bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The biomedical knowledge graph of symptom phenotype in coronary artery plaque: machine learning-based analysis of real-world clinical data
Authors: Huan Jia-Ming , Wang Xiao-Jie , Li Yuan , Zhang Shi-Jun , Hu Yuan-Long , Li Yun-Lun
Published: May 2024

A knowledge graph can effectively showcase the essential characteristics of data and is increasingly emerging as a significant means of integrating information in the field of artificial intelligence. Coronary artery plaque represents a significant etiology of cardiovascular events, posing a diagnostic challenge for clinicians who are confronted with a multitude of nonspecific symptoms. To visualize the hierarchical relationship network graph of the molecular mechanisms underlying plaque properties and symptom phenotypes, patient symptomatology was extracted from electronic health record data from real-world clinical settings. Phenotypic networks were constructed utilizing clinical data and protein‒protein interaction networks. Machine learning techniques, including convolutional neural networks, Dijkstra's algorithm, and gene ontology semantic similarity, were employed to quantify clinical and biological features within the network. The resulting features were then utilized to train a K-nearest neighbor model, yielding 23 symptoms, 41 association rules, and 61 hub genes across the three types of plaques studied, achieving an area under the curve of 92.5%. Weighted correlation network analysis and pathway enrichment were subsequently utilized to identify lipid status-related genes and inflammation-associated pathways that could help explain the differences in plaque properties. To confirm the validity of the network graph model, we conducted coexpression analysis of the hub genes to evaluate their potential diagnostic value. Additionally, we investigated immune cell infiltration, examined the correlations between hub genes and immune cells, and validated the reliability of the identified biological pathways. By integrating clinical data and molecular network information, this biomedical knowledge graph model effectively elucidated the potential molecular mechanisms that collude symptoms, diseases, and molecules.
Attributes of leadership skill development in high-performance pre-hospital medical teams: results of an international multi-service prospective study
Authors: Deodatus J. A. , Kratz M. A. , Steller M. , Veeger N. , Dercksen B. , Lyon R. M. , Rehn M. , Rognås L. , Coniglio C. , Sheridan B. , Tschautscher C. , Lockey D. J. , ter Avest E.
Published: May 2024

Backgrounds

Team leadership skills of physicians working in high-performing medical teams are directly related to outcome. It is currently unclear how these skills can best be developed. Therefore, in this multi-national cross-sectional prospective study, we explored the development of these skills in relation to physician-, organization- and training characteristics of Helicopter Emergency Medicine Service (HEMS) physicians from services in Europe, the United States of America and Australia.

Methods

Physicians were asked to complete a survey regarding their HEMS service, training, and background as well as a full Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ). Primary outcomes were the 12 leadership subdomain scores as described in the LBDQ. Secondary outcome measures were the association of LBDQ subdomain scores with specific physician-, organization- or training characteristics and self-reported ways to improve leadership skills in HEMS physicians.

Results

In total, 120 HEMS physicians completed the questionnaire. Overall, leadership LBDQ subdomain scores were high (10 out of 12 subdomains exceeded 70% of the maximum score). Whereas physician characteristics such as experience or base-specialty were unrelated to leadership qualities, both organization- and training characteristics were important determinants of leadership skill development. Attention to leadership skills during service induction, ongoing leadership training, having standards in place to ensure (regular) scenario training and holding structured mission debriefs each correlated with multiple LBDQ subdomain scores.

Conclusions

Ongoing training of leadership skills should be stimulated and facilitated by organizations as it contributes to higher levels of proficiency, which may translate into a positive effect on patient outcomes.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Effectiveness of a school-based Life Gatekeeper Training Program on suicide prevention in China: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qu Diyang , Zhang Xuan , Liu Dongyu , Liu Bowen , Chen Dongyang , Cai Chengxi , An Jing , Saxena Shekhar , Chen Runsen
Published: May 2024

Background

With suicide as a leading cause of death, the issue of children and adolescent suicide risks is in the spotlight today. To empower teachers in primary and secondary schools to serve as gatekeepers and to ensure the safety of children and adolescents, the systematically tailored and localized Life Gatekeeper suicide prevention program was designed for Chinese schools.

Objective

With the ultimate goal of preventing child and adolescent suicide, we aim to outline a research protocol for examining outcomes of the recently created standardized school-based Life Gatekeeper program in reducing teachers’ stigma, increasing their knowledge, willingness to intervene, and perceived competence.

Methods

Participants will be recruited from eligible primary and secondary schools. Cluster sampling will be used to randomly assign each school to either the intervention group or the control group. The primary outcomes are stigma against suicide, suicide literacy, perceived competence, and willingness to intervene with suicidal individuals, which will be measured using the Stigma of Suicide Scale, the Literacy of Suicide Scale, and the Willingness to Intervene Against Suicide Questionnaire, respectively. Measurements will be taken at four time points, including pre-intervention, immediately after the intervention, 6-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions

The current study features innovative implementation in the real world, by using a randomized controlled trial design to examine the effectiveness of a school-based gatekeeper program among primary and secondary school teachers, following a sequence of defined and refined steps. The research will also investigate the viability of a school-based gatekeeper program for primary and secondary school teachers that could be quickly and inexpensively implemented in a large number of schools.
Fine-scale adaptive divergence and population genetic structure of Aedes aegypti in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines
Authors: Muharromah Atikah Fitria , Carvajal Thaddeus M. , Regilme Maria Angenica F. , Watanabe Kozo
Published: May 2024

Background

The adaptive divergence of Aedes aegypti populations to heterogeneous environments can be a driving force behind the recent expansion of their habitat distribution and outbreaks of dengue disease in urbanized areas. In this study, we investigated the population genomics of Ae. aegypti at a regional scale in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines.

Methods

We used the Pool-Seq double digestion restriction-site association DNA sequencing (ddRAD-Seq) approach to generate a high number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with the aim to determine local adaptation and compare the population structure with 11 microsatellite markers. A total of 217 Ae. aegypti individuals from seven female and seven male populations collected from Metropolitan Manila were used in the assays.

Results

We detected 65,473 SNPs across the populations, of which 76 were non-neutral SNPs. Of these non-neutral SNPs, the multivariate regression test associated 50 with eight landscape variables (e.g. open space, forest, etc.) and 29 with five climate variables (e.g. air temperature, humidity, etc.) (P-value range 0.005–0.045) in female and male populations separately. Male and female populations exhibited contrasting spatial divergence, with males exhibiting greater divergence than females, most likely reflecting the different dispersal abilities of male and female mosquitoes. In the comparative analysis of the same Ae. aegypti individuals, the pairwise FST values of 11 microsatellite markers were lower than those of the neutral SNPs, indicating that the neutral SNPs generated via pool ddRAD-Seq were more sensitive in terms of detecting genetic differences between populations at fine-spatial scales.

Conclusions

Overall, our study demonstrates the utility of pool ddRAD-Seq for examining genetic differences in Ae. aegypti populations in areas at fine-spatial scales that could inform vector control programs such as Wolbachia-infected mosquito mass-release programs. This in turn would provide information on mosquito population dispersal patterns and the potential barriers to mosquito movement within and around the release area. In addition, the potential of environmental adaptability observed in Ae. aegypti could help population control efforts.

Graphical Abstract
Radiation dosimetry of para-chloro-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-etomidate: a PET tracer for adrenocortical imaging
Authors: Silins Isabella , Moreno Adrian , Wall Anders , Aigbirhio Franklin , Gurnell Mark , Brown Morris , Roslin Sara , Antoni Gunnar , Hellman Per , Sundin Anders , Lubberink Mark
Published: May 2024

Background

[11C]metomidate, a methyl ester analogue of etomidate, is used for positron emission tomography of adrenocortical cancer, and has been tested in recent clinical trials for lateralization in primary aldosteronism (PA). However, in PA, visualization as well as uptake quantification are hampered by the tracer’s rather high non-specific liver uptake, and its overall clinical usefulness is also limited by the short 20-minute half-life of carbon-11. Therefore, we evaluated para-chloro-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-etomidate, [18F]CETO, a fluorine-18 (T1/2=109.8 min) analogue, as a potential new adrenocortical PET tracer. The aim of this study was to assess radiation dosimetry of [18F]CETO.

Results

[18F]CETO showed a high uptake in adrenal glands, still increasing at 5 h post injection. Adrenal glands (absorbed dose coefficients 0.100 ± 0.032 mGy/MBq in males and 0.124 ± 0.013 mGy/MBq in females) received the highest absorbed dose. The effective dose coefficient was 20 µSv/MBq.

Conclusions

[18F]CETO has a favourable biodistribution in humans for adrenal imaging. The effective dose for a typical clinical PET examination with 200 MBq [18F]CETO is 4 mSv.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05361083 Retrospectively registered 29 April 2022. at, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05361083.
Pathogenicity and escape to pre-existing immunity of a new genotype of swine influenza H1N2 virus that emerged in France in 2020
Authors: Deblanc Céline , Quéguiner Stéphane , Gorin Stéphane , Richard Gautier , Moro Angélique , Barbier Nicolas , Le Diguerher Gérald , Paboeuf Frédéric , Hervé Séverine , Simon Gaëlle
Published: May 2024

In 2020, a new genotype of swine H1N2 influenza virus (H1avN2–HA 1C.2.4) was identified in France. It rapidly spread within the pig population and supplanted the previously predominant H1avN1-HA 1C.2.1 virus. To characterize this new genotype which is genetically and antigenically distant from the other H1avNx viruses detected in France, an experimental study was conducted to compare the outcomes of H1avN2 and H1avN1 infections in pigs and evaluate the protection conferred by the only inactivated vaccine currently licensed in Europe containing an HA 1C (clade 1C.2.2) antigen. Infection with H1avN2 induced stronger clinical signs and earlier shedding than H1avN1. The neutralizing antibodies produced following H1avN2 infection were unable to neutralize H1avN1, and vice versa, whereas the cellular-mediated immunity cross-reacted. Vaccination slightly altered the impact of H1avN2 infection at the clinical level, but did not prevent shedding of infectious virus particles. It induced a cellular-mediated immune response towards H1avN2, but did not produce neutralizing antibodies against this virus. As in vaccinated animals, animals previously infected by H1avN1 developed a cross-reacting cellular immune response but no neutralizing antibodies against H1avN2. However, H1avN1 pre-infection induced a better protection against the H1avN2 infection than vaccination, probably due to higher levels of non-neutralizing antibodies and a mucosal immunity. Altogether, these results showed that the new H1avN2 genotype induced a severe respiratory infection and that the actual vaccine was less effective against this H1avN2-HA 1C.2.4 than against H1avN1-HA 1C.2.1, which may have contributed to the H1avN2 epizootic and dissemination in pig farms in France.
Privacy-preserving sports data fusion and prediction with smart devices in distributed environment
Authors: Liu Ping , Li Xiang , Zang Bin , Diao Guoyan
Published: May 2024

With the rapid advancement of sports analytics and fan engagement technologies, the volume and diversity of physique data generated by smart devices across various distributed sports platforms have grown significantly. Extracting insights and enhancing fan experiences from such data offer considerable benefits. Yet, this process unveils two primary challenges. Firstly, efficiently utilizing the vast datasets in sports analytics is daunting due to the complex nature of the sports industry. Secondly, the data collected from diverse sources and stored in distributed platforms contain sensitive information like fan preferences and athlete performance metrics, posing risks of privacy breaches. To address these challenges, we leverage an advanced Locality-Sensitive Hashing technique, known as PSDFP$$_{\text {ALSH}}$$

ALSH

, tailored for the sports domain. This paper presents a new privacy-preserving method for sports data fusion and prediction in distributed environments, utilizing enhanced Locality-Sensitive Hashing to protect sensitive information while maintaining high data utility. Through extensive experimentation, our approach demonstrates superior performance over existing methods in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and computational efficiency.
Contribution to the harm assessment of darknet markets: topic modelling drug reviews on Dark0de Reborn
Authors: Szigeti Ákos , Frank Richard , Kiss Tibor
Published: May 2024

Amid the global opioid crisis, the volume of drug trade via darknet markets has risen to an all-time high. The steady increase can be explained by the reliable operation of darknet markets, affected by community-building trust factors reducing the risks during the process of the darknet drug trade. This study was designed to explore the risk reduction efforts of the community of a selected darknet market and therefore contribute to the harm assessment of darknet markets. We performed Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modelling on customer reviews of drug products (n = 25,107) scraped from the darknet market Dark0de Reborn in 2021. We obtained a model resulting in 4 topics (coherence score = 0.57): (1) feedback on satisfaction with the transaction; (2) report on order not received; (3) information on the quality of the product; and (4) feedback on vendor reliability. These topics identified in the customer reviews suggest that the community of the selected darknet market implemented a safer form of drug supply, reducing risks at the payment and delivery stages and the potential harms of drug use. However, the pitfalls of this form of community-initiated safer supply support the need for universally available and professional harm reduction and drug checking services. These findings, and our methodological remarks on applying text mining, can enhance future research to further examine risk and harm reduction efforts across darknet markets.
MR-based radiomics predictive modelling of EGFR mutation and HER2 overexpression in metastatic brain adenocarcinoma: a two-centre study
Authors: Li Yanran , Jin Yong , Wang Yunling , Liu Wenya , Jia Wenxiao , Wang Jian
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Magnetic resonance (MR)-based radiomics features of brain metastases are utilised to predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression in adenocarcinoma, with the aim to identify the most predictive MR sequence.

Methods

A retrospective inclusion of 268 individuals with brain metastases from adenocarcinoma across two institutions was conducted. Utilising T1-weighted imaging (T1 contrast-enhanced [T1-CE]) and T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2-FLAIR) sequences, 1,409 radiomics features were extracted. These sequences were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio. The selection of relevant features was done using the least absolute shrinkage selection operator, and the training cohort’s support vector classifier model was employed to generate the predictive model. The performance of the radiomics features was evaluated using a separate test set.

Results

For contrast-enhanced T1-CE cohorts, the radiomics features based on 19 selected characteristics exhibited excellent discrimination. No significant differences in age, sex, and time to metastasis were observed between the groups with EGFR mutations or HER2 + and those with wild-type EGFR or HER2 (p > 0.05). Radiomics feature analysis for T1-CE revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98, classification accuracy of 0.93, sensitivity of 0.92, and specificity of 0.93 in the training cohort. In the test set, the AUC was 0.82. The 19 radiomics features for the T2-FLAIR sequence showed AUCs of 0.86 in the training set and 0.70 in the test set.

Conclusions

This study developed a T1-CE signature that could serve as a non-invasive adjunctive tool to determine the presence of EGFR mutations and HER2 + status in adenocarcinoma, aiding in the direction of treatment plans.

Clinical relevance statement

We propose radiomics features based on T1-CE brain MR sequences that are both evidence-based and non-invasive. These can be employed to guide clinical treatment planning in patients with brain metastases from adenocarcinoma.
Design of ANCHOR-RA: a multi-national cross-sectional study on screening for interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sparks Jeffrey A. , Dieudé Philippe , Hoffmann-Vold Anna-Maria , Burmester Gerd R , Walsh Simon LF , Kreuter Michael , Stock Christian , Sambevski Steven , Alves Margarida , Emery Paul
Published: May 2024

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is associated with high mortality. Screening tools based on risk factors are needed to decide which patients with RA should be screened for ILD using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The ANCHOR-RA study is a multi-national cross-sectional study that will develop a multivariable model for prediction of RA-ILD, which can be used to inform screening for RA-ILD in clinical practice.

Methods

Investigators will enrol consecutive patients with RA who have ≥ 2 of the following risk factors for RA-ILD: male; current or previous smoker; age ≥ 60 years at RA diagnosis; high-positive rheumatoid factor and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (titre > 3 x upper limit of normal); presence or history of certain extra-articular manifestations of RA (vasculitis, Felty’s syndrome, secondary Sjögren’s syndrome, cutaneous rheumatoid nodules, serositis, and/or scleritis/uveitis); high RA disease activity in the prior 12 months. Patients previously identified as having ILD, or who have had a CT scan in the prior 2 years, will not be eligible. Participants will undergo an HRCT scan at their local site, which will be assessed centrally by two expert radiologists. Data will be collected prospectively on demographic and RA-related characteristics, patient-reported outcomes, comorbidities and pulmonary function. The primary outcomes will be the development of a probability score for RA-ILD, based on a multivariable model incorporating potential risk factors commonly assessed in clinical practice, and an estimate of the prevalence of RA-ILD in the study population. It is planned that 1200 participants will be enrolled at approximately 30 sites in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain.

Discussion

Data from the ANCHOR-RA study will add to the body of evidence to support recommendations for screening for RA-ILD to improve detection of this important complication of RA and enable early intervention.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov NCT05855109 (submission date: 3 May 2023).
Psychiatric impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 on previously mentally healthy survivors
Authors: Naguib Rehab Mohamed , Amin Ghada Refaat , Serafi Doha El , Naga Hend Adel Hamed , Sallam Sara Ashraf
Published: May 2024

Background

The prolonged psychiatric disorders rate following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could surpass that of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) as well as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) as a result of variations in viral disease treatment as well as societal circumstances throughout the outbreaks. This work aimed to investigate the COVID-19 prolonged psychiatric effects on survivors without psychiatric diseases before infection.

Methods

This cross-sectional research was conducted on 1254 patients of which 700 patients (55.8%) were positive for psychiatric complications based on the general health (GHQ-28) questionnaire and 554 patients (44.1%) were negative, aged above 18 years old who had been infected with COVID19 (PCR swab confirmed) and recovered since less than 6 months without previous history of any psychiatric disease.

Results

Smoking, medical comorbidities, hospitalization, and cortisone in treatment were significantly higher in GHQ-28 positive than GHQ-28 negative (p < 0.05). Psychiatric disorders and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) grades showed a significant association between smoking and hospitalization and Taylor Manifest Anxiety scales and smoking, hospitalization, and treatment with cortisone). Smoking, medical comorbidities, hospitalization, and cortisone in treatment were the most significant predictors of positive GHQ-28. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that medical comorbidities, hospitalization, and cortisone in treatment were the best independent predictors of GHQ-28 positive (p = 7.055, p = 0.007, p = 0.043, p = 0.047, respectively).

Conclusions

COVID-19 cases without pre-existing psychological disorders exhibited a significant increase in psychiatric disorders occurrence 6 months following recovery. Anxiety disorders represented the predominant mental diagnoses documented.
A rare case of congenital right lobar segmental hepatic hypoplasia complicated by portal hypertension: a radiologic perspective
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Akash , Bansal Neha
Published: May 2024

Background

Segmental hypoplasia of liver is an infrequently encountered congenital anomaly which is clinically indolent and detected incidentally on cross sectional imaging or abdominal surgery which can have a myriad of surgical and medical implications. The unique radiological manifestations and associated complications makes it a diagnostically challenging entity.

Case presentation

We report a case of a middle-aged female presenting with complaints of non-specific abdominal pain for two years in which we reported the presence of segmental hypoplasia of right lobe complicated by development of portal hypertension incidentally detected on ultrasound examination which was followed up and confirmed on cross sectional imaging.

Conclusions

In this case report, we present a unique instance of congenital segmental hypoplasia of the liver, highlighting the intricacies of its radiological presentation, potential clinical implications, and the challenges associated with its diagnosis. By examining this rare anomaly, we aim to contribute to the growing body of knowledge surrounding hepatic developmental disorders, fostering a deeper understanding of the clinical spectrum, and facilitating improved patient care through enhanced diagnostic awareness.
Correlation between quantitative HBsAg and quantitative HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Maimunah Ummi , Wardhani Puspa , Wungu Citrawati Dyah Kencono , Rahmanda Anisa Firdausi , Kurniawan Andreas Agung , Palayukan Andrio
Published: May 2024

Background

HBV DNA assays have several limitations including being expensive and not widely available. Detection of HBsAg in serum has been the hallmark of HBV infection. However, previous studies regarding the association between HBsAg and HBV DNA revealed contradictory results. This study aims to reassess the correlation between HBsAg and HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Methods

Observational studies with näive chronic hepatitis B patients were included, while studies with other coinfections were excluded. The studies were identified by searching through Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer Link for English and Bahasa articles from 2011 to 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal.

Results

A total of 17 studies with 4134 participants met the criteria. The overall analysis revealed a moderate correlation between quantitative HBsAg and quantitative HBV DNA in the total sample of chronic hepatitis B patients (r = 0.57, 95% CI 0.40–0.75, P < 0.00001). In HBeAg + group, a moderate correlation was indicated while in HBeAg − revealed a weak association (r = 0.55, 95% CI 0.39–0.70, P < 0.00001 vs r = 0.29, 95% CI 0.20–0.38, P < 0.00001). The strongest correlation was discovered in HBeAg + chronic HBV infection phase (r = 0.59, 95% CI 0.35–0.82, P < 0.00001).

Conclusion

Serum HBsAg titer supports as a predictor of serum HBV DNA levels in clinical practice with moderate strength of correlation.

Trial registration

This review had been registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023421246).
Multiple anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive primary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors with spontaneously expanding and shrinking nodules in both lungs: a case report
Authors: Nomura Shunsuke , Kaji Mitsuhito , Shiina Nobuyuki , Chiba Ryohei , Cho Yasushi , Shiiya Haruhiko , Kato Tatsuya
Published: May 2024

Background

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are uncommon neoplasms most prevalent in individuals under 40 years old and predominantly in the lungs. Despite their rarity, multiple anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive IMTs, especially those of various sizes, have not been widely reported. This report describes a case of multiple ALK-positive IMTs in the lungs, aiming to further our understanding of their behavior and management.

Case presentation

Herein, we present the case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with an abnormal shadow on chest examination. Chest computed tomography revealed a main tumor in the right middle lobe and multiple irregularly shaped small nodules in both lungs. Thus, thoracoscopic wedge resection of the left lower lobe was performed for diagnosis. Pathological findings indicated smooth muscle proliferation without malignancy. IMT was diagnosed following thoracoscopic right middle lobectomy. Twenty months postoperatively, one residual nodule shrank, but another grew.

Conclusions

This is the first report of multiple ALK-positive IMTs in both lungs, highlighting the need for definitive diagnosis and treatment of IMTs based on surgical resection. Although caution is required in patients with lymph node metastases or distant metastases, careful follow-up is acceptable unless there is a tendency for nodules to increase in size on imaging.
Gut metagenomic analysis of gastric cancer patients reveals Akkermansia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Veillonella microbiota as potential non-invasive biomarkers
Authors: Nath Anju R. , Natarajan Jeyakumar
Published: May 2024

The goal of the study was to investigate the changes in the gut microbiota during the advancement of gastric cancer (GC) and identify pertinent taxa associated with the disease. We used a public fecal amplicon gastric cancer dataset from the Sequence Retrieval Archive (SRA), of patients with GC, gastritis, and healthy individuals. We did sequence pre-processing, including quality filtering of the sequences. Then, we performed a diversity analysis, evaluating α- and β-diversity. Next, taxonomic composition analysis was performed and the relative abundances of different taxa at the phylum and genus levels were compared between GC, gastritis, and healthy controls. The obtained results were subsequently subjected to statistical validation. To conclude, metagenomic function prediction was carried out, followed by correlation analysis between the microbiota and KEGG pathways. α analysis revealed a significant difference between male and female categories, while β analysis demonstrated significant distinctions between GC, gastritis, and healthy controls, as well as between sexes within the GC and gastritis groups. The statistically confirmed taxonomic composition analysis highlighted the presence of the microbes Bacteroides and Veillonella. Furthermore, through metagenomic prediction analysis and correlation analysis with pathways, three taxa, namely Akkermansia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Veillonella, were identified as potential biomarkers for GC. Additionally, this study reports, for the first time, the presence of two bacteria, Desulfobacteriota and Synergistota, in GC, necessitating further investigation. Overall, this research sheds light on the potential involvement of gut microbiota in GC pathophysiology; however, additional studies are warranted to explore its functional significance.
Transformative Peer Connections: Early Experiences From the ASCO Palliative Care Community of Practice
Authors: Tsang Mazie , Bergerot Cristiane , Dhawan Natasha , Patel Rushil , Burbage Darcy , Zhang Tingting , Al-Mondhiry Jafar , McCollom Joseph , Sedhom Ramy
Published: May 2024

The integration of palliative care into routine oncology practice is the standard of care by most leading cancer organizations. Palliative medicine helps to deliver higher quality of care at a lower cost. However, there are barriers to implementing palliative oncology at many institutions for myriad reasons. In this article, we discuss an innovative strategy that ASCO implemented called the Communities of Practice (CoP). We share our experiences as the Palliative Care CoP and how our group seeks to develop processes and structures to collectively promote systemic change and enhance palliative care delivery for people with cancer. Our Palliative Care CoP engages with senior leaders, administrators, and those in power to achieve a shared vision of delivering holistic health care for people with serious illness. We continue to evolve to meet our members' growing needs by addressing eight main domains: (1) increasing palliative care education and resources; (2) creating opportunities for global palliative care research; (3) providing peer mentorship and community building; (4) engaging with patient advocates; (5) supporting and developing interdisciplinary teams; (6) assisting with professional development and identity formation, especially for trainees and early career faculty; (7) extending our outreach through social media; and (8) enhancing the clinical practice of palliative oncology. The ASCO CoP has been a vital forum to realize ASCO's mission of conquering cancer and advancing the Art and Science of Cancer Care: From Comfort to Cure.
State-of-the-Art Advancements in Gastroesophageal Cancer Treatment: Harnessing Biomarkers for Precision Care
Authors: Balmaceda Nicole Baranda , Petrillo Angelica , Krishnan Mridula , Zhao Joseph J. , Kim Sunnie , Klute Kelsey A. , Sundar Raghav
Published: May 2024

Gastroesophageal cancers (GECs) represent a significant clinical challenge. For early resectable GEC, the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors into the perioperative chemotherapy and chemoradiation treatment paradigms are being explored and showing promising results. Frontline management of metastatic GEC is exploring the role of targeted therapies beyond PD-1 inhibitors, including anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 agents, Claudin 18.2 inhibitors, and FGFR2 inhibitors, which have shown considerable efficacy in recent trials. Looking ahead, ongoing trials and emerging technologies such as bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and adoptive cell therapies like chimeric antigen receptor T cells are expected to define the future of GEC management. These advancements signify a paradigm shift toward personalized and immunotherapy-based approaches, offering the potential for improved outcomes and reduced toxicity for patients with GEC.
Pilot Validation of a 3-Dimensional Printed Pituitary Adenoma, Vascular Injury, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Surgical Simulator
Authors: Candy Nicholas G. , Zhang Alexander S. , Bouras George , Jukes Alistair K. , Santoreneos Stephen , Vrodos Nick , Wormald Peter-John , Psaltis Alkis J.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Endoscopic skull base surgery is a subspecialty field which would benefit significantly from high-fidelity surgical simulators. Giving trainees the opportunity to flatten their learning curve by practicing a variety of procedures on surgical simulators will inevitably improve patient outcomes.

METHODS:

Four neurosurgeons, 8 otolarynologists, and 6 expert course faculty agreed to participate. All participants were asked to perform a transsphenoidal exposure and resection of a pituitary adenoma, repair a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, control a carotid injury, and repair a skull base defect. The content, face, and construct validity of the 3-dimensional printed model was examined.

RESULTS:

The heart rate of the participants significantly increased from baseline when starting the carotid injury simulation (mean 90 vs 121, P = .029) and significantly decreased once the injury was controlled (mean 121 vs 110, P = .033, respectively). The participants reported a significant improvement in anxiety in facing a major vascular injury, as well as an increase in their confidence in management of major vascular injury, resecting a pituitary adenoma and repair of a CSF leak using a 5-point Likert scale (mean 4.42 vs 3.58 P = .05, 2 vs 3.25 P < .001, 2.36 vs 4.27 P < .001 and 2.45 vs 4.0 P = .001, respectively). The mean Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills score for experienced stations was 4.4, significantly higher than the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills score for inexperienced stations (mean 3.65, P = .016).

CONCLUSION:

We have demonstrated for the first time a validated 3-dimensional printed surgical simulator for endoscopic pituitary surgery that allows surgeons to practice a transsphenoidal approach, surgical resection of a pituitary adenoma, repair of a CSF leak in the diaphragma sellae, control of a carotid injury, and repair of skull base defect.
The glucocorticoid receptor acts locally to protect dystrophic muscle and heart during disease
Authors: Oliver Trinitee , Nguyen Nhu Y. , Tully Christopher B. , McCormack Nikki M. , Sun Christina M. , Fiorillo Alyson A. , Heier Christopher R.
Published: May 2024

Absence of dystrophin results in muscular weakness, chronic inflammation and cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Pharmacological corticosteroids are the DMD standard of care; however, they have harsh side effects and unclear molecular benefits. It is uncertain whether signaling by physiological corticosteroids and their receptors plays a modifying role in the natural etiology of DMD. Here, we knocked out the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, encoded by Nr3c1) specifically in myofibers and cardiomyocytes within wild-type and mdx52 mice to dissect its role in muscular dystrophy. Double-knockout mice showed significantly worse phenotypes than mdx52 littermate controls in measures of grip strength, hang time, inflammatory pathology and gene expression. In the heart, GR deletion acted additively with dystrophin loss to exacerbate cardiomyopathy, resulting in enlarged hearts, pathological gene expression and systolic dysfunction, consistent with imbalanced mineralocorticoid signaling. The results show that physiological GR functions provide a protective role during muscular dystrophy, directly contrasting its degenerative role in other disease states. These data provide new insights into corticosteroids in disease pathophysiology and establish a new model to investigate cell-autonomous roles of nuclear receptors and mechanisms of pharmacological corticosteroids.
Η κατηγορία της ζωής στον Πρόκλο και οι οντοθεολογικές θεμελιώσεις της
Authors: Θεοδωράκη Σπυριδούλα
Published: May 2024

Αντικείμενο μελέτης τής εν λόγω διατριβής αποτελεί το τέταρτο βιβλίο τής πραγματείας Περὶ τῆς κατὰ Πλάτωνα Θεολογίας –και πιο συγκεκριμένα τα κεφάλαια 1-4 και 27-39–, στο οποίο ο νεοπλατωνικός Πρόκλος ασχολείται με την οντολογική κατηγορία της ζωῆς, η οποία κατέχει την δεύτερη θέση στο μεταφυσικό σχήμα του εἶναι-ζωή-νοῦς, το δομούμενο υπό το τριαδικό οργανόγραμμα μονή-πρόοδος-ἐπιστροφή. Προκειμένου να αναδειχθούν οι θέσεις τού Πρόκλου περί τής ζωῆς, εστιάζουμε καταρχάς στο κατά πόσον ο ίδιος ακολουθεί την μεθοδολογία τού Πλάτωνος και στον τρόπο διά τού οποίου εξετάζει τα πλατωνικά μεταφυσικά σχήματα. Εν συνεχεία, διερευνούμε αν οι κατηγορίες τού πλατωνικού διαλόγου Παρμενίδης εκλαμβάνονται από τον ίδιον ως αντικειμενικές μεταφυσικές πραγματικότητες ή ως εννοιολογικές κατασκευές τού ανθρωπίνου νού και έτσι φέρουμε στο προσκήνιο την διάκριση μεταξύ ρεαλισμού και νομιναλισμού. Ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον μας αποτελεί εάν ο νεοπλατωνικός φιλόσοφος υιοθετεί τον εννοιολογικό ρεαλισμό, δηλαδή εάν δέχεται ότι τα καθόλου –και κατά μείζονα λόγον η ζωή– έχουν απόλυτη θεία ύπαρξη ανεξάρτητη από τα φυσικά όντα (μεταφυσική τής υπερβατικότητας), εάν οι μεταφυσικές πραγματικότητες εκδηλώνονται αιτιακά και παράγουν τον φυσικό κόσμο (μεταφυσική τής εμμένειας) και εάν η αιτιακή παρουσία τους μπορεί να αποτελέσει περιεχόμενο της ανθρώπινης νόησης και να αποτυπωθεί με εννοιολογικά σχήματα. Αναφορικά με τις οντοθεολογικές θεμελιώσεις τής ζωῆς, ερευνούμε εξαντλητικά τον τρόπο με τον οποίο λειτουργεί ο κλάδος τής Οντοθεολογίας στην πραγματεία Περὶ τῆς κατὰ Πλάτωνα Θεολογίας και τις αντιστοιχίες ανάμεσα στις οντολογικές κατηγορίες τού Πλάτωνος και στις θεότητες τις οποίες ο Πρόκλος υιοθετεί, επιχειρώντας ο ίδιος να αναδείξει την θεογενετική διαδικασία και την εξ αυτής απορρέουσα παραγωγή τού φυσικού κόσμου. Εισέτι, εστιάζουμε στις πλατωνικές θεωρίες περί των ἰδεῶν και περί των ἀριθμῶν και στον οντολογικό ρόλο τους. Τέλος, εξετάζουμε το αν και πώς ο Πρόκλος εφαρμόζει τον συνήθη εκλεκτικισμό του, δηλαδή το αν προβαίνει σε διυλισμένες ανακατασκευές τού ιστορικού παρελθόντος και αν τελικά ρητά δηλοί τις επιρροές τού διδασκάλου του, του Συριανού. Διαπιστώνουμε ότι στα όσα μελετήσαμε δεν ακολουθεί τις σταθερές επιλογές του, αλλά ότι παρουσιάζεται ως ένας αυτόνομος διανοητής, προβάλλοντας εμμέσως ότι είναι ο κατεξοχήν ή και ο αποκλειστικός αυθεντικός ερευνητής των θεωρητικών επιλογών τού Πλάτωνος.
Search engine Performance optimization: methods and techniques
Authors: AMAN Serge Stephane , N'GUESSAN Behou Gerard , AGBO Djama Djoman Alfred , KONE Tiemoman
Published: May 2024

Background With the rapid advancement of information technology, search engine optimisation (SEO) has become crucial for enhancing the visibility and relevance of online content. In this context, the use of cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure is being explored to bolster SEO capabilities. Methods This scientific article offers an in-depth study of search engine optimisation. It explores the different methods and techniques used to improve the performance and efficiency of a search engine, focusing on key aspects such as result relevance, search speed and user experience. The article also presents case studies and concrete examples to illustrate the practical application of optimisation techniques. Results The results demonstrate the importance of optimisation in delivering high quality search results and meeting the increasing demands of users. Conclusions The article addresses the enhancement of search engines through the Microsoft Azure infrastructure and its associated components. It highlights methods such as indexing, semantic analysis, parallel searches, and caching to strengthen the relevance of results, speed up searches, and optimise the user experience. Following the application of these methods, a marked improvement was observed in these areas, thereby showcasing the capability of Microsoft Azure in enhancing search engines. The study sheds light on the implementation and analysis of these Azure-focused techniques, introduces a methodology for assessing their efficacy, and details the specific benefits of each method. Looking forward, the article suggests integrating artificial intelligence to elevate the relevance of results, venturing into other cloud infrastructures to boost performance, and evaluating these methods in specific scenarios, such as multimedia information search. In summary, with Microsoft Azure, the enhancement of search engines appears promising, with increased relevance and a heightened user experience in a rapidly evolving sector.
Efficacy and safety of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in hematologic malignancies: a living systematic review (protocol)
Authors: Leache Leire , Gutiérrez Valencia Marta , Saiz Luis Carlos , Erviti Juan , Rojas Reyes Maria Ximena
Published: May 2024

Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of CAR-T therapy in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies, in comparison with other current therapies. Design A living systematic review Methods We will include randomized trials evaluating the effect of CAR-T therapy versus other active treatments, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, best supportive care or any other intervention in patients with hematologic malignancies. Non-randomized primary studies will be searched in case we found no direct evidence from randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently screen each study for eligibility, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. Efficacy measures will include overall survival rate, overall response rate, complete response/remission (CR) rate, partial response/remission (PR) rate, relapse from CR, progression-free survival, and time from CAR-T infusion to transplantation. Safety measures will include serious adverse events, the incidence of cytokine release syndrome, graft-versus-host disease, neurotoxicity, and total adverse events. Quality of life will also be assessed. Meta-analyses will be carried out to summarize the results. We will apply the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. A living, web-based version of this review will be openly available until there is solid evidence to respond to the review objective. We will resubmit it for publication every time the conclusions change or whenever there are substantial updates.
The genome sequence of the Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793)
Authors: Mrowicki Rob , Uhl Rebekka ,   Marine Biological Association 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: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual Magallana gigas (the Pacific oyster; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Ostreida; Ostreidae). The genome sequence is 564.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 18.23 kilobases in length.
STUDENTS' READINESS TO MAKE STRATEGIC DECISIONS: DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL DIAGNOSTIC METHODS
Authors: Moskaleva Lyudmila Y. , Shevchenko Yuri V.
Published: May 2024

The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate the structure of students' readiness to make strategic decisions. It is also in formulating a list of statements to assess the level of students' readiness to make strategic decisions based on ideas about this construct.
Research objectives:
− to actualize the problem of youth strategic orientation  in the value-semantic modernization of modern higher education;
– to form a cognitive image of assessing the level of students’ readiness to make strategic decisions;
– to generalize the idea of the importance of personality-oriented, individual factors in designing and diagnosing of students’ readiness to make strategic decisions.
Methodology. Systematic, professionographic, personality-oriented and value-based approaches are used in the article to build psychological and pedagogical methodology; the main research methods are analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction.
Results. The authors propose the basis for building a psychological and pedagogical diagnosis of students' readiness to make strategic decisions as a result of the conducted research.
The readiness to make strategic decisions gives opportunities for improving educational work with students, which enables to prioritize students' own future activities. It also helps to elaborate the ability to reflect  and determine directions for personal and professional development , the skills to rationally allocate resources to achieve significant results. The positions substantiated in the study (the choice of priority life strategies, the ability to reflect on the difficulties arising in life, focus on sociability, on rationally determined individual intentions, values and results, etc.) are advisable to use in educational work with subjects of the cultural and educational space.
Information about sponsorship. The research was carried out within the framework of the scientific theme "Research of students' readiness to make strategic decisions in the changing cultural and educational space" (registration number:123112100032-8).
ATTITUDES TOWARDS UNCERTAINTY AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIFE PATH CHOICES
Authors: Timoshchenko Anastasia S.
Published: May 2024

Research study focusing on the influence of uncertainty on individuals' life conditions. The study examines individuals' attitudes towards uncertainty, their components of coping with external difficulties, and the expressiveness of components supporting internal complexity.
Materials and methods of research. The research was conducted with employees of a large industrial enterprise who were facing critical organizational changes. A total of 177 employees (68 males and 109 females) aged 21 to 62 were included in the study. The experimental group consisted of 101 individuals (39 males and 62 females). Subjects were divided based on life path choice types using the methodology "Typology of Personal Life Path Choice" by V.G. Gryazeva-Dobshinskaya and A.S. Maltseva. Attitudes towards uncertainty were assessed using the "Uncertainty Tolerance Scale" adapted by E.G. Lukovitskaya.
Research results. The results revealed that subjects with different life path choices, attitudes towards recognizing and accepting external difficulties, and the intensity of components supporting internal complexity perceive situations of uncertainty differently. Significant differences in uncertainty tolerance levels were identified among subjects with hedonistic and creative, realistic and hedonistic, and valuable and realistic life path choice types.