bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Toripalimab: a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma and severe immune-related colitis
Authors: Luo Canhua , Chen Huangwei , Wu Huihuan , Liu Yongjia , Li Guoyin , Lun Weijian
Published: November 2023

Toripalimab, a specific immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting the programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor, represents a novel immunotherapeutic approach for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, showing promising curative potential. However, it is not without drawbacks, as some patients experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with this treatment, and there remains a limited body of related research. Here, we present a case of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a patient who developed colitis as an irAE attributed to Toripalimab. Subsequent to Toripalimab treatment, the patient achieved complete remission. Notably, the development of colitis was accompanied by inflammatory manifestations evident in colonoscopy and pathology results. Further investigation revealed cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, detected through immunohistochemistry in 11 colon biopsies. Subsequent treatment with ganciclovir and steroids resulted in symptom relief, and colonoscopy indicated mucosal healing. Our case highlights the association between irColitis induced by Toripalimab and CMV infection. Toripalimab demonstrates remarkable efficacy in treating advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, albeit with a notable risk of irAEs, particularly in the form of colitis. The link between symptoms and endoscopic pathology findings in irColitis is noteworthy. Standardized biopsy procedures can effectively confirm the diagnosis of CMV infection. Our findings may provide valuable guidance for managing acute CMV infection and irAEs associated with Toripalimab in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the future.
Identification of commonalities across different languages
Authors: Green Kieran
Published: November 2023

This article fulfills the need for quantifiable, physical, common characteristics across different languages, which is needed to support the theory that humans use domain-general neurocognitive machinery to acquire, process, and produce language. It is shown that four different languages—English, German, Slovak and Japanese—contain linguistic chunks characterized by at least one redundancy, degeneracy, pluripotentiality, or modularity (R, D, P, or M, respectively) trait, following precedent from other fields of signal investigation. It is first established that language can be regarded as a set of signals between individuals within a complex adaptive system framework and that all signals in all signaling systems exhibit R, D, P, and/or M traits. It is then shown that linguistic chunks can be regarded as individual signals and that the chunks examined from the aforementioned languages express at least one R, D, P, and/or M trait. The present contribution thereby indicates the potential provision of a new source of data for quantifying some of the pressures involved in language production and processing, and the work concludes by assessing the value of the present work for further investigation in related fields.
The role of submesoscale filaments in restratification of the surface mixed layer and dissolved oxygen variability in large Lake Geneva: field evidence complemented by Lagrangian particle-tracking
Authors: Hamze-Ziabari Seyed Mahmood , Foroughan Mehrshad , Lemmin Ulrich , Reiss Rafael Sebastian , Barry David Andrew
Published: November 2023

Theoretical studies on oceans and large lakes have shown that submesoscale instabilities in frontal zones tend to reduce horizontal density gradients and enhance vertical density gradients, thereby re-stratifying the Surface Mixed Layer (SML). Submesoscale filament dynamics are primarily studied using numerical models and remote sensing imagery. However, in large lakes, this concept remains without substantial field validation, mainly due to the difficulty in conducting the necessary high-resolution water column measurements. Using a procedure we recently developed to predict the time and location of mesoscale and submesoscale features generated by strong wind fields, this work presents direct field evidence demonstrating the role of submesoscale cold filaments in re-stratifying the SML under weakly stratified conditions in a large lake (Lake Geneva). The dynamics of the observed filaments were further investigated with a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) numerical model and Lagrangian particle-tracking. The numerical model accurately captured the formation of these filaments. The enhancement of thermal stratification strength, N2, reached O(10-5) s-2 in areas adjacent to cold filaments under atmospheric cooling and heating conditions. In the pelagic zone (offshore), strong vertical velocities of O(100 m d-1) were associated with secondary circulation that rapidly transports and accumulates passive particles in the thermocline and hypolimnion layers, as confirmed by Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) backscattering intensity data. The field observations indicate that under weak stratification, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) variability reaches 0.5 mg l-1 near cold filaments. This documentation of strong vertical motions associated with submesoscale filaments is expected to contribute to the understanding of the vertical exchange of heat, contaminants and oxygen between the atmosphere and the pelagic zone of large lakes, as well as in oceans where carrying out such field measurements is very challenging.
Upper-ocean structure variability in the Northwest Pacific Ocean in response to tropical cyclones
Authors: Yu Jie , Zhang Han , Wang Huizan , Tian Di , Li Jiagen
Published: November 2023

The upper ocean structure obviously affects sea surface temperature cooling (SSTC) induced by tropical cyclones (TCs). Herein, principal component analysis of many Argo profiles from 2001 to 2017 in the Northwest Pacific Ocean is used to classify the upper ocean structure. The results suggest that the upper ocean structure can be divided into four types of water. Water with low mode 1 scores (M1-L water) is characterized by an extremely warm sea surface temperature (SST), while a cold and thick isothermal layer is observed for water with high mode 1 scores (M1-H water). Water with high mode 2 scores (M2-H water) has a warm SST and a thick isothermal layer. Relative to M2-H water, water with high mode 3 scores (M3-H water) has a warmer SST but a shallower mixed layer. These waters have remarkable seasonal and spatial variability, mainly associated with the impacts of solar radiation, precipitation, currents and mesoscale eddies. The ocean responses to TCs are different among these water types, which greatly influences the TCs intensification. The response of M1-H water is not considered, since its SST is below 26°C. The TC-induced SSTC of M3-H water (-1.12°C) is markedly higher than that of M1-L (-0.68°C) and M2-H waters (-0.41°C). Moreover, the one-dimensional mixed layer model shows a much smaller entrainment rate for M2-H water due to its thick barrier layer. The number of each water type changes in association with global warming and Kuroshio path, and thus affects the TC intensification.
Effect of insulin levels and plasma fasting glucose on refractive status in the United States population aged 12–19 years
Authors: Hu Pengcheng , Liu Jialing , He Ming , Fu Yuxian , Wang Menglei
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The causes of myopia are varied, and both genetic and environmental influences play an essential role. The prevalence of myopia is increasing among adolescents and is expected to be more than one-third the global population by 2050. Some animal studies suggest that hyperinsulinemia may be a cause of myopia. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential effects of insulin levels and plasma fasting glucose on the refractive status of adolescents.

Methods

Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2008. Weighted multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the effect of insulin levels, plasma fasting glucose on refractive status. We used a smooth curve fit to reveal the nonlinear relationship between the variables.

Results

In the multivariate regression model, as insulin levels increased, there was a shift towards myopia in refractive status (β = −0.013, 95% CI: −0.023 to −0.004). This correlation was also evident in the male adolescent subgroup (β = −0.021, 95% CI: −0.035 to −0.007). Similar findings indicated that in Mexican Americans, there was a myopic shift in refractive status as insulin levels increased (β = −0.018, 95% CI: −0.033 to −0.002). However, grouping by differences in insulin measurement showed no significant correlation in Mexican-Americans. At the same time, there was no significant correlation between plasma fasting glucose and refractive status (β = −0.041, 95% CI: −0.174 to 0.091).

Conclusion

The present cross-sectional study demonstrated that higher insulin levels may promote the development of myopia in adolescents, but there may be variations across gender and ethnicity. More basic research is needed to reveal the mechanistic reasons for the association.
Age-induced aortic modifications are accompanied by alterations in the antioxidant defense system in female rats
Authors: Asad Sabahat Binte , Qian Xin , Wang Jiao , Asad Wajeeha , Gao Qiang , Cao Yang , Huang Yujia , Bin Jardan Yousef A. , Shah Tawaf Ali , Wondmie Gezahign Fentahun , Bourhia Mohammed , Lu Chunmei , Zhu Hui
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Aging leads to significant structural and functional changes in blood vessels, which disrupt their normal function and impact cardiovascular health. Current research is actively exploring the NRF2 antioxidative pathway, recognizing its role in protecting cells by preserving their antioxidant defenses against damage. However, there has been limited exploration into the role of the NRF2 pathway in vascular aging. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether age-related changes in the aorta are associated with variations in the baseline levels of antioxidant enzymes, with a particular emphasis on how the NRF2 pathway operates in the aortic wall.

Methods

A group of healthy aging female SD rats was compared with their younger counterparts. Various assessments were conducted, including measuring blood pressure, analyzing serum lipid profiles, examining aortic tissue, and assessing the expression of antioxidant enzymes.

Results

The results revealed significant differences in both blood pressure and serum lipid levels between the aged and younger rats. The examination of the aorta in older rats showed structural alterations, increased apoptosis, and the accumulation of fatty deposits. In the older rats, levels of SOD-1 (superoxide dismutase) and GSS (glutathione synthetase) were lower, whereas NRF2, KEAP-1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1), and HO-1 (Heme oxygenase 1) were higher.

Discussion

This study advances our understanding of how aging affects the antioxidant system in blood vessels, particularly in relation to the regulation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway in the aorta. These findings suggest that targeting the NRF2/HO-1 pathway could present anovel therapeutic approach for addressing age-related vascular issues.
First shotgun metagenomics study of Juan de Fuca deep-sea sediments reveals distinct microbial communities above, within, between, and below sulfate methane transition zones
Authors: Metze Felix , Vollmers John , Lenk Florian , Kaster Anne-Kristin
Published: November 2023

The marine deep subsurface is home to a vast microbial ecosystem, affecting biogeochemical cycles on a global scale. One of the better-studied deep biospheres is the Juan de Fuca (JdF) Ridge, where hydrothermal fluid introduces oxidants into the sediment from below, resulting in two sulfate methane transition zones (SMTZs). In this study, we present the first shotgun metagenomics study of unamplified DNA from sediment samples from different depths in this stratified environment. Bioinformatic analyses showed a shift from a heterotrophic, Chloroflexota-dominated community above the upper SMTZ to a chemolithoautotrophic Proteobacteria-dominated community below the secondary SMTZ. The reintroduction of sulfate likely enables respiration and boosts active cells that oxidize acetate, iron, and complex carbohydrates to degrade dead biomass in this low-abundance, low-diversity environment. In addition, analyses showed many proteins of unknown function as well as novel metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). The study provides new insights into microbial communities in this habitat, enabled by an improved DNA extraction protocol that allows a less biased view of taxonomic composition and metabolic activities, as well as uncovering novel taxa. Our approach presents the first successful attempt at unamplified shotgun sequencing samples from beyond 50 meters below the seafloor and opens new ways for capturing the true diversity and functional potential of deep-sea sediments.
A comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the bisphenol A affected kidney in mice
Authors: Wiszpolska Marta , Lepiarczyk Ewa , Paukszto Łukasz , Makowczenko Karol Gustaw , Lipka Aleksandra , Maździarz Mateusz Artur , Polak Iwona , Makowska Krystyna , Gonkowski Sławomir , Correia-de-Sá Paulo , Majewska Marta
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance belonging to the endocrine-disrupting chemicals, globally used in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It has been found that BPA enhances carcinogenesis, triggers obesity and exerts a pathogenic effect in several disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, or increased blood pressure. Recent studies have revealed, that BPA has a harmful impact on the kidneys function, therefore, the current research aimed to explore the specific molecular changes triggered in these organs after oral BPA exposure in mice.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out on 12 (3-month-old) female mice. Six mice served as controls. The other 6 mice were treated with BPA in the drinking water at a dose of 50 mg/kg b. w. for 3 months. Then animals were euthanized, the kidneys were collected, and extracted RNA was used to perform RNA-seq.

Results: Applied multistep bioinformatics revealed 433 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the BPA-treated kidneys (232 upregulated and 201 downregulated). Additionally, 95 differentially expressed long-noncoding RNAs (DELs) were revealed in BPA samples. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations indicated that BPA exposure resulted in profound changes in several essential processes, such as oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial and ribosome function, or chemical carcinogenesis.

Conclusion: The obtained novel results suggest that BPA has a harmful impact on the fundamental processes of the kidney and significantly impairs its function by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction leading to oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species production.
Study on the association between pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and acute cerebral infarction
Authors: Zheng Sihang , Hossain Mohammad Showkat , Wu Hongliang , Nao Jianfei
Published: November 2023

Objective

We aimed to study the correlation between pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and acute cerebral infarction (ACI).

Methods

Patients who had the symptoms of paralysis, aphasia, or sudden neurological impairment from June 2020 to October 2021 were chosen. There were 159 patients diagnosed with ACI as the experimental group and 102 patients without ACI as the control group. We collected clinical data and observed whether they have a certain impact on plasma PAPP-A levels. The ACI group was divided into two groups: mild neurological deficit group (NIHSS score < 3) and moderate and severe neurological deficit group (NIHSS score > 3). The ACI group was divided into the atherosclerotic-type group and the arteriolar occlusion-type group according to the TOAST classification. The ACI group was divided into a good prognosis group (mRS ≤ 2 points) and a poor prognosis group (mRS > 2 points) using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for 90 days of follow-up. Plasma PAPP-A levels were compared between those groups.

Results

(1) The plasma PAPP-A level in patients with ACI (1.840 ± 0.281) was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.690 ± 0.260). Smoking history, leukocyte count, cystatin C, homocysteine, and plasma PAPP-A levels were independently correlated with ACI. (2) The level of PAPP-A in patients with moderate and severe neurological impairment was lower than that in patients with mild neurological impairment. (3) The level of PAPP-A in patients in the arteriolar occlusion-type group was higher than that in patients in the atherosclerosis-type group. (4) The PAPP-A levels in the group with elevated low-density lipoprotein are higher than those in the group with normal low-density lipoprotein. (5) Plasma PAPP-A level was not correlated with infarction location, infarction volume, or prognosis at the 90-day follow-up.

Conclusion

(1) The level of plasma PAPP-A could be the independent risk factor of ACI. It is positively correlated with triglyceride and cholesterol content. (2) PAPP-A level is positively correlated with low-density lipoprotein. (3) PAPP-A levels between different disease severities have a significant difference. (4) The level of plasma PAPP-A in the arteriolar occlusion-type group was higher than that in the atherosclerotic-type group.
Subclinical finding in the perception of tactile sensation involvement after SARS-CoV2 infection: comparison with healthy controls using Semmes–Weinstein monofilament testing
Authors: Tereshko Yan , Viotto Chiara , Lettieri Christian , Filon Francesca Larese , Belgrado Enrico , Merlino Giovanni , Bovenzi Massimo , Valente Mariarosaria , Gigli Gian Luigi , Dal Bello Simone , Negro Corrado , Ronchese Federico
Published: November 2023

Background

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome patients complain of sensory alterations, mainly positive symptoms such as paresthesia or neuropathic pain but also decreased tactile sensation. Using the Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT), our study aims to confront recently infected SARS-CoV2 subjects with a control group.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, single-centric study. We performed the SWMT (North Coast Medical Inc.) on 30 patients with previous SARS-CoV2 infection (COVID group) and 46 controls (control group). These patients did not present comorbidities or sensory impairment and did not take any medications. The control group tested negative for SARS-CoV2 infection since the COVID-19 pandemic; the COVID group was examined for this study after the resolution of the infection. We tested the threshold of tactile sensation of the tips of the thumb, index, and little finger of each hand, one hand at a time; the dorsum and the hypothenar regions were also tested.

Results

Both groups presented the perception of tactile sensation within the reference value. Despite this result, subclinical changes suggestive of the involvement in peripheral sensory nerve function have been identified in the tested sites in the COVID group compared to the control group. The overall mean target force (grams) was higher in the COVID group than in the control group: 27 (7) vs. 19 (10) mg, p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Controls and the COVID group infection had normal tactile sensation thresholds. However, the COVID group presented a higher threshold than the control group, suggesting a possible subclinical perception of tactile sensation involvement of A-beta nerve fibers.
Impact of spiking neurons leakages and network recurrences on event-based spatio-temporal pattern recognition
Authors: Bouanane Mohamed Sadek , Cherifi Dalila , Chicca Elisabetta , Khacef Lyes
Published: November 2023

Spiking neural networks coupled with neuromorphic hardware and event-based sensors are getting increased interest for low-latency and low-power inference at the edge. However, multiple spiking neuron models have been proposed in the literature with different levels of biological plausibility and different computational features and complexities. Consequently, there is a need to define the right level of abstraction from biology in order to get the best performance in accurate, efficient and fast inference in neuromorphic hardware. In this context, we explore the impact of synaptic and membrane leakages in spiking neurons. We confront three neural models with different computational complexities using feedforward and recurrent topologies for event-based visual and auditory pattern recognition. Our results showed that, in terms of accuracy, leakages are important when there are both temporal information in the data and explicit recurrence in the network. Additionally, leakages do not necessarily increase the sparsity of spikes flowing in the network. We also investigated the impact of heterogeneity in the time constant of leakages. The results showed a slight improvement in accuracy when using data with a rich temporal structure, thereby validating similar findings obtained in previous studies. These results advance our understanding of the computational role of the neural leakages and network recurrences, and provide valuable insights for the design of compact and energy-efficient neuromorphic hardware for embedded systems.
Responsible (use of) AI
Authors: Lyons Joseph B. , Hobbs Kerianne , Rogers Steve , Clouse Scott H.
Published: November 2023

Although there is a rich history of philosophical definitions of ethics when applied to human behavior, applying the same concepts and principles to AI may be fraught with problems. Anthropomorphizing AI to have characteristics such as “ethics” may promote a dangerous, unrealistic expectation that AI can be trained to have inherent, guaranteed ethical behavior. The authors instead advocate for increased research into the ethical use of AI from initial ideation and design through operational use and sustainment. The authors advocate for five key research areas: (1) education in ethics and core AI concepts for AI developers, leaders, and users, (2) development and use of model cards or datasheets for datasets to provide transparency into the strengths, limits, and potential biases of a trained model, (3) employing human-centered design that seeks to understand human value structures within a task context and enable effective human-machine interaction through intuitive and transparent interfaces, (4) targeted use of run time assurance that monitors and modifies the inputs or outputs of a trained model when necessary to enforce ethical principles such as safety or limiting bias, and (5) developing best practices for the use of a joint human-AI co-creation and training experience to enable a shared mental model and higher performance through potential emergent behavior.
Lung-heart toxicity in a randomized clinical trial of hypofractionated image guided radiation therapy for breast cancer
Authors: Van Parijs Hilde , Cecilia-Joseph Elsa , Gorobets Olena , Storme Guy , Adriaenssens Nele , Heyndrickx Benedicte , Verschraegen Claire , Nguyen Nam P. , De Ridder Mark , Vinh-Hung Vincent
Published: November 2023

Background

TomoBreast hypothesized that hypofractionated 15 fractions/3 weeks image-guided radiation therapy (H-IGRT) can reduce lung-heart toxicity, as compared with normofractionated 25-33 fractions/5-7 weeks conventional radiation therapy (CRT).

Methods

In a single center 123 women with stage I-II operated breast cancer were randomized to receive CRT (N=64) or H-IGRT (N=59). The primary endpoint used a composite four-items measure of the time to 10% alteration in any of patient-reported outcomes, physician clinical evaluation, echocardiography or lung function tests, analyzed by intention-to-treat.

Results

At 12 years median follow-up, overall and disease-free survivals between randomized arms were comparable, while survival time free from alteration significantly improved with H-IGRT which showed a gain of restricted mean survival time of 1.46 years over CRT, P=0.041.

Discussion

The finding establishes TomoBreast as a proof-of-concept that hypofractionated image-guided radiation-therapy can improve the sparing of lung-heart function in breast cancer adjuvant therapy without loss in disease-free survival. Hypofractionation is advantageous, conditional on using an advanced radiation technique. Multicenter validation may be warranted.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00459628. Registered 12 April 2007.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of primary renal squamous cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Jia Yuhao , Zhang Qunxia
Published: November 2023

Renal squamous cell carcinoma (RSCC) is very rare, and there are few reports about it so far. Here we report a unique case of renal squamous cell carcinoma examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS), which has never been reported before. In addition, the results of CEUS showed some unique features, different from other imaging examinations. The purpose of this case report is to clarify the CEUS findings of this case and analyze its potential value in early diagnosis of RSCC.
Disitamab Vedotin (RC48) for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Jingjiao , Cai Zhengang , Gao Xue , Zhang Lina , Lu Zhi , Wang Xiaojie , Yu Peiyao , Li Jia , Fang Fengqi
Published: November 2023

Background/aim

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of metastasis and poorer overall survival (OS) due to HER2 gene overexpression/amplification. Although anti-HER2 targeted therapy has shown survival benefits in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients, long-term treatment often leads to drug resistance, complicating further treatment options. RC48, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), combines the benefits of antibody targeting with the cytotoxic effects of a small molecule drug.

Case report

We present a case involving a female patient with HER2-positive ABC who developed drug resistance and disease progression following multi-line anti-HER2 targeted therapy. In this instance, RC48 exhibited anti-tumor activity in an ABC patient resistant to HER2-targeted therapy. After eight treatment cycles with 120 mg of RC48, the tumor size decreased and stabilized.

Conclusion

This case report underscores the potential clinical value of RC48 as a promising treatment alternative for patients resistant to HER2 targeted therapies.
Comparing real-world outcomes of total neoadjuvant treatment and CRT at a tertiary medical center
Authors: Turfa Rim , Alawabdeh Tala , Naser Ayman , Alamro Yazan , Albliwi Moath , Almasri Sama , Al Qazakzeh Abdullah , Shattal Mohammad Abu , Dabous Ali , Amarin Rula
Published: November 2023

Introduction

For years, standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has included neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Although CRT has helped reduce local recurrence rates, it hasn’t consistently improved overall survival. Recent trials have unveiled a different approach called total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT), involving pre-surgery radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy (CAPOX/FOLFOX). TNT shows promise with improved treatment response and lower distant metastasis rates without compromising local control. Consequently, many healthcare institutions have adopted TNT as their preferred neoadjuvant treatment. This study, conducted at a tertiary center, compares the real-world outcomes of both CRT and TNT protocols.

Methods

In this retrospective study of 390 patients treated between 2015 and 2021, aged 18 or older with LARC and tumors within 12 cm of the anal verge, we compared treatment outcomes. We assessed factors like pathological complete remission (pCR), three-year event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) between the two treatment groups using the Chi-squared test.

Results

Out of the 390 eligible patients, 256 underwent CRT, while 84 received TNT. Surgery was performed on 215 (84%) patients in the CRT group, compared to 55 (65.5%) in the TNT group. Notably, 33 (12.8%) achieved pCR in the CRT group, whereas 23 (27.7%) achieved pCR in the TNT group (P <.001). Regardless of whether surgery was performed or not, the TNT group exhibited lower recurrence rates (12.7% vs. 18.6% with surgery, 28.6% vs. 45% without surgery). The 3-year EFS rate was 80% in the CRT group and 90% in the TNT group (P = .05). Additionally, the 3-year OS rates favored the TNT group, standing at 96.4% compared to 84.4% in the CRT group (P = .005).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that patients who underwent TNT demonstrated a higher likelihood of achieving pCR and experienced lower recurrence rates compared to those in the CRT group. Additionally, the TNT group exhibited superior 3-year EFS and OS. It is important to note, however, that a longer follow-up period is required to further validate these results.
Ethnopharmacology and therapeutic potential of Anchusa strigosa: a comprehensive review
Authors: Chebaro Ziad , Badran Adnan , Maresca Marc , Baydoun Elias , Mesmar Joelle Edward
Published: November 2023

Anchusa strigosaBanks and Sol. is a rough flowering plant of the Boraginaceae family native to Eastern Mediterranean region that is widely used in traditional herbal medicine, mainly for the treatment of wounds, abdominal pain, and arthritis, to name a few. This article aims to gather knowledge related to the medicinal properties ofA. strigosa. Specifically, it summarizes its traditional uses and pharmacological activities in the treatment of various diseases. Moreover, its botanical, ecological, and phytochemical characteristics are also discussed. Research showed that this plant is rich in pyrrolizidine alkaloids, particularly in the leaves. Other bioactive metabolites identified in this plant include flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, organic acids, and volatile organic compounds. These phytochemicals are responsible for the reported pharmacological properties ofA. strigosa, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, gastric protective, antidiabetic, and pro-wound healing. This warrants further investigation into the molecular mechanism of action behind the observed effects to elucidate its therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, more research on this plant is needed to ensure its efficacy and safety.
The effects of molecular and nanoscopic additives on phospholipid membranes
Authors: Kumarage Teshani , Morris Nicholas B. , Ashkar Rana
Published: November 2023

Lipid bilayers—the main matrix of cell membranes—are a paradigm of soft molecular assemblies whose properties have been evolutionarily optimized to satisfy the functional requirements of cells. For instance, lipid bilayers must be rigid enough to serve as the protective barrier between cells and their environment, yet fluid enough to enable the diffusion of proteins and molecular clusters necessary for biological functions. Inspired by their biological multifunctionality, lipid membranes have also been used as a central design element in many practical applications including artificial cells, drug nanocarriers, and biosensors. Whether biological or synthetic, lipid membranes often involve molecular or nanoscopic additives that modulate the membrane properties through various mechanisms. Hence, how lipid membranes respond to additives has justifiably drawn much attention in recent years. This review summarizes findings and observations on different classes of additives and their effects on structural, thermodynamic, elastic, and dynamical membrane properties that are central to biological function or synthetic membrane performance. The review primarily focuses on phospholipids as a major component of cell membranes and a widely used lipid type in synthetic membrane designs.
Structure and functional divergence of PIP peptide family revealed by functional studies on PIP1 and PIP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yu Xiao-song , Wang Hong-run , Lei Fei-fan , Li Rui-qi , Yao Hui-peng , Shen Jin-bo , Ain Noor-ul , Cai Yi
Published: November 2023

PAMP-induced secreted peptide (PIP), one of the small post-translationally modified peptides (PTMPs), plays a crucial role in plant development and stress tolerance. However, little is known about functional divergence among this peptide family. Here, we studied the evolution of the PIP family in 23 plant species (10 monocotyledons and 13 dicotyledons from 7 families) and their functional divergence in Arabidopsis. A total of 128 putative PIP precursors were identified and classified into two subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis. Functional studies on AtPIP1 which represents Clade I family and AtPIP2 which represents Clade II family have shown that AtPIP2 displayed stronger immunity induction activity but weaker root growth inhibition than AtPIP1 in Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis of Arabidopsis seedlings treated with AtPIP1 and AtPIP2 showed that differential genes for both polypeptides were significantly enriched in similar plant defense pathways. However, Co-expression and Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed that the functions of AtprePIP2 co-expressed genes were more enriched in plant defense pathways than AtprePIP1. Molecular docking results show that AtPIP1 binds to RLK7 receptor with a more stable free energy and less binding area than AtPIP2, while hydrogen bond transfer occurs at the SGP motif position. The above results suggest that the PIP family have undergone functional divergence during evolution. Collectively, this work illustrates the relationship between PIP structure and function using Arabidopsis PIP as an example, and provides new insights into the current understanding between growth inhibition and immune responses which may be correlated but not fully coupled.
Genome-wide identification of long intergenic non-coding RNAs of responsive to powdery mildew stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Cao Peina , Wang Youning , Ma Zhaolan , Xu Xiao , Ma Dongfang , Yang Lijun
Published: November 2023

Wheat powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most serious foliar diseases of wheat, causing grain yield and quality degradation by affecting plant photosynthesis. It is an effective method to improve the disease resistance of wheat plants by molecular breeding. With the continuous development of sequencing technology, long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been discovered in many eukaryotes and act as key regulators of many cellular processes. In this study, 12 sets of RNA-seq data from wheat leaves pre- and post-pathogen infection were analyzed and 2,266 candidate lincRNAs were identified. Consistent with previous findings, lincRNA has shorter length and fewer exons than mRNA. The results of differential expression analysis showed that 486 DE-lincRNAs were selected as lincRNAs that could respond to powdery mildew stress. Since lincRNAs may be functionally related to their adjacent target genes, the target genes of these lincRNAs were predicted, and the GO and KEGG functional annotations of the predicted target genes were performed. Integrating the functions of target genes and the biological processes in which they were involved uncovered 23 lincRNAs that may promote or inhibit the occurrence of wheat powdery mildew. Co-expression patterns of lincRNAs with their adjacent mRNAs showed that some lincRNAs showed significant correlation with the expression patterns of their potential target genes. These suggested an involvement of lincRNAs in pathogen stress response, which will provide a further understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of wheat powdery mildew.
Interactive effect of leader ethicality and competency on Chinese customs officers’ organizational citizenship behaviors
Authors: Fang Zhenbang , Hua Min , Bao Yuanjie , Sun Qi
Published: November 2023

The dual qualities of an effective leader—ethicality and competency—have long been identified but seldom empirically examined. Using survey data from 329 Chinese customs officers collected in December 2022, this study investigates whether ethical leadership influences customs officers’ organizational citizenship behaviors indirectly through work engagement and trust in leader. Following the interactive approach, we further postulate that leader competency can accentuate these indirect relationships. Mplus 8.3, SPSS 26.0 and Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS were used to conduct statistical analyses including descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, common method deviation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and regression analysis. The results reveal that work engagement and trust in leader act as mediators in the ethical leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors relationship. Moreover, these indirect relationships are stronger when customs officers perceive their leaders are more competent. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Low vision aids and age are associated with Müller-Lyer illusion in congenital visually impaired children
Authors: Lin Na , Chen Bichi , Yang Maoyuan , Lu Fan , Deng Ruzhi
Published: November 2023

Background

The correlation between visual impairment and Müller-Lyer illusion is not yet elucidated. This study aimed to explore the connection between visual status, age, and the intensity of Müller-Lyer illusion in congenitally visually impaired and visually healthy children aged 4–17 years. Additionally, the developmental trends were compared.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 125 visually impaired children (age: 10.59 ± 4.05 years), among them, 53 had utilized low vision aids (LVAs) and 133 healthy controls (age: 11.33 ± 3.39 years). The participants were presented with Müller-Lyer illusion stimuli via binocular and engaged in a two-alternative forced choice task to quantify the illusion intensity. Pertinent factors including age, gender, residence, binocular distant best-corrected visual acuity and LVAs usage history, were assessed.

Results

The visually impaired group exhibited significantly elevated illusion intensity compared to the healthy group (9.74 ± 2.89% vs. 5.42 ± 3.81%, p < 0.001), and visually impaired participants who had used LVAs exhibited significantly lower intensity compared to those had not (9.13 ± 3.00% vs. 10.19 ± 2.74%, p = 0.043). Multivariate generalized estimation equations revealed that visual impairment [odds ratio (OR) = 2.75, p < 0.001] and age (OR = 0.60, p < 0.001) were associated with illusion intensity in all participants, while history of LVAs usage (OR = 0.49, p = 0.045) and age (OR = 0.61, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated in visually impaired group. A significantly negative correlation was found between illusion intensity and age 4–17 years in the subgroups of visually impaired who had used LVAs (Y = −0.54X + 15.06, R2 = 0.56), who had not used (Y = −0.49X + 15.24, R2 = 0.51), and healthy controls (Y = −0.50X + 11.18, R2 = 0.21); all p-values were < 0.001.

Conclusion

Children aged 4–17 years afflicted with congenital visual impairment exhibited a heightened intensity of Müller-Lyer illusion compared to visually normal counterparts, LVAs usage experience could reduce this higher intensity. The developmental trajectory of illusion intensity declined consistently with age across all three groups. The abnormal visual experiences during early-life may adversely affect integration in congenitally visually impaired children, and LVAs could facilitate this functional development.
Automated classification of lay health articles using natural language processing: a case study on pregnancy health and postpartum depression
Authors: Patra Braja Gopal , Sun Zhaoyi , Cheng Zilin , Kumar Praneet Kasi Reddy Jagadeesh , Altammami Abdullah , Liu Yiyang , Joly Rochelle , Jedlicka Caroline , Delgado Diana , Pathak Jyotishman , Peng Yifan , Zhang Yiye
Published: November 2023

Objective

Evidence suggests that high-quality health education and effective communication within the framework of social support hold significant potential in preventing postpartum depression. Yet, developing trustworthy and engaging health education and communication materials requires extensive expertise and substantial resources. In light of this, we propose an innovative approach that involves leveraging natural language processing (NLP) to classify publicly accessible lay articles based on their relevance and subject matter to pregnancy and mental health.

Materials and methods

We manually reviewed online lay articles from credible and medically validated sources to create a gold standard corpus. This manual review process categorized the articles based on their pertinence to pregnancy and related subtopics. To streamline and expand the classification procedure for relevance and topics, we employed advanced NLP models such as Random Forest, Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), and Generative Pre-trained Transformer model (gpt-3.5-turbo).

Results

The gold standard corpus included 392 pregnancy-related articles. Our manual review process categorized the reading materials according to lifestyle factors associated with postpartum depression: diet, exercise, mental health, and health literacy. A BERT-based model performed best (F1 = 0.974) in an end-to-end classification of relevance and topics. In a two-step approach, given articles already classified as pregnancy-related, gpt-3.5-turbo performed best (F1 = 0.972) in classifying the above topics.

Discussion

Utilizing NLP, we can guide patients to high-quality lay reading materials as cost-effective, readily available health education and communication sources. This approach allows us to scale the information delivery specifically to individuals, enhancing the relevance and impact of the materials provided.
Methodological approach for an integrated female-specific study of anxiety and smoking comorbidity
Authors: Farris Samantha G. , Smith Jacqueline E. , Steinberg Dana R. , Altman Brianna R. , Lambert-Messerlian Geralyn M. , Dunsiger Shira I. , Williams David M. , Saladin Michael E. , Abrantes Ana M.
Published: November 2023

Two primary ovarian hormones that fluctuate across the female menstrual cycle—estradiol and progesterone—have been independently linked in separate literatures to nicotine reinforcement and anxiety psychopathology. We identify existing methodological limitations in these literatures, describe an example protocol that was developed to address such limitations, highlight case examples, and offer insights on the resulting advantages and challenges. This protocol was an observational, prospective, within-subjects study of female cigarette smokers who were followed over the course of a complete menstrual cycle. Non-treatment seeking, female cigarette smokers (N = 50), between the ages of 18–40 who have a normal menstrual cycle (25–35 days in length) were recruited from the community. Females with anxiety or mood psychopathology represented 38.0% of the sample. Salivary progesterone and estradiol were assessed each morning via at-home saliva collection methods. Self-reported within-day momentary ratings of anxiety and nicotine reinforcement were collected using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) via a mobile app. Protocol compliance was >85%. Within- and between-subjects heterogeneity was observed in the progesterone and estradiol, anxiety, and nicotine craving measures, especially in the context of anxiety psychopathology. We aimed to integrate the anxiety and nicotine dependence literatures and advance the empirical study of the role of ovarian hormones. This protocol reflects an intensive, yet feasible approach to collecting daily-level naturalistic data related to estradiol, progesterone, anxiety, and nicotine reinforcement.
Evaluating the OH-EpiCap tool using the Danish integrated surveillance program for AMU and AMR as a case study
Authors: Moura Pedro , Borck Høg Birgitte , Alban Lis , Sönksen Ute Wolff , Ribeiro Duarte Ana Sofia , Sandberg Marianne
Published: November 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered a One Health (OH) challenge, ideally demanding concerted efforts from the animal, human and environmental side. DANMAP, the Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Program, is monitoring AMR and antimicrobial use in animals and humans. OH-EpiCap is an evaluation tool, developed to address essential elements in OH surveillance systems, such as the dimensions of the organization, operational activities and the impact of the surveillance activities. We aimed to evaluate DANMAP using OH-EpiCap and hereby assessed the suitability of OH-EpiCap to evaluate integrated AMR surveillance systems. During the evaluation, the strengths and weaknesses of DANMAP concerning the “OH-ness” of the program were discussed. Furthermore, possible adaptations of the standard operating procedures and governance structure were addressed. Attention was paid to the ability and easiness of DANMAP to cope with current and future challenges connected to integrated AMR surveillance. It was concluded that DANMAP has a strong OH approach covering relevant aspects for humans and animals, whereas environmental aspects are missing. OH-EpiCap proved to be straightforward to use and provided valuable insights. The authors recommend OH-EpiCap to be used by health authorities and stakeholders. It is not suitable for the technical evaluation of a surveillance program.
Co-designing a Canadian adaptation of a lifestyle-oriented intervention aimed to improve daily functioning of individuals living with chronic pain: a multi-method study protocol of REVEAL(OT) Canada
Authors: Masse J. , Nielsen S. S. , Christensen J. R. , Skou S. T. , Côté J. , Saunders S. , Lagueux É. , Boulanger A. , Perez-Martinez J. , Lussier M. , Pagé M. G.
Published: November 2023

Background

Living with chronic pain (CP) often implies major lifestyle changes, including modifications of daily routines and work. Surprisingly, few validated and effective interventions specifically target functional outcomes in this population. Redesign your Everyday Activities and Lifestyle with Occupational Therapy [REVEAL(OT)] is a lifestyle-oriented intervention led by occupational therapists that directly targets the daily functional challenges of living with CP. The intervention was initially developed and studied as an add-on to standard treatment delivered by Danish multidisciplinary specialized pain clinics. Adapting, implementing, and evaluating REVEAL(OT) within the Canadian healthcare system will contribute to broadening the scope of treatments offered in specialized pain clinics that do not yet include occupational therapy.

Objective

The proposed study aims to define and refine REVEAL(OT)/CA with partners (authors of original intervention, people with lived experience, clinicians, managers).

Methods

This participatory action research will use a multi-method design and follow the ORBIT model for developing behavioral treatments for chronic diseases. A process of co-construction with partners and an advisory committee will take place in two Montreal specialized pain clinics. It consists of two related work packages (WPs). In WP1, a first series of focus groups with partners (n = 86) and workshops with the advisory committee will be conducted to co-develop the hypothetical pathway describing intervention components and their potential mechanisms of action on targeted outcomes, as well as the first version of the adapted intervention manual. WP2 will co-refine REVEAL(OT)/CA by exploring its acceptability, feasibility and mechanisms of action through intervention deliveries (at least twice in each of two specialized pain clinics; n ≥ 60 patients) and focus groups and/or individual interviews with participating patients and partners. At the end of this study, the intervention manual will be generated both in French and English.

Discussion

This study will set the stage for subsequent implementation and effectiveness assessment projects and be an important step towards the deployment of interventions aiming to improve engagement in meaningful daily activities among adults living with CP.

Registration

OSF Registries, osf.io/8gksa. Registered 3 August 2023, https://osf.io/8gksa.