bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Characterization of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Hospitalized with SARS-CoV2 Infection
Authors: Nadkarni Girish , Paranjpe Ishan , Jayaraman Pushkala , Su Chen-Yang , Zhou Sirui , Chen Steven , Valle Diane Del , Thompson Ryan , Kenigsberg Ephraim , Zhao Shan , Jaladanki Suraj , Chaudhary Kumardeep , Ascolillo Steven , Vaid Akhil , Gonzalez-Kozlova Edgar , Kumar Arvind , Paranjpe Manish , O'Hagan Ross , Kamat Samir , Gulamali Faris , Kauffman Justin , Xie Hui , Harris Joceyln , Patel Manishkumar , Argueta Kimberly , Batchelor Craig , Nie Kai , Dellepiane Sergio , Scott Leisha , Levin Matthew , He John , Suárez-Fariñas Mayte , Coca Steven , Chan Lili , Azeloglu Evren , Schadt Eric , Beckmann Noam , Gnjatic Sacha , Merad Miriam , Kim-Schulze Seunghee , Richards J. Brent , Glicksberg Benjamin , Charney Alexander
Published: March 2023

Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known complication of COVID-19 and is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Unbiased proteomics using biological specimens can lead to improved risk stratification and discover pathophysiological mechanisms.
Methods
Using measurements of ~4000 plasma proteins in two cohorts of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, we discovered and validated markers of COVID-associated AKI (stage 2 or 3) and long-term kidney dysfunction. In the discovery cohort (N= 437), we identified 413 higher plasma abundances of protein targets and 40 lower plasma abundances of protein targets associated with COVID-AKI (adjusted p <0.05). Of these, 62 proteins were validated in an external cohort (p <0.05, N =261).
Results
We demonstrate that COVID-AKI is associated with increased markers of tubular injury (NGAL) and myocardial injury. Using estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) measurements taken after discharge, we also find that 25 of the 62 AKI-associated proteins are significantly associated with decreased post-discharge eGFR (adjusted p <0.05). Proteins most strongly associated with decreased post-discharge eGFR included desmocollin-2, trefoil factor 3, transmembrane emp24 domain-containing protein 10, and cystatin-Cindicating tubular dysfunction and injury.
Conclusions
Using clinical and proteomic data, our results suggest that while both acute and long-term COVID-associated kidney dysfunction are associated with markers of tubular dysfunction, AKI is driven by a largely multifactorial process involving hemodynamic instability and myocardial damage.
Anharmonic electron-phonon coupling in polymorphous perovskites
Authors: Zacharias Marios , Volonakis George , Giustino Feliciano , Even Jacky
Published: March 2023

Anharmonicity and disorder are ubiquitous in the physics of perovskites and give rise to a variety of unique phenomena observed in scattering and spectroscopy experiments with profound consequences for device applications. Several of these phenomena still lack interpretation from a first-principles perspective. Recently, the concept of polymorphism has been introduced in calculations of perovskite compounds, yielding substantial improvements in describing their electronic and structural properties. However, hitherto no approach is available to account for anharmonicity and polymorphism in the phonon dynamics and electron-phonon couplings. Here, we develop a unified framework for the treatment of both relying on the special displacement method. Combining the self-consistent phonon theory of Hooton and the Allen-Heine theory of electron-phonon renormalized band structures, we demonstrate our approach for temperature-dependent band gaps of oxide and halide cubic perovskites, obtaining unprecedented agreement with experiments. We also uncover that polymorphism in halide perovskites induces
phonon bunching and overdamping that lead to vibrational dynamics far from the ideal phonon picture, consistent with neutron scattering measurements. Moreover, our results suggest that accurate band gap predictions require corrections arising from polymorphism, spin-orbit coupling, hybrid functionals, and electron-phonon coupling. The present method provides the basis for investigating electron-phonon couplings in strongly anharmonic materials.
Tropical sources dominated methane changes of the last glacial maximum and deglaciation
Authors: Riddell-Young Ben , Rosen Julia , Brook Edward , Buizert Christo , Martin Kaden , Lee James , Edwards Jon , Mühl Michaela , Schmitt Jochen , Fischer Hubertus , Blunier Thomas
Published: March 2023

Constraining the causes of past atmospheric methane variability is important for understanding links between methane and climate. Abrupt methane changes during the last deglaciation have been intensely studied for this purpose, but the relative importance of high-latitude and tropical sources remains poorly constrained. The methane interpolar concentration difference (IPD) reflects past geographic source variability, but existing records suffered from subtle but significant methane production during analysis. Here, we report a new, ice-core derived IPD record covering the last glacial maximum and deglaciation, with substantially improved temporal resolution, chronology, and a critical correction for methane production in samples from Greenland. Using box-models to examine latitudinal source changes, we show that tropical sources dominated abrupt methane variability of the deglaciation, highlighting their sensitivity to abrupt climate change and rapidly shifting tropical rainfall patterns. Northern extratropical sources began increasing at ~16 kyr, likely through wetland expansion and/or permafrost degradation induced by high-latitude warming, and contributed at most 20 Tg yr-1 (40% of the total source increase) to the abrupt methane rise that coincided with rapid northern warming at the onset of the Bølling Allerød interval. These new deglacial methane budget constraints can be used to improve the understanding of climate-methane cycle feedbacks.
The APC/C E3 ligase subunit ANAPC11 mediates FOXO3 protein degradation to promote cell proliferation and lymph node metastasis of urothelial bladder cancer
Authors: Yan Dong , He Qingqing , Pei Lu , Yang Meihua , Huang Lifang , Kong Jianqiu , He Wang , Liu Hao , Xu Shizhong , Qin Haide , Lin Tianxin , Huang Jian
Published: March 2023

Urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with striking tumor heterogeneity. Elucidating the molecular mechanism for the treatment of aggressive UBC is particularly relevant. Protein ubiquitination is critical constitution of post-translational modification (PTM) that mediates the degradation of target protein through proteasome. However, the roles of aberrant protein ubiquitination in UBC development and the underlying mechanism in driving tumor progression remain unclear. In this study, taking the advantage of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we identified ubiquitin E3 ligase ANAPC11, a critical subunit of anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), as a potential oncogenic molecule in UBC cells. Our clinical analysis showed that the elevated expression of ANAPC11 was significantly correlated with high T stage, positive lymph node metastasis and poor outcomes of UBC patients. By employing a series of in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that ANAPC11 boosted the proliferation and invasiveness of UBC cells, while knockout of ANAPC11 inhibited the growth and lymph node metastasis of UBC cells in vivo. By conducting immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry assays, we confirmed that ANAPC11 increased the ubiquitination level of Forkhead transcription factor FOXO3. As a result, the decrease of FOXO3 protein stability led to the down-regulation of the cell cycle regulator p21 and the abrogation of GULP1, a downstream effector of androgen receptor signaling. Taken together, ANAPC11 showed oncogenic functions in UBC by modulating the FOXO3 protein degradation. ANAPC11-FOXO3 regulatory axis might serve as a novel therapeutic target for UBC.
Indocyanine green combined with methylene blue versus methylene blue alone for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Yang Qiuhui , Zhang Xiangjian
Published: March 2023

Background: Recent studies have shown that near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging using Indocyanine green (ICG) may improve the efficiency of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the combination of ICG and methylene blue (MB) dye in patients undergoing SLNB. Results:Fluorescence imaging allowed 131 out of 136 patients in the ICG+MB group to see SLNs. ICG+MB group and MB group had detection rates of 98.5% and 91.5% (P=0.007, χ²=7.352), respectively, and the ICG+MB approach was able to produce improved recognition outcomes. What’s more, compared with the MB group, the ICG+MB group can identify more lymph nodes (3.1 to 2.6, P=0.000, t=4.447). Besides, in the ICG+MB group, ICG could identify more lymph nodes (LNs) than MB (3.1 vs 2.6, P=0.004, t=2.884).
Conclusion: ICG has high detection effectiveness for SLNs, and when paired with MB, the detection efficiency can be increased even further. Additionally, the ICG+MB tracing mode does not involve radioisotopes, which has a lot of promise for clinical use and can take the place of conventional standard detection methods.
Patients and Method: We evaluated ICG plus MB (ICG+MB) identification effectiveness with MB alone using retrospective analysis. From 2016 to 2020, we collected data on 300 eligible breast cancer patients who got SLNB treatment in our institution by ICG+MB injection or MB injection alone. By comparing the distribution of clinicopathological characteristics, the detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and positive SLNs, as well as the total number of SLNs in the two groups, we were able to assess the imaging efficiency.
Research progress, trends, and updates on pollutants removal by Bi2WO6-based photocatalysts under visible light irradiation
Authors: Yang Jingjie , Zhong Shuang , Yang Jian , Cai Dandi , Wang Jue , Duan Jing
Published: March 2023

In recent years, bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) has been widely researched in the photocatalytic area due to its unique crystal structure and suitable bandgap. In this study, a comprehensive summary of Bi2WO6-based photocatalyst research from 2007 to 2022 was provided using bibliometric analysis. The study was conducted based on the Web of Science Core Collection Database and a dataset of 2064 publications retrieved. The bibliometix R-package and CiteSpace software were used for bibliometric analysis and science mapping. The network of the relationships among countries, journals, organizations, authors, and keywords related to investigated topic and subtopics were analyzed and discussed. Results showed that China has been playing an important role in this research area and also has a close cooperative relationship with other countries. Highly-cited emergent words indicated that improving the photocatalytic performance of Bi2WO6-based nanomaterials is the main research topic. In addition, the synergistic effects of photocatalysis and adsorption have also become a research hotspot for improving catalytic efficiency. The results will provide a reference for researchers for gaining a deeper understanding of Bi2WO6-based photocatalysts.
Influence of urbanisation on socioeconomic factors for harnessing the Demographic Dividend in Uganda: An exploratory analysis of the 2016 UDHS
Authors: Ssessanga Adrian , Galande Johnstone , Mbabazi Catherine
Published: March 2023

Background: The Uganda Vision 2040 underpins socioeconomic factors such as the country’s rapid population growth, a young population structure and a small proportion of the working population as major threats to Uganda’s aspiration of achieving socio-economic development. In order to position the country on a path for socioeconomic development, the National Population Policy emphasises the need for the population to adopt an urban character. This paper seeks to establish the influence of urbanisation on the socio-economic factors for harnessing the demographic dividend in Uganda exploring the urban/rural differentials, through an exploratory analysis of data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey.
Methods: Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the influence of urbanization on the explanatory variables which contribute to change in fertility. The significant variables (p<0.05) at the bivariate level were included in the two fit logistic regression models. The first model (model 1) shows the association between total children ever born and the explanatory factors in rural areas. The second model (model 2) adjusts for the enabling factors to the first model for women in urban areas.
Results: Women living in urban areas, with above secondary level education (OR 3.1: CI 2.5-3.8), whose age at first sex was within the legally accepted age range of 18-49 (OR 3.0: CI 2.4-3.5), and coming from wealthier households (OR 1.63: CI 1.2-2.2) have increased odds of producing less than 3 children modelled as most ideal for the attainment of the DD.
Conclusion: The influence of urbanisation towards harnessing the DD is especially through women’s education levels, increased household welfare and age at first sex.
Implementation framework for Income Generating Activities identified by Community Heath Volunteers (CHVs): a strategy to reduce CHVs attrition rate in Kilifi County Kenya
Authors: Riang’a Roselyter Monchari , Nyanja Njeri , Lusambili Adelaide , Mwangi Eunice Muthoni , Ehrlich Joshua R. , Clayde Paul , Mostert Cyprian , Ngugi Anthony
Published: March 2023

Background
Poorly designed project implementation strategy may not only reduce the morale and trust of the community but may also become a costly undertaking due to delayed project schedules and demotivation of project team. This study sought to identify viable modalities for implementing Income Generating Activities (IGAs) for Community Health Volunteers (CHV) in Kilifi County in Kenya as a strategy to improve their livelihoods, increase motivation and reduce attrition.
Methods:
An exploratory qualitative research study design was used, which consisted of Focus group discussions with CHVs involved in health promotion and data collection activities in a local setting. Further, key informant in-depth interviews were conducted among local stakeholder representatives and Ministry of Health officials. Data were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using MAXQDA 20.2 software. Data coding, analysis and presentation was guided by the Okumu’s (2003) Strategy Implementation framework.
Results:
A need for stable income was identified as the driving factor for CHVs seeking IGAs, as their health volunteer work is non-remunerative. Factors that that considered the local context such as government regulations, knowledge and experience, culture, and market viability informed their preferred IGA strategy. Individual savings through table-banking, seeking funding support through loans from government funding agencies (e.g., Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise fund, Youth Fund), grants from corporate organizations, politicians, and other donors were proposed as viable options for raising capital for IGAs. Formal registration of IGAs with Government regulatory agencies, developing a guiding constitution, empowering CHVs with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, project and group diversity management, and connecting them to support agencies were the control measures proposed to support implementation and enhance sustainability of IGAs. Group owned and managed IGAs were preferred over individual IGAs.
Conclusion:
CHVs are in need of IGAs and proposed their own implementation strategies informed by local context. Agencies seeking to support CHVs livelihoods should therefore engage with and be guided by the input from CHVs and local stakeholders.
Interventions to prevent unintended pregnancies among adolescents: A rapid overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Mohamed Sahra , Chipeta Michael , Kamninga Tony , Nthakomwa Lomuthando , Chifungo Chimwemwe , Mzembe Themba , Vellemu Ruth , Chikwapulo Victor , Peterson Maame , Abdullahi Leyla , Musau Kelvin , Wazny Kerri , Zulu Eliya , Madise Nyovani
Published: March 2023

Risks associated with unintended pregnancy include unsafe abortions, poor maternal health-seeking behaviour, poor mental health and potentially, maternal and infant deaths. Adolescent girls faced with an unintended pregnancy are particularly vulnerable as they are at higher risk of eclampsia, premature onset of labour, and increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Unintended pregnancy, with the right combination of interventions, can be avoided. Evidence-based decision-making and the need for a robust appraisal of the evidence have resulted in many systematic reviews. This review of systematic reviews focuses on adolescent pregnancy prevention and will seek to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of each review according to the AMSTAR 2 criteria. We identified three systematic reviews from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income counties (HICs) and included all socioeconomic groups. We used vote counting and individual narrative review summaries to present the results. Overall, skill-building, peer-led and abstinence programmes were generally effective. Interventions focused on information only, counselling and interactive sessions provided mixed results. In contrast, exposure to parenting and delaying sexual debut interventions were generally ineffective. Adolescent pregnancy prevention interventions that deploy school-based primary prevention strategies, i.e., strategies that prevent unintended pregnancies in the first place, may effectively reduce teenage pregnancy rates, improve contraceptive use, attitudes and knowledge, and delay sexual debut. However, the included studies have methodological issues, and our ability to generalise the result is limited.
The preliminary study on the microwave ablation of multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma
Authors: zhou hui-di , Yu Xin-yu , Wei Ying , zhao zhenlong , Peng Li-Li , Li Yan , Lu Nai-cong , Yu Ming-an
Published: March 2023

Purpose
To evaluate the feasibility, efficiency, and safety of MWA for PTMC.
Methods
This was a retrospective study, the date of patients who underwent MWA for multifocal PTMC from October 2016 to December 2021 were reviewed. After ablation, the changes in tumor size and volume, as well as the rate of technical success, tumor disappearance, disease progression, and complications were assessed. According to the tumor location, the cases were further divided into unilateral multifocal disease (UMD) subgroup and bilateral multifocal disease (BMD) subgroup. And further analyses were carried out.
Results
There was a total of 94 cases enrolled in the present study, which included 24 males and 70 females. The median age was 40 years (22–66 years); the median follow-up time was 14 months (6–48 months). Complete ablation was achieved in all enrolled cases. Therefore, the technical success rate was 100%. Due to expanding ablation, the MD and volume of the ablation zone increased at the 1st and 3rd months after ablation and decreased from 12th month after ablation (p < 0.05 for all). The total complete tumor disappearance rate was (45/94, 47.87%), including, 40.625% (13/32) in the UMD subgroup vs. 51.61% (32/62) in the BMD subgroup (p = 0.312). The total disease progression rate was 4 (4/94, 4.26%), including 6.25% (2/32) in the UMD subgroup vs. 3.23% (2/62) in the BMD subgroup (p = 0.881). The overall complication rate was 4.26% (4/94).
Conclusion
This preliminary study indicates that MWA is a safe and effective treatment for multifocal PTMC.
Mediating role of obesity on the association between disadvantaged neighborhoods and intracortical myelination
Authors: Kilpatrick Lisa , Zhang Keying , Dong Tien , Gee Gilbert , Beltran-Sanchez Hiram , Wang May , Labus Jennifer , Naliboff Bruce , Mayer Emeran , Gupta Arpana
Published: March 2023

We investigated the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage (area deprivation index [ADI]) and intracortical myelination (T1-weighted/T2-weighted ratio at deep to superficial cortical levels), and the potential mediating role of the body mass index (BMI) and perceived stress in 92 adults. Worse ADI was correlated with increased BMI and perceived stress (p's<.05). Non-rotated partial least squares analysis revealed associations between worse ADI and decreased myelination in middle/deep cortex in supramarginal, temporal, and primary motor regions and increased myelination in superficial cortex in medial prefrontal and cingulate regions (p<.001); thus, neighborhood disadvantage may influence the flexibility of information processing involved in reward, emotion regulation, and cognition. Structural equation modelling revealed increased BMI as partially mediating the relationship between worse ADI and observed myelination increases (p=.02). Further, trans-fatty acid intake was correlated with observed myelination increases (p=.03), suggesting the importance of dietary quality. These data further suggest ramifications of neighborhood disadvantage on brain health.
High-Speed Flexible Near-Infrared Organic Photodiode Beyond Silicon for Optical Communication
Authors: Zhu Yu , Chen Hongbin , Han Ruiman , Qin Hao , Hu Lianghao , Yao Zhaoyang , Liu Hang , Ma Yanfeng , Wan Xiangjian , Li Guanghui , Chen Yongsheng
Published: March 2023

Optical communication is a particularly compelling technology to tackle the speed and capacity bottlenecks in data communication in modern society. Currently, silicon photodetector plays a dominant role in the high-speed optical communication across the visible-near infrared spectrum. However, its intrinsic rigid structure, high working bias, and low responsivity largely limit its applications in the next-generation flexible optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report a solution-processed flexible organic photodetector (OPD) based on a narrow-bandgap nonfullerene acceptors, which exhibits a remarkable response time of 91 ns and peaking responsivity of 0.53 A W-1 (λ = 830 nm) at zero bias, exceeding the values obtained in the state-of-the-art high-speed commercial Si photodetector (326 ns; 0.26 A W-1). This exceptional performance benefits from the low parasitic capacitance and high charge mobility due to low trap states and energetic disorder in the organic photoactive film. More significantly, the flexible OPD exhibits negligible performance attenuation (<1%) after bending for 500 cycles, and maintain 96% of its initial performance even after 550 h of indoor exposure. Furthermore, it also demonstrates a high data transmission rate of 80 MHz with a with a bit-error-rate of 3.5×10-4, offering great potential in next-generation high-speed flexible optical communication system.
Landslide evolution assessment based on sequential InSAR methods in the Kunming transmission line corridor
Authors: Xie Chuhang , Zheng Zezhong , Zhou Fangrong , Ma Yi , Wen Gang
Published: March 2023

The security of the transmission line corridor is an important guarantee for the sustainable supply of electricity and an important prerequisite for the rapid development of the economy. Transmission corridors located in high mountains and valleys are often threatened by geological disasters, which seriously affect their stable operation. The main idea of this research is to explore a landslide in the Kunming transmission corridor in November 2021 and analyze its reason. In this study, we investigated the landslide in Kunming using 79 Sentinel-1A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired from July 2020 to October 2021 (40 ascending images and 39 descending images) with sequential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) methods. Then, the deformation changes before the landslide were analyzed in many ways. Influencing factors (i.e. precipitation, formation lithology, and vegetation coverage) indicated a high correlation between landslide locations and those of the study region. Seasonal variations in deformation were related to precipitation. The landslide in the Kunming transmission line corridor was mainly attributed to precipitation, carbonate karstification, and vegetation coverage. Finally, the correlation between deformation changes before the landslide and influencing factors in the Kunming transmission line corridor were determined.
Exploring influential factors of CO2 emissions in China’s cities using machine learning techniques
Authors: xiang kun , Yu Haofei , Du Hao , Hasan Md Hasibul , Wei Siyi , Xiang Xiangyun
Published: March 2023

Investigating the factors that exert an influence on CO2 emissions represents a critical undertaking for the formulation of effective policies aimed at reducing such emissions. Numerous past studies have attempted to explore the potential relationships between CO2 emissions and a variety of potential influencing factors. However, many of these investigations have been constrained by the inability to fit large sample datasets, as well as by the limitations of conventional research methods in addressing non-linear relationships. The aforementioned insufficiencies have resulted in a situation wherein a restricted set of factors can be examined in tandem within a singular model. This restriction has impeded the comprehensive investigation of multiple variables and their potential interrelationships. To bridge these research gaps, this research employed machine learning models to fit voluminous datasets concerning urban CO2 emissions and socioeconomic factors. This research also incorporated explainable techniques to disentangle the intricate relationships between the factors under investigation. The results demonstrated that urban fiscal structure, urban energy consumption, urban land use, and urban capital accumulation represented the primary factors driving urban CO2 emissions. The ALE test was employed to discern the specific relationships between these factors and CO2 emissions, ultimately revealing that almost all of these factors positively impacted CO2 emissions as their values rise. In both univariate and bivariate ALE tests, Expenditures on Science and Technology had emerged as a highly influential feature in terms of its impact on urban CO2 emissions. While the interaction effects elicited by Expenditures on Science and Technology had the potential to curb urban CO2 emissions in several ways, this research identified that these effects may be constrained. The relationship identified between urban socio-economic development and CO2 emissions also indicated that achieving low-carbon development in urban areas necessitates optimal resource allocation and the transformation of energy consumption structures. Furthermore, each city needs to tailor its low-carbon development pathway to its distinct characteristics.
Relationship between serum interleukin-6 levels and severity of coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Bouzidi Nadia , Gamra Habib
Published: March 2023

Background: Cytokines play a potential role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis and progression. We investigated the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) with the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods: 310 angiografically diagnosed CAD patients and 210 controls were enrolled in this study. CAD patients were stratified according to IL-6 cut-off value into high levels IL-6 group (≥ 9.5 pg/mL) and low levels IL-6 group (< 9.5 pg/mL). The severity of CAD was assessed according to Gensini score (GS), artery stenosis degree and the number of vessels involved. The mean age was 60.3 ± 11.0 years.
Results:The level of IL-6 in patients was increased compared to controls and ranged from 1.5 to 3640.0 pg/mL. High levels of IL-6 were significantly associated with high levels of GS (>40) but not with stenosis degree and vessel score. GS levels were significantly more elevated in patients with high levels of IL-6 group than in low IL6 levels patients (60.6 ± 39.5 vs 46.7 ± 37.2; p = 0.027). The analysis of the ROC curve performed in myocardial infarction patients showed that IL-6 (AUC: 0.941 (CI 95% 0.886, 0.997; p<0.001) could be a powerful predictor marker in evaluating the infarct size after myocardial infarction when compared to myonecrosis biomarkers.
Conclusions: IL-6 levels were associated with the severity of CAD assessed by the GS. Based on the highest levels of IL-6 measured in patients with STEMI, our study strongly suggests that IL-6 could be a powerful marker in evaluating the myocardial necrosis.
ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT03075566 (09/03/2017)
Prevention of horizontal transfer of laboratory plasmids to environmental bacteria: comparison of the effectiveness of a few disinfection approaches to degrade DNA.
Authors: LORET Suzanne Marie , HABIB Boutaina , ROMAIN Pierre , ROBA Agnès , REBOUL Angéline
Published: March 2023

The routine work of any molecular biology laboratory includes the daily use of microorganisms, including strains of E. coli, transformed with a variety of plasmids expressing at least one antibiotic resistance gene (ARG). To verify the effectiveness of disinfection methods on laboratory liquid waste, bacteria isolated from laboratory and research institute drains were identified by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and tested for the presence of an origin of replication and several ARGs frequently found in laboratory plasmids. Surprisingly, the origin of replication of Enterobacteriaceae plasmids was detected in strains of non-Enterobacteriaceae bacteria suggesting that interspecific transfer of laboratory plasmids had occurred. Using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, we determined the Decimal reduction value (D-value, expressed as concentration of disinfectant or length of physical treatment) of several decontamination methods for their DNA degradation effect on cultures of E. coli Top10 transformed with a kanamycin resistant plasmid (pET28A + or pEGFP-C2). The estimated D-values were 0,7 M for Sulfuric, 6,3% for a commercial P3 disinfectant, 25 minutes for steam sterilization at 121°C and 49 minutes for disinfection by UVC. A 20-minute treatment of bacteria cultures with a final concentration of 1–10% sodium hypochlorite was found to be ineffective in completely destroying a bacteria plasmid gene marker (coding for the pBR322 origin of replication). Residual DNA from HClO treated cells was 60%, while it decreased under 10% using the commercial disinfectant P3 diluted at 5%. As the degradation was uncomplete in both cases, to prevent the horizontal transfer of laboratory ARGs to environmental bacteria, disinfected liquid waste should not be released in sewage without additional plasmid destruction treatment.
Exploring the effects of short-course antibiotics on children's gut flora by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: a case-control study
Authors: Zhou Yuhan , Chen Xianglian , Wang Tongtong , Huang Riyan
Published: March 2023

Background
With the widespread use of antibiotics, more attention has been paid to their side effects. We paid extra attention to the impact of antibiotics on children's bodies. Therefore, we analyzed the characteristic changes in the gut flora of children after antibiotic treatment to explore the pathogenesis of antibiotic-associated diseases in more depth and to provide a basis for diagnosis and treatment.
Methods
We recruited 28 children with respiratory tract infections in the western district of Zhuhai, China, and divided them into three treatment groups based on antibiotic type. We took stool samples from children before and 3-5 days after antibiotic treatment. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the effects of antibiotic therapy on the gut flora of children. Continuous nonparametric data are represented as median values and analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.
Results
While alpha diversity analysis found no significant changes in the mean abundance of the gut flora of children after a short course of antibiotic treatment, beta diversity analysis demonstrated significant changes in the composition and diversity of the gut flora of children even after a short course of antibiotic therapy. We also found that meloxicillin sulbactam can inhibit the growth of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia, ceftriaxone inhibits Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroides, and azithromycin inhibits Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. We further performed a comparative analysis at the genus level and found significantly different clusters in each group. Finally, we found that azithromycin had the greatest effect on the metabolic function of intestinal flora, followed by ceftriaxone, and no significant change in the metabolic process of intestinal flora after meloxicillin sulbactam treatment.
Conclusions
Antibiotic treatment significantly affects the diversity of intestinal flora in children, even after a short course of antibiotic treatment. Different classes of antibiotics affect diverse flora primarily, leading to varying alterations in metabolic function. Meanwhile, we identified a series of intestinal flora that differed significantly after antibiotic treatment. These groups of flora could be used as biomarkers to provide an additional basis for diagnosing and treating antibiotic-associated diseases.
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 provides new treatment approach to prevent peritoneal dissemination in ovarian cancer
Authors: Uno Kaname , Koya Yoshihiro , Yoshihara Masato , Iyoshi Shohei , Kitami Kazuhisa , Sugiyama Mai , Miyamoto Emiri , Mogi Kazumasa , Fujimoto Hiroki , Yamakita Yoshihiko , Wang Xinhui , Ferrone Soldano , Nawa Akihiro , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Most epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients are diagnosed with peritoneal dissemination. Cellular interactions are an important aspect to induce peritoneal disseminations. Our study aimed to reveal the role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) in EOC with a major focus on cell-cell interactions.
METHODS: We examined the expression of CSPG4 in clinical samples. The proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of the CSPG4-knockdown cells were assessed. We also assessed the role of CSPG4 in spheroid formation and peritoneal metastasis in vivo model using sh-CSPG4 EOC cell lines.
RESULTS: Of clinical samples, 23 (44.2%) samples were expressed CSPG4. CSPG4 was associated with a worse prognosis in EOC patients. When CSPG4 was knockdown, the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were significantly decreased, and spheroid formation was significantly inhibited compared to control cells. Proteomic analyses showed changes in the expression of proteins related to cell movement pathways. The number of peritoneal disseminations and EOC spheroids in ascites were significantly decreased in sh-CSPG4 mouse models. Reduced CSPG4 expression was observed in lymphoid enhancer-binding factor1-inhibited cell.
CONCLUSION: CSPG4 is associated with aggressive features of EOC and poor prognosis. CSPG4 could be a new treatment target to block peritoneal metastasis.
Single-cell CRISPR screening characterizes transcriptional deregulation in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Meyers Sarah , Gielen Olga , Cools Jan , Demeyer Sofie
Published: March 2023

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive type of leukemia caused by accumulation of genetic alterations in T-cell progenitors. However, for many genes it remains unknown how loss-of-function mutations contribute to disease development. Single-cell CRISPR screening in ex vivo cultured primary murine pro-T cells allowed us to study the transcriptomic impact of such alterations and to link this with effects on cell proliferation and survival. We first targeted 17 well-studied T-cell regulators and defined key transcriptional signatures, such as NOTCH, MYC, STAT and E2F. A second screen targeted 42 poorly characterized genes and identified gene clusters with E2F/MYC and STAT/NOTCH signatures having opposing roles. These analyses identified a cluster of genes, including multiple chromatin modifiers, regulating Myc expression. Additionally, Spi1 was identified as an essential gene for cell survival, associated with the MYC regulon. Bcl11b inactivation conferred the strongest growth advantage and was associated with JAK/STAT upregulation, corresponding with publicly available patient data. Bcl11b inactivation together with mutant JAK3 transformed pro-T cells to cytokine-independent growth. With this data, we characterized tumor suppressors and oncogenes in T-ALL, providing insight in the mechanisms of leukemia development.
Maternal auts2a contribution is a major intergenerational driver of neurodevelopment and behavior
Authors: Clément Antoine , Merdrignac Constance , Brionne Aurélien , Nguyen Thaovi , Montfort Jerome , Guyomar Cervin , Dauvé Alexandra , Herpin Amaury , Colson Violaine , Bobe Julien
Published: March 2023

AUTS2 gene has been associated with numerous human pathologies including autism. The respective importance of its maternal and paternal contribution remains however unknown. Here we show using a vertebrate model that the lack of maternal, but not paternal, gene contribution triggers reduced embryonic survival and long-term macroscopic and behavioral differences, including reduced head size and reduced environment recognition abilities and anxiety. Maternal auts2 modulates maternally-inherited factors that control, in turn, early embryonic gene expression through transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations, and ultimately regulate numerous transcription factors and evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways during neurodevelopment. We observed a significant enrichment in genes associated with human neuropathologies among genes that are under maternal auts2control. We report that AUTS2 belongs to a group of 45 evolutionarily-conserved maternally-expressed genes associated with behavior and neurodevelopment in vertebrates and linked to a diversity of human diseases. These results shed new light on intergenerational determinism of neurodevelopment and behavior in vertebrates, including in the context of human pathologies associated with AUTS2.
Epidemiological differences between the sexes in adolescent patients with lumbar spondylolysis in Japan
Authors: Asai Reo , Tatsumura Masaki , Gamada Hisanori , Okuwaki Shun , Eto Fumihiko , Nagashima Katsuya , Takeuchi Yousuke , Funayama Toru , Mammoto Takeo , Hirano Atsushi , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: March 2023

Background: Lumbar spondylolysis, a common identifiable cause of low back pain in young athletes, reportedly has a higher incidence rate in males. However, the reason for its higher incidence in males is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological differences between the sexes in adolescent patients with lumbar spondylolysis.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 197 males and 64 females diagnosed with lumbar spondylolysis. These patients visited our hospital from April 2014 to March 2020 with their main complaint being low back pain, and they were followed-up until the end of their treatment. We investigated associations between lumbar spondylosis, their background factors, and characteristics of the lesions and analyzed their treatment results.
Results: Males had a higher prevalence of spina bifida occulta (SBO) (p=0.0026), more lesions with bone marrow edema (p=0.0097), and more lesions in the L5 vertebrae (p=0.021) than females. The age at diagnosis, bone union rate, and treatment period were not significantly different between the sexes.
Conclusion: The higher prevalence of SBO in males may explain the sex differences in the incidence of lumbar spondylolysis. The progression of lumbar spondylolysis is however, more advanced in females, thus making a proper early diagnosis, especially in females, important.
Aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection and reconstruction for retroperitoneal sarcomas: a systematic review
Authors: Hu Hankui , Guo Qiang , Zhao Jichun , Huang Bin , Du Xiaojiong
Published: March 2023

Background and aim

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and completeness of surgical resection is critical to achieve local control for retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). En-bloc resection of adjacent organs, including major abdominal vessels, is often required to achieve negative margins. The aim of this review was to summarise the available evidence to assess the relative benefits and disadvantages of an aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS).

Methods

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for relevant studies published from inception up to August 1, 2022. We performed a systematic review of the available studies to assess the safety and long-term survival results of vascular resection for RPS.

Results

We identified a total of 23 studies for our review. Overall postoperative in-hospital or 30-day mortality rate of patients with primary iliocaval leiomyosarcoma was 3% (11/359), and the major complication rate was 13%. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates after the follow-up period varied between 15% and 52%, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates ranged from 25–78%. Overall postoperative in-hospital or 30-day mortality rate of patients with RPSs receiving vascular resection was 3%, and the major complication rate was 27%. The RFS rates after the follow-up period were 18–86%, and the 5-year OS rates varied between 50% and 73%. There were no significant differences in the rates of RFS (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.74–1.19; p = .945) and OS (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.66–1.36; p = .774) between the extended resection group and tumour resection alone group.

Conclusions

With adequate preparation and proper management, for patients with RPSs involving major vessels, aggressive surgical approach with vascular resection can achieve R0/R1 resection and improve survival.
Homelessness and health-related outcomes in the Republic of Ireland: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and evidence map
Authors: Ingram Carolyn , Buggy Conor , Elabbasy Darin , Perrotta Carla
Published: March 2023

Aim: To map existing research on homelessness and health in the Republic of Ireland, and to synthesize the evidence on housing-related disparities in health.
Methods: Peer-reviewed articles and conference abstracts published in English between 2012-2022 were retrieved from 11 bibliographic databases if they contained empirical data on homelessness and health in Ireland, and – in a subsequent screening stage – at least one measure of health disparity between the homeless and general populations. Reviewers extracted relative risks (RR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and calculated pooled RR of comparable health disparities using pairwise random-effects meta-analyses.
Results: 104 articles contained empirical data on the health of homeless individuals residing in Ireland, addressing primarily substance use, addiction, and mental health. Homelessness was associated with increased risk of illicit drug use (RR 7.33 [95% CI 4.2,12.9]), reduced access to a general practitioner (GP) (RR 0.73 [CI 95% 0.71,0.75]), frequent emergency department (ED) presentation (Pooled RR 27.8 [95% CI 4.1,189.8]), repeat presentation for self-harm (Pooled RR 1.6 [95% CI 1.2,2.0]), and premature departure from hospital (Pooled RR 2.65 [95% CI 1.27,5.53]).
Conclusions: Homelessness in Ireland is associated with reduced access to primary care and overreliance on acute care. Chronic conditions amongst homeless individuals are understudied.
Variation in hydration use after reinfusion of autologous stem cells in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): a survey of EBMT centers
Authors: Kortleve Jantina , Kisch Annika , Piepenbroek Brian , Mooyaart Jarl , Kozijn Anne , Sohne Maaike , Liptrott Sarah
Published: March 2023

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is commonly used in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) cryopreservation with various strategies employed to reduce DMSO related toxicity. A survey was conducted among EBMT centers to investigate the use of hydration following reinfusion of autologous HSCs in DMSO. Sixty-four questionnaires from 64 centers were analyzed. Fifty-four centers (84.3 %) gave hydration post-reinfusion of autologous HSC’s. Eighteen centers (28.1%) gave hydration depending on patient characteristics or the regimen of chemotherapy chosen. Two centers (3.1%) gave hydration only when there was insufficient oral intake. Ten centers (15.6%) stated they never gave post-reinfusion hydration.
The most frequently reported reason to start post-reinfusion hydration was ‘to protect the kidneys from DMSO’ and ‘to flush out DMSO’ (84.3%). In 62.8% of responses, multiple reasons for hydration were cited, not only related to DMSO. No consensus in hydration fluid or volume was observed. Evidence is lacking to suggest hydration post-reinfusion reduces the toxicity of DMSO. Further research is necessary to explore the use of hydration post-reinfusion of stem cells. Existing knowledge surrounding use of lower concentrations of DMSO to reduce toxicity of DMSO for patients receiving an autologous stem cell transplantation, could be explored.
Predictors of adherence to treatment in cardiovascular patients based on social adequacy
Authors: Koli Fatemeh Babaei , Mozaffari Nasser , Belil Fatemeh Ebrahimi
Published: March 2023

Aims: This study aimed to assess predictors of adherence to treatment in cardiovascular patients based on social adequacy
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common chronic diseases and a major cause of disability. They disturb the performance and social, familial, and occupational relations of patients. Adherence to treatment is one of the most effective methods to prevent the complications and progression of cardiovascular diseases. It is influenced by various factors such as self-efficacy, beliefs, social relations, and social adequacy. This study was conducted to determine the predictors of adherence to treatment in cardiovascular patients based on social adequacy.
Methods: The research population of this descriptive-analytical study included cardiovascular patients discharged from the treatment centers from March 21 to June 22, 2021. Using the Pass software, the sample size was estimated to be 250 patients, which was increased to 270 by taking into account a 10% drop. The participants were selected by stratified random sampling based on the type of disease and inclusion criteria. Data were collected by a demographic information form, Fellner’s Social adequacyQuestionnaire, and Modanlo’s Treatment Adherence Scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive (frequency, mean, percentage, and standard deviation) and analytic statistics (correlation and linear regression).
Results: There was a significant correlation between social adequacy and adherence to treatment (p=0.001, r=0.677). There was also a significant relationship between adherence to treatment and four dimensions of social adequacy, including cognitive skills, behavioral skills, emotional adequacy, and motivational cues (p=0.001). The linear regression analysis showed that behavioral skills predicted 0.994 and effort in treatment and willingness to participate in treatment predicted 0.999 of adherence to treatment.
Conclusion: Given the significant relationship between social adequacy and adherence to treatment in discharged patients and its predictive power, the patients’ social adequacy is suggested to be evaluated at the time of discharge, and required educational measures are advised to be taken based on the patients’ needs to empower and enhance their social adequacy.