bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and design of the BELpREG registration system for the collection of real-world data on medication use in pregnancy and mother-infant outcomes
Authors: Sillis Laure , Foulon Veerle , Allegaert Karel , Bogaerts Annick , De Vos Maarten , Hompes Titia , Smits Anne , Van Calsteren Kristel , Verbakel Jan Y. , Ceulemans Michael
Published: May 2023

Although medication use during pregnancy is common, most available products lack sufficient safety information. As prospective data collection and perinatal pharmacoepidemiologic research on medication safety in pregnancy did not exist in Belgium yet, the BELpREG data registration system was developed. BELpREG enables comprehensive “real-world” data collection on perinatal medication use and mother-infant outcomes via online questionnaires that are completed by pregnant women every 4 weeks during pregnancy and in the first 8 weeks after childbirth. This paper describes the development and current design of the BELpREG system, including the list of BELpREG variables. To compile this list of variables, relevant documents were explored, followed by consultation of an interdisciplinary expert panel. The included variables were structured in seven categories: 1) Sociodemographic characteristics; 2) Information on the current pregnancy and health status; 3) Maternal-obstetric history; 4) Use of medicines, folic acid/pregnancy vitamins and other health products; 5) Substance use; 6) Pregnancy outcomes; and 7) Neonatal outcomes. An electronic informed consent and linkage to medication databases, with images of drug packages and underlying structured data fields, are built into the system. Data collection has officially started in November 2022. Based on its rigorous design, BELpREG holds the potential to be a successful and sustainable research tool, enabling perinatal pharmacoepidemiologic research in Belgium and beyond.
The role of epicardial adipose tissue dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases: an overview of pathophysiology, evaluation, and management
Authors: Li Cheng , Liu Xinyu , Adhikari Binay Kumar , Chen Liping , Liu Wenyun , Wang Yonggang , Zhang Huimao
Published: May 2023

In recent decades, the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been at the forefront of scientific research because of its diverse role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). EAT lies between the myocardium and the visceral pericardium. The same microcirculation exists both in the epicardial fat and the myocardium. Under physiological circumstances, EAT serves as cushion and protects coronary arteries and myocardium from violent distortion and impact. In addition, EAT acts as an energy lipid source, thermoregulator, and endocrine organ. Under pathological conditions, EAT dysfunction promotes various CVDs progression in several ways. It seems that various secretions of the epicardial fat are responsible for myocardial metabolic disturbances and, finally, leads to CVDs. Therefore, EAT might be an early predictor of CVDs. Furthermore, different non-invasive imaging techniques have been proposed to identify and assess EAT as an important parameter to stratify the CVD risk. We also present the potential therapeutic possibilities aiming at modifying the function of EAT. This paper aims to provide overview of the potential role of EAT in CVDs, discuss different imaging techniques to assess EAT, and provide potential therapeutic options for EAT. Hence, EAT may represent as a potential predictor and a novel therapeutic target for management of CVDs in the future.
A WOA-CNN-BiLSTM-based multi-feature classification prediction model for smart grid financial markets
Authors: Ni Guofeng , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Ni Xiang , Cheng Xiaomei , Meng Xiangdong
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Smart grid financial market forecasting is an important topic in deep learning. The traditional LSTM network is widely used in time series forecasting because of its ability to model and forecast time series data. However, in long-term time series forecasting, the lack of historical data may lead to a decline in forecasting performance. This is a difficult problem for traditional LSTM networks to overcome.

Methods: In this paper, we propose a new deep-learning model to address this problem. This WOA-CNN-BiLSTM model combines bidirectional long short-term memory network BiLSTM and convolution Advantages of Neural Network CNN. We replace the traditional LSTM network with a bidirectional long short-term memory network, BiLSTM, to exploit its ability in capturing long-term dependencies. It can capture long-term dependencies in time series and is bidirectional modelling. At the same time, we use a convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract features of time series data to better represent and capture patterns and regularity in the data. This method combining BiLSTM and CNN can learn the characteristics of time series data more comprehensively, thus improving the accuracy of prediction. Then,to further improve the performance of the CNN-BiLSTM model, we optimize the model using the whale algorithm WOA. This algorithm is a new optimization algorithm, which has good global search ability and convergence speed, and can complete the optimization of the model in a short time.

Results: Optimizing the CNN-BiLSTM model through the WOA algorithm can reduce its calculation and training speed, improve the prediction accuracy of the smart grid financial market, and improve the prediction ability of the smart grid financial market. Experimental results show that our proposed CNN-BiLSTM model has better prediction accuracy than other models and can effectively deal with the problem of missing historical data in long-term sequence forecasting.

Discussion: This provides necessary help for the development of smart grid financial markets and risk management services, and can promote the development and growth of the smart grid industry. Our research results are of great significance in deep learning, and provide an effective method and idea for solving the financial market forecasting problem of smart grid.
Gene expression profiling reveals a role of immune system and inflammation in innate and stress-induced anxiety-like behavior
Authors: Gigliotta Adrien , Trontti Kalevi , Väänänen Juho , Hovatta Iiris
Published: May 2023

Anxiety is an evolutionarily conserved response that is essential for survival. Pathological anxiety, however, is a maladaptive response to nonthreatening situations and greatly affects quality of life. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and highlighted the urge to identify the molecular events that initiate pathological anxiety. To this aim, we investigated the extent of similarity of brain region-specific gene expression patterns associated with innate and stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. We compared the cortico-frontal (FCx) and hippocampal (Hpc) gene expression patterns of five inbred mouse strains with high or low levels of innate anxiety-like behavior with gene expression patterns of mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress. We found significantly large overlap of the Hpc but small overlap of the FCx gene expression patterns in innate and stress-induced anxiety, that however, converged onto common inflammation and immune system canonical pathways. Comparing the gene expression data with drug-gene interaction datasets revealed drug candidates, including medrysone, simvastatin, captopril, and sulpiride, that produced gene expression changes opposite to those observed in innate or stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Together, our data provide a comprehensive overview of FCx and Hpc gene expression differences between innate and stress-induced anxiety and support the role of inflammation and immune system in anxiety-like behavior.
Co-cultures of colon cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts recapitulate the aggressive features of mesenchymal-like colon cancer
Authors: Strating Esther , Verhagen Mathijs P. , Wensink Emerens , Dünnebach Ester , Wijler Liza , Aranguren Itziar , De la Cruz Alberto Sanchez , Peters Niek A. , Hageman Joris H. , van der Net Mirjam M. C. , van Schelven Susanne , Laoukili Jamila , Fodde Riccardo , Roodhart Jeanine , Nierkens Stefan , Snippert Hugo , Gloerich Martijn , Rinkes Inne Borel , Elias Sjoerd G. , Kranenburg Onno
Published: May 2023

Background

Poor prognosis in colon cancer is associated with a high content of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The relationship between these two features is incompletely understood. Here, we aimed to generate a model system for studying the interaction between cancer cells and CAFs and their effect on immune-related cytokines and T cell proliferation.

Methods

CAFs were isolated from colon cancer liver metastases and were immortalized to prolong lifespan and improve robustness and reproducibility. Established medium and matrix compositions that support the growth of patient-derived organoids were adapted to also support CAF growth. Changes in growth pattern and cellular re-organization were assessed by confocal microscopy, live cell imaging, and immunofluorescence. Single cell RNA sequencing was used to study CAF/organoid co-culture-induced phenotypic changes in both cell types. Conditioned media were used to quantify the production of immunosuppressive factors and to assess their effect on T cell proliferation.

Results

We developed a co-culture system in which colon cancer organoids and CAFs spontaneously organize into superstructures with a high capacity to contract and stiffen the extracellular matrix (ECM). CAF-produced collagen IV provided a basement membrane supporting cancer cell organization into glandular structures, reminiscent of human cancer histology. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that CAFs induced a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition in a subpopulation of cancer cells, similar to what is observed in the mesenchymal-like consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4) colon cancer. CAFs in co-culture were characterized by high expression of ECM components, ECM-remodeling enzymes, glycolysis, hypoxia, and genes involved in immunosuppression. An expression signature derived from CAFs in co-culture identified a subpopulation of glycolytic myofibroblasts specifically residing in CMS1 and CMS4 colon cancer. Medium conditioned by co-cultures contained high levels of the immunosuppressive factors TGFβ1, VEGFA and lactate, and potently inhibited T cell proliferation.

Conclusion

Co-cultures of organoids and immortalized CAFs recapitulate the histological, biophysical, and immunosuppressive features of aggressive mesenchymal-like human CRC. The model can be used to study the mechanisms of immunosuppression and to test therapeutic strategies targeting the cross-talk between CAFs and cancer cells. It can be further modified to represent distinct colon cancer subtypes and (organ-specific) microenvironments.
A recent update on fucoidonase: source, Isolation methods and its enzymatic activity
Authors: Barzkar Noora , Rungsardthong Vilai , Tamadoni Jahromi Saeid , Laraib Qandeel , Das Rakesh , Babich Olga , Sukhikh Stanislav
Published: May 2023

Fucoidanases are hydrolytic enzymes that degrade fucoidan to a lower molecular weight while retaining the side substituent groups of the polymer. Fucoidanases are produced by marine organisms: bacteria, fungi, algae, molluscs, echinoderms. Fucoidanases are rare and little studied enzymes. There is currently no information on the structural organization of fucoidanases, the size of active centers, their secondary and tertiary structures. This review summarizes the data on fucoidanase sources and factors influencing fucoidanase activity. It was found that that such factors include medium pH, temperature, and the presence of metal ions. The principles of classification of fucoidanases were analyzed. Fucoidanase was found to have high biological activity. Fucoidanases are known to hydrolyze fucoidan to oligosaccharides that have anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, anticancer, antiviral, prebiotic, and anticoagulant properties. Thus, research into sources, isolation methods, the effect of fucoidanase on fucoidan, and its enzymatic activity is promising, and can be used to build the body’s resistance to adverse environmental factors (difficult working conditions, stress, and overwork), as well as restore and stimulate the immune response.
Maternal sepsis in pregnancy and the puerperal periods: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Ping , Zhang Xiaowei , Wang Xinxin , Liang Yiheng , Wei Nan , Xiao Zhansong , Li Ting , Zhe Ruilian , Zhao Weihua , Fan Shangrong
Published: May 2023

Maternal sepsis is a life-threatening condition and ranks among the top five causes of maternal death in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Herein, we conducted a retrospective study on sepsis cases to explain the related risk factors by comparing them with bloodstream infection (BSI) and control maternities. In total, 76 sepsis cases were enrolled, and 31 BSI and 57 maternal cases of the same age but with neither sepsis nor BSI were set as controls. Genital tract infection (GTI) and pneumonia were the two most common infection sources in both sepsis (22 cases, 29% and 29 cases, 38%) and BSI cases (18 cases, 58% and 8 cases, 26%). Urinary tract infection (UTI)/pyelonephritis (9 cases, 12%) and digestive infection cases (11 cases, 14%) only existed in the sepsis group. Significantly different infection sources were discovered between the sepsis-death and sepsis-cure groups. A higher proportion of pneumonia and a lower proportion of GTI cases were present in the sepsis-death group (17 cases, 45% pneumonia and 9 cases, 24% GTI) than in the sepsis-cure group (12 cases, 32% pneumonia and 13 cases, 34% GTI). In addition, although gram-negative bacteria were the dominant infectious microorganisms as previously reported, lower proportion of gram-negative bacteria infectious cases in sepsis (30 cases, 50%) and even lower in sepsis-death group (14 cases, 41%) was shown in this study than previous studies. As expected, significantly greater adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, such as higher maternal mortality (26.3% vs. 0% vs. 0%), higher fetal mortality (42.2% vs. 20.8% vs. 0%), earlier gestational age at delivery (26.4 ± 9.5 vs. 32.3 ± 8.1 vs. 37.7 ± 4.0) and lower newborn weight (1,590 ± 1287.8 vs. 2859.2 ± 966.0 vs. 3214.2 ± 506.4), were observed in the sepsis group. This study offered some potential pathogenesis and mortality risk factors for sepsis, which may inspire the treatment of sepsis in the future.
Functional annotation of rhizospheric phageome of the wild plant species Moringa oleifera
Authors: Ashy Ruba A. , Jalal Rewaa S. , Sonbol Hana S. , Alqahtani Mashael D. , Sefrji Fatmah O. , Alshareef Sahar A. , Alshehrei Fatimah M. , Abuauf Haneen W. , Baz Lina , Tashkandi Manal A. , Hakeem Israa J. , Refai Mohammed Y. , Abulfaraj Aala A.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The study aims to describe phageome of soil rhizosphere of M.oleifera in terms of the genes encoding CAZymes and other KEGG enzymes.

Methods

Genes of the rhizospheric virome of the wild plant species Moringa oleifera were investigated for their ability to encode useful CAZymes and other KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enzymes and to resist antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the soil.

Results

Abundance of these genes was higher in the rhizospheric microbiome than in the bulk soil. Detected viral families include the plant viral family Potyviridae as well as the tailed bacteriophages of class Caudoviricetes that are mainly associated with bacterial genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces and Mycobacterium. Viral CAZymes in this soil mainly belong to glycoside hydrolase (GH) families GH43 and GH23. Some of these CAZymes participate in a KEGG pathway with actions included debranching and degradation of hemicellulose. Other actions include biosynthesizing biopolymer of the bacterial cell wall and the layered cell wall structure of peptidoglycan. Other CAZymes promote plant physiological activities such as cell-cell recognition, embryogenesis and programmed cell death (PCD). Enzymes of other pathways help reduce the level of soil H2O2 and participate in the biosynthesis of glycine, malate, isoprenoids, as well as isoprene that protects plant from heat stress. Other enzymes act in promoting both the permeability of bacterial peroxisome membrane and carbon fixation in plants. Some enzymes participate in a balanced supply of dNTPs, successful DNA replication and mismatch repair during bacterial cell division. They also catalyze the release of signal peptides from bacterial membrane prolipoproteins. Phages with the most highly abundant antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transduce species of bacterial genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Mycobacterium. Abundant mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the rhizosphere include “antibiotic efflux pump” for ARGs soxR, OleC, and MuxB, “antibiotic target alteration” for parY mutant, and “antibiotic inactivation” for arr-1.

Discussion

These ARGs can act synergistically to inhibit several antibiotics including tetracycline, penam, cephalosporin, rifamycins, aminocoumarin, and oleandomycin. The study highlighted the issue of horizontal transfer of ARGs to clinical isolates and human gut microbiome.
Exploring the variables influencing the immune response of traditional and innovative glycoconjugate vaccines
Authors: Micoli Francesca , Stefanetti Giuseppe , MacLennan Calman A.
Published: May 2023

Vaccines are cost-effective tools for reducing morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases. The rapid evolution of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, the introduction of tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines, mass vaccination campaigns in Africa with a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine, and the recent licensure and introduction of glycoconjugates againstS.Typhi underlie the continued importance of research on glycoconjugate vaccines. More innovative ways to produce carbohydrate-based vaccines have been developed over the years, including bioconjugation, Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) and the Multiple antigen-presenting system (MAPS). Several variables in the design of these vaccines can affect the induced immune responses. We review immunogenicity studies comparing conjugate vaccines that differ in design variables, such as saccharide chain length and conjugation chemistry, as well as carrier protein and saccharide to protein ratio. We evaluate how a better understanding of the effects of these different parameters is key to designing improved glycoconjugate vaccines.
Effects of excitatory transcranial magnetic stimulation over the different cerebral hemispheres dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for post-stroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Han Kaiyue , Liu Jiajie , Tang Zhiqing , Su Wenlong , Liu Ying , Lu Haitao , Zhang Hao
Published: May 2023

Background

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a significant health concern. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is considered a promising rehabilitation therapy for improving cognition, and the effects of excitatory TMS on PSCI have received much attention in recent years. However, the effects of different cerebral hemispheres on excitatory TMS treatment of cognitive impairment have not been studied. This review aimed to study the effects of excitatory TMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of different cerebral hemispheres on the cognitive function of patients with PSCI.

Methods

Literature published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Wiley from inception to September 30, 2022, were searched. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Furthermore, we conducted a meta-analysis using RevMan software (version 5.4) and rated the strength of evidence using GRADEpro.

Results

A total of 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that excitatory TMS over the left hemisphere DLPFC was significantly better in improving global cognition (SMD = 2.26, 95% CI 1.67–2.86, P < 0.00001; vs. SMD = 2.53, 95% CI 1.86–3.20, P < 0.00001), memory (SMD = 1.29, 95% CI 0.72–1.87, P < 0.0001), attention (SMD = 2.32, 95% CI 1.64–3.01, P < 0.00001), executive (SMD = 0.64, 95% CI 0.21–1.07, P = 0.004), P300 latency (SMD = 2.69, 95% CI 2.13–3.25, P < 0.00001), and depression (SMD = 0.95, 95% CI 0.26–1.63, P = 0.007) than that of the control group, but the effect on improving activities of daily living (ADL) was unclear (P = 0.03 vs. P = 0.17). Subgroup analysis further showed that excitatory TMS over the right hemisphere DLPFC was effective in improving the global cognition of PSCI patients (P < 0.00001), but the stimulation effect over the ipsilateral hemisphere DLPFC was unclear (P = 0.11 vs. P = 0.003). Additionally, excitatory TMS over the ipsilateral hemisphere DLPFC showed no statistical difference in improving ADL between the two groups (P = 0.25).

Conclusions

Compared to other hemispheric sides, excitatory TMS over the left hemisphere DLPFC was a more effective stimulation area, which can significantly improved the global cognitive function, memory, attention, executive, P300 latency, and depression in patients with PSCI. There was no apparent therapeutic effect on improving activities of daily living (ADL). In the future, more randomized controlled trials with large-sample, high quality, and follow-up are necessary to explore a usable protocol further.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022369096.
Association of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) status with humoral immune response to COVID-19 inactivated vaccination
Authors: Deng Yao , Huang Liting , Liu Peixin , Geng Xuyang , Lin Zefang , Zheng Zhixiong , Zhan Meixiao , Zhang Zhiren , Liu Junwei , Sun Taoping
Published: May 2023

Background

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and are of central importance for infection risk in humans. Vitamins A, D, and E have been reported to be associated with the immune response following vaccination; however, their effects on the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination remain unknown.

Methods

We measured the neutralizing antibody titers against wild type and omicron within 98 days after the third homologous boosting shot of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV or CoronaVac) in 141 healthy adults in a prospective, open-label study. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy was used to determine the concentrations of plasma vitamins A, D, and E.

Results

We found that the anti-wide-type virus and anti-omicron variant antibody levels significantly increased compared with baseline antibody levels (P < 0.001) after the third vaccination. 25(OH)D3 was significantly negatively associated with the baseline anti-wide-type virus antibody concentrations [beta (95% CI) = −0.331 (−0.659 ~ −0.003)] after adjusting for covariates. A potentially similar association was also observed on day 98 after the third vaccination [beta (95% CI) = −0.317 (−0.641 ~ 0.007)]. After adjusting for covariates, we also found that 25(OH)D3 was significantly negatively associated with the seropositivity of the anti-omicron variant antibody at day 98 after the third vaccination [OR (95% CI) = 0.940 (0.883 ~ 0.996)]. The association between plasma 25(OH)D3 with anti-wild-type virus antibody levels and seropositivity of anti-omicron variant antibodies were persistent in subgroup analyses. We observed no association between retinol/α-tocopherol and anti-wide-type virus antibody levels or anti-omicron variant antibody seropositive in our study.

Conclusion

The third inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination significantly improved the ability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human body. Higher vitamin D concentrations could significantly decrease the anti-wide-type virus-neutralizing antibody titers and anti-omicron variant antibody seropositive rate after the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with adequate levels of vitamin D, better immune status, and stronger immune response; further studies comprising large cohorts of patients with different nutritional status are warranted to verify our results.
Treatment of loco-regional recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a non-endemic area: oncologic outcomes, morbidity, and proposal of a prognostic nomogram
Authors: Rampinelli Vittorio , Ferrari Marco , Mattavelli Davide , Bonomo Pierluigi , Lambertoni Alessia , Turri-Zanoni Mario , D’Angelo Elisa , Alterio Daniela , Cianchetti Marco , Vischioni Barbara , Rosati Roberta , Tomasoni Michele , Alparone Marco , Taboni Stefano , Tomasini Davide , Maddalo Marta , Bastia Michela Buglione di Monale , Iacovelli Nicola Alessandro , Dionisi Francesco , Bignami Maurizio , Battaglia Paolo , Bossi Paolo , Deganello Alberto , Piazza Cesare , Schreiber Alberto , Nicolai Piero , Castelnuovo Paolo , Orlandi Ester
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The study assessed outcomes and toxicities of different treatment modalities for local and/or regional recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a non-endemic area.

Methods

Patients treated with curative intent for recurrent NPC with salvage surgery, photon-based radiotherapy, proton therapy (PT), with or without chemotherapy, at different Italian referral centers between 1998 and 2020 were included. Adverse events and complications were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Characteristics of the patients, tumors, treatments, and complications are presented along with uni- and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors. A survival predictive nomogram is also provided.

Results

A total of 140 patients treated from 1998 to 2020 were retrospectively assessed. Cases with lower age, comorbidity rate, stage, and shorter disease-free interval (DFI) preferentially underwent endoscopic surgery. More advanced cases underwent re-irradiation, fairly distributed between photon-based radiotherapy and PT. Age and DFI were independent factors influencing overall survival. No independent prognostic effect of treatment modality was observed. No significant difference in the morbidity profile of treatments was observed, with 40% of patients experiencing at least one adverse event classified as G3 or higher.

Conclusion

Recurrent NPC in a non-endemic area has dissimilar aspects compared to its endemic counterpart, suggesting the need for further studies that can guide the choice of the best treatment modality.
Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in umbilical cord blood transplant recipients
Authors: Lopedote Paolo , Xue Elisabetta , Chotivatanapong Julie , Pao Emily C. , Wychera Chiara , Dahlberg Ann E. , Thur Laurel , Roberts Laura , Baker Kelsey , Gooley Ted A. , Hingorani Sangeeta , Milano Filippo
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent early complication post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), associated with high morbidity and mortality. Cord blood transplant (CBT) recipients are potentially exposed to more nephrotoxic insults, compared to patients undergoing HSCT from other donor sources. We aimed to identify risk factors for AKI in patients undergoing CBT. We also aimed to identify the impact of AKI on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and survival outcomes by one-year post-CBT.

Methods

Adults and children who underwent a first CBT at our Institution were retrospectively evaluated. AKI was staged according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definitions. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association of demographic factors and post-CBT parameters with the cause-specific hazard of AKI.

Results

We identified 276 patients. Median age was 32 years, 28% (77/276) were children (<18 years) and 129 (47%) were white. A myeloablative conditioning regimen was administered to 243 patients (88%) and 248 (90%) received cyclosporine for GVHD prophylaxis. One-hundred and eighty-six patients (67%) developed AKI by day 60 post-transplant, with 72 (26%) developing severe AKI (stage 2 and 3). In a multivariable analysis, each increase in bilirubin level of 1 mg/dL was associated with a 23% increase in the risk of severe AKI (adjusted HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13 – 1.34, p<.0001). Conversely, systemic steroid administration appeared to be protective of severe AKI (unadjusted HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18 – 0.72, p=.004) in a univariate model . Two-hundred-forty-seven patients were evaluable at the one-year time point. Among those, 100 patients (40%) developed CKD one-year post-CBT. Severe AKI was associated with a higher hazard of non-relapse mortality (adjusted HR=3.26, 95% CI 1.65-6.45, p=.001) and overall mortality (adjusted HR=2.28, 95% CI 1.22-4.27, p=.01).

Discussion

AKI is a frequent complication after CBT and is associated with worse outcomes. Questions remain as to the mechanism of the protective role of steroids on kidney function in the setting of CBT.
Satellite imagery for high-throughput phenotyping in breeding plots
Authors: Pinto Francisco , Zaman-Allah Mainassara , Reynolds Matthew , Schulthess Urs
Published: May 2023

Advances in breeding efforts to increase the rate of genetic gains and enhance crop resilience to climate change have been limited by the procedure and costs of phenotyping methods. The recent rapid development of sensors, image-processing technology, and data-analysis has provided opportunities for multiple scales phenotyping methods and systems, including satellite imagery. Among these platforms, satellite imagery may represent one of the ultimate approaches to remotely monitor trials and nurseries planted in multiple locations while standardizing protocols and reducing costs. However, the deployment of satellite-based phenotyping in breeding trials has largely been limited by low spatial resolution of satellite images. The advent of a new generation of high-resolution satellites may finally overcome these limitations. The SkySat constellation started offering multispectral images at a 0.5 m resolution since 2020. In this communication we present a case study on the use of time series SkySat images to estimate NDVI from wheat and maize breeding plots encompassing different sizes and spacing. We evaluated the reliability of the calculated NDVI and tested its capacity to detect seasonal changes and genotypic differences. We discuss the advantages, limitations, and perspectives of this approach for high-throughput phenotyping in breeding programs.
Balancing water and radiation productivity suggests a clue for improving yields in wheat under combined water deficit and terminal heat stress
Authors: Dhakar Rajkumar , Nagar Shivani , Sehgal Vinay Kumar , Jha Prakash Kumar , Singh Madan Pal , Chakraborty Debasish , Mukherjee Joydeep , Prasad P.V. Vara
Published: May 2023

Sustaining crop yield under abiotic stresses with optimized resource use is a prerequisite for sustainable agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Water and heat stress are major abiotic stresses impacting crop growth and yield by influencing complex physiological and biochemical processes during the life cycle of crops. In a 2-year (2015–2017) research, spring wheat cv. HD-2967 was grown under deficit irrigation and delayed sowing conditions to impose water and terminal heat stresses, respectively. The data were analyzed for seasonal crop water use, radiation interception, water productivity (WP), and radiation productivity (RP) under combined water deficit and terminal heat stresses. Seasonal crop water use was significantly affected by stresses in the order of water + terminal heat > water > terminal heat. Water stress showed minimal effect on the light extinction coefficient and consequently on seasonal intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR). However, seasonal IPAR was primarily affected by combined water + terminal heat and terminal heat stress alone. The slope of crop water use and IPAR, i.e., canopy conductance, an indicator of canopy stomatal conductance, was more influenced by water stress than by terminal heat stress. Results showed that linear proportionality between WP and RP is no longer valid under stress conditions, as it follows a curvilinear relation. This is further supported by the fact that independent productivity (either water or radiation) lacked the ability to explain variability in the final economic yield or biomass of wheat. However, the ratio of RP to WP explained the variability in wheat yield/biomass under individual or combined stresses. This suggests a clue for improving higher wheat yield under stress by managing WP and RP. The highest biomass or yield is realized when the ratio of RP to WP approaches unity. Screening of genotypes for traits leading to a higher ratio of RP to WP provides an opportunity for improving wheat productivity under stressed environments.
Big Five personality traits and coping strategies of Italian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic first wave
Authors: Burro Roberto , Vicentini Giada , Raccanello Daniela
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Little is known about the role personality traits may have played for university students in diminishing and compensating for the negative impact of COVID-19 in its early phases, promoting adaptive coping. University students represent a population which was consistently obliged to follow social distance rules due to the early shift of many organizations from face-to-face to online learning. Therefore, it is worth exploring whether the Big Five traits acted as risk or protective factors after the outbreak of a disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic for Italian university students.

Methods

We involved a sample of 2,995 university students who completed an online survey in March 2020. We measured the Big Five personality traits through the Big Five Inventory-2-XS and their coping strategies through the Robust—Pandemic Coping Scale. The latter assessed four COVID-19-related coping dimensions, namely Despair (e.g., including helplessness and feeling lack of control), Aversion (e.g., referring to oppositive strategies), Proactivity (e.g., comprising problem solving and information seeking), and Adjustment (e.g., concerning reappraisal and assertiveness).

Results

Preliminarily, two Linear Mixed Models indicated that university students had higher scores in Conscientiousness, followed by Open-Mindedness, and then Agreeableness. These three traits were, in turn, higher than Extraversion and Negative Emotionality, which did not differ among them. Concerning coping, university students reacted more frequently utilizing adaptive strategies (with Proactivity used more frequently than Adjustment) rather than maladaptive strategies (with Despair higher than Aversion). A Path Analysis examining the relations between the Big Five traits and the four coping dimensions showed that Negative Emotionality can be considered as a risk factor, and that Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Open-Mindedness can be conceptualized as protective factors. More interestingly, we found that Extraversion entailed both a risk and a protective role for Italian university students after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion

Notwithstanding limitations, these findings can be the basis for developing disaster preparation and prevention actions, aiming at promoting students’ positive coping towards current and future disasters.
Henri Michaux's program for the psychedelic humanities
Authors: Davis Oliver
Published: May 2023

This article presents an analytical reading of the extraordinarily rich cultural production around drugs by the 20th-century French poet, writer, critic, and visual artist Michaux (1899–1984). Over about a decade, from the mid-1950's, the otherwise habitually sober Michaux wrote five books, included within which were dozens of drawings, and made one half-hour film, charting his adventures as an initially reluctant yet persistent psychonaut, principally with mescaline, but also with psilocybin, LSD, and cannabis. This has rightly been described as one of the most creative cultural explorations of mescaline. It is more extensive, texturally complex, and esthetically demanding than Aldous Huxley's far better known near-contemporaneous published work on psychedelics in English, which is well-known within and arguably foundational for psychedelic studies. Yet, this very complexity, as well as the national-linguistic context of its articulation—there was no mass psychedelic counterculture in France—have limited wider engagement with it. I argue that Michaux's esthetic reconstruction of psychedelics' effects on his creative brain can be read as a “program” for the emerging field of the psychedelic humanities and that it makes a substantial contribution, which I sketch in outline here, to the following of core concerns: (1) the role of psychedelics in enhancing “creativity”; (2) conceptualization of the politics of psychedelics; and (3) the meaning and value of psychedelic mysticism. I aim to show that Michaux's work on drugs has much to contribute to the cultural understanding of psychedelics today and accordingly that this unjustly neglected classic of French—and global—drug culture deserves to be far better known.
The importance of comprehensive support based on the three pillars of exercise, nutrition, and sleep for improving core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Yano Nozomu , Hosokawa Kenji
Published: May 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-V, which first described ASD, lists persistent deficits in social communication and interrelationships, as well as limited and recurrent modes of behavior, interests, and activities as diagnostic items. Until recently, understanding the pathophysiology of ASD has been mostly from a neurophysiological perspective, and interventions have been mostly behavioral and psychological. In recent years, however, it has become clear that ASD also affects many bodily systems, including the immune system, the sensorimotor system, and the gut-brain axis, and that these factors simultaneously influence it. In light of this background, a new “connectivome theory” has been proposed as a hypothesis for understanding ASD. “Exercise,” “nutrition,” and “sleep,” which are discussed in this mini-review, have a particularly strong relationship with the immune, musculoskeletal, and gut systems among the pathologies mentioned in the “connectivome theory,” furthermore, many reports suggest improvements in stereo-responsive behavior and social and communication skills, which are the core symptoms of ASD. In addition, these interventions are characterized by being less subject to location and cost limitations and excel in the continuity of therapeutic intervention, and the three interventions may have a reciprocal positive impact and may function as three pillars to support ASD.
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and related behavioral and psychological characteristics in individuals with mental disorders in Korea
Authors: Ryu Seunghyong , Kang Hangoeunbi , Jung Ha-Ran , Yun Hyunju , Kang Shi-Hyun , Kim Tae-Suk , Choi Seunggi , Kim Ju-Wan , Lee Ju-Yeon , Kim Jae-Min , Jung Sook-In , Yoon Bo-Hyun , Kim Sung-Wan
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and related factors in individuals with mental disorders in Korea.

Methods

We surveyed 572 individuals with mental disorders about their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination using a 7-item self-rating questionnaire on vaccine acceptance and hesitancy. We categorized the respondents into groups based on their level of vaccine acceptance using hierarchical clustering. In addition, we evaluated the respondents’ vaccination status and trust in sources of information regarding COVID-19 vaccines, and assessed their psychological characteristics using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Gratitude Questionnaire-6, and Big Five Inventory-10.

Results

Clustering revealed three groups according to vaccine acceptance: ‘totally accepting’ (n= 246, 43.0%), ‘somewhat accepting’ (n= 184, 32.2%), and ‘hesitant’ (n= 142, 24.8%) groups. Three quarters of all participants, who belonged to the ‘totally accepting’ or ‘somewhat accepting’ groups, were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine despite concerns about its side effects. Individuals in the high vaccine acceptance group were older (F= 12.52, p< 0.001), more likely to receive the influenza vaccine regularly, and more likely to trust formal information sources. Additionally, they had higher levels of gratitude (F= 21.00, p< 0.001) and agreeableness (F= 4.50, p= 0.011), and lower levels of depression (χ2= 11.81, p= 0.003) and neuroticism (F= 3.71, p= 0.025).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that individuals with mental disorders were generally willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination. However, they weighed its need and effectiveness against potential side effects before coming to a decision. It is important to understand the behavioral and psychological characteristics associated with vaccine acceptance, to effectively communicate its importance to individuals with mental disorders.
Humanizing AI in medical training: ethical framework for responsible design
Authors: Tahri Sqalli Mohammed , Aslonov Begali , Gafurov Mukhammadjon , Nurmatov Shokhrukhbek
Published: May 2023

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has brought about numerous ethical considerations that push for reflection. Humanizing AI in medical training is crucial to ensure that the design and deployment of its algorithms align with ethical principles and promote equitable healthcare outcomes for both medical practitioners trainees and patients. This perspective article provides an ethical framework for responsibly designing AI systems in medical training, drawing on our own past research in the fields of electrocardiogram interpretation training and e-health wearable devices. The article proposes five pillars of responsible design: transparency, fairness and justice, safety and wellbeing, accountability, and collaboration. The transparency pillar highlights the crucial role of maintaining the explainabilty of AI algorithms, while the fairness and justice pillar emphasizes on addressing biases in healthcare data and designing models that prioritize equitable medical training outcomes. The safety and wellbeing pillar however, emphasizes on the need to prioritize patient safety and wellbeing in AI model design whether it is for training or simulation purposes, and the accountability pillar calls for establishing clear lines of responsibility and liability for AI-derived decisions. Finally, the collaboration pillar emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration among stakeholders, including physicians, data scientists, patients, and educators. The proposed framework thus provides a practical guide for designing and deploying AI in medicine generally, and in medical training specifically in a responsible and ethical manner.
Providing crisis care in a pandemic: a virtual based crisis stabilization unit
Authors: Pullia Katrina , Clavio Avery , Bolton James M. , Hunzinger Erika , Svenne Sasha , Hensel Jennifer M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Winnipeg, Canada operates a 16-bed subacute unit, the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), for voluntary patients in crisis not requiring hospital admission. The virtual CSU (vCSU) launched in March 2020 as an adjunct to the in-person CSU during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing the same resources virtually, allowing patients to remain at home.

Methods

Program data were collected for vCSU admissions between April 1, 2020 and April 7, 2021 (n = 266) to examine patient characteristics and discharge outcomes. Data were retrieved from the electronic patient record (EPR) for both in-person and vCSU admissions during the same period for comparison (n = 712). vCSU admissions (n = 191) were summarized by patient demographics, clinical factors/outcomes, and compared on the same measures to in-person CSU admissions (n = 521) using binary logistic regression.

Results

30.1% of patients admitted to the vCSU received initial mental health assessment virtually (phone/videoconference), therefore receiving all care at home. Clinical symptoms at assessment included depression/anxiety (39.0%), psychosis/mania (2.7%), suicidal behaviour/self-harm (27.4%), psychosocial event/stressor (19.8%). Average stay was 4.9 days. Compared to the in-person CSU, vCSU referrals were associated with the absence of psychosis [odds ratio (OR).40, 95% confidence interval (CI).18–0.89] and no prior 1-year contact with referral site (OR.43, 95% CI.28–0.64). Those living farther away from the referral site were more likely to receive a vCSU referral.

Conclusion

The vCSU model is feasible for a diverse group of patients experiencing mental health crises. Future work is needed to better determine who the model is right for and examine longer term outcomes.
Comprehensive review of the application of MP and the potential for graft modification
Authors: Vargas Paola A. , Yu Christine , Goldaracena Nicolas
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Following procurement, the liver graft is exposed to an ischemic period that triggers several pathophysiologic changes in response to oxygen deprivation. Therefore, the goal during organ preservation is to attenuate such response and provide an adequate environment that prepares the graft for its metabolic reactivation following implantation. This has been widely achieved via static cold storage preservation, where the maintenance of the graft using cold preservation solutions reduce its metabolic activity and confer cytoprotection until transplantation. However, despite being the gold standard for organ preservation, static cold storage holds several disadvantages. In addition, the ongoing organ shortage has led to the use of unconventional grafts that could benefit from therapies pre-transplant. Organ preservation via machine perfusion systems appears as a promising solution to address both.

Methods

Here, we aim to present a state-of-the-art narrative review regarding liver graft modification options using machine perfusion systems in combination with adjuvant strategies including immunomodulation, gene therapy and pharmacotherapy.

Results

Available reports are scarce and mostly on experimental animal models. Most of the literature reflects the use of normothermic or subnormothermic machine perfusion devices given that these particular type of machine allows for a metabolically active organ, and therefore facilitates its modification. Although limited, promising findings in available reports suggest that organ preservation using machine perfusion system when combined with alternative therapies can be feasible and safe strategies for graft modification.

Discussion

Further research on clinical settings are needed to better elucidate the true effect of graft modification pre-transplant on short- and long-term graft and patient survival. There is a long way ahead to develop guidelines and approve these novel therapies for clinical practice. However, the path looks promising.