bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Update on the impact of voluntary folic acid fortification of corn masa flour on red blood cell folate concentrations—National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–March 2020
Authors: Wang Arick , Fothergill Amy , Yeung Lorraine F. , Crider Krista S. , Williams Jennifer L.
Published: March 2024

Background

Folic acid is a micronutrient that is effective at preventing neural tube defects (NTDs). In 2016, the FDA authorized the voluntary fortification of corn masa flour (CMF) with folic acid to reduce disparities in NTDs among infants of women who do not regularly consume other fortified cereal grains, in particular Hispanic women of reproductive age (WRA).

Methods

We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to March 2020 assessing the impact of voluntary fortification of CMF on the folate status of Hispanic WRA. We analyzed folic acid usual intake and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations among non‐pregnant, non‐lactating Hispanic WRA, comparing pre‐fortification (2011–2016) to post‐fortification (2017–March 2020) data. RBC folate concentrations were used to create model‐based estimation of NTD rates.

Results

The proportion of Hispanic WRA with folic acid usual intakes <400 μg/d did not change (2011–2016: 86.1% [95% Confidence Interval, CI: 83.7–88.5]; 2017–March 2020: 87.8% [95% CI: 84.8–90.7]; p = .38) nor did the proportion of Hispanic WRA with RBC folate below optimal concentrations (<748 nmol/L, 2011–2016: 16.0% [95% CI: 13.7–18.2]; 2017–March 2020: 18.1% [95% CI: 12.1–24.0]; p = 0.49). Model‐based estimates of NTD rates suggest further improvements in the folate status of Hispanic WRA might prevent an additional 157 (95% Uncertainty Interval: 0, 288) NTDs/year.

Conclusions

Voluntary fortification of CMF with folic acid has yet to have a significant impact on the folate status of WRA. Continued monitoring and further research into factors such as fortified product availability, community knowledge, and awareness of folic acid benefits would inform and improve future public health interventions.
Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of chidamide combined with endocrine therapy in hormone receptor‐positive, HER2‐negative metastatic breast cancer: A real‐world multicenter study
Authors: Li Doudou , Jin Yizi , Lin Mingxi , Zeng Cheng , Guo Qing , Liu Yanfei , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2024

Background

Chidamide is a selective histone deacetylase inhibitor approved for patients with hormone receptor (HoR)‐positive and HER2‐negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We aimed to investigate the efficacy, safety, and treatment patterns of chidamide and identify clinicopathological factors that predict the efficacy of chidamide in real‐world scenarios.

Methods

Consecutive MBC patients treated with chidamide from January 2020 to August 2021 across 11 institutions were enrolled in this multicenter, retrospective study. Eligible patients were pre‐ and postmenopausal women who had clinically or histologically confirmed ER‐positive, HER2‐negative MBC, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. Patients with multiple primary malignancies or missing baseline characteristics were excluded. Patients received 30 mg chidamide orally twice a week, combined with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or non‐AIs. Efficacy analyses included progression‐free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the potential efficacy predictors.

Results

A total of 157 patients were finally included for analysis. The median number of lines prior to chidamide was four. In the whole cohort, the median PFS was 4.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8–4.5). The ORR was 7.5% and the CBR was 31.3%. The efficacy of chidamide was consistent in patients pretreated with CDK4/6 inhibitors and patients treated with different endocrine combinations. Multivariate analysis indicated that patients who had liver metastases (adjusted HR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.14–2.43, adjusted p = 0.008) or ≥3 prior lines of treatment (adjusted HR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.17–2.77, adjusted p = 0.008) had significantly worse PFS. The most common AEs with chidamide were thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, neutropenia, and anemia.

Conclusion

This study provided real‐world data for the use of chidamide in patients with HoR‐positive and HER2‐negative MBC. Our data endorsed the use of chidamide in patients pretreated with CDK4/6 inhibitors and patients treated with different endocrine combinations.
Mannitol versus furosemide in patients with thoracic malignancies who received cisplatin‐based chemotherapy using short hydration: A randomized phase II trial
Authors: Murakami Eriko , Akamatsu Hiroaki , Teraoka Shunsuke , Takakura Toshiaki , Takase Eri , Tanaka Masanori , Kaki Takahiro , Harutani Yuhei , Furuta Katsuyuki , Sugimoto Takeya , Shibaki Ryota , Fujimoto Daichi , Hayata Atsushi , Ozawa Yuichi , Nakanishi Masanori , Koh Yasuhiro , Shimokawa Toshio , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: March 2024

Background

Mannitol is exclusively recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for diuresis in cisplatin (CDDP)‐based chemotherapy. The utility of furosemide, a widely used and convenient diuretic, thus requires clarification.

Methods

This is a prospective, single‐centered, open‐label, noninferiority phase II study. Patients with thoracic malignancies who planned to receive CDDP‐based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either mannitol (arm A) or furosemide (arm B). The primary end point was set as the proportion of patients who experienced any grade of “creatinine (Cr) increased” based on the upper limit of the normal range (ULN) during the first cycle as assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0. Secondary end points were Cr increased based on the baseline value during the first cycle, Cr increased after the completion of CDDP, and the proportion of patients with phlebitis.

Results

Between April 2018 and March 2022, 115 patients were enrolled and 106 were analyzed. Any grade of Cr increased based on the ULN during the first cycle was 17.3% (arm A) and 24.1% (arm B), respectively (p = 0.34). Therefore, the primary end point was not met. After completion of chemotherapy, any grade of Cr increased was observed in 23.1% (arm A) and 31.5% (arm B), respectively. However, the actual serum Cr level and Cr clearance during the courses were not different between the arms. Phlebitis occurred more frequently in arm A (28.8%) than arm B (16.7%).

Conclusions

Mannitol should remain the standard diuresis in CDDP‐based chemotherapy assessed by conventional CTCAE grading, but furosemide can be room for consideration when assessed by actual serum Cr level and Cr clearance.
Radiation enteropathy‐related depression: A neglectable course of disease by gut bacterial dysbiosis
Authors: Liu Xinliang , Li Ying , Gu Meichen , Xu Tiankai , Wang Chuanlei , Chang Pengyu
Published: March 2024

Radiation enteropathy (RE) is common in patients treated with radiotherapy for pelvic–abdominal cancers. Accumulating data indicate that gut commensal bacteria determine intestinal radiosensitivity. Radiotherapy can result in gut bacterial dysbiosis. Gut bacterial dysbiosis contributes to the pathogenesis of RE. Mild to moderate depressive symptoms can be observed in patients with RE in clinical settings; however, the rate of these symptoms has not been reported. Studies have demonstrated that gut bacterial dysbiosis induces depression. In the state of comorbidity, RE and depression may be understood as local and abscopal manifestations of gut bacterial disorders. The ability of comorbid depression to worsen inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has long been demonstrated and is associated with dysfunction of cholinergic neural anti‐inflammatory pathways. There is a lack of direct evidence for RE comorbid with depression. It is widely accepted that RE shares similar pathophysiologic mechanisms with IBD. Therefore, we may be able to draw on the findings of the relationship between IBD and depression. This review will explore the relationship between gut bacteria, RE, and depression in light of the available evidence and indicate a method for investigating the mechanisms of RE combined with depression. We will also describe new developments in the treatment of RE with probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbial transplantation.
Treatments, prognostic factors, and genetic heterogeneity in advanced cholangiocarcinoma: A multicenter real‐world study
Authors: Ottaiano Alessandro , Santorsola Mariachiara , Diana Anna , Belli Andrea , Lentini Graziano Maria Luisa , Orefice Jessica , Patrone Renato , Di Mauro Annabella , Scognamiglio Giosuè , Tatangelo Fabiana , De Bellis Mario , Piccirillo Mauro , Fiore Francesco , Stilo Salvatore , Tarotto Luca , Correra Marco , Di Lorenzo Sara , Capuozzo Maurizio , Avallone Antonio , Silvestro Lucrezia , Bianco Antonella , Granata Vincenza , Federico Piera , Montesarchio Vincenzo , Daniele Bruno , Izzo Francesco , Nasti Guglielmo
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare and aggressive hepatobiliary malignancy, presents significant clinical management challenges. Despite rising incidence and evolving treatment options, prognosis remains poor, motivating the exploration of real‐world data for enhanced understanding and patient care.

Methods

This multicenter study analyzed data from 120 metastatic CCA patients at three institutions from 2016 to 2023. Kaplan–Meier curves assessed overall survival (OS), while univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated links between clinical variables (age, gender, tumor site, metastatic burden, ECOG performance status, response to first‐line chemotherapy) and OS. Genetic profiling was conducted selectively.

Results

Enrolled patients had a median age of 68.5 years, with intrahepatic tumors predominant in 79 cases (65.8%). Among 85 patients treated with first‐line chemotherapy, cisplatin and gemcitabine (41.1%) was the most common regimen. Notably, one‐third received no systemic treatment. After a median 14‐month follow‐up, 81 CCA‐related deaths occurred, with a median survival of 13.1 months. Two clinical variables independently predicted survival: response to first‐line chemotherapy (disease control vs. no disease control; HR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14–0.50; p < 0.0001) and metastatic involvement (>1 site vs. 1 site; HR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.04–3.80; p = 0.0366). The three most common genetic alterations involved the ARID1A, tp53, and CDKN2A genes.

Conclusions

Advanced CCA displays aggressive clinical behavior, emphasizing the need for treatments beyond chemotherapy. Genetic diversity supports potential personalized therapies. Collaborative research and deeper CCA biology understanding are crucial to enhance patient outcomes in this challenging malignancy.
Pivotal role of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells in infection‐related tumor growth
Authors: Ito Nozomi , Tsujimoto Hironori , Miyazaki Hiromi , Takahata Risa , Ueno Hideki
Published: March 2024

Background

In this study, we investigated infection‐related tumor growth, focusing on myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in clinical and experimental settings.

Patients and Methods

In the clinical study, a total 109 patients who underwent gastrectomy or esophagectomy were included. Blood samples were collected from a preoperative time point through 3 months after surgery, and MDSCs were analyzed using flow cytometry. In animal experiments, peritonitis model mice were created by CLP method. We investigated the number of splenic MDSCs in these mice using flow cytometry. Malignant melanoma cells (B16F10) were inoculated on the back of the mice, and tumor growth was monitored. We compared the level of MDSC infiltration around the tumor and the migration ability between CLP and sham‐operated mice‐derived MDSCs. Finally, we focused on PD‐L1+MDSCs to examine the effectiveness of anti‐PD‐L1 antibodies on tumor growth in CLP mice.

Results

In patients with postoperative infectious complication, MDSC number was found to remain elevated 3 months after surgery, when the inflammatory responses were normalized. CLP mice showed increased numbers of MDSCs, and following inoculation with B16F10 cells, this higher number of MDSCs was associated with significant tumor growth. CLP‐mice‐derived MDSCs had higher levels of accumulation around the tumor and had more enhanced migration ability. Finally, CLP mice had increased numbers of PD‐L1+MDSCs and showed more effective inhibition of tumor growth by anti‐PD‐L1 antibodies compared to sham‐operated mice.

Conclusion

Long‐lasting enhanced MDSCs associated with infection may contribute to infection‐related tumor progression.
POLQ identifies a better response subset to immunotherapy in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer with high PD‐L1
Authors: Liu Ge , Jin Kaifeng , Liu Zhaopei , Su Xiaohe , Xu Ziyue , Li Bingyu , Xu Jingtong , Chang Yuan , Wang Yiwei , Zhu Yu , Xu Le , Xu Jiejie , Wang Zewei , Liu Hailong , Zhang Weijuan
Published: March 2024

Background

Though programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) has been used in predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), it is insufficient as a single biomarker. As a key effector of an intrinsically mutagenic microhomology‐mediated end joining (MMEJ) pathway, DNA polymerase theta (POLQ) was overexpressed in various malignancies, whose expression might have an influence on genomic stability, therefore altering the sensitivity to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Methods

A total of 1304 patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from six independent cohorts were included in this study. The Zhongshan Hospital (ZSHS) cohort (n = 134), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (n = 391), and the Neo‐cohort (n = 148) were included for the investigation of chemotherapeutic response. The IMvigor210 cohort (n = 234) and the UNC‐108 cohort (n = 89) were used for the assessment of immunotherapeutic response. In addition, the relationship between POLQ and the immune microenvironment was assessed, and GSE32894 (n = 308) was used only for the evaluation of the immune microenvironment.

Results

We identified POLQhigh PD‐L1high patients could benefit more from immunotherapy and platinum‐based chemotherapy. Further analysis revealed that high POLQ expression was linked to chromosome instability and higher tumor mutational burden (TMB), which might elicit the production of neoantigens. Further, high POLQ expression was associated with an active tumor immune microenvironment with abundant infiltration of immune effector cells and molecules.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that high POLQ expression was correlated with chromosome instability and antitumor immune microenvironment in MIBC, and the combination of POLQ and PD‐L1 could be used as a superior companion biomarker for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy.
Phenome‐wide association study of ovarian cancer identifies common comorbidities and reveals shared genetics with complex diseases and biomarkers
Authors: Mulugeta Anwar , Lumsden Amanda L. , Madakkatel Iqbal , Stacey David , Lee S. Hong , Mäenpää Johanna , Oehler Martin K. , Hyppönen Elina
Published: March 2024

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is commonly diagnosed among older women who have comorbidities. This hypothesis‐free phenome‐wide association study (PheWAS) aimed to identify comorbidities associated with OC, as well as traits that share a genetic architecture with OC.

Methods

We used data from 181,203 white British female UK Biobank participants and analysed OC and OC subtype‐specific genetic risk scores (OC‐GRS) for an association with 889 diseases and 43 other traits. We conducted PheWAS and colocalization analyses for individual variants to identify evidence for shared genetic architecture.

Results

The OC‐GRS was associated with 10 diseases, and the clear cell OC‐GRS was associated with five diseases at the FDR threshold (p = 5.6 × 10−4). Mendelian randomizaiton analysis (MR) provided robust evidence for the association of OC with higher risk of “secondary malignant neoplasm of digestive systems” (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.33, 2.02), “ascites” (1.48, 95% CI 1.17, 1.86), “chronic airway obstruction” (1.17, 95% CI 1.07, 1.29), and “abnormal findings on examination of the lung” (1.51, 95% CI 1.22, 1.87). Analyses of lung spirometry measures provided further support for compromised respiratory function. PheWAS on individual OC variants identified five genetic variants associated with other diseases, and seven variants associated with biomarkers (all, p ≤ 4.5 × 10−8). Colocalization analysis identified rs4449583 (from TERT locus) as the shared causal variant for OC and seborrheic keratosis.

Conclusions

OC is associated with digestive and respiratory comorbidities. Several variants affecting OC risk were associated with other diseases and biomarkers, with this study identifying a novel genetic locus shared between OC and skin conditions.
Efficacy and side effects of anti‐CD19 CAR T‐cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory gastrointestinal lymphoma
Authors: Jiang Yi Li , Mu Juan , Cui Rui , Li Xin , Wang Jia , Li Qing , Li Jingyi , Mou Nan , Deng Qi
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Although anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy was approved as a very effective salvage strategy in relapsed/refractory (R/R) B cell lymphoma, the experience in R/R gastrointestinal (GI) lymphoma is still insufficient.

Methods

We summarized the efficacy and side effects of anti‐CD19 CAR T‐cell therapy in 12 patients with R/R GI lymphoma. Based on literature, the R/R GI lymphoma patients were divided into subgroups with different characteristics: Bulky/No bulky disease, Gastric/Gastrointestinal involvement, Gastrointestinal/Combined extra‐gastrointestinal lesions, Ulcer/Lumps or nodules type, With/without gastrointestinal bleeding.

Results

The objective response rate (ORR) was 66.67% in these 12 patients. The ORR was 83.33% in no bulky disease group, 80.00% in gastric involvement group, 100.00% in ulcer type group, and 80.00% in no gastrointestinal bleeding group. The CR rate was 33.33% in these 12 patients. The CR was 50.0% in no bulky disease group, 60.00% in gastric involvement group, and 80.00% in ulcer type group. The PFS and OS rate of the 12 patients at 6 months after infusion were 54.55% and 58.33%, respectively. The overall survival (OS) at 6 months was higher in no bulky disease group. There was no difference of the OS or the progression free survival (PFS) at 6 months between the other groups. The mean peak of CAR‐T cells and Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) grade were higher in gastrointestinal lesions group. The mean peak of IFN‐γ and CRS grade were higher in gastrointestinal bleeding group. Four out of six patients in group of gastrointestinal lesions group were patient with high tumor burden. Patients with gastrointestinal involvement only were at higher risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Conclusions

The ORR and CR of high tumor load, gastrointestinal involvement, lumps or nodules type and gastrointestinal bleeding group were lower. The CRS grade was higher in gastrointestinal lesions group and in gastrointestinal bleeding group. Patients with gastrointestinal involvement only were at higher risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.
An automatic parathyroid recognition and segmentation model based on deep learning of near‐infrared autofluorescence imaging
Authors: Yu Fan , Sang Tian , Kang Jie , Deng Xianzhao , Guo Bomin , Yang Hangzhou , Chen Xiaoyi , Fan Youben , Ding Xuehai , Wu Bo
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Near‐infrared autofluorescence imaging (NIFI) can be used to identify parathyroid gland (PG) during surgery. The purpose of the study is to establish a new model, help surgeons better identify, and protect PGs.

Methods

Five hundred and twenty three NIFI images were selected. The PGs were recorded by NIFI and marked with artificial intelligence (AI) model. The recognition rate for PGs was calculated. Analyze the differences between surgeons of different years of experience and AI recognition, and evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of AI model.

Results

Our model achieved 83.5% precision and 57.8% recall in the internal validation set. The visual recognition rate of AI model was 85.2% and 82.4% on internal and external sets. The PG recognition rate of AI model is higher than that of junior surgeons (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This AI model will help surgeons identify PGs, and develop their learning ability and self‐confidence.
Laparoscopic liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation for caudate lobe solitary hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score matching study
Authors: Wang Zhengzheng , Ouyang Jingzhong , Jia Binyang , Zhou Yanzhao , Yang Yi , Li Xiaoting , Li Qingjun , Zhou Jinxue
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the hepatic caudate lobe.

Methods

Patients with hepatic caudate lobe HCC who underwent LLR or RFA at three hospitals in China between February 2015 and February 2021 were included. In total, 112 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 52 underwent RFA and 60 underwent LLR. The outcomes of the two groups were compared and analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) method.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sex, HBV/HCV positivity, AFP positivity (>100 ng/mL), tumor position, Child–Pugh score, or preoperative liver function tests (ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB, and PT) (p > 0.05). Compared to the LLR group, the RFA group had a shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, and shorter postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in overall postoperative complications between the two groups (p > 0.05). Despite the larger tumor size, the LLR group had better postoperative recurrence‐free survival (RFS) (p = 0.00027) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0023) than the RFA group. After one‐to‐one PSM, 31 LLR patients and 31 RFA patients were selected for further analyses. The advantages of LLR over RFA were observed in terms of RFS (p < 0.0001) and OS (p = 0.00029).

Conclusion

LLR should probably be recommended as the preferred method for solitary caudate lobe HCC.
Psoas muscle area is an independent survival prognosticator in patients undergoing surgery for long‐bone metastases
Authors: Lee Chia‐Che , Tseng Ting‐En , Chang Ruey‐Feng , Yen Hung‐Kuan , Chen Yu‐An , Chen Yu‐Yung , Wu Chih‐Horng , Hu Ming‐Hsiao , Yen Mao‐Hsu , Bongers Michiel , Groot Olivier Q. , Lai Cheng‐Yo , Lin Wei‐Hsin
Published: March 2024

Background

Predictive analytics is gaining popularity as an aid to treatment planning for patients with bone metastases, whose expected survival should be considered. Decreased psoas muscle area (PMA), a morphometric indicator of suboptimal nutritional status, has been associated with mortality in various cancers, but never been integrated into current survival prediction algorithms (SPA) for patients with skeletal metastases. This study investigates whether decreased PMA predicts worse survival in patients with extremity metastases and whether incorporating PMA into three modern SPAs (PATHFx, SORG‐NG, and SORG‐MLA) improves their performance.

Methods

One hundred eighty‐five patients surgically treated for long‐bone metastases between 2014 and 2019 were divided into three PMA tertiles (small, medium, and large) based on their psoas size on CT. Kaplan–Meier, multivariable regression, and Cox proportional hazards analyses were employed to compare survival between tertiles and examine factors associated with mortality. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether incorporating adjusted PMA values enhanced the three SPAs' discriminatory abilities. The clinical utility of incorporating PMA into these SPAs was evaluated by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Patients with small PMA had worse 90‐day and 1‐year survival after surgery (log‐rank test p < 0.001). Patients in the large PMA group had a higher chance of surviving 90 days (odds ratio, OR, 3.72, p = 0.02) and 1 year than those in the small PMA group (OR 3.28, p = 0.004). All three SPAs had increased AUC after incorporation of adjusted PMA. DCA indicated increased net benefits at threshold probabilities >0.5 after the addition of adjusted PMA to these SPAs.

Conclusions

Decreased PMA on CT is associated with worse survival in surgically treated patients with extremity metastases, even after controlling for three contemporary SPAs. Physicians should consider the additional prognostic value of PMA on survival in patients undergoing consideration for operative management due to extremity metastases.
Perceiving a need for dietary change in adults living with and beyond cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Smith Susan , Fisher Abi , Lally Phillippa J. , Croker Helen A. , Roberts Anna , Conway Rana E. , Beeken Rebecca J.
Published: March 2024

Background

Many people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) do not meet dietary recommendations. To implement a healthier diet, people LWBC must perceive a need to improve their diet.

Methods

Participants included people diagnosed with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer in the UK. Two binary logistic regression models were conducted with perceived need for dietary change as the outcome (need to improve vs. no need). Predictor variables included demographic and clinical characteristics, receipt of dietary advice, and either body mass index (BMI) or adherence to seven relevant World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) dietary recommendations.

Results

The sample included 5835 responses. Only 31% perceived a need to improve their diet. Being younger (odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 94–0.95), female (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.15–1.53), not of white ethnicity (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.48–2.27), not married/cohabiting (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.16–1.52) and having received dietary advice (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.43–1.86) was associated with an increased odds of perceiving a need to improve diet. This association was also seen for participants with two or more comorbidities (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.09–1.57), those not meeting the recommendations for fruit and vegetables (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.41–0.55), fat (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.58–0.77), and sugar (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75–0.98) in the dietary components model and those who had a higher BMI (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.32–1.77) in the BMI model.

Conclusions

Most of this sample of people LWBC did not perceive a need to improve their diet. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this and to target these reasons in dietary interventions.
Pathologic complete response in patients with esophageal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gaber Charles E. , Sarker Jyotirmoy , Abdelaziz Abdullah I. , Okpara Ebere , Lee Todd A. , Klempner Samuel J. , Nipp Ryan D.
Published: March 2024

Background

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation and chemotherapy are recommended for the treatment of nonmetastatic esophageal cancer. The benefit of neoadjuvant treatment is mostly limited to patients who exhibit pathologic complete response (pCR). Existing estimates of pCR rates among patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy have not been synthesized and lack precision.

Methods

We conducted an independently funded systematic review and meta‐analysis (PROSPERO CRD42023397402) of pCR rates among patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemo(radiation). Studies were identified from Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL database searches. Eligible studies included trials published from 1992 to 2022 that focused on nonmetastatic esophageal cancer, including the gastroesophageal junction. Histology‐specific pooled pCR prevalence was determined using the Freeman–Tukey transformation and a random effects model.

Results

After eligibility assessment, 84 studies with 6451 patients were included. The pooled prevalence of pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinomas was 9% (95% CI: 6%–14%), ranging from 0% to 32%. The pooled prevalence of pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in squamous cell carcinomas was 32% (95% CI: 26%–39%), ranging from 8% to 66%. For adenocarcinoma, the pooled prevalence of pCR was 6% (95% CI: 1%–12%) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 22% (18%–26%) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Conclusions

Under one‐third of patients with esophageal cancer who receive neoadjuvant chemo(radiation) experience pCR. Patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinomas had higher rates of pCR than those with adenocarcinomas. As pCR represents an increasingly utilized endpoint in neoadjuvant trials, these estimates of pooled pCR rates may serve as an important benchmark for future trial design.
Clinicopathological and genomic features of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas in nondrinker, nonsmoker females
Authors: Fukuhara Motomitsu , Urabe Yuji , Nakahara Hikaru , Ishikawa Akira , Ishibashi Kazuki , Konishi Hirona , Mizuno Junichi , Tanaka Hidenori , Tsuboi Akiyoshi , Yamashita Ken , Hiyama Yuichi , Takigawa Hidehiko , Kotachi Takahiro , Yuge Ryo , Hayes C. Nelson , Oka Shiro
Published: March 2024

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is sometimes detected in non‐drinker and non‐smoker females who are considered to have very low risk of ESCC development in daily practice. This study examined the clinicopathological and genomic characteristics of ESCCs in females with no history of drinking and smoking.

Methods

The sample comprised 118 ESCC lesions occurring in 95 female patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection at our department between January 2008 and December 2019. The patients were categorized into two groups: 51 lesions in 49 patients with no history of drinking and smoking (nondrinker/nonsmoker [NDNS] group) and 69 lesions in 45 patients with a history of drinking or smoking (drinker/smoker [DS] group). We analyzed the differences in clinicopathological and cancerous genomic characteristics between the groups. Significant genomic alterations were validated using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Multiple logistic regression revealed that older age, fewer multiple Lugol‐voiding lesions (LVLs), and reflux esophagitis (RE) were independently associated with the occurrence of ESCCs in the NDNS group. ESCC lesions in the NDNS group were predominantly located in the mid‐thoracic esophagus, posterior wall side, with 0‐IIa, the aspect ratio of the lesion >2 (vertical/horizontal), and endoscopic keratinization. Genetic analysis showed that CDKN2A driver alterations were significantly more frequent and KMT2D alterations were significantly less frequent in the NDNS group than in the DS group. KMT2D alterations were strongly correlated with immunostaining.

Conclusion

Older nondrinker, nonsmoker females with RE and fewer multiple LVLs may develop longitudinal 0‐IIa ESCC with keratinization of the posterior wall of the mid‐thoracic esophagus. ESCCs in nondrinker, nonsmoker females had fewer KMT2D alterations and more CDKN2A alterations, which may be a biomarker for treatment.
Exploring the emerging bidirectional association between inflamm‐aging and cellular senescence in organismal aging and disease
Authors: Sharma Rohit
Published: March 2024

There is strong evidence that most individuals in the elderly population are characterized by inflamm‐aging which refers to a subtle increase in the systemic pro‐inflammatory environment and impaired innate immune activation. Although a variety of distinct factors are associated with the progression of inflamm‐aging, emerging research is demonstrating a dynamic relationship between the processes of cellular senescence and inflamm‐aging. Cellular senescence is a recognized factor governing organismal aging, and through a characteristic secretome, accumulating senescent cells can induce and augment a pro‐inflammatory tissue environment that provides a rationale for immune system‐independent activation of inflamm‐aging and associated diseases. There is also accumulating evidence that inflamm‐aging or its components can directly accelerate the development of senescent cells and ultimately senescent cell burden in tissues in a likely vicious inflammatory loop. The present review is intended to describe the emerging senescence‐based molecular etiology of inflamm‐aging as well as the dynamic reciprocal interactions between inflamm‐aging and cellular senescence. Therapeutic interventions concurrently targeting cellular senescence and inflamm‐aging are discussed and limitations as well as research opportunities have been deliberated. An effort has been made to provide a rationale for integrating inflamm‐aging with cellular senescence both as an underlying cause and therapeutic target for further studies.
Examining the relationship between Hispanic Serving Community college Title III grants and STEM associate degree completion
Authors: Corral Daniel , Rahim Daniyal
Published: March 2024

Hispanic‐Serving Community Colleges enroll and educate a large share of Hispanic postsecondary students. Due to work trends and demographic changes, Hispanic and other historically underrepresented students play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) scholars and practitioners. We use data from the National Center for Education Statistics and a difference‐in‐differences technique to estimate the association between federal capacity building grants aimed at improving STEM degree attainment outcomes and associate degree completion. We find receipt of a Title III grant was associated with about a 30% increase in the total number of STEM associate degrees awarded. Further, the grants nearly doubled the number of STEM associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students, on average. This positive relationship is driven by institutions receiving more than one grant. We conclude by discussing these findings and providing federal and institutional recommendations.
Blurring the lines to promote access and equity in 2‐ and 4‐year Hispanic serving institutions
Authors: Hinojosa Denisse M. , Bonner Emily P. , Hunt Heidi , Devine Bailey
Published: March 2024

Partnerships between two‐ and four‐year Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) can provide high‐quality, in‐depth learning experiences for traditionally underserved students. Blurring the lines between these institutions allows for more seamless transitions for prospective teachers (PTs), and maximum collaboration and program impact. This article contributes to the growing literature on such partnerships and collaborations. We describe how our partnership between Northwest Vista College (2‐year institution) and University of Texas at San Antonio (4‐year institution) supported PTs and their development of mathematics pedagogical content knowledge and skills to facilitate in diverse settings (i.e., mathematics sensemaking, questioning, teaching through problem solving, soft teaching skills). To describe the nature of our partnership, in this article we (1) explain some of the main elements of the partnership between the two‐ and four‐year campuses, (2) review the unique, collaborative nature of the Community Mathematics Project, and (3) discuss outcomes that have resulted among Mathematics Fellows who have gone through the program.
Effective coalitions in redesigning teacher education
Authors: Casale Carolyn , Clippert‐deVogel Sherry , Scheuer Cynthia
Published: March 2024

A diverse stakeholder partnership led to the development of a Pre‐Elementary Education program through its collaboration among faculty, academic advisement, and administration across higher education institutions. Housed at an institution that serves a minority population, this collaboration led to offering an Associate of Arts degree that is fully (2 + 2) transferrable to three key transfer universities. This collaboration also created a credit hour transfer pathway to a prominent Research I institution utilizing a Mellon grant partnership between the two institutions. These collaborations are significant because pre‐education is a transfer degree and requires completion of a bachelor's degree program to meet state certification requirements. This partnership emerged in 2021–2022 at a prominent Midwestern community college. This article resports on the process of building the Pre‐Elementary Associate of Arts degree. The student population is considered minority status, being first‐generation, lower socio‐economic, coming from black and brown communities, and Middle Eastern North African descent. The lessons learned are that forging collaboration among academic advisement, faculty, and administration leads to a more successful student experience through the creation of a highly transferrable program.
“Not simply the act of enrolling”: Defining servingness at Hispanic‐serving community colleges
Authors: Lujan Jarett , McNaughtan Jon , Williams Brittani
Published: March 2024

The number of federally designated Hispanic serving institutions (HSIs) has almost doubled over the last 10 years. This shift has led researchers and policy makers alike to increasingly scrutinize what it means to be Hispanic serving, and not just Hispanic enrolling. In this study, we present perspectives from five Hispanic community college presidents who lead federally designated HSIs. Based on interviews we examine how community college presidents define servingness and what they view as critical to truly serving Hispanic students. Our findings indicate that servingness involves a focus on getting resources to students, intentional purpose‐driven programming, cultural knowledge training, and finding ways to include all students in HSI‐centered programming.
What's not in the grant: An exploration of project directors’ experiences at two‐year Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions in the Midwest
Authors: Mac Jacqueline , Aunaetitrakul Dear , Xiong Nhia
Published: March 2024

This article explores the experiences of project directors at two‐year Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions in the Midwest. Specifically, we examined how project directors faced racialized campus environments, navigated support structures (or the lack thereof), and continually combatted misperceptions about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) communities and the Midwest. We discussed the isolation, myths, lack of institutional support, and campus climate for project directors and AA/PI communities. We end with recommendations.
Post‐operative arrest following pectus excavatum repair: A case report with a systematic review of the published case reports
Authors: Roostaei Ghazal , Amini Hesam , Abtahi Hamidreza , Kazemizadeh Hossein , Edalatifard Maryam , Rahimi Besharat , Asadi Sanaz , Khoshnam‐Rad Niloofar
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

Common complications after PE surgery include ventricular tachycardia, cardiac arrest, pneumothorax, and bar displacement. These can lead to severe outcomes, emphasizing the need for caution and meticulous post‐operative monitoring. Patients and their families should be well‐informed about potential risks during the consent process.

The objective of this study was to raise awareness among medical staff and surgeons about potential complications, particularly rare and life‐threatening ones, associated with pectus excavatum (PE) surgery. PE is the most common chest wall deformity, characterized by sternal depression. Patients primarily seek treatment for cosmetic concerns, but some also report exercise intolerance and shortness of breath. Although surgical repair is the standard treatment, the incidence and nature of severe complications remain unclear and underreported. This study presents a case of a lethal cardiac event following PE surgery and conducts a systematic review of published case reports. This study describes a case of a lethal complication of ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest following the Ravitch procedure for correction of PE in a 10‐year‐old boy. A systematic review of relevant cases of PE surgery complications was conducted. Of the 506 initial records retrieved, 93 case reports from 83 articles were identified over the 23 years. Among them, 72 patients were male, and 20 cases were female. The average age of patients was 19.2 ± 7.7 years (range: 5–53). Complications had occurred up to 37 years from the time of surgery, with most of the cases (22.5%) occurring during the operation. The most frequent complications included cardiothoracic issues and displacement of the implanted steel bar. In nine patients, complications led to fatal outcomes. Due to the possible risks of PE surgery, particularly in cosmetically motivated cases, surgeons must exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant for rare and potentially life‐threatening complications.
Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis mimicking malignancy associated with Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis)
Authors: Chaisrimaneepan Nattanicha , Guadarrama Austin , Yingchoncharoen Pitchaporn , Batchinsky Maria
Published: March 2024

Key clinical message

A suspicious malignant lung nodule with cutaneous reaction is not always cancer, especially in low risk for malignancy patients. A lung biopsy should be taken into consideration. The associated cause of Sweet's syndrome directs the treatment in each patient.
Dual‐Responsive Gradient Structured Actuator via Photopolymerization‐Induced Diffusion
Authors: Sezen Polat Duygu , Buurman Vera E. , Mulder Dirk J. , Liu Danqing
Published: March 2024

Stimuli‐responsive materials have recently gained significant attention in the field of soft robotics, sensors, and biomimetic devices. The most facile way for the fabrication of such materials remains to endow bilayer structures which are fabricated with the combination of active and passive layers. Although, easily fabricated, these structures suffer from the generation of stress points between connection areas. In this work we develop a method to create a thin film with controlled cross‐link variation across its thickness. The cross‐link gradient is achieved through polymerization induced diffusion of dithiol molecules in thiol‐ene network. As a result, the film exhibits bending deformation upon illumination with light or exposure to a chemical solvent, thereby demonstrating dual responsiveness. Light actuation of the film is achieved via photothermal effects due to the incorporation of dye into the system which can absorb UV light and heat the network. While solvent induced actuation is due to anisotropic swelling. Furthermore, the straightforward fabrication procedure allows for the creation of more complex deformations by patterning the film using a photomask during photopolymerization.
Myosin‐induced F‐actin fragmentation facilitates contraction of actin networks
Authors: Matsuda Kyohei , Jung Wonyeong , Sato Yusei , Kobayashi Takuya , Yamagishi Masahiko , Kim Taeyoon , Yajima Junichiro
Published: March 2024

Mechanical forces play a crucial role in diverse physiological processes, such as cell migration, cytokinesis, and morphogenesis. The actin cytoskeleton generates a large fraction of the mechanical forces via molecular interactions between actin filaments (F‐actins) and myosin motors. Recent studies have shown that the common tendency of actomyosin networks to contract into a smaller structure deeply involves F‐actin buckling induced by motor activities, fragmentation of F‐actins, and the force‐dependent unbinding of cross‐linkers that inter‐connect F‐actins. The fragmentation of F‐actins was shown to originate from either buckling or tensile force from previous single‐molecule experiments. While the role of buckling in network contraction has been studied extensively, to date, the role of tension‐induced F‐actin fragmentation in network contraction has not been investigated. In this study, we employed in vitro experiments and an agent‐based computational model to illuminate when and how the tension‐induced F‐actin fragmentation facilitates network contraction. Our experiments demonstrated that F‐actins can be fragmented due to tensile forces, immediately followed by catastrophic rupture and contraction of networks. Using the agent‐based model, we showed that F‐actin fragmentation by tension results in distinct rupture dynamics different from that observed in networks only with cross‐linker unbinding. Moreover, we found that tension‐induced F‐actin fragmentation is particularly important for the contraction of networks with high connectivity. Results from our study shed light on an important regulator of the contraction of actomyosin networks which has been neglected. In addition, our results provide insights into the rupture mechanisms of polymeric network structures and bio‐inspired materials.
Distribution and bulk flow analyses of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) motor kinesin‐2 support an “on‐demand” model for Chlamydomonas ciliary length control
Authors: Patel Mansi B. , Griffin Paul J. , Olson Spencer F. , Dai Jin , Hou Yuqing , Malik Tara , Das Poulomi , Zhang Gui , Zhao Winston , Witman George B. , Lechtreck Karl F.
Published: March 2024

Most cells tightly control the length of their cilia. The regulation likely involves intraflagellar transport (IFT), a bidirectional motility of multi‐subunit particles organized into trains that deliver building blocks into the organelle. In Chlamydomonas, the anterograde IFT motor kinesin‐2 consists of the motor subunits FLA8 and FLA10 and the nonmotor subunit KAP. KAP dissociates from IFT at the ciliary tip and diffuses back to the cell body. This observation led to the diffusion‐as‐a‐ruler model of ciliary length control, which postulates that KAP is progressively sequestered into elongating cilia because its return to the cell body will require increasingly more time, limiting motor availability at the ciliary base, train assembly, building block supply, and ciliary growth. Here, we show that Chlamydomonas FLA8 also returns to the cell body by diffusion. However, more than 95% of KAP and FLA8 are present in the cell body and, at a given time, just ~1% of the motor participates in IFT. After repeated photobleaching of both cilia, IFT of fluorescent kinesin subunits continued indicating that kinesin‐2 cycles from the large cell‐body pool through the cilia and back. Furthermore, growing and full‐length cilia contained similar amounts of kinesin‐2 subunits and the size of the motor pool at the base changed only slightly with ciliary length. These observations are incompatible with the diffusion‐as‐a‐ruler model, but rather support an “on‐demand model,” in which the cargo load of the trains is regulated to assemble cilia of the desired length.
Electrochemical alcohol oxidation reaction on Precious‐Metal‐Free catalysts: Mechanism, activity, and selectivity
Authors: Shi Jiawei , Ma Jun , Ma Enze , Li Jing , Hu Yang , Fan Liyuan , Cai Weiwei
Published: March 2024

The electrochemical alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) is pivotal for the development of sustainable energy. The complete oxidation of alcohols has attracted extensive attention as a vital process in fuel cells. Moreover, as an alternative reaction to the oxygen evolution reaction, the selective oxidation of alcohols emerges as an effective means to lower the energy expenditure associated with electrolytic hydrogen production while yielding high‐value products. Nonprecious metal materials have been widely applied in the selective oxidation catalysis of alcohols due to their cost‐effectiveness and excellent durability. In recent years, leveraging the advantages of nonprecious metal materials in electrocatalytic AOR, researchers have delved into catalytic mechanisms and various efficient catalysts have been fabricated and evaluated. This review provides an overview of the current advancements in the electrocatalytic selective oxidation of diverse alcohols and the catalytic systems centered around nonprecious metal materials. It systematically summarizes the shared traits and distinctions in catalytic reaction characteristics across various systems, thereby laying the theoretical foundation for developing novel catalyst systems that are efficient, stable, and highly selective. This review will facilitate the utilization of nonprecious metal catalysts further toward the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols.