bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLOBAL BEST PRACTICES IN IMPLEMENTING ESG PRINCIPLES IN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Authors:   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, Zatonatskiy Dmytro
Published: May 2024

Introduction. As a result of technological progress during the 20th century. the rapid development of industry and world economic growth led to the deterioration of the ecological and social situation. A more conscious attitude to the impact of industrial development and global corporations on the welfare of the population has contributed to the emergence of a new investment concept, namely the ESG approach, which provides for environmental friendliness, social responsibility and corporate governance as the basis of the investment process. It is these non-financial factors that investors take into account when making informed decisions on risk management and the use of new opportunities. Problem Statement. More research is needed on the widespread adoption of ESG disclosure and reporting standards in individual countries and internationally. The extent to which ESG disclosures have an impact on third parties, as well as the ways in which ESG disclosures are determined by institutional settings and/or stakeholders, are important questions that the literature has only begun to address. The purpose of the article is to analyze and systematize different approaches to implementing ESG principles in the strategy of investors and companies. Methods. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, historical and logical methods, as well as the method of comparison were used to analyze the introduction of the ESG concept into the company's activities. Scientific methods of deduction, induction, comparison, and synthesis were used to assess the benefits of using the ESG and CSR concept. Results. The main approaches to the formation of investors' attitude to the ESG concept are considered. The main strategies for implementing ESG in the company's activities are identified. The main directions for further development of regulation of ESG implementation and standards, as well as reporting on their use by companies are substantiated. Conclusions. The consequences of ESG regulation for companies and investors are significant. Compliance with ESG rules is increasingly becoming a key issue for companies, and failure to comply with them can potentially lead to reputational damage and financial sanctions. It has been found that for some investors, ESG rules provide a framework for assessing the sustainability and social responsibility of potential investments, which can help increase a long-term value and reduce risks. Investors are increasingly looking for companies that comply with ESG best practices and rules as they seek to build portfolios that reflect their values and reduce the risks associated with sustainability issues.
DIFFERENCE IN THE REFLECTION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS UNDER IFRS AND NAS REPORTING ON THE EXAMPLE OF AGRARIAN FORMATIONS
Authors:   Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Marchuk Uliana , Yurlova Alona ,   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine
Published: May 2024

Introduction. Over the past ten years, significant changes and improvements have taken place in accounting and auditing, both in legislation and requirements for accounting and auditing. In particular, large enterprises should keep records under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and ideally reflect their performance in financial statements under IFRS forms. On the Balance Sheet of agricultural formations, one of the main assets is land, but since most enterprises rent it, there is a right to use land plots, which is an intangible asset. It is important for users of financial statements, who are interested in information in the field of land relations, to correctly understand the reflected names of articles and financial indicators in reporting. Problem Statement. Intangible assets are divided into different types and groups, but in the financial statements according to NAS for them there is only one article with the general title “Intangible assets.” In accordance with the requirements of IFRS, an entity has the possibility to divide types or groups of intangible assets into separate items. However, in Ukraine there is a problem of imperfection of financial reporting forms under IFRS, which requires in-depth study and wider disclosure of financial reporting items, including intangible assets. The purpose of the article is to distinguish differences between the reflection of financial indicators on intangible assets in the reporting forms under NAS and IFRS in agricultural formations and outline for users of financial statements advantages and disadvantages. Methods. General scientific methods of cognition and the study of phenomena and processes were used; statistical and economic methods of analysis - when summarizing and presenting information on financial indicators of intangible assets in reporting; comparison - when intangible assets are reflected in the financial statements under NAS and IFRS. Results. The article reflects the stages of formation of IFRS in Ukraine, focuses on the reflection of financial indicators in the NAS and IFRS reporting forms on the example of agricultural formations, their advantages and disadvantages, and characterizes the types of intangible assets. Conclusions. In the process of the research , the opinion was formed that the reflection of intangible assets under IFRS reporting is more detailed and informative than under NAS reporting.
Multiplexed detection of eight respiratory viruses based on nanozyme colorimetric microfluidic immunoassay
Authors: Wu Feng , Cai Defeng , Shi Xueying , Li Ping , Ma Lan
Published: May 2024

Pandemics caused by respiratory viruses, such as the SARS-CoV-1/2, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus, have resulted in serious consequences to humans and a large number of deaths. The detection of such respiratory viruses in the early stages of infection can help control diseases by preventing the spread of viruses. However, the diversity of respiratory virus species and subtypes, their rapid antigenic mutations, and the limited viral release during the early stages of infection pose challenges to their detection. This work reports a multiplexed microfluidic immunoassay chip for simultaneous detection of eight respiratory viruses with noticeable infection population, namely, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-CoV-2, human bocavirus, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, and human parainfluenza viruses. The nanomaterial of the nanozyme (Au@Pt nanoparticles) was optimized to improve labeling efficiency and enhance the detection sensitivity significantly. Nanozyme-binding antibodies were used to detect viral proteins with a limit of detection of 0.1 pg/mL with the naked eye and a microplate reader within 40 min. Furthermore, specific antibodies were screened against the conserved proteins of each virus in the immunoassay, and the clinical sample detection showed high specificity without cross reactivity among the eight pathogens. In addition, the microfluidic chip immunoassay showed high accuracy, as compared with the RT-PCR assay for clinical sample detection, with 97.2%/94.3% positive/negative coincidence rates. This proposed approach thus provides a convenient, rapid, and sensitive method for simultaneous detection of eight respiratory viruses, which is meaningful for the early diagnosis of viral infections. Significantly, it can be widely used to detect pathogens and biomarkers by replacing only the antigen-specific antibodies.
Brucellosis infection complicated with myelitis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Ma Xiaoyu , Wang Ying , Wu Qiong , Ma Xiaomei , Wang Qiang , Guo Qinghong
Published: May 2024

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a Gram-negative coccus a facultative intracellular pathogen. Neurobrucellosis has an incidence rate of 3-7% among all patients with brucellosis, while spinal cord involvement is rare and carries a significant mortality risk. This report describes a case of brucellosis myelitis in a 55-year-old male patient who presented with recurrent paralysis, incontinence, and damage to the visual and auditory nerves. The diagnosis of neurobrucellosis involves a serum tube agglutination test, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, a physical examination of the nervous system, and a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history. The presence of brucellosis was confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid using MetaCAP™ sequencing. Treatment with a combination of rifampicin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone sodium, amikacin, compound brain peptide ganglioside, and dexamethasone resulted in significant improvement of the patient’s clinical symptoms and a decrease in the brucellosis sequence count in cerebrospinal fluid. For the first time, MetaCAP™ sequencing has been used to treat pathogenic microbial nucleic acids, which could be a valuable tool for early diagnosis and treatment of neurobrucellosis.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin prevents ejection fraction reduction, reduces myocardial and renal NF-κB expression and systemic pro-inflammatory biomarkers in models of short-term doxorubicin cardiotoxicity
Authors: Quagliariello V. , Canale M. L. , Bisceglia I. , Iovine M. , Paccone A. , Maurea C. , Scherillo M. , Merola A. , Giordano V. , Palma G. , Luciano A. , Bruzzese F. , Zito Marino F. , Montella M. , Franco R. , Berretta M. , Gabrielli D. , Gallucci G. , Maurea N.
Published: May 2024

Background

Anthracycline-mediated adverse cardiovascular events are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) exert multiple cardiometabolic benefits in patients with/without type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction. We hypothesized that the SGLT2i dapagliflozin administered before and during doxorubicin (DOXO) therapy could prevent cardiac dysfunction and reduce pro-inflammatory pathways in preclinical models.

Methods

Cardiomyocytes were exposed to DOXO alone or combined with dapagliflozin (DAPA) at 10 and 100 nM for 24 h; cell viability, iATP, and Ca++ were quantified; lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy 2-hexenal), NLRP3, MyD88, and cytokines were also analyzed through selective colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Female C57Bl/6 mice were treated for 10 days with a saline solution or DOXO (2.17 mg/kg), DAPA (10 mg/kg), or DOXO combined with DAPA. Systemic levels of ferroptosis-related biomarkers, galectin-3, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and pro-inflammatory chemokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL17-α, IL-18, IFN-γ, TNF-α, G-CSF, and GM-CSF) were quantified. After treatments, immunohistochemical staining of myocardial and renal p65/NF-kB was performed.

Results

DAPA exerts cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in human cardiomyocytes exposed to DOXO by reducing iATP and iCa++ levels, lipid peroxidation, NLRP-3, and MyD88 expression. Pro-inflammatory intracellular cytokines were also reduced. In preclinical models, DAPA prevented the reduction of radial and longitudinal strain and ejection fraction after 10 days of treatment with DOXO. A reduced myocardial expression of NLRP-3 and MyD-88 was seen in the DOXO-DAPA group compared to DOXO mice. Systemic levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, G-CSF, and GM-CSF were significantly reduced after treatment with DAPA. Serum levels of galectine-3 and hs-CRP were strongly enhanced in the DOXO group; on the other hand, their expression was reduced in the DAPA-DOXO group. Troponin-T, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-Terminal Pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) were strongly reduced in the DOXO-DAPA group, revealing cardioprotective properties of SGLT2i. Mice treated with DOXO and DAPA exhibited reduced myocardial and renal NF-kB expression.

Conclusion

The overall picture of the study encourages the use of DAPA in the primary prevention of cardiomyopathies induced by anthracyclines in patients with cancer.
Factors influencing coronary artery target lesion revascularization after drug-coated balloon angioplasty
Authors: Undarsa Alberta Claudia , Saboe Aninka , Tiksnadi Badai Bhatara , Akbar Mohammad Rizki , Yahya Achmad Fauzi
Published: May 2024

Background

Concerns regarding restenosis after treatment with drug-coated balloons (DCB) remain. We aimed to identify the incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and explore clinical, procedural, and other factors influencing it.

Methods

Single-center retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort PCI registry study included 80 patients (100 lesions) who underwent successful DCB angioplasty between January 2020 and October 2023 and follow-up angiography within 2 years of either planned or unplanned reason. Incidence and factors associated with TLR were analyzed.

Results

Angiographic evaluation was conducted within a median of 151 days (interquartile range: 109 days). During index procedure, 54% were complex lesions. Intravascular imaging (IVI) was performed in 80% of lesions. TLR occurred in 11% of the lesions and was less frequent in the IVI group compared to the angiography-alone group [6.3 vs. 54.5%; odds ratio: 0.156, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.042–0.580;p = 0.002]. No association was found between baseline and lesion characteristics, lesion complexity, plaque morphology, pre-dilatation procedure balloon type, maximal inflation pressure, or length of DCB between the groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that IVI utilization was independently associated with a lower TLR rate (adjusted odds ratio: 0.116, 95% CI: 0.020–0.669;p = 0.016).

Conclusion

In DCB angioplasty, only IVI use exhibited a significant difference in the TLR rate among baseline lesion characteristics and lesion preparation and was independently associated with a lower TLR rate.
Perspective: Advancing the science regarding temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Ohrbach Richard , DaSilva Alexandre F. , Embree Mildred C. , Kusiak John W.
Published: May 2024

This Special Issue was initiated in response to the call for improved research by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) (United States) Consensus Study Report on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), a set of putatively localized musculoskeletal conditions. In this Special Issue, the importance of systems biology for TMDs emerges from each of three separate publications. The importance of systems biology to patients is anchored in two domains—laboratory research and clinical observation. The three publications fully speak to the underlying goals in the NASEM recommendations for initiatives: that research on TMDs needs to broaden, that integration between basic and clinical science needs to improve, and that while better evidence is needed, clinicians need to utilize the evidence that already exists. All three of these initiatives, taken together, would lead to better understanding of these complex diseases and to better care of patients with these diseases.
Seven years of embracing the sustainable development goals: perspectives from University of South Africa’s academic staff
Authors: Nhamo Godwell , Chapungu Lazarus
Published: May 2024

As this article was being finalised, the world was left with less than 7 of the 15 years of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation to 2030. There were still huge gaps in the attainment of the SDGs in institutions of higher learning globally, especially that COVID-19 brought a barrier leading to a known pushback. However, the pandemic did not imply there was no work done prior, during and after COVID-19. This article investigates the extent to which the University of South Africa’s academic staff activated and mainstreamed the SDGs in their core mandates between 2016 and 2022. Data was generated through a survey (n = 121), participatory action research, and document analysis. It emerged there is a greater degree of awareness of the SDGs, with 78% of academic respondents confirming this. However, the percentages drop across the four core mandate areas when it comes to SDGs implementation. About 52.6% of academics indicated they were promoting SDGs in their teaching, research (63.3%), community engagement (55.5%) and academic citizenship (54.5%). Findings further reveal key enabling institutional policies like the SDGS Localisation Declaration, and the Africa-Nuanced SDGs Research Support Programme. Large gaps remain on the publication front, where over 60% of the responding academics had not published an article explicitly on SDGs. There is also bias in publications towards certain SDGs. The work recommends that University of South Africa management continue raising awareness on the SDGs and systematically address barriers identified in the main article to enhance the mainstreaming of the SDGs across all core mandate areas.
The association between testosterone and serum soluble klotho in the females: evidence from the NHANES database
Authors: Cao Qi , Zhang Jiani , Hao Xiaohu , Du Siyu , Ao Lu , Zhu Huili , Huang Wei
Published: May 2024

Objective

This research aimed to elucidate the relationship between testosterone levels and serum soluble klotho (S-klotho) concentrations in females aged 40-79 years using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset.

Design

Associations between testosterone and S-klotho were assessed through multivariable linear regression methodologies, spanning nonadjusted, minimally adjusted, and fully adjusted models.

Settings

The investigation was conducted as a cross-sectional analysis utilizing the NHANES database.

Participants

From 20,146 NHANES participants between 2013 and 2016, 2,444 females met the stipulated inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Free androgen index (FAI) showcased a negative correlation with S-klotho levels across all regression models (nonadjusted: β -7.08, 95% CI -13.39- -0.76; minimally adjusted: β -9.73, 95% CI -16.6- -2.84; fully adjusted: β -7.63, 95% CI -14.75-0.51). Conversely, total testosterone did not exhibit significant associations with S-klotho across the models. In the nonadjusted model, estradiol was positively associated with S-klotho concentrations (β 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.23), but this significance was not retained in subsequent regression models.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that in U.S. females aged 40-79 years, FAI negatively correlates with S-klotho concentrations, while there is the lack of significant associations for total testosterone and estradiol.
Influential factors of corporate involvement in community resilience governance from the perspective of symbiosis theory
Authors: Huang Jing , Liu Yi
Published: May 2024

Urban resilience is a new paradigm for urban risk governance, whereas developing community resilience is the foundation for better resilient governance. Corporations serve as both the foundation and pivotal factor in ensuring the resilience of a community. Therefore, it is vital to encourage their active involvement in community resilience governance. This investigated the key influential factors of corporations in community resilience governance as well as the influence paths related to these factors. Firstly, multi-participant symbiotic relationships in the community resilience symbiosis system were analyzed. The hypothesis model of corporations’ involvement in community resilience governance was proposed, combining the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Theory of Social Practice. Finally, the subjective and objective factors and influence paths were explored based on the structural equation model and the linear regression model by questionnaire investigation. The results show that: 1) Corporate involvement behavior is influenced by subjective factors such as behavioral attitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and behavioral intention (BI), and also by objective community institutional factors including Field and Social capital. 2) The five influence paths to behavior (B) are as follows: SN→ATT→BI→B; PBC→ATT→BI→B; PBC→B; Field × BI → B; and Social capital × BI → B. 3) The involvement behavior is the result of a combination of rational and moral reasoning, with rationality preceding morality. Field capital and Social capital positively and negatively moderate the transformation of behavioral intention into behavior, respectively.
The molecular landscape of sepsis severity in infants: enhanced coagulation, innate immunity, and T cell repression
Authors: Huang Susie Shih Yin , Toufiq Mohammed , Eghtesady Pirooz , Van Panhuys Nicholas , Garand Mathieu
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in infants. In recent years, several gene marker strategies for the early identification of sepsis have been proposed but only a few have been independently validated for adult cohorts and applicability to infant sepsis remains unclear. Biomarkers to assess disease severity and risks of shock also represent an important unmet need.

Methods

To elucidate characteristics driving sepsis in infants, we assembled a multi-transcriptomic dataset from public microarray datasets originating from five independent studies pertaining to bacterial sepsis in infant < 6-months of age (total n=335). We utilized a COmbat co-normalization strategy to enable comparative evaluation across multiple studies while preserving the relationship between cases and controls.

Results

We found good concordance with only two out of seven of the published adult sepsis gene signatures (accuracy > 80%), highlighting the narrow utility of adult-derived signatures for infant diagnosis. Pseudotime analysis of individual subjects’ gene expression profiles showed a continuum of molecular changes forming tight clusters concurrent with disease progression between healthy controls and septic shock cases. In depth gene expression analyses between bacteremia, septic shock, and healthy controls characterized lymphocyte activity, hemostatic processes, and heightened innate immunity during the molecular transition toward a state of shock.

Discussion

Our analysis revealed the presence of multiple significant transcriptomic perturbations that occur during the progression to septic shock in infants that are characterized by late-stage induction of clotting factors, in parallel with a heightened innate immune response and a suppression of adaptive cell functionality.
HLA dependency and possible clinical relevance of intrathecally synthesized anti-IgLON5 IgG4 in anti-IgLON5 disease
Authors: Koneczny Inga , Macher Stefan , Hutterer Markus , Seifert-Held Thomas , Berger-Sieczkowski Evelyn , Blaabjerg Morten , Breu Markus , Dreyhaupt Jens , Dutra Livia Almeida , Erdler Marcus , Fae Ingrid , Fischer Gottfried , Frommlet Florian , Heidbreder Anna , Högl Birgit , Klose Veronika , Klotz Sigrid , Liendl Herburg , Nissen Mette S. , Rahimi Jasmin , Reinecke Raphael , Ricken Gerda , Stefani Ambra , Süße Marie , Teive Helio A. G. , Weis Serge , Berger Thomas , Sabater Lidia , Gaig Carles , Lewerenz Jan , Höftberger Romana
Published: May 2024

Background

Anti-IgLON5 disease is a rare chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by IgLON5 autoantibodies predominantly of the IgG4 subclass. Distinct pathogenic effects were described for anti-IgLON5 IgG1 and IgG4, however, with uncertain clinical relevance.

Methods

IgLON5-specific IgG1-4 levels were measured in 46 sera and 20 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 13 HLA-subtyped anti-IgLON5 disease patients (six females, seven males) using flow cytometry. Intervals between two consecutive serum or CSF samplings (31 and 10 intervals, respectively) were categorized with regard to the immunomodulatory treatment active at the end of the interval, changes of anti-IgLON5 IgG1 and IgG4 levels, and disease severity. Intrathecal anti-IgLON5 IgG4 synthesis (IS) was assessed using a quantitative method.

Results

The median age at onset was 66 years (range: 54–75), disease duration 10 years (range: 15–156 months), and follow-up 25 months (range: 0–83). IgLON5-specific IgG4 predominance was observed in 38 of 46 (83%) serum and 11 of 20 (55%) CSF samples. Anti-IgLON5 IgG4 levels prior clinical improvement in CSF but not serum were significantly lower than in those prior stable/progressive disease. Compared to IgLON5 IgG4 levels in serum, CSF levels in HLA-DRB1*10:01 carriers were significantly higher than in non-carriers. Indeed, IgLON5-specific IgG4 IS was demonstrated not only in four of five HLA-DRB1*10:01 carriers but also in one non-carrier. Immunotherapy was associated with decreased anti-IgGLON5 IgG serum levels. In CSF, lower anti-IgLON5 IgG was associated with immunosuppressive treatments used in combination, that is, corticosteroids and/or azathioprine plus intravenous immunoglobulins or rituximab.

Conclusion

Our findings might indicate that CSF IgLON5-specific IgG4 is frequently produced intrathecally, especially in HLA-DRB1*10:01 carriers. Intrathecally produced IgG4 may be clinically relevant. While many immunotherapies reduce serum IgLON5 IgG levels, more intense immunotherapies induce clinical improvement and may be able to target intrathecally produced anti-IgLON5 IgG. Further studies need to confirm whether anti-IgLON5 IgG4 IS is a suitable prognostic and predictive biomarker in anti-IgLON5 disease.
Osteoporosis: interferon-gamma-mediated bone remodeling in osteoimmunology
Authors: Li Siying , Liu Gang , Hu Siwang
Published: May 2024

As the world population ages, osteoporosis, the most common disease of bone metabolism, affects more than 200 million people worldwide. The etiology is an imbalance in bone remodeling process resulting in more significant bone resorption than bone remodeling. With the advent of the osteoimmunology field, the immune system’s role in skeletal pathologies is gradually being discovered. The cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a member of the interferon family, is an important factor in the etiology and treatment of osteoporosis because it mediates bone remodeling. This review starts with bone remodeling process and includes the cellular and key signaling pathways of bone remodeling. The effects of IFN-γ on osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone mass are discussed separately, while the overall effects of IFN-γ on primary and secondary osteoporosis are summarized. The net effect of IFN-γ on bone appears to be highly dependent on the environment, dose, concentration, and stage of cellular differentiation. This review focuses on the mechanisms of bone remodeling and bone immunology, with a comprehensive discussion of the relationship between IFN-γ and osteoporosis. Finding the paradoxical balance of IFN-γ in bone immunology and exploring the potential of its clinical application provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of osteoporosis and drug development.
Inflammation and platelet reactivity during adjunctive colchicine versus aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with potent P2Y12 inhibitor
Authors: Lee Seung-Yul , Cho Jae Young , Gorog Diana A. , Angiolillo Dominick J. , Yun Kyeong Ho , Ahn Jong-Hwa , Koh Jin-Sin , Park Yongwhi , Hwang Seok-Jae , Hwang Jin-Yong , Kim Jin Won , Jang Yangsoo , Jeong Young-Hoon
Published: May 2024

Background

In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the use of anti-inflammatory therapy with colchicine is associated with a reduction of recurrent ischemic events. The mechanisms of such findings are not fully elucidated.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of colchicine versus aspirin on inflammation and platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI.

Methods

This observational study compared laboratory measurements in ACS patients receiving single antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor or prasugrel plus colchicine (MACT) (n = 185) versus conventional dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin plus ticagrelor or prasugrel (n = 497). The primary outcome was the frequency of high residual inflammation, defined as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥2 mg/L at 1 month post-PCI. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed for the primary outcome, including multivariable adjustment, propensity-score matching, and inverse-probability weighted methods.

Results

One month after PCI, patients treated with MACT had significantly lower levels of hs-CRP compared to those treated with DAPT (0.6 [0.4–1.2] vs. 0.9 [0.6–2.3] mg/L, p < 0.001). The frequency of high residual inflammation was also lower in the MACT group (10.8% vs. 27.2%, p < 0.001) (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.33 [0.20–0.54], p < 0.001). This effect was consistent across sensitivity analyses. There was no difference in platelet reactivity between MACT and DAPT (49.6 ± 49.0 vs. 51.5 ± 66.4 P2Y12 reaction unit [PRU] measured by VerifyNow, p = 0.776).

Conclusion

In ACS patients undergoing PCI, MACT was associated with a lower rate of high residual inflammation without increasing platelet reactivity compared to conventional DAPT.

Clinical trial registration

NCT04949516 for MACT pilot trial and NCT04650529 for Gyeongsang National University Hospital registry.
Rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of chronic kidney diseases: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Jiang Zhaoyu , Chen Lin , Liu Aihui , Qi Jiaping , Wang Jing , Li Yixuan , Jiang Huan , Zhang Ju , Huang Shan , Mao Chengliang , Ying Zhenhua
Published: May 2024

Background

The extra-articular lesions of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are reported to involve multiple organs and systems throughout the body, including the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. This study assessed the potential causal relationship between RA and the risk of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Method

Independent genetic instruments related to RA and CKD or CKD subtypes at the genome-wide significant level were chosen from the publicly shared summary-level data of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Then, we obtained some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs), which are associated with RA in individuals of European origin, and had genome-wide statistical significance (p5 × 10−8). The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the main analysis method in MR analysis. The other methods, such as weighted median, MR–Egger, simple mode, and weighted mode were used as supplementary sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, the levels of pleiotropy and heterogeneity were assessed using Cochran’s Q test and leave-one-out analysis. Furthermore, the relevant datasets were obtained from the Open GWAS database.

Results

Using the IVW method, the main method in MR analysis, the results showed that genetically determined RA was associated with higher risks of CKD [odds ratio (OR): 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–1.31; p < 0.001], glomerulonephritis (OR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.15–1.31; p < 0.000), amyloidosis (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.10–1.88, p < 0.001), and renal failure (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.00–1.38, p < 0.001). Then, using multiple MR methods, it was confirmed that the associations persisted in sensitivity analyses, and no pleiotropy was detected.

Conclusion

The findings revealed a causal relationship between RA and CKD, including glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, and renal failure. Therefore, RA patients should pay more attention to monitoring their kidney function, thus providing the opportunity for earlier intervention and lower the risk of progression to CKDs.
Case report: Exploring autosomal recessive woolly hair: genetic and scanning electron microscopic perspectives on a Japanese patient
Authors: Minakawa Satoko , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Higashino Toshihide , Suzuki Tamio , Tomita Hirofumi , Akasaka Eijiro , Sawamura Daisuke
Published: May 2024

Woolly hair (WH) is a hair shaft anomaly characterized by tightly curled hair that typically stops growing at a few inches. Autosomal recessive WH (ARWH; OMIM no. 278150/604379/616760) has been reported to be caused by variants in genes coding lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6 (LPAR6), lipase H (LIPH), or keratin 25 (KRT25). In this study, we conducted a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination of the hair of a 3-year-old Japanese ARWH patient. The SEM revealed that her affected hair had an irregular and rough cuticle compared to her mother’s hair. Many irregular small projections and longitudinal grooves were seen on the surface of the patient’s hair shaft, and some free margins of the hair cortex were raised or serrated. Her hairs were oval-shaped on the cross-section. Mutation analysis revealed a homozygous pathogenic variant (c.736 T > A; Cys246Ser) in exon 6 in LIPH. In our clinic, we identified three additional cases with the homozygous Cys246Ser variant and one case with compound heterozygous variants in LIPH: Cys246Ser and c.671C > G (Pro224Arg). Consequently, genetic analyses, including genotype–phenotype correlation involving rare LIPH variants, have become more crucial in the Japanese population.
Water channels in the brain and spinal cord—overview of the role of aquaporins in traumatic brain injury and traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Overgaard Wichmann Thea , Hedegaard Højsager Marie , Hasager Damkier Helle
Published: May 2024

Knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the fluid flow in the brain and spinal cord is essential for discovering the mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of central nervous system diseases. During recent years, research has highlighted the complexity of the fluid flow movement in the brain through a glymphatic system and a lymphatic network. Less is known about these pathways in the spinal cord. An important aspect of fluid flow movement through the glymphatic pathway is the role of water channels, especially aquaporin 1 and 4. This review provides an overview of the role of these aquaporins in brain and spinal cord, and give a short introduction to the fluid flow in brain and spinal cord during in the healthy brain and spinal cord as well as during traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Finally, this review gives an overview of the current knowledge about the role of aquaporins in traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, highlighting some of the complexities and knowledge gaps in the field.
Unraveling the intricate dance of the Mediterranean diet and gut microbiota in autoimmune resilience
Authors: Tsigalou Christina , Tsolou Avgi , Stavropoulou Elisavet , Konstantinidis Theocharis , Zafiriou Efterpi , Dardiotis Efthymios , Tsirogianni Alexandra , Bogdanos Dimitrios
Published: May 2024

The nutritional habits regulate the gut microbiota and increase risk of an autoimmune disease. Western diet is rich in sugars, meat, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, which lead to dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota, disruption of gut epithelial barrier and chronic mucosal inflammation. In contrast, the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is abundant in ω3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables, possessing anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to the restoration of gut eubiosis. Numerous studies have extensively examined the impact of MedDiet and its components on both health and various disease states. Additionally, specific investigations have explored the correlation between MedDiet, microbiota, and the risk of autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the MedDiet has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, playing a pivotal role in lowering mortality rates among individuals with autoimmune diseases and comorbidities. The aim of the present review is to specifically highlight current knowledge regarding possible interactions of MedDiet with the patterns of intestinal microbiota focusing on autoimmunity and a blueprint through dietary modulations for the prevention and management of disease’s activity and progression.
Multiplicity of benign breast disease lesions and breast cancer risk in African American women
Authors: Patil Vidya , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Chen Wei , Boerner Julie L. , Abdulfatah Eman , Alosh Baraa , Pardeshi Visakha , Shaik Asra N. , Bandyopadhyay Sudeshna , Ali-Fehmi Rouba , Cote Michele L.
Published: May 2024

The risk of developing subsequent breast cancer is higher in women diagnosed with benign breast disease (BBD) but these studies were primarily performed in non-Hispanic white populations. Still, these estimates have been used to inform breast cancer risk models that are being used clinically across all racial and ethnic groups. Given the high breast cancer mortality rates among African American (AA) women, it is critical to study BBD in this population, to ensure the risk models that include this information perform adequately. This study utilized data from AA women who underwent benign breast biopsies at a hospital served by the University Pathology Group in Detroit, Michigan, from 1998 to 2010. Patients were followed for subsequent breast cancers through the population-based Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System (MDCSS). BBD lesion scores were assigned to represent the severity or extent of benign breast lesions, with higher scores indicating a greater number of distinct lesion types. Of 3,461 eligible AA women with BBD in the cohort, 6.88% (n=238) subsequently developed breast cancer. Examined individually, six of the eleven lesions (apocrine metaplasia, ductal hyperplasia, lobular hyperplasia, intraductal papilloma, sclerosing adenosis, columnar alterations and radial scars) were significantly associated with increased risk of breast cancer after adjustment for age and year of biopsy and were further considered in multiple lesion models. For every different type of benign breast lesion, subsequent risk of breast cancer increased by 25% (RR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.42) after adjustment for age at biopsy and proliferative versus non-proliferative disease. In summary, this study affirms the increased breast cancer risk in AA women with BBD, particularly in those with multiple lesions. These findings have implications for the management of breast cancer risk in millions of women affected by BBD, a high risk group that could benefit from personalized surveillance and risk reduction strategies.
Potential use of antioxidants for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases
Authors: Blagov Alexander V. , Summerhill Volha I. , Sukhorukov Vasily N. , Zhigmitova Elena B. , Postnov Anton Y. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: May 2024

The excessive production of various reactive oxidant species over endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to the development of a state of oxidative stress, with serious biological consequences. The consequences of oxidative stress depend on the balance between the generation of reactive oxidant species and the antioxidant defense and include oxidative damage of biomolecules, disruption of signal transduction, mutation, and cell apoptosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the physiopathology of various debilitating illnesses associated with chronic inflammation, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, or neurodegenerative processes, that need continuous pharmacological treatment. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are tightly linked pathophysiological processes, one of which can be simply promoted by another. Although, many antioxidant trials have been unsuccessful (some of the trials showed either no effect or even harmful effects) in human patients as a preventive or curative measure, targeting oxidative stress remains an interesting therapeutic approach for the development of new agents to design novel anti-inflammatory drugs with a reliable safety profile. In this regard, several natural antioxidant compounds were explored as potential therapeutic options for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Several metalloenzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, are among the essential enzymes that maintain the low nanomolar physiological concentrations of superoxide (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the major redox signaling molecules, and thus play important roles in the alteration of the redox homeostasis. These enzymes have become a striking source of motivation to design catalytic drugs to enhance the action of these enzymes under pathological conditions related to chronic inflammation. This review is focused on several major representatives of natural and synthetic antioxidants as potential drug candidates for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Water deficit differentially modulates leaf photosynthesis and transpiration of fungus-tolerant Muscadinia x Vitis hybrids
Authors: Wilhelm de Almeida Luciana , Pastenes Claudio , Ojeda Hernán , Torregrosa Laurent , Pellegrino Anne
Published: May 2024

Screening for drought performance among novel fungi-tolerant grapevine genotypes is a key point to consider in semiarid regions where water scarcity is a common problem during fruit ripening period. It is therefore important to evaluate the genotypes’ responses at the level of carbon metabolism and water demand, under water deficit conditions. This study aimed to characterize leaf and plant water use efficiency (respectively named WUEi and WUEpl) of novel INRAE fungi-tolerant genotypes (including LowSugarBerry (LSB) genotypes), under mild and high-water deficit (WD) and to decipher the photosynthetic parameters leading to higher WUEi. For this purpose, experiments were conducted on potted plants during one season using a phenotyping platform. Two stabilized soil moisture capacity (SMC) conditions, corresponding to mild (SMC 0.6) and high (SMC 0.3) WD, were imposed from the onset of berry ripening until the physiological ripeness stage, which was defined as the point at which fruits reach their maximum solutes and water content. At the whole plant level, all genotypes increased WUEpl under high WD. The highest WUEpl was reached for 3176N, which displayed both a high rate of non-structural carbon accumulation in fruits due to high fruit-to-leaf ratio and low plant transpiration because of low total leaf area. However, when normalizing the fruit-to-leaf ratio among the genotypes, G14 reached the highest normalized WUEpl_n under high WD. At the leaf level, WUEi also increased under high WD, with the highest value attained for G14 and 3176N and the lowest value for Syrah. The higher WUEi values for all genotypes compared to Syrah were associated to higher levels of photosynthesis and changes in light-harvesting efficiency parameters (ΦCO2, qP and qN), while no clear trend was apparent when considering the photosynthetic biochemical parameters (Vcmax, Jmax). Finally, a positive correlation between leaf and plant WUE was observed regardless of genotypes. This study allowed us to classify grapevine genotypes based on their grapes primary metabolite accumulation and water consumption during the critical sugar-loading period. Additionally, the study highlighted the potential drought adaptation mechanism of the LSB genotypes.
Analysis of medical impoverishment and its influencing factors among China's rural near-poor, 2016–2020
Authors: Feng Qiwei , Che Yi , Yi Shuying , Wang Ying , Chen Wen , Xia Xinbin
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study investigates the determinants of medical impoverishment among China's rural near-poor, aiming to enhance public health services and establish preventative and monitoring systems.

Methods

Using China Family Panel Studies and World Bank methods, we categorized rural populations and calculated their 2020 Poverty Incidence (PI) and Poverty Gap (PG), with impoverishing health expenditures (IHE) as the primary indicator. We analyzed the data from 2016 to 2020 using a conditional fixed-effects multinomial logit model and 2020 logistic regression to identify factors influencing medical impoverishment risk.

Results

(1) In 2020, the near-poor in China faced a PI of 16.65% post-health expenditures, 8.63 times greater than the non-poor's PI of 1.93%. The near-poor's Average Poverty Gap (APG) was CNY 1,920.67, notably surpassing the non-poor's figure of CNY 485.58. Health expenses disproportionately affected low-income groups, with the near-poor more prone to medical impoverishment. (2) Disparities in medical impoverishment between different economic household statuses were significant (P < 0.001), with the near-poor being particularly vulnerable. (3) For rural near-poor households in China, those with over six members faced a lower risk of medical impoverishment compared to those with three or fewer. Unmarried individuals had a 7.1% reduced risk of medical impoverishment relative to married/cohabiting counterparts. Unemployment was associated with a 9% increased risk. A better self-rated health status was linked to a lower probability of IHE, with the “very healthy” reporting a 25.8% lower risk than those “unhealthy.” Chronic disease sufferers in the near-poor and non-poor categories were at an increased risk of 12 and 1.4%, respectively. Other surveyed factors, including migrant status, age, insurance type, gender, educational level, and recent smoking or drinking, were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Rural near-poor in China are much more susceptible to medical impoverishment, influenced by specific socio-economic factors. The findings advocate for policy enhancements and health system reforms to mitigate health poverty. Further research should extend to urban areas for comprehensive health poverty strategy development.
A new spectrally-invariant approach to the remote sensing of inhomogeneous clouds
Authors: Marshak Alexander , Knyazikhin Yuri , Várnai Tamás
Published: May 2024

Current operational satellite retrievals of cloud optical and microphysical properties go back to the Nakajima-King technique developed at the end of the 1980 s. This technique is based on library calculations for plane-parallel homogeneous clouds. It often works well for overcast skies but leads to substantial errors for inhomogeneous and broken cloud fields where the plane-parallel-geometry assumption is no longer valid. The basic concept of a new technique was first introduced in nuclear physics to quantify the critical conditions of reactors. Based on the eigenvalues of the radiative transfer equation, their approach provides a powerful means to parameterize the structure of 3D media. This parameterization was later successfully applied to relate surface reflectance spectra to 3D canopy structure and is known as the spectrally-invariant approximation. The proposed approach adapts this technique to the remote sensing of cloud properties such as droplet single scattering albedo and the average number of scatterings (which are the fundamental parameters in radiative transfer theory), with an emphasis on quantifying the associated errors and uncertainties. This retrieval is free from the plane-parallel homogeneous cloud assumption.