corrected lgAGEs could enhance risk stratification by improving the specificity, highlighting its potential application in early identification of high-risk patients. These findings should be validated in broader populations in future research.
Metabolome and transcriptome analysis reveal the pigments biosynthesis pathways in different color fruit peels of Clausena lansium L. Skeels
Authors: Zhao Zhichang , Adjei Mark Owusu , Luo Ruixiong , Yu Huaping , Pang Yali , Wang Jian , Zhang Yu , Ma Jun , Gao Aiping
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The color of Clausena lansium L. Skeels cv. Jixin fruit peel is brown (BP), while the mutant cv. Zijin had purple fruit peels (PP). The coloration of the peels was attributed to significant differences in chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin content between BP and PP.

Methods

This study investigates the biosynthetic metabolic activities in the brown and purple peels of Clausena lansium L. Skeels using metabolomics and transcriptomics. It aims to identify metabolic pathways and differentially expressed genes related to flavonoids and anthocyanins biosynthesis.

Results

The PP (purple peel) has higher levels of a-carotene and b-carotene but lower levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and lutein compared to BP. Zeaxanthin was absent from both peels, suggesting that the b-carotene hydroxylase enzyme is not active. Both peels contain delphinidin-based (Dp) and cyanidin-based (Cy) anthocyanins, but not pelargonidin-based (Pg). The total anthocyanin content and the Dp/Cy ratio are higher in PP than in BP. The delphinidin, cyanidin, and mallow derivatives in the PP were significantly higher than in the BP. The increase of total anthocyanin content and Dp/Cy ratio may be the main reason for the peel color changing from brown to purple. The significant increase of F3H expression in purple peels suggested a higher efficiency of catalyzing the conversion of naringenin into dihydroflavonols in the PP, leading to the higher content of total anthocyanin. Despite the significant increase of FLS expression in PP, the contents of kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin significantly decreased, suggesting that the increase of FLS expression did not lead to an increase in flavonol biosynthesis.

Discussion

The competition between F3’H and F3’5’H may determine the ratio of Dp/Cy, the higher levels of F3’H, F3’5’H, and UFGT expression, lead to the increase accumulation of total anthocyanin and Dp/Cy in PP. The deficiency of Pg in both peels resulted from the substrate specificity of the DFR enzyme. The research also describes the transition in color from BP to PP and details of the biosynthetic pathways for carotenoids and anthocyanins, elucidating the molecular processes underlying anthocyanin production.
First note of QTL mapping of low vigor traits using the updated F2 ‘Koroneiki’ linkage map of olive
Authors: Granata Irene , Balan Aparna S. , Di Vaio Claudio , Ioppolo Antonino , Caruso Tiziano , Fretto Silvia , Benny Jubina , Giovino Antonio , Sargent Daniel James , Marra Francesco Paolo , Marchese Annalisa
Published: January 2025

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.), which characterizes the agriculture of the Mediterranean basin, faces challenges adapting to high-density orchards and mechanized cultivation. This study addresses a key issue: controlling tree size to enhance efficiency and manageability in olive cultivation. Utilizing genetic mapping methods, we have identified significant Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) and candidate genes associated with low-vigor traits in olive trees. Our research on the ‘Koroneiki’ F2 progeny, which exhibits low vigor traits but remains underutilized in breeding programs, has pinpointed a QTL linked to trunk basal diameter—a trait correlated with plant height based on morphological measurements. Results underscore a strong genetic control of these traits, with a consistent correlation observed over time. We identified two candidate genes — Acid Phosphatase 1, Shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, and a SNP Marker likely associated with Calcium Responsive Proteins — each potentially interacting with plant hormones to influence growth. Controlling olive tree size presents several challenges, including the genetic complexity of polygenic traits like size and vigor, and limited rootstock options. By integrating reference genomes with our genetic analysis, we offer a conceptual advancement that could substantially accelerate breeding timelines compared to traditional approaches. Although genome editing is still a future possibility due to the complexity of olive genetics and the species’ recalcitrance to transformation, our study lays a foundational understanding to guide future breeding programs. By targeting the identified candidate genes, this research represents a pivotal step toward selecting new low-vigor genotypes and rootstocks, contributing to innovations in olive cultivation.
Soil microbiome composition is highly responsive to precipitation and plant composition manipulations in a field biodiversity experiment
Authors: Burrill Haley M. , Magnoli Susan M. , Bever James D.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Climate change and plant biodiversity loss have large impacts on terrestrial ecosystem function, with the soil microbiome being primary mediators of these effects. The soil microbiome is a complex system, consisting of multiple functional groups with contrasting life histories. Most studies of climate forces and plant biodiversity effects on microbiome consider the perturbations and the microbial functional groups in isolation preventing us from understanding the full picture of the relative and differential impacts of perturbations on microbial functional groups.

Methods

We measured changes in multiple microbial communities with different functionality, including plant mutualists and pathogens, after three growing seasons in a full-factorial experiment manipulating precipitation (50%, 150% of ambient), plant diversity, and plant composition. Using amplicon sequencing to characterize the response of fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria and oomycetes, and we found that composition of all microbial groups differentiated strongly between precipitation treatments.

Results

Oomycete and bacterial diversity increased with 150% precipitation, while AM and saprotroph fungal diversity decreased. Microbial differentiation in response to plant family and plant species composition was stronger after the third growing season than observed after year one. However, microbial response to plant species richness was weaker in year three. Microbiome response to plant composition was largely independent of the response to precipitation, except for oomycetes, which had greater response to plant composition in high precipitation.

Discussion

These findings build upon prior findings that these microbial community members differentially respond to plant community compositional treatments, by measuring the response over 3 years and with the addition of precipitation treatments. We find that both changes in climate and plant composition can drive major differences in soil microbiome composition, which can feed back on plant community structure and alter ecosystem function.