bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Follicle stimulating hormone promotes production of renin through its receptor in juxtaglomerular cells of kidney
Authors: Yu Zhen , Yang Jing , Huang Wen-Jie , Zhang Tao , Li Xiao-Min , Zhao Wei , Li Xiao-Yong , Lu Yong-Chao
Published: May 2022

Background

Post-menopausal hypertension has been attributed solely to declining estrogen levels. The purpose of the research is to elucidate the mechanism by which follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) increases renin production involved in the regulation of blood pressure.

Methods

The expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptors (FSHRs) in renal juxtaglomerular cells and a As4.1 juxtaglomerular mouse cell line was evaluated. We established a mouse model by ovariectomy (OVX). Ovariectomized mice were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) (OVX + GnRHa). Ovariectomized mice initially received physiological doses of estrogen and were then injected with recombinant FSH (OVX + E + FSH).

Results

We found that FSHR was expressed in mouse renal juxtaglomerular cells labeled by renin antibody and in As4.1 cells. FSH promoted renin synthesis via Gsα-coupled FSHRs that activated protein kinase A, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) response element-binding protein, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk1/2), Protein kinase B(AKT), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways in As4.1 cells. We found increased serum FSH levels in the ovariectomized mouse with concurrent increases in renin, angiotensin II, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Additionally, increases in serum renin, angiotensin II, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were reduced by the additional injection of GnRHa. Exogenous FSH administration completely reversed decreases in renin, angiotensin II, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP even in mice that received physiological doses of estrogen to maintain normal estradiol levels.

Conclusions

Elevated FSH stimulates renin production involving a mechanism that may be relevant to the expression of FSH receptors in renal juxtaglomerular cells.
The relationship between central obesity and bone mineral density: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Du Dengkui , Jing Zhaopu , Zhang Guangyang , Dang Xiaoqian , Liu Ruiyu , Song Jidong
Published: May 2022

Background

The relationship between obesity and osteoporosis is an important public health issue. The goal of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent central obesity traits affect bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Genomewide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference adjusted by body mass index (WCadjBMI), hip circumference adjusted by BMI (HCadjBMI) and waist-to-hip ratio adjusted by BMI (WHRadjBMI) were obtained from a large-scale database containing 224,459 samples. The BMD summary dataset was obtained from a UK Biobank database including 265,627 participants.

Results

The results provided strong evidence that the HCadjBMI trait was causally and negatively associated with BMD (β: − 0.135, 95% CI − 0.216 to − 0.054; P = 0.001), while the WHR trait was causally and positively associated with BMD (β: 0.194, 95% CI 0.062 to 0.325, P = 0.004). No significant effects were observed for other traits on BMD.

Conclusions

This study indicates variations in the abilities of different central obesity traits to influence BMD. These results should be considered in further studies and public health measures on obesity and osteoporosis prevention strategies.
Adipose stem cells-released extracellular vesicles as a next-generation cargo delivery vehicles: a survey of minimal information implementation, mass production and functional modification
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Liu Ruiquan , Huang Tianyu , Sun Hengyun , Jiang Haiyue
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To investigate current situation of minimal information implementation highlighted by minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018) guidelines, and explore technological advances towards mass production and functional modification in aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Methods

Original articles on extracellular vesicles (EVs) of adipose stem cells (ASCs) were identified. Statistics upon minimal information for EVs research, such as species, cell types, culture conditions, conditioned media harvesting parameters, EVs isolation/storage/identification/quantification, functional uptake and working concentration, were analyzed.

Results

The items of cell culture conditions such as passage number, seeding density, conditioned media harvesting time, functional uptake and working concentration were poorly documented, with a reporting percentage of 47.13%, 54.02%, 29.89%, 62.07% and 36.21%, respectively. However, there were some studies not reporting information of ASCs origin, culture medium, serum, EVs isolation methods, quantification and identification of EVs, accounting for 3.45%, 10.34%, 6.90%, 3.45%, 18.39% and 4.02%, respectively. Serum deprivation and trophic factors stimuli were attempted for EVs mass production. Several technological advances towards functional modification included hypoxia pre-condition, engineering EVs and controlled release. Presently, ASCs EVs have been applied in multiple fields, including diabetic/non-diabetic wound healing, angiogenesis, inflammation modulation, fat grafting, hair regeneration, antiaging, and healing and regeneration of cartilage/bone/peripheral nerve/tendon.

Conclusion

Our results highlight normative reporting of ASCs EVs in functional studies to increase reliability and reproducibility of scientific publications. The advances towards mass production and functional modification of ASCs EVs are also recommended to enhance therapeutic effects.
Stem cell therapy for vocal fold regeneration after scarring: a review of experimental approaches
Authors: Svistushkin Mikhail V. , Kotova Svetlana , Shpichka Anastasia , Starostina Svetlana , Shekhter Anatoliy , Bikmulina Polina , Nikiforova Anna , Zolotova Anna , Royuk Valery , Kochetkov P. A. , Timashev Serge , Fomin Victor , Vosough Massoud , Svistushkin Valery , Timashev Peter
Published: May 2022

This review aims at becoming a guide which will help to plan the experimental design and to choose adequate methods to assess the outcomes when testing cell-based products in the treatment of the damaged vocal folds. The requirements to preclinical trials of cell-based products remain rather hazy and dictated by the country regulations. Most parameters like the way the cells are administered, selection of the cell source, selection of a carrier, and design of in vivo studies are decided upon by each research team and may differ essentially between studies. The review covers the methodological aspects of preclinical studies such as experimental models, characterization of cell products, assessment of the study outcome using molecular, morphological and immunohistochemical analyses, as well as measuring the tissue physical properties. The unified recommendations to perform preclinical trials could significantly facilitate the translation of cell-based products into the clinical practice.

Graphical abstract
Determinants of excessive gestational weight gain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Meng , Peng Xueqing , Yi Honggang , Tang Shaowen , You Hua
Published: May 2022

Background

The prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) during pregnancy is increasing, and it is extremely harmful to pregnant women and newborns. Previous studies have suggested that EGWG is associated with various factors. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify, quantify and analyze determinants of EGWG and evaluate the effect of these determinants on EGWG.

Methods

We searched for articles, from January 2009 to November 2020, related to the determinants of EGWG during pregnancy using four Chinese and four English databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement was utilized to guide the systematic review and meta-analysis process.

Results

Seventy studies, which identified EGWG factors in pregnant women (58 factors, 3 themes: individual [7 aspects, 37 factors]; family [4 aspects, 8 factors]; and social [4 aspects, 13 factors]), were included and analyzed in the systematic review. A meta-analysis was conducted for 13 factors (including 10 individual factors, 2 family factors, and 1 social factor) and revealed that pre-pregnancy overweight (including obesity), younger age (≤ 30 years old), unemployed, primiparity, smoking, and being unmarried (including divorced) were risk factors for EGWG, while prepregnancy underweight and inadequate antenatal care were protective factors for EGWG. There was no significant correlation between EGWG and education level, alcohol consumption, planning pregnancy, food security, and whether access to nutrition guidance during pregnancy.

Conclusions

EGWG was prevalent in pregnant women, and its prevalence seemed to be high and similar in many countries. Based on observational studies with medium-level and high-level evidence, some individual, family, and social factors were found to be associated with EGWG using qualitative and quantitative methods. In the future, exposure of pregnant women to risk factors for EGWG should be avoided, and interventions should be developed around the identified factors.
Effects of different forms of nitrogen addition on microbial extracellular enzyme activity in temperate grassland soil
Authors: Dong Lili , Berg Björn , Gu Weiping , Wang Zhengwen , Sun Tao
Published: May 2022

Background

Nitrogen (N) deposition alters litter decomposition and soil carbon (C) sequestration by influencing the microbial community and its enzyme activity. Natural atmospheric N deposition comprises of inorganic N (IN) and organic N (ON) compounds. However, most studies have focused on IN and its effect on soil C cycling, whereas the effect of ON on microbial enzyme activity is poorly understood. Here we studied the effects of different forms of externally supplied N on soil enzyme activities related to decomposition in a temperate steppe. Ammonium nitrate was chosen as IN source, whereas urea and glycine were chosen as ON sources. Different ratios of IN to ON (Control, 10:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, and 0:10) were mixed with equal total amounts of N and then used to fertilize the grassland soils for 6 years.

Results

Our results show that IN deposition inhibited lignin-degrading enzyme activity, such as phenol oxidase (POX) and peroxidase (PER), which may restrain decomposition and thus induce accumulation of recalcitrant organic C in grassland soils. By contrast, deposition of ON and mixed ON and IN enhanced most of the C-degrading enzyme activities, which may promote the organic matter decomposition in grassland soils. In addition, the β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity was remarkably stimulated by fertilization with both IN and ON, maybe because of the elevated N availability and the lack of N limitation after long-term N fertilization at the grassland site. Meanwhile, differences in soil pH, soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass partially explained the differential effects on soil enzyme activity under different forms of N treatments.

Conclusions

Our results emphasize the importance of organic N deposition in controlling soil processes, which are regulated by microbial enzyme activities, and may consequently change the ecological effect of N deposition. Thus, more ON deposition may promote the decomposition of soil organic matter thus converting C sequestration in grassland soils into a C source.
Baseline study for improving diagnostic stewardship at secondary health care facilities in Nigeria
Authors: Egwuenu Abiodun , Ejikeme Adaora , Tomczyk Sara , von Laer Anja , Ayobami Olaniyi , Odebajo Oluwaseun , Akhibi Samuel , Agulanna Constance , Osagie Osayande , Inweregbu Ugochi Stellamaris , Yahaya Ridwan , Okwor Tochi , Dada-Adegbola Hannah , Ajayi Ikeoluwapo , Olorukooba Abdulhakeem , Eckmanns Tim , Ochu Chinwe Lucia , Ihekweazu Chikwe
Published: May 2022

Background

Blood culture diagnostics are critical tools for sepsis management and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. A baseline study was conducted to assess reported sepsis case finding, blood culture diagnostics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and antimicrobial use at secondary health care facilities to inform the development of diagnostic stewardship improvement strategies in Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 25 public secondary health care facilities in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos State in Nigeria to evaluate the capacity for pathogen identification and AST. Data were then prospectively extracted on all patients with reported suspected sepsis from electronic medical records from selected departments at two facilities in the Federal Capital Territory from October 2020 to May 2021 to further assess practices concerning sepsis case-finding, clinical examination findings, samples requested, and laboratory test results. Data were descriptively analysed, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with blood culture requests.

Results

In the online survey, 32% (8/25) of facilities reported performing blood cultures. Only one had access to a clinical microbiologist, and 28% (7/25) and 4% (1/25) used standard bacterial organisms for quality control of media and quality control strains for AST, respectively. At the two facilities where data abstraction was performed, the incidence of suspected sepsis cases reported was 7.1% (2924/41066). A majority of these patients came from the paediatrics department and were outpatients, and the median age was two years. Most did not have vital signs and major foci of infection documented. Blood cultures were only requested for 2.7% (80/2924) of patients, of which twelve were positive for bacteria, mainly Staphylococcus aureus. No clinical breakpoints were used for AST. Inpatients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 7.5, 95% CI: 4.6–12.3) and patients from the urban health care facility (aOR:16.9, 95% CI: 8.1–41.4) were significantly more likely to have a blood culture requested.

Conclusion

Low blood culture utilisation remains a key challenge in Nigeria. This has implications for patient care, AMR surveillance and antibiotic use. Diagnostic stewardship strategies should focus on improving access to clinical microbiology expertise, practical guidance on sepsis case finding and improving blood culture utilisation and diagnostics.
Anti-infammatory and antioxidant activities of acteoside isolated from Acanthus ilicifolius var. xiamenensis
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Shen Jinhuang , Ma Xinhua , Yao Mingshuang , Zhang Yonghong , Cao Dairong
Published: May 2022

Acanthus ilicifolius var. xiamenensis (Acanthaceae), a mangrove found in southeastern China, is an herb with strong antiinflammatory property. Phytochemical study of the mangrove showed that the plant has a high content of phenylethanol glycoside acteoside (AC). In this research, the anti-inflammatory activity of acteoside on dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-mediated mouse ulcerative colitis model were studied. For DSS- mediated colitis in mice, AC can reduce weight loss and DAI score in UC mice, suppress colon shortening and alleviate colon pathological injury. Moreover, AC treatment notably up-regulates IL-10, down-regulates the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and inhibits the protein expression of JAK2/STAT3, NF-κB p65, IKKα/β and IKB of colon. In addition, after AC treatment, the level of MDA and NO in colonic tissue were remarkably decreased, while the levels of GSH, SOD, and Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels were significantly increased. These results indicate that AC can activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway by inhibiting the JAK/STAT, iNOS/eNOS and NF-κB signaling cascades, enhance the intestinal barrier function, and effectively reduce DSS-induced UC in mice.
Differential gene expression of ABCG2, SLC22A12, IL-1β, and ALPK1 in peripheral blood leukocytes of primary gout patients with hyperuricemia and their comorbidities: a case–control study
Authors: Natsuko Paniagua-Díaz , Laura Sanchez-Chapul , Denise Clavijo-Cornejo , Lucio Ventura-Ríos , Carlos Aguilar-Salinas , Fausto Sanchez-Muñoz , Ambar López-Macay
Published: May 2022

Background

The ABCG2, SLC22A12, and ALPK1 genes have been strongly associated with dysfunction of urate metabolism in patients with gout, but it is unknown how these transporters are expressed in patients with acute or chronic gout. Our objectives were to: (a) analyze the gene expression of urate transporters and of inflammation genes in peripheral blood from gout patients and controls; (b) determine whether the metabolic profile of gout patients can influence the gene expression profile and the expression of urate transporters, ABCG2 and SLC22A12, and inflammation molecules, ALPK1 and IL-1β, in peripheral blood leukocytes from gout patients; (c) compare them with their metabolic profile and the gene expression of people without gout and without hyperuricemia.

Methods

A total of 36 chronic and acute patients and 52 controls were recruited, and ABCG2, SLC22A12, IL-1β, and ALPK1 gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Correlations of gene expression with clinical and laboratory parameters of patients were also analyzed.

Results

IL-1β was significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients compared with their polymorphonuclear leukocytes white blood cells (PMNLs, p < 0.05). A significant increase in ABCG2 and IL-1β was found in PMNLs from patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Correlations of gene expression in patients were found with levels of serum uric acid (sUA), serum creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides, body mass index (BMI), kidney disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that leukocytes of patients respond to the presence of hyperuricemia and comorbidities, expressing ABCG2 and IL-1β genes differentially compared to normouricemic and nondisease states. Hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity probably stimulate the differential gene expression of peripheral blood leukocytes (neutrophils and monocytes), even in an asymptomatic state.
Fecal microbiota transfer between young and aged mice reverses hallmarks of the aging gut, eye, and brain
Authors: Parker Aimée , Romano Stefano , Ansorge Rebecca , Aboelnour Asmaa , Le Gall Gwenaelle , Savva George M. , Pontifex Matthew G. , Telatin Andrea , Baker David , Jones Emily , Vauzour David , Rudder Steven , Blackshaw L. Ashley , Jeffery Glen , Carding Simon R.
Published: May 2022

Background

Altered intestinal microbiota composition in later life is associated with inflammaging, declining tissue function, and increased susceptibility to age-associated chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative dementias. Here, we tested the hypothesis that manipulating the intestinal microbiota influences the development of major comorbidities associated with aging and, in particular, inflammation affecting the brain and retina.

Methods

Using fecal microbiota transplantation, we exchanged the intestinal microbiota of young (3 months), old (18 months), and aged (24 months) mice. Whole metagenomic shotgun sequencing and metabolomics were used to develop a custom analysis workflow, to analyze the changes in gut microbiota composition and metabolic potential. Effects of age and microbiota transfer on the gut barrier, retina, and brain were assessed using protein assays, immunohistology, and behavioral testing.

Results

We show that microbiota composition profiles and key species enriched in young or aged mice are successfully transferred by FMT between young and aged mice and that FMT modulates resulting metabolic pathway profiles. The transfer of aged donor microbiota into young mice accelerates age-associated central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, retinal inflammation, and cytokine signaling and promotes loss of key functional protein in the eye, effects which are coincident with increased intestinal barrier permeability. Conversely, these detrimental effects can be reversed by the transfer of young donor microbiota.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that the aging gut microbiota drives detrimental changes in the gut–brain and gut–retina axes suggesting that microbial modulation may be of therapeutic benefit in preventing inflammation-related tissue decline in later life.

Graphical abstract
Social insights on the implementation of One Health in zoonosis prevention and control: a scoping review
Authors: He Junyi , Guo Zhaoyu , Yang Pin , Cao Chunli , Xu Jing , Zhou Xiaonong , Li Shizhu
Published: May 2022

Background

The One Health (OH) concept has been promoted widely around the globe. OH framework is expected to be applied as an integrated approach to support addressing zoonotic diseases as a significant global health issue and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of zoonosis prevention and control. This review is intended to overview the social impact of the implementation of OH on zoonosis prevention and control.

Methods

A scoping review of studies in the past 10 years was performed to overview the integration feature of OH in zoonosis prevention and control and the social impacts of OH. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies published in English between January 2011 and June 2021. The included studies were selected based on predefined criteria.

Results

Thirty-two studies were included in this review, and most of them adopted qualitative and semi-qualitative methods. More than 50% of the studies focused on zoonosis prevention and control. Most studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. Applying OH approach in diseases control integrates policymakers, stakeholders, and academics from various backgrounds. The impact of OH on economic is estimated that it may alleviate the burden of diseases and poverty in the long term, even though more financial support might be needed at the initial stage of OH implementation. OH implementation considers social and ecological factors related to zoonosis transmission and provides comprehensive strategies to assess and address related risks in different communities according to regions and customs.

Conclusions

Based on reviewed literature, although there seems to be a lack of guidelines for assessing and visualizing the outcomes of OH implementation, which may limit the large-scale adoption of it, evidence on the contributions of implementing OH concepts on zoonosis prevention and control indicates long-term benefits to society, including a better integration of politics, stakeholders and academics to improve their cooperation, a potential to address economic issues caused by zoonosis, and a comprehensive consideration on social determinants of health during zoonosis prevention and control.
The emerging landscape of exosomal CircRNAs in solid cancers and hematological malignancies
Authors: Zhou Qinfeng , Xie Dacheng , Wang Rong , Liu Lianfang , Yu Yue , Tang Xinyi , Hu Yongxian , Cui Dawei
Published: May 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of recently discovered noncoding RNA. They exert their biological functions by competitively binding to microRNAs (miRNAs) as miRNA sponges, promoting gene transcription and participating in the regulation of selective splicing, interacting with proteins and being translated into proteins. Exosomes are derived from intracavitary vesicles (ILVs), which are formed by the inward budding of multivesicular bodies (MVBs), and exosome release plays a pivotal role in intercellular communication. Accumulating evidence indicates that circRNAs in exosomes are associated with solid tumor invasion and metastasis. Additionally, emerging studies in the last 1 ~ 2 years have revealed that exosomal circRNA also have effect on hematological malignancies. In this review, we outline the properties and biological functions of circRNAs and exosomes. In particular, we summarize in detail the mechanism and roles of exosomal circRNAs and highlight their application as novel biomarkers in malignant tumors.
New archaeobotanical evidence for Medicago from the Astana Cemetery in Turpan, Xinjiang
Authors: Chen Tao , Wang Bo , Jiang Hongen
Published: May 2022

The study of crop dispersal and their cultivation technique communication can provide a valuable insight into the history of cultural exchange in ancient Eurasia. Previous studies have focused predominantly on the cereals, with few being carried out on fruit, vegetable and forage crops. This paper reports on legume remains found at three tombs of the Astana Cemetery, Turpan, Xinjiang, which dated to the Jin and Tang dynasties (about third to ninth centuries). The exceptional state of preservation of the desiccated remains allowed their unambiguous determination to species level. By comparing the morphological characteristics of the Medicago remains with published references, they were ascribed to Medicago sativa and Medicago lupulina. This is the first archaeobotanical evidence of M. lupulina in China and the earliest relevant physical material so far found. In addition, combined with the record of unearthed documents, our study shed new light on the early history of M. sativa cultivation and use in Turpan and further underlined its important role in cultural exchange between the West and the East in antiquity.
Improved cost-sensitive representation of data for solving the imbalanced big data classification problem
Authors: Fattahi Mahboubeh , Moattar Mohammad Hossein , Forghani Yahya
Published: May 2022

Dimension reduction is a preprocessing step in machine learning for eliminating undesirable features and increasing learning accuracy. In order to reduce the redundant features, there are data representation methods, each of which has its own advantages. On the other hand, big data with imbalanced classes is one of the most important issues in pattern recognition and machine learning. In this paper, a method is proposed in the form of a cost-sensitive optimization problem which implements the process of selecting and extracting the features simultaneously. The feature extraction phase is based on reducing error and maintaining geometric relationships between data by solving a manifold learning optimization problem. In the feature selection phase, the cost-sensitive optimization problem is adopted based on minimizing the upper limit of the generalization error. Finally, the optimization problem which is constituted from the above two problems is solved by adding a cost-sensitive term to create a balance between classes without manipulating the data. To evaluate the results of the feature reduction, the multi-class linear SVM classifier is used on the reduced data. The proposed method is compared with some other approaches on 21 datasets from the UCI learning repository, microarrays and high-dimensional datasets, as well as imbalanced datasets from the KEEL repository. The results indicate the significant efficiency of the proposed method compared to some similar approaches.
Experimental simulations of shock textures in BCC iron: implications for iron meteorites
Authors: Ohtani Eiji , Sakurabayashi Toru , Kurosawa Kosuke
Published: May 2022

Neumann band in iron meteorites, which is deformation twins in kamacite (Fe–Ni alloy), has been known to be a characteristic texture indicating ancient collisions on parent bodies of meteorites. We conducted a series of shock recovery experiments on bcc iron with the projectile velocity at 1.5 km/s at various initial temperatures, room temperature, 670 K, and 1100 K, and conducted an annealing experiment on the shocked iron. We also conducted numerical simulations with the iSALE-2D code to investigate peak pressure and temperature distributions in the nontransparent targets. The effects of pressure and temperature on the formation and disappearance of the twins (Neumann band) were explored based on laboratory and numerical experiments. The twin was formed in the run products of the experiments conducted at room temperature and 670 K, whereas it was not observed in the run product formed by the impact at 1100 K. The present experiments combined with the numerical simulations revealed that the twin was formed by impacts with various shock pressures from 1.5–2 GPa to around 13 GPa. The twin in iron almost disappeared by annealing at 1070 K. The iron meteorites with Neumann bands were shocked at this pressure range and temperatures at least up to 670 K, and were not heated to the temperatures above 1070 K after the Neumann band formation.
177Lu-DOTA-0-Tyr3-octreotate infusion modeling for real-time detection and characterization of extravasation during PRRT
Authors: Mazzara Christophe , Salvadori Julien , Ritzenthaler Florian , Martin Simon , Porot Clémence , Imperiale Alessio
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Given the recent and rapid development of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), increasing emphasis should be placed on the early identification and quantification of therapeutic radiopharmaceutical (thRPM) extravasation during intravenous administration. Herein, we provide an analytical model of 177Lu-DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate (Lutathera®) infusion for real-time detection and characterization of thRPM extravasation.

Methods

For 33 Lutathera®-based PRRT procedures using the gravity infusion method, equivalent dose rates (EDRs) were monitored at the patient’s arm. Models of flow dynamics for nonextravasated and extravasated infusions were elaborated and compared to experimental data through an equivalent dose rate calibration. Nonextravasated infusion was modeled by assuming constant volume dilution of 177Lu activity concentration in the vial and Poiseuille-like laminar flow through the tubing and patient vein. Extravasated infusions were modeled according to their onset times by considering elliptically shaped extravasation region with different aspect ratios.

Results

Over the 33 procedures, the peak of the median EDR was reached 14 min after the start of the infusion with a value of 450 µSv h−1. On the basis of experimental measurements, 1 mSv h−1 was considered the empirical threshold for Lutathera® extravasation requiring cessation of the infusion and start again with a new route of injection. According to our model, the concentration of extravascular activity was directly related to the time of extravasation onset and its duration, a finding inherent in the gravity infusion method. This result should be considered when planning therapeutic strategy in the case of RPM extravasation because the local absorbed dose for β-emitters is closely linked to activity concentration. For selected EDR values, charts of extravasated activity, volume, and activity concentration were computed for extravasation characterization.

Conclusion

We proposed an analytical model of Lutathera® infusion and extravasation (gravity method) based on EDR monitoring. This approach could be useful for the early detection of thRPM extravasation and for the real-time assessment of activity concentration and volume accumulation in the extravascular medium.
Prediction of the short-term efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Jia Huixun , Lu Bing , Zhao Zhi , Yu Yang , Wang Fenghua , Zhou Minwen , Sun Xiaodong
Published: May 2022

Background

To evaluate whether the specific choroidal neovascularization (CNV) characteristics measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can predict the 6-month prognosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy.

Methods

Patients with type 1, type 2, or mixed-type neovascularization (NV) were prospectively included. Participants underwent an initial loading phase of three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of Conbercept (0.5 mg) and were switched to a pro re nata (PRN) treatment strategy. OCTA images were evaluated for eyes that underwent follow-up assessments for more than 6 months. CNV lesions were manually segmented, and the CNV area, vessel area, greatest vascular caliber (GVC), and greatest linear dimension (GLD) were compared between responders and non-responders. Two masked graders independently measured the above-mentioned parameters using OCTA, and consistency was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of a 3-month change in the CNV area, GLD, and GVC on the 6-month response to anti-VEGF agents.

Results

Among the 60 eyes of 60 patients with nAMD, 39 were responders and 21 were non-responders. The proportion of CNV types was significantly different between responders and non-responders (P = 0.009). Patients with type 2 or mixed NV seemed more likely to respond to the treatment (28.2%vs.0.0%, and 30.8%vs.23.8%, respectively). The change in GVC showed a significant difference between responders (− 4.98 ± 17.17 μm) and non-responders (11.01 ± 14.10 μm) after three monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only the change in GVC remained significant after controlling for baseline GVC, injection number, and CNV type (adjusted OR = 1.083;P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Type 2 and mixed-type NV were significantly associated with a better response to anti-VEGF therapy. Changes in GVC after 3 months of treatment were significantly associated with a response to anti-VEGF therapy at 6 months.
Review the factors associated with dietary sodium adherence in patients with heart failure from selected research-based literatures
Authors: Lee Yi-Wen , Tseng Chien-Ning
Published: May 2022

Background

Low-sodium dietary is an important measure to avoid heart failure patient’s body fluid volume overload. There are still more than 50% of heart failure patients who are incapable of complying low-sodium dietary. This study utilized the systematic literature review method, with the purpose to understand the related factors towards the compliance behavior of low-sodium dietary of patients with heart failure.

Methods

This study typed keywords (congestive heart failure, adherence, compliance, low sodium diet, low salt diet, dietary sodium restriction) from computer databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, Medline, ProQuest Nursing Allied Health, PubMed, and ScienceDirect) and according to inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Research objects were adult patients admitted to HF, (2) Research content were related to sodium diet compliance behavior. (3) Non-intervention research. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) participants who was pregnant women, (2) qualitative research, (3) studies on development of tool, (4) poster. Select needed 14 articles that meet the purposes of this study. In addition, the study also collected 4 more studies with the same purpose from the references that were included in the retrieved articles, and finally a total of 18 studies were included in the analysis of this study. Data analysis uses descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency distribution) and content analysis method.

Results

This study use a systematic literature review method, it was found that the results of the studies use nonintervention method, which explored the relevant factors of low-sodium dietary compliance in heart failure patients over the past 20 years, could be summarized in 4 dimensions as social and economic conditions, patient conditions, disease conditions and therapy conditions.

Conclusions

Heart failure patients’ compliance behavior toward low-sodium dietary is multi-dimensional. Therefore, this study recommends when the health care providers evaluating patients’ compliance behavior of low-sodium dietary, it is necessary to consider more different aspects.
MRI-based radiomics to predict response in locally advanced rectal cancer: comparison of manual and automatic segmentation on external validation in a multicentre study
Authors: Defeudis Arianna , Mazzetti Simone , Panic Jovana , Micilotta Monica , Vassallo Lorenzo , Giannetto Giuliana , Gatti Marco , Faletti Riccardo , Cirillo Stefano , Regge Daniele , Giannini Valentina
Published: May 2022

Background

Pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is achieved in 15–30% of cases. Our aim was to implement and externally validate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics pipeline to predict response to treatment and to investigate the impact of manual and automatic segmentations on the radiomics models.

Methods

Ninety-five patients with stage II/III LARC who underwent multiparametric MRI before chemoradiotherapy and surgical treatment were enrolled from three institutions. Patients were classified as responders if tumour regression grade was 1 or 2 and nonresponders otherwise. Sixty-seven patients composed the construction dataset, while 28 the external validation. Tumour volumes were manually and automatically segmented using a U-net algorithm. Three approaches for feature selection were tested and combined with four machine learning classifiers.

Results

Using manual segmentation, the best result reached an accuracy of 68% on the validation set, with sensitivity 60%, specificity 77%, negative predictive value (NPV) 63%, and positive predictive value (PPV) 75%. The automatic segmentation achieved an accuracy of 75% on the validation set, with sensitivity 80%, specificity 69%, and both NPV and PPV 75%. Sensitivity and NPV on the validation set were significantly higher (p = 0.047) for the automatic versus manual segmentation.

Conclusion

Our study showed that radiomics models can pave the way to help clinicians in the prediction of tumour response to chemoradiotherapy of LARC and to personalise per-patient treatment. The results from the external validation dataset are promising for further research into radiomics approaches using both manual and automatic segmentations.
Characteristics and kinetics study of spherical cellulose nanocrystal extracted from cotton cloth waste by acid hydrolysis
Authors: Doan Thi Kim Quyen , Chiang Kung Yuh
Published: May 2022

This work investigated the extraction of spherical cellulose nanocrystal (spherical CNC) from cotton cloth waste (CCW) using sulfuric acid without ultrasound treatment during the hydrolysis process, producing a yield of 31%. The cellulose was first extracted through alkali, decoloring, and hydrochloric acid treatment. Then the cellulose was hydrolyzed using 55 wt% sulfuric acid with various acid to cellulose ratios, including 30:1, 40:1, and 50:1 mL g− 1. The resulting CNC was characterized by morphological structure, functional groups, crystalline structure, elemental compositions, thermal degradation kinetic, and zeta potential. The analytical results revealed that the acid to cellulose ratios significantly influenced the properties of CNC obtained. The morphological structure showed that when the acid to cellulose ratio was 30:1 and 40:1 mL g− 1, the rod-like CNC was observed with a length of 53 ± 19 nm and 49 ± 13 nm; a width of 6.6 ± 1.3 nm and 4.3 ± 2.0 nm, respectively. However, when the acid to cellulose ratio was further increased to 50:1 mL g− 1, the nanocellulose morphology turned to be spherical, with an average diameter of 14.4 nm. Furthermore, spherical CNC exhibited better characteristics consisting of crystallinity index (94.6%) and stable dispersibility with zeta potential value − 46.8 mV than rod-like CNC. However, the thermal stability of spherical CNC was slightly lower than that of rod-like CNC. The kinetic results indicated that the activation energy of spherical CNC ranged from 134 to 423 kJ mol− 1, which is lower than that (145 to 651 kJ mol− 1) of rod-like CNC ranging from. This study showed that the CCW is a potential low-cost cellulose source to manufacture spherical CNC and a good example for developing a circular economy.
Uniting Latin America Through Research: How Regional Research Can Strengthen Local Policies, Networking, and Outcomes for Patients With Lung Cancer
Authors: Arrieta Oscar , Zatarain-Barrón Zyanya Lucia , Cardona Andrés F. , Corrales Luis , Martin Claudio , Cuello Mauricio
Published: May 2022

Lung cancer represents a considerable global health threat, leading the list in terms of cancer-related deaths worldwide. An important proportion of lung cancer cases occur within Latin America, and current projections show that over the next decade, the number of deaths due to lung cancer will double in the region, underscoring the need to implement evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes. Several challenges have limited the progress in lung cancer research in Latin America for many years, though recently the surge of multidisciplinary, transnational, and transcultural research groups have overcome many of these limitations. The increase in region-specific knowledge has improved cancer care in the area, providing clinicians with a specific demographic and molecular profile for Hispanic patients with lung cancer; as a result, the implementation of precision oncology has benefited from a profound knowledge of the patient profile. Nonetheless, there are still challenges to improve research in Latin America, including stabilizing funding sources to continue independent research, supporting mentoring programs and an early immersion in clinical research for early career fellows, and overcoming barriers for publishing.
Πολυ-αισθητηριακή ακουστική ανάλυση περιβάλλοντος
Authors: Γιαννούλης Παναγιώτης
Published: May 2022

Στη Διατριβή μας εξετάζουμε το πρόβλημα του εντοπισμού ακουστικών γεγονότων σε «έξυπνα» περιβάλλοντα με πολλαπλά μικρόφωνα. Ο εντοπισμός ακουστικών γεγονότων αποτελεί σημαντικό τμήμα του ευρύτερου πεδίου της υπολογιστικής ανάλυσης ακουστικής σκηνής, και στόχος του είναι ο αυτόματος εντοπισμός στον χρόνο και η αναγνώριση των ακουστικών γεγονότων που περιέχονται σε ένα ηχητικό στιγμιότυπο. Στην έρευνά μας εστιάζουμε στην ανάπτυξη μεθόδων για την αξιοποίηση της πληροφορίας από πολλαπλά μικρόφωνα για τον εντοπισμό γεγονότων σε απαιτητικές συνθήκες με φαινόμενα επικάλυψης. Αρχικά, δίνουμε έμφαση στο πρόβλημα του εντοπισμού της ανθρώπινης φωνής, και στα πλαίσια ενός «έξυπνου» οικιακού περιβάλλοντος με πολλαπλά δωμάτια αναπτύσσουμε ένα σύστημα χωρο-χρονικού εντοπισμού φωνής δύο σταδίων, κατάλληλο για διαλογικά συστήματα φωνητικών εντολών. Στο πρώτο στάδιο, το σύστημά μας συνδυάζει αποτελεσματικά τα σήματα από πολλαπλά μικρόφωνα για να πετύχει τον χρονικό εντοπισμό της φωνής, και στο δεύτερο, καινοτόμα πολυκαναλικά χαρακτηριστικά εξάγονται για τον χωρικό εντοπισμό της φωνής σε επίπεδο δωματίου. Το σύστημά μας επιδεικνύει εύρωστη απόδοση και συγκρίνεται ευνοϊκά με μεθόδους βαθιάς μηχανικής μάθησης. Στη συνέχεια, στο ευρύτερο πρόβλημα του εντοπισμού ακουστικών γεγονότων, δίνουμε έμφαση στο απαιτητικό σενάριο των επικαλυπτόμενων γεγονότων και πειραματιζόμαστε με μεθόδους παραγοντοποίησης μη-αρνητικών πινάκων (NMF). Στα πλαίσια αυτής της έρευνας, διερευνούμε μεθόδους για την βελτίωση του σταδίου εντοπισμού σε βασικές μεθόδους NMF, την αύξηση της αποδοτικότητας σε δύσκολες επικαλυπτόμενες συνθήκες συστημάτων NMF που συνδυάζονται με ταξινομητές, και τέλος την ανάπτυξη αποτελεσματικών πολυ-καναλικών συστημάτων NMF για προβλήματα εντοπισμού γεγονότων. Τέλος, πειραματιζόμαστε με μεθόδους βαθιάς μηχανικής μάθησης για τον εντοπισμό επικαλυπτόμενων γεγονότων σε περιπτώσεις όπου υπάρχει μεγάλη ποικιλία πιθανών κλάσεων. Σε αυτή την κατεύθυνση, προτείνουμε τον συνδυασμό και την από κοινού εκπαίδευση ενός πολυ-καναλικού νευρωνικού δικτύου διαχωρισμού γεγονότων με ένα νευρωνικό δίκτυο ταξινόμησης ακουστικών γεγονότων, πετυχαίνοντας βελτιωμένη απόδοση σε σχέση με παραδοσιακές τεχνικές. Για την αξιολόγηση των μεθόδων μας, χρησιμοποιούμε διάφορες συνθετικές και πραγματικές βάσεις δεδομένων που δημιουργήθηκαν/ηχογραφήθηκαν σε κατάλληλα πολυ-καναλικά «έξυπνα» περιβάλλοντα.
How did the US and UK markets react to the COVID-19 vaccines’ announcements? A preliminary assessment
Authors: Abushosheh Manar , Bohara Shabbir , Contu Davide , Elshareif Elgilani , Gurrib Ikhlaas
Published: May 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major public health and economic disruption. At the same time, a pandemic allows researchers to assess market efficiency; namely, whether, to what extent, and how swiftly stock markets incorporated information related to COVID-19. Soon after the outbreak of the pandemic, research on this front was conducted, with a particular focus on the United States of America (US) market. However, new major events linked to the pandemic have unfolded: a number of vaccines were announced and authorized. The research available in relation to market efficiency relative to vaccine availability is scant. The aim of this study was to assess market efficiency hypotheses with regards to the US and United Kingdom (UK) markets, investigating the impact of the promising news of the vaccines’ successful trials and, subsequently, their authorization.

Methods: This work considered data from the S&P500 for the US market and the FTSE100 for the UK market. The time interval considered ranged from the date positive results of vaccines’ trials were first announced, 18 November 2020, until up to two months after the vaccines’ authorization that happened later in December 2020. For both markets, we analyzed the daily returns, cumulative returns, standard deviation and average returns.

Results: In both the US and the UK, there was a positive effect of the vaccines’ announcements in terms of increase in the daily returns. However, the standard deviation was not found to increase substantially, notwithstanding the increase in the COVID-19 cases worldwide and the potential lockdown in several countries, as well as the fear from new coronavirus strains that the new vaccines might not be protect against.

Conclusions: Whilst both markets displayed an increase in the average return following the vaccines’ announcements, the UK market seemed to reflect vaccines’ announcements faster than the US market.
Module intervention to improve involvement and practices of fathers towards infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in Coastal South India - a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mithra Prasanna , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , T Rekha , Kumar Nithin , Holla Ramesh , Rathi Priya
Published: May 2022

Background: Overall child health depends on nutrition and its related practices. At the family level, responsibility of child feeding lies with both parents. There is no uniform and systematic way to determine and assess the practices of fathers in infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Also, there is a paucity of evidence related to interventions for fathers in improving their practices and involvement in the feeding of their infant or young child (aged less than two years).

Methods: This was a community-based randomized control trial, conducted among 120 fathers with infants and/or young children in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka. Fathers with poor level of involvement and practices towards IYCF, during the initial assessment, were included as the study participants. For the intervention, a module in the flipchart format was developed. Simple randomization technique was used to allot the participants into two groups - intervention and control. Participants in the intervention group received module intervention, in addition to the care which they received routinely, and the control group received only routine care. The participants in the intervention group were paid a monthly visit to implement the module, for six months. The post-intervention assessment was done at the end of 6 months.

Results: A total of 117 participants provided post-intervention data. The mean age was 34.7 (+/- 5.48) years in the intervention group and 34.36 years (+/- 5.26) in the control group. The intervention group had a significant improvement in knowledge, attitude, and practice components at 6 months. We noted higher change scores for the intervention group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The extent of increase in practice and involvement in child feeding was clearly higher among the intervention group. The module developed was successful in improving the practices of fathers in feeding their infants and young children.

Clinical Trials Registry India: CTRI/2017/06/008936 (29/06/2017)