bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of Angiogenesis and remodeling (AR) associated signature for predicting prognosis and clinical outcome of immunotherapy in pan-cancer
Authors: Sun Xiaojiao , Zhang Zhuo , Wang Zhiqi , Xie Ran , Yi Chuxiao , Liu Huiyu , Chi Xiaowei , Li Tiancheng , Liu Haitao , Han Yi , Pang Xiaocong , Cui Yimin , Liu Zhenming
Published: November 2022

Background

Angiogenesis and remodeling (AR) is necessary for the growth and metastasis of cancers. Although AR related genes involved in this process are reported, the correlation between AR and clinical outcome, immune cell infiltration, and immunotherapy is still unknown in diverse cancers. This study aimed to investigate the role of AR in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in pan-cancer, and explore its values in prognostic prediction and therapeutic responses.

Methods

Firstly, AR genes (including angiogenesis genes and blood vessel remodeling genes) are collected from MsigDB database. The differential expression, and prognostic value of AR genes were studied in 33 tumor types based on TCGA and GTEx data. The AR score of each sample was calculated using the “ssGSEA” function of R package “GSVA” in pan-cancer. The correlation of the AR score with TIME index, such as the amount of stromal and immune components and the immune cell infiltration, was evaluated via integrating multiple computational methods. And we also utilized IMvigor210 and GSE78220 data to explore the prediction value of the AR score on the immunotherapy response.

Results

Significant differences in AR gene expression between tumors and adjacent normal tissues were found in most cancer types. The AR score varied depending on the types of tumors, and high score was related to worse survival in various tumors, such as pancreatic and stomach adenocarcinoma and so on. Moreover, the AR score was further explored to be positively correlated with proportions and pathways of immune and stromal in TIME. And the AR score was positively correlated with immunosuppressive cells, including TAMs and iTregs, while negatively with CD8+ T cells. Further analysis revealed that patients with high AR had worse therapy efficacy and survival status in bladder cancer and melanomas.

Conclusions

Our systematic analysis revealed that AR is closely associated TIME, and prognosis, and clinical characteristics in multiple cancers. Targeting AR genes may activate immune microenvironment and increase the efficacy of immunotherapy.
Toll-like receptor-targeted anti-tumor therapies: Advances and challenges
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Hongyi , Fotopoulou Christina , Cunnea Paula , Zhao Xia
Published: November 2022

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors, originally discovered to stimulate innate immune reactions against microbial infection. TLRs also play essential roles in bridging the innate and adaptive immune system, playing multiple roles in inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Thanks to the immune stimulatory potential of TLRs, TLR-targeted strategies in cancer treatment have proved to be able to regulate the tumor microenvironment towards tumoricidal phenotypes. Quantities of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials using TLR-targeted strategies in treating cancer have been initiated, with some drugs already becoming part of standard care. Here we review the structure, ligand, signaling pathways, and expression of TLRs; we then provide an overview of the pre-clinical studies and an updated clinical trial watch targeting each TLR in cancer treatment; and finally, we discuss the challenges and prospects of TLR-targeted therapy.
Overcoming current challenges to T-cell receptor therapy via metabolic targeting to increase antitumor efficacy, durability, and tolerability
Authors: Mao Wendy
Published: November 2022

The antitumor potential of personalized immunotherapy, including adoptive T-cell therapy, has been shown in both preclinical and clinical studies. Combining cell therapy with targeted metabolic interventions can further enhance therapeutic outcomes in terms of magnitude and durability. The ability of a T cell receptor to recognize peptides derived from tumor neoantigens allows for a robust yet specific response against cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. However, there exist challenges to adoptive T cell therapy such as a suppressive tumor milieu, the fitness and survival of transferred cells, and tumor escape, all of which can be targeted to further enhance the antitumor potential of T cell receptor-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapy. Here, we explore current strategies involving metabolic reprogramming of both the tumor microenvironment and the cell product, which can lead to increased T cell proliferation, survival, and anti-tumor cytotoxicity. In addition, we highlight potential metabolic pathways and targets which can be leveraged to improve engraftment of transferred cells and obviate the need for lymphodepletion, while minimizing off-target effects. Metabolic signaling is delicately balanced, and we demonstrate the need for thoughtful and precise interventions that are tailored for the unique characteristics of each tumor. Through improved understanding of the interplay between immunometabolism, tumor resistance, and T cell signaling, we can improve current treatment regimens and open the door to potential synergistic combinations.
Immunomodulatory regulator blockade in a viral exacerbation model of severe asthma
Authors: Nicholas Ben , Lee Hyun-Hee , Guo Jane , Cicmil Milenko , Blume Cornelia , Malefyt René De Waal , Djukanović Ratko
Published: November 2022

Asthmatics are more susceptible to viral infections than healthy individuals and are known to have impaired innate anti-viral defences. Influenza A virus causes significant morbidity and mortality in this population. Immuno-modulatory regulators (IMRs) such as PD-1 are activated on T cells following viral infection as part of normal T cell activation responses, and then subside, but remain elevated in cases of chronic exposure to virus, indicative of T cell exhaustion rather than activation. There is evidence that checkpoint inhibition can enhance anti-viral responses during acute exposure to virus through enhancement of CD8+T cell function. Although elevated PD-1 expression has been described in pulmonary tissues in other chronic lung diseases, the role of IMRs in asthma has been relatively unexplored as the basis for immune dysfunction. We first assessed IMR expression in the peripheral circulation and then quantified changes in IMR expression in lung tissue in response to ex-vivo influenza infection. We found that the PD-1 family members are not significantly altered in the peripheral circulation in individuals with severe asthma but are elevated in pulmonary tissues following ex-vivo influenza infection. We then applied PD-1 Mab inhibitor treatment to bronchial biopsy tissues infected with influenza virus and found that PD-1 inhibition was ineffective in asthmatics, but actually increased infection rates in healthy controls. This study, therefore, suggests that PD-1 therapy would not produce harmful side-effects when applied in people with severe asthma, but could have important, as yet undescribed, negative effects on anti-viral responses in healthy individuals that warrant further investigation.
Water quality negatively impacts coral occurrence in eutrophic nearshore environments of the Florida Keys
Authors: Thanopoulou Zoi , Patus Jacob , Sealey Kathleen Sullivan
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Coral species are negatively impacted by anthropogenic stressors worldwide. Nearshore coastal ecosystems provide an excellent study system for the investigation of the impacts of local land-based stressors such as nutrients on coral assemblages due to their proximity to land based sources of pollution. The nearshore environs of the Florida Keys are an intensively developed and intensively managed system; Florida Keys waters have been characterized by chronic eutrophication since 1999. Benthic communities are known to change or “shift” under chronic eutrophication.

Objectives

This research examines the patterns of occurrence in stony corals correlating to detailed nearshore water quality measurements. The questions addressed are a) What are the coral assemblages within 500 meters of the shoreline, and which species are resilient to these environs? b) How does water quality impact coral occurrence?

Methods

This study examined the immediate nearshore (0-500m) areas of 13 sites using a randomized blocked experimental design for both water quality and benthic sampling. Water quality parameters measured included chlorophyll-a, nitrates + nitrites (NOx), total nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, Salinity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Benthic surveys documented stony coral occurrence using belt transects with point intercept measurements.

Results

Stony coral species occurrence was limited at most of the study sites. Siderastrea radians and Porites divaricata were the two common species that appear to have a higher tolerance to eutrophic conditions under these shallow water conditions. Of the 13 study sites, 2 sites had no coral species occurring; this analysis was based on the comparison between sites with and without stony coral species. Water column Chlorophyll-a, pH, dissolved oxygen saturation, temperature, NOx, N:P ratio, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were found to be significantly different between the sites with and without corals. Further multivariate analysis showed a clear clustering of the two groups.

Conclusion

The low overall diversity and the higher occurrences of stress tolerant species provide evidence of the effects of coastal eutrophication on the coastal Florida Keys ecosystem. Our data suggest that more conservative water quality thresholds should be posed to improve nearshore biodiversity and ecological functioning of coastal systems.
Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in seawater and sediments in Jieshi Bay, Shanwei, China
Authors: Zhou Wen , Cao Qian , Hong Man , Lei Yutao , Wen Ding , Zhang Dengfeng
Published: November 2022

The contamination of heavy metals due to human activities has attracted great attention and may lead to serious environmental problems. This research was performed on seawater, sediments, and organisms in Jieshi Bay, China. The level of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, and As, respectively, was measured in each environment to acquire a comprehensive understanding of their sources and distribution and to accomplish a risk assessment. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals in autumn was higher than those in spring, and surface water has a higher heavy metal content than bottom water. The main sources of these heavy metals could be surface runoff and industrial wastewater discharge in the said bay. Hg was the main pollutant in the seawater. Hg, Cu, Zn, and Cd could easily accumulate in organisms than other heavy metal contents. In addition, even though the concentration of Pb did not exceed the Seawater Quality Standard, decision-makers should still be attentive to the Pb content in fish because of bioaccumulation from seafood product consumption.
Effect of river damming on nutrient transport and transformation and its countermeasures
Authors: Wang Xun , Chen Yu , Yuan Qiusheng , Xing Xiaolei , Hu Bin , Gan Jiawen , Zheng Yuran , Liu Yunxin
Published: November 2022

In recent decades, damming has become one of the most important anthropogenic activities for river regulation, and reservoirs have become hotspots for biogeochemical cycling. The construction of dams changes riverine hydrological conditions and alters the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of rivers, eventually leading to significant variations in nutrient cycling. This review mainly explores the effects of river damming on nutrient transport and transformation, including i) nutrient (N, P, Si, and C) retention in reservoirs, ii) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and iii) interactions between the nutrient stoichiometry ratio and the health of the reservoir ecosystem. The important drivers of nutrient transport and transformation, such as river connectivity, hydraulic residence time, hydropower development mode, microbial community variation, and anthropogenic pollution, have also been discussed. In addition, strategies to recover from the negative effects of damming on aquatic ecosystems are summarized and analyzed. To provide theoretical and scientific support for the ecological and environmental preservation of river-reservoir systems, future studies should focus on nutrient accumulation and GHG emissions in cascade reservoirs.
Ultra high performance concrete and C-FRP tension Re-bars: A unique combinations of materials for slabs subjected to low-velocity drop impact loading
Authors: Anas S. M. , Alam Mehtab , Isleem Haytham F. , Najm Hadee Mohammed , Sabri Mohanad Muayad Sabri
Published: November 2022

In this research work, different combinations of normal strength concrete (NSC), ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and steel fiber-reinforced UHPC (SFR-UHPC) concrete with re-bars of conventional steel and of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (C-FRP) are used in a two-way square slab of size 1000mm x 1000mm x 75mm subjected to 2500 mm free-fall impact loading. Experimental arrangement consisting of 105 kg dropping weight with the circular flat impacting face of 40 mm diameter used for carrying out impact test is modeled using a high-fidelity physics-based finite element computer code, ABAQUS/Explicit-v.6.15. After validating the experimental results of the NSC slab with steel bars, analyses are extended by replacing NSC and steel bars with UHPC/SFR-UHPC and C-FRP bars, respectively, under the same dropping weight. Only the remote face (tension face) of the slabs is provided with the re-bars. Widely employed and available with the ABAQUS, the Concrete Damage Plasticity model with strain-rate effects has been entrusted for simulating the concrete plastic response. Re-bars of steel are idealized with the Johnson-Cook plasticity damage model. C-FRP re-bars are defined with the classical plasticity model following the elastic-plastic constitutive laws. The impact responses of the slabs consisting of NSC/UHPC/SFR-UHPC concrete with re-bars of steel, and C-FRP combinations considered are discussed and compared. Slabs made of UHPC/SFR-UHPC concrete with the C-FRP re-bars are found to offer a promising combination of materials to withstand low-velocity impact load with little damage and extraordinary impact performance.
Seizure as the clinical presentation of massive pulmonary embolism: Case report and literature review
Authors: Leong Waiian , Zhang Yueqi , Huang Xinxiang , Luo Zhendong , Wang Yanli , Rainer Timothy Hudson , Wai Abraham K. C. , Huang Yi
Published: November 2022

Massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) is a high-risk medical emergency. Seizure as the clinical presentation of MPE is extremely rare, and to our knowledge, there have been no reports on successful percutaneous, catheter-based treatment of MPE presenting with new-onset seizures and cardiac arrest. In this report, we discuss the case of a 64-year-old woman who presented with an episode of seizure that lasted 5 h. Seizure occurred four times within 12 h after arrival at the hospital, and in the end, she sustained a cardiac arrest. The patient had no past history of seizure or cardiopulmonary disease. Bilateral MPE was detected by a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram, and she was successfully treated with percutaneous, catheter-directed anticoagulant therapy. Pulmonary embolism-related seizures are more difficult to diagnose and have higher mortality rates than seizures. MPE should be suspected in patients presenting with new-onset seizures and hemodynamic instability.
Microbial infection risk predicts antimicrobial potential of avian symbionts
Authors: Martínez-Renau Ester , Mazorra-Alonso Mónica , Ruiz-Castellano Cristina , Martín-Vivaldi Manuel , Martín-Platero Antonio M. , Barón María Dolores , Soler Juan José
Published: November 2022

Symbiotic bacteria on animal hosts can prevent pathogenic bacterial infections by several mechanisms. Among them, symbiotic bacteria can indirectly enhance host’s immune responses or, directly, produce antimicrobial substances against pathogens. Due to differences in life-style, different host species are under different risks of microbial infections. Consequently, if symbiotic bacteria are somewhat selected by genetically determined host characteristics, we would expect the antimicrobial properties of bacterial symbionts to vary among host species and to be distributed according to risk of infection. Here we have tested this hypothesis by measuring the antimicrobial ability of the bacterial strains isolated from the uropygial-gland skin of 19 bird species differing in nesting habits, and, therefore, in risk of microbial infection. In accordance with our predictions, intensity and range of antimicrobial effects against the indicator strains assayed varied among bird species, with hole-and open-nesters showing the highest and the lowest values, respectively. Since it is broadly accepted that hole-nesters have higher risks of microbial infection than open nesters, our results suggest that the risk of infection is a strong driver of natural selection to enhance immunocompetence of animals through selecting for antibiotic-producing symbionts. Future research should focus on characterizing symbiotic bacterial communities and detecting coevolutionary processes with particular antibiotic-producing bacteria within-host species.
Pangenomic analysis of Coxiella burnetii unveils new traits in genome architecture
Authors: Abou Abdallah Rita , Million Matthieu , Delerce Jeremy , Anani Hussein , Diop Awa , Caputo Aurelia , Zgheib Rita , Rousset Elodie , Sidi Boumedine Karim , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: November 2022

Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a worldwide zoonosis able to cause large outbreaks. The disease is polymorphic. Symptomatic primary infection is named acute Q fever and is associated with hepatitis, pneumonia, fever, and auto-immune complications while persistent focalized infections, mainly endocarditis, and vascular infections, occur in a minority of patients but are potentially lethal. In order to evaluate the genomic features, genetic diversity, evolution, as well as genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity, and ability to cause outbreaks of Q fever, we performed a pangenomic analysis and genomic comparison of 75 C. burnetii strains including 63 newly sequenced genomes. Our analysis demonstrated that C. burnetii has an open pangenome, unique genes being found in many strains. In addition, pathogenicity islands were detected in all genomes. In consequence C. burnetii has a high genomic plasticity, higher than that of other intracellular bacteria. The core- and pan-genomes are made of 1,211 and 4,501 genes, respectively (ratio 0.27). The core gene-based phylogenetic analysis matched that obtained from multi-spacer typing and the distribution of plasmid types. Genomic characteristics were associated to clinical and epidemiological features. Some genotypes were associated to specific clinical forms and countries. MST1 genotype strains were associated to acute Q fever. A significant association was also found between clinical forms and plasmids. Strains harboring the QpRS plasmid were never found in acute Q fever and were only associated to persistent focalized infections. The QpDV and QpH1 plasmids were associated to acute Q fever. In addition, the Guyanese strain CB175, the most virulent strain to date, exhibited a unique MST genotype, a distinct COG profile and an important variation in gene number that may explain its unique pathogenesis. Therefore, strain-specific factors play an important role in determining the epidemiological and clinical manifestations of Q fever alongside with host-specific factors (valvular and vascular defects notably).
Enhanced You Only Look Once X for surface defect detection of strip steel
Authors: Wu Ruiqi , Zhou Feng , Li Nan , Liu Haibo , Guo Naihong , Wang Rugang
Published: November 2022

Using deep learning-based methods to detect surface defects in strip steel can reduce the impact of human factors and lower costs while maintaining accuracy and efficiency. However, the main disadvantages of this method is the inability to tradeoff accuracy and efficiency. In addition, the low proportion of valid information and the lack of distinctive features result in a high rate of missed detection of small objects. In this paper, we propose a lightweight YOLOX surface defect detection network and introduce the Multi-scale Feature Fusion Attention Module (MFFAM). Lightweight CSP structures are used to optimize the backbone of the original network. MFFAM uses different scales of receptive fields for feature maps of different resolutions, after which features are fused and passed into the spatial and channel attention modules in parallel. Experimental results show that lightweight CSP structures can improve the detection frame rate without compromising accuracy. MFFAM can significantly improve the detection accuracy of small objects. Compared with the initial YOLOX, the mAP and FPS were 81.21% and 82.87Hz, respectively, which was an improvement of 4.29% and 12.72Hz. Compared with existing methods, the proposed model has superior performance and practicality, verifying the effectiveness of the optimization method.
Pain in acute hepatic porphyrias: Updates on pathophysiology and management
Authors: Kazamel Mohamed , Pischik Elena , Desnick Robert J.
Published: November 2022

Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) typically present with recurrent acute attacks of severe abdominal pain and acute autonomic dysfunction. While chronic symptoms were historically overlooked in the literature, recent studies have reported increased prevalence of chronic, mainly neuropathic, pain between the attacks. Here we characterize acute and chronic pain as prominent manifestations of the AHPs and discuss their pathophysiology and updated management. In addition to the severe abdominal pain, patients could experience low back pain, limb pain, and headache during acute attacks. Chronic pain between the attacks is typically neuropathic and reported mainly by patients who undergo recurrent attacks. While the acute abdominal pain during attacks is likely mediated by autonomic neuropathy, chronic pain likely represents delayed recovery of the acute neuropathy with ongoing small fiber neuropathy in addition to peripheral and/or central sensitization. δ-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) plays a major role in acute and chronic pain via its neurotoxic effect, especially where the blood-nerve barrier is less restrictive or absent i.e., the autonomic ganglia, nerve roots, and free nerve endings. For earlier diagnosis, we recommend testing a spot urine porphobilinogen (PBG) analysis in any patient with recurrent severe acute abdominal pain with no obvious explanation, especially if associated with neuropathic pain, hyponatremia, autonomic dysfunction, or encephalopathy. Of note, it is mandatory to exclude AHPs in any acute painful neuropathy. Between the attacks, diagnostic testing for AHPs should be considered for patients with a past medical history of acute/subacute neuropathy, frequent emergency room visits with abdominal pain, and behavioral changes. Pain during the attacks should be treated with opiates combined with hemin infusions. Symptomatic treatment of chronic pain should start with gabapentinoids and certain antidepressants before opiates. Givosiran reduces levels of ALA and PBG and likely has long-term benefits for chronic pain, especially if started early during the course of the disease.
Improving across-dataset brain tissue segmentation for MRI imaging using transformer
Authors: Rao Vishwanatha M. , Wan Zihan , Arabshahi Soroush , Ma David J. , Lee Pin-Yu , Tian Ye , Zhang Xuzhe , Laine Andrew F. , Guo Jia
Published: November 2022

Brain tissue segmentation has demonstrated great utility in quantifying MRI data by serving as a precursor to further post-processing analysis. However, manual segmentation is highly labor-intensive, and automated approaches, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have struggled to generalize well due to properties inherent to MRI acquisition, leaving a great need for an effective segmentation tool. This study introduces a novel CNN-Transformer hybrid architecture designed to improve brain tissue segmentation by taking advantage of the increased performance and generality conferred by Transformers for 3D medical image segmentation tasks. We first demonstrate the superior performance of our model on various T1w MRI datasets. Then, we rigorously validate our model's generality applied across four multi-site T1w MRI datasets, covering different vendors, field strengths, scan parameters, and neuropsychiatric conditions. Finally, we highlight the reliability of our model on test-retest scans taken in different time points. In all situations, our model achieved the greatest generality and reliability compared to the benchmarks. As such, our method is inherently robust and can serve as a valuable tool for brain related T1w MRI studies. The code for the TABS network is available at: https://github.com/raovish6/TABS.
Undiagnosed prediabetes in Mexican adolescents under poverty in contexts affected by collective violence: A clinical comparison among health services users and hidden population
Authors: Hernández-Montoya Dewi , Cedillo-Escobar Elsie E. , Esparza-Aguilar Marcelino , Muñoz-Torres Abril Violeta
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The epidemiological pattern of prediabetes in adolescents is understudied. In Mexico, adolescents are exposed to social adversity conditions, including poverty and violence. Therefore, understanding their clinical profiles and how the social determinants of health impose barriers to access to health services is important to address detection, in those who, by their vulnerability, remain a hidden population.

Aim

This study aimed to describe undiagnosed prediabetes in Mexican adolescents under poverty in violent contexts and to compare the clinical features among health services users and hidden population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 371 adolescents from difficult access locations in violent contexts. Poverty, lack of health services access, and perceived vulnerability were determined in all samples. Endocrine markers (BMI, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, and cortisol) were measured in those with high violence perception.

Results

A total of 61.7% of the adolescents had a suburban grid and urban cluster residence, and 77.7–85.7% of them belonged to locations where 35–50% of their population lived below the poverty line. In total, 40–75% had a lack of 10–20% access to health services, and 18.8% had a high perceived vulnerability due to collective violence and were screened. Overall, 61.9% of respondents were newly diagnosed with prediabetes and showed the worst HbA1c (p = 0.001) compared to the health services subsample, which showed the highest BMI (p = 0.031) and insulin resistance (p = 0.025).

Conclusion

There is a prediabetes hidden population living in violent contexts under poverty. These social determinants promote poor outcomes in perceived vulnerability and endocrine response and represent barriers to access to health services.
Antioxidant properties of water-soluble polysaccharides prepared by co-culture fermentation of straw and shrimp shell
Authors: Lyu Yongmei , Wang Mian , Zhang Yiwen , Zhang Xiaoyang , Liu Xiaochen , Li Fengwei , Wang Dujun , Wei Ming , Yu Xiaohong
Published: November 2022

Herein, we present a method for producing water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPs) by co-culture fermentation of straw and shrimp shells. The chitin-degrading strain was isolated and genotypically identified as the non-pathogen Photobacterium sp. LYM-1 in this study. Photobacterium sp. LYM-1 and Aureobasidium pullulans 2012 could coexist without antagonism. WSPs concentrations were higher in co-culture fermentations of Photobacterium sp. LYM-1 and A. pullulans 2012 (PsL/AP-WSPs) compared to monocultures (PsL-WSPs and AP-WSPs). FTIR was used to examine the polysaccharide properties of three WSP fractions. The monosaccharide compositions of three WSPs fractions were primarily composed of mannose, ribose, glucosamine, glucose, galactose, and arabinose with varying molecular weights and molar ratios according to HPLC analysis. PsL/AP-WSPs showed better scavenging effects on DPPH, ABTS, and OH free radicals, demonstrating the application potential of PsL/AP-WSPs from straw and shrimp shells. The maximum yield obtained under optimum conditions (fermentation time of 6 days, temperature of 31°C, inoculum concentration of 10% (w/v), and inoculum composition of 2:1) was 5.88 ± 0.40 mg/mL, based on the PsL/AP-WSPs production optimization by orthogonal design. The results suggest that an environmentally friendly approach for WSPs production from agro-food wastes straw and shrimp shells was developed.
Upcycled foods: A nudge toward nutrition
Authors: Thorsen Margaret , Skeaff Sheila , Goodman-Smith Francesca , Thong Brian , Bremer Phil , Mirosa Miranda
Published: November 2022

One of the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is to end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round. An obvious synergy exists between the second SDG “Zero Hunger” and SDG target 12.3 which focuses on halving food waste and reducing food losses. In addition to helping improve global food security, reducing food waste provides financial and environmental benefits. Upcycling food is a technical solution for food waste reduction that retains the nutritional and financial value of food by-products. However, many of the upcycled foods produced are discretionary foods such as biscuits, crackers, and other snack food that are not part of a healthy dietary pattern, and should only be eaten sometimes in small amounts. Given the importance of ensuring a sustainable healthy diet, this paper discusses opportunities for upcycled food manufacturers to produce more nutritious products.
Memory function performance in individuals classified as overweight, obese, and normal weight
Authors: Berbegal Marina , Tomé Mario , Sánchez-SanSegundo Miriam , Zaragoza-Martí Ana , Hurtado-Sánchez José Antonio
Published: November 2022

Evidence accumulated to date about the relationship between cognitive impairments and adults who are overweight and obese suggests that excess weight has a great impact on memory function. Nevertheless, most of the literature has focused only on studying the influences on working memory and episodic memory. This study aimed to examine the potential associations of clinical and anthropometric measures [body mass index (BMI), WHR, body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass, and hypertension] with six memory domains, including contextual memory, short-term visual memory, short-term memory, non-verbal memory, short-term phonological memory, and working memory, in a sample of 124 individuals classified as overweight (n = 33), obese (n = 53), and normal weight (n = 38). The results obtained showed that, after controlling for employment situations, people classified as obese had poorer short-term phonological memory and working memory than those with normal weights. Bivariate correlations showed that measures of weight, BMI, waist–hip ratio index, body fat, and visceral fat were inversely associated with memory function. However, muscle mass was not a significant predictor of memory function. Higher systolic blood pressure was also associated with worse memory function. The study provides evidence of the importance of adiposity in health and memory function.
Myeloid cell reprogramming alleviates immunosuppression and promotes clearance of metastatic lesions
Authors: Raghani Ravi M. , Ma Jeffrey A. , Zhang Yining , Orbach Sophia M. , Wang Jing , Zeinali Mina , Nagrath Sunitha , Kakade Sandeep , Xu Qichen , Podojil Joseph R. , Murthy Tushar , Elhofy Adam , Jeruss Jacqueline S. , Shea Lonnie D.
Published: November 2022

Suppressive myeloid cells, including monocyte and neutrophil populations, play a vital role in the metastatic cascade and can inhibit the anti-tumor function of cytotoxic T-cells. Cargo-free polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to modulate innate immune cell responses in multiple pathologies of aberrant inflammation. Here, we test the hypothesis that the intravenous administration of drug-free NPs in the 4T1 murine model of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer can reduce metastatic colonization of the lungs, the primary metastatic site, by targeting the pro-tumor immune cell mediators of metastatic progression. In vivo studies demonstrated that NP administration reprograms the immune milieu of the lungs and reduces pulmonary metastases. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the lungs revealed that intravenous NP administration alters myeloid cell phenotype and function, skewing populations toward inflammatory, anti-tumor phenotypes and away from pro-tumor phenotypes. Monocytes, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in the lungs of NP-treated mice upregulate gene pathways associated with IFN signaling, TNF signaling, and antigen presentation. In a T-cell deficient model, NP administration failed to abrogate pulmonary metastases, implicating the vital role of T-cells in the NP-mediated reduction of metastases. NPs delivered as an adjuvant therapy, following surgical resection of the primary tumor, led to clearance of established pulmonary metastases in all treated mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the in vivo administration of cargo-free NPs reprograms myeloid cell responses at the lungs and promotes the clearance of pulmonary metastases in a method of action dependent on functional T-cells.
Using a classification model for determining the value of liver radiological reports of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Wenjuan , Zhang Xi , Lv Han , Li Jia , Liu Yawen , Yang Zhenghan , Weng Xutao , Lin Yucong , Song Hong , Wang Zhenchang
Published: November 2022

Background

Medical imaging is critical in clinical practice, and high value radiological reports can positively assist clinicians. However, there is a lack of methods for determining the value of reports.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to establish an ensemble learning classification model using natural language processing (NLP) applied to the Chinese free text of radiological reports to determine their value for liver lesion detection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Radiological reports of upper abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were divided into five categories according to the results of liver lesion detection in patients with CRC. The NLP methods including word segmentation, stop word removal, and n-gram language model establishment were applied for each dataset. Then, a word-bag model was built, high-frequency words were selected as features, and an ensemble learning classification model was constructed. Several machine learning methods were applied, including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and so on. We compared the accuracy between priori choosing pertinent word strings and our machine language methodologies.

Results

The dataset of 2790 patients included CT without contrast (10.2%), CT with/without contrast (73.3%), MRI without contrast (1.8%), and MRI with/without contrast (14.6%). The ensemble learning classification model determined the value of reports effectively, reaching 95.91% in the CT with/without contrast dataset using XGBoost. The logistic regression, random forest, and support vector machine also achieved good classification accuracy, reaching 95.89%, 95.04%, and 95.00% respectively. The results of XGBoost were visualized using a confusion matrix. The numbers of errors in categories I, II and V were very small. ELI5 was used to select important words for each category. Words such as “no abnormality”, “suggest”, “fatty liver”, and “transfer” showed a relatively large degree of positive correlation with classification accuracy. The accuracy based on string pattern search method model was lower than that of machine learning.

Conclusions

The learning classification model based on NLP was an effective tool for determining the value of radiological reports focused on liver lesions. The study made it possible to analyze the value of medical imaging examinations on a large scale.
Dynamic alterations in PD-1/PD-L1 expression level and immune cell profiles based on radiation response status in mouse tumor model
Authors: Yoon Yi Na , Choe Min Ho , Kong Moonkyoo , Chung Weon Kuu , Kim Jae-Sung , Lim Yu Jin
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Based on the immunologic effects of anti-cancer treatment and their therapeutic implications, we evaluated radiotherapy (RT)-induced dynamic alterations in programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression profiles.

Methods

Local RT with 2 Gy × 5 or 7.5 Gy × 1 was administered to the CT26 mouse model. Thereafter, tumors were resected and evaluated at the following predefined timepoints according to radiation response status: baseline, early (immediately after RT), middle (beginning of tumor shrinkage), late (stable status with RT effect), and progression (tumor regrowth). PD-1/PD-L1 activity and related immune cell profiles were quantitatively assessed.

Results

RT upregulated PD-L1 expression in tumor cells from the middle to late phase; however, the levels subsequently decreased to levels comparable to baseline in the progression phase. RT with 2 Gy × 5 induced a higher frequency of PD-L1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells, with a lesser degree of tumor regression, compared to 7.5 Gy. The proportion of PD-1+ and interferon (IFN)-γ+CD8α T cells continued to increase. The frequency of splenic PD-1+CD8+ T cells was markedly elevated, and was sustained longer with 2 Gy × 5. Based on the transcriptomic data, RT stimulated the transcription of immune-related genes, leading to sequentially altered patterns.

Discussion

The dynamic alterations in PD-1/PD-L1 expression level were observed according to the time phases of tumor regression. This study suggests the influence of tumor cell killing and radiation dosing strategy on the tumor immune microenvironment.
Prognostic and predictive value of YTHDF1 and YTHDF2 and their correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in non-small cell carcinoma
Authors: Koh Young Wha , Han Jae-Ho , Haam Seokjin , Lee Hyun Woo
Published: November 2022

Background

YTH domain-containing family protein 1 (YTHDF1) or YTHDF2 play crucial roles in cancer immunotherapy. We examine the expression of YTHDF1, YTHDF2, CD8, CD4, and FOXP3 to identify their prognostic or predictive role for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical expression of YTHDF1, YTHDF2, CD8, CD4, and FOXP3 was investigated in 266 patients not receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and in 59 patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Immunohistochemical results were verified using mRNA dataset obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Results

Immunohistochemical expression of YTHDF1 or YTHDF2 was negatively associated with CD8- and CD4-positive T cells; however, the same expression was positively associated with FOXP3-positive T cells. YTHDF1 or YTHDF2 mRNA expression was also negatively associated with CD8- and CD4-positive T cells. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that low YTHDF1 was related to immune hot tumor gene sets. Expression of YTHDF1 or YTHDF2 was negatively associated with expression of most immune checkpoints. YTHDF1 and YTHDF2 were predictive markers of response to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. YTHDF1 or YTHDF2 expression was associated with better prognosis. YTHDF1 has an immune hot profile in both cell types, whereas YTHDF2 is only seen in adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

Low YTHDF1 or YTHDF2 reflects an immune hot tumor signature and may serve as a predictor or prognostic marker.
Case Report: Eosinophilic gastritis with pyloric stenosis in immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome
Authors: Yu Ronghua , Xiao Yongmei , Xu Wuhen , Zhang Ting , Wang Yizhong , Hu Hui
Published: November 2022

Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a rare X-linked recessive immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) gene. IPEX is characterized by the onset of intractable diarrhea, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and eczema in the early stages of life. The typical clinic triad for IPEX is not always seen. Here, we report a 15-year-old male patient with atypical IPEX syndrome complicated with severe eosinophilic gastritis (EG) and pyloric stenosis. The patient had noticeable eczema during the first year of life and had a history of food allergies. At the age of 3 years, the patient was diagnosed with EG, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, pyloric stenosis with recurrent vomiting, and failure to thrive. The patient did not respond to long-term symptomatic treatments in the following years, including methylprednisolone, proton pump inhibitors (PPI), L-glutamine and sodium gualenate granules, anti-HP therapy, and balloon dilation. At the age of 12 years, the patient received surgical interventions, including a laparoscopic jejunostomy feeding tube placement, gastrojejunal anastomosis bypass, and jejunal-jejunal end-to-side anastomosis. Intractable diarrhea and T1DM were not present in the patient. At the age of 14 years, the patient was diagnosed with IPEX syndrome due to a c.748–750del (p.Lys250del) mutation in the leucine zipper domain of the FOXP3 protein. The patient underwent matched sibling peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and showed good evolution after 3 months of HSCT. In summary, this case report provides information of unusual gastrointestinal findings in IPEX syndrome and highlights the need for increased awareness and early diagnosis of IPEX syndrome, which is vital for improving the patient's outcome.
Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal management of congenital mesoblastic nephroma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zhang Huijing , Wang Shuang , Gao Yangxu , Liang Li , Yang Huixia
Published: November 2022

Background

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) is a rare renal tumour in children, the most common kidney tumour in the neonatal period. It can be divided into three types, classical, cellular and mixed.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old Chinese woman had no apparent foetal abnormality in regular prenatal care during the first and second trimesters. At 33 weeks of gestation, a solid mass in the right kidney was noted with echoes similar to liver and hypervascularity. It grew larger during late pregnancy. The infant was transferred to have a radical nephrectomy on the 9th day after birth. The postoperative histopathological result indicated classical CMN.

Conclusion

CMN could be detected prenatally, mainly during late pregnancy. The postnatal outcome is good.
Case report: Acrodermatitis enteropathica result from a novel SLC39A4 gene mutation
Authors: Hua Wenjing , Zou Jialin , Zhuang Yuan , Zhou Taiguang
Published: November 2022

The clinical data and gene sequencing results in a child with acrodermatitis enteropathica were retrospectively reported, and the related literature was reviewed. A girl aged 9 years and 4 months presented with a repeated skin rash, mainly distributed in the perioral, anogenital, and acral areas, accompanied with alopecia, and a low blood zinc level was found many times. A significant improvement was seen after continuous zinc supplementation. The genetic sequencing test demonstrated that the patient had compound heterozygous for two SLC39A4 mutations: c.1466dupT (p.S490Efs*155) and c.295G > A (p.A99T), and her parents were heterozygous carriers of these two mutations. An improvement was achieved after continuous zinc supplementation. This case report might guide further research on this aspect.
High-flow nasal cannula versus continuous positive airway pressure in primary respiratory support for preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Luo Keren , Huang Yi , Xiong Tao , Tang Jun
Published: November 2022

Respiratory support is crucial for the survival of preterm infants, and High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) are commonly used for neonatal respiratory support. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of HFNC and CPAP in primary respiratory support for preterm infants, to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI, VIP, WANFANG and SinoMed were searched for eligible studies. The primary outcomes included the incidence of treatment failure and the application of mechanical ventilation. A total of 27 eligible studies with 3,351 participants were included. There was no significant difference in the incidence of respiratory support failure [RR = 1.17, 95%CI (0.88–1.56)] and the application of mechanical ventilation [RR = 1.00, 95%CI (0.84–1.19)] between HFNC group and CPAP group. HFNC resulted in lower rate of air leaks [RR = 0.65, 95%CI (0.46–0.92)], nasal trauma [RR = 0.36, 95%CI (0.29–0.45)] and abdominal distension [RR = 0.39, 95%CI (0.27–0.58)], and later time of mechanical ventilation initiating [SMD = 0.60, 95%CI (0.21–0.99)], less duration of oxygen therapy [SMD = −0.35, 95%CI (−0.68 to −0.02)] and earlier enteral feeding [SMD = −0.54, 95%CI (−0.95 to −0.13)]. Alternative non-invasive respiratory support after initial treatment failure resulted in no difference in the application of mechanical ventilation between the two groups [RR = 0.99, 95%CI (0.52–1.88)]. HFNC might be more effective and safer in primary respiratory support for preterm infants. Using CPAP as a remedy for the treatment failure of HFNC could not avoid intubation. For premature infants with the gestational age <28 weeks, HFNC as primary respiratory support still needs to be further elucidated.

Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022313479, identifier: CRD42022313479.
Genotyping for HLA risk alleles versus patch tests to diagnose anti-seizure medication induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions
Authors: Manson Lisanne E. N. , Chan Patricia C. Y. , Böhringer Stefan , Guchelaar Henk-Jan
Published: November 2022

Aim: To provide a comparison of genotyping for HLA risk alleles versus patch testing to determine which of these two tests is a better diagnostic tool for cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions caused by anti-seizure medication.

Methods: A literature study was performed in PubMed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of HLA genotyping and patch tests for identifying anti-seizure medication induced cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions.

Results: This study shows that HLA-B*15:02 genotyping shows high sensitivity for carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN, especially in Han Chinese and Southeast Asian patients (66.7–100.0%) whereas the sensitivity of patch tests (0.0–62,5%), HLA-A*31:01 (0–50%) and HLA-B*15:11 (18.2–42.9%) are lower. On the contrary, for carbamazepine and phenytoin induced DRESS, patch tests (respectively 70.0–88.9% and 14.3–70.0%) show higher sensitivity than HLA tests (0–66.7% and 0–12.7%). Also for lamotrigine-induced DRESS patch tests perform better than HLA-B*15:02 (33.3–40.0 versus 0%). For anti-seizure medication induced MPE and for oxcarbazepine-induced SCARs more studies are needed.

Conclusion: Use of HLA-B genotyping may aid clinicians in the diagnosis of carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine induced SJS/TEN, particularly in Han Chinese and Southeast Asian patients. On the other hand, patch tests seem to perform better in the diagnosis of carbamazepine and phenytoin induced DRESS.