bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
m6A RNA methylation regulator-based signature for prognostic prediction and its potential immunological role in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Fang Fang , Wang Peipei , Huang Haoyu , Ye Mingquan , Liu Xiaocen , Li Qingqing
Published: December 2022

Background

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is the most common female pelvic malignancy worldwide. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays an important role in various cellular responses, especially in cancer progression. However, the correlation between prognostic UCEC and m6A RNA methylation regulators remains unclear.

Methods

We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to provide a gene signature that could improve the prognostic evaluation of UCEC patients according to the distinct genetic trait of m6A RNA methylation regulators from a bioinformatics perspective. After comparing UCEC subgroups with different genetic profiles of m6A regulators, we identified 71 differentially expressed genes associated with overall survival (OS) and generated a nine-gene signature through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. Finally, we used in vitro and in vivo tumor cell experiments as well as the immune correlation analysis to verify the function of each gene in the proposed gene signature.

Results

Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed that the proposed gene signature could predict the outcome of UCEC patients accurately. We found that CDKN2A mainly acted from the perspective of tumor cells, while COL4A4, PXDN, TIGIT, CHODL, LMO3, KCNJ12, L1CAM, and EPHB1 might play a role in UCEC from an immunological point of view.

Conclusions

From an epigenetics perspective, the m6A RNA methylation regulator-based gene signature can predict the prognosis of UCEC patients and immune therapeutic efficacy.
Basilar invagination without atlantoaxial dislocation: treatment by correction of clivus canal angle with interfacet distraction and fixation
Authors: Hou Zhe , Fan Tao , Fan Wayne , Jian Qiang , Wang Yinqian
Published: December 2022

Background

This study reports on the surgical technique used and clinical outcomes obtained during the treatment of basilar invagination (BI) without atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) through the correction of the clivus canal angle (CCA) using interfacet distraction and fixation.

Methods

Nineteen cases with BI without AAD treated by the correction of the clivus canal angle were retrospectively analyzed. Pre- and postoperative computed tomography scans and three-dimensional reconstruction views were obtained to measure the size of the CCA, pB-C2 distance, and degree of BI. Chiari malformation and syringomyelia were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical outcomes for all patients were measured using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale. The CCA was corrected by using interfacet distraction and fixation techniques. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare pre- and postoperative measurements.

Results

All the patients were followed up for 24.95 ± 5.22 months (range 12-36 months); no patient suffered intraoperative nerve or vascular injury. Clinical symptoms improved in 17 patients (89.5%). The mean JOA score increased from 12.32 ± 1.89 to 14.37 ± 1.30 (Z = -3.655, P < 0.001). The mean CCA improved from 129.34 ± 8.52° preoperatively to 139.75 ± 8.86° postoperatively (Z = -3.824, P < 0.001). The mean pB-C2 decreased from 7.47 ± 2.21 to 5.68 ± 3.13 (Z = -3.060, P = 0.002). Syringomyelia was significantly reduced in 10 out of 13 patients by the first follow-up year. All patients achieved bony fusion.

Conclusion

Posterior interfacet distraction and fixation to correct the CCA is a feasible and effective method for treating BI without AAD.
Impact of interprofessional collaborative practice in palliative care on outcomes for advanced cancer inpatients in a resource-limited setting
Authors: Pornrattanakavee Pitchayapa , Srichan Tassaya , Seetalarom Kasan , Saichaemchan Siriwimon , Oer-areemitr Nittha , Prasongsook Naiyarat
Published: December 2022

Background

Palliative care for patients with advanced cancer improves suffering symptoms, and quality of life (QoL). However, routine implementation of palliative care by specialty palliative care consultation is still an unmet need among in-patients with advanced cancer. Our study aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a team-based approach on QoLs and readmission rate when compared to routine practice by among medical oncologists.

Methods

This study was a prospective, Quasi-Experimental design. In-patients with advanced cancer were non-randomly assigned to receive palliative care service by team-based approach or medical oncologists only. The primary endpoint was QoL. The secondary endpoint was the readmission rate at 7 and 30 days of hospital discharge.

Results

One hundred twenty-two in-patients were enrolled. In-patients who were assessed by a team-based approach had significantly improved change scores of subjective well-being (SWB) when compared to another group (∆ SWB: -1 [-19 – 11] vs 0 [-9 – 15], p-value = 0.043). Furthermore, patients who were assessed under a team-based approach had significantly decreased in terms of readmission rate at 7 days of hospital discharge (4.92% in the team-based approach group vs. 19.67% in the medical oncologist group, p-value = 0.013).

Conclusions

Interdisciplinary collaboration is the key to success in establishing goals of care, which are supporting the best possible QoL and relieving suffering symptoms for those in-patients with advanced cancer. Furthermore, the readmission rate at 7 days of hospital discharge was significantly reduced by a team-based approach. Therefore, comprehensive palliative care assessment by interprofessional collaborative practice is required.

Trial Registration

Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR): number 20200312001. Date of first registration on 09/03/2020.
Does your group matter? How group function impacts educational outcomes in problem-based learning: a scoping review
Authors: Li Athena , Bilgic Elif , Keuhl Amy , Sibbald Matthew
Published: December 2022

Background

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a common instructional method in undergraduate health professions training. Group interactions with and within PBL curricula may influence learning outcomes, yet few studies have synthesized the existing evidence. This scoping review summarized the literature examining the influence of group function on individual student PBL outcomes. Following Kirkpatrick’s framework, experiential, academic, and behavioral outcomes were considered. The impacts of three aspects of group function were explored: (1) Group Composition (identities and diversity), (2) Group Processes (conduct and climate, motivation and confidence, and facilitation), and (3) PBL Processes (tutorial activities).

Methods

A literature search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, and APA PsychInfo from 1980–2021, with the help of a librarian. English-language empirical studies and reviews that related group function to learning outcome, as defined, in undergraduate health professions PBL curricula were included. Relevant references from included articles were also added if eligibility criteria were met. The methods, results, discussions, and limitations of the sample were summarized narratively.

Results

The final sample (n = 48) varied greatly in context, design, and results. Most studies examined junior medical students (n = 32), used questionnaires for data collection (n = 29), and reported immediate cross-sectional outcomes (n = 34). Group Processes was the most frequently examined aspect of group function (n = 29), followed by Group Composition (n = 26) and PBL Processes (n = 12). The relationships between group function and outcomes were not consistent across studies. PBL experiences were generally highly rated, but favorable student experiences were not reliable indicators of better academic or behavioral outcomes. Conversely, problematic group behaviors were not predictors of poorer grades. Common confounders of outcome measurements included exam pressure and self-study.

Conclusions

The main findings of the review suggested that (1) group function is more predictive of experiential than academic or behavioral PBL outcomes, and (2) different Kirkpatrick levels of outcomes are not highly correlated to each other. More research is needed to understand the complexity of group function in PBL tutorials under variable study contexts and better inform curricular training and design. Standardized tools for measuring PBL group function may be required for more conclusive findings.
Targeting hyaluronic acid synthase-3 (HAS3) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jiaojiao , Jordan Andre R. , Zhu Huabin , Hasanali Sarrah L. , Thomas Eric , Lokeshwar Soum D. , Morera Daley S. , Alexander Sung , McDaniels Joseph , Sharma Anuj , Aguilar Karina , Sarcan Semih , Zhu Tianyi , Soloway Mark S. , Terris Martha K. , Thangaraju Muthusamy , Lopez Luis E. , Lokeshwar Vinata B.
Published: December 2022

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) promotes cancer metastasis; however, the currently approved treatments do not target HA. Metastatic renal carcinoma (mRCC) is an incurable disease. Sorafenib (SF) is a modestly effective antiangiogenic drug for mRCC. Although only endothelial cells express known SF targets, SF is cytotoxic to RCC cells at concentrations higher than the pharmacological-dose (5-µM). Using patient cohorts, mRCC models, and SF combination with 4-methylumbelliferone (MU), we discovered an SF target in RCC cells and targeted it for treatment.

Methods

We analyzed HA-synthase (HAS1, HAS2, HAS3) expression in RCC cells and clinical (n = 129), TCGA-KIRC (n = 542), and TCGA-KIRP (n = 291) cohorts. We evaluated the efficacy of SF and SF plus MU combination in RCC cells, HAS3-transfectants, endothelial-RCC co-cultures, and xenografts.

Results

RCC cells showed increased HAS3 expression. In the clinical and TCGA-KIRC/TCGA-KIRP cohorts, higher HAS3 levels predicted metastasis and shorter survival. At > 10-µM dose, SF inhibited HAS3/HA-synthesis and RCC cell growth. However, at ≤ 5-µM dose SF in combination with MU inhibited HAS3/HA synthesis, growth of RCC cells and endothelial-RCC co-cultures, and induced apoptosis. The combination inhibited motility/invasion and an HA-signaling-related invasive-signature. We previously showed that MU inhibits SF inactivation in RCC cells. While HAS3-knockdown transfectants were sensitive to SF, ectopic-HAS3-expression induced resistance to the combination. In RCC models, the combination inhibited tumor growth and metastasis with little toxicity; however, ectopic-HAS3-expressing tumors were resistant.

Conclusion

HAS3 is the first known target of SF in RCC cells. In combination with MU (human equivalent-dose, 0.6–1.1-g/day), SF targets HAS3 and effectively abrogates mRCC.
Atrial approaches in mitral valve surgery: a propensity analysis of differences in the incidence of clinically relevant adverse effects
Authors: Obando Carlos E. , Garzón Javier D. , Ramirez Lina M. , Castillo Andrea C. , Guerrero Albert F. , Chalela Tomás , Sandoval Diana C. , Giraldo-Grueso Manuel , Sandoval Nestor F. , Camacho Jaime , Umaña Juan P.
Published: December 2022

Background

The lack of evidence on complications using mitral valve approaches leaves the choice of risk exposure to the surgeon’s preference, based on individual experience, speed, ease, and quality of exposure.

Methods

The present study analysed patients undergoing mitral valve surgery using a superior transseptal approach or a left-atrial approach between 2006 and 2018. We included first-time elective mitral valve procedures, isolated, or combined, without a history of rhythm disturbances. We used propensity score matching based on 26 perioperative variables. The primary endpoint was the association between the superior transeptal approach and clinically significant adverse outcomes, including arrhythmias, need for a permanent pacemaker, cerebrovascular events, and mortality.

Results

A total of 652 patients met the inclusion criteria; 391 received the left atrial approach, and 261 received the superior transseptal approach. After matching, 96 patients were compared with 69 patients, respectively. The distribution of the preoperative and perioperative variables was similar. There was no difference in the incidence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias or the need for treatment. The incidence of nodal rhythm (p = 0.008) and length of stay in intensive care (p = 0.04) were higher in the superior transseptal group, but the need for permanent pacemaker implantation was the same. Likewise, there was no difference in the need for anticoagulation due to arrhythmia, the incidence of cerebrovascular events or mortality in the postoperative period or in the long-term follow-up.

Conclusion

We did not find an association with permanent heart rhythm disorders or any other significant adverse clinical outcome. Therefore, the superior transeptal approach is useful and safe for mitral valve exposure.
Surgical treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a single institution
Authors: Li Hua , Zhao Shengliang , Wu Chun , Pan Zhengxia , Wang Gang , Dai Jiangtao
Published: December 2022

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a larger series compared with conventional open surgery. Additionally, we summarized the experience of thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of CDH in infants.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 109 children with CDH who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2011 to January 2021. According to the surgical method, the children were divided into an open group (62 cases) and a thoracoscopy group (47 cases).Patients who underwent surgical correction had the diaphragmatic defect size graded (A–D) using a standardized system. We compared the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative CCU admission time and other surgical indicators as well as the recurrence rate, mortality rate and complication rate of the two groups of children.

Results

The index data on the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative CCU admission time were better in the thoracoscopy group than in the open group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). We compared the number of incision infections, lung infections, atelectasis, pleural effusion, and chylothorax between the two groups. There were more children in the open group than in the thoracoscopy group. The overall incidence of postoperative complications in the open group (51.61%) was higher than that in the thoracoscopy group (44.68%).The recurrence rate of the thoracoscopy group (8.51%) was higher than that of the open group (3.23%). In the open group, 7 patients died of respiratory distress after surgery, and no patients died in the thoracoscopy group.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic surgery and open surgery can effectively treat CDH. Compared with conventional open surgery, thoracoscopy has the advantages of shorter operation time, less trauma, faster recovery and fewer complications. We believe that thoracoscopic surgery for type A/B diaphragmatic defect has certain advantages, but there is a risk of recurrence.
Predicting immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease: an assessment of neutrophil to lymphocyte platelet ratio
Authors: Lu Yuyao , Tang Yunjia , Wang Bo , Li Xuan , Xu Qiuqin , Chu Hui , Lv Haitao , Lu Meihua , Qin Yiming
Published: December 2022

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology and predictors for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance have been widely explored in recent decades. Neutrophil to lymphocyte platelet ratio (NLPR) was reported to be associated with the outcomes in many diseases. However, its relationship with IVIG resistance has not be explored.

Methods

The medical data of patients diagnosed with KD in Children’s Hospital of Soochow University between January 2019 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients were trisected into three groups based on NLPR. Logistics regression was used to analyze the association between NLPR and IVIG resistance. Restricted cubic spine was used to exhibit the relationship. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also carried out.

Results

A total of 803 patients were included in the present study (61.8% males; median age: 24 months). IVIG resistance occurred in 74 (9.2%) patients. Multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed higher NLPR (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.12 [1.00-1.24]) was an independent predictor of IVIG resistance, which was strengthened by sensitivity analyses. The association of NLPR and IVIG resistance was not modified by age, sex, CALs, or days of IVIG initiation ≤ 4.

Conclusion

NLPR may be a valuable prognostic marker in KD patients with IVIG resistance.
Intestinal malrotation in a female newborn affected by Osteopathia Striata with Cranial Sclerosis due to a de novo heterozygous nonsense mutation of the AMER1 gene
Authors: Serra Gregorio , Antona Vincenzo , Di Pace Maria Rita , Giuffrè Mario , Morgante Giusy , Piro Ettore , Pirrello Roberto , Salerno Sergio , Schierz Ingrid Anne Mandy , Verde Vincenzo , Corsello Giovanni
Published: December 2022

Background

Osteopathia Striata with Cranial Sclerosis (OS-CS), also known as Horan-Beighton Syndrome, is a rare genetic disease; about 90 cases have been reported to date. It is associated with mutations (heterozygous for female subjects and hemizygous for males) of theAMER1gene, located at Xq11.2, and shows an X-linked pattern of transmission. Typical clinical manifestations include macrocephaly, characteristic facial features (frontal bossing, epicanthal folds, hypertelorism, depressed nasal bridge, orofacial cleft, prominent jaw), hearing loss and developmental delay. Males usually present a more severe phenotype than females and rarely survive. Diagnostic suspicion is based on clinical signs, radiographic findings of cranial and long bones sclerosis and metaphyseal striations, subsequent genetic testing may confirm it.

Case presentation

Hereby, we report on a female newborn with frontal and parietal bossing, narrow bitemporal diameter, dysplastic,low-set and posteriorly rotated ears, microretrognathia, cleft palate, and rhizomelic shortening of lower limbs. Postnatally, she manifested feeding intolerance with biliary vomiting and abdominal distension. Therefore, in the suspicion of bowel obstruction, she underwent surgery, which evidenced and corrected an intestinal malrotation. Limbs X-ray and skull computed tomography investigations did not show cranial sclerosis and/or metaphyseal striations. Array-CGH analysis revealed normal findings. Then, a target next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, including the genes involved in skeletal dysplasias, was performed and revealed ade novoheterozygous nonsense mutation of theAMER1gene. The patient was discharged at 2 months of age and included in a multidisciplinary follow-up. Aged 9 months, she now shows developmental and growth (except for relative macrocephaly) delay. The surgical correction of cleft palate has been planned.

Conclusions

Our report shows the uncommon association of intestinal malrotation in a female newborn with OS-CS. It highlights that neonatologists have to consider such a diagnosis, even in absence of cranial sclerosis and long bones striations, as these usually appear over time. Other syndromes with cranial malformations and skeletal dysplasia must be included in the differential diagnosis. The phenotypic spectrum is wide and variable in both genders. Due to variable X-inactivation, females may also show a severe and early-onset clinical picture. Multidisciplinary management and careful, early and long-term follow-up should be offered to these patients, in order to promptly identify any associated morbidities and prevent possible complications or adverse outcomes.
Towards resolution of the intron retention paradox in breast cancer
Authors: Shah Jaynish S. , Milevskiy Michael J. G. , Petrova Veronika , Au Amy Y. M. , Wong Justin J. L. , Visvader Jane E. , Schmitz Ulf , Rasko John E. J.
Published: December 2022

Background

After many years of neglect in the field of alternative splicing, the importance of intron retention (IR) in cancer has come into focus following landmark discoveries of aberrant IR patterns in cancer. Many solid and liquid tumours are associated with drastic increases in IR, and such patterns have been pursued as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Paradoxically, breast cancer (BrCa) is the only tumour type in which IR is reduced compared to adjacent normal breast tissue.

Methods

In this study, we have conducted a pan-cancer analysis of IR with emphasis on BrCa and its subtypes. We explored mechanisms that could cause aberrant and pathological IR and clarified why normal breast tissue has unusually high IR.

Results

Strikingly, we found that aberrantly decreasing IR in BrCa can be largely attributed to normal breast tissue having the highest occurrence of IR events compared to other healthy tissues. Our analyses suggest that low numbers of IR events in breast tumours are associated with poor prognosis, particularly in the luminal B subtype. Interestingly, we found that IR frequencies negatively correlate with cell proliferation in BrCa cells, i.e. rapidly dividing tumour cells have the lowest number of IR events. Aberrant RNA-binding protein expression and changes in tissue composition are among the causes of aberrantly decreasing IR in BrCa.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that IR should be considered for therapeutic manipulation in BrCa patients with aberrantly low IR levels and that further work is needed to understand the cause and impact of high IR in other tumour types.
A protocol for a randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of hypertonic dextrose injection (prolotherapy) in chronic ankle instability
Authors: Sit Regina Wing Shan , Wu Ricky Wing Keung , Ling Samuel Ka Kin , Wang Bo , Chan Dicken Cheong Chun , Yip Benjamin Hon Kei , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan , Reeves Kenneth Dean , Rabago David
Published: December 2022

Background

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is a common injury. Conservative care is not uniformly effective. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) results in up to 70% of patients with LAS in the physically active population. LAS, together with subsequent osteochondral lesions and pain in many patients, leads to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, resulting in a substantial direct and indirect personal and societal health burden. Dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) is an injection-based therapy for many chronic musculoskeletal conditions but has not been tested for CAI. This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of DPT versus normal saline (NS) injections for chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods and analysis

A single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial will be conducted at a university-based primary care clinic in Hong Kong. A total of 114 patients with CAI will be randomly allocated (1:1) to DPT and NS groups. The primary outcome will be the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool scores at 1 year. The secondary outcomes will be the number of re-sprains in 1 year, the Star Excursion Balance Test, the 5-level of EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. All outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and at 16, 26, and 52 weeks using a linear mixed model.

Discussion

We hypothesized the DPT is a safe, easily accessible, and effective treatment for patients with CAI. This RCT study will inform whether DPT could be a primary non-surgical treatment for CAI.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000040213. Registered on 25 November 2020.
A second-order dynamic and static ship path planning model based on reinforcement learning and heuristic search algorithms
Authors: Yuan Junfeng , Wan Jian , Zhang Xin , Xu Yang , Zeng Yan , Ren Yongjian
Published: December 2022

Ship path planning plays an important role in the intelligent decision-making system which can provide important navigation information for ship and coordinate with other ships via wireless networks. However, existing methods still suffer from slow path planning and low security problems. In this paper, we propose a second-order ship path planning model, which consists of two main steps, i.e., first-order static global path planning and second-order dynamic local path planning. Specifically, we first create a raster map using ArcGIS. Second, the global path planning is performed on the raster map based on the Dyna-Sarsa($$\lambda$$
λ
) model, which integrates the eligibility trace and the Dyna framework on the Sarsa algorithm. Particularly, the eligibility trace has a short-term memory for the trajectory, which can improve the convergence speed of the model. Meanwhile, the Dyna framework obtains simulation experience through simulation training, which can further improve the convergence speed of the model. Then, the improved ship trajectory prediction model based on stacked bidirectional gated recurrent unit is used to identify the risk of ship collision and switch the path planning from the first order to the second order. Finally, the second-order dynamic local path planning is presented based on the FCC-A* algorithm, where the cost function of the traditional path planning A* algorithm is rewritten using the fuzzy collision cost membership function (fuzzy collision cost, FCC) to reduce the collision risk of ships. The proposed model is evaluated on the Baltic Sea geographic information and ship trajectory datasets. The experimental results show that the eligibility trace and the Dyna learning framework in the proposed model can effectively improve the planning efficiency of the ship’s global path planning, and the collision risk membership function can effectively reduce the number of collisions in A* local path planning and thus improve the navigation safety of encountering ships.
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yintang , Gao Tong , Meng Chang , Li Siyuan , Bi Lei , Geng Yu , Zhang Ping
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF)  or  heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)  are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, as well as growing health and economic burden. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are very promising for the outcome improvement of patients with HFpEF or HFmrEF. The meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in HFpEF or  HFmrEF, by pooling data from all clinically randomized controlled trials (RCTs) available to increase power to testify.

Methods

Studies were searched in electronic databases from inception to November, 2022. We performed a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on clinical endpoints in patients with HFpEF or HFmrEF, using trial-level data with consistent endpoint definitions. The primary outcome was the composite of heart failure (HF) hospitalization or cardiovascular death. Hazard ratio (HR) was pooled with 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous data. This study was registered with INPLASY 2022110095.

Results

Six studies involving 15,989 participants were included into the final analysis. Pooled analyses revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death [HR: 0.79 (0.72–0.85); I2 = 0%; P < 0.00001] and HF hospitalizations [HR: 0.74 (0.67–0.82); I2 = 0%; P < 0.00001]. This finding was seen in both HFmrEF trials [HR: 0.76 (0.67–0.87); I2 = 49%; P < 0.0001] and HFpEF subgroup studies [HR: 0.70 (0.53–0.93); I2 = 0%; P = 0.01]. The incidence of any serious adverse events [OR: 0.89 (0.83–0.96); I2 = 0%; P = 0.002] was significantly lower in the SGLT2 inhibitor arm. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to cardiovascular death and all-cause death.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis of patients with heart failure of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 40% showed that SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of  the composite of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure, but not cardiovascular death and all-cause death. Nevertheless, given that SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, they should be considered the fundamental treatment for all patients with HFpEF or  HFmrEF.
A personal acquisition time regimen of 68Ga-DOTATATE total-body PET/CT in patients with neuroendocrine tumor (NET): a feasibility study
Authors: Xiao Jie , Yu Haojun , Sui Xiuli , Liu Guobing , Cao Yanyan , Yanzhao Zhao , Zhang Yiqiu , Hu Pengcheng , Cheng Dengfeng , Shi Hongcheng
Published: December 2022

Background

The injection activity of tracer, acquisition time, patient-specific photon attenuation, and large body mass, can influence on image quality. Fixed acquisition time and body mass related injection activity in clinical practice results in a large difference in image quality. Thus, this study proposes a patient-specific acquisition time regimen of 68 Ga-DOTATATE total-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) to counteract the influence of body mass (BM, kg) on image quality, and acquire an acceptable and constant image of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Methods

The development cohort consisting of 19 consecutive patients with full activity (88.7–204.9 MBq, 2.0 ± 0.1 MBq/kg) was to establish the acquisition time regimen. The liver SNR (signal-to-noise ratio, SNRL) was normalized (SNRnorm) by the product of injected activity (MBq) and acquisition time (min). Fitting of SNRnorm against body mass (BM, kg) in linear correlation was performed. Subjective assessment of image quality was performed using a 5-point Likert scale to determine the acceptable threshold of SNRL, and an optimized acquisition regimen based on BM was proposed, and validated its feasibility through the validation cohort of 57 consecutive NET patients with half activity (66.9 ± 11.3 MBq, 1.0 ± 0.1 MBq/kg) and a fixed acquisition time regimen.

Results

The linear correlation (R2 = 0.63) between SNRnorm and BM (kg) was SNRnorm = -0.01*BM + 1.50. The threshold SNRL of acceptable image quality was 11.2. The patient-specific variable acquisition time regimen was determined as: t (min) = 125.4/(injective activity)*(-0.01*BM + 1.50)2. Based on that proposed regimen, the average acquisition time for acceptable image quality in the validation cohort was 2.99 ± 0.91 min, ranging from 2.18 to 6.35 min, which was reduced by 36.50% ~ 78.20% compared with the fixed acquisition time of 10 min. Subjective evaluation showed that acceptable image quality could be obtained at 3.00 min in the validation group, with an average subjective score of 3.44 ± 0.53 (kappa = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96 ~ 0.98). Bland–Altman analysis revealed good agreement between the proposed regimen and the fixed acquisition time cohort.

Conclusion

A patient-specific acquisition time regimen was proposed in NET patients in development cohort and validated its feasibility in patients with NETs in validation cohort by 68 Ga-DOTATATE total-body PET/CT imaging. Based on the proposed regimen, the homogenous image quality with optimal acquisition time was available independent of body mass.
Induction of pancreatic neoplasia in the KRAS/TP53 Oncopig
Authors: Mondal Pinaki , Patel Neesha S. , Bailey Katie , Aravind Shruthishree , Cartwright Sara B. , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Lazenby Audrey J. , Carlson Mark A.
Published: December 2022

The 5-year survival of pancreatic cancer (PC) remains low. Murine models may not adequately mimic human PC and can be too small for medical device development. A large-animal PC model could address these issues. We induced and characterized pancreatic tumors in Oncopigs (transgenic swine containing KRASG12D and TP53R167H). The oncopigs underwent injection of adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase (AdCre) into one of the main pancreatic ducts. Resultant tumors were characterized by histology, cytokine expression, exome sequencing and transcriptome analysis. Ten of 14 Oncopigs (71%) had gross tumor within 3 weeks. At necropsy, all of these subjects had gastric outlet obstruction secondary to pancreatic tumor and phlegmon. Oncopigs with injections without Cre recombinase and wild-type pigs with AdCre injection did not show notable effect. Exome and transcriptome analysis of the porcine pancreatic tumors revealed similarity to the molecular signatures and pathways of human PC. Although further optimization and validation of this porcine PC model would be beneficial, it is anticipated that this model will be useful for focused research and development of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for PC.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.
House Prices and Consumption: A New Instrumental Variables Approach
Authors: Graham James , Makridis Christos A.
Published: December 2022

We introduce a novel Bartik-like instrument for house prices consisting of the local composition of housing characteristics interacted with aggregate changes in the marginal prices of these characteristics. Using household-level panel data, we estimate elasticities of nondurable consumption expenditures with respect to house prices of around 0.1. These consumption effects are concentrated among the young and those most likely to be facing tight borrowing constraints. A decomposition shows that identifying variation in the instrument is associated with times and locations where house prices have varied the most: during the housing bust of the mid-2000s and in the western United States. (JEL D12, E21, G51, R21, R31)
Firm Entry and Exit and Aggregate Growth
Authors: Asturias Jose , Hur Sewon , Kehoe Timothy J. , Ruhl Kim J.
Published: December 2022

Applying the Foster, Haltiwanger, and Krizan (2001) decomposition to plant-level manufacturing data from Chile and Korea, we find that the entry and exit of plants account for a larger fraction of aggregate productivity growth during periods of fast GDP growth. To analyze this relationship, we develop a model of firm entry and exit based on Hopenhayn (1992). When we introduce reforms that reduce entry costs or reduce barriers to technology adoption into a calibrated model, we find that the entry and exit terms in the FHK decomposition become more important as GDP grows rapidly, just as they do in the data from Chile and Korea. (JEL D24, E23, L13, L60, O14, O32, O47)
Óleos essenciais e extratos vegetais como ferramentas alternativas ao controle químico de larvas de Aedes spp, Anopheles spp e Culex spp
Authors: Silva Demesson Mateus De Lima , Martins Victor Emanuel Pessoa
Published: December 2022

Objetivos: Realizar um levantamento das contribuições científicas produzidas entre 2017 e 2021 acerca do efeito larvicida de óleos essenciais e extratos vegetais no controle de Aedes spp, Anopheles spp e Culex spp. Métodos: de setembro a outubro de 2022, foi realizado um levantamento de artigos científicos publicados entre os anos de 2017 e 2021, nas bases de dados Portal Periódicos Capes, Scielo, Science Direct e Scopus. Foram utilizados os descritores “larvicide”, “essential oil” e “plant extracts” com a interposição do operador boleano “AND”. Resultados: inicialmente, foram obtidos 246 artigos, dos quais 110 foram excluídos (68 não estavam disponíveis na íntegra e 42 apareceram em mais de uma base de dados). Dos 136 artigos restantes, 36 foram excluídos por não terem realizado ensaio larvicida. Dos 100 artigos remanescentes, 63 foram excluídos por não mencionarem valores de CL50, enquanto 3 não especificaram a estrutura vegetal de obtenção dos produtos naturais, restando, portanto, 34 artigos para análise. Foram utilizadas 57 espécies vegetais para a obtenção dos produtos vegetais utilizados contra larvas de Aedes spp; 11 espécies nos ensaios contra Anopheles spp, e 36 espécies nos ensaios contra Culex spp. Os óleos essenciais predominaram nos ensaios contra Aedes spp, enquanto os extratos, contra Anopheles spp. A maior parte dos produtos testados exibiu CL50 < 100 ppm. Conclusão: a atividade larvicida demonstrada por uma grande variedade de extratos vegetais e óleos essenciais representa uma alternativa promissora ao tradicional controle químico feito à base de inseticidas sintéticos em programas de manejo integrado de vetores.
Ο ρόλος της προσχολικής εκπαίδευσης, αγωγής και φροντίδας στην προστασία από την ευαλωτότητα στην παιδική φτώχεια
Authors: Πότση Αντωαννέτα
Published: December 2022

Το άρθρο εστιάζει στην ευαλωτότητα του παιδιού στην παιδική φτώχεια και περιγράφει τη μεταβαλλόμενη σημασία της προσχολικής εκπαίδευσης, αγωγής και φροντίδας στο κοινωνικοπολιτικό πλαίσιο του δυτικού κόσμου ως εκπαιδευτικός χώρος που προσφέρει τις ευκαιρίες για την πρόληψη της φτώχειας. Αναφέρεται σε συγκεκριμένες δράσεις με βάση τα μαθήματα από τη διεθνή έρευνα για την υποστήριξη παιδιών και οικογενειών που πλήττονται από τη φτώχεια και στον σημαίνοντα ρόλο των επαγγελματιών στο ευρύτερο πεδίο της προσχολικής αγωγής, νηπιαγωγών και παιδαγωγών πρώιμης παιδικής ηλικίας, στην αντιμετώπιση του φαινομένου.
Present situation of bacterial neuroinfections across the globe – review
Authors: Bielewicz Krzysztof , Ryba Karolina , Karaś Anna , Kawałko Kinga , Pondel Kamil
Published: December 2022

Bacterial meningitis is still life-treating disease, which cause about 1.2 million cases and it is responsible for over 100 thousand of deaths across the globe. [2][ The most common pathogens which case the disease are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes. Morbidity is significantly higher in Africa, than in other regions in the world. Region of the highest frequency of new cases is located in sub-Saharan Africa and called meningitis belt. Vaccination campaigns against bacterial, mostly meningococcal were conducted in some of these regions and the benefits of it were seen [5].

Young children and elderly patients are predisposed to have bacterial meningitis. In pediatric population the disease usually presents as fever, seizures, vomiting, chills, altered mental status and stiff neck. [4] Development of each country have impact on mortality and morbidity among children. [6] Elderly patients, because of their comorbidity are also predisposed to bacterial meningitis. Diseases like diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, cancer, HIV/AIDS or being after splenectomy may make the patients susceptible for bacterial invasion of CNS.

Also, every factor which interrupt blood-brain barrier, like trauma or surgery may cause the infection.

Intracerebral hemorrhage can be consequence of the infection, which cause other complications like impaired consciousness, focal neurological deficit, need of mechanical ventilation and seizures. It was noticed that in most of cases bacterial meningitis had S.pneumoniae etiology.
Analysis of the mature milk composition of women giving birth prematurely and on time
Authors: Dombrowska-Pali Agnieszka , Gebuza Grażyna , Kaźmierczak Marzena
Published: December 2022

Introduction: The composition of breast milk is not consistent; its variability is determined by the nutritional needs of the baby: duration of pregnancy, phases of a single feeding, lactation period, variability of fat concentration.

The aim: To assess the energy and essential nutrients content in mature milk from mothers delivering preterm and full-term infants.

Material and methods: 75 women participated in the study, at 4 weeks postpartum. The study sample was divided into three groups according to the duration of pregnancy: G1>=32 weeks of pregnancy, G2) 33-36 weeks of pregnancy, G3) <=37 weeks of pregnancy. The analysis of breast milk composition was performed with the Miris Human Milk Analysis analyser.

Results: The pregnancy duration of a sample of women participating in the study does not differentiate the nutritional composition and energy content in breast milk (p>0.05) analysed in the fourth week of lactation.

Conclusions: The assessment of the milk from women who gave birth on time and prematurely showed no significant differences in protein, fats, carbohydrates and energy content considering the same stage of lactation. However, it should be emphasised that not only is human milk considered to be a nutrient but also functional food. Due to the content of enzymes, hormones and growth factors, breast milk has a protective function. It is a part of treatment for premature babies. Nevertheless, the results of our study indicate the need for further research measuring the macronutrients of human milk in order to individualize more the nutritional approach for a particularly demanding group of newborns, which may help optimize their growth and development.
endocrine background of meningioma carcinogenesis
Authors: Gałązka Jakub Krzysztof , Homa Piotr , Domagalski Łukasz
Published: December 2022

Meningiomas, being mostly benign tumors, are derived from the arachnoid cap cells, their etiopathogenesis is based on various factors. The etiology of sporadic meningiomas is not yet known. Many factors have been identified as possible causes of the development of intracranial meningiomas. These include head trauma, viral infections, deletion in the NF2 gene, the use of cell phones, and sex hormones. The review is based on a endocrine factors, playing a role in meningioma carcinogenesis.

            The carcinogenesis of meningioma appeals to be profoundly dependent from hormonal factors. Mayor ones, usually underlined in according to their prognostic significance, are female sex hormones. Due to this, meningiomas are twice as more likely to occur in female than in male patients. The other group of hormones appointed to play a role in meningioma carcinogenesis are adipokines in general – and leptin in particular. Leptin secretion correlates with BMI elevation, what may explain the confirmed linking between obesity and brain tumors. The scientific literature has documented the occurrence of meningioma in five patients with CAH, but the role of cortical axis and/or ACTH secretion impairments is still under consideration. Authors didn’t find any publication about the role of thyroid disorders in meningioma carcinogenesis.

The carcinogenesis of meningioma appeals to be profoundly dependent from hormonal factors. The effects of female sex hormones and adipokines are under a significant consideration, and may be useful in severity prediction. Basic science research should be focused on ACTH secretion in meningioma and possible common genetic etiopathogenesis of meningioma and CAH.
Look the Part? The Role of Profile Pictures in Online Labor Markets
Authors: Troncoso Isamar , Luo Lan
Published: December 2022

We study how freelancers’ profile pictures affect hiring decisions and matching outcomes in online labor marketplaces.
Irritation Test of Bawang Dayak (Eleutherine Bulbosa (Mill.) Urb.) Loose Powder for Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Ardhany Syahrida Dian , Novaryatiin Susi , Pratomo Guntur Satrio
Published: December 2022

Several studies revealed that the ethanolic extract, cream, and loose powder of Bawang Dayak bulbs (Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb.) are effective in inhibiting the growth of different acne-causing bacteria, including S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. acne. Several product series have also been developed using the plant for the treatment of acne-prone skin. Therefore, this study aims to carry out a primary irritation test of E. bulbosa loose powder using the patch test method on rabbits and humans to determine its safety before it is marketed. The results showed that the primary irritation index of E.bulbosa loose powder on rabbits was 0.125, which was classified in the negligible category, and there were no signs of erythema or edema in humans. This indicates that it does not cause irritation and has the potential to be developed into anti-acne products.
A Comparative Analysis of Sentence Embedding Techniques for Document Ranking
Authors: Gupta Vishal , Dixit Ashutosh , Sethi Shilpa
Published: December 2022

Due to the exponential increase in the information on the web, extracting relevant documents for users in a reasonable time becomes a cumbersome task. Also, when user feedback is scarce or unavailable, content-based approaches to extract and rank relevant documents are critical as they suffer from the problem of determining semantic similarity between texts of user queries and documents. Various sentence embedding models exist today that acquire deep semantic representations through training on a large corpus, with the goal of providing transfer learning to a broad range of natural language processing tasks such as document similarity, text summarization, text classification, sentiment analysis, etc. So, in this paper, a comparative analysis of six pre-trained sentence embedding techniques has been done to identify the best model suited for document ranking in IR systems. These are SentenceBERT, Universal Sentence Encoder, InferSent, ELMo, XLNet, and Doc2Vec. Four standard datasets CACM, CISI, ADI, and Medline are used to perform all the experiments. It is found that Universal Sentence Encoder and SentenceBERT outperform other techniques on all four datasets in terms of MAP, recall, F-measure, and NDCG. This comparative analysis offers a synthesis of existing work as a single point of entry for practitioners who seek to use pre-trained sentence embedding models for document ranking and for scholars who wish to undertake work in a similar domain. The work can be expanded in many directions in the future as various researchers can combine these strategies to build a hybrid document ranking system or query reformulation system in IR.
Financial Education and Sustainability: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Couto Renally Fernandes , Maracajá Kettrin Farias Bem , Machado Petruska de Araújo
Published: December 2022

This work arises from a literature review involving the fields of financial education and sustainability from 1995 to 2021, which researches are still insufficient and incipient. Being aware of this lack of investigation, this study aims to propose a conceptual framework based on the principles of three-term contingency, exposing the dimensions of intersection, as well as its relations between financial education and sustainability. The research has an exploratory nature and a qualitative description approach. The framework presents as previous elements: knowledge about financial education and sustainability, that influence the result and behavior elements, they are: construction and accompaniment of the personal household budget, the levels of debts, savings, and investments, in the habits of consumption and the waste production and reject, such behaviors lead to the consequence elements, they are: future life quality for the individual, as well as the legacy that will be left for the descendants, the latter being a product that influences and is influenced by the rewards and punishments that the individual can get as a result of his actions.