bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified Technique of Hepatojejunostomy for Biliary Tract Reconstruction After Resection of Perihilar Tumors: A case series
Authors: Kuang Yi , Ji Ran , Yuan Tao , Liu Menggang
Published: September 2023

Backgrounds:Radical resection is the most effective treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Biliary tract reconstruction after resection is one of the key steps in this surgery. Mucosa-to-mucosa cholangiojejunostomy is traditionally performed, in which the bile ducts at the resection margin are separately anastomosed to the jejunum. However, this approach is associated with long operative time and high risk of postoperative complications. The present study presents a modified technique of hepatojejunostomy, and its outcomes.
Methods:The data of patients who underwent hepatojejunostomy using the modified technique at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China, from January 2016 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed.
Results:A total of 13 patients with perihilar tumors underwent R0 resection and bilioenteric reconstruction using the modified hepatojejunostomy technique during the study period. During the operation, the alignment of the bile duct stumps was improved, the posterior wall of the anastomosis was reinforced, internal stents were placed in the smaller bile ducts, external stents were placed in the larger bile ducts, and hepatojejunostomy was performed using 4-0 prolene. No serious postoperative complications, such as death or bile leakage, occurred during the hospitalization. Furthermore, there were no cases of biliary stricture or cholangitis after the six-month follow-up period.
Conclusion:The modified hepatojejunostomy technique is a safe and effective technique of biliary reconstruction after the resection of perihilar tumors. This can be easily performed for difficult cases with multiple bile ducts that require reconstruction after resection.
Risk factors of temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement associated with dental malocclusion: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Qu Guanlin , Bu Lingtong , Shen Pei , Xie Qianyang , Ge Jing , Luo Yi , Ma Zhigui , Yang Chi
Published: September 2023

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement (ADD) in relation to dental malocclusion.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, a clinical examination was conducted on patients aged 11–35 years who visited the TMJ and Orthodontic Clinic at a hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ was performed to diagnose both ADD and condylar resorption (CR). Occlusal measurements were obtained and analyzed using 3D scanning models.
Results
A total of 552 patients underwent TMJ MRI examination and dental occlusion scanning. The presence of mandibular midline shift > 2 mm and posterior crossbite were found to be associated with unilateral ADD (OR > 1, p < 0.05). Additionally, apart from these malocclusions, anterior open bite > 3 mm showed a strong correlation with unilateral ADD accompanied by CR (OR > 1, p < 0.05). Furthermore, overbite > 4 mm and posterior crossbite were associated with bilateral ADD (OR > 1, p < 0.05). In addition to these malocclusions, Angle Class II malocclusion, overjet > 5 mm, and anterior open bite > 3 mm were strongly correlated with bilateral ADD accompanied by CR (OR > 1, p < 0.05).
Conclusions
In conclusion, our study highlights the significance of occlusal characteristics in relation to TMJ health. Specific malocclusions, such as mandibular midline shift > 2 mm, posterior crossbite, and overbite > 4 mm appear to be associated with the presence of TMJ ADD. Angle Class II malocclusion, anterior open bite and overjet > 5 mm seem to be associated with progression of ADD. These findings emphasize the crucial importance of early detection and management of malocclusions to prevent or minimize the development of TMJ ADD and associated complications.
Effects of inappropriate cause-of-death certification on mortality from cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus in Tonga
Authors: Figueroa Carah , Linhart Christine , Dearie Catherine , Fusimalohi Latu , Kupu Sioape , Morrell Stephen , Taylor Richard
Published: September 2023

Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus are major health issues in Tonga and other Pacific countries, although mortality levels and trends are unclear. We assess the impacts of cause-of-death certification on coding of CVD and diabetes as underlying causes of death (UCoD).
Methods:
Tongan records containing cause-of-death data (2001–2018), including medical certificates of cause-of-death (MCCD), were assigned an UCoD using International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) coding. Deaths without recorded cause were included to ascertain total mortality. Alternative UCoD were assigned following reallocation of diabetes and hypertension from Part 1 of the MCCD (direct cause) to Part 2 (contributory cause) if potentially fatal complications were not recorded. CVD and diabetes mortality estimated using alternative certification was compared with estimates using unaltered certification.
Results:
ver 2001–18, in ages 35-59 years, alternative CVD mortality was higher than unaltered CVD mortality in men (p=0.043) and women (p=0.15); for 2010-18, alternative versus unaltered measures in men were 3.3/103 (95%CI: 3.0-3.7/103) versus 2.9/103 (95%CI: 2.6-3.2/103), and in women were 1.1/103 (95%CI: 0.9-1.3/103) versus 0.9/103 (95%CI: 0.8-1.1/103). Conversely, alternative diabetes mortality rates were significantly lower than the unaltered rates over 2001–18 in men (p<0.0001) and women (p=0.013); for 2010-18, these measures in men were 1.3/103 (95%CI: 1.1-1.5/103) versus 1.9/103 (95%CI: 1.6-2.2/103), and in women were 1.4/103 (95%CI: 1.2-1.7/103) versus 1.7/103 (95%CI: 1.5-2.0/103). Diabetes mortality rates increased significantly over 2001–18 in men (unaltered: p<0.0001; alternative: p=0.0007) and increased overall in women (unaltered: p=0.0015; alternative: p=0.014).
Conclusions:
Diabetes reporting in Part 1 of the MCCD, without potentially fatal diabetes complications, has led to over-estimation of diabetes, and under-estimation of CVD, as UCoD in Tonga. This indicates the importance of controlling various modifiable risks for atherosclerotic CVD (including stroke) including hypertension, tobacco use, and saturated fat intake, besides obesity and diabetes. Accurate certification of diabetes as a direct cause of death (Part 1) or contributory factor (Part 2) is needed to ensure that valid UCoD are assigned. Examination of multiple cause-of-death data can improve understanding of the underlying causes of premature mortality to better inform health planning.
Long-term outcomes of nephrectomy before kidney transplantation in patients with polycystic kidney disease
Authors: First Leia , Schwartz Doron , Schwartz Idit F. , Goykhman Yaacov , Baruch Roni , Ben-Bassat Orit Kliuk , Shashar Moshe , Cohen-Hagai Keren , Nacasch Naomi , Grupper Ayelet
Published: September 2023

Background:
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disorder. In most patients the disease progresses to end stage kidney disease, which is treated preferably by kidney transplantation. In certain clinical circumstances, a pretransplant nephrectomy is indicated. Data regarding long term outcomes of pretransplant nephrectomy is limited.
In this study, we aimed to compare patient and graft survival, as well as other long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation, between patient with PKD who had a pretransplant nephrectomy and those who have not.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 112 adult kidney transplant recipients with PKD, 36 (32.14%) of which underwent a pretransplant nephrectomy.
Results:
In a mean follow-up period of 79 and 129 months (for patients who underwent nephrectomy and patients who did not, respectively), no significant differences were found in patient and graft survival, after adjustment to age and donor type. In addition, rate of hospitalizations, urinary tract infections requiring hospitalization, diabetes mellitus and erythrocytosis post-transplant were similar in both cohorts.
Conclusions:
Pre-transplant nephrectomy in patients with PKD is not associated with increased risk of mortality and other long term complications following kidney transplantation.
Risk factors and pathogenic bacteria of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection in patients with emergency hemorrhagic shock: a single-center retrospective Study from 2016 to 2022 in a Teaching Hospital in China
Authors: Zhu Jianping , Xu Yanxin , Wu Shaohong , Wang Feiyao , Zhang Weixing , Wang Ruilan
Published: September 2023

Objective
To investigate and analyze the risk factors and pathogenic bacteria of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection in patients with emergency hemorrhagic shock.
Methods
According to the inclusion criteria, 249 patients with hemorrhagic shock and central venous catheterization admitted to the emergency department of Shanghai General Hospital from June 2016 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and divided into the infection group (54 cases) and the non-infection group (195 cases) according to whether catheter-related bloodstream infection occurred.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection and various influencing factors. The etiological and drug susceptibility test data of peripheral venous blood culture, puncture site samples and catheter tip samples from patients with central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection were statistically analyzed.
Results
There were significant differences in age, catheterization location, ultrasound-guided puncture, APACHE ⅱ score, catheter indwelling time and application of broad-spectrum antibiotics between the infected group and the non-infected group (P < 0.05). Staphylococcus epidermis accounted for 44.6%, Escherichia coli 23.2%, and fungi 12.5% in 54 infected patients. The lowest resistance rate of Gram-positive cocci was to vancomycin(3.4%),followed by tetracycline 34.5%,and the highest resistance rate was to amoxicillin 100.0%.
Conclusion
The risk factors of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection in patients with emergency hemorrhagic shock include advanced age,femoral vein catheterization,non-ultrasound-guided puncture,high APACHE ⅱ score,catheter retention time,and application of broad-spectrum antibiotics.Staphylococcus epidermis the common pathogen of central venous catheterization related infection in emergency hemorrhagic shock patients.
A Two-Pronged Approach to Understanding Reciprocity and Mental Health Relationship in Developing Countries: Evidence from Young Informal Construction Workers in Nigeria.
Authors: Oladosu Ayomide Oluwaseyi , Chanimbe Timothy
Published: September 2023

BackgroundMental health problems disproportionately affect young people in developing countries. However, there is limited research on help-seeking behaviours and the social support systems that improve mental wellbeing among vulnerable youth populations.ObjectiveThis mixed-methods study aimed to examine the relationship between social support reciprocity and mental health among young informal construction workers in Nigeria, a population at high-risk for occupational and socioeconomic stressors.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to 686 informal workers to measure reciprocity, mental health-related quality of life, and covariates. In-depth interviews with 32 participants provided qualitative context.ResultsQuantitative analyses showed 25% of participants reported poor mental health. Reciprocity positively predicted mental health after controlling for covariates. Qualitative findings revealed reciprocity occurs directly between individuals as well as indirectly through trade unions and religious groups. Indirect exchanges through groups helped address limitations of direct support due to limited resources.ConclusionsThis study fills important gaps in understanding how social relationships impact mental health in developing country contexts. Findings emphasize the role of collective action and community-based support systems in promoting mental wellbeing among vulnerable populations. Insights can inform culturally relevant, systems-level mental health interventions.
Early detection of graft incompatibility in Sweet cherry by internode association and callus fusion techniques
Authors: jalali arezoo , Ganjimoghaddam Ebrahim , marjani ali
Published: September 2023

Scion-rootstock incompatibility is one of the most problems in fruit trees. The study evaluated predicted compatibility/ incompatibility by internode association and callus fusion techniques. Two factorial experiments were as laid out with an incompletely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Treatment including the first factor, four levels of sweet cherry cultivars (‘Bing’, ‘Takdaneh’, ‘Siyah Mashhad’, and ‘Adli’) and the second factor, four levels of rootstocks (‘Gisela-5’, ‘Gisela-6’, ‘Mahaleb’ (M-168), and ‘GF-305’). Results showed significant differences in total phenolic content, peroxidase, and starch content in internode association and callus fusion experiments. ‘GF-305’ (incompatible) rootstock had the lowest success rate of grafts on all cultivars, while ‘Gisela-6’ rootstock showed the highest success rate of grafts on ‘Siyah Mashhad’ and ‘Bing’ cultivars. Both experiments showed that in incompatible grafts, an increase in total phenol content and peroxidase activity and a decrease in grafts' success rate were observed. The degree of compatibility was significantly and positively correlated with the graftʼs success rate while significantly and negatively correlated with total phenol content and peroxidase activity. In both experiments, no clear trend was observed regarding starch content and graftʼs success rate. The regression analysis results showed that phenol compounds in both experiments significantly affected the graft's success rate and the degree of compatibility. Therefore, our finding leads to the conclusion that phenolic compounds (mostly) and peroxidase activity can be used to pre-screen for incompatible grafts. Moreover, the callus fusion technique can be a quick way to predict (in)compatibility of graft in sweet cherry.
Role of miR-128-3p and miR-195-5p as biomarkers of coronary artery disease In Indians: A Pilot study
Authors: Choudhury Raj Rajeshwar , Gupta Harshi , Bhushan Sudha , Singh Archna , Roy Ambuj , Saini Neeru
Published: September 2023

Coronary artery disease (CAD) imposes a significant economic burden in developing countries like India. Timely diagnosis and treatment should be prioritized to mitigate the disease. Current diagnostic tools being invasive and less specific raise the need to develop less invasive and more reliable molecular biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of molecules that can serve as a potential source of non-invasive biomarkers for CAD. The objective of this study was to determine the potential of circulatory miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in CAD. In this study, we have reported two microRNAs, miR-128-3p and miR-195-5p in the serum of CAD patients in Indian Population. A total of 54 subjects were recruited which included 33 angiographically proven CAD patients and 21 control subjects. Our results show a significant downregulation in the levels of miR-128-3p in CAD patients while there were no significant changes in the levels of miR-195-5p. Further bioinformatics analysis revealed the potential role of miR-128-3p in cholesterol homeostasis. Altered homeostasis due to cholesterol accumulation in macrophages is the driving force behind formation of foam cells which in turn accelerates the progression of CAD. Here, we have shown that miR-128-3p increases cholesterol levels in macrophages by decreasing cholesterol efflux in-vitro.
COSMIC-based mutation database enhances identification efficiency of HLA-I immunopeptidome
Authors: Wang Fangzhou , Zhang Zhenpeng , Mao Mingsong , Yang Yudai , Xu Ping , Lu Shichun
Published: September 2023

Background: Neoantigens have emerged as a promising area of focus in tumor immunotherapy, with several established strategies aiming to enhance their identification. Human leukocyte antigen class I molecules (HLA-I), which present intracellular immunopeptides to T cells, provide an ideal source for identifying neoantigens. However, solely relying on a mutation database generated through commonly used whole exome sequencing (WES) for the identification of HLA-I immunopeptides, may result in potential neoantigens being missed due to limitations in sequencing depth and sample quality.
Method: In this study, we constructed and evaluated an extended database for neoantigen identification, based on COSMIC mutation database. This study utilized mass spectrometry-based proteogenomic profiling to identify the HLA-I immunopeptidome enriched from HepG2 cell. HepG2 WES-based and the COSMIC-based mutation database were generated and utilized to identify HepG2-specific mutant immunopeptides.
Result: The results demonstrated that COSMIC-based database identified 5 immunopeptides compared to only 1 mutant peptide identified by HepG2 WES-based database, indicating its effectiveness in identifying mutant immunopeptides. Furthermore, HLA-I affinity of the mutant immunopeptides was evaluated through NetMHCpan and peptide-docking modeling to validate their binding to HLA-I molecules, demonstrating the potential of mutant peptides identified by the COSMIC-based database as neoantigens.
Conclusion: Utilizing the COSMIC-based mutation database is a more efficient strategy for identifying mutant peptides from HLA-I immunopeptidome without significantly increasing the false positive rate. HepG2 specific WES-based database may exclude certain mutant peptides due to WES sequencing depth or sample heterogeneity. The COSMIC-based database can effectively uncover potential neoantigens within the HLA-I immunopeptidomes.
Cross Cultural Adaptation, Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version of the University of Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index
Authors: Sheikhi Bahram , Akbari Hadi , Heiderscheit Bryan
Published: September 2023

Background
The University of Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index (UWRI) was developed to evaluate running ability after a running-related injury. The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the UWRI into Persian (UWRI-Persian) and to investigate its psychometric properties in patients with a running-related injury.
Methods
The UWRI-Persian was translated using the Beaton guidelines. One-hundred-and-seventy-three native Persian patients with running-related injuries were participated. The convergent validity of the UWRI-Persian was evaluated using the Pearson correlation with the pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ), Tampa scale for Kinesiophobia (TKS), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Test-retest reliability was tested among 64 patients who completed the form again after seven days.
Results
The UWRI-Persian showed excellent internal consistency for total score (α = 0.966). An excellent internal consistency (α = 0.922) was shown for psychological response and good internal consistency (α = 0.887) for running progression. The interclass correlation coefficient for the UWRI-Persian total scores was 0.965 (95% CI, 0.942 to 0.979), indicating high intra-rater reliability. The UWRI-Persian demonstrated a moderate correlation with the PSEQ (r = 0.425) and the TSK (r = 0.457). The UWRI-Persian showed a weak correlation with the VAS (r = 0.187). These findings suggest no floor or ceiling effects.
Conclusions
The UWRI is a reliable and valid tool for Persian-speaking patients with running-related injuries. The UWRI was successfully translated from English to Persian and demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency, validity and reliability with no floor or ceiling effects.
An automatic damping-matching method for eliminating 87.64% damping asymmetry of MEMS vibratory gyroscope in rate mode
Authors: Zhou Tong , Ren Jingbo , Zhou Yi , Li Yixuan , Su Yan
Published: September 2023

The damping asymmetry error is a prominent factor influencing the static performance of fully symmetrical Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) vibratory gyroscopes. To eliminate this error and enhance the gyroscope's static performance, this paper introduces a method for real-time identification and automatic matching of the damping asymmetry error in rate mode. By leveraging the vibration characteristics of the fully symmetrical MEMS vibratory gyroscope in rate mode, dedicated online test methods are devised to determine the quality factors for both the drive and sense modes, enabling online identification of the damping asymmetry error. Furthermore, an automatic damping-matching system is devised utilizing the mechanical-thermal dissipation mechanism of a resistive damper. The effectiveness of this proposed method is validated through simulations and experiments conducted on a MEMS disk resonator gyroscope (DRG). The experimental results show an accuracy within 4% for quality factor identification, while automatic damping matching effectively reduces the damping asymmetry error by 87.64%. Employing this automatic damping-matching method successfully diminishes the zero-input bias caused by damping asymmetry error in the MEMS DRG from 0.1067°/s to 0.0249°/s and improves bias instability from 0.3985°/s to 0.1878°/s.
Treatment strategy for infantile neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification or gain based on MYCN immunohistochemistry: a report of two cases
Authors: Haga Yoichi , Nakazawa Atsuko , Okamatsu Chizuko , Matsuoka Masaki , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Kuroiwa Minoru , Ohara Akira
Published: September 2023

Background
MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma almost always expresses the MYCN protein. MYCN amplification is one of the crucial risk factors for a poor prognosis. However, there are scattered cases in which MYCN protein expression is absent despite MYCN amplification, making it difficult to evaluate the prognostic importance of MYCN amplification. Recently, the usefulness of MYCN protein expression in the histological diagnosis of neuroblastoma has been reported, but there are only a few cases of treatment intensity reduction based on negative protein expression despite MYCN amplification.
Case presentation:
Herein, we report two cases of infantile neuroblastoma—a 3-month-old girl and 10-month-old boy with stage 4S and 2B neuroblastoma, respectively—with MYCN amplification or gain without MYCN expression. The 3-month-old girl with stage 4S disease was initially treated with one course of chemotherapy before biopsy due to hepatomegaly causing abdominal compartment syndrome. MYCN amplification was evident, but MYCN expression was negative; therefore, treatment intensity was reduced and autologous stem cell transplantation was not performed. The 10-month-old boy with stage 2B showed MYCN gain on initial biopsy, but was negative for MYCN expression. Therefore, he was treated with conventional chemotherapy and surgery. Both patients were treated with conventional chemotherapy and 13-cis-retinoic acid without autologous stem cell transplantation. They remained disease free for 10 and 7 years post-resection, respectively. These two cases led us to speculate that MYCN protein expression more closely reflects the nature of a tumor than MYCN amplification or gain.
Conclusions
Nevertheless, chemotherapy could be optimized based on histological features and MYCN expression rather than MYCN amplification or gain. It is expected that MYCN expression will be considered as a factor in determining treatment intensity for MYCN-amplified or -gain tumors.
Jackknife empirical likelihood for variance of two sample compound Poisson processes
Authors: Cheng Conghua
Published: September 2023

The compound Poisson process has a wide range ofapplications in many fields. Among these applications, the varianceis a very important quantity. For financial investment event, sometimes the investors may be more concerned about the magnitude ofrisk than return. In this article, we propose a nonparametric methodbased on jackknife empirical likelihood ratio to test the differenceequality of the two variances for two compound Poisson processes. Itshows that the log-empirical likelihood ratio statistic for thedifference of two variance of two sample compound Poisson processesconverges to χ2(1)$ as t→∞ in distribution.The simulation results show that the empirical likelihood ratiomethod is applicable. The proposed method has been applied to a realdata set to illustrate the method.
2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 62M86
Medical Error Reporting Among Healthcare Workers in a Kenyan Tertiary Level Hospital: A KAP Study
Authors: Okutoyi Lydia , Godia Pamela , Adam Mary , Sitati Fred , Jaoko Walter
Published: September 2023

Background
Medical Error Reporting (MER) enables organizations to characterize safety events, learn from them, and mitigate their recurrence in the future. However, Medical Error Reporting is inconsistently practiced by healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, practice and attitude towards MER at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a tertiary care teaching and referral hospital in Kenya that serves Kenya and the East and Central African regions.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers at KNH between February and September 2022. Three hundred and eighty-two (382) participants were purposively sampled from different cadres and divisions of the hospital to represent the full spectrum of HCW the hospital employed. Participants were recruited via email, departmental WhatsApp groups or during departmental meetings. Data was collected via the participants’ choice of an online link or a paper pencil format using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire.
Results
The majority of surveyed staff 265 (71%), were aware of the need for MER and of the MER form. Two-hundred fifty-two (68%) of the participants reported having encountered MER in the past two years, yet only 138 (38.1%) had filled out a MER form to formally report the error. These 138 participants had filled out a total of 758 forms over the past two years. Most of the participants, 292 (86.1%), correctly defined patient safety. Nurses were 3 times more likely to report medical errors than doctors OR 3.26 (95% CI:1.82, 5.94)
Conclusion
The HCWs underreport medical errors at KNH. Nurses are significantly more likely than doctors to report medical errors. Improved reporting from doctors may require training to increase awareness of the existence of a reporting system and of the need to report. At the management level, there is an opportunity to develop a more positive reporting culture that will likely improve the MER systems' use.
Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis in Foxes and Raccoon Dogs and Changes of Gut Microbiota of Infected Female Foxes in Hebei and Henan Province in China
Authors: Song Pengtao , Guo Yunan , Zuo Shoujun , Li Liangliang , Zhang Tao , Dai Hongyu , Dong Haiju
Published: September 2023

Pentatrichomonas hominis (P. hominis) is a zoonotic parasite with a wide range of hosts causing gastrointestinal diseases in host. The present study aimed to evaluate the infection rate of P. hominisamong caged foxes and raccoon dogs and the effect of P. hominis on gut microbiota in female foxes in Hebei and Henan province in China. The result showed that the total infection rate of P. hominis in foxes and raccoon dogs was 31.69% (283/893). The infection rates of P. hominis in foxes and raccoon dogs were 28.21% (88/312) and 33.56% (195/581), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all P. hominisdetected in the present study were zoonotic genotype CC1. Compared with P. hominis-negative group, the diversity of gut microbiota in P. hominis-positive group were lower. At the phylum level, the abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) in P. hominis-positive group were lower relative to P. hominis-negative group. While the abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were higher in P. hominis-positive group relative to that of P. hominis-negative group. At the genus level, the abundances of Streptococcus spp., Lactobacillusspp., Prevotella spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. increased in P. hominis-positive group, while the abundance of Clostridiaceae - Clostridium spp. decreased in P. hominis-positive group relative to that of P. hominis-negtive group. Overall, the present study evaluated the prevalence of P. hominis in Henan and Hebei province and found that the infection of P. hominis interrupted the diversity of gut microbiota in female foxes.
Effects of a live vs heat-inactivated probiotic Bifidobacterium spp in preterm infants (the ProPara study)- a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Athalye-Jape Gayatri , Esvaran Meera , Patole Sanjay , Nathan Elizabeth , Doherty Dorota , Sim Edric , Chandrasekaran Lakshmi , Kok Chooi , Schuster Stephan , Conway Patricia
Published: September 2023

Background
Heat-inactivated probiotics may provide an effective alternative to live probiotics by avoiding the risk of probiotic sepsis, altered immune responses and antimicrobial resistance while retaining probiotic benefits.
Objective
We assessed safety and efficacy of a heat-inactivated probiotic in very preterm (VP: gestation < 32 weeks) infants.
Methods
VP infants were recruited including a pre-planned subgroup of extremely preterm (EP: gestation < 28 weeks). Mixture of heat-inactivated (HP) or live probiotic (P) strains B. breve M-16V, B. longum subsp. infantis M-63, B. longum subsp. longum BB536 (Total 3 x109 CFU/day) assuring blinding. Primary outcomes included fecal calprotectin (FCP) levels and safety. Secondary outcomes included fecal microbiota assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA and shotgun sequencing and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in samples collected after the 1st (T1) and 3rd (T2) week of supplementation.
Results
86 VP (P:43; HP:43) infants were randomized. Median (range) FCP was lower at T2 vs T1 in both HP [75 (8-563) vs 109 (5.1–725) µg/g; p = 0.22] and P [80 (21–277) vs 105 (11–842) µg/g; p = 0.4] groups. Total FCP and SCFA were comparable between HP vs P groups at T1 and T2 (p > 0.05). Propionate was significantly raised in both groups, whilst butyrate was significantly raised in HP group (all p < 0.01). At T2, alpha diversity increased but was comparable and beta diversity showed significantly different community structures in both groups (all p < 0.01). Actinobacteria significantly increased and Bacteroidetes decreased at T2 vs T1 for both groups (p < 0.05). Bifidobacteriacae increased (p < 0.001) whilst Staphylococcaceae decreased (p < 0.05) for both groups. Bifidobacteriacae, B. longum subsp. infantis and B. longum subsp. longum levels were comparable. Clinical outcomes were comparable and there were no adverse events.
Conclusions
Heat-inactivated probiotic was safe and well tolerated, with an intestinal anti-inflammatory effect comparable to live probiotic. Adequately powered randomised trials are needed to assess its clinically significant effects in preterm infants.
Trial Registration ID and URL
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000489291); ANZCTR - Registration
Identification of FAT4 Mutation as a Prognostic Marker for Overall Survival and Immune Landscape in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Zhetao , Wang Yan , Wang Ying , Li Zhaoshui , Wang Kuo , ZHENG Xin
Published: September 2023

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Though many genomic alterations are known, their functional impacts are poorly understood.
Methods: We used the TCGA database to study somatic mutations in the FAT4 gene and its correlation with tumor mutation burden (TMB). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FAT4 mutated and wild-type LUAD were identified. Functional enrichment and survival models were constructed using various statistical methods. We also assessed the immune microenvironment and potential therapeutics for high-risk subgroups using the connectivity map (CMap).
Results: FAT4 is altered in 15.52% of LUAD cases and correlates with higher TMB. Four genes (TCN1, SCGB3A2, C4BPA, CYP4B1) were identified as prognostic signatures. High-risk subtypes displayed poorer overall survival, higher Macrophage M0 levels, and higher PD-L1 expression. Potential therapeutics targeting PLA2G1B were identified for high-risk subtypes.
Conclusion: FAT4 mutations serve as a novel biomarker for LUAD, providing insights into survival and immune microenvironment.
The association between trimethylamine N-oxide levels and ischemic stroke occurrence: a meta-analysis and mendelian randomization study
Authors: Hu Xinhua , Ren Haiyan , Cao Yuan
Published: September 2023

Background Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), an intestinal microbiota-derived choline metabolite, has been found to be associated with ischemic stroke (IS) in more and more studies. However, the causal role of TMAO on IS occurrence remains perplexing.Methods We comprehensively screened the related clinical studies on PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. Case-control and cohort studies that reported the TMAO levels of both IS patients and healthy controls were included. A meta-analysis of the retrieved publications was performed to analyse the connection between TMAO levels and IS events. Besides, a mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to study the causal effect of TMAO on IS, with pooled data of TMAO and IS obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS); and the following methods were used: MR-Egger, weighted median, inverse-variance weighted, simple mode, and weighted mode.Results Eight cohort or case-control studies covering 2444 cases and 1707 controls were identified. The pooled data indicated that the IS patients tended to have higher TMAO levels compared with the controls (mean difference: 1.97 µM; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87, 3.07; P = 0.0005), while distinctive heterogeneity (I2 = 96%, P < 0.00001) was observed. Sub-group analysis revealed that the heterogeneity of the studies might be derived from the studies themselves. However, no causal effect of TMAO on IS was observed (P > 0.05) in the mendelian randomization analysis of this study.Conclusion We confirmed that IS patients tend to have higher TMAO levels than healthy individuals, while our findings of MR analysis did not support the causal role of TMAO in IS occurrence. Therefore, more studies are required for a better understanding of the relationship between TMAO levels and IS onset.
Lettuce evapotranspiration and crop coefficients using eddy covariance and remote sensing observations
Authors: French Andrew , Sanchez Charles A. , Hunsaker Douglas J. , Anderson Raymond G. , Saber Mazin N. , Wisniewski Elzbieta
Published: September 2023

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a high-value crop for irrigation districts in the low deserts of the USA Southwest. To ensure maximal crop quality, negligible soil salinity stress, minimal nutrient loss and reduced pathogen susceptibility, lettuce irrigation must meet, but not exceed, crop water use requirements. Lettuce crop water use information is outdated in this region: prior studies were conducted at least four decades ago (1960–1980) and do not represent current varieties, management practices, and climate. To address this shortcoming, we studied 12 commercial sites in Yuma, Arizona, USA between 2016 and 2020 to update lettuce water use requirements and crop coefficients. The study measured crop evapotranspiration (ETc) using eddy covariance observations at 8 iceberg and 4 romaine sites, where planting dates varied throughout the fall. Observed ETc and remote sensing data were used to model the daily soil water balance and derive crop coefficients: single (Kc), basal (Kcb), and soil evaporation (Ke). The analysis was supported by lettuce crop height estimates and fractional vegetative cover (fc) via remote sensing. Days to maturity averaged 75 ± 15 and 89 ± 12 days for romaine and iceberg, respectively. Seasonal lettuce ETc averaged 278 ± 24 mm and cumulative irrigation applied averaged 340 ± 78 mm. Lettuce Kc for sites varied from 0.90 ± 0.13 to 1.19 ± 0.11 and Kcb from 0.20 ± 0.05 to 1.01 ± 0.11 for the initial and mid-season growth stages, respectively. Average days to maturity were 1134 and 810 C-days for growing and enhanced degree day metrics. The study updates information that can guide more efficient lettuce irrigation management.
An Inquiry into Green Innovation and Eco-Efficiency of Sustainable Development Demonstration Belt in China
Authors: Tan Feifei , Niu Zhiyuan
Published: September 2023

Promoting green innovation is crucial in attaining sustainable development through reconciling environmental degradation and economic prosperity. This research examines the influence of green innovation on eco-efficiency within the ecological civilization demonstration zone in China, exploring its driving factors and implementation mechanisms. We developed comprehensive evaluation systems to measure both urban green innovation and eco-efficiency, making use of the SBM model with undesired output to gauge the ecological efficiency of urban areas. Additionally, it explores the spatial impact of green innovation on urban eco-efficiency by employing the Spatial Durbin model. This research found that green innovation and urban eco-efficiency showed fluctuating upward trends but that regional heterogeneity existed among the three regions. Specifically, the lower reaches performed the best in green innovation, with the middle and upper reaches following closely behind. In parallel, the eco-efficiency level of the middle reaches exhibited the highest levels, succeeded by the lower and upper portions of the lower and upper reaches. Our findings confirmed that green innovation promotes eco-efficiency by pursuing economic growth while reducing externalities. Technological progress and industrial restructuring induced by green innovation practices were identified as two key drivers of the improvement in eco-efficiency, and we also discussed the spillover effect of eco-efficiency. The study's insights provide valuable guidance to policymakers and stakeholders seeking to leverage green innovation practices to promote long-term and healthy urban development.
Numerical simulation of a novel spiral microchannel for continuous isolation of bacteria from blood cells
Authors: Ye Wu , Liu Ming , Zhu Huancheng , Huang Yuxiang , Ding Wen , Li Qi , Zhao Ming
Published: September 2023

Pathogens constitute a substantial threat to public health worldwide, and a quick and effective method to isolate bacteria from the blood is critical for improving pathogen detection accuracy. However, difficulties such as limited processing throughput and isolation efficiency persist in the isolation of bacteria from vast quantities of blood cells. In this study, a novel spiral microchannel with gradually variable widths was constructed by employing the Dean flow sorting concept for the continuous separation of bacteria from blood cells. The effect of the width change on the separation performance was compared using numerical simulations. The results revealed that microchannels with a constant width achieved 100 % separation efficiency and purity at a total flow rate of 1.65 mL/min, whereas microchannels with increasing widths achieved the same separation performance at a total flow rate of 2.31 mL/min. When focusing, separation, and pressure drop are considered, a microchannel with an expanded width offers considered benefits in terms of throughput. This innovative design is ideal for efficient bacterial isolation from infected blood, while also shortening the time required for bacterial pretreatment.
Unveiling the Role of PSD95 Phosphorylation after Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights from Phosphoproteomic Analysis
Authors: Zhang Zhongxiang , Cheng Jin , Li Gang , Yu Jiangtao , Wang Pengcheng , Liu Ruining , Jiang Cheng , Xiang Zhijun , Ma Haoli , Zhao Yan
Published: September 2023

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public health problem. Pathophysiology of TBI remains unclear. Thus, methods of TBI treatment are limited. Phosphorylation plays a vital role in many neurological diseases, including TBI. As an emerging technique, phosphoproteomic has been widely applied in many fields.
Methods Rats were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI) or divided to sham group. Protein was extracted from cortex, digested and labeled by iTRAQ. After undergoing mass spectrometry (MS), differential expressed phosphorylated sites was identified (DEPSs), and proteins of these DEPSs (DEPPs) were also listed. DEPPs were analyzed by Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI). PSD95 was chosen as a target protein for further research. ZL006 was used to treat TBI rats. Lesion volume was calculated by ImageJ. TUNEL and DAPI was used for immunofluorescence and apoptotic rate was calculated.
Results A total of 2753 phosphorylation sites spanning 1001 proteins are identified. A total of 221 DEPSs are identified. Phosphorylation of PSD95 in serine 417 and 418 are significantly upregulated after TBI. PSD95 has most interactions (19) with other DEPPs. After ZL006 treatment, brain lesion volume and apoptotic rate are alleviated significantly.
Conclusions After TBI, PSD95 is phosphorylated significantly in S417 and S418. ZL006 potently remits lesion volume and decreases apoptotic rate in TBI rats.
On the supply dynamics of scandium, global resources, production, oxide and metal price, a prospective modelling study using WORLD7
Authors: Sverdrup Harald Ulrik , Sverdrup Antoniy Elias
Published: September 2023

The scandium production rate and price data for scandium oxide and scandium metal was extracted from various sources. Data for extractable resources of scandium were found and evaluated by application of estimated yields. The feasible extractable resource is about 6.1 million ton, and with present technology, about 676,000 ton scandium appear as potentially extractable. The potential for scandium extraction is about 1,500 ton/year at present, but only about 45 ton per year was produced in 2022. With improved extraction and access yields, production could be increased to about 450 ton per year, and the scandium resource would increase to about 1.5 million ton. The investigation suggests that there will be an increased demand for scandium metal in the future, but that it is limited by the high price and the lack of a properly functioning market and by a lack of production infrastructure. The scandium market show signs of being disorganized and unstructured. Modelling of future scandium production was done using the WORLD7 integrated assessment model, after development of a scandium module. Simulations show that the price will remain relatively high, but lower than in the past. The most uncertain factor for predicting the price is the size of the demand. The main limitation for making scandium metal is high energy costs and low extraction yields.
Provider’s node attributes contribute to maternal health and birth outcomes
Authors: Deng Songyuan , Bennett Kevin
Published: September 2023

Background: Birth outcomes are deteriorating in the United States. These deteriorating birth outcomes can be partially explained by the medical needs during pregnancy. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing decline in the supply of obstetricians/gynecologists in the American workforce. Despite this shortage, providers can coordinate care through referral networks for pregnant women to ensure that necessary care can be accessed. This study aims to investigate the association between the network characteristics of prenatal care (PNC) providers and measures of maternal health and birth outcomes.
Methods: This unbalanced time-series study utilised a South Carolina Medicaid claims dataset of live births in facilities during 2015-2018. The sample included providers (nodes) who served pregnancies with continuous Medicaid enrollment. Node attributes include patient volume, the percentage of shared patients, the number of peer connections (degree), and community size. Four dummy variables were created as independent variables to indicate an increase or not in each node attribute during two successive years. Interested outcomes were the annual PNC frequency, cost, and the percentages of C-section, preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW, < 2,500 grams). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Linear regressions with repeated measures were utilised due to the nature of repeated measures for the same provider in multiple years. Covariates controlled for patient, provider and area characteristics.
Findings: The probability of an increase in the four node characteristics ranged from 41.3% to 56.0%. Increased patient volume and increased degree were associated with utilisation and birth outcomes in bivariate analysis without or with repeated measure. In the adjusted model, however, increased patient volume was only associated with decreased risks of preterm birth (coefficient: -0.92, p < 0.01) and increased degree was only associated with visit numbers (coefficient: .10, p < .001). In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, increased community size was significantly associated with decreased risks of preterm birth (coefficient: -2.57, p < .001) and LBW (coefficient: -1.09, p < .001).
Conclusions: Providers with increased node attributes may deliver more services and improve birth outcomes. The current study suggests that policy should encourage and support necessary referrals.
Machine learning prediction of pathological complete response and overall survival of breast cancer patients in an underserved inner-city population
Authors: Dell’Aquila Kevin , Vadlamani Abhinav , Maldjian Takouhie , Fineberg Susan , Eligulashvili Anna , Chung Julie , Adam Richard , Hodges Laura , Hou Wei , Makower Della , Duong Tim Q
Published: September 2023

Background. Generalizability of predictive models for pathological complete response (pCR) and overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients requires diverse datasets. This study employed four machine-learning models to predict pCR and OS up to 7.5 years using data from a diverse and underserved inner-city population. Methods. Demographics, staging, tumor subtypes, income, insurance status, and data from radiology reports were obtained from 475 breast cancer patients on neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 01/01/2017 to 12/31/2021 in an inner-city health system. Logistic regression, Neural Network, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosted Regression models were used to predict outcomes (pCR and OS) with five-fold cross validation. Results. pCR was not associated with age, race, ethnicity, differentiation, income, and insurance status (p > 0.05). ER-/HER2 + showed the highest pCR rate, followed by triple negative, ER+/HER2+, and ER+/HER2- (p < 0.05), tumor staging (p = 0.011), tumor size (p < 0.003) and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) (p < 0.03) were associated with pCR. Machine-learning models ranked ER+/HER2-, ER-/HER2+, tumor size, and BPE as top predictors of pCR (AUC = 0.74–0.76). OS was associated with race, pCR status, tumor subtype, and insurance status (p < 0.05), but not ethnicity and incomes (p > 0.05). Machine-learning models ranked tumor stage, pCR, nodal stage, and triple negative subtype as top predictors of OS (AUC = 0.83–0.85). When grouping race and ethnicity by tumor subtypes, neither OS nor pCR were different due to race and ethnicity for each tumor subtype (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Tumor subtypes and imaging characteristics were top predictors of pCR in our inner-city population. Insurance status, race, tumor subtypes and pCR were associated with OS. Machine-learning models accurately predicted pCR and OS.