bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absolute Risk Prediction for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Adaptable to Regional Disease Burden across Diverse Regions
Authors: Liu Mengfei , Huang Yi , Tian Hongrui , Guo Chuanhai , Liu Zhen , Liu Anxiang , Yang Haijun , Li Fenglei , Duan Liping , Shen Lin , Wu Qi , Shi Chao , Pan Yaqi , Liu Fangfang , Liu Ying , Chen Huanyu , Hu Zhe , Cai Hong , He Zhonghu , Ke Yang
Published: January 2025

Background:

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) exhibits a long latency period and has a significant geographic disparity in incidence, which underscores the need for models predicting the long-term absolute risk adaptable to the regional disease burden.

Methods:

A total of 31,883 participants in a large-scale population-based screening trial (Hua County, China) were enrolled to develop the model. Severe dysplasia and above cases identified at screening or follow-up were defined as the outcome. We calculated the absolute risk in three steps: (i) constructing a relative risk model using logistic regression, (ii) calculating the age-specific baseline hazard, and (iii) adjusting for the competing risk of all-cause death excluding ESCC. Flexible incidence rate parameters were integrated into the model to ensure its relevance across diverse regions worldwide.

Results:

A total of 295 severe dysplasia and above cases were detected. The relative risk model consisted of old age, male gender, an irregular meal pattern, a preference for hot or hard food, a BMI of less than 22 kg/m2, and ESCC family history. The AUC was 0.753 (95% confidence interval, 0.749–0.757). The averaged 5-and 10-year absolute risk were 0.53% and 1.30% among participants. Based on our model, we developed an online calculator and incorporated flexible incidence rate parameters, demonstrating ideal risk stratification tailored to regions with varying disease burdens (https://pkugenetics.shinyapps.io/escc_risk_prediction/).

Conclusions:

We developed an absolute risk model to predict individualized long-term risk of ESCC, accounting for the local disease burden.

Impact:

This model has the potential to mitigate the global burden of ESCC by enabling targeted screening and personalized prevention strategies.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Deep Learning Predicts Subtype Heterogeneity and Outcomes in Luminal A Breast Cancer Using Routinely Stained Whole-Slide Images
Authors: Kurian Nikhil Cherian , Gann Peter H. , Kumar Neeraj , McGregor Stephanie M. , Verma Ruchika , Sethi Amit
Published: January 2025

Supplementary Figure S1. Scatterplot of LumA proportion by transcriptomic analysis versus percentage of tumor image patches classified as LumA by the DNN model - including held-out cases with nonLumA PAM50 assignment (n = 256). Best-fitting regression line shown, with 95% confidence band. Horizontal lines depict quartile thresholds for number of cases.
Inactivation of notch1-TGF-β-smads signaling pathway by atorvastatin improves cardiac function and hemodynamic performance in acute myocardial infarction rats
Authors: Kang Qi , Kang Mei , Yang Mengyun , Fernando Taniya
Published: January 2025

Introduction: To determine the effects of atorvastatin on cardiac function and hemodynamics and to investigate its functional mechanism on cardiac fibrosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats.
Methods: Cardiac functions and hemodynamic changes were evaluated in each group on day 28. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression of notch1, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Smad2, Smad7, as well as myocardial fibrosis factors (i.e. collagen I, collagen III, and galectin-3) in the myocardial tissues of AMI rats. The changes of myocardial cell structure and myocardial collagen fibers of AMI rats were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining.
Results: Atorvastatin improved the cardiac function and hemodynamic performance. Atorvastatin down-regulated the expression of notch1, smad2, collagen I, and collagen III in AMI rats. Atorvastatin treatment decreased the transcription of notch1, TGF-β, and smad2, while increased smad7 in AMI rats. Atorvastatin induced the down-regulation of collagen I, collagen III, and galectin-3. Myocardial immunohistochemical analysis showed atorvastatin inhibited the expression of notch1, TGF-β, and smad2 in myocardial tissues.
Conclusion: Atorvastatin inhibited myocardial fibrosis by interfering with notch1-TGF-β-smads signal pathways. In addition, it could mitigate myocardial remodeling, and improve cardiac functions and hemodynamics.
Effect of the variant rs7903146 of Transcription factor 7-like 2(TCF7L2) gene on anthropometric and metabolic responses to a 24 weeks meal replacement Hypocaloric diet
Authors: de Luis Daniel A. , Izaola Olatz , Primo Martin David , López-Gómez Juan J
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Some studies have demonstrated the effect of the rs7903146 genetic variant on weight response after different dietary strategies. The objective of our study was to evaluate the role of this genetic variant of the TCF7L2 gene on weight loss and diabetes mellitus progression following a partial meal replacement (pMR) hypocaloric diet.
Methods: We conducted an interventional study in 214 subjects with obesity and a body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m². The subjects received two servings per day of a normocaloric hyperproteic formula for 24 weeks as part of a pMR diet. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR were determined. All patients were genotyped for rs7903146 and evaluated under a dominant model (CC vs. CT+TT).
Results: The decrease at 24 weeks was higher in non-T allele carriers compared to T allele carriers (BMI: -3.3±0.3 kg/m² vs. -2.2±0.2 kg/m², p=0.02; weight: -9.5±1.1 kg vs. -5.0±1.0 kg, p=0.01; fat mass: -8.7±0.2 kg vs. -4.0±0.2 kg, p=0.04; waist circumference: -8.0±0.2 cm vs. -3.0±0.4 cm, p=0.04; glucose levels: -7.1±1.2 mg/dL vs. -1.2±1.1 mg/dL, p=0.01; insulin: -10.1±1.1 µIU/L vs. -4.0±1.0 µIU/L, p=0.01; HOMA-IR: -2.1±1.1 units vs. -0.5±0.1 units, p=0.01; C-reactive protein: -0.9±0.1 mg/dL vs. -0.4±0.2 mg/dL, p=0.01; triglycerides: -17.1±0.1 mg/dL vs. -9.1±0.2 mg/dL, p=0.01; and HbA1c: -1±0.1% vs. -0.3±0.2%, p=0.01). Following the dietary intervention, only non-T allele carriers showed a significant decrease in the frequency of hypertriglyceridemia, abdominal waist, hyperglycemia, and DM2.
Conclusions: The TCF7L2 (rs7903146) polymorphism modulates pMR diet-induced changes in body weight, lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance. These changes lead to a significant decrease in the prevalence of hyperglycemia and other components of metabolic syndrome.
Reconstruction Techniques for the Medial Canthus and Lateral Nasal Wall: A Case-Based Learning Approach
Authors: Malagón-Liceaga Andrea , Juárez-Flores Alejandra , Ruelas-Villavicencio Ana Lilia
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Reconstruction of the medial canthus and lateral nasal wall poses a significant challenge in dermatologic surgery due to the area’s complex, concave, three-dimensional anatomy, and proximity to critical structures like the nasolacrimal system. Case Presentation: This case-based learning approach details three different techniques on the management of extensive defects involving the medial canthus and lateral nasal wall, focusing on three different surgical techniques: the Mustardé flap, a combination of flaps with a graft, and a supraclavicular skin graft. All three approaches achieved satisfactory clinical and cosmetic outcomes. Conclusion: Successful reconstruction in this region requires a multidisciplinary approach that carefully integrates facial esthetic units while preserving the functional integrity.
Thoracic Aortic Three-Dimensional Geometry
Authors: Beeche Cameron , Dib Marie-Joe , Zhao Bingxin , Azzo Joe David , Tavolinejad Hamed , Maynard Hannah , Duda Jeffrey Thomas , Gee James , Salman Oday , Witschey Walter R. , Chirinos Julio
Published: January 2025

Background: Aortic structure impacts cardiovascular health through multiple mechanisms. Aortic structural degeneration occurs with aging, increasing left ventricular afterload and promoting increased arterial pulsatility and target organ damage. Despite the impact of aortic structure on cardiovascular health, three-dimensional (3D) aortic geometry has not been comprehensively characterized in large populations.
Methods: We segmented the complete thoracic aorta using a deep learning architecture and used morphological image operations to extract multiple aortic geometric phenotypes (AGPs, including diameter, length, curvature, and tortuosity) across various subsegments of the thoracic aorta. We deployed our segmentation approach on imaging scans from 54,241 participants in the UK Biobank and 8,456 participants in the Penn Medicine Biobank.
Conclusion: Our method provides a fully automated approach towards quantifying the three-dimensional structural parameters of the aorta. This approach expands the available phenotypes in two large representative biobanks and will allow large-scale studies to elucidate the biology and clinical consequences of aortic degeneration related to aging and disease states.
cord blood metabolite profiles and childhood cardio-metabolic outcomes in a population-based cohort
Authors: Kaupper Christin , Blaauwendraad Sophia , Gaillard Romy , Koletzko Berthold V. , Jaddoe Vincent
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Adverse exposures in utero might cause adaptations of cardiovascular and metabolic organ development, predisposing individuals to an adverse cardio-metabolic risk profile from childhood onwards. We hypothesized that adaptations in metabolic pathways underlie these associations and examined associations of metabolite profiles at birth with childhood cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Methods: The study included 763 mother-child pairs participating in an ongoing population-based prospective cohort study with an overall low disease risk. Cord blood serum concentrations of amino acids (AA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), phospholipids (PL) and carnitines (Carn) were obtained using a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass-spectrometry. We measured android/gynoid fat mass ratio, blood pressure, insulin, and lipid concentrations at the children’s age of 5.9 (0.3) and 9.8 (0.9) years.
Results: We did not observe associations of cord blood metabolites with systolic or diastolic blood pressure, insulin, triglycerides and android/gynoid fat mass ratio at both ages and cardio-metabolic risk clustering at age 10 years. Five short- and medium-chain Carn.a metabolites were positively associated with cardio-metabolic risk clustering at age 6 but did not survive more stringent confounder adjustment.
Conclusion: No consistent associations between cord blood metabolites and cardiovascular risk factors at school age were observed.
Malignes Melanom: Ergebnisse und Perspektiven der CheckMate-238-Studie
Authors: Maschke Jan
Published: January 2025

Purpose: In phase III CheckMate 238, adjuvant nivolumab significantly improved recurrence-free survival compared with ipilimumab in patients with resected stage IIIB-C/IV melanoma without a significant difference in overall survival (OS). Here, we investigate progression-free survival (PFS) and OS after postrecurrence systemic therapy. Patients and methods: Patients 15 years or older with resected stage IIIB-C/IV melanoma were stratified by stage and tumor PD-L1 status and randomly assigned to receive nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or ipilimumab 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses and then every 12 weeks for 1 year or until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Patients with recurrence in each group were assessed for PFS and OS from subsequent systemic therapy (SST) initiation per recurrence timing (≤12 months [early] v >12 months [late] from initial therapy). Results: Recurrences occurred in 198 (44%) of 453 nivolumab-treated patients (122 early, 76 late) and 232 (51%) of 453 ipilimumab-treated patients (160 early, 72 late). Median PFS on next-line systemic therapy for nivolumab-treated patients recurring early versus late was 4.7 versus 12.4 months (24-month rates, 16% v 31%); median OS was 19.8 versus 42.8 months (24-month rates: 37% v 73%). In response to subsequent therapy, patients on nivolumab with late versus early recurrence were more likely to benefit from anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Nivolumab-treated patients with either an early or late recurrence benefitted from an ipilimumab-based therapy or targeted therapy, each with similar OS.
DRESS is not a rare complication during the initial treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma_the experience of two medical institutes
Authors: Yang Jiao , Hu QingQing , Lu JiaQing , Wang Jian , Wu Die , Fei Xiaoming , Wang Lixia , Yu Xianqiu , Tang Yu
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is a severe hypersensitivity reaction rarely documented in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: In our retrospective study of 108 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients from January 2021 to October 2023, we identified four cases of DRESS. The clinical characteristics such as clinical manifestations, laboratory results, treatment and outcome were analyzed. Results: These patients presented with fever, persistent and recurrent, along with a widespread red rash characterized by diffuse erythematous macules or papules accompanied by intense itching, desquamation, and other dermatological manifestations. Multi-organ involvement was common, including hepatic impairment, acute kidney injury, and type I respiratory failure, alongside pleural effusion and multiple lymphadenopathy. Laboratory findings revealed elevated eosinophil counts, often exceeding 1.5 × 10^9/L, abnormal liver function tests, acute kidney injury, and inflammatory markers. Anti-MM treatment was promptly suspended, and all patients received corticosteroid therapy. Outcomes varied, with one patient succumbing to myeloma progression, another to multi-organ failure, while the remaining two patients survived. Conclusion: In NDMM patients undergoing induction therapy, occurrences of DRESS are infrequent but noteworthy, with an incidence higher than observed in the general population. It presents with significant morbidity and mortality, highlighting the crucial need for early recognition and management.
Age-related Arterial Stiffening is Associated with A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Lean Body Mass Index —A Retrospective Cohort Study in Healthy Japanese Population—
Authors: Nagayama Daiji , Watanabe Yasuhiro , Fujishiro Kentaro , Suzuki Kenji , Ohira Masahiro , Shirai Kohji , Saiki Atsuhito
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Several anthropometric indices reflecting cardiometabolic risks have been developed, but the relationship of body composition with arterial stiffness remains unclear. We aimed to determine the interaction between age-related anthropometric changes and progression of arterial stiffness.
Methods: This research analyzed cross-sectional data (N=13,672) and 4-year longitudinal data (N=5,118) obtained from a healthy Japanese population without metabolic disorders. The relationship of age with anthropometric indices comprising estimated lean body mass index (eLBMI), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and a body shape index (ABSI) was examined. The mediating effects of the indices on the association between age and arterial stiffness assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was analyzed.
Results: Unlike BMI and WC, ABSI (Rs=0.284) and CAVI (Rs=0.733) showed a positive linear relationship with aging in stratified analyses. Especially in the middle-older age groups, eLBMI showed a declining trend with aging. An increase in ABSI was associated with a decrease in eLBMI, whereas increase in BMI or WC was related to increased eLBMI. In cross-sectional analyses, age was associated with CAVI, partially mediated by ABSI or eLBMI after adjusting confounders. Baseline CAVI correlated negatively with 4-year change in (Δ)eLBMI (Rs=–0.120 in men, –0.161 in women). ΔCAVI correlated negatively with ΔeLBMI (Rs=–0.031).
Conclusion: ABSI is a modifiable index that well reflects age-related changes in arterial stiffness and body composition including lean body mass. Since arterial stiffening may cause skeletal muscle loss, potentially creating a vicious cycle, prioritizing CAVI and anthropometric indices in clinical practice may be a useful strategy.
Cartas de Haroldo Maranhão sobre Machado de Assis
Authors: Sales Paulo Alberto da Silva
Published: January 2025

Based on the study of the letter as a form of self-writing that enables the creation of a conversation with an absent other, breaking into everyday life and presenting different levels of meaning, we will examine the presence of missives in the contemporary Brazilian narrative Memorial do fim a morte de Machado de Assis (2004), by Pará writer Haroldo Maranhão. Grounded in the critical-theoretical studies of Foucault (2012), Harouche-Bouzinac (2016), Diaz (2016), and other scholars of the epistolary genre, we will explore how Maranhão's narrative, through the use of fictitious letters, tends to create the illusion of contextualized daily records, since its practice allows for an examination of the consciousness and the challenges faced during the final days of the fictionalized Machado de Assis within the storyline.
Ordem régia e vozes de protesto na escritura de documentos luso-brasileiros: entre rascunhos, minutas, originais e cópias
Authors: Madeira Maria de Fátima Nunes , Módolo Marcelo
Published: January 2025

The analysis of the royal charter of 1755, through the methodologies of Philology, Diplomatics and Archival Science, aims to recognize the document in its historical context. The study verifies the path taken by the manuscript since its production, in administrative headquarters, until its use as an object of scientific, social and cultural study, in the permanent archives. From the perspective of the concept of the archival bound, that is, of the organic context in which the documents are inserted in a government archive, the study announces the inedited report of the logistics used by the Portuguese Crown to institute the tax known as “voluntary subsidy”, which was charged since 1756, to help in the reconstruction of Lisbon, after the earthquake on 1755, and lasted until the time of the Imperial Brazil.
Gêneros epistolares na era digital: perspectivas para o ensino-aprendizagem de Língua Portuguesa
Authors: Pinchemel-Amorim Marina Martins , Pereira Márcia Helena de Melo
Published: January 2025

Among the challenges of teaching and learning textual production, there is an urgent need to promote meaningful practices that involve real interlocutors, without restricting school texts to teacher-led reading. Furthermore, it is important to propose activities that reflect on emerging themes in society and the school community, such as adolescent mental health. With this in mind, we aim to present/discuss a proposal for teaching textual production through motivational letters conducted with 2nd-grade high school students at a public school in Bahia. Grounded in the didactic sequence procedure on the genre (Dolz; Noverraz; Schneuwly, 2011 [2004]), students carried out a retextualization activity resulting in letters, which were displayed on a mural in the school's common area, aiming to support emotionally vulnerable individuals and direct them to specialized health services. The analysis of two letters written jointly by two pairs of students revealed that the practice provided not only learning in written expression but also the construction of knowledge to play a social role in different fields of human activity. Furthermore, we noticed that, in the letters prepared, characteristics emerged that consolidate them as motivational letters or support letters.
“Entre Cartas...”: uma abordagem de escrita e leitura em tempos digitais
Authors: Toledo Edilaine Gonçalves Ferreira de
Published: January 2025

This article is part of resulting actions extension project’s developed by public federal school, together with public school of external community. The activities were executed during and after the pandemic, in in the possibilities of adaptations for teaching in remote and hybrid format, with main objectives was to increase the writing and reading fluency of young high school students. From theoretical references in Andrade (2010), Barton e Lee (2015), Coscarelli (2016), Tolentino (2018), Compagnon (2019), Pereira (2021) and Garcia Rodrigues (2024), the methodological strategy was by means of bibliographic review and exploratory research in order to observe and analyze as the practice of writing, combined with the study of the letter genre, can enable the text producer greater interaction and construction of meaning. As a result, was observed that, in digital times and in the fluidity of information, correspondence appeared as a powerful mediating instrument for reading training, writing practice and expanding students' literacy.
Fragmentos de si: construção da(s) identidade(s) e da memória do escritor Manuel dos Passos de Oliveira Telles na obra epistolar “Carta Íntimas e Literárias”
Authors: Costa Renata Ferreira , Barbosa Luiza Daviane Santos
Published: January 2025

This article analyzes the work Intimate and Literary Letters (1915) with the aim of tracing the (auto)biographical profile of the Brazilian writer Manuel dos Passos de Oliveira Telles (1859-1935), a prominent figure in the literary and historiographical scene of Sergipe in the transition between the 19th and 20th centuries. It investigates how the author records personal events and feelings and explores his relationship with the social and cultural context, while simultaneously constructing and projecting his identity(ies) through writing. Additionally, the potential of this collection of correspondence as a strategy for achieving literary recognition is discussed. This unpublished epistolary book constitutes a documentary heritage that contributes significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Oliveira Telles' individual memory and Sergipe's cultural memory. Its introspective and critical writing offers a unique insight into human complexity, becoming valuable not only as a historical document but also as a literary work of great relevance.
Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Nocturnal Hypoxemia With the Circadian Rhythm of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Liu Xiaochen , Wang Bin , Hao Wen , Qiu Yuyao , Guo Qian , Guo Yingying , Xin Qingjie , Fan Jingyao , Que Bin , Gong Wei , Zheng Wen , Wang Xiao , Nie Shaoping
Published: January 2025

Background

The circadian rhythm of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains disputable and no studies have directly evaluated the relationship between nocturnal hypoxemia and the circadian rhythm of MI. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association of OSA and nocturnal hypoxemia with MI onset during the night.

Methods

Patients with MI in the OSA‐acute coronary syndrome (ACS) project (NCT03362385) were recruited. The time of MI onset was identified by patient's report of the chest pain that prompted hospital admission. All patients underwent an overnight sleep study using a type III portable sleep monitoring device after clinical stabilization during hospitalization. The difference in circadian variation of MI onset was evaluated between patients with moderate/severe OSA and non/mild OSA and those with or without nocturnal hypoxemia. Nocturnal hypoxemia was evaluated using 3 variables, including oxygen desaturation index, minimum oxygen saturation, and total sleep time with saturation <90%.

Results

Among 713 patients enrolled, 398 (55.8%) had moderate/severe OSA (apnea‐hypopnea index ≥15 events·h − 1). Compared with the non/mild OSA group, the MI onset was significantly increased in the moderate/severe OSA group between midnight to 5:59
am
in 6‐hour epochs analysis (26.9% versus 18.4%,
P
=0.008). Only in patients with both moderate/severe OSA and nocturnal hypoxemia, including oxygen desaturation index ≥15, minimum oxygen saturation ≤86%, and total sleep time with saturation <90% ≥2%, the incidence of MI onset between midnight to 5:59
am
was significantly increased. Moderate/severe OSA (adjusted odds ratio 1.66 [95% CI, 1.13–2.43];
P
=0.01) and nocturnal hypoxemia (oxygen desaturation index ≥15 model, adjusted odds ratio 1.80, [95% CI, 1.21–2.66]; minimum oxygen saturation ≤86% model, adjusted odds ratio 1.70 [95% CI, 1.16–2.47];
P
=0.006; total sleep time with saturation <90% ≥2% model, adjusted odds ratio 1.54 [95% CI, 1.04–2.27];
P
=0.03) significantly predicted MI occurrence from midnight to 6:00
am
.

Conclusions

A peak of incident MI onset between midnight to 5:59
am
was observed in patients with moderate/severe OSA, especially in those presenting with nocturnal hypoxemia.
Maintaining taxonomic accuracy in genetic databases: A duty for taxonomists—Reanalysis of the DNA sequences from Mercan et al. (2024) on the genus Potamothrix (Annelida, Clitellata) in Turkish lakes
Authors: VIVIEN RÉGIS , MARTIN PATRICK
Published: January 2025

Public DNA sequence databases such as GenBank are widely used for identification of organisms in ecological and taxonomic studies. It is important that these public databases contain as few mistakes as possible and that any errors detected in these databases are reported. Here, we reanalyzed the COI sequences of Mercan et al. (2024) and showed that they were mistakenly considered by these authors as belonging to different populations (haplotypes) within the species Potamothrix hammoniensis (Tubificinae). We found that they corresponded to four distinct Tubificinae lineages (species), Pothamothrix alatus paravanicus, Potamothrix bavaricus, Tubifex sp. and Potamothrix sp. Despite these identification errors, the data from Mercan et al. (2024) remain interesting as they provide new information on the diversity of the genus Potamothrix in Turkey. Prompt measures must be taken to correct these errors and prevent them from being detrimental to future studies.
Frontal Maintenance in Submesoscale Flows
Authors: Hetland Robert D. , Qu Lixin , Hinson Kyle E.
Published: January 2025

Classic deformation theory includes parameters—divergence, total strain, and vorticity—that are invariant to changes in the coordinate system. However, these parameters are sometimes ambiguous with respect to characterizing how fronts are formed and maintained because the presence of a front imposes a reference coordinate system. To help remedy this ambiguity, we propose a framework in frontal coordinates based on along- and cross-front velocity gradients to better characterize frontal maintenance, which can also be used to define divergence and normal strain in frontal coordinates. The framework with these four parameters (along-, cross-front velocity gradients, divergence, and normal strain in frontal coordinate) defines eight characteristic flow types at a front, providing a complete characterization of the flow that strengthens or weakens a front. This framework highlights the importance of the “strain efficiency” concept, which unambiguously defines the contribution of total strain to frontogenesis. Two examples, one based on a realistic simulation of submesoscales in the northern Gulf of Mexico and the other based on an idealized model with similar flow characteristics, are provided to demonstrate how this framework can be used to enhance our understanding of frontal dynamics in submesoscale flows.
Assessment of Organ Donation Knowledge and Attitudes Among Patients Visiting the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility
Authors: Yarasir Ezgi , Gomleksiz Mehtap , Gomleksiz Muhammet Ridvan , Dogukan Ayhan
Published: January 2025

This study aims to assess the knowledge levels, attitudes, and influencing factors related to organ donation among patients who visited the Nephrology outpatient clinic. This descriptive and cross-sectional research had 269 participants. Research data were collected utilizing a three-part questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire comprised the Sociodemographic Information Form, the second part evaluated knowledge about organ donation, and the final section included the Organ Donation Attitude Scale. The mean age of the participants was 43.7 ± 17.1 years, and 55.8% of them were women. A total of 37.5% of the participants stated that they were considering organ donation. Participants with a high school education or higher, those who believed they had sufficient knowledge about organ donation, and those who had a family member awaiting organ transplantation demonstrated a positive attitude toward organ donation ( p < .05). Understanding societal knowledge and attitudes about organ donation is crucial for assessing individual awareness of this issue.
Contingent gender gap: a cross-national study of female attitudes toward economic globalization
Authors: Chen Gong
Published: January 2025

This article examines the contingent differences between female and male attitudes towards economic globalization. Although global market forces provide more employment opportunities for women, gender inequalities persist and systematically disadvantage women in the workplace and society. I argue that whether women, relative to men, are more pro or anti-globalization depends on a country’s degree of modernization. Long-term economic development contributes to self-expression, emancipative and postmaterialist cultures which socialize women to stand for egalitarian and redistributive policies that promote their rights. In postindustrial knowledge societies, women are thus more economically left-leaning and anti-market/globalization than their male counterparts. However, the attitudinal gender gap is much narrower or reversed in low-income countries characterized by low living standards and patriarchal societal norms. Analyses of the Pew Global Attitudes Project Survey, World Values Survey and Asian Barometer Survey lend empirical support to the contingent differences between women and men in globalization attitudes.
Fenestrated Anaconda Endograft for the Treatment of Complex Aortic Aneurysms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Karaolanis Georgios I. , Kotopoulos Konstantinos , Jungi Silvan , Kotelis Drosos , Makaloski Vladimir
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcomes of Anaconda fenestrated endograft for the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (cAAA).

Material and methods:

A systematic search of all the literature reported until May 2024 was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The pooled 30-day mortality rate, technical success rate, reintervention rate as well as bridging stent occlusion rate, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed or random effect methods.

Results:

A total of 526 study titles were identified by the initial search strategy, of which 6 were considered eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. A total of 782 patients (89% male) were identified among the eligible studies. The pooled 30-day mortality rate was 4.8% (95% CI, 3.5%–6.5%) while the reintervention rate was 7.9% (95% CI, 4.3%–14.1%) and 10.2% (95% CI, 5.8%–17.4%) in the early and late period, respectively. The pooled bridging stents occlusion was 2.7% (95% CI, 1.5%–4.9%) during 30 days and 3.5% (95% CI, 1.6%–7.6%) during follow-up. Overall technical success was 86.1% (95% CI, 62.9%–95.8%).

Conclusions:

The use of the Anaconda fenestrated endograft in treatment of complex aortic aneurysms involving the abdominal visceral vessels has low early and late mortality. Low rate of bridging stent occlusion occurs early postoperatively and during follow-up, mostly involving the renal arteries. Reinterventions during follow-up are mostly induced by limb occlusion. Lower early technical success rate is explained by the presence of a type Ia endoleak on final angiography, which however resolves spontaneously early postoperatively.

Clinical Impact

The present systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies provide evidence-based data regarding the safety and efficacy of the fenestrated Anaconda device for the primary treatment of cAAA in the perioperative period and at long-term follow-up. Six studies with an overall 782 patients were included. The technical success in patients with cAAA treated with Anaconda fenestrated endograft was 86% while the reintervention rate was 7.9% and 10.2 during the perioperative and long-term follow up period. The pooled 30-day occlusion rate for the bridging stents was 2.7% while the late pooled occlusion rate for the bridging stents among the studies was 3.5%. The use of the Anaconda fenestrated endograft in treatment of complex aortic aneurysms involving the abdominal visceral vessels seems feasible with promising outcomes. The lower early technical success is obscured by the presence of type Ia endoleak which, resolves spontaneously early postoperatively.
A study on UAV target detection and 3D positioning methods based on the improved deformable DETR model and multi-view geometry
Authors: Liu Xuebin , Li Hanshan
Published: January 2025

This paper addresses critical challenges in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) target detection and 3D positioning, specifically inaccuracies in localization and lack of robustness in complex environments. The objective of this research is to improve UAV detection and positioning accuracy by proposing an enhanced Deformable DETR (Detection Transformer) model integrated with multi-view geometry theory. To achieve this, the study first preprocesses UAV-collected data, then optimizes the convolutional layers of the original DETR model to better handle object occlusion and scale variations. Furthermore, the research incorporates multi-view geometric modeling and multimodal fusion strategies to enhance detection accuracy during the target recognition process. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves over 70% detection accuracy, significantly outperforming traditional methods. The findings underscore the effectiveness of combining the improved Deformable DETR model with multi-view geometry for high-precision detection and 3D localization in complex environments. This research has significant implications for UAV-based applications, such as autonomous navigation, surveillance, and search-and-rescue missions, where precise target detection and 3D positioning are critical for successful operation.
Mechanisms underlying CSD initiation implicated by genetic mouse models of migraine
Authors: Pietrobon Daniela , Brennan K.C.
Published: January 2025

A key unanswered question in migraine neurobiology concerns the mechanisms that make the brain of migraineurs susceptible to cortical spreading depression (CSD, a spreading depolarization that underlies migraine aura and may trigger the migraine pain mechanisms). Important insights into this question can be obtained by studying the mechanisms of facilitation of CSD initiation in genetic mouse models of the disease. These models, all generated from families with hereditary migraine, allow the investigation of the functional consequences of disease-causing mutations at the molecular, cellular, synaptic and neural circuit levels. In this review, after describing the available genetic mouse models of migraine, which all share increased susceptibility to experimentally induced CSD, we will discuss the functional alterations in their cerebral cortex and the mechanisms underlying the facilitation of CSD initiation in their cortex, as well as the insights that these mechanisms may give into the mechanisms of initiation of spontaneous CSDs in migraine.
Development and validation of an EHR-based risk prediction model for geriatric patients undergoing urgent and emergency surgery
Authors: Yap Edward N. , Huang Jie , Chiu Joshua , Chang Robert W. , Cohn Bradley , Hwang Judith C. F. , Reed Mary
Published: January 2025

Background

Clinical determination of patients at high risk of poor surgical outcomes is complex and may be supported by clinical tools to summarize the patient’s own personalized electronic health record (EHR) history and vitals data through predictive risk models. Since prior models were not readily available for EHR-integration, our objective was to develop and validate a risk stratification tool, named the Assessment of Geriatric Emergency Surgery (AGES) score, predicting risk of 30-day major postoperative complications in geriatric patients under consideration for urgent and emergency surgery using pre-surgical existing electronic health record (EHR) data.

Methods

Patients 65-years and older undergoing urgent or emergency non-cardiac surgery within 21 hospitals 2017–2021 were used to develop the model (randomly split: 80% training, 20% test). The primary outcome was a 30-day composite outcome including several postoperative major complications and mortality; secondary outcomes included common individual complications included in the primary composite outcome (sepsis, progressive renal insufficiency or renal failure, and mortality). Patients’ EHR-based clinical history, vital signs, labs, and demographics were included in logistic regression, LASSO, decision tree, Random Forest, and XGBoost models. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUCROC) was used to compare model performance.

Results

Overall, 66,262 patients (median [IQR] age 78 [(70.9–84.0], female 53.9%, White race 68.5%) received urgent or emergency non-cardiac surgery (25.7% orthopedic cases, 21.9% general surgery cases). AUCROC ranged from 0.655 (Decision Tree) – 0.804 (XGBoost) for the primary composite outcome. XGBoost AUCROC was 0.823, 0.781, and 0.839 in predicting outcomes of sepsis, progressive renal insufficiency or renal failure, and mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

We developed a model to accurately predict major postoperative complications in geriatric patients undergoing urgent or emergency surgery using the patient’s own existing EHR data. EHR implementation of this model could efficiently support clinicians’ surgical risk assessment and perioperative decision-making discussions in this vulnerable patient population.
Cardiovascular disease essential medicines listing by countries: changes over time and association with health outcomes
Authors: Heredia Camila , Ul Haq Moizza Zia , Buadu Adelaide , Rizvi Amal , Workentin Aine , Persaud Navindra
Published: January 2025

Background

Since national essential medicine lists guide the procurement of medicines for populations in many countries, and cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, including cardiovascular medicines on these lists can significantly impact healthcare outcomes.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, national essential medicines’ lists from 158 countries were analysed on whether or not they included medicines to treat ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertensive heart disease. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between countries’ coverage scores and amenable mortality.

Results

Listing of cardiovascular disease treatment was associated with amenable mortality from hypertensive heart disease. Health expenditure per capita was also associated with amendable mortality due to ischemic heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease.

Conclusions

Listing essential medicines for cardiovascular disease is an important aspect of healthcare quality that is associated with cardiovascular mortality.
Empiric antibiotic therapy resistance and mortality in emergency department patients with bloodstream infection: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: von Beck Leonhard M. , Rapszky Gabriella Anna , Kiss Veronika E. , Sandor Szilard , Gaal-Marschal Szabolcs , Berenyi Tamas , Varga Csaba , Fenyves Bank G.
Published: January 2025

Background

Timely management of sepsis in the emergency department, including the use of appropriate antimicrobials, is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Inadequate empiric antimicrobial treatment is associated with potential changes in patient outcomes. We aimed to pinpoint risk factors, characterize antibiotic resistance trends, and investigate the association between antibiotic resistance and mortality among patients with bacteremia admitted to the emergency department.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of emergency department patients admitted between 15/06/2016 and 30/09/2022. Patients with a positive blood culture receiving emergency department-initiated antibiotic therapy were included. Antibiotic administration, resistance, and survival data were collected. Descriptive statistics, survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models were performed.

Results

Of 157,884 emergency department visits, 1,136 patients had a positive blood culture and received antibiotic therapy initiated in the emergency department. Resistance against empiric antibiotics was 14.5%. The overall 30-day and one-year mortality was 38.6% and 61.8%, respectively. In adjusted Cox models, patients with Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus infection had 36% lower and 44% higher risk of death, respectively. Although resistance to emergency department-administered antibiotic therapy was not associated with overall mortality, one-year mortality of patients with Escherichia coli bacteremia was higher in those with antibiotic resistance (69.0% vs. 49.4%, p = 0.011); these patients had a 1.5-fold increased risk of death in an adjusted Cox model.

Conclusion

The mortality of patients with bloodstream infection is high. The association of mortality with empiric emergency department-initiated antibiotic adequacy is pathogen-dependent.
Antenatal care and breastfeeding practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of demographic and health surveys
Authors: Olapeju Bolanle , Bride Michael , Wamala Mariam , Atobrah Deborah , Lee Elizabeth H. , Hendrickson Zoé M.
Published: January 2025

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends immediate breastfeeding (within the first hour after birth) and exclusive breastfeeding (for the first six months of life), particularly in low-resource settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. In 2016, WHO updated its antenatal care (ANC) guidelines, recommending at least eight (8+) ANC contacts during pregnancy to improve maternal and child health outcomes. This study investigates i) trends in breastfeeding practices across sub-Saharan Africa following the rollout of the revised WHO 2016 ANC policy and ii) the relationship between ANC uptake and exclusive or early breastfeeding.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data from 19 countries, from 2018-2023. Key variables included exclusive breastfeeding, early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth), and the number of ANC contacts (categorized into 0-3, 4-7, and 8 + visits) among mothers with a live birth in the six months preceding the survey.

Results

Exclusive breastfeeding rates ranged from 19% in Gabon to 81% in Rwanda (median = 53%), while early initiation of breastfeeding ranged from 32% in Senegal to 85% in Rwanda (median = 60%). The percentage of women with 8 + ANC contacts ranged from 0.3% in Rwanda to 39% in Ghana (median = 4%). Women with 8 + ANC contacts did not show increased odds of early initiation (aOR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.84, 1.05) or exclusive breastfeeding (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.94) compared to women with 4-7 contacts.

Discussion

These findings reveal low rates of 8 + ANC contacts against a backdrop of suboptimal breastfeeding practices across sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the results suggest limited additional benefits of 8 + ANC contacts over 4-7 contacts in promoting immediate and exclusive breastfeeding, as recommended by the WHO 2016 ANC policy. Urgent efforts are needed to promote ANC uptake and improve the quality of ANC contacts through behavior change interventions and complementary health service delivery. Sub-national, national, and global stakeholders should prioritize these interventions.
External beam radiation therapy versus radical prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer: protocol of the RECOVER study
Authors: van der Starre Caroline M. , Bangma Chris H. , Bijlsma Maarten J. , van den Bergh Alfons C.M. , Kiemeney Lambertus A.L.M. , Kievit Wietske , Vos Kees , Somford Diederik M. , Wildeman Sally M. , Aben Katja K.H. , de Jong Igle J. , Pos Floris J. , Heesterman Berdine L.
Published: January 2025

Background

This paper describes the rationale and design of the RECOVER study. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). The study primarily aims to evaluate and compare the impact of treatment with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RP) versus external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for men with high-risk, non-metastatic PCa regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional outcomes. Secondary objectives are progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), costs and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

The RECOVER study is a comparative effectiveness study that prospectively includes newly diagnosed high-risk (cT3a-bN0M0, ISUP-grade ≥ 4 and/or PSA > 20 ng/mL), non-metastatic PCa patients. Four Dutch prostate cancer networks, comprising 29 hospitals, are currently participating in the study. Patient reported outcomes are collected before treatment initiation, 12 months and 36 months after treatment initiation and include the EORTC-QLQ-C30, the EPIC-26, an adapted version of the SCQ, an adapted version of the iMTA Productivity Cost Questionnaire and several specific questions regarding patient characteristics, treatment of PCa specific complaints and health resources used. Clinical data regarding patient-, tumor- and treatment characteristics and oncological outcomes are collected up to 5 years after diagnosis. For sufficient power, patient reported outcomes of 471 patients must be collected 36 months after treatment initiation. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models are used to assess differences in HRQoL and functional outcomes over time between the patients treated with radical prostatectomy versus EBRT (+ ADT). Inverse probability of treatment weighting or the g-formula are used to adjust for confounding covariates associated with treatment. Secondary endpoints PFS and DMFS are evaluated using a competing risk analysis and cost-utility and budget-impact analyses will be performed to determine cost and cost-effectiveness.

Discussion

An observational prospective design was chosen since a randomized controlled trial comparing surgery and radiotherapy was not deemed feasible. This study evaluates effectiveness of treatment in a routine clinical setting (with adjustment for confounding) and its findings will enhance patients’ and healthcare professionals’ awareness for the impact of both treatment modalities on (long-term) daily functioning and HRQoL and aid treatment decision making.

Trial registration

This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05931419).