bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A web-based calculator for predicting psychological distress among patients with lung cancer using machine learning techniques: Development and validation study
Authors: Tian Xu , Li Haoyang , Li Feili , Jiménez-Herrera María F , Ren Yi , Shang Hongcai
Published: March 2024

Background: Early identification of patients at high risk for psychological distress allows for timely intervention and improved prognosis. Current methods for predicting psychological distress in lung cancer patients using readily available data are limited.
Objective: This study aimed to develop a robust machine learning (ML) model for predicting psychological distress risk in lung cancer patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to collect data from 342 lung cancer patients. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was used for feature selection. Model training and validation were conducted with bootstrap resampling method. Five-fold cross-validation evaluated and optimized the model with parameter tuning. Feature importance was assessed using SHapley additive exPlanations (SHAP) method.
Results: Seven independent predictors emerged as the most valuable features. AUROC values ranged from 0.749 to 1.000 across the eight ML algorithms. The extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm achieved the best performance, with AUROC values of 0.988, 0.945, and 0.922 in the training, validation, and test sets, respectively. SHAP analysis elucidated the model’s explanatory variables and their contributions to psychological distress risk. A web-based tool for calculating psychological distress risk was developed.
Limitations
The results of this cross-sectional study may limit causal inference and introduce selection bias. Some important variables were excluded, such as mindfulness. The model’s robustness might be compromised by the absence of external validation.
Conclusion: The XGBoost classifier demonstrates exceptional performance, and clinical implementation of the web-based risk calculator can serve as an easy-to-use tool for health practitioners to formulate early prevention and intervention strategies.
Association between serum vitamin D levels and retinal vein occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Apivatthakakul Atitaya , Jaruvongvanich Suthinee , Upala Sikarin , Jaruvongvanich Veeravich
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Previous studies found seasonal variations in the incidence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO), with more occurrence in winter. There is increasing evidence linking vitamin D deficiency and RVO. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and RVO.
Methods: A comprehensive search of the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed from inception to February 2024. Observational studies compared 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels [25(OH)D] levels between adult patients with RVO versus non-RVO controls were included. We calculated pooled mean difference (MD) and pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of our data using random-effects model, generic inverse variance method.
Results: Five studies involving 528 patients (228 patients with RVO and 300 controls were included in the meta-analysis. 25(OH)D was significantly lower in patients with RVO (pooled MD of -9.65 [95%CI -13.72 to -5.59, I2 = 92.2%). Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 20) was significantly associated with RVO with the pooled OR of 14.52 (95%CI 1.72 to 122.59, I2 = 90.5). There was no difference in 25(OH)D levels between patients with central RVO and branched RVO (pooled MD of -0.94 [95%CI -3.91 to 2.03, I2 = 59.1%).
Conclusion: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that serum vitamin D levels were lower in patients with RVO than non-RVO controls. Clinicians could consider screening for vitamin D deficiency in patients with RVO. Further studies are warranted to determine the correlation between vitamin D levels and disease severity and the role of vitamin D supplements in these populations.
Study on Ion Transport Properties of Solid Biopolymer Electrolyte based on Almond Gum with Ammonium Chloride
Authors: Joel T. , Mathavan T. , Jose Sujin. P. , blesstina S. Rehila karolin
Published: March 2024

This study focused on the development of a solid biopolymer electrolyte (SBE) membrane based on almond gum (AG) as the polymer host and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as the ionic salt. The properties of the membranes were comprehensively investigated using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and transference number measurements (TNM). These findings reveal that the incorporation of NH4Cl into the solid biopolymer membrane resulted in enhanced properties. XRD analysis indicated an increase in the amorphous nature of the membrane upon the addition of NH4Cl. FTIR analysis proven the existence of diverse functional groups within the polymer and demonstrated the interaction between the polymer and the ammonium salt. EIS analysis revealed a decrease in bulk resistance in the SBE membrane when NH4Cl was introduced into the polymer matrix, resulting in enhancement of ionic conductivity from 1.38×10− 8 S/cm to 1.04×10− 4 S/cm at room temperature. The DC ionic conductivity is further verified from conduction spectra and dielectric properties. The TNM results emphasise the significant role of H+ ions in ion transport. Finally, a primary battery was constructed using the utmost conducting membrane as the electrolyte, which displayed an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.92 V.
TNFSF9 is associated with favor tumor immune microenvironment in patients with renal cell carcinoma who are treated with the combination therapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab
Authors: Isoda Bunpei , Kandori Shuya , Sazuka Tomokazu , Kojima Takahiro , Nitta Satoshi , Shiga Masanobu , Nagumo Yoshiyuki , Fujimoto Ayumi , Arai Takayuki , Sato Hiroaki , Mathis Bryan J. , Wu Chia-Ling , Jan Yi-Hua , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Nishiyama Hiroyuki
Published: March 2024

Combination therapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab (NIVO + IPI) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has shown efficacy, but approximately 20% of patients experience disease progression in the early stages of treatment. No useful biomarkers have been reported to date. Therefore, it is desirable to identify biomarkers to predict treatment response in advance. We examined the tumor microenvironment (TME)-related gene expression in mRCC patients treated with NIVO + IPI, between the response and non-response groups, using tumor tissues before administering NIVO + IPI. In TME-related genes, TNFSF9 expression was identified as a candidate for the predictive biomarker. Its expression discriminated between the response and non-response groups with 88.89% sensitivity and 87.50% specificity (AUC = 0.9444). We further analyzed the roles of TNFSF9 in TME, using bioinformatics of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Adaptive immune response was activated in the TNFSF9-high expression tumors. Indeed, T follicular helper cells, plasma B cells, and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells were increased in the tumors, which indicates the promotion of humoral immunity due to enhanced T-B interactions. However, as the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) increased in the tumors, the percentage of dysfunctional T cells also increased. These suggest that not only PD-1 but also CTLA-4 inhibition may have suppressed Treg activation and improved the therapeutic effect in the TNFSF9-high expression tumors. Therefore, TNFSF9 may predict the therapeutic efficacy of NIVO + IPI for mRCC and allow more appropriate patient selection.
Mapping QTL underlying body weight changes that act at different times during high-fat diet challenge in collaborative cross mice
Authors: Abu-Toamih-Atami Hanifa J. , Lone Iqbal M. , Binenbaum Ilona , Midlej Kareem , Pilalis Eleftherios , Mott Richard , Chatziioannou Aristotelis , Iraqi Fuad A.
Published: March 2024

Background
Over one billion people worldwide suffer from obesity, and the number is continually rising. This epidemic is partly caused by the modern lifestyle, which is defined by excessive eating of food high in calories and little physical activity. However, genetic variation sets the stage and affects how the disease develops and advances. Animal models, especially mice models, are crucial to identifying the genetic components of complex disorders and exploring the potential applications of these genetic findings. The body weight of the animals used in research is often measured regularly to monitor their health. Only endpoint measurements, like ultimate body weight, are often examined in quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies; time series data, such as weekly or biweekly body weight, are usually disregarded. QTL mapping utilizing biweekly body weight measurements may be particularly intriguing in examining body weight gain in obesity research and identifying more genes connected with obesity and related metabolic problems.
Results
This study is focused on identifying QTL underlying body weight changes by analyzing biweekly weight measurements in collaborative cross (CC) mice maintained on a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. QTL analysis, utilizing 525 mice from 55 CC lines (308 male and 217 female), revealed genome-wide significant QTL on different chromosomes for body weight changes over 12 weeks. This study unveiled 62 body weight QTLs, among which 28 novels associated with defined traits were observed and found not reported previously. In addition, 34 more QTLs were fine-mapped as the genomic interval positions of these were previously identified.
Conclusions
These findings illuminate genomic regions influencing body weight in CC mice and emphasize the utility of time series data in uncovering novel genetic factors.
Congenital malaria in a neonate born in a malaria-endemic area: a case report
Authors: Demisse Biniyam , Almaw Kebede
Published: March 2024

Background: Malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly in Africa, where children under 5 years of age are affected. While mosquito bites are the primary transmission route, congenital malaria caused by transplacental or perinatal transmission can also occur. This case report highlights the challenges in diagnosing congenital malaria and emphasizes the importance of considering it in neonates, especially those born in or with a travel history to endemic areas.
Case presentation: A 48-hour-old male neonate born to an Ethiopian hospital with high malaria transmission rates presented with respiratory distress. Despite receiving antenatal care in a nonendemic zone, the mother delivered in this endemic area. The initial diagnosis was early-onset neonatal sepsis, but persistent fever prompted further investigation. Blood film microscopy revealed coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, leading to a diagnosis of congenital malaria. The neonate received intravenous artesunate followed by oral artemisinin-lumefantrine, with a favorable clinical outcome.
Conclusion: Despite the nonspecific symptoms, this case emphasizes the importance of considering congenital malaria in neonates, particularly those with a history of travel to endemic areas. Blood film microscopy confirmed coinfection and guided effective antimalarial therapy. Strengthening antenatal care services, including intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy, is recommended to reduce the burden of congenital malaria.
Dapagliflozin, Inflammation and Left Ventricular Remodelling in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Dihoum Adel , Brown Alexander JM , McCrimmon Rory J , Lang Chim C , Mordi Ify R
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims
SGLT2 inhibitors have beneficial effects in heart failure (HF), including reverse remodelling, but the mechanisms by which these benefits are conferred are unclear. Inflammation is implicated in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) and there is some pre-clinical data suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce inflammation. There is however a paucity of clinical data. The aim of our study was to investigate whether improvements in cardiac remodelling caused by dapagliflozin in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were associated with effects on inflammation.
Methods
We measured C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in plasma samples of 60 patients with T2D and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) but without symptomatic HF from the DAPA-LVH trial in which participants were randomised dapagliflozin 10mg daily or placebo for 12 months and underwent cardiac MRI at baseline and end of treatment. The primary analysis was to investigate treatment effect on the 12 months in inflammatory markers. We assessed the relationships between changes in inflammatory markers and LV mass and global longitudinal strain (GLS) and whether the effect of dapagliflozin on LV mass and GLS was modulated by baseline levels of inflammation.
Results
Following 12 months of treatment dapagliflozin significantly reduced CRP compared to placebo (mean difference of -1.96; 95% CI -3.68 to -0.24, p=0.026). There were no significant statistical changes in other inflammatory markers. There was no significant relationship between changes in inflammatory markers at 12 months and changes in LV mass (r=0.124) but there were modest correlations between changes in GLS and NLR (r=0.311), IL-1β (r=0.246), TNF-α (r=0.230) at 12 months. Overall dapagliflozin reduced LV mass and improved GLS. The effect of dapagliflozin on LV mass and GLS was not significantly different regardless of baseline levels of inflammation, although individuals with higher baseline IL-1β had a larger GLS improvement.
Conclusions
Although dapagliflozin caused a significant reduction in CRP compared to placebo, our study did not strongly suggest that the beneficial left ventricular remodelling caused by dapagliflozin was the result of any potential anti-inflammatory activity.
Trial registration ISRCTN15573532
On substituent effect in 1,n-homodisubstituted polyenes
Authors: Graff Marek , Ostrowski Sawomir , Dobrowolski Jan Cz.
Published: March 2024

The all-trans and all-cis polyenes homodisubstituted at the ends were calculated at the B3LYP/ 6-31G** level. The disubstitution gives rise to three end-types of the conformers: trans-trans, trans-cis, and cis-cis, denoted as EE, EZ, and ZZ. The symmetry of the EE or ZZ all-cis isomers depended on the double bond parity. Twelve substituents used: H, BeH, BH2, BF2, Br, CH3, Cl, CN, F, NH2, NO2, OH, and SiH3, were chosen to exhibit different σ- and π-electron donating and electron withdrawing properties. Unexpectedly, the intramolecular interactions between the substituents and the neighboring chain CH groups near appeared more decisive for the compound's stability than the substituent electron donating/withdrawing properties. The substituent-chain interplay was consonant in the all-trans and all-cis polyenes. Still, they were always more destabilizing in the latter than in all-trans isomers.
Risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases among 5-year-old low birth weight children
Authors: Konopásek Patrik , Kodytková Aneta , Korček Peter , Pecková Monika , Frantová Martina , Kotaška Karel , Kočí Martin , Flachsová Eva , Straňák Zbyněk , Janda Jan , Zieg Jakub
Published: March 2024

Background
Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, the roles of specific clinical and biochemical attributes remain unknown.
Methods
In this two-center study, we investigated risk factors (RFs) for the development of CVD among 5-year-old LBW children. The assessed RFs were low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels; urine protein/creatinine ratio (PCR); masked hypertension (HT); and non-dipping blood pressure (BP).
Results
A total of 110 children participated in this study (eight with a BW < 2500g, 58 with a BW < 1500g, and 44 with a BW < 1000g) and all six factors were successfully collected in 51 of the children. Over half (58.8%) of the children had at least one RF. Masked HT, elevated LDL, TG, PCR, decreased HDL and the presence of non-dipping BP were found in 13.2%, 16.7%, 13.6%, 17.8%, 8.2%, and 37.7% of participants, respectively. Increased growth velocity (GV) was associated with decreased HDL (OR 1.36, P = 0.045) and lower risk of non-dipping BP (OR 0.83, P = 0.0384). Small for gestational age (SGA) status (OR 3.59, P = 0.0323), maternal anemia (OR 6.41, P = 0.0356), and greater gestational age (GA) (OR 2.43 per 1 week of age, P = 0.0004) were associated with proteinuria, while male sex was a protective factor (OR 0.16, P = 0.0203).
Conclusion
There was a high prevalence of CVD RFs in 5-year-old LBW children. SGA status at birth, maternal anemia, female sex, and higher GA were associated with proteinuria. The role of GV in the etiopathogenesis of CVD remains controversial.
Offloading Strategy based on Graph NeuralReinforcement Learning in Mobile EdgeComputing
Authors: Wang Tao , Sun Dingmi , Li Hao
Published: March 2024

In Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), the service coverage limitation of base stations leads to dynamic changes in the connections between mobile devices and them, directly impacting the decision-making process of agents. The relationship between mobile devices and base stations is abstracted into an MEC structure graph in current research, however, traditional deep reinforcement learning faces challenges in effectively capturing the complex relationships between nodes within dynamic graph structures. To address this issue, this paper proposes a hierarchical mechanism known as Graph Neural Reinforcement Learning (M-GNRL) under multiple constraints to facilitate optimal result. Specifically, when tasks necessitate offloading for execution, M-GNRL algorithm recommends potential offloading nodes based on node representations. Selecting nodes with higher recommended probabilities to reconstruct into a deep reinforcement learning environment, aiming to extract crucial nodes to reduce the state space size of the policy. This strategy incorporates edge features from graph neural networks into the deep reinforcement learning architecture, after training, which can assist the agent in making optimal decisions in dynamic environments. To reduce the time required for mapping MEC scenarios into graph structures, this paper proposes an updating algorithm to acquire graph information that varies with anchor node. Comparative experiments demonstrate that the M-GNRL algorithm outperforms other baseline algorithms in terms of system cost and convergence performance.
Total elbow replacement in England: a protocol for analysis of National Joint Registry and Hospital Episode Statistics data
Authors: Hamoodi Zaid , Sayers Adrian , Whitehouse Michael R , Rangan Amar , Kearsley-Fleet Lianne , Sergeant Jamie C , Watts Adam C
Published: March 2024

Introduction
Primary total elbow replacement (TER) services in England are being restructured with the goal of centralising care to specialised centres. It is important to monitor the impact of this service redesign. Therefore, this study aims to provide detailed descriptions of the patients who are receiving primary TER surgery, where and by whom the surgery is being performed, and what the current surgical practices for TER are in England before the reconfiguration.
Methods
This analysis will use the National Joint Registry (NJR) elbow dataset and link it with NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics-Admitted Patient Care (HES-APC). It will include eligible patients from the start of the NJR elbow dataset in April 2012 to December 2022. The main objective is to determine the incidence of TER in England. Age-sex standardised rates will be calculated for groups including different ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, using the mid-year population data provided by the Office for National Statistics.
This study will summarise patient characteristics such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hand dominance, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade, indication for TER, socioeconomic status, and patient co-morbidities. It will also examine implant fixation type, classification, brand/type, and changes over time in implant types used in England. Additionally, it will explore the characteristics and volume of the surgeons and hospitals providing primary TER services, including the grade of the primary surgeons, funding source for surgery, and admission type. The analysis will cover the number of procedures performed by surgeons and hospitals in each year of the study period in England and in each region of England. Finally, this study will summarise the elective wait time, postoperative length of stay, and any serious adverse events or re-admissions within 30 and 90 days after the TER.
Discussion
This study is the first deep dive into the NJR elbow dataset to describe the incidence of TER surgery in England and the characteristics of patients who are receiving it. This study will summarise current primary TER practices in England before service reconfigurations. The impact of reconfiguration can be monitored by comparing future practice to the outcomes from this study.
Cinicaltrials.gov ID: Submitted and pending outcome
Determination of the Elastic Modulus of Brazilian Tropical Wood at High Temperatures Using the Impulse Excitation Technique (IET)
Authors: Alves Rejane Costa , Júnior Gilson Mendonça Miranda , Carrasco Edgar Vladimiro Mantilla , Barbosa Maria Teresa Gomes , Santos White José dos , Rezende Marco Antônio Penido , Carvalho Eliene Pires
Published: March 2024

Wood, as a renewable and highly abundant material, has been receiving increasing attention for use in high-performance applications, such as a structural element subjected to high temperatures. For its successful implementation in the construction or timber industry sector, it is crucial to understand its behavior during and after exposure to high temperatures. In this study, the red angelim wood, Dinizia excelsa, is subjected to high temperatures, up to a temperature of 508 K, using the dynamic excitation wave propagation test. For the study, the samples tested in the furnace were dimensioned in six distinct directions: the three main ones (radial, tangential, and longitudinal) and three intermediate ones (longitudinal-radial, longitudinal-tangential, and radial-tangential). The static test used only the main directions of wood orientation. The values of elasticity modulus exhibited a reduction after the heat treatment, resulting in significant decreases of up to 45%. The results obtained demonstrated that the excitation wave propagation method was effective in estimating the elasticity modulus at room temperature up to 508 K. Therefore, this study contributed to the construction of a database that can be expanded by future research focused on Brazilian woods.
MAPP optimization through elucidation of wood plastic composite microstructural behaviour in melt and solid state
Authors: Mabuto Briswell , Skosana Sifiso , Hlangothi Soshanganyane
Published: March 2024

The compatibility of wood flour (WF) and thermoplastic matrix in wood plastic composites (WPC) has over the years been improved by means of coupling agents, surfactants and filler or matrix surface modifications. However, understanding the composite microstructure and the effects of coupling agents on microstructural behavior is pertinent for process optimizations. In the current work, the effect of varying maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) amount at 10 and 30% WF contents on composite microstructure was investigated by monitoring changes in their rheo-mechanical properties. The study revealed that increase in the WF content increases the composite melt’s complex viscosity, dynamic moduli, stress, and creep flow resistance. In the absence of MAPP, the tensile strength, impact strength, and the elongation at break were reduced with WF content due to prevalent WF agglomerations. Incorporating MAPP in 1, 3, and 5% amounts showed a corresponding decrease in the abovementioned rheological properties while the tensile strength, impact strength, and elongation at break increased. Composites containing 10% WF content exhibited a levelling effect at 1% MAPP, while those containing 30% WF levelled off at 3% MAPP. This was indicative of a possible competitive process upon reaching the MAPP optima, resulting in zero or insignificant property changes upon further MAPP additions. Evidently, at 30% WF content, 5% MAPP exhibited discrepant behaviour characterized by higher complex viscosity, dynamic moduli, stress, creep flow resistance and levelling of mechanical properties compared to 3% MAPP. This was attributed to excess MAPP clustering at interphases, resulting in ineffective wetting and consequently higher internal friction within the composite microstructure.
Association between the atherogenic index of plasma and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Sun Min , Liang Chao , Lin Hui , Chen Zhiyan , Wang Meng , Fang Shijie , Tian Tian , Yang Yujing , Tang Qunzhong , Zhang Erming , Tang Qiang
Published: March 2024

Background: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a simple and reliable marker of insulin resistance and is closely associated with various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the relationships between AIP and left ventricular (LV) geometric indicators have not been adequately assessed. This study was carried out to investigate the association between AIP and LV geometric abnormalities in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included a total of 618 OSA patients (57.3 ± 12.4 years, 73.1% males, BMI 28.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2) who underwent echocardiography. Patients with OSA were diagnosed with clinical symptoms and an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5.0. LV hypertrophy (LVH) was defined as left ventricular mass index (LVMIh2.7) ≥ 50.0 g/m2.7 for men and 47.0 g/m2.7 for women. AIP was calculated as log10 (TG/HDL-C).
Results: Compared with the non-LVH group, AIP was significantly higher in the LVH group (0.19 ± 0.29 vs 0.24 ± 0.28, P = 0.024) and the concentric LVH group (0.18 ± 0.29, 0.19 ± 0.30, 0.20 ± 0.26 and 0.29 ± 0.29 in the control, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy groups, respectively, P = 0.021). Meanwhile, in the group of patients with the highest AIP tertile, the levels of LVMIh2.7 (42.8 ± 10.5, 43.2 ± 9.3 and 46.1 ± 12.1 in the T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively, P = 0.003), and the prevalence of LVH (25.2%, 24.0% and 34.6% in the T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively, P = 0.032) and concentric LVH (10.7%, 9.8% and 20.2% in the T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively, P = 0.053) were higher compared with those in the other groups. Positive correlations between AIP and LV geometric indicators including the LVMIh2.7, LVMIBSA, LV mass (LVM), diastolic left ventricular inner diameter (LVIDd), diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (PWTd) and diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSTd), were revealed according to correlation analysis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, AIP was independently associated with LVMIh2.7 according to multivariate linear regression model (β = 0.125, P = 0.001). Notably, AIP remained independently associated with an elevated risk of LVH (OR = 2.583, 95% CI: 1.213 - 5.499, P = 0.014) and concentric LVH (OR = 4.483, 95% CI: 1.734 - 11.589, P = 0.002) after fully adjusting for all confounding risk factors by multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Conclusions: AIP was independently associated with an increased risk of LVH and concentric LVH in OSA patients. Therefore, AIP, as a practical and cost-effective test, might be useful in monitoring hypertrophic remodeling of the heart and improving CVDs risk stratification in clinical management of OSA.
Computing palindromes and suffix trees of dynamic trees
Authors: Funakoshi Mitsuru , Mieno Takuya , Nakashima Yuto , Inenaga Shunsuke , Bannai Hideo , Takeda Masayuki
Published: March 2024

We consider the problems of computing maximal palindromes and distinct palindromes in an edge-labeled rooted tree where each edge is labeled by a single character. Such a tree is a natural generalization of a string, which can be seen as a single-path tree. There is a linear time offline algorithm to compute maximal palindromes and distinct palindromes in a given (static) tree whose edge-labels are drawn from a linearly-sortable alphabet [Mieno et al., ISAAC 2022]. In this paper, we tackle problems of palindrome enumeration on dynamic trees which support leaf additions and leaf deletions. We propose the first sub-quadratic algorithms to enumerate palindromes in a dynamic tree whose edge-labels are drawn from a general ordered alphabet. Our algorithm computes all maximal palindromes in O(N log h) time and all distinct palindromes in O(N log h + N log s) time with O(N) working space, where N is the number of edges in the tree, h is the height of the tree, and s is the number of distinct characters appearing in the tree. Furthermore, as a by-product, we present an O(N log N)-time online algorithm to construct the suffix tree of the input tree, which is of independent interest.
Integrative Multi-Omics and Machine Learning Approach Reveals Tumor Microenvironment-Associated Prognostic Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Jiao Wenzhi , Yang Shasha , Li Yu , Li Yue , Liu Shanshan , Shi Jianwei , Wang Guannan , Yu Minmin
Published: March 2024

Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to dissect the intricacies of the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) in Ovarian Cancer (OV) by analyzing its immune cell composition and gene expression profiles. We aim to investigate how TME elements influence ovarian cancer prognosis, particularly their impact on the responsiveness to immune therapy. Our goal is to enhance understanding of immune interactions in OV TME, contributing to the development of precise, personalized therapeutic strategies and potentially improving clinical outcomes for OV patients.
Methods
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the GEO database (GSE184880) for normal and OV cases were analyzed using the Seurat package, identifying 700 TME-related genes. A prognostic model based on these genes was developed using LASSO regression and validated with an independent dataset (GSE140082). Differential gene expression and gene function analyses were conducted using the TCGA-OV cohort, with a focus on immune infiltration assessed by the xCell algorithm.
Results
The study uncovered distinct immune cell infiltrates and associated genes within the OV TME. We developed a prognostic model that incorporates immune cell subgroup markers, showing its relevance in predicting patient outcomes. This model was also correlated with responses to immune therapy and drug sensitivity. Our analyses of T cell subgroups and trajectories provided insights into the dynamic nature of TME and its impact on patient prognosis.
Conclusion
This research offers a detailed characterization of the TME in OV, underlining the prognostic importance of TME-related gene signatures. Concentrating on the immune component, including gene expression and pathways related to immune cell infiltration and T cell dynamics, the findings clarify the response of OV to immune therapy. These insights not only deepen our comprehension of the complexity of TME but also pave the way for new, individualized treatment methods, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and aiding in the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.
The role of LncRNA-MANCR induced by HIF-1a drive the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer by targeting miRNA-494/SIRT1 signaling axis under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Jin Yan , Hu Hao , Tian Yitong , Xu Han , Yu Qiao , Cheng Long , Guo Xiaoyu , Wang Zongwei , Huang Xiaoxu , Wang Xiaoming , Wang Gang
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Accumulating evidence has focused on the vital roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the hypoxic extracellular microenvironment of multiple human tumours. This study revealed the prospective biological role and fundamental mechanisms of hypoxia-induced lncRNA-MANCR (MANCR), which is notably upregulated in pancreatic cancer (PC). This work uncovered the potential biological function and underlying mechanisms of hypoxia-induced MANCR, which is significantly elevated in PC.
Methods
Microarray assays confirmed MANCR expression in the tissues of patients with PC and patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), which positively correlated with sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) mRNA levels. In PC cells, lncRNA expression levels were compared using RNA sequencing. The impact of MANCR on tumour proliferation and metastasis of PC cells and in vivo models cultured under either normoxic or hypoxic conditions was evaluated using gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays were employed to gauge binding within the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/MANCR/miRNA-494/SIRT1 pathway. Additionally, the association between MANCR expression and the clinical outcomes of patients with PC was confirmed.
Results
MANCR is significantly upregulated in PC cells under hypoxic conditions, which is closely linked to poor prognosis in patients with PC. Depletion of MANCR repressed in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC cells and in vivo growth of PC xenograft tumours. We further demonstrated that MANCR is localised in the cytoplasm and competitively binds miR-494, which directly targets SIRT1. Mechanically, overexpression of SIRT1 improved the stability of the HIF-1α protein through deacetylation, leading to enhanced HIF-1α assembly. Moreover, MANCR underwent transcriptional regulation by HIF-1α in a hypoxic setting. This modulation was ascribed to HIF-1α binding to hypoxia response elements present in the MANCR promoter sequence. Furthermore, increased MANCR expression corresponded with lymphatic and distant metastases in patients with PC.
Conclusions
All data revealed the potential possibility of feedback between MANCR and HIF-1α, which may be conducive to hypoxia-induced oncogenicity and PC tumorigenesis, thereby providing a suitable therapeutic target.
The present state of primary ovarian lymphoma: a case report and twenty years of analysis
Authors: Liu Wei , Xu Houyun , Hu Jibo , Yu Xiping , Zhou Junjie , Hu Hongjie
Published: March 2024

Objective
To analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of primary ovarian lymphoma (POL) from the perspective of radiologists.
Materials and Methods
The clinical and imaging data of a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with POL was retrospectively analyzed in this study. A review and summary of similar cases reported in English over the past twenty years, as available in the PubMed database, were also conducted.
Results
The occurrence of POL is not limited by age but is more commonly observed in the forties years old. Clinical manifestations of POL are often nonspecific, presenting as an abdominal mass, abdominal pain, and ascites. The most prevalent histological subtype of POL is diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Imaging features are helpful for diagnosis, such as “ovarian retention sign”, “large ovaries touching each other”, and “vascular floatation”.
Conclusion
Imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of POL, with radiologists serving as a pivotal role in furnishing essential diagnostic data to assist clinicians in devising suitable treatment strategies, preventing unnecessary surgical interventions.
Importance of OCT-derived Biomarkers for the Recurrence of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy using Statistics and Predictive Modelling
Authors: Seiler Emilien , Delachaux Léon , Cattaneo Jennifer , Garjani Ali , Duriez Alexia , Martin Thibaud , Baffou Jérémy , Mousavi Sepehr , Meloni Ilenia , Bergin Ciara , Tomasoni Mattia , Eandi Chiara M
Published: March 2024

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a posterior segment disease characterized by accumulation of subretinal fluid that, in acute forms, resolves spontaneously. However, about a third of the cases experience recurrences that might cause severe and irreversible vision loss due to anatomical outer retinal and retinal pigment epithelium changes. This study aims to identify optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived parameters linked to CSCR recurrence. Our dataset included 5211 OCTs from 344 eyes of 255 CSCR patients. After expert labeling, 178 eyes were identified as recurrent, 109 were non-recurrent, and 57 were excluded. We extracted parameters using artificial intelligence and computer vision. We used inferential statistics to assess differential distribution between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups, and we employed predictive modeling for feature importance analysis. We identified 9 predictive biomarkers for CSCR recurrence, including age, presence of subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid and Pigment Epithelial detachments, as well as choroidal vascularity index, integrity of photoreceptors and RPE layer, thicknesses of choriocapillaris and choroidal stroma, and thinning of internal retinal layers (outer nuclear layer, and inner nuclear layer combined with and outer plexiform layer). These results can potentially enable future developments in automatic detection of CSCR recurrence, paving the way for translational medical applications.
Efficient algorithmic coupling technique for precision recycling of seven types of mixed plastic waste
Authors: Zhu Keyu , Pan Zhijie , Chen Junrong , Yang Songwei , Cao Changlin , Li Jianjun , Liu Siyang , Wang Hai , Qian Qingrong , Chen Qinghua
Published: March 2024

The annual global production of plastic waste, characterized by complex composition and challenges in separation, necessitates immediate and comprehensive measures for the recycling and disposal of mixed plastic waste in an environmentally friendly and meticulous manner. This study introduces an efficient two-step coupling technique, employing Linear Support Vector Classification (Linear-SVC) in tandem with Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP). The application of this coupling technique elevates the overall accuracy of identifying seven types of plastics from 94.7% to an impressive 97.7%. Furthermore, the method exhibits a reduced running time compared to the one-step method of MLP. Notably, the classification accuracy for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) experiences a substantial improvement from 79–94%, outperforming the one-step MLP method. This coupling technique emerges as an effective strategy, contributing significantly to the harmless and precise recycling of waste plastics.
Experimental and numerical evaluation of the seismic behavior of steel plate shear walls with and without openings
Authors: Rashti Abbas Akbarpour Nikghalb , Eftekhari Mohammad Memar , Rudsari Mehrzad Tahamoli
Published: March 2024

Steel plate shear walls are one of the modern seismic engineering systems used as a lateral load-bearing system. In this study, two shear walls specimens with and without an opening, incorporating stiffeners in their upper beams, were subjected to cyclic loading in an experimental setting. The walls had a scale of one-third and were tested under cyclic displacement control loading. Subsequently, due to the limitations of specimen fabrication and laboratory testing, the ABAQUS software was used for numerical modeling and analysis, with a total of 6 models being numerically analyzed. Prior to the numerical analysis and in order to verify the results, a numerical validation was performed using a specimen with an opening of 25% and its corresponding numerical model. The opening in the specimens was considered as the independent variable, and the ductility, maximum base shear, and stiffness of the models were considered as dependent variables. For this purpose, the hysteretic curve of each specimen was extracted, which was then used to derive the equivalent bilinear and backbone curves. Finally, based on these curves, the models’ seismic parameters, including the base shear, ductility, and stiffness were calculated. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that with an increase in the percentage of the opening, the parameters of base shear, ductility, and stiffness experience a change, with the smallest change observed in the stiffness of the models. Finally, a set of equations were proposed for structural designers and engineers to calculate the seismic parameters based on the percentage of openings.
Impact of immediate post SARS-CoV-2 lockdown on suicide in northern Tunisia
Authors: Mrad Seifeddine , Bram Nesrine , Harzallah Hana , Bchir Khaled , Charfi Fatma , Labbane Raja , Hamdoun Moncef , BenKhelil Mehdi
Published: March 2024

Suicide is a multifactorial phenomenon influenced by pre-existing mental disorders and by the occurrence of detrimental societal changes. The stress related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as well as the health prevention measures had a negative psychological impact on certain vulnerable populations. Our aim was to investigate suicidal trends and to compare suicide decedent’s profile before and after the lockdown. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted including all suicides that occurred in the north of Tunisia during the study period. Suicidal trends, were studied using an interrupted time series analysis while suicide decedent’s profile was compared between the study period from 24/05/2020 to 31/08/2020 and this same period of the previous five years. Interrupted Time Series Analysis showed a sporadic variation without significant peaks while the comparative study showed a significant increase, among suicide decedents after the lockdown, of individuals with a history of psychiatric disorders particularly mood disorders, suicidal attempts, alcohol and cannabis use and professional instability. We also observed an increase in suicides by hanging and precipitation against a decrease in immolations and intoxications. Our study highlights the importance of mental health promotion during health crises and of prevention especially among vulnerable people.
A European pharmacogenomic study of the response to opioids in advanced cancer patients identifies germline variants associated with nausea-vomiting side effect
Authors: Minnai Francesca , Shkodra Morena , Noci Sara , Brunelli Cinzia , Pigni Alessandra , Zecca Ernesto , Skorpen Frank , Klepstad Pal , Kaasa Stein , Corli Oscar , Pallotti Maria Caterina , Maltoni Marco Cesare , Caraceni Augusto Tommaso , Colombo Francesca
Published: March 2024

Opioids are the mainstay therapy for patients affected by moderate to severe cancer pain, yet in about 10–20% of the cases, patients do not benefit from the received analgesic treatment or experience side effects. Genetic variability might account for the variation in individual responses to opioids, both in terms of efficacy and toxicity. The aim of this genome-wide association study (GWAS) was to identify new genetic markers of opioid toxicity in terms of nausea-vomiting. Cancer patients receiving morphine, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and fentanyl were recruited from different European cancer centers. Data about toxicity (nausea-vomiting score, NVS) and other relevant clinical information were collected. DNA samples were genotyped using Axiom Precision Medicine Research Arrays. Linear regression between genotypes of 2,059 patients and NVS was performed, using the REGENIE pipeline. Sex, age, study, and country were included in the model as covariates. We found 68 variants associated with NVS (P-value < 1.0 x 10− 6). Of note, 15 intronic variants on chromosome 2 were located in the NPAS2 gene, encoding a circadian transcription factor reported to play a role in another opioid side effect, the alteration of sleep. Some of these variants were previously identified as splicing quantitative trait loci of the NPAS2 gene. This is the first GWAS, performed in more than two thousand individually genotyped patients treated with opioids for cancer pain, that investigated the genetic bases of opioid-induced nausea-vomiting. Although further studies are needed to confirm our findings and to characterize the functional role of the identified variants, our results emphasize the importance of performing large pharmacogenomic studies to identify germline variants associated with opioid response, with the ultimate goals of improving personalization of cancer pain therapies.
Lateral gene transfer leaves lasting traces in Rhizaria
Authors: Eme Laura , Hooff Jolien van
Published: March 2024

Lateral gene transfer (LGT) is a fundamental process that has contributed to the genetic makeup of various eukaryotic lineages. Yet our comprehension of its prevalence and significance across the eukaryotic domain remains incomplete, particularly when it comes to eukaryote-to-eukaryote transfers. The Rhizaria forms an expansive, ancient, and morphologically diverse clade of mostly free-living, single-celled phagotrophs, whose genetic diversity reflects their adaptability and evolutionary success across a range of habitats. Here, we undertake a comprehensive investigation of LGT within Rhizaria, tracing its role from the clade's emergence to the present day, employing advanced phylogenetic analyses and machine learning techniques. Contrary to previous assertions that LGT in eukaryotes is rare, our findings suggest that at least 8% of genes in contemporary rhizarian genomes were acquired through LGT at various points during their billion-year history. Our analysis reveals that although gene duplications exceed the number of LGT events, the duplicated genes that were originally acquired through LGT have a visible effect on the evolutionary trajectory of the recipient organisms. Our results also indicate that LGTs originating from other eukaryotes are more common than those from prokaryotes and exhibit unique patterns. By offering both quantitative and qualitative insights into the role of LGT in shaping the evolution of a major eukaryotic lineage, this work further demystifies lateral gene transfer in eukaryotes.
The Animal Signs in Determining Good and Bad Days in the Ala Ayuning Dewasa on Balinese Caka Calendar
Authors: Swandana I Wayan , Paramarta I K.
Published: March 2024

Time determines the good and bad day to start doing something in Balinese society. This study aims to analyze the sign system in the Ala Ayuning Dewasa on the Balinese Caka Calendar. Data is taken from the Balinese Caka Calendar 2023. There are two types of data in this study, namely written and oral data. Written data is in the form of animal name terms and their meanings. Oral data is a description of the relationship between signifiers and signifieds. Written data were collected through observation assisted by note-taking techniques. Researchers observed the sign system in the Ala Ayuning Dewasa on the Balinese Caka Calendar and noted it in the sheets provided. Oral data were obtained from three informants who wrestled with the Ala Ayuning Dewasa on the Balinese Caka Calendar through interviews. The results showed that (1) signifiers were formed from a combination of times called wewaran, wuku, and penanggal/pangelong, (2) there were 20 animal terms consisting of 9 forms of noun phrases, and 11 simple clauses, (3) signifiers and signifieds have a connotation relationship, (4) signifieds are complex which means that one signified can have the meaning of good das, bad day,  good and bad days, even one signifier can have up to 5 meanings. This research is a sound guide for Hindus in Bali to discover the meaning of the relationship between animal signifiers and their signifieds in the  Ala Ayuning Dewasa on the Balinese Caka Calendar.