bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concomitant Administration of Vancomycin with a High Dose of Meropenem May Cause Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Sakai Yoshiro , Karakawa Seiji , Koutaki Takato , Higuchi Kyoko , Hashimoto Aya , Watanabe Hiroshi
Published: June 2024

Coadministering two different classes of antibiotics as empirical therapy can be critical in treating healthcare‐associated infections in hospitals. Herein, we report a case of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by coadministration of vancomycin with high‐dose meropenem that manifested as a rapid increase in serum creatinine levels and an associated increase in vancomycin trough concentrations. The patient was diagnosed with meningioma at 50 years and was followed up regularly. The patient underwent surgery and antibiotic treatment between 63 and 66 years for suspected meningitis and pneumonia. Coadministration of vancomycin with high‐dose meropenem (6.0 g/day) caused AKI; however, no AKI occurred when vancomycin was administered alone or with a low dose of meropenem (1.5 or 3.0 g/day). To our knowledge, this report is the first to show that administering different dosages of meropenem in combination with vancomycin may contribute to the risk of developing AKI. We suggest that coadministered vancomycin and high‐dose meropenem (6.0 g/day) may increase the risk of AKI. Our report adds to the limited literature documenting the coadministration of vancomycin with varying doses of meropenem and its impact on the risk of AKI and highlights the importance of investigating AKI risk in response to varying dosages of meropenem when it is coadministered with vancomycin.
Effects of Job Crafting and Leisure Crafting on Nurses’ Burnout: A Machine Learning‐Based Prediction Analysis
Authors: Guo Yu-Fang , Wang Si-Jia , Plummer Virginia , Du Yun , Song Tian-Ping , Wang Ning
Published: June 2024

Aim. To explore the status of job crafting, leisure crafting, and burnout among nurses and to examine the impact of job crafting and leisure crafting variations on burnout using machine learning‐based models. Background. The prevalence of burnout among nurses poses a severe risk to their job performance, quality of healthcare, and the cohesiveness of nurse teams. Numerous studies have explored factors influencing nurse burnout; however, few involved job crafting and leisure crafting synchronously and elucidated the effect differences of the two crafting behaviors on nurse burnout. Methods. Multicentre cross‐sectional survey study. Nurses (n = 1235) from four Chinese tertiary hospitals were included. The Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey, the Job Crafting Scale, and the Leisure Crafting Scale were employed for data collection. Four machine learning algorithms (logistic regression model, support vector machine, random forest, and gradient boosting tree) were used to analyze the data. Results. Nurses experienced mild to moderate levels of burnout and moderate to high levels of job crafting and leisure crafting. The AUC (in full) for the four models was from 0.809 to 0.821, among which the gradient boosting tree performed best, with 0.821 AUC, 0.739 accuracy, 0.470 sensitivity, 0.919 specificity, and 0.161 Brier. All models showed that job crafting was the most important predictor for burnout, while leisure crafting was identified as the second important predictor for burnout in the random forest model and gradient boosting tree model. Conclusion. Even if nurses experienced mild to moderate burnout, nurse managers should develop efficient interventions to reduce nurse burnout. Job crafting and leisure crafting may be beneficial preventative strategies against burnout among nurses at present. Implications for Nursing Management. Job and leisure crafting were identified as effective methods to reduce nurse burnout. Nurse managers should provide more opportunities for nurses’ job crafting and encourage nurses crafting at their leisure time.
PRKDC Induces Chemoresistance in Osteosarcoma by Recruiting GDE2 to Stabilize GNAS and Activate AKT
Authors: Zhang Wenchao , Li Wei , Yin Chi , Feng Chengyao , Liu Binfeng , Xu Haodong , Jin Xin , Tu Chao , Li Zhihong
Published: June 2024

Chemoresistance is one of the major causes of poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Alternative therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma are limited, indicating that increasing sensitivity to currently used chemotherapies could be an effective approach to improve patient outcomes. Using a kinome-wide CRISPR screen, we identified PRKDC as a critical determinant of doxorubicin (DOX) sensitivity in osteosarcoma. The analysis of clinical samples demonstrated that PRKDC was hyperactivated in osteosarcoma, and functional experiments showed that the loss of PRKDC significantly increased sensitivity of osteosarcoma to DOX. Mechanistically, PRKDC recruited and bound GDE2 to enhance the stability of protein GNAS. The elevated GNAS protein levels subsequently activated AKT phosphorylation and conferred resistance to DOX. The PRKDC inhibitor AZD7648 and DOX synergized and strongly suppressed the growth of osteosarcoma in mouse xenograft models and human organoids. In conclusion, the PRKDC-GDE2-GNAS-AKT regulatory axis suppresses DOX sensitivity and comprises targetable candidates for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in osteosarcoma.

Significance: Targeting PRKDC suppresses AKT activation and increases sensitivity to doxorubicin in osteosarcoma, which provides a therapeutic strategy for overcoming chemoresistance.
Supplementary Figure 22 from Ultrasensitive Detection of Circulating LINE-1 ORF1p as a Specific Multicancer Biomarker
Authors: Taylor Martin S. , Wu Connie , Fridy Peter C. , Zhang Stephanie J. , Senussi Yasmeen , Wolters Justina C. , Cajuso Tatiana , Cheng Wen-Chih , Heaps John D. , Miller Bryant D. , Mori Kei , Cohen Limor , Jiang Hua , Molloy Kelly R. , Chait Brian T. , Goggins Michael G. , Bhan Irun , Franses Joseph W. , Yang Xiaoyu , Taplin Mary-Ellen , Wang Xinan , Christiani David C. , Johnson Bruce E. , Meyerson Matthew , Uppaluri Ravindra , Egloff Ann Marie , Denault Elyssa N. , Spring Laura M. , Wang Tian-Li , Shih Ie-Ming , Fairman Jennifer E. , Jung Euihye , Arora Kshitij S. , Yilmaz Osman H. , Cohen Sonia , Sharova Tatyana , Chi Gary , Norden Bryanna L. , Song Yuhui , Nieman Linda T. , Pappas Leontios , Parikh Aparna R. , Strickland Matthew R. , Corcoran Ryan B. , Mustelin Tomas , Eng George , Yilmaz Ömer H. , Matulonis Ursula A. , Chan Andrew T. , Skates Steven J. , Rueda Bo R. , Drapkin Ronny , Klempner Samuel J. , Deshpande Vikram , Ting David T. , Rout Michael P. , LaCava John , Walt David R. , Burns Kathleen H.
Published: June 2024

Circulating ORF1p levels in breast cancer patients.
Supplementary tables from The TERT Promoter is Polycomb-Repressed in Neuroblastoma Cells with Long Telomeres
Authors: Graham Mindy K. , Xu Beisi , Davis Christine , Meeker Alan K. , Heaphy Christopher M. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Dyer Michael A. , Zeineldin Maged
Published: June 2024

Supplementary tables 1-4
FIGURE 5 from The TERT Promoter is Polycomb-Repressed in Neuroblastoma Cells with Long Telomeres
Authors: Graham Mindy K. , Xu Beisi , Davis Christine , Meeker Alan K. , Heaphy Christopher M. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Dyer Michael A. , Zeineldin Maged
Published: June 2024

TPE suppresses genes at chromosomal ends of neuroblastoma cells with long telomeres. The average of the percentage of repressive chromatin ChromHMM states at chromosomal ends, subtelomeric region referred to as “T” and genome-wide referred to as “G” for all coding and noncoding sequences (A) and genic regions (B) in neuroblastoma cells with short and long telomeres. C and D, Pharmacologic inhibition of EZH2 induces TERT expression in TERT-negative neuroblastoma cells. C, Western blot analysis for H3K27me3 and H3K27 total in neuroblastoma cells after treatment with tazemetostat or the drug vehicle only. D, Fold change of TERT expression in the same cells after the same treatment measured by qRT-PCR. E and F, Inhibiting EZH2 facilitates MYCN binding to the TERT promoter in neuroblastoma cells with long telomeres. ChIP-qPCR enrichment of MYCN at the TERT promoter in SKNMMMYCN (E) and SKNJCIMYCN (F) after treating the cells with tazemetostat for 3 weeks and doxycycline induction of MYCN for 2 days. As MYCN is not expressed in both cell lines, MYCN enrichment in the absence of doxycycline represents background. *, P < 0.05, error bars represent SD.
História de uma História
Authors: Bandecchi Brasil
Published: June 2024

Júlio Frank, born in Gotha in 1808, Germany, isa very questioned personality in the History of Brazil, mainly São Paulo. He was professor of a course attached to the Faculty of Law in this city. He founded in 1831 a secret society named “Burschenschaft” known as the “Bucha” with a philanthropical purpose and liberal approach. Júlio Frank wrote the first Universal History published in Brazil. He and Libero Badaró introduced the liberalism in São Paulo. Such a personality suffered, of course, many criticisms but has also a great number of defenders. Brasil Bandecchi in his paper “Bucha, the Freemasonry and the liberal spirit” herein presented, exposes the history of Júlio Frank’s “Summary of the Universal History”, issued in 1839 pointing out the issued unjust critics about this book. In short, Brasil Bandecchi sets forth the author and his work in his historical time so the reader will be able to grasp the real position of the book in the contexture of the didactic textbooks in Brazil.
A expansão urbana de Foz do Iguaçu entre 1965 e 2020: ocupação de diferentes compartimentos do relevo e confinamento dos cursos d’água
Authors: Bortoluzzi Leandro Neri , Tommaselli José Tadeu Garcia
Published: June 2024

Foz do Iguaçu is characterized by strong State action as a producer of urban space, especially after the second half of the 20th century. Works, such as the international connection bridges with Paraguay and Argentina, and the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant were built by the action of the State. This strongly contributed to the population increase after the 1960s, which concomitantly generated the expansion of the urban fabric, occupying new lands, in different relief compartments and confining river channels that meander through the city. Thus, we describe this process in this article, through the temporal analysis of documents, aerial photos and satellite images.
Por uma Filosofia do Futuro em Ludwig Feuerbach
Authors: Machado Luis Guilherme Stender
Published: June 2024

¿Es posible pensar en una Filosofía que rompa con los ideales metafísico-religiosos y ponga en su ámbito el materialismo? Es en esta perspectiva que pensaremos con el filósofo Ludwig Feuerbach su Filosofía del futuro. Se trata de mostrar cómo la religión y los dioses no son más que creaciones humanas y cómo estas creaciones se vuelven contra su creador, convirtiendo a Dios en un ser superior y empobreciendo al ser humano. En este sentido, Feuerbach propone un pensamiento que tiene en cuenta el materialismo, la comunidad humana y la naturaleza, por otro lado, prevé la negación de la religión, los dogmas teológicos y todo idealismo.
A new species of Polylepis (Rosaceae) from the Bosque de Proteccion Pui-Pui, Peru
Authors: VALENZUELA GAMARRA LUIS , VALDIVIA MARIA ISABEL VILLALBA
Published: June 2024

A new species of Polylepis (Rosaceae) from the Humid Puna of the Bosque de Proteccion Pui-Pui in Junin, Peru, is described and illustrated. The new species was found at 3800 m elevation, in small patches or forest relicts of the natural protected area, growing in open areas highly exposed to wind and abundant fog, along with other shrubby species, mainly Chusquea tessellata (Poaceae). It is very similar to Polylepis canoi but differs by trifoliolate leaves with larger leaflets, lanuginose abaxially, and rounded to ovoid achenes, smaller than those of P. canoi. We also present details on its geographic distribution, ecological notes, and an assessment of the conservation status of the new species.
A new species of Dicranocentrus Schött (Collembola, Orchesellidae) from the Brazilian Pampa, with a key to the gracilis-group taxa
Authors: SILVA CLÉCIO DANILO DIAS DA , NUNES RUDY CAMILO , WINCK BRUNA RAQUEL , BELLINI BRUNO CAVALCANTE
Published: June 2024

Dicranocentrus Schött, 1893 is one of the largest genera of Orchesellidae, with a Pantropical distribution. Here we describe and illustrate the first species of the genus recorded from the Brazilian Pampa domain, in the Southern Region of the country. Dicranocentrus pampaensis sp. nov. is unique within the genus especially by the combination of: basal labium scaled, with M1 chaeta ciliated and others smooth, presence of 6–7 P macrochaetae on the dorsal head, thorax II to abdomen IV with 12, 9, 5, 2, 2, 5 central macrochaetae, respectively, tenent hairs capitate, ungues with the apical tooth, and dens with 45–64 spines. The dorsal head macrochaetotaxy puts the new species into the gracilis-group sensu Mari-Mutt, so we compared Dicranocentrus pampaensis sp. nov. with other taxa from this species group, providing a comparative table encompassing all its species and an identification key to them.
Hidden life cycle stages of the trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia triatomae Cerisola et al. 1971 (Protista: Excavata: Kinetoplastea) unveiled by a new cultivation method
Authors: JÚNIOR RENATO DA SILVA , PAIVA THIAGO DA SILVA , PACHECO JOÃO PEDRO FURTADO , BITENCOURT RICARDO DE OLIVEIRA BARBOSA , CASTRO MÁRCIO LUCAS FERREIRA DE , TOMA HELENA KEIKO , GOMES SUZETE ARAUJO OLIVEIRA , MALLET JACENIR REIS DOS SANTOS , FEDER DENISE
Published: June 2024

Blastocrithidia triatomae is a monoxenic trypanosomatid parasite of triatomines, sharing the same insect vectors with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 and T. rangeli Tejera, 1920. It is known to cause a complex syndrome in insects which induces severe metabolic disorders and increasing in mortality rates. In the present study, we established an efficient serial axenic cultivation method for B. triatomae using a new medium, herein called MBT, which revealed previously unknown morphotypes, named microepimastigotes and sinemastigotes, not found in specific cell linage cultures. The results improve the knowledge on the life cycle of genus Blastocrithidia Laird 1959, its distinction from other trypanosomatids, such as T. cruzi and T. rangeli, and settle new ground for thorough exploration of morphological features and its application for trypanosomatid systematics.
Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders IV. Medications and Other Biological Treatments
Authors: Kennedy Sidney H , Lam Raymond W , Cohen Nicole L , Ravindran Arun V ,   The CANMAT Depression Work Group
Published: June 2024

Background: The Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments partnered to produce clinical guidelines for psychiatrists for the treatment of depressive disorders.

Methods: A standard guidelines development process was followed. Relevant literature was identified using a computerized Medline search supplemented by review of bibliographies. Operational criteria were used to rate the quality of scientific evidence, and the line of treatment recommendations included consensus clinical opinion. This section, “Medications and Other Biological Treatments,” is 1 of 7 articles that were drafted and reviewed by clinicians. Revised drafts underwent national and international expert peer review.

Results: Evidence-based recommendations are presented for 1) choosing an antidepressant, based on efficacy, tolerability, and safety; 2) the optimal use of antidepressants, including augmentation, combination, and switching strategies; 3) maintenance treatment; and 4) electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), light therapy, and additional somatic treatments. Evidence from metaanalv-ses is presented first, followed by conclusions from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and, if appropriate, open-label data.

Conclusions: There is significant evidence to support the role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls), novel agents, and classic agents in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). There is also evidence to support the use of somatic treatments, including ECT and light therapy, for some patients with MDD. There is limited evidence for the use of specific medications to treat subtypes of MDD. There is emerging evidence to support augmentation and combination strategies for patients previously nonresponsive to medication.
Not wanting to class or be classed: Student teachers in Ireland from working class backgrounds reflecting on class and class categorisations
Authors: Keane Elaine
Published: June 2024

This article is about the perspectives of student teachers from working class backgrounds in Ireland about social class. In the context of drives to diversify the teaching profession internationally, examining how those from under-represented groups understand their identities assumes great importance. Employing constructivist grounded theory, 31 interviews were conducted with 21 student teachers from working class backgrounds exploring their perspectives on social class. While participants were clear that class ‘existed’ and remained highly relevant in Irish society, they emphasised silence about class in Ireland, except through forms of euphemising. Despite describing themselves in classed terms, most were critical of class categorisations believing they involved looking down on someone or being looked down on, resulting in feelings of shame and unworthiness. The findings are discussed relative to previous scholarship regarding silences about social class in Irish policy and cultural sociological theories of (class) disidentification.
Payment Digitization and Industrial Activity Nexus: Comparative Evidence from Key Sub-Saharan African Economies
Authors: Edo Samson
Published: June 2024

This study investigates how digital payment affects industrial sector activity in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. The selected countries are Nigeria and South Africa, which are the largest economies in the sub-region with rapid adoption of digital payment. The investigation is motivated by the strategic importance of the payment system in facilitating industrial production and turnover. The methodologies of unrestricted error correction model (UECM) and dynamic ordinary least squares model (DOLS) are employed in the study. The UECM results show that the adoption of digital payment impacted significantly on industrial sector activity in both countries. The impact is, however, lower than the impact of physical capital, human capital, and personal income. The positive role of digital payment is, therefore, strongly complemented by the three variables. On the other hand, trade openness has an insignificant effect, which indicates a relatively weak role in facilitating industrial activity. The DOLS results are not significantly different from the UECM results, which indicates that the estimated impacts on industrial activity are consistent. The findings suggest the need to deepen the digital payment system, in order to sustain its role in industrial production and expansion. This could be done by strengthening the internet technology that is used in digital payment. Furthermore, the role of physical and human capital needs to be sustained by encouraging capital investment, while that of personal income may be sustained by reducing income tax. The low effect of trade openness could be improved by controlling the import of industrial goods.
Implementing Integrated Approaches to Preserve the Mangrove Ecosystem Services: A Study of Bangladesh Sundarbans
Authors: Islam Md Ziaul
Published: June 2024

The sole home for the iconic Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), the Sundarbans mangrove forest, is now confronting multi-layered threats. This paper aims to analyse the existing integration approaches to conserve the invaluable wild species of the Sundarbans mangrove forest and critically evaluate the pragmatism and challenges of the integration approaches, such as in-situ and ex-situ methods, and the role of development partners, which include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other actors. This study finds that tree cover substantially increased by only 4% in the Sundarbans mangrove forest, whereas various forms of mangrove forest degradation are prevalent. The vulnerability of the wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, captive breeding centres, Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), eco-parks, and wildlife and game reserves also raises questions regarding the preservation of wild species. Yet, many local and foreign-run NGOs are launching numerous projects to conserve the Sundarbans mangrove forest and improve the livelihood of coastal forest-reliant communities.
A history of racial imaginaries: Mainstreaming the illicit industry of interracial porn in the United States (1916–2022)
Authors: Hensmans Manuel
Published: June 2024

This paper analyzes how the socio-economic development of an industry co-evolves with the articulation of imaginaries of emancipation and domination. Drawing on political discourse theory, I analyze the US’ interracial porn movie industry (1916–2022) from its early, illicit beginnings through its commercial mainstreaming. Organized agents have developed this industry by articulating imaginaries that evoke economic emancipation, but provide new political and fantasmatic relevance to origin myths of racial and gendered superiority. The articulations of each generation of organized agents transgressed prior episodes’ limits to visualizing interracial sex. Yet, transgression remained firmly within the bounds of the disciplinary and security power apparatus of white patriarchical domination. In particular, successive imaginaries modernized the stereotypical myths of black Jezebels, black Brutes, pure white women, and civilized white men. Modernization of myths, technological democratization and mainstreaming went hand in hand. I provide critical explanations for these findings that contribute to the organizational literature on imaginaries. This includes the entrepreneurship-as-emancipation literature, and scholarship on myths, feminism and prefigurative organizing. Emancipatory imagining requires challenging the disciplinary and security limits of origin myths. By default of political and fantasmatic challenging of these mythical limits, they function as empty signifiers that are easily adapted to contemporary imagining. As a result, entrepreneurs’ and performers’ socio-economic emancipation discourse effectively re-articulates an imaginary of domination.
Subgroup analyses and patterns of multiple sclerosis health service utilisation: A cluster analysis
Authors: Fricke Lara Marleen , Krüger Kathrin , Trebst Corinna , Brütt Anna Levke , Dilger Elise-Marie , Eichstädt Kerstin , Flachenecker Peter , Grau Anja , Hemmerling Melissa , Hoekstra Dyon , Schaubert Kristina , Stahmann Alexander , Stahmeyer Jona Theodor , Thiele Annett , Zettl Uwe Klaus , Heidenreich Fedor , Krauth Christian
Published: June 2024

Background

Previous investigations of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related healthcare have focused on utilisation of specific individual health services (e.g. hospital care, office-based neurologists) by people with MS (PwMS). Meanwhile, little is known about possible patterns of utilisation across health services and their potential differences across patient characteristics.

Objective

To comprehensively analyse and identify patterns of MS-related health service utilisation and detect patient characteristics explaining such patterns.

Methods

In 2021, we invited all PwMS insured by the largest insurance company in Lower Saxony, Germany, to take part in an online survey. We merged respondents’ survey and health insurance claims data. We analysed MS-related health service utilisation and defined individual characteristics for subgroup analyses based on Andersen's Behavioural Model. We executed non-parametric missing value imputation and conducted hierarchical clustering to find patterns in health service utilisation.

Results

Of 6928 PwMS, 1935 responded to our survey and 1803 were included in the cluster analysis. We identified four distinct health service utilisation clusters: (1) regular users (n = 1130), (2) assistive care users (n = 443), (3) low users (n = 195) and (4) special services users (n = 35). Clusters differ by patient characteristics (e.g. age, impairment).

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the complexity of MS-related health service utilisation and provide relevant stakeholders with information allowing them to tailor healthcare planning according to utilisation patterns.
Synergies and trade-offs in achieving sustainable targets of urban renewal: A decision-making support framework
Authors: Wang Anqi , Zheng Wei , Tan Zheng , Han Mingqing , Chan Edwin HW
Published: June 2024

Urban renewal in high-density cities presents a complex challenge when it comes to balancing social-environmental performance and economic benefits; improvements to the built environment and social wellbeing may be associated with substantial costs and economic loss, and particularly so where land resources are scarce and highly valued. The interplay that takes place between sustainable targets tends to be very complicated. This study proposes a decision-making support framework that can quantify the synergies and trade-offs between economic, environmental, and social targets pertaining to land use change and public open space (OS) provision in urban renewal processes. The proposed decision-making support framework operates at both neighbourhood and building levels, and is comprised of three analytical components: a redevelopment trend analysis module, a three-dimensional land use simulation module, and a sustainable performance evaluation module. One high-density and ageing district in Hong Kong, Yau Mong district, was selected as the case study area for this work. Six planning scenarios were built which reflect various priorities and principles including economic benefits, environmental benefits, the equal distribution of OS provision and enhancing the quality of OS. The findings suggest that there is a trade-off relationship between economic-environmental targets, a synergic relationship between social-environmental targets, and a mediational relationship between economic-social targets. Planning strategies such as rezoning, land use reconfigurations, plot ratio adjustment and the transfer of development rights could be triangulated as strategic approaches by which to maximising the synergies and achieve better sustainability. The study not only contributes to theory by introducing a prototype of a comprehensive decision-making framework to evaluate sustainability performance, but also provides important insights into reconciling the divergent sustainable targets inherent in urban renewal.
Exploring potential neuroimaging biomarkers for the response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in episodic migraine
Authors: Wei Heng-Le , Yu Yu-Sheng , Wang Meng-Yao , Zhou Gang-Ping , Li Junrong , Zhang Hong , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: June 2024

Background

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered first-line medications for acute migraine attacks. However, the response exhibits considerable variability among individuals. Thus, this study aimed to explore a machine learning model based on the percentage of amplitude oscillations (PerAF) and gray matter volume (GMV) to predict the response to NSAIDs in migraine treatment.

Methods

Propensity score matching was adopted to match patients having migraine with response and nonresponse to NSAIDs, ensuring consistency in clinical characteristics and migraine-related features. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging was employed to extract PerAF and GMV, followed by feature selection using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and recursive feature elimination algorithms. Multiple predictive models were constructed and the final model with the smallest predictive residuals was chosen. The model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROCAUC) curve, area under the precision-recall curve (PRAUC), balance accuracy (BACC), sensitivity, F1 score, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). External validation was performed using a public database. Then, correlation analysis was performed between the neuroimaging predictors and clinical features in migraine.

Results

One hundred eighteen patients with migraine (59 responders and 59 non-responders) were enrolled. Six features (PerAF of left insula and left transverse temporal gyrus; and GMV of right superior frontal gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, and left precuneus) were observed. The random forest model with the lowest predictive residuals was selected and model metrics (ROCAUC, PRAUC, BACC, sensitivity, F1 score, PPV, and NPV) in the training and testing groups were 0.982, 0.983, 0.927, 0.976, 0.930, 0.889, and 0.973; and 0.711, 0.648, 0.639, 0.667,0.649, 0.632, and 0.647, respectively. The model metrics of external validation were 0.631, 0.651, 0.611, 0.808, 0.656, 0.553, and 0.706. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between the GMV of the left precuneus and attack time in non-responders.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the potential of multimodal neuroimaging features in predicting the efficacy of NSAIDs in migraine treatment and provide novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying migraine and its optimized treatment strategy.
Social support and physical activity: does general health matter?
Authors: Lieber Sarah B. , Moxley Jerad , Mandl Lisa A. , Reid M. Carrington , Czaja Sara J.
Published: June 2024

Background

Physical activity levels remain suboptimal in older adults. Exploration of potentially modifiable factors such as social support is needed to inform the development and implementation of patient-oriented physical activity interventions for older adults. The impact of general health on the relationship between social support and physical activity is not well understood. We aimed to determine the association between social support and self-reported physical activity in a study of community-dwelling older adults. In addition, we examined whether self-reported general health mediates the relationship between social support and self-reported physical activity.

Method

This cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data collected as part of a randomized controlled trial comparing a digital physical activity intervention, which included social support features, with a tablet-based educational control. Adults ≥ 60 years of age were enrolled at 2 sites. Self-reported general health, social support, physical activity, and sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid conditions were assessed. Pearson and point-biserial correlations were computed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and general health, social support, and sociodemographic features. Social support (exposure), general health (mediator), and physical activity (outcome) were incorporated into a mediation model.

Results

Among 181 participants (mean age of 70.1 years), significant correlations were found between physical activity and both general health and social support (r = -0.19 and r = 0.21, respectively; both p < 0.01). General health significantly mediated the relationship between social support and physical activity (unstandardized ß coefficient 416.9; 95% confidence interval 96.4, 842.0).

Conclusions

Augmentation of social support, particularly when coupled with other modes of health promotion to improve personal wellbeing, may be a valuable component of physical activity promotion programs. Further longitudinal research is needed to clarify the potential mechanistic pathways linking social support, general health, and physical activity to inform development of evidence-based physical activity interventions for older adults and improve downstream health-related outcomes.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03538158. Registered May 25, 2018.
Good practices on transit operation design: bus drivers’ perspective
Authors: Cordera Rubén , Novales Margarita , Orro Alfonso , Alonso Borja , dell’Olio Luigi
Published: June 2024

Understanding which aspects can have the greatest influence on the performance, comfort and safety of a public transport system can be of great help in improving its operation and promoting more sustainable mobility. To find out more about these aspects, a survey was carried out among more than 180 drivers of urban bus transport systems in seven medium-sized cities in Spain. The drivers' perspective has been insufficiently taken into account in previous research, despite the fact that these workers have a high and direct knowledge of the operation and problems directly affecting the service. The data collected through this survey have been analysed using descriptive statistics and an Ordered Probit model. The results have allowed us to detect specific aspects to improve the performance and comfort of users and drivers such as the correct location and length of bus stops and enforcing regulation to ensure that buses have priority in traffic and that illegal parking does not interfere with their operations. In addition, bus lanes were seen as important by drivers to improve the comfort and safety of the service. Other factors related to safety were generally highly rated and there was little dispersion in the responses about their importance, although aspects such as proper visibility, avoiding illegal parking, and campaigns to encourage bus users to be aware of their surroundings stood out in the answers. Finally, the payment system was highlighted as very relevant to ensure the performance and comfort of users and drivers during the operation at bus stops. Improving this system was identified as the measure that could have the greatest impact on the performance of the service as a whole.
Exploring endophytic bacteria communities of Vanilla planifolia
Authors: Mahadeo Keshika , Taïbi Ahmed , Meile Jean-Christophe , Côme Bertrand , Gauvin-Bialecki Anne , Boubakri Hasna , Herrera-Belaroussi Aude , Kodja Hippolyte
Published: June 2024

Background

Rhizosphere bacterial community and endophytes are now known to influence plant health and response to environmental stress. Very few studies have reported the diversity of endophytic bacterial communities of Vanilla planifolia and their potential roles in promoting plant growth or contributing to aromatic quality.

Results

In this study, the composition and diversity of the Vanilla rhizosphere bacterial community were explored by analyzing rhizosphere soil and root tissue samples as well as green pods of three accessions of Vanilla planifolia grown on different types of substrates (compost and leaf litter). In addition, the endophytic bacterial diversity of roots and green pods as well as the evolution of endophytic bacteria after the curing process of vanilla green pods were analyzed based on a metabarcoding approach. The results showed that bacterial species richness and diversity were higher in the compost. The analysis of the soil bacterial composition displayed that Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Enterobacter and Bradyrhizobium were the most abundant genera. Moreover, the results indicated that the soil bacterial community structure was linked to the host plant genotype. Regarding the roots endophytic bacteria composition, the genera Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Bacillus and Carboxydocella genera were present in all samples, independently from the substrate nature. Several genera including Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia and Halomonas were transmitted internally from the roots to the green pods. The curing process reduced the bacterial richness and bacterial diversity associated with the green pods. Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Bacillus, and Carboxydocella are the dominant genera in the pods after the curing process.

Conclusions

This study provides an overview of changes of the bacterial communities dynamics especially endophytic in the roots and the green pods. It highlighted bacterial genera (Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Bacillus, and Carboxydocella) potentially implicated in the formation of aroma compounds of vanilla beans.
T cell-mediated Immune response and correlates of inflammation and their relationship with COVID-19 clinical severity: not an intuitive guess
Authors: Pena Nathalia Mantovani , Santana Luiz Claudio , Hunter James R , Blum Vinicius Fontanesi , Vergara Tania , Gouvea Celso , Leal Elcio , Bellei Nancy , Schechter Mauro , Diaz Ricardo Sobhie
Published: June 2024

Background

Predictors of the outcome of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remain to be fully determined. We evaluated selected viral characteristics and immunological responses that might predict and/or correlate to the clinical outcome of COVID-19.

Methods

For individuals developing divergent clinical outcomes, the magnitude and breadth of T cell-mediated responses were measured within 36 h of symptom onset. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were subjected to in vitro stimulation with SARS-CoV-2-based peptides. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 sequences were generated by metagenome, and HLA typing was performed using Luminex technology.

Findings

CD4+ T cell activation was negatively correlated with SARS-CoV-2 basal viral load in patients with severe COVID-19 (p = 0·043). The overall cellular immune response, as inferred by the IFN-γ signal, was higher at baseline for patients who progressed to mild disease compared to patients who progressed to severe disease (p = 0·0044). Subjects with milder disease developed higher T cell responses for MHC class I and II-restricted peptides (p = 0·033).

Interpretation

Mounting specific cellular immune responses in the first days after symptom onset, as inferred by IFN-γ magnitude in the ELISPOT assay, may efficiently favor a positive outcome. In contrast, progression to severe COVID-19 was accompanied by stronger cellular immune responses, higher CD4 + T cell activation, and a higher number of in silico predicted high-affinity class I HLA alleles.
Elixhauser comorbidity method in predicting death of Spanish inpatients with asplenia and pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: Gea-Izquierdo Enrique , Ruiz-Urbaez Rossana , Hernández-Barrera Valentín , Stich Michael , Gil-de-Miguel Ángel
Published: June 2024

Background

Pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) is a serious infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The aim of this study was to analyze the comorbidity factors that influenced the mortality in patients with asplenia according to PP.

Methods

Discharge reports from the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) was used to retrospectively analyze patients with asplenia and PP, from 1997 to 2021. Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) was calculated to predict in-hospital mortality (IHM).

Results

97,922 patients with asplenia were included and 381 cases of PP were identified. The average age for men was 63.87 years and for women 65.99 years. In all years, ECI was larger for splenectomized than for non-splenectomized patients, with men having a higher mean ECI than women. An association was found between risk factors ECI, splenectomy, age group, sex, pneumococcal pneumonia, and increased mortality (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97–0.99; p < 0.001). The IHM increased steadily with the number of comorbidities and index scores in 1997–2021.

Conclusions

Asplenia remain a relevant cause of hospitalization in Spain. Comorbidities reflected a great impact in patients with asplenia and PP, which would mean higher risk of mortality.
A deep learning-powered diagnostic model for acute pancreatitis
Authors: Zhang Chi , Peng Jin , Wang Lu , Wang Yu , Chen Wei , Sun Ming-wei , Jiang Hua
Published: June 2024

Background

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common diseases requiring emergency surgery. Rapid and accurate recognition of acute pancreatitis can help improve clinical outcomes. This study aimed to develop a deep learning-powered diagnostic model for acute pancreatitis.

Materials and methods

In this investigation, we enrolled a cohort of 190 patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2021. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained from both patients with acute pancreatitis and healthy individuals. Our model was constructed using two modules: (1) the acute pancreatitis classifier module; (2) the pancreatitis lesion segmentation module. Each model’s performance was assessed based on precision, recall rate, F1-score, Area Under the Curve (AUC), loss rate, frequency-weighted accuracy (fwavacc), and Mean Intersection over Union (MIOU).

Results

Upon admission, significant variations were observed between patients with mild and severe acute pancreatitis in inflammatory indexes, liver, and kidney function indicators, as well as coagulation parameters. The acute pancreatitis classifier module exhibited commendable diagnostic efficacy, showing an impressive AUC of 0.993 (95%CI: 0.978–0.999) in the test set (comprising healthy examination patients vs. those with acute pancreatitis, P < 0.001) and an AUC of 0.850 (95%CI: 0.790–0.898) in the external validation set (healthy examination patients vs. patients with acute pancreatitis, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the acute pancreatitis lesion segmentation module demonstrated exceptional performance in the validation set. For pancreas segmentation, peripancreatic inflammatory exudation, peripancreatic effusion, and peripancreatic abscess necrosis, the MIOU values were 86.02 (84.52, 87.20), 61.81 (56.25, 64.83), 57.73 (49.90, 68.23), and 66.36 (55.08, 72.12), respectively. These findings underscore the robustness and reliability of the developed models in accurately characterizing and assessing acute pancreatitis.

Conclusion

The diagnostic model for acute pancreatitis, driven by deep learning, exhibits excellent efficacy in accurately evaluating the severity of the condition.

Trial Registration

This is a retrospective study.
Survival status and predictors of mortality among cervical cancer patients at oncologic centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a follow up study
Authors: Sifer Samuel Dessu
Published: June 2024

Background

Cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. In Addis Ababa, there is a shortage of available evidence concerning the phenomenon of survival time and its predictors among women diagnosed with CC. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the survival status and predictors of mortality among CC patients at oncologic centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among records of women with cervical cancer enrolled from the 1st of January 2017 to the 30th of December 2022 among 252 cervical cancer patients. Data were collected using a pretested, structured data collection checklist by trained data collectors. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival time of the respondents. The Cox multivariable regression model was carried out to identify predictors of CC. Variables with P-value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis were declared as statistically significant.

Results

The cumulative proportion of surviving at the end of the 10th and 20th month was 99.6% (95%CI: 97.02, 99.94) and 96.99% (95%CI: 93.41, 98.64), respectively. Similarly, it was 92.67% (95%CI: 87.65, 95.70), 85.9% (95%CI: 78.68, 90.94), 68.0% (95%CI: 57.14, 76.66) and 18.27% (8.38, 31.16) at the end of 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th monthly respectively. The overall median survival time was 54 months (95%CI: 52.6, 55.4). The incidence of death among a cohort of women with CC was 7.34 per 1000 person months. Being anemic (AHR: 4.77; 95%CI: 1.93, 11.77; P-value: 0.001), took a single cancer treatment (AHR: 1.92; 95%CI: 1.01, 3.64; P-value: 0.046) and HIV sero status positive (AHR: 2.05; 95%CI: 1.01, 4.19; P-value: 0.048) were statistically significant in multivariable cox proportional hazard model.

Conclusion and recommendation

Anemia, treatment initiation and HIV-sero status were independent predictors of mortality among women admitted with CC. It is imperative to enhance early screening initiatives and treatment resources for CC, alongside fostering public awareness through collaboration with various media outlets concerning preventive measures, screening procedures, and treatment alternatives for CC.
Liquid-based cytology specimens for next-generation sequencing in lung adenocarcinoma: challenges and evaluation of targeted therapy
Authors: Xiao Xiaoyue , Sun ZiHan , Liang Shuo , Li Weihua , Guo HuiQin , Zhao Huan , Zhao LinLin , Ma HaiYue , Sun Yue , Wang Cong , Chang XinXiang , Zhang ZhiHui
Published: June 2024

Background

To explore challenges of liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens for next-generation sequencing (NGS) in lung adenocarcinoma and evaluate the efficacy of targeted therapy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the NGS test of 357 cases of advanced lung adenocarcinoma LBC specimens and compared with results of histological specimens to assess the consistency. The impact of tumor cellularity on NGS test results was evaluated. The utility of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) was collected. Clinical efficacy evaluation was performed and survival curve analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

There were 275 TKI-naive and 82 TKI-treated specimens, the mutation rates of cancer-related genes detected in both groups were similar (86.2% vs. 86.6%). The EGFR mutation rate in the TKI treated group was higher than that in the TKI-naive group (69.5% > 54.9%, P = 0.019). There was no significant difference in the EGFR mutation frequency among different tumor cellularity in the TKI-naive group. However, in the TKI treated group, the frequency of EGFR sensitizing mutation and T790M resistance mutation in specimens with < 20% tumor cellularity was significantly lower than that in specimens with ≥ 20% tumor cellularity. Among 22 cases with matched histological specimens, 72.7% (16/22) of LBC specimens were completely consistent with results of histological specimens. Among 92 patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma treated with EGFR-TKIs in the two cohorts, 88 cases experienced progression, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.1 months.

Conclusions

Cytological specimens are important sources for gene detection of advanced lung adenocarcinoma. When using LBC specimens for molecular testing, it is recommended to fully evaluate the tumor cellularity of the specimens.