bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preterm preeclampsia screening and prevention: a comprehensive approach to implementation in a real-world setting
Authors: Ronzoni Stefania , Rashid Shamim , Santoro Aimee , Mei-Dan Elad , Barrett Jon , Okun Nanette , Huang Tianhua
Published: January 2025

Background

Preeclampsia significantly impacts maternal and perinatal health. Early screening using advanced models and primary prevention with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid for high-risk populations is crucial to reduce the disease’s incidence. This study assesses the feasibility of implementing preterm preeclampsia screening and prevention by leveraging information from our current aneuploidy screening program in a real-world setting with geographic separation clinical site and laboratory analysis site.

Methods

A prospective cohort study involved pregnant individuals undergoing nuchal translucency scans between 11 and 14 weeks. Risk for preterm preeclampsia was assessed using the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm, which includes maternal risk factors, uterine artery Doppler, mean arterial pressure and serum markers (Placental growth factor, PlGF and Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, PAPP-A). High-risk patients were offered low-dose acetylsalicylic acid prophylaxis. Feasibility outcomes, such as recruitment rates, protocol adherence, operational impact, integration with existing workflows, screening performance and pregnancy outcomes, were evaluated.

Results

Out of 974 participants, 15.6% were deemed high-risk for preterm preeclampsia. The study achieved high recruitment (82.1%) and adherence rates, with 95.4% of high-risk patients prescribed low-dose acetylsalicylic acid. Screening performance, adjusted for low-dose acetylsalicylic acid use, showed a detection rate of 88.9–90% (FPR 13.0% and 12.7%) for preterm preeclampsia. High-risk group for preeclampsia had higher incidences of adverse outcomes, including preterm preeclampsia (7.5 vs 0.4%; p < 0.001), preterm delivery (21.2 vs 6.2%; p < 0.001), low birth weight (23.3 vs 5.6%; p < 0.001) and birthweight < 10th percentile (11% vs 5.6%; p = 0.015) compared to low-risk group. The integration of preeclampsia screening had a minimal effect on the time required for aneuploidy screening, with results obtained within a rapid turnaround time.

Conclusions

The study confirms the feasibility of integrating comprehensive preeclampsia screening into clinical practice, notwithstanding geographic separation between laboratory and clinical settings. It underscores the need for broader adoption and enhanced infrastructure to optimize patient care and outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.

Trial registration

Clinical trial: NCT04412681 (2020–06-02).
High-reward, high-risk technologies? An ethical and legal account of AI development in healthcare
Authors: Corfmat Maelenn , Martineau Joé T. , Régis Catherine
Published: January 2025

Background

Considering the disruptive potential of AI technology, its current and future impact in healthcare, as well as healthcare professionals’ lack of training in how to use it, the paper summarizes how to approach the challenges of AI from an ethical and legal perspective. It concludes with suggestions for improvements to help healthcare professionals better navigate the AI wave.

Methods

We analyzed the literature that specifically discusses ethics and law related to the development and implementation of AI in healthcare as well as relevant normative documents that pertain to both ethical and legal issues. After such analysis, we created categories regrouping the most frequently cited and discussed ethical and legal issues. We then proposed a breakdown within such categories that emphasizes the different - yet often interconnecting - ways in which ethics and law are approached for each category of issues. Finally, we identified several key ideas for healthcare professionals and organizations to better integrate ethics and law into their practices.

Results

We identified six categories of issues related to AI development and implementation in healthcare: (1) privacy; (2) individual autonomy; (3) bias; (4) responsibility and liability; (5) evaluation and oversight; and (6) work, professions and the job market. While each one raises different questions depending on perspective, we propose three main legal and ethical priorities: education and training of healthcare professionals, offering support and guidance throughout the use of AI systems, and integrating the necessary ethical and legal reflection at the heart of the AI tools themselves.

Conclusions

By highlighting the main ethical and legal issues involved in the development and implementation of AI technologies in healthcare, we illustrate their profound effects on professionals as well as their relationship with patients and other organizations in the healthcare sector. We must be able to identify AI technologies in medical practices and distinguish them by their nature so we can better react and respond to them. Healthcare professionals need to work closely with ethicists and lawyers involved in the healthcare system, or the development of reliable and trusted AI will be jeopardized.
Derivation and validation of a clinical predictive model for longer duration diarrhea among pediatric patients in Kenya using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Ogwel Billy , Mzazi Vincent H. , Awuor Alex O. , Okonji Caleb , Anyango Raphael O. , Oreso Caren , Ochieng John B. , Munga Stephen , Nasrin Dilruba , Tickell Kirkby D. , Pavlinac Patricia B. , Kotloff Karen L. , Omore Richard
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite the adverse health outcomes associated with longer duration diarrhea (LDD), there are currently no clinical decision tools for timely identification and better management of children with increased risk. This study utilizes machine learning (ML) to derive and validate a predictive model for LDD among children presenting with diarrhea to health facilities.

Methods

LDD was defined as a diarrhea episode lasting ≥ 7 days. We used 7 ML algorithms to build prognostic models for the prediction of LDD among children < 5 years using de-identified data from Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa study (N = 1,482) in model development and data from Enterics for Global Health Shigella study (N = 682) in temporal validation of the champion model. Features included demographic, medical history and clinical examination data collected at enrolment in both studies. We conducted split-sampling and employed K-fold cross-validation with over-sampling technique in the model development. Moreover, critical predictors of LDD and their impact on prediction were obtained using an explainable model agnostic approach. The champion model was determined based on the area under the curve (AUC) metric. Model calibrations were assessed using Brier, Spiegelhalter’s z-test and its accompanying p-value.

Results

There was a significant difference in prevalence of LDD between the development and temporal validation cohorts (478 [32.3%] vs 69 [10.1%]; p < 0.001). The following variables were associated with LDD in decreasing order: pre-enrolment diarrhea days (55.1%), modified Vesikari score(18.2%), age group (10.7%), vomit days (8.8%), respiratory rate (6.5%), vomiting (6.4%), vomit frequency (6.2%), rotavirus vaccination (6.1%), skin pinch (2.4%) and stool frequency (2.4%). While all models showed good prediction capability, the random forest model achieved the best performance (AUC [95% Confidence Interval]: 83.0 [78.6–87.5] and 71.0 [62.5–79.4]) on the development and temporal validation datasets, respectively. While the random forest model showed slight deviations from perfect calibration, these deviations were not statistically significant (Brier score = 0.17, Spiegelhalter p-value = 0.219).

Conclusions

Our study suggests ML derived algorithms could be used to rapidly identify children at increased risk of LDD. Integrating ML derived models into clinical decision-making may allow clinicians to target these children with closer observation and enhanced management.
Larviciding for malaria control and elimination in Africa
Authors: Newby Gretchen , Chaki Prosper , Latham Mark , Marrenjo Dulcisária , Ochomo Eric , Nimmo Derric , Thomsen Edward , Tatarsky Allison , Juma Elijah O. , Macdonald Michael
Published: January 2025

Background

Global progress toward malaria elimination and eradication goals has stagnated in recent years, with many African countries reporting increases in malaria morbidity and mortality. Insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying are effective, but the emergence and increased intensity of insecticide resistance and the challenge of outdoor transmission are undermining their impact. New tools are needed to get back on track towards global targets. This Perspective explores the major challenges hindering wider-scale implementation of larviciding in Africa and identifies potential solutions and opportunities to overcome these barriers.

Larviciding in Africa: overview, challenges, and solutions

Larviciding is a valuable vector control tool with strong potential for regional scale-up. There is considerable evidence of its effectiveness, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends it as a supplemental intervention. However, malaria programmes hoping to implement larviciding face significant barriers, including (1) poor global technical, policy, and funding support; (2) fragmented implementation and experience; (3) high complexity of delivery and impact evaluation; and (4) limited access to the full range of WHO prequalified larvicide products. Strategic barriers related to global policy and donor hesitancy can be overcome through a coordinated demonstration of cost-effectiveness. Technological advancements and strengthened operational capacity have already overcome technical barriers related to larvicide delivery, targeting, coverage, and evaluation. Developing a Community of Practice platform for larviciding has strong potential to consolidate efforts, addressing the challenge of fragmented implementation and experience. Such a platform can serve as a resource center for African malaria programmes, collating and disseminating technical guidance, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and aiding malaria programmes and partners in designing and evaluating larviciding projects.

Conclusion

The global shift toward targeted and adaptive interventions enables the incorporation of larviciding into an expanded vector control toolbox. As more African countries implement larvicide programmes, establishing a regional Community of Practice platform for exchanging experiences and best practices is necessary to strengthen the evidence base for cost-effective implementation, advocate for support, and inform policy recommendations, thus supporting Africa’s progress toward malaria elimination.
Assessment of typing methods, virulence genes profile and antimicrobial susceptibility for clinical isolates of Proteus mirabilis
Authors: Salama Lamiaa A. , Saleh Hazem Hamed , Abdel-Rhman Shaymaa H. , Barwa Rasha , Hassan Ramadan
Published: January 2025

Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) is one of the most important causative pathogens associated with complicated urinary tract infections with a 20% incidence. For epidemiological determinations, several phenotypic and molecular typing methods have been implicated. Sixty P. mirabilis isolated undergo antibiotic susceptibility test by standard Kirby Bauer method. They showed high resistance to nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole that appear mainly in 3rd age group. The 2nd age group comprised most of the resistant isolates to the tested antibiotics. A total of 73.33% of isolates were classified as multi drug resistance (MDR) and 78.3% of isolates were distributed in several antibiotypes with MAR index over 0.2. Twenty-one isolates were strong biofilm-producers and they were significantly related to MDR. Different virulence factors as protease, urease and hemolysin production are detected. Detection of several virulence genes by PCR; zapA and ureC were harbored by all isolates, followed by rsbA (95%), ureA and flaA (93%), hpmA (91.7%) and mrpA (73.3%). Determination of genetic diversity between isolates was performed by different methods (RAPD, ISSR, ERIC, BOX-AIR and REP-PCR) by using several parameters as typeability and discriminatory power indicating that ERIC-PCR was the best method followed by REP-PCR 1R. Rand’s & Wallace coefficients were used for calculating the congruence among typing methods. Conclusions: The results obtained from both conventional and molecular typing methods indicated that molecular methods are superior to conventional methods in the discrimination of isolates. ERIC-PCR and Rep-PCR provide high discrimination ability among P. mirabilis clinical isolates contributing to epidemiological studies.
Protective effects of Notoginsenoside R2 on reducing lipid accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy through regulation of c-Src
Authors: Guo Xieyi , Yang Liu , An Xiaoning , Hu Maofang , Shen Yilan , Wang Niansong , Xu Youhua , Gui Dingkun
Published: January 2025

Background

The treatment options to delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), a key contributor to chronic kidney disease (CKD), are urgently needed. Previous studies reported that traditional Chinese medicine Panax notoginseng (PNG) exerted beneficial effects on DN. However, the renoprotective effects of Notoginsenoside R2 (NR2), an active component of PNG, on DN have not been investigated. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of NR2 in DN and explore its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

In vivo models were developed using db/db mice, while in vitro models utilized HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and palmitic acid (HGPA). Online databases and Cytoscape software were employed to predict the potential targets of NR2. The expression of associated proteins was measured using immunohistochemistry and western blot. Lipid accumulation, oxidative stress levels, mitochondrial function and cell apoptosis were also assessed. Small interfering RNA was used in in vitro experiments to examine the effect of c-Src.

Results

NR2 ameliorated albuminuria, renal function and renal pathology in db/db mice. The activation of c-Src was suppressed in db/db mice and in HK-2 cells exposed to HGPA. NR2 inhibited JNK/STAT1 phosphorylation and CD36 overexpression. NR2 also ameliorated lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. By inhibiting c-Src, HK-2 cells exposed to HGPA experienced less lipid deposition and mitochondrial damage, indicating the renoprotective effects of NR2 were correlated with the inhibition of c-Src.

Conclusion

NR2 ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and delayed the progression of DN partly through suppression of c-Src. The protective effects of NR2 might be related to a reduction in lipid accumulation.

Graphical Abstract
Comparison of whole genome sequencing performance from fish swabs and fin clips
Authors: Macphee Annabell , Oriowo Temitope Opeyemi , Sternberg Nils , Stange Madlen
Published: January 2025

Objective

Fin clipping is the standard DNA sampling technique for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of small fish. The collection of fin clips requires anaesthesia or even euthanisation of the individual. Swabbing may be a less invasive, non-lethal alternative to fin-clipping. Whether skin and gill swabs are comparable to fin clips in terms of DNA extraction quality and sequence read mapping performance from WGS was tested here on Eurasian minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus).

Results

Of 49 fin clips, all met the DNA concentration threshold of 20 ng/μl, whereas 43 of 88 swabs met this requirement. Preserving swabs in ATL buffer and treatment with Proteinase K during DNA extraction consistently raised skin swab DNA concentrations above the cut-off. All samples passed the A260/A280 absorbance ratio cut-off of 1.3. Ultimately, 93.88% of the fin clips, 30.61% of the skin, and 7.69% of the gill swabs were suitable for sequencing. Mapping performances of all three tissues were comparable in reads passing quality filtering, percentage of reads mapping to the P. phoxinus reference genome, and coverage. Overall, skin swabs treated with Proteinase K during extraction, can match fin clips in WGS performance and represent a viable non-invasive DNA sampling alternative.
Biosafety characteristics and antibacterial activity of probiotic strains against Streptococcus mutans, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Park Jeong-Yong , Lee Ji Yeon , Kim YongGyeong , Kim Byoung-Kook , Kim Byung Kwon , Choi Soo-Im
Published: January 2025

Background

Oral diseases with high prevalence worldwide are recognized as severe health problems. Probiotics are used to prevent oral diseases, including dental caries, oral malodor, periodontitis, and subgingival plaque. In this study, we aimed to confirm the antibacterial effect of probiotics on oral pathogens and to assess their characterization and safety as probiotics.

Methods

The antibacterial effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MG4706, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MG4715, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri MG4722 on the growth biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis were evaluated. We also investigated the production of antibacterial substances (H2O2 and reuterin) by these strains and their ability to adhere to oral epithelial cells. The safety of L. reuteri MG4722 was verified through whole-genome sequencing analysis and antibiotic susceptibility, lactate dehydrogenase activity, hemolytic activity, and bile acid hydrolase activity. The reuterin biosynthesis genes of L. reuteri MG4722 were identified using genomic analysis.

Results

L. reuteri MG4722 significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. gingivalis and suppressed the biofilm formation by A. actinomycetemcomitans. In addition, it showed considerable adhesion ability to oral epithelial cells. L. reuteri MG4722 produced H2O2 and reuterin as antibacterial substances, as confirmed by the presence of genes encoding the antibacterial compounds reuterin, reuteran, and reutericyclin. L. reuteri MG4722 showed no hemolysis, bile salt hydrolase activity, antibiotic resistance or toxicity to HT-29 cells, and no antibiotic-resistance genes were identified.

Conclusion

L. reuteri MG4722 demonstrated antibacterial effects on oral pathogens by producing antibacterial substances and adhering to oral epithelial cells. These results suggest that L. reuteri MG4722 could be an effective probiotic for oral health.
Proteomic analysis of murine norovirus-infected Raw 264.7 cells reveals the induction of Ras GTPases
Authors: Yun Sung Ho , Rahman Md Arif-Ur , Nam Soo-Bin , Kim Soo Hyeon , Kim Gyuri , Cho Kun , Choi Jong-Soon
Published: January 2025

The human norovirus (abbreviated as HuNV) is the most common agent responsible for acute viral gastroenteritis. Despite being recognized as a water-borne pathogenic virus for a long time, the cellular tropism of norovirus has not yet been clearly explained. The main reason is the lack of appropriate cell culture and animal model systems for HuNV infection. Murine norovirus (abbreviated as MNV) is often used as a proxy for human norovirus when trying to understand the expression profiles left behind by norovirus infection in a host. In the current study, the host response to MNV was examined using the macrophage Raw 264.7 in terms of the altered host proteomes. After MNV infection, host Raw 264.7 cell lysates were collected for proteome profiling at the time points of 0.5 hpi (early phase, control), 16 hpi (mid-phase), and 24 hpi (late phase). LC–MS analysis was employed for label-free shotgun proteomics on the host cell proteomes. The progression of MNV infection status was monitored using an immunofluorescence-conjugated noroviral capsid protein VP1 and a confocal microscope. The up-regulation of Ras GTPases such Rab5A and Rab6A was found to be implicated in norovirus gastroenteritis, as revealed by proteomic profiling. Consequently, the recognition of Ras-related proteins can lead to a better understanding of how noroviral infection affects the immune system of the host cell.
Investigation into the influence of mild hypothermia on regulating ferroptosis through the P53-SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway in sepsis-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Tao Liujun , Xu Jie , Jiang Liangyan , Hu Juntao , Tang Zhanhong
Published: January 2025

Background

Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (S-ALI) significantly contributes to unfavorable clinical outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests a novel role for ferroptosis in the pathophysiology of ALI, though the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Mild hypothermia (32–34 °C) has been shown to inhibit inflammatory responses, reduce oxidative stress, and regulate metabolic processes. P53 has been reported to downregulate the transcriptional activity of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), thereby limiting cystine uptake. This reduction in cystine availability compromises the activity of Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a cystine-dependent enzyme, ultimately increasing cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis. However, it remains unclear whether mild hypothermia exerts protective effects through the P53-SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway. This study investigates the influence of mild hypothermia on ferroptosis mediated by the P53-SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway in S-ALI.

Methods

This study utilized both in vivo and in vitro models. In the vivo model, 64 Sprague–Dawley rats were employed, with 40 analyzed for survival outcomes. Sepsis was induced using the cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) method, after which rats were subjected to either normothermic (36–38 °C) or mild hypothermic (32–34 °C) conditions for a duration of 10 h. Twelve hours post-surgery, blood samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung tissue samples were harvested for histological analysis, measurement of inflammatory markers, wet/dry ratios, blood gas analysis, assessment of oxidative stress and ferroptosis, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR analysis. In the in vitro model, RLE-6TN cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h under normothermic and mild hypothermic conditions. These cells were then evaluated for cell viability, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress levels, ferroptosis markers, as well as Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses.

Results

CLP-induced sepsis led to elevated levels of inflammatory markers, increased lung injury scores, and heightened oxidative stress markers. These detrimental effects were significantly ameliorated by mild hypothermia. Furthermore, mild hypothermia reversed the modified expression of P53, SLC7A11, and GPX4 signaling molecules. Notably, mild hypothermia also improved the 5-day survival rate of CLP rats.

Conclusion

Mild hypothermia attenuates S-ALI and modulates ferroptosis through the P53-SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.
Cryptocurrency returns and cryptocurrency uncertainty: a time–frequency analysis
Authors: Ah Mand Abdollah
Published: January 2025

This study investigates how the uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency affects cryptocurrency returns (CR) by employing various wavelet techniques. We concentrate on the recently published cryptocurrency uncertainty index (UCRY) and the top eight cryptocurrencies by market capitalization from December 30, 2013, to June 30, 2023. Our results showed that the UCRY index strongly predicted CR. In particular, the UCRY index has a leading position at all frequencies for all cryptocurrencies in our sample. Additionally, when the impacts of economic policy uncertainty and the volatility index are eliminated, the significant comovement of UCRY-CR remains unchanged for the short-, medium-, and long-term investment horizons. Therefore, we conclude that the UCRY-CR relationship is both persistent and pervasive. Our study contributes toward the literature on the relationships between cryptocurrencies and market uncertainties, as well as toward investors who use uncertainty indices to design investment strategies for their portfolios.
Predicting financial distress in high-dimensional imbalanced datasets: a multi-heterogeneous self-paced ensemble learning framework
Authors: Gao Ruize , Cui Shaoze , Wang Yu , Xu Wei
Published: January 2025

Financial distress prediction (FDP) is a critical area of study for researchers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory authorities. However, FDP tasks present several challenges, including high-dimensional datasets, class imbalances, and the complexity of parameter optimization. These issues often hinder the predictive model’s ability to accurately identify companies at high risk of financial distress. To mitigate these challenges, we introduce FinMHSPE—a novel multi-heterogeneous self-paced ensemble (MHSPE) FDP learning framework. The proposed model uses pairwise comparisons of data from multiple time frames combined with the maximum relevance and minimum redundancy method to select an optimal subset of features, effectively resolving the high dimensionality issue. Furthermore, the proposed framework incorporates the MHSPE model to iteratively identify the most informative majority class data samples, effectively addressing the class imbalance issue. To optimize the model’s parameters, we leverage the particle swarm optimization algorithm. The robustness of our proposed model is validated through extensive experiments performed on a financial dataset of Chinese listed companies. The empirical results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms existing competing models in the field of FDP. Specifically, our FinMHSPE framework achieves the highest performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.9574, considerably surpassing all existing methods. A comparative analysis of AUC values further reveals that FinMHSPE outperforms state-of-the-art approaches that rely on financial features as inputs. Furthermore, our investigation identifies several valuable features for enhancing FDP model performance, notably those associated with a company’s information and growth potential.
Cardiovascular safety of 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine in colorectal cancer patients: real-world evidence
Authors: Wong Chun-Ka , Ho Isaac , Choo Ali , Lau Rachel , Ma Ting-Fung , Chiu Alston Conrad Ho-On , Lam Tsun-Ho , Lin Minqing , Leung Ricky Wang-Hei , Chor-Cheung Tam Frankie , Foo Dominic Chi Chung , Tse Hung-Fat
Published: January 2025

Background

Fluoropyrimidines, including 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine, are the most common chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinoma. Although previous studies have suggested varying degrees of cardiotoxicity with these drugs, there is a notable lack of large-scale investigations with appropriate control groups. This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular outcome among colorectal carcinoma patients treated with fluoropyrimidines.

Methods

A retrospective propensity score- matched cohort study was conducted in patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 2021 at public hospitals in Hong Kong. Cardiovascular outcomes in patients prescribed fluoropyrimidines were compared with controls. Further analyses to compare 5-fluroracil and capecitabine were performed.

Results

A total of 51,888 colorectal carcinoma patients were identified. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 21,216 patients were included in the final analysis, with 10,608 patients in each group. 1.06% patients experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) at 1 year. There was no significant difference in MACE risk between the two groups (HR 0.91, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.70–1.18, p = 0.46). Risk of cardiovascular death was similar between the two groups (HR 1.05, 95%CI: 0.69–1.60, p = 0.82). Subgroup analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant elevated risk of MACE during fluoropyrimidine use in high-risk patient groups. Further comparison of 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine did not reveal a difference in MACE (0.80% vs. 0.98%; HR 1.09, 95%CI: 0.64–1.85, p < 0.75).

Conclusion

Fluoropyrimidine use in patients with colorectal carcinoma did not increase the risk of MACE, cardiovascular death, or other specific cardiovascular conditions. There was no significant difference in cardiovascular risk between 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine.

Graphical Abstract
International perspective on social cognition in schizophrenia: current stage and the next steps
Authors: Corbera Silvia , Kurtz Matthew M. , Achim Amélie M. , Agostoni Giulia , Amado Isabelle , Assaf Michal , Barlati Stefano , Bechi Margherita , Cavallaro Roberto , Ikezawa Satoru , Okano Hiroki , Okubo Ryo , Penadés Rafael , Uchino Takashi , Vita Antonio , Yamada Yuji , Bell Morris D
Published: January 2025

In the last decades, research from cognitive science, clinical psychology, psychiatry, and social neuroscience has provided mounting evidence that several social cognitive abilities are impaired in people with schizophrenia and contribute to functional difficulties and poor clinical outcomes. Social dysfunction is a hallmark of the illness, and yet, social cognition is seldom assessed in clinical practice or targeted for treatment. In this article, 17 international experts, from three different continents and six countries with expertise in social cognition and social neuroscience in schizophrenia, convened several meetings to provide clinicians with a summary of the most recent international research on social cognition evaluation and treatment in schizophrenia, and to lay out primary recommendations and procedures that can be integrated into their practice. Given that many extant measures used to assess social cognition have been developed in North America or Western Europe, this article is also a call for researchers and clinicians to validate instruments internationally and we provide preliminary guidance for the adaptation and use of social cognitive measures in clinical and research evaluations internationally. This effort will assist promoting scientific rigor, enhanced clinical practice, and will help propel international scientific research and collaboration and patient care.
Subacute Thyroiditis—Is it Really Linked to Viral Infection?
Authors: Orth Hans Martin , Killer Alexander , Gliga Smaranda , Böhm Michael , Feldt Torsten , Jensen Björn-Erik O , Luedde Tom , Kaiser Rolf , Pirkl Martin
Published: January 2025

Context

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a painful inflammatory disorder of the thyroid gland, which—after a phase of thyrotoxicosis—leads to transient, or less frequently permanent hypothyroidism. Apart from a strong association with specific human leukocyte antigen alleles, the causes are uncertain. Viral disease has been hypothesized as a trigger, with enteroviruses, namely echovirus and coxsackievirus, showing a seasonal distribution that coincides with the incidence of SAT.

Objective

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, strict hygiene measures led to a sharp decline in infections and thus offered the opportunity to test this hypothesis.

Methods

We analyzed national registry data of hospitalized patients from Germany during the years 2015 to 2022 (Federal Statistical Office [Destatis], Wiesbaden, Germany) and surveillance data on infectious diseases from the same years (clinical-virology.net and RKI). Statistical analysis includes modeling of seasonality by month, polynomial autoregression, and Granger causality to assess dependency of future SAT frequencies from past ones, and association of virus incidence to SAT frequency, respectively.

Results

Our study confirms previously described epidemiological findings with higher incidence in women and a seasonal peak in late summer coinciding with the seasonality of enteroviruses until 2019. In 2020, the pattern remained unchanged, except for the marked reduction of enteroviruses and other pathogens (except SARS-CoV-2) due to hygienic measures. Moreover, the SAT seasonality in the years 2021 and 2022 was apparently unaltered through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

Our study provides strong evidence that despite their seasonal pattern, Echoviruses and Coxsackieviruses are not the cause of SAT. Moreover, no other analyzed virus (including Influenza A and B, Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus, Human Coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2) showed any association.
A Retrospective Regression Analysis on the Dynamic Shooting Scores of SWAT Operators
Authors: Oliver Kailea , Jiroutek Michael R. , Labhart Jake , Bunn Jennifer A.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Special weapons and tactical (SWAT) operators need to perform intense physical activity and fire their weapons with accuracy. Sport performance attributes have been found to affect the performance of SWAT operators during physical assessments, but little research has been devoted to dynamic marksmanship. This study evaluated the relationship between age, personal shooting practice, years of law enforcement experience, and years of SWAT experience with dynamic shooting accuracy.

Methods

SWAT operators (n = 195) were grouped by age, self-report of previous experience in law enforcement and SWAT, and shooting practice behaviors (rounds fired per month). Operators completed several dynamic shooting drills (e.g., sprinting, pro-agility, jumping) in which they fired three rounds upon completion. The accuracy and time it took to fire all shots were used to calculate a dynamic shooting score for each firearm (pistol and rifle) for each assessment. A regression analysis was completed to assess the impact of age, experience, and shooting practice on dynamic shooting.

Results

As compared to the ≤30-yr-old age group, each of the older age groups showed a decrease in overall shooting score on average. Compared to those with ≤5 yr of SWAT experience, both groups with more experience showed an increase in overall shooting score on average. Those firing more than 250 rounds monthly (compared to ≤250) showed an increase in overall shooting score on average. Years in law enforcement was not found to be associated with overall shooting score.

Conclusion

SWAT experience and rounds fired per month were found to have the most impact on dynamic shooting performance. Early identification of officers to be brought into special operations would allow them to gain experience while younger, optimizing factors for dynamic marksmanship. Operators should maximize both monthly practice with their primary weapon and dynamic movement training to optimize development of accurate dynamic shooting capabilities.
Effect of hydrolyzed red worm (Eisenia foétida) on production parameters in red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)
Authors: Muñoz García Fabian Gerardo , Vivas Quila Nelson , Londoño Franco Luis Fernando , Perea Roman Crispulo , Hoyos Concha José Luis
Published: January 2025

Background Conventional fish feed based on fish meal, meat, and soy cake presents procurement difficulties and high costs, affecting the profitability and sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrolyzed red worm (HRW- Eisenia foétida) in red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) diet on production parameters. Methods The study was conducted at the aquaculture farm of the Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid (PCJIC) at 780 m.a.s.l.,with an average temperature of 28 °C. Ninety red tilapia fingerlings, averaging 7,5±0,5 g, were distributed in nine aquariums containing 75 liters of water. Fish underwentweight and size measurements at the beginning and end of the trial. They were fed experimental diets to apparent satiation three times daily. Water quality parameters and productive rates of growth and nutrient utilization were measured. The experimental design included three treatments with three replicates each: T1 (control diet, 0% hydrolysate inclusion), T2 (10% hydrolysate inclusion), and T3 (20% hydrolysate inclusion). ANOVA (p<0,05) was applied to growth and nutrient utilization variables, with mean comparisons using α<0,05 in SPSS version 25. Results Significant differences (p<0,04) were found between the control diet T1 (0% inclusion) and T2 (10% inclusion) in favor of weight gain (31,87 g). There were no statistical differences in size increase (p<0,217). As HRWinclusion increased, feed consumption decreased, likely due to higher hydrolyzed protein availability. Feed conversion rates showed significant differences (p<0,001) between T2 and T3 compared to T1, indicating better assimilation of the hydrolyzed protein. T2 and T3 also showed better protein and energy efficiency (p<0,001), demonstrating the hydrolyzed protein’s nutritional quality and assimilation. Diet cost decreased with higher hydrolyzed inclusion (p<0,034). Conclusion Inclusion 10% and 20% hydrolyzed red worms significantly improved production parameters and reduced costs, making it a viable alternative for feeding red tilapia for small and medium-scale producers.
Shielding factors for a fission-powered mars exploration rover
Authors: Bendoyro Alexander C. , Thomas L. Dale , Cassibry Jason , Emrich William
Published: January 2025

Background With the advances in compact fission power systems and Stirling converters, the efficiency and portability of electrical energy production systems has increased substantially thanks to NASA’s Kilopower project. These 1-10 kWe-class reactors are compact enough to be transportable by pressurized rovers, allowing an extended human reach across the surface of Mars to produce scientific data at a rate that greatly surpasses the rate of robotic rover data collection. If rovers were to harness fission power while mobile, it is possible for near-limitless range. This capability could allow one crew on Mars for under a “Conjunction” class mission as outlined in NASA’s Mars Design Reference Architecture (DRA) 5.0 to visit many geological sites of interest instead of requiring additional landings to explore distant features of the Martian surface. This study explored the parameters that affected the mass of the shielding required to protect the crew against a fission reactor embedded in the chassis of a pressurized rover. Methods An analytical approach was devised to estimate the required mass of a hypothetical solid tungsten shield under various conditions. Results Power levels below 3.4 kWe were found to be impractical for rover applications. Between 3.4 kWe and 10 kWe would be able to recharge the rover without returning to base camp. The increase in shielding mass from a 3.4 kWe reactor and a 10 kWe reactor was 6%. The reduction between a 10 kWe reactor at 3 m and 6 m was 7%. Varying the shield thickness in accordance with astronaut activities resulted in a 19% reduction. Powering the reactor off before exiting the vehicle resulted in an additional 65% reduction. Conclusions Knowledge of the crew activities and locations had the greatest impact on the required shielding mass and the mission activities should be well-understood and taken into account for shield design.
European agrifood and forestry education for a sustainable future - Gap analysis from an informatics approach
Authors: Burleigh Stephen , Jönsson Håkan
Published: January 2025

Background The NextFood Project (www.nextfood-project.eu) started work in 2018 to identify ‘Categories of Skills’ that students should be equipped with to address the upcoming global challenges within agrifood and forestry disciplines. The skill groups are Innovative Mindset, Life-Long Learning, Network-Building, Strategic Management, Sustainability, Systems Perspective, Technological Knowledge and Versatility. This study is based on the initial skills and competencies mapping, but takes a different methodological approach. Instead of investigating what the research literature and professionals think are important skills for the future, this study asks how existing education programmes include or exclude these skills in the description of their programs. Methods Python-based web-scraping scripts were used to collect texts from a selection of European Masters program websites, which were then analysed using statistical tools including Partial Least Squares regression and network analysis. A total of 14 countries, 27 universities, 1303 European Masters programs, 3305 web-pages and almost two million words were studied using this approach. Results While agrifood and forestry Masters programs were aligned with the NextFood Project ‘Categories of Skills’ equal to or more often than unrelated Masters programs, we found evidence for the relative underuse of words associated with networking skills, such as collaboration, communication and eamwork. Agriculture-related programs used these words the least among the agrifood Masters programs. In contrast, agrifood programs used words associated with sustainability and system thinking more than the non-agrifood Masters programs. Conclusions The informatics approach provides evidence that many European agrifood and forestry Masters programs are following the educational paths for meeting future challenges as outlined by the NextFood Project, with the possible exception of networking skills. This approach allows a complementary and time-efficient overview of the current state of education in the agrifood system in Europe.
The genome sequence of a mollusc, Azorinus chamasolen (da Costa, 1778)
Authors: Fletcher Chris , Little Crispin ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: January 2025

We present a genome assembly from a specimen of the mollusc, Azorinus chamasolen (Mollusca; Bivalvia; Cardiida; Solecurtidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 1,723.50 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.33%) is scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.14 kilobases in length.
La memoria dibujada: trauma, reconstrucción y archivo en el documental animado. Los casos de Vals con Bashir (Waltz with Bashir, 2009) y Flee (2021).
Authors: Revert Gomis Jordi
Published: January 2025

El documental animado porta inscrita una problemática que remite a los cimientos
ontológicos del documental. Si el discurso documental busca refrendarse en la
naturaleza de documento, ¿cómo conciliar dicha intencionalidad con la sustitución
de la imagen bioscópica por la animada? ¿Cómo fundar una reconstrucción de
la memoria del sujeto traumatizado en el contexto de ese diálogo? Se buscará
respuestas a partir de los casos de Vals con Bashir y Flee.
Archivo y familia en el cine español contemporáneo: el caso de la ficcionalización de My Mexican Bretzel (Nuria Giménez Lorang, 2019).
Authors: de la Fuente Soler Manuel
Published: January 2025

El cine documental muestra desde sus orígenes el debate en torno a la relación
entre referencialidad y construcción ficcional. Aquí adquiere importancia la
consideración del archivo, bien por el uso de materiales audiovisuales previos para
la construcción del texto fílmico, bien por la constitución del film en un archivo con
estatuto propio. El documental también ha puesto tradicionalmente en cuestión
la neutralidad de las relaciones familiares. A partir de estas ideas, nos detenemos en el caso de My Mexican Bretzel, ópera prima de Nuria Giménez Lorang, construida
a partir de los archivos de las filmaciones domésticas de su familia. En la película, la
directora construye, a partir de ese material, un relato de ficción que pone en cuestión
la supuesta objetividad del documental y plantea al espectador su posicionamiento
activo en el proceso comunicativo.
Discursos en los márgenes: testimonio, activismo y disidencia sexual en el documental español contemporáneo.
Authors: Guillamón Carrasco Silvia , Belmonte Arocha Jorge
Published: January 2025

En las dos últimas décadas ha emergido un volumen considerable de documentales
que se proponen dar visibilidad a sujetos sexualmente disidentes, un colectivo
escasamente representado en el panorama fílmico español. Esta tendencia se sitúa
en un contexto marcado por los nuevos feminismos, las demandas de los colectivos LGTBIQ+, los avances legislativos y la paulatina normalización de la diversidad sexogenérica en la sociedad contemporánea española. En este artículo revisaremos las
diferentes tendencias de los documentales LGTBIQ+ en el contexto español para
centrarnos después en el análisis de Guerriller@s (Montse Pujantell, 2011) y Alteritats
(Alba Cross y Nora Haddad, 2023), dos textos que consideramos sintomáticos del
influjo del activismo queer en el seno del movimiento feminista contemporáneo. A
partir del testimonio y la verbalización de distintas experiencias contra-hegemónicas
(como la transición de género o la performatividad) ambos documentales se proponen
ahondar en las condiciones de representación de los géneros, sexualidades y cuerpos
no normativos.
El valor performativo de la fotografía en la resignificación de la memoria de los mayores LGTBIQ+. Construcción de autorrelatos a través del álbum familiar.
Authors: Ketiti Awatef
Published: January 2025

Este artículo propone explorar el alcance del archivo visual en la reconstrucción
de la historia de vida de los mayores LGTBIQ+. En este se indaga en las
transformaciones que han marcado la representación de su orientación sexual
y de género antes y después de la Transición. Los objetivos son: estudiar el nexo
entre las políticas sexuales y la construcción de las subjetividades mediante el relato de las trayectorias individuales, y explorar el potencial metodológico del álbum
familiar como fuente documental privilegiada para reconstruir la memoria individual y
colectiva. Se ha empleado la metodología de la fotobiografía para la creación de relatos
de vida de cuatro personas mayores del colectivo LGTBIQ+ mediante las fotografías.
Los resultados evidencian, por un lado, el nexo entre las subjetividades en-gendradas y
el contexto político y social, propiciando una lectura histórica de la Transición a través
de los itinerarios vitales y, por otro lado, confirman el potencial investigador de la
fotografía del álbum familiar en la revitalización de la memoria y el análisis del proceso
de formación de subjetividades determinadas por las políticas sexuales y la biopolítica.
El quehacer de las imágenes: el trauma y la memoria prestada en el cine documental.
Authors: Guardia Calvo Isadora
Published: January 2025

El siglo XX alberga una gran producción de obras cinematográficas de carácter
documental enmarcadas por las diferentes dictaduras desarrolladas en el Cono Sur.
Es posible percibir lógicas propias de una mirada colectiva en la producción y en la
recepción de las obras mediante la cual el documental se construye como un atento
testigo que puede confirmar lo acontecido fijando así en la retina piezas como La
batalla de Chile (Patricio Guzmán, 1971). En los inicios del siglo XXI se producen una
serie de transformaciones estéticas y discursivas que llevan tanto a la imagen
cinematográfica como a la fotográfica a explorar nuevos usos más allá del valor
documento. Las temáticas relacionadas con el trauma, la memoria y la identidad
ocupan principalmente estos espacios de creación y se advierte un cambio en los procesos de producción respecto a modelos propios del cine documental político y
social de los años 60 y 70. Abordar el quehacer de las imágenes en la práctica artística
y cinematográfica latinoamericana contemporánea tiene como objetivo identificar
las estrategias de configuración de una memoria prestada atravesada por el trauma.
“La imagen de” corrobora la presencia de una ausencia que impregna la construcción
del ser. Hijos e hijas de desaparecidos, torturados o asesinados en los periodos de
dictadura tanto en Argentina como en Chile toman la práctica artística y audiovisual
como una herramienta de reconfiguración del yo alejándose de las dinámicas propias
del pasado siglo XX. Las obras visuales de Lucila Quieto (Arqueología de la memoria,
1999-2001) y Verónica Maggi (El Rescate, 2007) así como la pieza documental de Lissette
Orozco, El pacto de Adriana (2017) nos permiten analizar y ahondar en cómo trabajar
imagen y memoria en nuevos contextos políticos y sociales. El documental Desaparecer
(Isadora Guardia, 2022) se propone como una exploración en si misma de la imagen en
la construcción del álbum familiar como productor de imagen política.