bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of gastric residual assessment in preterm neonates on time to achieve enteral feeding (the GRASS trial)—Multi-centre, assessor-blinded randomised clinical trial
Authors: Branagan A , Murphy C , O’Sullivan A , Bodnarova I , Feyereislova S , Berka I , Miletin J , Stranak Z
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Gastric residual measurement is routinely performed in premature infants prior to feeding despite a lack of evidence of benefit. We aimed to evaluate if the exclusion of routine gastric residual measurement and evaluation has an impact on the time taken to achieve full enteral feeding in preterm neonates.

Methods

International multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Clinically stable, appropriate for gestational age infants between 26+0 and 30+6 weeks of gestation and less than 1.5 kg birth weight were eligible. Infants were randomised to the intervention arm (no monitoring of gastric aspirates) or control arm (routine care). Primary outcome was the achievement of enteral feeds of 100 ml/kg/day by day 5 of life.

Results

Ninety-five infants were recruited with 88 included in an intention-to-treat analysis, 45 in the intervention arm and 43 in the control arm. There was no imbalance in baseline characteristics. Thirty-three (73.3%) infants in the intervention group and 32 infants (74.4%) in the control group reached full feeds by day 5 of life (p = 0.91) with no difference in median time to full feeds. There were no statistically significant differences in survival or the major morbidities of prematurity.

Conclusion: There was no difference in time to attainment of enteral feeds of 100 ml/kg/day in premature infants when gastric residuals were not monitored. In the absence of a clinical benefit to routine monitoring, it may be appropriate to discontinue this practice and only monitor residuals when clinical concern of feeding intolerance or gastrointestinal pathology arises in this group of patients.

Trial registration: NCT03111329—https://clinicaltrials.gov/. Registered 06/04/2017.

What is Known:• Previous randomized trials have shown little benefit to the performance of routine assessment of gastric residuals in preterm infants. Despite this, they continue to be performed due to concerns from observational data regarding development of NEC. Meta-analysis to date has failed to answer the question regarding NEC.

What is New:• In very low birth weight infants who are fed using modern feeding practice of faster feed advancement, to minimize use of central access and parenteral nutrition, exclusion of routine checks of gastric residuals did not increase the proportion of infants reaching full enteral feeds by day 5. No harm was seen when residual checks were not performed.• In the absence of a clinical benefit to the routine performance of gastric residuals in very low birth weight infants, it may be appropriate to discontinue their use and instead check residuals when clinical concern of pathology arises.
A rare Ewing-like small round cell tumor in prostate: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Zhen , Ye Jian , Hu Junjie , Zhang Nan , Yuan Yichu
Published: March 2024

Background

Small round cell tumor (SRCT) is a group of malignancy with similar optical microscopic morphology. Despite its low incidence, SRCT has a high malignant degree and poor prognosis. Besides, atypical clinical symptoms make it difficult in preoperative diagnosis.

Case report

A 67-year-old man was presented to the outpatient service with dysuria and weak urine stream lasting for 3 months. After oral treatment with tamsulosin and finasteride for 2 months, the symptoms worsen. Transurethral prostate holmium laser enucleation was operated and postoperative pathology result revealed small blue round cell malignant tumor. Further immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization examination indicated Ewing-like SRCT. So a Da Vinci Robotic prostatectomy was performed further and whole-genome sequencing was conducted. Several gene mutations including RAF1, ARID1A, SMARCA4, and BCL2L11 were found but no FDA-approved drug could treat specifically. Then the patient received Ewing-type therapeutic regimens treatment and has been followed up to date (over 24 months).

Conclusion

Because of its non-elevated serum PSA level, prostate SRCT is often ignored as a possibility of malignant tumor and regarded as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The possibility of prostate SRCT need to be considered if dysuria symptoms could not alleviate significantly after a period of oral treatment.
Integrated machine learning-driven disulfidptosis profiling: CYFIP1 and EMILIN1 as therapeutic nodes in neuroblastoma
Authors: Mengzhen Zhang , Xinwei Hou , Zeheng Tan , Nan Li , Yang Yang , Huirong Yang , Kaisi Fan , Xiaoting Ding , Liucheng Yang , Kai Wu
Published: March 2024

Background

Neuroblastoma (NB), a prevalent pediatric solid tumor, presents formidable challenges due to its high malignancy and intricate pathogenesis. The role of disulfidptosis, a novel form of programmed cell death, remains poorly understood in the context of NB.

Methods

Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-identified disulfidptosis-related molecular subtypes in NB, differential gene analysis, survival analysis, and gene set variation analysis were conducted subsequently. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) selected modular genes most relevant to the disulfidptosis core pathways. Integration of machine learning approaches revealed the combination of the Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Random Survival Forest (RSF) provided optimal dimensionality reduction of the modular genes. The resulting model was validated, and a nomogram assessed disulfidptosis characteristics in NB. Core genes were filtered and subjected to tumor phenotype and disulfidptosis-related experiments.

Results

GMM clustering revealed three distinct subtypes with diverse prognoses, showing significant variations in glucose metabolism, cytoskeletal structure, and tumor-related pathways. WGCNA highlighted the red module of genes highly correlated with disulfide isomerase activity, cytoskeleton formation, and glucose metabolism. The LASSO and RSF combination yielded the most accurate and stable prognostic model, with a significantly worse prognosis for high-scoring patients. Cytological experiments targeting core genes (CYFIP1, EMILIN1) revealed decreased cell proliferation, migration, invasion abilities, and evident cytoskeletal deformation upon core gene knockdown.

Conclusions

This study showcases the utility of disulfidptosis-related gene scores for predicting prognosis and molecular subtypes of NB. The identified core genes, CYFIP1 and EMILIN1, hold promise as potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for NB.
Dynamic relationship among extracellular matrix and body wall cells in Hirudo verbana morphogenesis
Authors: Pulze Laura , Baranzini Nicolò , Acquati Francesco , Marcolli Gaia , Grimaldi Annalisa
Published: March 2024

A great bulk of recent experimental evidence suggests the key role of the complex crosstalk between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cellular component of tissues during morphogenesis and embryogenesis. In particular, remodeling of the ECM and of its physical interactions pattern with surrounding cells represent two crucial processes that might be involved in muscle development. However, little information is available on this topic, especially on invertebrate species. To obtain new insights on how tuning the ECM microenvironment might drive cellular fate during embryonic development, we used the invertebrate medicinal leech Hirudo verbana as a valuable experimental model, due to its simple anatomy and the recapitulation of many aspects of the basic biological processes of vertebrates. Our previous studies on leech post-embryonic development have already shown the pivotal role of ECM changes during the growth of the body wall and the role of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in mechanotransduction. Here, we suggest that the interactions between stromal cell telocytes and ECM might be crucial in driving the organization of muscle layers during embryogenesis. Furthermore, we propose a possible role of the pleiotropic enzyme HvRNASET2 as a possible modulator of collagen deposition and ECM remodeling not only during regenerative processes (as previously demonstrated) but also in embryogenesis.
Comparison of estimated GFR using cystatin C versus creatinine in pediatric kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Pizzo Helen , Nguyen John , Schwartz George J. , Wesseling-Perry Katherine , Ettenger Robert , Chambers Eileen Tsai , Weng Patricia
Published: March 2024

Background

An accurate, rapid estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in kidney transplant patients affords early detection of transplant deterioration and timely intervention. This study compared the performance of serum creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (CysC)-based GFR equations to measured GFR (mGFR) using iohexol among pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Methods

CysC, Cr, and mGFR were obtained from 45 kidney transplant patients, 1–18 years old. Cr- and CysC-estimated GFR (eGFR) was compared against mGFR using the Cr-based (Bedside Schwartz, U25-Cr), CysC-based (Gentian CysC, CAPA, U25-CysC), and Cr-CysC combination (CKiD Cr-CysC, U25 Cr-CysC) equations in terms of bias, precision, and accuracy. Bland–Altman plots assessed the agreement between eGFR and mGFR. Secondary analyses evaluated the formulas in patients with biopsy-proven histological changes, and K/DOQI CKD staging.

Results

Bias was small with Gentian CysC (0.1 ml/min/1.73 m2); 88.9% and 37.8% of U25-CysC estimations were within 30% and 10% of mGFR, respectively. In subjects with histological changes on biopsy, Gentian CysC had a small bias and U25-CysC were more accurate—both with 83.3% of and 41.7% of estimates within 30% and 10% mGFR, respectively. Precision was better with U25-CysC, CKiD Cr-CysC, and U25 Cr-CysC. Bland–Altman plots showed the Bedside Schwartz, Gentian CysC, CAPA, and U25-CysC tend to overestimate GFR when > 100 ml/min/1.72 m2. CAPA misclassified CKD stage the least (whole cohort 24.4%, histological changes on biopsy 33.3%).

Conclusions

In this small cohort, CysC-based equations with or without Cr may have better bias, precision, and accuracy in predicting GFR.

Graphical abstract
Radiofrequenzdenervation der Wirbelsäule und des Iliosakralgelenks
Authors: Klessinger Stephan , Casser Hans-Raimund , Gillner Sebastian , Koepp Holger , Kopf Andreas , Legat Martin , Meiler Katharina , Norda Heike , Schneider Markus , Scholz Matti , Slotty Phillipp J. , Tronnier Volker , Vazan Martin , Wiechert Karsten
Published: March 2024

Hintergrund

In diesem Artikel werden die Ergebnisse der S3-Leitlinie „Radiofrequenzdenervation der Facettengelenke und des ISG“ zusammengefasst. Die vorhandene Evidenz zur Indikation, zu Testblockaden und zu technischen Parametern wird dargelegt.

Ziel

Es soll sowohl einer Über- als auch eine Unterversorgung entgegengewirkt werden, was auch sozioökonomische Bedeutung hat.

Material und Methode

Es erfolgte eine systematische Auswertung der Literatur nach den Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Eine multidisziplinäre Leitliniengruppe hat Empfehlungen und Statements ausgearbeitet.

Ergebnisse

Für 20 Schlüsselfragen wurden Statements und Empfehlungen formuliert. Es gab 87,5 % Konsens für eine Empfehlung und 100 % Konsens für alle weiteren Empfehlungen und Statements. Die Leitlinie wurde von allen beteiligten Fachgesellschaften konsentiert. Die spezifischen Fragen beinhalten den Wert von Anamnese, Untersuchung und Bildgebung, die Notwendigkeit einer konservativen Therapie vor einer Intervention, die Bedeutung von Testblockaden („medial branch block“ und „lateral branch block“), die Wahl der Bildgebung für eine Denervation, die Wahl der Trajektorie, die Möglichkeit, die Größe der Läsion zu beeinflussen, Stimulation, die Möglichkeit einer Wiederholung, Sedierung und Entscheidungshilfen zu Patienten mit Antikoagulanzien, Metallimplantaten und Schrittmachern und Hinweise zur Vermeidung von Komplikationen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Ausgewählte Patienten können von einer gut durchgeführten Radiofrequenzdenervation profitieren. Die Empfehlungen der Leitlinie basieren auf sehr niedriger bis moderater Qualität der Evidenz.
High-resolution projections of outdoor thermal stress in the twenty-first century: a Tasmanian case study
Authors: Weeding Ben , Love Peter , Beyer Kathleen , Lucieer Arko , Remenyi Tom
Published: March 2024

To adapt to Earth’s rapidly changing climate, detailed modelling of thermal stress is needed. Dangerous stress levels are becoming more frequent, longer, and more severe. While traditional measurements of thermal stress have focused on air temperature and humidity, modern measures including radiation and wind speed are becoming widespread. However, projecting such indices has presented a challenging problem, due to the need for appropriate bias correction of multiple variables that vary on hourly timescales. In this paper, we aim to provide a detailed understanding of changing thermal stress patterns incorporating modern measurements, bias correction techniques, and hourly projections to assess the impact of climate change on thermal stress at human scales. To achieve these aims, we conduct a case study of projected thermal stress in central Hobart, Australia for 2040–2059, compared to the historical period 1990–2005. We present the first hourly metre-scale projections of thermal stress driven by multivariate bias-corrected data. We bias correct four variables from six dynamically downscaled General Circulation Models. These outputs drive the Solar and LongWave Environmental Irradiance Geometry model at metre scale, calculating mean radiant temperature and the Universal Thermal Climate Index. We demonstrate that multivariate bias correction can correct means on multiple time scales while accurately preserving mean seasonal trends. Changes in mean air temperature and UTCI by hour of the day and month of the year reveal diurnal and annual patterns in both temporal trends and model agreement. We present plots of future median stress values in the context of historical percentiles, revealing trends and patterns not evident in mean data. Our modelling illustrates a future Hobart that experiences higher and more consistent numbers of hours of heat stress arriving earlier in the year and extending further throughout the day.
Characterization of percutaneous absorption of calcium, magnesium, and potentially toxic elements in two tailored sulfurous therapeutic peloids: a comprehensive in vitro pilot study
Authors: Bastos Carla Marina , Rocha Fernando , Patinha Carla , Marinho-Reis Paula
Published: March 2024

Pelotherapy treatments in thermal spas, which utilize peloids composed of clay minerals mixed with saltwater or mineral-medicinal water, can have various effects on spa users, ranging from therapeutic to potential adverse reactions. Despite the widespread use of peloids, comprehensive information on the penetration and permeation of essential and potentially toxic elements into deeper layers of the skin during pelotherapy is limited. Understanding the concentrations of these elements is crucial for evaluating therapeutic benefits and ensuring safety. This study investigates the in vitro availability and absorption of calcium, magnesium, and potentially toxic elements in two peloids, considering their formulation matrix. To replicate the pelotherapy methodology, an in vitro permeation experiment was conducted using a vertical diffusion chamber (Franz cells) and a biological system with human skin membranes from five Caucasian women, age range between 25 and 51 years. The experiment involved heating the peloids to 45℃. The results emphasize the possible transport properties of chemical elements in peloids, providing valuable information related to potential therapeutic efficacy and safety considerations. Despite no apparent differences between peloids’ chemical composition, the method identified permeation variations among chemical elements. The methodology employed in this study adheres to the guidelines outlined by OECD for analyzing skin absorption through an in vitro approach. Furthermore, it aligns with the associated OECD guidance document for conducting skin absorption studies. The replicability of this methodology not only facilitates the analysis of peloids pre-formulation but also provides a robust means to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic elements during topical administration, particularly those with potential toxicity concerns.
More than fear? Brain activation patterns of dental phobic patients before and after an exposure-based treatment
Authors: Wannemueller André , Margraf Jürgen , Busch Martin , Jöhren Hans-Peter , Suchan Boris
Published: March 2024

Hyperactivation of brain networks conferring defensive mobilization is assumed to underlie inappropriate defensive-preparation in patients with Specific Phobia. However, studies targeting Dental Phobia (DP) yielded quite heterogeneous results and research concerning the effects of exposure treatments on phobic brain activation so far is missing. This functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study aimed to investigate activation patterns in DP patients during exposure to phobia-related stimuli and the effects of an exposure-based fear treatment on phobia-related activation. Seventeen patients with DP and seventeen non-phobic, healthy controls participated in this fMRI experiment presenting dental-related and neutral auditory and visual stimuli. After completing a short exposure-based CBT program, patients were scanned a second time to illustrate treatment-related changes in brain activation patterns. Pre-treatment fMRI results demonstrate enhanced activation in DP-patients mainly in the precuneus and lateral parietal cortex. Moreover, a small activation focus was observed in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as parts of classically fear-related structures. Activation in all these clusters decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment assessment and in the case of the ACC was correlated with dental fear reduction. Activation changes in the precuneus and lateral parietal cortex suggest a pronounced first-person perspective memory processing including a vivid recall of contextual information from an egocentric perspective triggered by exposure to phobia-related stimuli. Besides a treatment-sensitive hyperactivity of fear-sensitive structures, DP may also be characterized by a disturbed memory retrieval that can be reorganized by successful exposure treatment.
Applications of biaryl cyclization in the synthesis of cyclic enkephalin analogs with a highly restricted flexibility
Authors: Różanowska Maria , Szczupaj Gabriela , Nowakowski Michał , Rajagopal Priyadharshni , Lipiński Piotr F. J. , Matalińska Joanna , Misicka Aleksandra , Lisowski Marek , Jaremko Łukasz , Jaremko Mariusz
Published: March 2024

A series of 10 cyclic, biaryl analogs of enkephalin, with Tyr or Phe residues at positions 1 and 4, were synthesized according to the Miyaura borylation and Suzuki coupling methodology. Biaryl bridges formed by side chains of the two aromatic amino acid residues are of the meta–meta, meta–para, para–meta, and para–para configuration. Conformational properties of the peptides were studied by CD and NMR. CD studies allowed only to compare conformations of individual peptides while NMR investigations followed by XPLOR calculations provided detailed information on their conformation. Reliability of the XPLOR calculations was confirmed by quantum chemical ones performed for one of the analogs. No intramolecular hydrogen bonds were found in all the peptides. They are folded and adopt the type IV β-turn conformation. Due to a large steric strain, the aromatic carbon atoms forming the biaryl bond are distinctly pyramidalized. Seven of the peptides were tested in vitro for their affinity for the µ-opioid receptor.
„Patient-reported outcomes“ in medizinischen Registern
Authors: Singer Susanne , Bayer Oliver , Schranz Melanie , Ohler Anke , Herold Stephanie , Popow Julia , Warnke Nadine , Malm Hanna , Deuster Oliver , Kronfeld Kai , Heß Georg
Published: March 2024

Hintergrund

Patientenberichtete Endpunkte („patient-reported outcomes“ [PRO]) sind wichtige Zielgrößen für die Bewertung des Nutzens eines Medikaments. Für das vom Gemeinsamen Bundesausschuss (G-BA) in Deutschland neu eingeführte Instrument der Anwendungsbegleitenden Datenerhebungen (AbD) wird gefordert, dass Vergleichsdaten für PRO aus Registern zur Verfügung stehen.

Fragestellung

Wie kann es gelingen, PRO in einem europäischen Register zu implementieren?

Methode

Im Rahmen der AbD für ein CAR-T-Zell-Produkt hat das europäische Mantelzell-Lymphom-Netzwerk (European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network, EMCL) im Herbst 2023 die Erfassung von PRO in seinem Register eingeführt. Dabei mussten Lösungen für Fragen unter anderem der Vertragsgestaltung, des Datenschutzes, der Logistik der Datenerhebung, der Arbeitsbelastung für die Zentren und des Datentransfers gefunden werden. Dieser Beitrag berichtet über die ersten Erfahrungen bei der Implementierung.

Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerung

Die PRO-Erfassung im Rahmen von medizinischen Registern ist möglich, aber mit hohem Aufwand verbunden. Eine Regelfinanzierung der PRO-Erfassung in Registern erscheint sinnvoll, beispielsweise im Rahmen von AbD.
Performance and limits of a geotechnical centrifuge: DEM-LBM simulations of saturated granular column collapse
Authors: Webb William , Turnbull Barbara , Leonardi Alessandro
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the dynamics of granular flows in geotechnical centrifuge models, focusing on the effects of centrifugal and Coriolis accelerations. While conventional laboratory-scale investigations often rely on Froude scaling, geotechnical centrifuge modelling offers a unique advantage in incorporating stress-dependent processes that fundamentally shape flow rheology and dynamics. Using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM), we simulate the collapse of a just-saturated granular column within a rotating reference frame. The model’s accuracy is validated against expected trends and physical experiments, demonstrating its strong performance in replicating idealised collapse behaviour. Acceleration effects on both macro- and grain-scale dynamics are examined through phase front and coordination number analysis, providing insight on how centrifugal and Coriolis accelerations influence flow structure and mobility. This work enhances our understanding of granular flow dynamics in geotechnical centrifuge models by introducing an interstitial pore fluid and considering multiple factors that influence flow behaviour over a wide parameter space.

Graphical abstract
Endovascular coiling versus neurosurgical clipping in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the elderly: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Lee Keng Siang , Siow Isabel , Yang Lily WY , Foo Aaron SC , Zhang John JY , Mathews Ian , Goh Chun Peng , Teo Colin , Nagarjun Bolem , Chen Vanessa , Lwin Sein , Teo Kejia , Low Shiong Wen , Sun Ira SY , Pang Boon Chuan , Yang Eugene WR , Yang Cunli , Gopinathan Anil , Yeo Tseng Tsai , Nga Vincent DW
Published: March 2024

The comparability of endovascular coiling over neurosurgical clipping has not been firmly established in elderly patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Data were obtained from all patients with aSAH aged ≥60 across three tertiary hospitals in Singapore from 2014 to 2019. Outcome measures included modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 and at 6 months, and in-hospital mortality. Of the 134 patients analyzed, 84 (62.7%) underwent coiling and 50 (37.3%) underwent clipping. The endovascular group showed a higher incidence of good mRS score 0–2 at 3 months (OR = 2.45 [95%CI:1.16–5.20];p = 0.018), and a lower incidence of in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.31 [95%CI:0.10–0.91];p = 0.026). There were no significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of good mRS score at 6 months (OR = 1.98 [95%CI:0.97–4.04];p = 0.060). There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications, such as aneurysm rebleed, delayed hydrocephalus, delayed ischemic neurological deficit and venous thromboembolism between the two treatment groups. However, fewer patients in the coiling group developed large infarcts requiring decompressive craniectomy (OR = 0.32 [95%CI:0.12–0.90];p = 0.025). Age, admission WFNS score I–III, and coiling were independent predictors of good functional outcomes at 3 months. Only age and admission WFNS score I–III remained significant predictors of good functional outcomes at 6 months. Endovascular coiling, compared with neurosurgical clipping, is associated with significantly better short term outcomes in carefully selected elderly patients with aSAH. Maximal intervention is recommended for aSAH in the young elderly age group and those with favorable WFNS scores.
Effect of cold plasma pretreatment on biodegradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS)
Authors: Chen Chen , Taghavi Navid , Baroutian Saeid
Published: March 2024

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) pretreatment of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) was investigated to evaluate its effect on biodegradation. Weight and wettability measurement, surface topography, and roughness analysis were examined for physical properties evaluation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-TR) analysis was conducted to understand the possible chemical transformation. Based on biofilm formation, the highest microbial colonisation was observed on the sample treated with CAP pretreatment + biotreatment, which was 0.56 and 0.19 (at OD 595 nm) for HDPE and PS, respectively. A biodeterioration effect characterised by weight loss and changes of hydrophobicity in which hydrophobicity reductions of 5.1 ± 0.64% and 12° ± 0.35° were observed with the pretreated HDPE within 50 days, respectively. No physical weight loss was detected in the PS sample, but significant surface corrosion was observed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) also showed a higher surface degradation of 10 and 35% for CAP pretreated HDPE and PS incubated with microorganisms compared to virgin samples incubated in the same condition. Moreover, chemical transformation indicated a new peak (C–O) in CAP-pretreated PE samples before and after 50 days of biodegradation. The experiments with virgin HDPE and PS demonstrated a positive effect of the pretreatment on the biodegradation process.
Sex-specific differences in ICOS+ T helper cell differentiation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with low disease activity
Authors: Wu Lisa , Kälble Florian , Lorenz Hanns-Martin , Zeier Martin , Schaier Matthias , Steinborn Andrea
Published: March 2024

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a sex biased chronic autoimmune disease affecting predominantly females during reproductive ages. Changes in the ratio of inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS)+ regulatory (Treg) and non-regulatory responder (Tresp) CD4+ T cells proved to be crucial for the occurrence of high disease activity. Here, we investigated how the differentiation of ICOS+CD45RA+CD31+ recent thymic emigrant (RTE) Tresps into CD45RA−CD31− memory Tresps affects the percentages of ICOS+ Tresps within total CD4+ T cells. Three different pathways (pathway 1 via CD45RA−CD31+ memory Tresps, pathway 2 via direct proliferation and pathway 3 via resting mature naïve CD45RA+CD31− (MN) cells) were examined in healthy controls and SLE remission patients separated by sex. In female SLE remission patients, immunosuppressive therapy inhibited the ICOS+ RTE differentiation via CD45RA−CD31+ memory Tresps and direct proliferation, leaving an age-independently increased differentiation into CD45RA−CD31− memory Tresps by conversion of resting MN Tresps compared with healthy controls. Due to exhaustion of this pathway with age, no age-dependent change in the percentages of ICOS+ Tresps within total CD4+ T cells could be found. In contrast, no age-independently increased differentiation could be detected in men due to sufficient immunosuppression of all three pathways. This allowed an age-dependent differentiation of ICOS+ RTE Tresps into CD45RA−CD31− memory Tresps by conversion of resting MN Tresps, resulting in age-dependently increasing percentages of ICOS+ Tresps within total CD4+ T cells. We hypothesize that the sex-specific differential effect of immunosuppression on the differentiation of ICOS+ Tresps may explain the sex- and age-dependent occurrence of high disease activity.
Research progress on the multi-omics and survival status of circulating tumor cells
Authors: Xie Qingming , Liu Shilei , Zhang Sai , Liao Liqiu , Xiao Zhi , Wang Shouman , Zhang Pengfei
Published: March 2024

In the dynamic process of metastasis, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) emanate from the primary solid tumor and subsequently acquire the capacity to disengage from the basement membrane, facilitating their infiltration into the vascular system via the interstitial tissue. Given the pivotal role of CTCs in the intricate hematogenous metastasis, they have emerged as an essential resource for a deeper comprehension of cancer metastasis while also serving as a cornerstone for the development of new indicators for early cancer screening and new therapeutic targets. In the epoch of precision medicine, as CTC enrichment and separation technologies continually advance and reach full fruition, the domain of CTC research has transcended the mere straightforward detection and quantification. The rapid advancement of CTC analysis platforms has presented a compelling opportunity for in-depth exploration of CTCs within the bloodstream. Here, we provide an overview of the current status and research significance of multi-omics studies on CTCs, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These studies have contributed to uncovering the unique heterogeneity of CTCs and identifying potential metastatic targets as well as specific recognition sites. We also review the impact of various states of CTCs in the bloodstream on their metastatic potential, such as clustered CTCs, interactions with other blood components, and the phenotypic states of CTCs after undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Within this context, we also discuss the therapeutic implications and potential of CTCs.
Deep Learning Imaging Reconstruction Algorithm for Carotid Dual Energy CT Angiography: Opportunistic Evaluation of Cervical Intervertebral Discs—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Jiang Chenyu , Zhang Jingxin , Li Wenhuan , Li Yali , Ni Ming , Jin Dan , Zhang Yan , Jiang Liang , Yuan Huishu
Published: March 2024

Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of deep learning imaging reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm in different image sets derived from carotid dual-energy computed tomography angiography (DECTA) for evaluating cervical intervertebral discs (IVDs) and compare them with those reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-Veo (ASiR-V). Forty-two patients who underwent carotid DECTA were included in this retrospective analysis. Three types of image sets (70 keV, water-iodine, and water-calcium) were reconstructed using 50% ASiR-V and DLIR at medium and high levels (DLIR-M and DLIR-H). The diagnostic acceptability and conspicuity of IVDs were assessed using a 5-point scale. Hounsfield Units (HU) and water concentration (WC) values of the IVDs; standard deviation (SD); and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated. Measurement parameters of the 50% ASIR-V, DLIR-M, and DLIR-H groups were compared. The DLIR-H group showed higher scores for diagnostic acceptability and conspicuity, as well as lower SD values for HU and WC than the ASiR-V and DLIR-M groups for the 70 keV and water-iodine image sets (all p < .001). However, there was no significant difference in scores and SD among the three groups for the water-calcium image set (all p > .005). The water-calcium image set showed better diagnostic accuracy for evaluating IVDs compared to the other image sets. The inter-rater agreement using ASiR-V, DLIR-M, and DLIR-H was good for the 70 keV image set, excellent for the water-iodine and water-calcium image sets. DLIR improved the visualization of IVDs in the 70 keV and water-iodine image sets. However, its improvement on color-coded water-calcium image set was limited.
Multi-level textual-visual alignment and fusion network for multimodal aspect-based sentiment analysis
Authors: Li You , Ding Han , Lin Yuming , Feng Xinyu , Chang Liang
Published: March 2024

Multimodal Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (MABSA) is an essential task in sentiment analysis that has garnered considerable attention in recent years. Typical approaches in MABSA often utilize cross-modal Transformers to capture interactions between textual and visual modalities. However, bridging the semantic gap between modalities spaces and addressing interference from irrelevant visual objects at different scales remains challenging. To tackle these limitations, we present the Multi-level Textual-Visual Alignment and Fusion Network (MTVAF) in this work, which incorporates three auxiliary tasks. Specifically, MTVAF first transforms multi-level image information into image descriptions, facial descriptions, and optical characters. These are then concatenated with the textual input to form a textual+visual input, facilitating comprehensive alignment between visual and textual modalities. Next, both inputs are fed into an integrated text model that incorporates relevant visual representations. Dynamic attention mechanisms are employed to generate visual prompts to control cross-modal fusion. Finally, we align the probability distributions of the textual input space and the textual+visual input space, effectively reducing noise introduced during the alignment process. Experimental results on two MABSA benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MTVAF, showcasing its superior performance compared to state-of-the-art approaches. Our codes are available at https://github.com/MKMaS-GUET/MTVAF.
A new definition for feature selection stability analysis
Authors: Lazebnik Teddy , Rosenfeld Avi
Published: March 2024

Feature selection (FS) stability is an important topic of recent interest. Finding stable features is important for creating reliable, non-overfitted feature sets, which in turn can be used to generate machine learning models with better accuracy and explanations and are less prone to adversarial attacks. There are currently several definitions of FS stability that are widely used. In this paper, we demonstrate that existing stability metrics fail to quantify certain key elements of many datasets such as resilience to data drift or non-uniformly distributed missing values. To address this shortcoming, we propose a new definition for FS stability inspired by Lyapunov stability in dynamic systems. We show the proposed definition is statistically different from the classical record-stability on ($$n=90$$

n
=
90

) datasets. We present the advantages and disadvantages of using Lyapunov and other stability definitions and demonstrate three scenarios in which each one of the three proposed stability metrics is best suited.
Prognostic value of visual and quantitative CMR regional myocardial function in patients with suspected myocarditis
Authors: Bernhard Benedikt , Joss Philippe , Greisser Noah , Stark Anselm W. , Schütze Jonathan , Shiri Isaac , Safarkhanlo Yasaman , Fischer Kady , Guensch Dominik P. , Bastiaansen Jessica A. M. , Pavlicek Maryam , Benz Dominik C. , Kwong Raymond Y. , Gräni Christoph
Published: March 2024

According to updated Lake-Louise Criteria, impaired regional myocardial function serves as a supportive criterion in diagnosing myocarditis. This study aimed to assess visual regional wall motional abnormalities (RWMA) and novel quantitative regional longitudinal peak strain (RLS) for risk stratification in the clinical setting of myocarditis. In patients undergoing CMR and meeting clinical criteria for suspected myocarditis global longitudinal strain (GLS), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), RWMA and RLS were assessed in the anterior, septal, inferior, and lateral regions and correlated to the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including heart failure hospitalization, sustained ventricular tachycardia, recurrent myocarditis, and all-cause death. In 690 consecutive patients (age: 48.0 ± 16.0 years; 37.7% female) with suspected myocarditis impaired RLS was correlated with RWMA and LV-GLS but not with the presence of LGE. At median follow up of 3.8 years, MACE occurred in 116 (16.8%) patients. Both, RWMA and RLS in anterior-, septal-, inferior-, and lateral- locations were univariately associated with outcomes (all p < 0.001), but not after adjusting for clinical characteristics and LV-GLS. In the subgroup of patients with normal LV function, RWMA were not predictive of outcomes, whereas septal RLS had incremental and independent prognostic value over clinical characteristics (HRadjusted = 1.132, 95% CI 1.020–1.256; p = 0.020). RWMA and RLS can be used to assess regional impairment of myocardial function in myocarditis but are of limited prognostic value in the overall population. However, in the subgroup of patients with normal LV function, septal RLS represents a distinctive marker of regional LV dysfunction, offering potential for risk-stratification.

Graphical abstract

CI: confidence interval, CMR: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, HR: hazard ratio, MACE major adverse cardiovascular events
Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive and Generalised Anxiety Symptoms Among Female Adolescents in Nepal: Results of a Cross-sectional National Population-Based Survey in 2022
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of major depressive disorder symptoms (MDDs) and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms (GADs) among female adolescents in Nepal. In a national cross-sectional population-based survey of female adolescents (N = 1379; 15–19 years) in Nepal, MDDs was assessed with the PHQ-9 and GADs with the GAD-7. Logistic and Poisson regression were used to estimate predictors of MDDs and GADs. The prevalence of MDDs was 7.8% (4.5% with a cut-off of ≥ 10 scores), and the prevalence of GADs was 13.4% (5.6% with a cut-off of ≥ 10 scores). In multivariable models, older age (17–19 years), higher education, greater wealth status, poor self-rated health status, genital sore or ulcer, currently pregnant, pregnancy loss, alcohol use, and early sexual debut were positively associated with MDDs and/or MDD scores. Older age, greater wealth status, living in the Terai region, poor self-rated health status, current alcohol use, pregnancy loss, big problem with getting permission for medical help were positively associated with GADs and/or GAD scores. About one in ten female adolescents report MDDs or GADs, and several associated factors were identified which can be targeted in mental health interventions in this population.
Density-dependent facilitation and inhibition between submerged and free-floating plants
Authors: Szabó Sándor , Csizmár Aliz , Koleszár Gergő , Oláh Viktor , Birk Sebastian , Peeters Edwin T. H. M.
Published: March 2024

This study aimed at testing the hypothesis that free-floating plants may facilitate the growth of submerged plants under hypertrophic conditions and intermediate plant density. The effects of Lemna presence on the growth of two submerged plants (Elodea nuttallii and Ceratophyllum demersum) over a nitrogen gradient were experimentally investigated. This was complemented with analysing the presence of C. demersum and E. nuttallii in Hungary and in Germany in relation to the density of free-floating plants. Results showed a negative exponential pattern between underwater light intensity and Lemna cover. Ceratophyllum and Elodea relative growth rate decreased with increasing nitrogen concentrations and additional low Lemna density stimulated Ceratophyllum and suppressed Elodea. Elodea decreased linearly with Lemna density while Ceratophyllum showed a unimodal response. Total algal biomass (epiphytic and planktonic) was higher in Ceratophyllum than in Elodea treatments and decreased rapidly with increasing Lemna density. The field studies showed a positive relationship between Ceratophyllum and a negative one between Elodea and free-floating plant cover. This study clearly showed that free-floating plants can have either facilitating or inhibiting impact on the growth of submerged plants depending on cover density and macrophyte species. The facilitating effect on Ceratophyllum is most likely due to suppressing epiphytic algal growth.
Vision based process monitoring in wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM)
Authors: Franke Jan , Heinrich Florian , Reisch Raven T.
Published: March 2024

A stable welding process is crucial to obtain high quality parts in wire arc additive manufacturing. The complexity of the process makes it inherently unstable, which can cause various defects, resulting in poor geometric accuracy and material properties. This demands for in-process monitoring and control mechanisms to industrialize the technology. In this work, process monitoring algorithms based on welding camera image analysis are presented. A neural network for semantic segmentation of the welding wire is used to monitor the working distance as well as the horizontal position of the wire during welding and classic image processing techniques are applied to capture spatter formation. Using these algorithms, the process stability is evaluated in real time and the analysis results enable the direction independent closed-loop-control of the manufacturing process. This significantly improves geometric fidelity as well as mechanical properties of the fabricated part and allows the automated production of parts with complex deposition paths including weld bead crossings, curvatures and overhang structures.
Association Between Gambling Motives, Violence and Early Maladaptive Schemas in Women with Gambling Disorder
Authors: Estévez A. , Jauregui P. , Momeñe J. , Macía L.
Published: March 2024

Analyzing why being a victim of violence has led women to have problems with gambling is a field yet to be explored. Thus, the objectives of the present study were (I) analyze the relationship between gambling motives, received psychological violence, and early maladaptive schemas in women; (II) study differences in the study variables in women with and without gambling disorder (GD); (III) analyze the predictive role of violence and schemas in gambling motives; and (IV) analyze the mediating role of schemas in the relationship between violence and gambling motives. The sample comprised 61 women with GD (M = 48.43, SD = 12.78) and 342 women without GD (M = 26.91, SD = 11.47). The results of the present study revealed positive correlations between gambling motives, psychological violence received and early maladaptive schemas. In addition, women with GD scored higher on the study variables. It was also found that early maladaptive schemas based on subjugation and defectiveness may be a vulnerability factor for engaging in gambling to cope with the negative emotions produced by gender violence. From a clinical perspective, knowing the risk factors related to gambling motives in women is crucial to developing effective prevention and intervention programs.
Navigating the Mental Lexicon: Network Structures, Lexical Search and Lexical Retrieval
Authors: Agustín-Llach M. P. , Rubio J.
Published: March 2024

This paper examines the implications of the association patterns in our understanding of the mental lexicon. By applying the principles of graph theory to word association data, we intend to explore which measures tap better into lexical knowledge. To that end, we had different groups of English as Foreign language learners complete a lexical fluency task. Based on these empirical data, a study was undertaken on the corresponding lexical availability graph (LAG). It is observed that the aggregation (mentioned through human coding) of all lexical tokens on a given topic allows the emergence of some lexical-semantic patterns. The most important one is the existence of some key terms, featuring both high centrality in the sense of network theory and high availability in the LAG, which define a hub of related terms. These communities of words, each one organized around an anchor term, or most central word, are nicely apprehended by a well-known network metric called modularity. Interestingly enough, each module seems to describe a conceptual class, showing that the collective lexicon, at least as approximated by LA Graphs, is organised and traversed by semantic mechanisms or associations via hyponymy or hiperonymy, for instance. Another empirical observation is that these conceptual hubs can be appended, resulting in high diameters compared to same-sized random graphs; even so it seems that the small-world hypothesis holds in LA Graphs, as in other social and natural networks.
Bullying Victims’ Perceived Social Support and Psychological Health and Prosocial Behavior: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Huang Yanghua , Chui Harold
Published: March 2024

The literature on school bullying and perceived social support primarily relies on variable-centered approaches, investigating the independent effects of individual sources of social support. However, victims of school bullying perceive different combinations of levels of social support from multiple sources. Hence, there lacks a holistic person-centered examination of the joint effects of multiple sources of social support. The study surveyed 915 bullying victims (51.9% boys, 48.1% girls; Mage = 13.52, SD = 0.75). Latent profile analysis identified five profiles of social support across five sources (i.e., parents, teachers, classmates, close friends, and online-only friends): online-offline supported adolescents, offline supported adolescents, moderately supported adolescents, close friend supported adolescents, and unsupported. The five social support profiles were associated differently with bullying victims’ demographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, and socioeconomic status), frequency of victimization, psychological health (i.e., subjective well-being, depression, and anxiety), and prosocial behavior. The findings support the heterogenous nature of social support perceived by bullying victims and offer insights into more tailored interventions aimed at promoting the development victims in different subgroups.