bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weight control in the population with overweight and obesity: A real-world prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhu Hui , Peng Miao , Lu Chenxia , Zhang Jia , Lv Yi , Xu Xi , Huang Jingjing , Wang Jingzhi , Ouyang Kani , Xiao Mingzhong , Li Xiaodong
Published: November 2023

Background:
The World Health Organization defines overweight and obesity as chronic metabolic diseases that can lead to various chronic noncommunicable diseases and a reduced lifespan. However, apart from lifestyle interventions, there is currently no clear clinical evidence for the long-term efficacy of drugs and weight loss interventions in this population. Moreover, little is known about the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine interventions in patients who are overweight or obese, the population most likely to benefit from weight loss, and the factors that influence the effectiveness of weight loss. Therefore, this study explored the clinical efficacy of comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine interventions in patients who are overweight or obese.
Methods:
This prospective cohort study will prospectively collect case information and conducted a long-term follow-up of the enrolled patients. Patients who were overweight or obese patients will be recruited for long-term follow-up. This study aims to observe the effects of various exposure factors, represented by comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine interventions, on weight loss outcomes in participants who are overweight or obese. The primary outcome measure is a statistically significant weight loss of at least 5% relative to baseline. The rates of waist and hip circumference improvements and incidence of obesity-related complications will also be assessed.
Discussion:
Through a cohort study design, this project aims to achieve a long-term follow-up of patients, observe the long-term efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, and systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine through indicators such as the percentage of weight change and relapse rate. This project will elucidate the complex features of metabolic disorders using clinical-molecular network characteristics and reveal the metabolic disruption mechanisms and biological implications of different subtypes of overweight/obesity from a microbial perspective.
Trial registration:
The study was prospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2200063127)
The potential prognostic value of Cartilage acidic protein 1 and secretoglobin family 1D member 1 in prostate cancer
Authors: Sokhangouy Saeideh Khorshid , Asadnia Alireza , Negahbanzaferanloo Zhara , Hanaie Reyhane , Ghorbani Elnaz , Lagzian Elmira , Tabari Masoomeh , Akbarzade Hamed , Fiuji Hamid , Khazaei Majid , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Al-Hayawi Ibrahim Saeed , Nassiri Mohammadreza , Ferns Gordon A , Lam Alfred King-yin , Batra Jyotsna , Nazari Elham , Avan Amir
Published: November 2023

Background
Prostate cancer is a prevalent malignancy with a broad range of clinical outcomes, necessitating improved prognostic biomarkers for precise patient stratification and personalized treatment. This study leverages machine learning techniques to identify and validate novel prognostic biomarkers using DNAseq and RNAseq data for prostate cancer.
Methods
Whole genome sequencing and gene expression profiling in patients were used from TCGA to identify DEGs and genetic alterations. Next, deep learning was utilized to determine key genes. Gene Ontology, Reactom, GSEA, and Human Disease Ontology were employed to study the involved biological process and pathways. Survival analysis of patients with prostate cancer with reference on dysregulated genes was conducted using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. The STRING database was used to build a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Moreover, candidate genes were subjected to machine learning -based analysis and the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results
We identified a total of 609 DEGs in patients, of which 358 were downregulated and 251 were upregulated. Deep learning results identified 20 genes, and these were combined with the analysis of DNA-seq. Survival analysis of patients with prostatic cancer showed that dysregulated expression of ASB12, BLOC1S1, CRTAC1, KCNQ1, KISS1, M2T2A, RNF207, SCGB1D1, SLC13A2, SORBS1, TGFBR3, WSCD2, ANFKFY1, CRYBA4, MIR204, QRFP, SNX15, and YWHAH genes were related with a poor clinical prognosis. The combio-ROC curve analysis reveals ed that TGFRB3, SCGB1D1 and CRTAC1 were potential diagnostic biomarkers with a great higher sensitivity and AUC than currently available biomarkers. Also, the combination of SCGB1D1 and CRTAC1 demonstrated the greatest accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity towards diagnostic applications. The potential value of these markers was validated in six other datasets.
Conclusion
Our findings demonstrated the potential value of SCGB1D1 and CRTAC1 as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer which had a higher AUC, sensitivity, and specificity compared to PSA, indicating further functional investigations on the potential value of emerging markers in prostate cancer.
Involvement of Interlukin-17A (IL-17A) Gene Polymorphism and Interlukin-23 (IL-23) level in the Development of Peri-Implantitis
Authors: Talib Ehab , Taha Ghada
Published: November 2023

Background Dental implantation has been practiced since ancient times and has gone through several stages. Dentists use dental implants to support dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, dentures, face prostheses, or as an orthodontic anchor. Thus, the purpose of this study to detect the role of the immune-genetic variation of IL-17A and related inflammatory cytokine (IL-23) in the initiation and progress of peri implantitis.Material and Methods This cross-sectional study included 80 subjects (15 peri-implantitis patients, 35 successful implants, and 30 healthy controls); their mean age was (43.91 ± 11.33) years. Blood samples were collected from all subjects (patients with peri-implantitis, successful implants, and healthy controls) attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Dental College Teaching Hospital, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq. The blood sample detects gene polymorphisms in interleukin-17A by a polymerase chain reaction. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to estimate the Peri-implant sulcus fluid levels of interleukin-23.Result The current study revealed an obvious significant elevation in the mean level of interleukin-23 in the peri-implantitis patient's group more than its level in the successful implant and control groups (P˂ 0.05). In addition, the result showed that A/A genotype is associated significantly with peri-implantitis OR (95%confidence interval) = 6.9 (1.7121 to 27.4638) folds increase risk of peri-implantitis) (p = 0.0065), while G/A genotype had OR 4.9 (0.9539 to 24.9394) folds increased risk of peri-implantitis, (p = 0.0572). But it was not statistically significant and G/G genotype had a one-fold increase risk of peri-implantitis.Conclusion The increased level of inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-23) might add to the systemic inflammatory burden a predisposing factor, which may lead to impaired osseointegration and subsequent bone loss or implant failure. In addition, IL-17A gene polymorphism may play a role in peri-implant disease susceptibility, especially in persons carrying the rs2275913 A allele at a higher risk of developing peri-implantitits as compared with those carrying the G allele.
Pharmacovigilance of nephrotoxic drugs in neonates: the Pottel method for renal signal detection in ELBW neonates
Authors: Dumoulin Mathilde , Pottel Hans , Mekahli Djalila , Laenen Annouschka , Smits Anne , Allegaert Karel
Published: November 2023

Background
Extreme low birth weight (ELBW) neonates (birth weight ≤ 1000 grams) are at high-risk to develop drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). However, we lack a pragmatic detection tool to capture their time-dependent (patho)physiologic serum creatinine (Scr) patterns. Pottel et al. suggested rescaling Scr by dividing Scr with the mean Scr-value of the age and sex specific reference population. We therefore explored if this Pottel method can detect drug-related nephrotoxic signals in ELBW neonates.
Methods
A previously used dataset on Scr changes in ELBW neonates exposed to ibuprofen, amikacin or vancomycin was updated to calculate Pottel scores for every available Scr value in the first 28 postnatal days. We hereby used already published postnatal age specific 50th centile values in an ELBW population. Linear mixed models were subsequently applied, analyzing Pottel scores as response variable and continuous time (day), drug exposure, and interaction thereof in the explanatory model.
Results
3231 Scr observations in 201 ELBW neonates were collected. A statistically significant rise of Pottel scores was observed with ibuprofen treatment starting from postnatal day 4. In addition, a cumulative effect of treatment with mean Pottel scores on day 0 of 1.020 and on day 3 during treatment of 1.106 (95% CI 1.068–1.145, p < 0.001) was observed, when corrected for effect of antibiotics. Antibiotic administrations showed a small but statistical significant difference up to postnatal day 5.
Conclusions
As rescaled Scr biomarker, the Pottel method showed a clear signal in ibuprofen-exposed ELBW neonates, suggesting its applicability as pragmatic bedside tool to assess nephrotoxicity.
Comparing Clomiphene-Primed Ovarian Stimulation and Mid-Luteal GnRH Agonist Protocols: A Cumulative Live Birth Rate and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in a Single- Center Retrospective Study with Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Li Yanhui , Luo Dan , Li Tao , Ding Hui , Liu Yi
Published: November 2023

The decline in assisted reproductive technology (ART) success among older women, attributed to decreased oocyte quantity and quality, poses a significant challenge. Currently, no consensus exists on the optimal ovarian stimulation protocol for older women undergoing IVF. This retrospective registered cohort study aimed to compare cumulative live birth rates (CLBR), time to live birth (TTLB), and cost-effectiveness in women over 35 years using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) or clomiphene-primed ovarian stimulation (CPOS). We performed propensity score matching (PSM) on 2,871 IVF cycles in women over 35 who received either GnRHa or CPOS protocols, resulting in 375 cycles in each group to compare treatment outcomes. Additionally, a decision tree model was utilized to assess the cost-effectiveness of the two protocols. Following PSM, both groups showed similar baseline characteristics. The CPOS protocol exhibited a higher cycle cancellation rate (13.07% vs 8.00%, p=0.032), yet maintained comparable fertilization and embryo quality. While CLBRs per initial cycle (41.07% vs. 45.33%, p=0.269) and delivery outcomes were similar between the groups after a 24-month follow-up, TTLB was longer in the CPOS group. Notably, the average cost per live birth in the CPOS group was 21.27% less than that in the GnRHa group (￥32,301.42 vs ￥ 39,174.22). In conclusion, for women over 35 undergoing IVF, the CPOS protocol demonstrated similar CLBR to GnRHa but with lower costs, suggesting its potential as a viable and cost-efficient ovarian stimulation option.
Clinical trial registration
https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier [ChiCTR2300076537].
Clinical Features and Vaccine Efficacy Analysis of COVID-19 patients in a Chongqing Shelter hospital in 2022
Authors: luo yining , Zhao Mei , Zhao Xingyu , Qiao Yanwen , Wu tingting , Gao Yanxia , Liu Weiwei , Ren Yi
Published: November 2023

Background
The long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on many aspects of society emphasizes the necessity of vaccination and nucleic acid conversion time as markers of prevention and diagnosis. However, little research has been conducted on the immunological effects of vaccines and the influencing factors of virus clearance. Epidemiological characteristics and factors related to disease prognosis and nucleic acid conversion time need to be explored.
Design and participants:
We reviewed published documentation to create an initial draft. The data were then statistically evaluated to determine their link. Given that a Chongqing shelter hospital is typical in terms of COVID-19 patients receiving hospital management and treatment effects, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 4,557 cases of COVID-19 infection in a shelter hospital in Chongqing in December 2022, which comprised 2,291 males and 2,266 females. The variables included age, medical history, nucleic acid conversion time, vaccination status, and clinical symptoms.
Results
Univariate survival analysis using the Log-rank test (P < 0.05) showed that factors such as age significantly affected nucleic acid conversion time. COX regression analysis indicated a significant association between a history of hypertension and nucleic acid conversion time, which had a hazard ratio of 0.897 (95% CI: 0.811–0.992). A statistically significant difference was observed between vaccinated and unvaccinated infected individuals in terms of the presence of symptoms such as cough and sensory system manifestations (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The effect of vaccination against COVID-19 on symptoms such as coughing, nasal congestion, muscle aches, runny nose, and sensory system symptoms in COVID-19 patients was determined. Typical symptoms, such as runny nose, were generally higher in vaccinated than in unvaccinated ones; previous hypertension was an influential factor in nucleic acid conversion time in patients with COVID-19 infection.
Exploring Challenges in Accessing Primary Healthcare for Pregnant Women in Pakistan: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Khan Bushra Asif Ali , Mahmood Humaira , Ahmed Jawaria Mukhtar , Anwar Bushra , Muhammad Ameer , Jabeen Rawshan
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Maternal and newborn mortality are pressing global health concerns, with the Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 (SDGs) aiming to improve these outcomes however the poor quality of care in health facilities is a significant barrier to utilizing ANC services in Pakistan. Thus, this study aimed to understand the barriers to the underutilization of antenatal care (ANC) services in Tehsil Hazro, Punjab, Pakistan, from the perspective of pregnant women.
Method: The study employed four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 36 pregnant women who had attended at least three ANC visits. Data was collected through purposive sampling and analyzed using Nvivo 12, maintaining rigor through Guba and Lincoln's principles.
Result: The findings revealed three key themes. First, women often made the decision to seek care with support from their spouse, family, and lady health workers, emphasizing the importance of their decision-making autonomy. Financial constraints did not deter them from accessing healthcare services. Second, delays in reaching healthcare facilities were attributed to long distances, travel time, and associated costs. Additionally, women lacked awareness of danger signs and the importance of timely medical help. Lastly, delays in receiving quality care were linked to the unavailability of healthcare personnel, staff attitudes, insufficient medicines and equipment, and a lack of referral services.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this descriptive study underscores the necessity of providing affordable, accessible, and responsive maternal and child healthcare. To address these issues, stakeholders, including policymakers, the Ministry of Health, public health experts, and maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) providers, must prioritize MNCH initiatives and reforms. Their collaborative efforts are vital for translating MNCH policies into effective community-level strategies.
Turbulent Flow across a clearing-forest transition: A Large Eddy Simulation Study
Authors: Pinheiro Luis Aramis dos Reis , Mendes Rafael Castilho Faria , de Siqueira Mário Benjamim Baptista , Brasil Antônio Cesar Pinho
Published: November 2023

Forest fragmentation leads to changes in scalar concentration and momentum fluxes. These changes create superficial heterogeneity in forests, affecting mass, energy, and meteorological flows across various spatial scales. The abrupt alteration of canopy roughness from clearing-to-forest wind flow triggers instabilities downstream of the forest border, revealing the significant contribution of advective flows.
Current methodologies investigate canopy flows with idealized foliage distribution, using the same Leaf Area Index as the experimental data. In these experiments, leaf density is typically higher near the top of the canopy. To simulate clearing-to-forest wind flow, we employ Large Eddy Simulation (LES) with momentum drag dependent on foliage density. The maximum value of this drag occurs at the middle of the forest height (0.5h). Our results demonstrate a well-adjusted turbulent profile downstream of the forest. Near the border, increased skewness at the top and in the middle of the canopy indicates a large variability in the wind field. At the top of the canopy, we find maximum vertical momentum fluxes, and at z=0.5h, positive values indicate downward fluxes. Within the canopy, the dominant structures are sweeps, representing gust events responsible for momentum flux transport from the wind to the forest. Despite the profiles being well-resolved in the clearing and deep into the forest, close to the border, high levels of turbulence create instabilities, increasing uncertainty in LES simulations. To address this, it is necessary to refine the clearing fetch dimension and inflow boundary conditions.
WITHDRAWN: Behavioral strategies of actors in food safety social co-governance: Analysis of a four-party evolutionary game
Authors: WU Linhai
Published: November 2023

Effective food safety governance relies on a social co-governance system involving multiple actors coordinating with each other. In this system, social forces composed of news media and consumers, and so on are a third-sector force that corrects government and market failures. Accordingly, this study constructs a model for the four-party evolutionary game among food companies, government agencies, news media, and consumers. The system equilibrium points are calculated and verified by Matlab numerical simulation. In addition, the impact of changes in behavioral strategies by each actor on the system evolution path is investigated. The results show that the four-party game system has three equilibrium points: {safe production, strict regulation, no coverage, participation in co-governance}, {risky production, strict regulation, coverage, participation in co-governance}, and {safe production, strict regulation, coverage, participation in co-governance}. If the input costs of government agencies exceed a critical value, the agencies will be unable to afford the high regulatory costs and have reduced motivation for strict regulation; consequently, food companies will tend to adopt risky production behaviors. The probability of food companies adopting safe production behaviors increases with the increased probability of media coverage being true. Media coverage with a low probability of being true has no deterrent effect on corporate violations. Moreover, it may even hinder regulation by government agencies by increasing the cost to verify the coverage, thus resulting in increased corporate violations. Therefore, government agencies need to improve the regulatory model and consumer rights protection mechanism to reduce the costs of strict regulation and media coverage investigation. It is also important to enhance the regulation of news media to ensure accurate coverage. In addition, government agencies need to provide consumers with optimal incentives to encourage their participation in co-governance, which also helps control the cost of government regulation.
Replenishment of Drosophila Male Pheromone After Mating
Authors: FERVEUR JEAN-FRANÇOIS , CORTOT JÉRÔME , MOUSSIAN BERNARD , COBB MATTHEW , EVERAERTS CLAUDE
Published: November 2023

Insects exocrine gland products can be involved in sexual communication, defense, territory labelling, aggregation and alarm. In the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster the ejaculatory bulb synthesizes and releases 11-cis-Vaccenyl acetate (cVa). This pheromone, transferred to the female during copulation, affects aggregation, courtship and male-male aggressive behaviors. To determine the time-course of cVa replenishment, males of a control laboratory strain and from the desat1 pheromone-defective mutant strain were allowed to mate successively with several females. We measured mating frequency, duration and latency, the amount of cVa transferred to mated females and the residual cVa in tested males. Mating duration remained constant with multiple matings, but we found that the amount of cVa transferred to females declined with multiple matings, indicating that, over short, biologically-relevant periods, replenishment of the pheromone does not keep up with mating frequency, resulting in the transfer of varying quantities of cVa. Adult responses to cVa are affected by early developmental exposure to this pheromone; our revelation of quantitative variation in the amount of cVa transferred to females in the event of multiple matings by a male suggests variable responses to cVa shown by adults produced by such matings. This implies that the natural role of this compound may be richer than suggested by strictly-controlled laboratory experiments.
Research on the performance of Inconel 718 ultrasonic vibration-assisted short electric arc milling composite machining
Authors: Ding Shengwei , Zhou Jianping , Wang Bingbing , Wang Zijian , Zhou Bisheng
Published: November 2023

A new method of ultrasonic vibration-assisted short electric arc machining is proposed to improve the machining quality of workpieces in response to abnormal discharge phenomena such as short circuits, partial discharge, and secondary discharge caused by particle bridges formed between electrodes and workpieces due to poor chip removal in ordinary short electric arc machining. After regular short electric arc and composite processing, the workpiece's macroscopic characteristics and microscopic morphology were compared through experiments. After processing, the surface morphology, roughness, and elemental energy spectrum were detected and analyzed using ultra-depth field, electron scanning, and other methods. The results showed that the surface morphology of the workpiece after the coupling of two particular machining technologies changed, and the surface patterns showed disorder and uniformity under ultrasonic action. The number of electrical corrosion pits and surface microcracks significantly decreased, the thickness of the recast layer decreased by more than twice, and the surface roughness decreased by more than 16%, with a maximum reduction of more than twice. At the same time, the surface elements of the material were modified. This provides a new approach for developing short electric arc technology to improve processing quality, material modification, and technological coupling.
Association between systemic inflammatory response index and abdominal aortic calcification
Authors: Shen Yishi , Zhou Shujing , Wu Chuhan , Huang Xufeng
Published: November 2023

Background
Systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), a valuable marker which indicates the inflammatory condition in the human body, has drawn more attention recently. Nevertheless, the correlation between SIRI and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has never been reported. The aim of this study was to explore the association between SIRI and AAC.
Methods
We utilized cross-sectional data sourced from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in this study. Multivariable linear regression models were employed to investigate the independent association between AAC and SIRI. Interaction test and subgroup analysis were conducted as well. Fitted smoothing curves were also applied to depict the nonlinear relationship.
Results
3047 representative participants > 40 years of age were included in this study. Those in the higher quartile of SIRI demonstrated a tendency toward higher mean AAC scores and an elevated risk of severe AAC. A positive correlation emerged between SIRI and ACC scores, as well as the risk of severe AAC (β = 0.18, 95% CI 0.01–0.35; OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.01–1.51) in the fully adjusted model. No significant dependence on the correlation of SIRI and AAC was revealed by the subgroup analysis and interaction tests.
Conclusion
Our investigation revealed a positive association between SIRI and AAC. This suggests that SIRI could be a potential clinical marker for identifying the presence and severity of AAC.
Development and implementation of a novel split-wise model to predict the cutting forces in milling of Al2024 for minimum error
Authors: Heitz Thomas , He Ning , Jamil Muhammad , Bachrathy Daniel
Published: November 2023

This research study is devoted to propose a newly developed split-wise model to predict the cutting forces. The proof-of-the-study is achieved by implementing this model in milling Al2024 for the minimum error. The developed model is based on the classical shifted linear model used in the published literature. This model includes the calculation of the milling tool considering individual teeth, which leads to the determination of 6 force coefficients of different values per tooth. The experiments were conducted on milling Al2024 for two set of experiments (Vfz = 375-675 m/min, ae = 4-12 mm, ap = 0.5-1 mm, D =16 mm) and (Vfz = 220-440 m/min, ae = 0.5- 1 mm, ap = 0.5-1mm, D =2 mm). For the first set, the comparative error determined from the split-wise and classic models is 5.6% and 7.8%, respectively. For the second set, the error is 11% and 15.7%, respectively. Therefore, the use of the split-wise model is highly recommended for the prediction of the cutting force at low tool diameters. The study findings have shown the great capacity of the model to adapt to the runout, especially at low-scale milling where the spindle runout is amplified. Currently, the proposed study uses the optimal force coefficients, which were minimized via a cost function process.
pysentimiento: A Python Toolkit for Opinion Mining and Social NLP tasks
Authors: Perez Juan Manuel , Rajngewerc Mariela , Giudici Juan Carlos , Furman Damián Ariel , Luque Franco , Alemany Laura Alonso , Martínez María Vanina
Published: November 2023

In recent years, the extraction of opinions and information from user-generated text has attracted a lot of interest, largely due to the unprecedented volume of content in Social Media. However, social researchers face some issues in adopting cutting-edge tools for these tasks, as they are usually behind commercial APIs, unavailable for other languages than English, or very complex to use for non-experts. To address these issues, we present pysentimiento, a comprehensive multilingual Python toolkit designed for opinion mining and other Social NLP tasks. This open-source library brings state-of-the-art models for Spanish, English, Italian, and Portuguese in an easy-to-use Python library, allowing researchers to leverage these techniques. We present a comprehensive assessment of performance for several pre-trained language models across a variety of tasks, languages, and datasets, including an evaluation of fairness in the results.
Evaluation of GLOBE and UK-PBC Scores and Long- Term Outcomes in Primary Biliary Cholangitis Complicated with CREST Syndrome
Authors: Abe Kazumichi , Hayashi Manabu , Sugaya Tatsuro , Abe Naoto , Takahata Yosuke , Fujita Masashi , Takahashi Atsushi , Migita Kiyoshi , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: November 2023

Aim
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is frequently associated with autoimmune disease. Although there have been some reports of PBC complicated with CREST syndrome (PBC-CREST), the long-term prognosis of these patients has not been fully investigated. Herein, the long-term prognosis of PBC-CREST was compared with that of PBC alone using GLOBE and UK-PBC scores.
Methods
A total of 302 patients diagnosed with PBC between December 1990 and August 2021 at our hospital and related institutions were included. The survival rates without liver transplantation (LT) were compared between patients with PBC-CREST (n = 57) and those with PBC alone (n = 245). Moreover, 173 patients were divided into two groups (PBC-CREST (n = 26) and PBC alone (n = 147)), excluding those with LT/liver-related death within 1 year after ursodeoxycholic acid administration; GLOBE and UK-PBC scores were compared.
Results
The survival rates without LT (3/5/10 years) were 98%/96%/96% for the PBC-CREST group and 92%/87%/80% for the PBC-alone group, with a significantly better prognosis in the PBC-CREST group (log-rank, P = 0.0172). The predicted liver-related death and LT risk (5/10/15 years) based on the UK-PBC score was significantly lower in the PBC-CREST group (2.4%/7.6%/13.2%) than in the PBC-alone group (4.8%/11.8%/18.8%; P < 0.05). The predicted LT-free survival (3/5 years) based on the GLOBE score was significantly higher in the PBC-CREST group (93%/88%) than in the PBC-alone group (88%/81%; P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of CREST syndrome is an independent protective factor for the presence of cirrhosis.
Conclusions
PBC-CREST may have a better long-term prognosis than PBC alone.
Fibroblast growth factor-18 promotes chondrocyte differentiation and plays a protective role in osteoarthritis
Authors: Li Jiayi , Zuo Jianhong
Published: November 2023

Background
Fibroblast growth factor18 (FGF18) is a synthetic growth factor that is associated with osteogenesis, chondrogenesis and articular cartilage repair. However, the exact mechanism is still unknown. In this work, we investigated the specific effects of FGF18 on chondrocyte differentiation and osteoarthritis (OA) development.
Methods
Recombinant FGF18 adenovirus (Ad-FGF18) was constructed to achieve instantaneous efficient expression. Chondrocyte progenitor cells were infected with Ad-FGF18 and subjected to chondrocyte differentiation. Alcian blue staining and chondrocyte differentiation markers’ qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the status of chondrocyte differentiation. Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery was used to construct the OA model. Ad-GFP or Ad-FGF18 was intra-articular injected once a week for 6 weeks. The knee joints were harvested for histological examination.
Results
FGF18 promoted chondrocyte differentiation by increasing the expression of Sox6, Col2 (Collagen type Ⅱ) and Acan (Aggrecan). In the knee joint of Ad-FGF18 intra-articular injected, there was little cartilage degradation, increased protein levels of COL2 and ACAN, and decreased protein levels of ADAMTS5 (a disintegrin and metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5) and MMP13 (matrix metalloproteinase 13).
Conclusions
Our findings reveal that FGF18 promotes the differentiation of chondrocytes and protects articular cartilage from degradation during OA development. This finding provides a potential novel therapeutic approach for cartilage regeneration and treatment of osteoarthritis.
Rosai-Dorfman Disease Manifesting as a Solitary Mass With Fat in the Thymus
Authors: Liu Dan , Liu Xia , Liu Yi Sha , Zhou Chao Xin
Published: November 2023

Background
Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, also known as Rosai-Dorfman disease, is a rare, self-limiting disease predominantly affects children and young adults. Moreover, the disease is characterized by painless bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy in 95% of the patients. However, few reports are available on the Rosai-Dorfman disease of the thymus.
Case presentation:
We report a rare case of thymic Rosai-Dorfman disease detected using computed tomography. During a medical examination, a 50-year-old man underwent a chest computed tomography scan, which revealed an anterior mediastinal single mass with fat in the thymus. A thymectomy was performed to completely remove the tumor using a thoracoscopic technique due to a clinical suspicion of thymoma. Furthermore, Rosai-Dorfman disease was confirmed using histological and immunohistochemical analyses.
Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, this is the sixth case of thymus-affecting solitary Rosai-Dorfman disease with histological and immunohistochemical evidence. Fat in the thymus, as was present in this case, has never been described in Rosai-Dorfman disease previously. Our results highlight the challenge of diagnosing this uncommon tumor before surgery, and more cases need to be reported to help with the preoperative diagnosis of such a rare tumor.
Variation of the Vibrational Treatment on Mechanical Properties and Weld Residual Stress
Authors: Serrati Douglas Silva Marques , Silva Ricardo Martins , de Souza Daniel Dominices Baía Gomes , Wiezel Jonas Guilherme Gomes , Cunha Danilo Batista da , Araújo Douglas Bezerra , Vilarinho Louriel Oliveira
Published: November 2023

There are several ways to relieve welding residual stresses. The most commonly used and the only standardized method is the post weld heat treatment. However, this method is time-consuming and costly, which necessitates exploring other approaches that can ensure satisfactory results in a faster and more economical manner. In this context, relief of residual stresses through vibration has been gradually adopted by the industry. Therefore, this study aims to relieve welding residual stresses in thick plates to evaluate whether the position of the excitation source, whether parallel or coincident with the welded plates, influences the expected results. Additionally, it seeks to determine whether the best results are obtained when vibration stress relief is performed simultaneously with welding or after the completion of the process. Furthermore, the results of residual stress measurements using the blind-hole method are provided, and mechanical tests are conducted to determine the influence of these processes on mechanical properties. The results indicated that vibration performed after welding is more efficient and the position of the vibration motor has a significant influence on the results. Furthermore, it was observed that the stress relief process only impacted toughness, without significantly altering other mechanical properties.
125I brachytherapy as consolidative local therapy for patients with synchonous oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer without progression after first-line chemotherapy plus PD-1 inhibitors treatment：A retrospective observational study
Authors: Meng Wang , Du Kepu , Li Shuai , Li Yadan , Gao Fei , Gao Mengyu , Chen Yanlin , Zhu Meiju , Zhou Zhigang
Published: November 2023

Purpose The aim was to investigate the safety and efficacy of 125I brachytherapy as consolidative local therapy for patients with synchonous oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (sOM-NSCLC) without progression after first-line chemotherapy plus PD-1 inhibitors treatment consolidative percutaneous.
Materials and Methods We retrospective analyzed 38 patients (31 male [81.6%], 7 women [18.4%], median age 66 years,range:[47-77 years] ) with sOM-NSCLC without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genetic aberrations, who were treated with first-line chemotherapy plus PD-1inhibitors 4-6 cycles followed by consolidative CT-guided 125I brachytherapy and maintenance therapy with PD-1 inhibitors in our hospital between June 2020 to June 2022 . Treatment efficacy and adverse events were evaluated.
Results At the cutoff date of December 2022, the median follow-up time was 16.5 months (range: 7-28 months). 26 patients had progressive disease (PD) and 6 patients had died, the median progression free survival (mPFS) was 17.0 months (95% CI, 12.0-22.0 months). 1 patient had complete response (CR), 26 patients had partial response (PR), 10 patients had stable disease (SD), 1 patient had progressive disease (PD). The best objective response rate (ORR) was 71.1%. Patients with PD-L1 positive cancers and 1-3 metastatic lesions had longer PFS than patients with PD-L1 negative and 4-5 metastatic lesions (18.0 months vs 12 months, p=0.038) and (17.0 months vs 9 months, p=0.010 ). The lymph node stage was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (19 months vs 9 months, p=0.002).
Conclusion 125I brachytherapy is a safe, feasible and valuable consolidative treatment for consideration in patients with sOM-NSCLC after first line chemotherapy plus PD-1 inhibitors treatment.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic continent cutaneous urinary diversion in a single- center study; surgical technique and outcomes
Authors: Loubersac Thomas , Lavallée Etienne , Reiss Benedicte , Lefort Marc , Kieny Pierre , Leclair Marc-David , Rigaud Jérôme , Normand Loic Le , Perrouin-Verbe Brigitte , Lefevre Chloe , Perrouin-Verbe Marie-aimée
Published: November 2023

Introduction:
Robot assisted laparoscopic cutaneous continent urinary diversion (RALCCUD) has been shown to be feasible; however, data on clinical outcomes in adults are lacking.
Materials & Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study of all adults who underwent RALCCUD between 2017 and 2022 at a single tertiary reference center.
Participant characteristics, clinical information and perioperative outcomes were recorded. All participants underwent pre and postoperative urodynamic evaluations.
Functional outcomes were evaluated at 3 months, then yearly. Continence was defined as no stomal or urethral leakage.
Results:
Twelve patients, mostly women (n=11), median (IQR) age 47.4 (19-57) years underwent RALCCUD (4 Mitrofanoff, 4 Yang-Monti and 4 Casale). The main indication for surgery was inability to perform intermittent self-catheterization through the native urethra.
Eleven patients (92%) had neurogenic lower urinary tract disease caused by spinal cord injury or spinal dysraphism.
Median (IQR) operative time was 313 (285-367) min. Four patients (33%) underwent concomitant procedures: 3 supra-trigonal cystectomy with augmentation cystoplasty and 1 artificial urinary sphincter. No conversions to an open approach were required. Median (IQR) follow-up was 42.9 (34-53) months. One early postoperative complication occurred (Clavien grade III). The late postoperative complication rate was 17%, with 3 complications occurring in 2 patients.
At the last follow up, all patients could self-catheterize through the tube, and the stomal and urethral continence rate was 100%.
Conclusion:
RALCCUD is feasible and safe in adults, with a high rate of stomal and urethral continence and a low complication rate.
NK cell-triggered CCL5/IFNγ-CXCL9/10 axis underlies the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant anti-HER2 antibodies in breast cancer.
Authors: Santana-Hernández Sara , Suarez-Olmos Jesús , Servitja Sonia , Berenguer-Molins Pau , Costa-Garcia Marcel , Comerma Laura , Rea Anna , Perera-Bel Julia , menendez Slvia , Arpí Oriol , Bermejo Begoña , Cejalvo Juan Miguel , Martínez Maria Teresa , Comino-Mendez Iñaki , Pascual Javier , Alba Emilio , López-Botet Miguel , Rojo Federico , Albanell Joan , Rovira Ana , Muntasell Aura
Published: November 2023

Background
The variability in responses to neoadjuvant treatment with anti-HER2 antibodies prompts to personalized clinical management and the development of innovative treatment strategies. Tumor-infiltrating natural killer (TI-NK) cells can predict the efficacy of HER2-targeted antibodies independently from clinicopathological factors in primary HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Understanding the mechanism/s underlying this association would contribute to optimizing patient stratification and provide the rationale for combinatorial approaches with immunotherapy.
Methods
We sought to uncover processes enriched in NK cell-infiltrated tumors as compared to NK cell-desert tumors by microarray analysis. Findings were validated in clinical trial-derived transcriptomic data. In vitro and in vivo preclinical models were used for mechanistic studies. Findings were analysed in clinical samples (tumor and serum) from breast cancer patients.
Results
NK cell-infiltrated tumors were enriched in CCL5/IFNG-CXCL9/10 transcripts. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, IFNG levels underlie the association between TI-NK cells and pathological complete response to neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab. Mechanistically, the production of IFN-ɣ by CD16 + NK cells triggered the secretion of CXCL9/10 from cancer cells. This effect was associated to tumor growth control and the conversion of CD16 + into CD16-CD103 + NK cells in humanized in vivo models. In human breast tumors, the CD16 and CD103 markers identified lineage-related NK cell subpopulations capable of producing CCL5 and IFN-ɣ, which correlated with tissue-resident CD8 + T cells. Finally, an early increase in serum CCL5/CXCL9 levels identified patients with NK cell-rich tumors showing good responses to anti-HER2 antibody-based neoadjuvant treatment.
Conclusions
This study identifies specialized NK cell subsets as the source of IFN-ɣ influencing the clinical efficacy of anti-HER2 antibodies. It also reveals the potential of serum CCL5/CXCL9 as biomarkers for identifying patients with NK cell-rich tumors and favorable responses to anti-HER2 antibody-based neoadjuvant treatment.
A mutation in CACNA1F gene found by Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and in silico analysis in an Iranian family with consanguineous relationships
Authors: Omarmeli Vahid , Sharafshah Alireza , Levandrowski Kai-Uwe , Faizmahdavi Hanieh , Darabi Parichehr , Amiri Amir , Assefi Marjan , Mansouri Nasrin
Published: November 2023

During a premarital study of a family-related couple, some exonic mutations in different genes under autosomal recessive and X-linked genetic inheritances were observed in the female case. After genetic counseling, DNA was extracted from the blood of the men and women, and then the Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) technique was used to look for possible pathogenic mutations in the two individuals. Also, after drawing the couple's pedigree, candidate mutations were examined in the woman's parents as well as her uncles. For further investigations, in silico analyses were performed through SWISS-MODEL, MolProbity, ProSA, PyMol, and FATCAT tools. The most important mutation which was diagnosed in the woman (R1362Q mutation in the 35th exon of CACNA1F), was observed in her mother and her two uncles. The mutation was also screened in both her father and her fiancé, but they had no mutations. After medical examinations of carriers, there was no sign of any eye impairment. Other mutations were TCTN2 (c.1613-2A > G), TARS (p.K319E), SPEG (p.E3020K), CPS1 (p.A1180V), MYO3A (p.I736M), NNT (p.R968Q), MED23 (p.K406T). Bioinformatics analyses indicated no alteration in the mutant structure of CACNA1F (Q1362) compared with the normal structure (R1362). Conclusively, the current study emphasizes the non-pathogenic effect of missense mutation R1362Q in the 35th exon of CACNA1F in association with ocular diseases. This will ensure the reports of this mutation as healthy instead of uncertain in the literature and databanks.
Exploring EFL Teachers' Perceptions Towards Implementing Task-Based Language Teaching in Teaching Grammar in Abu Dhabi/UAE
Authors: Abidi Suzan Al , Alabedi Farah , Bouzenoun Abdeldjalil , Owais Amjad , Zaitoun Eman
Published: November 2023

This qualitative case study was conducted in two private schools in Abu Dhabi/United Arab Emirates to explore EFL teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of implementing Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) in teaching grammar. In addition, this research aimed to investigate the challenges towards TBLT implementation in EFL classrooms. To collect the qualitative data, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 EFL primary teachers and observed 16 language lessons. Willis’ (1996) model of TBLT and Vygotsky’s (1986) sociocultural theory were used as theoretical frameworks to get a holistic picture of TBLT implementation in teaching grammar. The researcher employed thematic analysis to generate themes. Two themes emerged for research question one: what are EFL teachers’ perceptions of using TBLT in teaching grammar? (communicative use of language and stress-free environment), and two themes emerged for research question two: what are the perceived challenges the implementation of TBLT poses for EFL teachers in teaching grammar? (lack of meaningful input and time allocation). Finally, some limitations, as well as recommendations, were addressed based on the main results of this qualitative research.
Lenvatinib plus TACE versus Sorafenib plus TACE for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Luyao , Liu Haonan , Pan Di , Qin Xiaobing , Gao Ying , Ma Xiao , Yu Aoyang , Liu Duanjiao , Zhang Xinran , Han Zhengxiang
Published: November 2023

Objective
The goal of this systematic review was to compare the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) versus sorafenib plus TACE.
Method
A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wangfangdate, and CBM. We computed pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time to progression (TTP). Additionally, we determined pooled risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% CIs to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events (AEs).
Result
The analysis comprised a total of 7 studies with 682 patients as the sample size. The results of our study indicate that the combination of lenvatinib and TACE demonstrated significantly improved OS (HR = 0.594, 95% CI: 0.484–0.730, p < 0.001), PFS (HR = 0.417, 95% CI: 0.302–0.574, p < 0.001), TTP (HR = 0.603, 95% CI: 0.442–0.824, p = 0.001), ORR (RR = 1.820, 95% CI: 1.272–2.605, p = 0.001), and DCR (RR = 1.333, 95% CI: 1.040–1.708, p = 0.023) compared to the combination of sorafenib and TACE in patients with advanced HCC. Additionally, there was no significant difference found in the overall adverse events of all-grade (RR = 1.054, 95% CI: 0.984–1.128, p = 0.136) and grade 3/4 (RR = 1.062, 95% CI: 0.875–1.289, p = 0.542) between the two groups.
Conclusion
Lenvatinib plus TACE improved OS, PFS, TTP, ORR, and DCR compared with sorafenib plus TACE in advanced HCC with an acceptable safety profile.
High-strength Self-compacting Concrete incorporating high dosage of Fly ash and Quarry dust
Authors: Lim Hung Ling , Mannan Mohammad Abdul , Fakhri Rana Shamseldeen , Dawood Eethar Thanon
Published: November 2023

Locally, conventional concrete is still created utilizing river sand and crushed stone as filer materials. The massive quarry dust by-product remain untapped in the production of concrete. The coal-fired power station produce significant quantities of Type F fly ash. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) provides many advantages for creating high-quality concrete. Consequently, the main objective of this research is to create a mix design for high-strength SCC utilizing a binary blends , hybrid fibers and fine aggregates that meet both hardened and fresh concrete characteristics. The study is conducted in amendment of w/b ratio, superplasticizer, proportion of fine aggregate to coarse aggregate, optimumal cement replacing by fly ash, dosage of low macro fibre and micro fibre. Mix-50c-X is the best mix design that was produced. The mix quantity for 1m3 concrete was 315 kg Class F fly ash , 315 kg OPC , 630 kg quarry dust, 508 kg river sand, 400 kg coarse aggregate , 0.7% superplasticizer,0.32 % w/b , 0.10% macro fiber, and 0.01% micro fiber. This SCC mixture showed fresh characteristics as well as compressive strengths of more than 22 MPa and 62 MPa after 1 day and 28 days, respectively. The results of high-strength SCC demonstrated the enormous potential for the local construction, especially precast product.