bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early decrease of blood myeloid-derived suppressor cells during checkpoint inhibition is a favorable biomarker in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Gaißler Andrea , Bochem Jonas , Spreuer Janine , Ottmann Shannon , Martens Alexander , Amaral Teresa , Wagner Nikolaus Benjamin , Claassen Manfred , Meier Friedegund , Terheyden Patrick , Garbe Claus , Eigentler Thomas , Weide Benjamin , Pawelec Graham , Wistuba-Hamprecht Kilian
Published: June 2023

Background

The need for reliable clinical biomarkers to predict which patients with melanoma will benefit from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) remains unmet. Several different parameters have been considered in the past, including routine differential blood counts, T cell subset distribution patterns and quantification of peripheral myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), but none has yet achieved sufficient accuracy for clinical utility.

Methods

Here, we investigated potential cellular biomarkers from clinical routine blood counts as well as several myeloid and T cell subsets, using flow cytometry, in two independent cohorts of a total of 141 patients with stage IV M1c melanoma before and during ICB.

Results

Elevated baseline frequencies of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSC) in the blood were confirmed to predict shorter overall survival (OS) (HR 2.086, p=0.030) and progression-free survival (HR 2.425, p=0.001) in the whole patient cohort. However, we identified a subgroup of patients with highly elevated baseline M-MDSC frequencies that fell below a defined cut-off during therapy and found that these patients had a longer OS that was similar to that of patients with low baseline M-MDSC frequencies. Importantly, patients with high M-MDSC frequencies exhibited a skewed baseline distribution of certain other immune cells but these did not influence patient survival, illustrating the paramount utility of MDSC assessment.

Conclusion

We confirmed that in general, highly elevated frequencies of peripheral M-MDSC are associated with poorer outcomes of ICB in metastatic melanoma. However, one reason for an imperfect correlation between high baseline MDSCs and outcome for individual patients may be the subgroup of patients identified here, with rapidly decreasing M-MDSCs on therapy, in whom the negative effect of high M-MDSC frequencies was lost. These findings might contribute to developing more reliable predictors of late-stage melanoma response to ICB at the individual patient level. A multifactorial model seeking such markers yielded only MDSC behavior and serum lactate dehydrogenase as predictors of treatment outcome.
Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in mitral regurgitation and its influence on outcomes
Authors: Ratwatte Seshika , Strange Geoff , Playford David , Stewart Simon , Celermajer David S
Published: June 2023

Objective

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) commonly coexists with significant mitral regurgitation (MR), but its prevalence and prognostic importance have not been well characterised. In a large cohort of adults with moderate or greater MR, we aimed to describe the prevalence and severity of PHT and assess its influence on outcomes.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we analysed the National Echocardiography Database of Australia (data from 2000 to 2019). Adults with an estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (eRVSP), left ventricular ejection fraction >50% and with moderate or greater MR were included (n=9683). These subjects were then categorised according to their eRVSP. The relationship between PHT severity and mortality outcomes was evaluated (median follow-up of 3.2 years, IQR 1.3–6.2 years).

Results

Subjects were aged 76±12 years, and 62.6% (6038) were women. Overall, 959 (9.9%) had no PHT, and 2952 (30.5%), 3167 (32.7%), 1588 (16.4%) and 1017 (10.5%) patients had borderline, mild, moderate and severe PHT, respectively. A ‘typical left heart disease’ phenotype was identified with worsening PHT, showing rising E:e′, right and left atrial sizes increasing progressively, from no PHT to severe PHT (p<0.0001, for all). With increasing PHT severity, 1- and 5-year actuarial mortality increased from 8.5% and 33.0% to 39.7% and 79.8%, respectively (p<0.0001). Similarly, adjusted survival analysis showed the risk of long-term mortality progressively increased with higher eRVSP levels (adjusted HR 1.20–2.86, borderline to severe PHT, p<0.0001 for all). A mortality inflection was apparent at an eRVSP level >34.00 mm Hg (HR 1.27, CI 1.00–1.36).

Conclusions

In this large study, we report on the importance of PHT in patients with MR. Mortality increases as PHT becomes more severe from an eRVSP of 34 mm Hg onwards.
Palliative sedation and time to death in home palliative care: retrospective analysis
Authors: Marinelli Daniele , Ravoni Giulio , Fusilli Maria , Colpani Emilia , Filetti Marco , Santini Daniele , Porzio Giampiero , Giusti Raffaele
Published: June 2023

Objectives

We described time to death and rates of palliative sedation during home palliative care leveraging a retrospective cohort of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

The cohort consists of 143 patients with solid or haematological malignancies admitted to home palliative care in the Tuscany region in central Italy. Only patients for whom a date of death was available were included. The outcome measures were time from admission to home palliative care to death and receipt of palliative sedation.

Results

143 patients were included in this report. Lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) scores were significantly associated with anticancer treatment at admission, as was younger age. Increasing ECOG PS scores were associated with lower survival time. Women and patients on anticancer treatment had longer survival time. Thirty-eight per cent of patients underwent palliative sedation at home; palliative sedation was more frequent among younger patients and among patients with brain or lung cancer. The most common reasons for palliative sedation were delirium and dyspnoea.

Conclusions

ECOG PS, sex and anticancer treatment had a significant impact on survival time. Thirty-eight per cent of patients in our cohort underwent home palliative sedation for refractory symptoms, most often delirium and dyspnoea.
Association between length of hospital stay and fractures in the spine, pelvis, and lower extremity among patients after intentional fall from a height: an analysis of the Japan Trauma Databank
Authors: Terayama Takero , Toda Hiroyuki , Nagamine Masanori , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Saitoh Daizoh , Yoshino Aihide
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study investigated the association between the number of regions with fractures in the spine, pelvis, and lower extremity (NRF) and the proportion of patients with a length of hospital stay (LOS) ≥30 days among those who attempted suicide by falling from a height.

Methods

Data recorded between January 1, 2004 and May 31, 2019 in the Japan Trauma Databank of patients aged ≥18 years injured by suicidal falls from a height and with ≥72 hours of LOS (period from admission to discharge home or to another hospital) were analyzed. Patients with an Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥5 in the head region or those who died after admission were excluded. Multivariate analyses including clinically relevant variables as covariates were performed to determine the association, expressed as risk ratio with 95% CI, between NRF and LOS.

Results

Among 4724 participants, the multivariate analysis revealed significant factors related to LOS ≥30 days, including NRF=1 (1.64, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.91), NRF=2 (2.00, 95% CI 1.72 to 2.33), NRF=3 (2.01, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.38), systolic blood pressure in the emergency department (ED; 0.999, 95% CI 0.998 to 0.9997), heart rate in the ED (1.002, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.004), Injury Severity Score (1.007, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.01), and intubation in the ED (1.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.34). However, history of psychiatric diseases was not a significant factor.

Conclusion

An increase in NRF was associated with an increase in LOS of patients injured by intentional falls from a height. This finding can help both emergency physicians and psychiatrists in acute care hospitals to develop better treatment strategies with attention to time constraints. Further investigation of the association between LOS and both trauma and psychiatric treatment is required to evaluate the effect of NRF on treatment in acute care hospitals.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective study with up to two negative criteria.
Evolutionary phases of the accelerating universe in modified gravity and its solar system test
Authors: Achi Tame , Singh Heisnam Shanjit
Published: June 2023

Einstein’s gravity is modified to explain an accelerating universe’s present and past scenarios by numerically exploring different cosmological parameters. A new f ( R) gravity model constrained with coupling constants is introduced in the Einstein–Hilbert action to explain current issues and open up new possibilities in gravity physics by fitting the model with newly collected data from observations. It is proposed that the current universe is undergoing an accelerating expansion that behaves as Chaplygin Gas-type dark energy. The values of the coupling constants involved in f ( R) gravity are chosen so that the current value of the effective equation of state (ωeff0) is shown within the observational approximation, that is, between −0.8 and −1.0. Cosmological parameters such as deceleration, cosmic jerk, and snap are consistent with the fundamental observational constraint, and their relevance in terms of coupling constant is also emphasized. The viability of the model as well as the existence and origin of scalaron mass are also investigated.
Do poverty and wealth look the same the world over? A comparative study of 12 cities from five high-income countries using street images
Authors: Suel Esra , Muller Emily , Bennett James E. , Blakely Tony , Doyle Yvonne , Lynch John , Mackenbach Joreintje D. , Middel Ariane , Mizdrak Anja , Nathvani Ricky , Brauer Michael , Ezzati Majid
Published: June 2023

Urbanization and inequalities are two of the major policy themes of our time, intersecting in large cities where social and economic inequalities are particularly pronounced. Large scale street-level images are a source of city-wide visual information and allow for comparative analyses of multiple cities. Computer vision methods based on deep learning applied to street images have been shown to successfully measure inequalities in socioeconomic and environmental features, yet existing work has been within specific geographies and have not looked at how visual environments compare across different cities and countries. In this study, we aim to apply existing methods to understand whether, and to what extent, poor and wealthy groups live in visually similar neighborhoods across cities and countries. We present novel insights on similarity of neighborhoods using street-level images and deep learning methods. We analyzed 7.2 million images from 12 cities in five high-income countries, home to more than 85 million people: Auckland (New Zealand), Sydney (Australia), Toronto and Vancouver (Canada), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. (United States of America), and London (United Kingdom). Visual features associated with neighborhood disadvantage are more distinct and unique to each city than those associated with affluence. For example, from what is visible from street images, high density poor neighborhoods located near the city center (e.g., in London) are visually distinct from poor suburban neighborhoods characterized by lower density and lower accessibility (e.g., in Atlanta). This suggests that differences between two cities is also driven by historical factors, policies, and local geography. Our results also have implications for image-based measures of inequality in cities especially when trained on data from cities that are visually distinct from target cities. We showed that these are more prone to errors for disadvantaged areas especially when transferring across cities, suggesting more attention needs to be paid to improving methods for capturing heterogeneity in poor environment across cities around the world.
Effect of thermal annealing on physical, structural, and performance variation of graphene oxide: A review
Authors: Singh Pankaj Kumar , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Sharma Kamal , Kumari Soni
Published: June 2023

Graphene is a two-dimensional monolayer planar sheet containing carbon atoms that are sp2-bonded to one other and tightly packed in a honeycomb crystal structure. Because of its extraordinary qualities, graphene and its derivatives, such as functionalized graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), have attracted substantial attention in a variety of applications. The synthesis of graphene and its derivatives of high quality can be accomplished by the employment of a several different methods. When subjected to various reduction methods, GO and rGO emerge with distinctive sets of properties. These features, in turn, have an impact on the graphene’s overall usefulness and performance. This paper provides an overview of the influence that thermal annealing has on the structural and physical properties of graphene. Following the thermal annealing, GO was converted into rGO, and this allowed for the coherent crystal structure of rGO to be restored. It has been found that the annealing temperature has a direct relationship with the crystallite size. The results of the recorded Raman spectra demonstrate that the degree of imperfection ([Formula: see text] ratio) can sometimes be found to increase while at other times it can be found to decrease. There has not been any conclusive evidence to support either the hypothesis that annealing is employed to polish graphene or the hypothesis that this can lead to changes in doping, defect levels, and strain consequences. Additionally, the impact that thermal annealing has on the functionality and performance variations of rGO has been analyzed and explained. This study concluded with a concise review, a discussion of the challenges faced, and a discussion of the opportunities presented by the graphene.
Defending Against Membership Inference Attacks on Beacon Services
Authors: Venkatesaramani Rajagopal , Wan Zhiyu , Malin Bradley A. , Vorobeychik Yevgeniy
Published: June 2023

Large genomic datasets are created through numerous activities, including recreational genealogical investigations, biomedical research, and clinical care. At the same time, genomic data has become valuable for reuse beyond their initial point of collection, but privacy concerns often hinder access. Beacon services have emerged to broaden accessibility to such data. These services enable users to query for the presence of a particular minor allele in a dataset, and information helps care providers determine if genomic variation is spurious or has some known clinical indication. However, various studies have shown that this process can leak information regarding if individuals are members of the underlying dataset. There are various approaches to mitigate this vulnerability, but they are limited in that they (1) typically rely on heuristics to add noise to the Beacon responses; (2) offer probabilistic privacy guarantees only, neglecting data utility; and (3) assume a batch setting where all queries arrive at once. In this article, we present a novel algorithmic framework to ensure privacy in a Beacon service setting with a minimal number of query response flips. We represent this problem as one of combinatorial optimization in both the batch setting and the online setting (where queries arrive sequentially). We introduce principled algorithms with both privacy and, in some cases, worst-case utility guarantees. Moreover, through extensive experiments, we show that the proposed approaches significantly outperform the state of the art in terms of privacy and utility, using a dataset consisting of 800 individuals and 1.3 million single nucleotide variants.
A Linguistic Anthropology of Images
Authors: Nakassis Constantine V.
Published: June 2023

This review sketches a linguistic anthropology of images. While linguistic anthropology has not historically focalized images as a central theoretical object of concern, linguistic anthropologists’ research has increasingly concerned images of various sorts. Furthermore, in its critique of structuralist reductions of language, the field has advanced an analytic vocabulary for thinking about the image in discourse. In this article, I review scholarship in linguistic anthropology on prototypic images to show how these advances (e.g., entextualization, performativity, perspective, and enregisterment) can be leveraged to theorize images more generally. In doing so, I argue against any hard distinction between language and image. I conclude by expanding out from a linguistic anthropology of images to what I call “a linguistic anthropology of …,” a field characterized by an open-ended horizon of objects and modes of inquiry, all linked together as linguistic anthropology.
Structure and Role of O-Linked Glycans in Viral Envelope Proteins
Authors: Olofsson Sigvard , Bally Marta , Trybala Edward , Bergström Tomas
Published: June 2023

N- and O-glycans are both important constituents of viral envelope glycoproteins. O-linked glycosylation can be initiated by any of 20 different human polypeptide O-acetylgalactosaminyl transferases, resulting in an important functional O-glycan heterogeneity. O-glycans are organized as solitary glycans or in clusters of multiple glycans forming mucin-like domains. They are functional both in the viral life cycle and in viral colonization of their host. Negatively charged O-glycans are crucial for the interactions between glycosaminoglycan-binding viruses and their host. A novel mechanism, based on controlled electrostatic repulsion, explains how such viruses solve the conflict between optimized viral attachment to target cells and efficient egress of progeny virus. Conserved solitary O-glycans appear important for viral uptake in target cells by contributing to viral envelope fusion. Dual roles of viral O-glycans in the host B cell immune response, either epitope blocking or epitope promoting, may be exploitable for vaccine development. Finally, specific virus-induced O-glycans may be involved in viremic spread.
A TOPSIS‐Based Decision Model to Establish Priorities for Sequencing the Design of Construction Projects in the Public Sector
Authors: Nascimento C. R. S. M. S. , de Almeida-Filho A. T. , Palha R. P.
Published: June 2023

The availability of resources regarding budget and personnel for infrastructure development in the public sector is increasingly scarce, prioritizing personnel payments and basic expenses. Therefore, there is a need to prioritize the design of maintenance, refurbishment, and construction projects. Also, it is necessary to validate their impact and necessity before allocating public resources. The main contribution of this paper is a framework proposed to handle these issues frequently found in the public sector with a multicriteria approach, considering strategic and service aspects. To illustrate the proposed model, we considered the context of a federal institution of higher education that offers an infrastructure for about forty thousand students. This public institution is affected by issues of conjuncture and opportunities arising from political moments that hinder consistent programming for better allocation of these resources. Similarly to other institutions in the public sector, the chosen one has to cope with several demands for construction projects. However, limited resources and personnel to carry out those project designs are subject to the uncertainty of not having the financial resources to implement these construction projects. Or even worse, when unforeseen, funds to carry out specific projects arise without a feasible time to design those construction projects that the public institution did not prioritize. Thus, another contribution of the decision model proposed in this paper is to enable the department responsible for projects to establish the ranking for the project design, considering the multiple criteria that reflect the institution’s needs. Among the advantages perceived from this real application, there is a priority ranking resulting from a mathematical model based on the TOPSIS method, which is easy to understand. Furthermore, the proposed approach gives the transparency and reproducibility required in such a public and democratic environment, enabling transparency on the criteria considered in the allocation process for all personnel involved considering the actors that manage the resources and those which demand the project design services.
Parametric Model for Coaxial Cavity Filter with Combined KCCA and MLSSVR
Authors: Wu Shengbiao , Li Huaning , Chen Xianpeng
Published: June 2023

Aiming at the problems of poor data effectiveness, low modeling accuracy, and weak generalization in the tuning process of microwave cavity filters, a parametric model for coaxial cavity filter using kernel canonical correlation analysis (KCCA) and multioutput least squares support vector regression (MLSSVR) is proposed in this study. First, the low-dimensional tuning data is mapped to the high-dimensional feature space by kernel canonical correlation analysis, and the nonlinear feature vectors are fused by the kernel function; second, the multioutput least squares support vector regression algorithm is used for parametric modeling to solve the problems of low accuracy and poor prediction performance; third, the support vector of the parameter model is optimized by the differential evolution whale algorithm (DWA) to improve the convergence and generalization ability of the model in actual tuning. Finally, the tuning experiments of two cavity filters with different topologies are carried out. The experimental results show that the proposed method has an obvious improvement in generalization performance and prediction accuracy compared with the traditional methods.
In Silico Characterization of an Important Metacyclogenesis Marker in Leishmania donovani, HASPB1, as a Potential Vaccine Candidate
Authors: Kordi Bahareh , Basmenj Esmaeil Roohparvar , Majidiani Hamidreza , Basati Gholam , Sargazi Dariush , Nazari Naser , Shams Morteza
Published: June 2023

Visceral leishmaniasis is a life‐threatening infectious disease worldwide. Extensive experiments have been done to introduce potential vaccine candidates to combat leishmaniasis. The present study was done to evaluate Leishmania donovani hydrophilic acylated surface protein B1 as a potential vaccine candidate using in silico methods. For this aim, server‐based predictions were performed regarding physicochemical characteristics, solubility, antigenicity, allergenicity, signal peptide, transmembrane domain, and posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Also, secondary and tertiary structures were predicted using NetSurfP‐3.0 and I‐TASSER, respectively. The 3D model was further subjected to refinement and validation, and promising B‐cell, cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL; human, dog), and helper T‐lymphocyte (HTL; human) epitopes were predicted. The protein had a molecular weight of 42.19 kDa, with high solubility (0.749), stability (instability index: 21.34), and hydrophilicity (GRAVY: ‐2.322). No signal peptide or transmembrane domain was predicted, and the most abundant PTMs were phosphorylation, O‐glycosylation, and acetylation. Many coils and disordered regions existed in the secondary structure analysis, and the tertiary model had a good confidence score (‐0.79). Next, the ProSA‐web and PROCHECK tools showed adequate improvements in the refined model compared to the crude model. Only 4 shared B‐cell epitopes among three web servers (ABCpred, BepiPred 2.0, and SVMTriP) were shown to be antigenic, nonallergenic, and with good water solubility. Also, five potent CTL epitopes in dogs and five in humans were predicted. Notably, two HTL epitopes were found to be potential IFN‐γ inducers. In conclusion, our results demonstrated several immunogenic epitopes in this protein, which could be directed towards multiepitope vaccine design.
Geotechnical Investigation and Microanalysis of Black Cotton Soil Amended with Guar Gum and Polyethylene Terephlate Fibre
Authors: Sathyapriya S. , Abdul Fasith M. S. , Senthil Kumar P. , Karthik V.
Published: June 2023

Polymer-based soil stabilization has fascinated substantial interest in the field of research intending to gain a better knowledge of the anticipated soil characteristics after polymer treatment. Intricate research on the engineering performance of expansive soil which is highly challenging due to its swell and shrink nature based on variations in water regime, treated with guar gum, a biopolymer made from gum along with polyethylene terephthalate fibre, one of the most generated plastics, resulting in massive waste, is accomplished through this entire experimental investigation. Comprehensive geotechnical tests and microstructural examinations have been performed to optimize the guar gum for enhancement of soil properties and to comprehend the interactive mechanism with the soil. The biopolymer at dosages 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% was added to the soil. Polyethylene terephthalate Fibre with an aspect ratio of 28 is used with the soil at an increment of 0.4% up to 1.6%. The optimum dosage of biopolymer was mixed with polyethylene terephthalate fibres, and its effect on geotechnical properties was carried out separately. From the experimental investigations, it is comprehended that there is a reduction of 27% and 40% in plasticity index and swelling, respectively, at an optimum dosage of 0.5% GG when compared to untreated soil. Furthermore, there is a marginal decrease of 24% in dry density, 310% increase in CBR value, and 33% reduction in compressibility of the soil treated with 0.5% GG with 1.6% PET fibre, when compared to virgin soil. The present study was conducted to improve the subgrade soil strength beneath the pavements. The usage of biopolymer and its combination with polyethylene terephthalate fibres shows that there is a considerable improvement in modifying the geotechnical properties, and its coupling effect contributes to higher California bearing ratio values. According to the outcomes of this investigation, it is proven that biopolymer and polyethylene terephthalate fibre is definitely an alternate to conventional materials. The present study was conducted to improve the subgrade soil strength beneath the pavements.
Two Refractory Immune Thrombocytopenia Case Reports Showing Responsiveness to Fostamatinib
Authors: Innao Vanessa , Calogero Rosalba Donatella , Lo Presti Fabrizio , Consoli Ugo
Published: June 2023

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is immune-mediated platelet loss due to increased destruction and insufficient production. Treatment guidelines provide for first-line steroid-based therapies followed by thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) and fostamatinib for chronic ITP. Fostamatinib demonstrated efficacy in phase 3 FIT trials (FIT1 and FIT2) mainly in second-line therapy resulting in the maintenance of stable platelet values. Here, we describe two patients with extremely heterogeneous characteristics that responded to fostamatinib after two and nine previous treatments. Responses were complete with stable platelet counts ≥50,000/μL and without any grade ≥3 adverse reactions. As in the FIT clinical trials, we confirm better responses to fostamatinib when used in the second or third line. However, its use should not be excluded in patients with longer and more complicated drug histories. Given the different mechanism of action of fostamatinib compared to TPO-RAs, it would be interesting to identify predictive factors of responsiveness applicable to all patients.
Data from Risk Factors for Early Onset Sporadic Colorectal Cancer in Male Veterans
Authors: Imperiale Thomas F. , Myers Laura J. , Barker Barry C. , Larson Jason , Stump Timothy E. , Daggy Joanne K.
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Identifying risk factors for early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) could help reverse its rising incidence through risk factor reduction and/or early screening. We sought to identify EOCRC risk factors that could be used for decisions about early screening.
Using electronic databases and medical record review, we compared male veterans aged 35-49 years diagnosed with sporadic EOCRC (2008-2015) matched 1:4 to clinic and colonoscopy controls without CRC, excluding those with established inflammatory bowel disease, high-risk polyposis and non-polyposis syndromes, prior bowel resection, and high-risk family history. We ascertained sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, family and personal medical history, physical measures, vital signs, medications, and laboratory values 6-18 months prior to case diagnosis. In the derivation cohort (75% of the total sample), univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to derive a full model and a more parsimonious model. Both models were tested using a validation cohort.
Among 600 cases of sporadic EOCRC (mean [SD] age 45.2 [3.5] years; 66% White), 1200 primary care clinic controls (43.4 [4.2] years; 68% White), and 1200 colonoscopy controls (44.7 [3.8] years; 63% White), independent risk factors included age, cohabitation and employment status, BMI, comorbidity, CRC or other visceral cancer in a first- or second-degree relative; alcohol use; exercise; hyperlipidemia; use of statins, NSAIDs, and multivitamins. Validation c-statistics were 0.75-0.76 for the full model and 0.74-0.75 for the parsimonious model, respectively.
These independent risk factors for EOCRC may identify veterans for whom CRC screening prior to age 45 or 50 years should be considered.
Data from T cell–mediated development of stromal fibroblasts with an immune-enhancing chemokine profile
Authors: Yan Ran , Moresco Philip , Gegenhuber Bruno , Fearon Douglas T.
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Stromal fibroblasts reside in inflammatory tissues that are characterized by either immune suppression or activation. Whether and how fibroblasts adapt to these contrasting microenvironments remains unknown. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) mediate immune quiescence by producing the chemokine CXCL12, which coats cancer cells to suppress T-cell infiltration. We examined whether CAFs can also adopt an immune-promoting chemokine profile. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of CAFs from mouse pancreatic adenocarcinomas identified a sub-population of CAFs with decreased expression of Cxcl12 and increased expression of the T cell-attracting chemokine Cxcl9 in association with T-cell infiltration. TNFα and IFNγ containing conditioned media from activated CD8+ T cells converted stromal fibroblasts from a CXCL12+/CXCL9– immune suppressive phenotype into a CXCL12–/CXCL9+ immune-activating phenotype. Recombinant IFNγ and TNFα acted together to augment CXCL9 expression, whereas TNFα alone suppressed CXCL12 expression. This coordinated chemokine switch led to increased T-cell infiltration in an in vitro chemotaxis assay. Our study demonstrates that CAFs have a phenotypic plasticity that allows their adaptation to contrasting immune tissue microenvironments.
Data from Single-Cell Profiling of CD8+ T Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Reveals a Continuous Spectrum of Differentiation and Clonal Hyperexpansion
Authors: Desai Poonam N. , Wang Bofei , Fonseca Andre , Borges Pamella , Jelloul Fatima Zahra. , Reville Patrick K. , Lee Eric , Ly Christopher , Basi Akshay , Root Jessica , Baran Natalia , Post Sean M. , Deng Qing , Sun Hanxiao , Harmanci Arif O. , Burks Jared K. , Gomez Javier A. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Daver Naval G. , Alatrash Gheath , Konopleva Marina , Green Michael R. , Antunes Dinler A. , Futreal Andrew , Hao Dapeng , Abbas Hussein A.
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Comprehensive investigation of CD8+ T cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is essential for developing immunotherapeutic strategies beyond immune checkpoint blockade. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA profiling of CD8+ T cells from 3 healthy bone marrow donors and 23 newly diagnosed (NewlyDx) and 8 relapsed/refractory (RelRef) AML patients. Cells co-expressing canonical exhaustion markers formed a cluster constituting <1% of all CD8+ T cells. We identified two effector CD8+ T cell subsets characterized by distinct cytokine and metabolic profiles that were differentially enriched in NewlyDx and RelRef patients. We refined a 25-gene CD8-derived signature correlating with therapy resistance, including genes associated with activation, chemoresistance, and terminal differentiation. Pseudotemporal trajectory analysis supported enrichment of a terminally differentiated state in CD8+ T cells with high CD8-derived signature expression at relapse or refractory disease. Higher expression of the 25-gene CD8 AML signature correlated with poorer outcomes in previously untreated AML patients, suggesting that the bona fide state of CD8+ T cells and their degree of differentiation are clinically relevant. Immune clonotype tracking revealed more phenotypic transitions in CD8 clonotypes in NewlyDx than in RelRef patients. Furthermore, CD8+ T cells from RelRef patients had a higher degree of clonal hyperexpansion associated with terminal differentiation and higher CD8-derived signature expression. Clonotype-derived antigen prediction revealed that most previously unreported clonotypes were patient-specific, suggesting significant heterogeneity in AML immunogenicity. Thus, immunologic reconstitution in AML is likely to be most successful at earlier disease stages when CD8+ T cells are less differentiated and have greater capacity for clonotype transitions.
Influence of Self-Efficacy on Teaching Digital Technology as Perceived by Maritime Education Faculty in the Philippines
Authors: Cabaron Richard R.
Published: June 2023

Teacher efficacy has been positively connected with student outcomes, including achievement, motivation, self-efficacy beliefs, and instructors' tenacity, passion, commitment, and instructional conduct. The researcher conducted the study to determine the maritime education faculty's self-efficacy in teaching digital technology. The researcher used descriptive research to determine the self-efficacy of maritime education faculty in teaching digital technology. The purposive sampling method was utilized considering that the respondents were the maritime education faculty from three (3) Maritime Higher Education Institutions that participated in the study. The statistical tools used in the study were frequency, percentage, standard deviation, mean, and ANOVA. The Maritime education faculty perceived themselves as having self-efficacy that can be experts in teaching digital technology, such as student engagement, instructional techniques, and classroom management. Even though they teach different courses, self-efficacy has no significant difference when classified according to the courses taught. It is highly recommended that the respective schools of the Maritime education faculty that participated in this study should be given more training on classroom management so that their self-efficacy in teaching the subject will remain high. There is also the need for the teachers to have some dialogues and consultations with the parents of their students to encourage them to collaborate with the teachers to see that their children learn their lessons well.
Peer-Led Team Learning: A Strategy to Enhance Research Productivity and Competence
Authors: Cortidor Amelia L. , Igot Julius J. , Artiaga Restilou Q.
Published: June 2023

Research productivity and competence of teachers play a critical role in promoting evidence-based teaching practices and enhancing the quality of education. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) in enhancing teachers’ research productivity and competence. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the 110 teacher participants and the pre-experimental research design was utilized. Statistical treatment such as frequencies, percentages, and weighted mean were used to determine research productivity and teachers' competence. Results revealed that more than 98% (108) out of 110 teacher participants had completed their studies, and teachers possess a high level of competence in action research (AR). Competence about context and rationale (60.91%), proposed innovation, intervention, strategy (67.27%), action research questions (56.36%), action research methods (60.00%), results and discussion (54.55%), and work plan (64.55%) are all in a high level of competence. About 44.54% (49) out of 110 teacher participants were in a moderate level of competence, and almost 2% still in a low level of AR competence. The research output is the best indicator and the most concrete manifestation that the teachers are capable and competent in writing and conducting AR. Completed AR output is a positive determinant of the teachers' knowledge and skills in action research. Likewise, PLTL is an effective strategy for enhancing teachers' competence in AR. Recommended that (1) AR competency-enhancement training through Action Research Kumustahan, Assessment, and Technical Assistance (AR-KATA) program be conducted in schools; (2) District-organized and school-based research activities utilizing PLTL strategy be implemented and sustained; and (3) Seminars, training, and development research work-related experience and accomplishments of the teachers be included as one of the criteria in selecting and hiring of teachers.
College of Arts and Sciences Graduates’ Performance: A Tracer Study
Authors: Camuyong Christian Sam F. , Decena Cyrem F. , Reyes Karl Christian , Malong Michael R. , Gregorio Maria Chello L. , Magtalas Santi A. , Adlawan Jarele E.
Published: June 2023

The current undertaking aimed to trace the employability of Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Science in Psychology graduates of a State University in Central Luzon, Philippines from 2005 to 2020. Descriptive- quantitative research design was utilized in order to describe and trace the participants’ demographic profile, employment status, and their professional development. Graduates' personal, educational and employment background, as well as their perception to the relevance of the baccalaureate degree in their employment were collected using a survey- questionnaire anchored from CHED’s graduate tracer instrument. The study gathered data from 173 graduates through convenience sampling. Electronic survey forms were used in gathering the data and utilized SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Consequently, the collected data revealed that 94.7% of the participants were employed and 67% of them perceived that their degree is relevant to their employment. Lastly, the graduates reported that communication skills were the main contributory skill to their employment developed by their respective programs, while collaborative skills were the most useful.
Structure and Macular Sensitivity Characteristic After Silicone Oil Removal in Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Haryono Aditia , Widyanatha Made Indra
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Silicone oil (SO) is an endotamponade to manage several retinal detachments.The emulsification of silicone oil is one of the complications that may occur in several patients. Retinal macular changes may occur even with successful tamponade. Purpose: to describethe structure and macular sensitivity characteristic after silicone oil removal in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: a prospective, descriptive case series study of who underwent SO tamponade for primary RRD. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and microperimetry (MP-3) were conducted before SO removal and one week after SO removal. Result: There were nine eyes that met the criteria. The mean age of the patients was 53.3?14 years. Most of the patients use silicon 1300 (66.67%) and under six months (77.8%) duration of silicone tamponade. After silicone oil removal, mean macular sensitivity in the central fovea decreased from 12.44 dB to 12.11 dB, and parafovea increased from 18.33 dB to 19.00 dB.The mean macular thickness in the fovea decreased from 269.89?m to 260?m. The mean macular thickness in parafovea was an increase from 316.16 to 328.00?m Conclusion: There was an increase in macular sensitivity and thickness at parafovea after oneweek silicone oil removal in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Prevalence of Venous Infarction in Patients With Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Baseline Diffusion-Weighted MRI and Follow-Up MRI
Authors: Alajmi Eiman , Zung Jeremy , Duquet-Armand Marie , Coutinho Jonathan M. , Mandell Daniel M.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND:

A venous pattern of infarction on neuroimaging is used as a clue to undiagnosed cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT); prevention of venous infarction is a goal of CVT management; and venous infarction is a factor used for clinical prognostication. Despite widespread use of the term venous infarct, the prevalence of true venous infarction is unclear. Our primary aim was to determine the prevalence of venous infarction in patients with CVT. We also measured the prevalence of diffusion abnormality without infarction, vasogenic edema, and intracranial hemorrhage.

METHODS:

Single-center, retrospective cohort study using a registry of 110 consecutive patients admitted to hospital with cerebral venous thrombosis between 2004 and 2014. Inclusion criteria were brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced venography at presentation, and repeat brain MRI ≥1 month later. Exclusion criteria were dural arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous malformation, cavernous sinus thrombosis, or previous neurosurgical procedure. Main outcome was proportion of patients with venous infarction (irreversible ischemic injury) diagnosed using diffusion-weighted MRI at presentation, confirmed using T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI ≥1 month later, and reported with 95% CI using the Wilson score interval method. We also report the prevalence of transient diffusion MRI abnormality without infarction, vasogenic edema, and intracranial hemorrhage.

RESULTS:

Seventy-three patients met the inclusion criteria, and after exclusions, the final study population was 59 patients with median age 41 years (interquartile range, 32–57). Venous infarction occurred in 12% (7/59 [95% CI, 6%–23%]) of patients, and final infarct volume was >1 mL in only 5.1% (3/59) of patients. An additional 8% (5/59 [95% CI, 4%–18%]) of patients had a transient diffusion MRI abnormality without infarction. Prevalence of cerebral vasogenic edema and intracranial hemorrhage were 66% (39/59 [95% CI, 53%–77%]) and 54% (32/59 [95% CI, 41%–66%]), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with CVT, venous infarction is uncommon and venous infarcts are typically very small. Vasogenic edema and hemorrhage are more common consequences of CVT.
Social Axioms and Individual Values as Predictors of COVID-19 Fear among University Students from Countries with Different Government Strategies for Managing the Pandemic
Authors: Murashcenkova Nadezhda V.
Published: June 2023

Background. Effective prevention of psychological trauma by fear of COVID-19 requires the study of the relationships between the psychological and contextual factors that can influence the level of this fear. The social axioms, individual values, and government strategies for managing the pandemic have not yet been studied as a system of psychological and contextual factors contributing to COVID-19 fear. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the level of COVID-19 fear and the characteristics of the relationships between the social axioms, individual values, and fear of COVID-19 among university students from countries with different government strategies for managing the pandemic. Design. University students from countries with different government strategies for managing the pandemic (208 Belarusians, 200 Kazakhstanis, and 250 Russians ages 18 to 25) participated in an anonymous online survey. The respondents filled in questionnaires that assessed their manifestations of COVID-19 fear (COVID-19 Fear Scale: FCV-19S) as the dependent variable; the “Social Axiom Questionnaire” (QSA-31) and the “Portrait Value Questionnaire” (ESS-21) measured the social axioms and individual values as the independent variables. Results. Fear of COVID-19 reached a higher level among the students from the countries with the weakest (Belarus) and the strongest (Kazakhstan) restrictive measures during the pandemic. Dysfunctional fear of COVID-19 was manifest among those Belarusian students who attached the greatest importance to self-enhancement values and the fate control axiom, and the least importance to the social complexity axiom, as well as among those Russian students for whom the religiosity social axiom was significant and the social complexity axiom was not. For Kazakhstani students, social axioms and values were not predictors of dysfunctional fear of COVID-19.
Determinants of Russian Attitudes Toward a Green Economy During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Maksimenko Aleksandr A. , Deyneka Olga S. , Zabelina Ekaterina V.
Published: June 2023

Background. The development of environmental consciousness is a necessary part of the full development of society. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has increased attention to the problems of man’s relationship with nature, and the green behavior of both the consumer and the producer. Attitudes toward a green economy are especially important to study in countries rich in natural resources, as they have more opportunities to overcome the contradictions between economic growth and green innovation. Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of Russian attitudes toward a green economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main hypothesis was that demographic factors determine attitudes toward a green economy in different ways, including the willingness to take actions in support of it, and acknowledgement of the connection of the need for green transformations with the pandemic. Design. Subjects were given the questionnaire “Green Economy” which contains 19 statements with which they needed to express their degree of agreement on a 5-point Likert scale. Potential determinants of their attitudes toward a green economy were collected using an additional questionnaire, which included indicators of gender, age, family and professional status, religiosity, income level, education level, and place of residence (locality). The study involved 874 respondents from the Russian Federation (62.4% female; 37.6% male; the average age was 37.34 years). Results. The results of a regression analysis showed that women, people with increased religiosity (but not too religious), younger people, and students and employees of public organizations (as opposed to employees of state and commercial organizations), as well as people from small towns or rural areas, were more positive about the idea of transition to a green economy. Conclusion.The belief that the pandemic situation has reinforced the need for a transition to a green economy was influenced by gender, degree of religiosity, and place of residence. Women, to a greater extent than men, as well as people who were more religious and lived in small towns and rural areas, were more acutely aware of the impact of the pandemic on the actualization of environmental problems.