bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of tofacitinib on bone turnover markers and bone modulators in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Adami Giovanni , Orsolini Giovanni , Rossini Maurizio , Fratucello Anna , Fassio Angelo , Viapiana Ombretta , Fracassi Elena , Bixio Riccardo , Gatti Davide
Published: March 2024

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by bone loss. It is unclear whether JAK inhibitors can attenuate bone loss in RA by modulating bone metabolism. The main objective of our study is to investigate the effects of tofacitinib on serum levels of bone turnover markers and modulators. Secondary objectives were to assess changes in bone mineral density (BMD), metacarpal index, bone erosions.Methods We conducted a prospective observational study on patients with active RA failure to bDMARDs or tsDMARDs initiating treatment with tofacitinib. We measured at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months: serum bone turnover markers (CTX, P1nP, B-ALP), bone modulators (Dkk-1, sclerostin, vitamin D, PTH, OPG and RANKL), BMD and radiographic parameters (Sharp van der Heijde score [SvdH], bone health index [BHI] and metacarpal index [MCI]).Results 30 patients were enrolled in the study of whom 21 completed the study through month 12. Tofacitinib was clinically effective by suppressing DAS28-CRP. Glucocorticoids daily dose significantly decreased from baseline. We found a negative correlation between pre-study cumulative and daily dose of glucocorticoids and baseline B-ALP serum levels (r -0.592, p 0.012). Sclerostin serum levels increased significantly during the study period, while P1nP and B-ALP (markers of bone formation) decreased significantly. BMD levels, BHI, MCI and SvdH score did not change.Conclusion Treatment with tofacitinib was associated with a significant increase in sclerostin serum levels and a parallel decrease in markers of bone formation. However, no significant bone loss was observed.
WITHDRAWN: Anal Fistula with Multiple External Openings: A Case Report Successful Treatment Through Fistulectomy and Sphincteroplasty Integration “Case Report”
Authors: Nawalkar Parag , Attar Mohd Azharuddin Azim , Kapoor Vaibhav , Khurana Sushant
Published: March 2024

Background
Complex anal fistulas with multiple openings are rare and difficult to treat. Hence, it is necessary to choose appropriate surgical treatment and ensure the sphincter reconstruction to avoid postoperative complications.
Method
In this study, a 23-year-old man was presented with fistula-in-ano with three external openings and no internal opening. Confirmation of the findings was obtained through magnetic resonance (MR) fistulography. Treatment consisted of fistulectomy in conjunction with laser ablation. External sphincteroplasty was conducted using vicryl 2 − 0 absorbable sutures.
Results
The patient was discharged the next day after surgery and followed up for 8 weeks without experiencing any postoperative complications
Conclusion
Combining fistulectomy with sphincteroplasty could offer a more effective and safer treatment approach for complex fistulas.
The value of nomogram analysis in prediction of cerebral spread of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Tian Pengqi , Long Changyou , Men Miaomiao , Xing Yujie , Danzeng Yeang , Zhang Xueqian , Bao Haihua
Published: March 2024

Background:The prognosis after brain metastasis of alveolar echinococcosis is very poor, but there is currently no effective method to predict brain metastasis.
Purpose:To explore the value of a nomogram constructed based on CT plain scan and enhanced imaging features combined with clinical indicators in predicting brain metastasis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).
Materials and Methods:The imaging characteristics and clinical indicators of 116 patients diagnosed with HAE in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from 2015 to 2022 were retrospectively collected. The data were randomly divided into training set and validation set according to 7:3, and the difference between the two groups was analyzed.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to obtain independent predictors of brain metastasis in HAE, and a prediction model was constructed based on this and expressed in the form of a nomogram.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve (CRC) were used to evaluate model performance, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical value of the predictive model.
Result:A total of 116 HAE patients were included (average age 38.07±15.09 years old, 54 males and 62 females, 81 patients (70%) in the training set and 35 patients (30%) in the validation set).There was no statistically significant difference between CT plain scan and enhanced imaging features combined with clinical indicators between the training set and the validation set (p>0.05).After statistical analysis, it was found that whether there is invasion of the inferior vena cava, whether there is invasion of the hepatic artery, and whether there is metastasis to other organs are independent predictors of brain metastasis in HAE.A prediction model was built based on these three variables.The area under the ROC curve (AUC), cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity of the training set and validation set were 0.922 and 0.886, 0.6934 and 0.6643, 75.00 and 84.62, 94.34 and 81.82 respectively.CRC shows good consistency between the predicted probability and the actual value of the sample. DCA showed that the clinical value of the model was high.
Conclusion:The nomogram constructed based on imaging features combined with clinical indicators can effectively predict whether HAE will develop brain metastasis, which is helpful for clinicians to formulate reasonable treatment plans, evaluate patient prognosis, and is more conducive to the realization of individualized and precise medical decisions.
Climate drives the long-term reproductive investment of a tropical ant community
Authors: Uquillas Adriana , Bonilla Nathaly , Arizala Stephanie , Basset Yves , Barrios Héctor , Donoso David A.
Published: March 2024

Forecasting insect responses to environmental variables at local and global spatial scales remains a crucial task in ecology. However, predicting future responses requires long-term datasets, which are rarely available for insects, especially in the tropics. From 2002 to 2017, we recorded male ant incidence, a measure of ant reproductive investment, of 155 ant species at ten sites on Barro Colorado Island. In this Panamanian tropical rainforest, Malaise traps were deployed for two weeks during the wet and dry seasons. Short-term changes in community structure were pronounced, and compositionally distinct assemblages flew during the wet and dry seasons. Notably, the composition of these distinct assemblages oscillated in a consistent 5-year cycle but did not change during the 16-y study period. Across time, a Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMAX) model explained 75% of long-term variability in male ant incidence, which responded negatively to monthly maximum temperature and positively to sea surface temperature, a surrogate for El Niño Southern Oscillation events. Establishing these relationships allowed us to forecast ant incidence for five years until 2022, when year-long local climate variables were available. Consistent with the data, the forecast indicated no significant changes in long-term temporal trends of male ant incidence between 2017 and 2022. However, simulations of probable changes in ant incidence given different scenarios of climatic variables showed that strong El Niño events and maximum temperature are the environmental factors that could impact ant incidence the most. Our results highlight the dependence of ant reproductive investment on both short- and long-term changes in temperature, which is critical under current global warming scenarios.
GDNF improves the cognitive ability of PD mice by promoting glycosylation and membrane distribution of DAT
Authors: Ma Chengcheng , An Panpan , Yan Yalong , Su Mingyu , Xu Wei , Chen Jing , Tang Chuanxi
Published: March 2024

The core of clinic treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) is to enhance dopamine (DA) signaling within the brain. The regulation of dopamine transporter (DAT) is integral to this process. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on DAT, thereby gaining a profound understanding its potential value in treating PD. Here, we investigated the effects of GDNF on both cells and mice with PD, including the glycosylation and membrane distribution of DAT detected by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting, DA signal measured by neurotransmitter fiber imaging technology, Golgi morphology observed by electron microscopic, as well as cognitive ability assessed by behavior tests. In this study, GDNF enhanced the glycosylation and membrane distribution of DAT of the injured DA neurons both in vivo and invitro, while reversing GRASP65 loss and Golgi fragmentation leading to alleviation of DAT accumulation in the Golgi. Moreover, GRASP65 overexpression increased DAT distribution in PD cells and mice, whereas, the inhibition of GRASP65 could leading to diminished role of GDNF on DAT. In addition, GDNF could enhance the reutilization of neurotransmitter uptake by presynaptic membranes in the PFC and enhance the effective DA release signal after a single electrical stimulation, ultimately improving the cognitive impairment of PD mice. Thus, we proposed that GDNF promotes the glycosylation and membrane distribution of DAT by facilitating Golgi reaggregation, leading to an enhancement of DA signal utilization, ultimately resulting in an improvement in cognitive ability of PD mice. This study illustrates from a new perspective the beneficial role of GDNF in enhancing DA utilization and improving cognition in PD.
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Outcomes from a Tertiary Cancer Care Center in Northern India
Authors: Ray Mukurdipi , Pathak Bhawani , Venugopal Ravi , Sonvane Shwetal
Published: March 2024

Background:Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive form of cancer originating from the peritoneum. The prognosis for MPM has historically been poor, and treatment options are limited. This study evaluated the impact of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as a treatment modality for MPM, although optimal management is still evolving.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis included fifteen patients diagnosed with MPM between 2012 and 2023 at a tertiary referral cancer care center in North India. Patients underwent CRS followed by HIPEC. The study assessed outcomes based on overall survival (OS) and postoperative morbidity rates.
Results:Demographic analysis revealed a female preponderance (60%) and a majority of younger patients, 80% of whom were younger than the age of 50. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was infrequent (13.33%), while the most common histopathological subtype was epithelioid (66.67%). The mean peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 14.0, with 60% of patients having a PCI above the mean. The completeness of cytoreduction (CC) varied, with 40% achieving CC0, 33.33% CC1, and 26.67% CC2. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 60% of the patients. The mean blood loss was 577 ml, and the mean operation duration was 350 minutes. Postoperative complications ranged from mild to life-threatening, with a mortality rate of 6.67%. The median follow-up period was 25 months, revealing an overall median survival of 27.0 months, with 1- and 3-year survival rates of 86.7% and 33.3%, respectively. On univariate analysis, only histological subtype emerged as a predictive factor for overall survival.
Conclusion: CRS combined with HIPEC is a viable and effective treatment option for patients with MPM and offers improved survival rates and an acceptable safety profile. These findings support the integration of this treatment modality into the management plan for select patients with MPM, although optimal management is still evolving.
Efficacy and safety of vascular-targeting agents plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients：A multicenter observational clinical trial
Authors: Luo Guanhong , Qin Guanjie , Su Yixin , Pan Yufei , Lu Jianxun , Xie Yueyun , Zhang Bin , Dai Jinxuan , Kong Xiangyun , Xie Yuan , Ruan Xiaolan , Mo Yunyan , Zhang Ruyun , Jiang Wei
Published: March 2024

Background: Platinum-based chemotherapy is important for the treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinomas (RM-NPCs). However, the prognosis of RM-NPC patients remains poor. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of vascular-targeting agentsplus chemotherapy for RM-NPC treatment.
Methods: This observational clinical trial, conducted at seven hospitals in Guangxi between January 2017 and December 2021, included 198 patients (158 males [79.8%]; median age, 51 years [IQR, 45–57years]). Chemotherapy was administered with and without vascular-targeting agents in 66 and 132 patients, respectively. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), assessed by a blinded independent review committee according to RECIST v.1.1. The secondary end points were overall survival (OS) and safety.
Results: After a median follow-up of 20 months, 31 (47.0%) and 82 (62.1%) deaths occurred in the combination therapy and chemotherapy alone groups, respectively. Median PFS was significantly higher in the combination group (7.0 months [95% CI, 5.7–8.3 months]) than in the chemotherapy alone group (5.0 months [95% CI, 4.1–5.9 months], P = 0.034), with a hazard ratio of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.54–0.98). The combination group exhibited a higher median OS compared to the chemotherapy alone group (37 months [95% CI, 21.3–52.7] vs. 20 months [95% CI, 13.0–27.0months], P = 0.047), representing a hazard ratio of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.45–0.97). In the combination therapy group, the most common adverse events were hypertension (n = 10/66 [15.1%]).
Conclusion: The addition of vascular-targeting agents to chemotherapy for RM-NPC patients provided superior efficacy compared to chemotherapy alone, along with a manageable safety profile.
Epidemiological and clinicopathologic characteristics, and prognostic factors of patients with Extra-skeletal Osteosarcoma
Authors: Liu Zhengzhong , Gao Fapeng , Du Li , Zhu Chenhua , Wang Yinan , Wu Haixiao , Musaev Elmar R. , Wang Jun , Zhang Chao , Liu Zheng
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors of Extra-skeletal Osteosarcoma (ESOS) and to establish and validate a prognostic model. The baseline information and survival outcome of patients was illustrated according to different primary tumor sites. The independent prognostic factors for ESOS were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. A nomogram was constructed using these prognostic factors to predict the prognostic survival of patients. Kaplan-Meier method was performed to estimate survival and both log-rank test and Wilcoxon-Breslow-Gehan test were used to compare the survival. A total of 4567 patients with osteosarcoma who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, including 4317 patients with osteosarcoma of bone and joint origin and 250 patients with ESOS. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year tumor-specific survival rates for ESOS were lower than those for skeletal osteosarcoma. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that older age at diagnosis, distant staging, and presence of bone metastases were independent risk factors affecting patient prognosis, and surgery of the primary site was an independent factor suggesting a better survival outcome. A nomogram was created based on these factors to predict OS at 1, 3 and 5 years in patients with ESOS. An internally validated nomogram consistency index showed satisfactory results between predictions. Primary focus surgery is an important factor in improving survival outcomes in patients with ESOS. The nomogram for predicting the prognostic of patients with ESOS was proved to be favorable accuracy and reliability. Such prognostic nomogram may assist clinicians optimize clinical treatment.
Fully Automated Unsupervised Learning Approach for Thermal Camera Calibration and An Accurate COVID-19 Human Temperature Tracking
Authors: Al-Azzawi Adil
Published: March 2024

During the past three years, people have suffered a lot from what the World Health Organization called the emerging Covid-19. The world lacked the means and methods for early detection of this virus, several methods were used traditional methods for detecting this virus, such as thermometers, a remote thermal detection gun, and other traditional methods. Most of these systems monopolized making profits or selling their camera products, as the prices of these cameras equipped with a temperature detection system exceeded three thousand dollars. An unsupervised model for real-time detection of thermal face skin temperature was proposed, despite the scarcity and availability of thermal video data, we found and used a database created at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, which contains clips of thermal video and RGB video. Where the two different videos were calibrated, and the congruence was measured by two measures, SSIM and Correlation, and then four methods of registration were used to achieve perfect congruence, and the congruence was also measured through the two previous measures, and then the K-means method was used to extract clusters, and then functions for post-processing were built, then, the thermal face skin was extracted by multiplying the binary face into the thermal face, and the temperature of the face was calculated by taking the average values of the thermal face skin pixels and converting them from Fahrenheit to Celsius. Satisfactory results were obtained for us, as temperatures were detected for some cases within the normal range, others below the normal range, and others higher than this rate.
Underwater Image Enhancement via Multi-Scale Feature Fusion Network Guided by Medium Transmission
Authors: Yang Hao , Cai Hongqin , Jiang Chenxu , Zhang Ruiteng , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2024

Due to the complexity of underwater imaging environments, images captured via optical vision systems often exhibit significant degradation. To combat this issue, we introduce a multi-scale feature fusion underwater image enhancement network, termed MFUNet. MFUNet is a novel multi-scale feature fusion network, guided by medium transmission, ensures the content integrity of the reconstructed image by leveraging interaction features among non-adjacent layers. This approach addresses the common problem of the loss of image detail features. Moreover, MFUNet enhances the response to high-frequency information by employing edge loss, thereby improving sensitivity to edges and textures. By deepening the network hierarchy, the image undergoes deep encoding and decoding, which maximizes the multi-color space encoder's and multi-scale feature fusion's potential in color representation and enhances the structural similarity and overall quality of the image. It is worth noting that we achieved superior performance by utilizing fewer model parameters. Extensive experiments across various datasets demonstrate that our method surpasses comparative methods in both visual quality and quantitative metrics.
Practical applications of deep learning: intelligent image hanging protocol for abdominal magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Han Xinjun , Xu Hui , Jiang Difei , Yu Zhixuan , Yu Niange , Yin Hongxia , Yang Dawei , Yang Zhenghan
Published: March 2024

Background
It is time-consuming to open an abdominal MR in traditional PACS and put all the image serials in the proper order before the radiological diagnosis. In this study, we aim to develop and validate an intelligent tool to assist radiologists in hanging abdominal MR images before radiological diagnosis.
Methods
Two independent cohorts were utilized in this study. The developing cohort included abdominal MR images of 1374 patients randomly collected from four centres, while the clinical evaluation cohort included images of 481 consecutive patients from one centre. A series of deep learning algorithms and rules were built to implement image preprocessing, sequence classification, and optimum sequence selection, which together enable full process automation for hanging images. The system was evaluated from two aspects: i) accuracy of discriminating MR sequences and phases and ii) performance in real clinical scenarios, including accuracy, applicability, and efficiency.
Results
The model had high accuracy in discriminating 13 common types of MR sequences and phases (the average accuracy was 99.1% and ranged from 96.2–100%). In clinical evaluation, the model successfully covered 98.5% of patients, and 85.9% of these achieved 100% accuracy in image alignment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that none of three factors, including contrast agent type, MR device, and liver background showed statistical significance as factors associated with model mistakes. With the assistance of this tool, the time spent on hanging images dropped from an average of 118.2 s per case to 22.2 s.
Conclusion
This intelligent tool can be used to assist radiologists in hanging abdominal MR images, reducing their workload, and improving efficiency.
Extracellular traps in peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction, a proposed biomarker for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Saisorn Wilasinee , Santiworakul Chanunya , Phuengmaung Pornpimol , Siripen Nuanpan , Rianthavorn Pornpimol , Leelahavanichkul Asada
Published: March 2024

Although the utilization of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) for the determination of lupus disease severity are mentioned, data from pediatric lupus are still very less. Then, 46 patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (83% females, mean age 15 ± 0.2 years) with 26 and 20 cases with normal and low complement, respectively, and 20 adult normal volunteers were analyzed. The parameters that could differentiate normal volunteers from lupus and between low versus normal complement lupus were serum IFN-α, serum CitH3 (citrullinated histone 3), and extracellular traps (ETs) in LDGs but not NETs (from regular-density neutrophils), LDGs or other parameters (such as endotoxemia, other cytokines, and serum dsDNA). Adding lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in LDGs further induced ETs in both low and normal complement groups indicating a property of inducible ETs. The activation by recombinant IFN-α or dsDNA in isolated neutrophils from adult healthy volunteers turns into LDGs (isolated by gradient separation after the induction) and NETs (from the LDGs portion as determined by immunofluorescent analysis using CitH3, myeloperoxidase, and neutrophil elastase staining) at 45 min and 3 h post-stimulation, respectively. At 3 h post-stimulation, approximately half of the LDGs turn into late apoptosis cells as evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of CD66b (an adhesion molecule) in LDGs induced by IFN-α or dsDNA was similarly more prominent than the regular-density neutrophils indicating a more profound activity of LDGs.
In conclusion, LDGs in lupus might be induced by IFN-α and/or dsDNA in patients with lupus which might be in the process of cell death through NETosis and apoptosis (the exacerbating processes of lupus disease activity). Although LDGs could not differentiate low versus normal complement lupus, the ETs in LDGs might be useful as another biomarker of disease activity in pediatric lupus. More studies are interesting.
Metabolomic analysis reveals the positive effects of Rhizopus oryzae fermentation on the nutritional and functional constituents of adlay millet seeds
Authors: Liu Caihua , Wei Jian , Shi Mingde , Huang Xunwen , Wang Zisong , Liu Qiuliu , Lang Tao , Zhu Zhengjie
Published: March 2024

Adlay millet seeds are well known for excellent health benefits. However, using fungal fermentation to improve their nutritional and functional constituents and the underlying mechanisms has not been thoroughly investigated. Herein, we used Rhizopus oryzae as starter and applied metabolomics combining with quantitative verification to understand the changes of the nutritional and functional profiles of adlay millet seeds. Results showed that a total of 718 metabolites from 18 compound classes were identified. The fermentation with R. oryzae varied 203 differential metabolites, of which 184 became more abundant and 19 got less abundant, and many components such as amino acids, nucleotides, vitamins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenols significantly increased after the fermentation process. Interestingly, we found that R. oryzae synthesized high levels of two important beneficial compounds, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide (β-NMN), with their contents increased from 0.56 to 370.26 μg/g and 0.55 to 8.32 μg/g, respectively. KEGG analysis of enriched metabolites revealed the amino acid metabolic pathways were important for conversion of the primary and secondary metabolites. Specifically, aspartate can up-regulate the biosynthesis of SAMe and β-NMN. These findings improved our understanding into the effects of R. oryzae fermentation on enhancing the nutritional and functional values of cereal foods.
’God is the one who give child’: An abductive analysis of barriers to postnatal care using the Health Equity Implementation Framework
Authors: Egger Emilie , Bitewulign Befikadu , Rodriguez Humberto Gonzalez , Case Haley , Alemayehu Abiyou Kiflie , Rhodes Elizabeth C. , Estifanos Abiy Seifu , Singh Kavita , Keraga Dorka Woldesenbet , Zahid Marukh , Magge Hema , Gleeson Dara , Barrington Clare , Hagaman Ashley
Published: March 2024

Background:Postnatal care is recommended as a means of preventing maternal mortality during the postpartum period, but many women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not access care during this period. We set out to examine sociocultural preferences that have been portrayed as barriers to care.Methods:We performed an abductive analysis of 63 semi-structured interviews with women who had recently given birth in three regions of Ethiopia using the Health Equity Implementation Framework (HEIF) and an inductive-deductive codebook to understand why women in Ethiopia do not use recommended postnatal care.Results:We found that, in many cases, health providers do not consider women’s cultural safety a primary need, but rather as a barrier to care. However, women’s perceived refusal to participate in postnatal visits was, for many, an expression of agency and asserting their needs for cultural safety.Trial registration:n/aConclusions:We propose adding cultural safety to HEIF as a process outcome, so that implementers consider cultural needs in a dynamic manner that does not ask patients to choose between meeting their cultural needs and receiving necessary health care during the postnatal period.
Evidence of coinfection of African swine fever virus genotype X and Porcine parvovirus type 3 at pig farms in the North Kivu province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Ntagereka Patrick Bisimwa , Kinimi Edson , Shukuru Dieudonné Wasso , Mushagalusa Elie Ntale Ya , Basedeke Jean-Paul Mugisho , Bantuzeko Fabrice , Bashimbe Justin Aksanti , Tonui Ronald , Baenyi Simon Patrick , Birindwa Ahadi Bwihangane
Published: March 2024

Background
African swine fever virus (ASFV) and Porcine parvovirus (PPV) are highly contagious viral pathogens that can cause devastating diseases in the pig industry. The absence of studies on the coinfection of ASFV and PPV in North Kivu raises concerns, especially given the uncontrolled movement of pigs and pig products between North and South Kivu in neighbouring countries where both diseases have been reported in domestic and wild pigs. A multifaceted approach was carried out to identify putative pathogens and risk factors associated with the transmission and spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) and PPV coinfections at pig farms in North Kivu province.
Materials and methods
A structured questionnaire was administered to collect risk factors associated with ASFV and PPV transmission dynamics, alongside 117 blood samples collected from domestic pigs and tested for the presence of ASFV and PPV using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The resulting PCR amplification products were sequenced using the standard Sanger sequencing method.
Results and Discussion
The results of Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that free-ranging system of pigs (OR = 3.64 95% CI: 1.076–12.92) is a major risk factor positively associated with ASFV and PPV3 infections (OR = 4.82, 95% CI: 1.06–20.86) at pig farms in North Kivu Province, eastern DRC. Free-ranging systems, where pigs roam outdoors, may increase the risk of exposure to infected vectors, wildlife reservoirs, or contaminated environments, thereby facilitating the spread of ASFV and PPV3. From thirteen PCR-positive pigs for ASFV (23.5%), four were co-infected with PPV. Phylogenetic analysis of ASFV p72 and p54 protein genes revealed that ASFV field isolates belong to genotype X whilst PPV clustered with porcine reproductive virus (PPV type 3). Owing to the transboundary nature of ASFV and PPV3 infections, viruses can easily spread across borders. This highlights the need for enhanced surveillance, early detection, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent and control the spread of these diseases regionally and internationally.
Genetic evidence for causal effects of immune cell traits on risk for endometriosis: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Ying , Sun Fenyong , Wu Han , Yue Chaoyan , Man Qiuhong
Published: March 2024

Previous studies have identified associations between immune cell traits and endometriosis, but the causality of these relationships remains uncertain. 731 immune cell signatures associated Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were extracted from a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 472,174 individuals, while endometriosis data, including four stages and seven subtypes, were obtained from the FinnGen consortium. Four methods were used for Mendelian randomization. The causal effect of immune cell traits on endometriosis was explored after Bonferroni correction. Significant causal relationship included 92 immune cell traits distributed among B cell (28 cells), cDC (2 cells), Maturation stages of T cell (10 cells), Monocyte (12 cells), Myeloid cell (5 cells), TBNK (13 cells) and Treg panels (22 cells). In the reverse Mendelian randomization analysis, a one-unit increase in the log odds of endometriosis of the ovary risk corresponded to a decrease in the Absolute Count of CD4+ CD8dim T cell by 0.10. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of the causal effects of immune cell traits on the risk/protection of different stages/subtypes of endometriosis. The findings highlight the complex and significant role of immune-derived factors in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Monitoring Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Circulating Tumor DNA
Authors: Chen Jennifer H. , Addanki Sridevi , Roy Dhruvajyoti , Bassett Roland , Kalashnikova Ekaterina , Spickard Erik , Kuerer Henry M. , Meas Salyna , Sarli Vanessa N. , Korkut Anil , White Jason B. , Rauch Gaiane M. , Tripathy Debu , Arun Banu K. , Barcenas Carlos H. , Yam Clinton , Sethi Himanshu , Rodriguez Angel A. , Liu Minetta C. , Moulder Stacy L. , Lucci Anthony
Published: March 2024

Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis. We aimed to determine whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cell (CTC) could predict response and long-term outcomes to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).
Methods: Patients with TNBC were enrolled between 2017-2021 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX). Serial plasma samples were collected at four timepoints: pre-NAC (baseline), 12-weeks after NAC (mid-NAC), after NAC/prior to surgery (post-NAC), and one-year after surgery. ctDNA was quantified using a tumor-informed ctDNA assay (SignateraTM, Natera, Inc.) and CTC enumeration using CellSearch. Wilcoxon and Fisher’s exact tests were used for comparisons between groups and Kaplan-Meier analysis used for survival outcomes.
Results: In total, 37 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 50 and majority of patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (34, 91.9%) with clinical T2, (25, 67.6%) node-negative disease (21, 56.8%). Baseline ctDNA was detected in 90% (27/30) of patients, of whom 70.4% (19/27) achieved ctDNA clearance by mid-NAC. ctDNA clearance at mid-NAC was significantly associated with pathologic complete response (p =0.02), whereas CTC clearance was not (p = 0.52). There were no differences in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) with positive baseline ctDNA and CTC. However, positive ctDNA at mid-NAC was significantly associated with worse OS and RFS (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0034, respectively).
Conclusions: Early clearance of ctDNA served as a predictive and prognostic marker in TNBC. Personalized ctDNA monitoring during NAC may help predict response and guide treatment.
Power Requirements for Olive Mechanical Harvesting Using Trunk Shaker
Authors: Ghonimy Mohamed , Ibrahim M. M. , Helmy Haythem S. , Alzoheiry Ahmed
Published: March 2024

A mathematical analysis was done to predict the power requirements of the olive trunk shaker. The predicted required power of the olive trunk shaker is affected by shaking displacement, fruit detachment force, fruit mass, stem length, damping ratio, unbalanced mass of tree shaker, and exciting shaking frequency. The Olive trunk shaker was tested in the field at three attachment heights, 400, 600, and 800 mm, and six levels of olive trunk diameter: 78, 84, 101, 143, 158, and 186 mm. The results showed that the theoretical shaking power was 12.8 kW while the actual required shaking power ranged between 8.4 to 16.7 kW, with an average of 12.7 kW due to differences in tree trunk diameters and different attachment heights. Multiple regression using the least square method was used to find a statistical relation between the theoretical equation and the actual required power as a function of the clamp attachment height and the trunk diameter. The regression coefficient of the predicted equation was 91.2% for attachment height values between 400 and 800 mm and tree trunk diameter values between 78 and 186mm, and the mean absolute error of the prediction model was 0.5174 kW.
Smart Factory Advancement in Industry 4.0: Exploring Barriers and Strategic Approaches through Empirical Investigation
Authors: Bagherian Anthony , Srivas Arun Lal Lal , Mukherjee Subhodeep Subhodeep
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the barriers and strategies related to the installation of smart factories in the manufacturing domain, with a focus on the manufacturing industry integrated with a German company as a case study. Utilizing the Best Worst Method (BWM), 47 performance variables were assessed and ranked in nine key groups, revealing significant factors that influence the installation of the smart factory. Technological challenges, complexity, and integration emerged as critical priorities, emphasizing the essence of robust IT infrastructure and agile software development practices. Additionally, e-waste management and energy efficiency were highlighted as imperative aspects for sustainable smart factory operations. Ethical considerations, including worker safety standards and data governance, were emphasized for ethical and societal sustainability. Theoretical implications elucidate the contribution to existing knowledge by identifying and ranking key barriers, revealing effective strategies, and expanding understanding in specific areas such as e-waste management and ethical supply chain methodology. Practical contributions offer insight to optimize the design and implementation of smart factories, focusing on strategic prioritization, comprehensive planning, and ongoing adaptation. Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge limitations, including the reliance on expert opinions, sector-specific applicability, and the need for larger sample sizes. Future research avenues could include cross-industry comparative studies and the incorporation of cutting-edge technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). Ultimately, this research offers insightful knowledge about the challenges and opportunities of smart factory installation in the manufacturing sector, particularly in Germany. By clarifying identified barriers and adopting recommended strategies, organizations could navigate the complex landscape of smart factory adoption and contribute to the ongoing digital conversion of the industrial sector.
Changes in gene expression align with behavioural differences in reproductive choices in a social beetle.
Authors: Regon Preetom , Schudoma Christian , Moncaz Aviad , Harari Ally R , Kliot Adi
Published: March 2024

Social animals often share their colony with individuals of different relatedness levels and life stages. In most social insects, the society structure consists of only one or a few reproducing females in the colony. When no reproductive depression is in place, a fertile female must, therefore, choose whether to stay with its natal group and limit her reproductive potential or leave to establish a new colony. The factors governing and following this reproductive decision are still largely unknown.
The date stone beetle, Coccotrypes dactyliperda (Curculiondae), resides in intricate galleries carved inside date seeds. Sib mating is common in this species, and the inbreeding coefficient is high. While most females in a natal group stay and raise their offspring with their sisters, some females leave the group to start a colony of their own, regardless of the resources available within the natal group.
In this study, we hypothesized that dispersing females should present physiological changes consistent with the anticipated challenges, including finding a host and egg laying, while the physiology of females that stay in the natal seed should demonstrate adaptation related to cohabiting in an existing nest. To test our hypothesis, we examined the development of ovaries in females that left the natal seed and their sisters that remained in the seed. In addition, we sequenced and analysed the transcriptome of pooled groups of females that left the natal seed and their sisters that stayed. Our physiological and transcriptomic results indicate that females that left the natal seed exhibit greater ovarian development compared to females that remained in the seed. Our transcriptomic data revealed further differences between the two groups, including genes related to nest-mate recognition and other physiological adaptations.
Our study is the first to link behaviour, physiological changes and transcriptomic analyses with decision-making in relation to reproductive strategies in a social beetle.
Randomized coordinate descent method for inconsistent tensor linear systems with t-product.
Authors: Ke Ni-hong , Jiang Yu-rui , Yin Jun-feng
Published: March 2024

A randomized coordinate descent method is proposed for solving inconsistent tensor linear systems with t-product. Theoretical analysis proves that the new method converges to the least-squares solution of the system in expectation at a linear convergence rate, which is faster than the tensor randomized extended Kaczmarz method. Its Fourier version is also analyzed, and the convergence property is provided. Numerical experiments verify the efficiency of the tensor randomized coordinate descent methods, which outperform the existing iterative methods in solving inconsistent tensor linear systems.
Mathematics Subject Classification 65F10 · 65F20
The relationship between nutritional status and prognosis in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients in palliative care: an observational cohort study
Authors: MAO Ting , Yorke Janelle , ZHANG Xiaoju , SHI Yan , WANG Jingyi , KONG Xiaoqian , Lam Ka Wai , LIU Qi , YANG Funa , HO Ka Yan
Published: March 2024

Objective The study aimed to determine the nutritional status and its prognostic effect on survival of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.
Methods An observational cohort study design was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. The study consisted of 202 advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients from a palliative care unit. The following data was collected from the patients: biochemical indicators, i.e. anemia (hemoglobin levels), albumin, pre-albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and anthropometric parameters, i.e. body mass index, nutritional status by Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), symptoms in nutrition by a structured questionnaire and performance status by Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). Severe malnutrition was confirmed with the PG-SGA score of ≥9. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test were used to calculate overall survival (OS). The effect of nutritional status on survival was performed by Cox regression analysis.
Results Severe malnutrition was found in 71.3% of patients according to the cutoff of the PG-SGA. PG-SGA score ≥ 9, albumin level < 35 g/L and CRP level ≥10 mg/L predicted shorten life expectancy. Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that PG-SGA score ≥ 9 and the albumin level < 35 g/L were predictive of OS.
Conclusion Our data supported that severe malnutrition was a predictor for OS in advanced GI cancer patients. Information on nutritional status should be considered to individualize palliative care plan for these patients, and hence improve their quality of life.
Postoperative CT Evaluation of Anterior-inferior Tibiofibular Ligament Anatomical Repair and Augmentation with an Anchor-rope System
Authors: wang Sijie , Ren Yapeng , Wang Chengliang , Hao Dongsheng
Published: March 2024

Background
This study aimed to evaluate syndesmosis injury treatment involving anatomical repair of the anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) and augmentation with an anchor-rope system and to evaluate the reduction of the syndesmosis through computed tomography (CT).
Methods
This retrospective analysis included 34 patients treated for syndesmotic injuries at our hospital between July 2018 and February 2022. All 34 patients underwent anatomical repair of the AITFL and augmentation with an anchor-rope system. Plain radiography and CT scans were obtained preoperatively. Postoperative radiographic assessments included anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and CT scans of both ankles. Additionally, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score was used for postoperative assessment of the ankle.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 38.3 ± 16.0 (range, 16–72) years. The mean follow-up time was 16.2 ± 4.1 (range, 12–25) months. Malreduction occurred in five cases (14.7%) in our study. No significant differences were observed in any of the measurements between the affected and normal sides in the remaining patients after surgery. No complications, such as delayed wound healing, lateral pain, or fracture nonunion, occurred in any patient. The mean AOFAS score at the last follow-up was 95.9 ± 5.2 points (range, 82–100 points).
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that anatomical repair of the AITFL and augmentation with an anchor-rope system can effectively reduce syndesmosis and achieve good radiologic and patient-reported outcomes.
NRF2 signaling plays an essential role in cancer progression through the NRF2-GPX2-NOTCH3 axis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jin Xiaoye , Lou Xiayuan , Qi Haoxiang , Zheng Chao , Li Bo , Siwu Xuerong , Lv Qiaoli , Zhao An , Ruan Jian , Jiang Ming
Published: March 2024

Background: The activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) has been observed in various cancers. Yet its exact contribution to the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains undetermined.
Methods: We systematically investigated the role of NRF2 in HNSCC, ultimately selecting GPX2, which exhibited a marked downregulation, for a detailed mechanistic analysis. Firstly, we knocked out NRF2 by CRISPR-Cas9, and subsequently confirmed by RT-qPCR and Western Blot. The role of NRF2was evaluated through various assays, including cell growth assays, colony formation assays, 3D cultures, cell migration and invasion assessments, ROS detection, and xenograft tumor models. Furthermore, we performed RNA sequencing on NRF2-KO cells compared to NRF2-WT cells identified GPX2 as a downstream target of NRF2. This finding led us to examine the role of GPX2 in the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Notably, CSC analysis indicated the involvement of the NOTCH signaling pathway in HNSCC progression, and the critical role of NOTCH3 was confirmed using the serious experimental approaches mentioned earlier.
Results: We previously found that NRF2 signaling is critical for the differentiation of squamous basal progenitor cells, while disruption of NRF2 causes basal cell hyperplasia. In this study, we revealed a correlation between elevated NRF2 activity and poor outcomes in HNSCC patients. We demonstrated that NRF2 facilitates tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion, as evidenced by both in vitro and in vivo studies. Significantly, NRF2 augments the expression of the antioxidant enzyme GPX2, thereby enhancing the proliferative, migratory, and invasive properties of HNSCC cells. Activation of GPX2 is critical for sustaining CSCs by up-regulating NOTCH3, a key driver of cancer progression.
Conclusions: NRF2 regulates HNSCC progression through the NRF2-GPX2-NOTCH3 axis. Our findings proposed that pharmacological targeting of the NRF2-GPX2-NOTCH3 axis could be a potential therapeutic approach against HNSCC.
A rare case of prosthetic joint infection caused by group D Salmonella
Authors: Barbiero Anna , Graziani Lucia , Piccica Matteo , Raspanti Francesco , Zanna Luigi , Mugnaini Marco , Attala Letizia , Pietro Massimo Antonio Di
Published: March 2024

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are gaining growing attention as a health-care issue. Salmonella spp. is a rare cause of PJI, mostly involving hip-arthroplasty rather than knee arthroplasty. Therefore, indications for the best management of PJI involving knee-arthroplasties caused by Salmonella spp. are not clear. We report a case of knee-PJI caused by group D Salmonella, successfully treated with a two-stage revision surgery and appropriate antibiotic therapy, based on antimicrobial susceptibility of the cultural isolate. Such challenging cases evidence that clinical success is achievable through appropriate medical and surgical management, combined with a strong collaboration between orthopedics and infectious disease specialists.