bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potent molecular-targeted therapies for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ooki Akira , Osumi Hiroki , Chin Keisho , Watanabe Masayuki , Yamaguchi Kensei
Published: January 2023

Esophageal cancer (EC) remains a public health concern with a high mortality and disease burden worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a predominant histological subtype of EC that has unique etiology, molecular profiles, and clinicopathological features. Although systemic chemotherapy, including cytotoxic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors, is the main therapeutic option for recurrent or metastatic ESCC patients, the clinical benefits are limited with poor prognosis. Personalized molecular-targeted therapies have been hampered due to the lack of robust treatment efficacy in clinical trials. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the molecular profiles of ESCC based on the findings of pivotal comprehensive molecular analyses, highlighting potent therapeutic targets for establishing future precision medicine for ESCC patients, with the most recent results of clinical trials.
Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with child–Pugh B advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cheon Jaekyung , Kim Hyeyeong , Kim Han Sang , Kim Chang Gon , Kim Ilhwan , Kang Beodeul , Kim Chan , Jung Sanghoon , Ha Yeonjung , Chon Hong Jae
Published: January 2023

Background:

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Ate/Bev) demonstrated promising efficacy and safety in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the phase III IMbrave150 trial. However, patients with Child–Pugh B HCC were excluded in the abovementioned prospective trial. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Ate/Bev in patients with Child–Pugh B HCC.

Methods:

This multicenter retrospective study included 36 patients with Child–Pugh B advanced HCC who received Ate/Bev at four cancer referral centers between May 2020 and August 2021. Comparative analyses were performed with an independent cohort of patients with Child–Pugh A HCC from the same registry ( n = 133).

Results:

All patients received Ate/Bev as first-line systemic treatment for advanced HCC. The objective response and disease control rates of patients in the Child–Pugh groups B and A were 11.1% and 58.3% and 34.6% and 76.7%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7–4.3) and 7.7 months (95% CI, 4.8–10.6) in the Child–Pugh B group, whereas the median PFS and OS were 9.6 months (95% CI, 5.1–14.2) and not reached (95% CI, not available) in the Child–Pugh A group, respectively. Compared to the Child–Pugh A group, grade 3–4 adverse events (AEs) were more common in the Child–Pugh B group (44.4% versus 15.8, p < 0.001), with the most frequent grade 3–4 AEs being gastrointestinal bleeding ( n = 6, 16.7%), neutropenia ( n = 5, 13.9%), and thrombocytopenia ( n = 4, 11.1%).

Conclusions:

In the Child–Pugh B subgroup of patients with advanced HCC, Ate/Bev treatment showed modest clinical activity. However, due to the increased frequency of serious AEs, careful evaluation of treatment response and AE management is required in this subgroup of patients.
A Trip Through Tomorrowland: The World Expo as Futures Lab
Authors: Shulruff Toby , Wyman Levi
Published: January 2023

To shape just and equitable futures in which we all flourish, we need visions crafted by a broader range of voices that acknowledge everyone’s stake and account for the creativity, ingenuity, and place-based knowledge of everyday life around the planet. In addition, experiential and inclusive environments for imagining futures on a large scale are needed. We propose a concept of Futures Labs as plural, interactive, relational, cross-temporal, and immersive spaces for crafting, experiencing, and deliberating the futures we need. We analyze World Expos as one potential site in which to implement this concept based on our own experiences at the Expo2020 in Dubai. We discuss how aspects of Expos already meet the criteria of a Futures Lab and make proposals for ways to iterate this “lab” and enhance the role of World Expos in shaping global futures ahead of the upcoming 2025 Expo in Osaka, Japan.
Transforming dispositions towards automation
Authors: Bissell David
Published: January 2023

Speaking to debates on how digital automation is changing people's capacities, my commentary affirms the value of surveying the myriad dispositions to automation that are muffled by the force of dominant boosterist or dystopian narratives. However, rather than assuming strong ‘reactions’ to automated objects or interfaces, I speculate that interactions with automation might be better characterised as ‘non-encounters’ for many. I explain how the non-encounters of being lulled, cajoled, and swayed can be evaluated as politically troubling, but that responses to heighten awareness of automation's politics may not necessarily result in people caring more about it. My commentary proposes a more indeterminate understanding of how people immanently evaluate automation which invites a more transitional and low-intensity understanding of the dispositions involved.
Pilgrimage to Fátima and Santiago after COVID: Dis/connection in the post-digital age
Authors: Jorge Ana
Published: January 2023

This paper reports on a practice-centered study focusing on pilgrimage to explore mobile and digital media dis/connectivity in the context of a particular configuration of personal mobility. Pilgrimage is a practice bringing together people motivated by religion, tourism, leisure, or self-development, in what have been termed “post-secular” forms of pilgrimage and tourism. In 2020 and 2021, restrictions on individual mobility were imposed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This exploratory study consisted of interviews with 13 pilgrims in Portugal, who went on pilgrimage to Fátima or Santiago de Compostela in 2021. We argue that dis/connection by pilgrims is evidence of a post-digital moment. Our analysis shows how pilgrims maintain an ambivalent relationship with mobile media in light of this experience which limits their access to habitual devices, people, and digital services, while opening up for the use of others that facilitate the mobility and the spiritual, affective, and sensorial experience as a pilgrim. However, digital and mobile media are deeply entangled in pilgrims’ relationships with space, time, and others—and thus disconnection is partial and transitional. Moreover, dis/connection is embodied in pilgriming—for example, in how they choose the mobile media considering the weight and energy, and place it on the body, at the same time that mobile media can also afford disembodiment to the experience of pilgrimage—by alleviating the physical pain of walking, for example. Pilgrims also use the media in ways that blur the distinctions between digital and non-digital in the ways they invest meanings in their practices.
The Patriarchal Trap: The Village Wives Left Behind Amid Chinese Rural–Urban Migration
Authors: Lei Liu
Published: January 2023

Rural–urban migration has profoundly changed the traditional social structure and family relationships in China over the past 40 years. The goal of this study is to investigate the gender relationships between left-behind wives and migrant husbands in the context of Chinese rural–urban migration. Former studies have emphasized the importance of gender stratiﬁcation in migration, demonstrating that the experiences of migrant women diﬀer from those of migrant men. This study, however, shifts the focus onto left-behind wives, a vulnerable group in the countryside, whose husbands have migrated to a city. It examines the outcomes of Chinese rural–urban migration with regard to gender in a small Chinese village, which has been termed as the “patriarchal trap.” It ﬁnds that the disadvantaged position of wives left behind in rural migrant families is reﬂected in the following aspects. Firstly, the decision-making progress concerning migration and the discussions between rural wives and migrant husbands prior to undertaking migration reveals the dominant role played by rural men in taking such decisions with wives as passive participants. Secondly, despite the increase in responsibility, left-behind wives are still economically and psychologically dependent on their migrant husbands. Their wish to stay with their husbands often strengthens the gender stratiﬁcation of their experiences. Thirdly, the gender difference between rural wives and migrant husbands is manifested in their differing attitudes toward and conceptualization of extramarital relationships, which reveals the privilege of migrant husbands and the vulnerability of their rural wives. The ﬁndings call for Chinese society to devote more attention to the issue of left-behind wives and provide more care to this vulnerable group in rural China.
Self-esteem, Interpersonal Communication Competence, and Media and Technology Usage as Predictors of Loneliness Among University Students
Authors: van Tonder Johanna Isabella , Jordaan Jacques , Esterhuyse Karel
Published: January 2023

Loneliness is a common concern among university students, as these individuals experience many of the risk factors associated with loneliness. This experience of loneliness tends to lead to numerous consequences such as negative self-evaluations, anxiety, and depression, which in turn lead to impaired concentration and a decline in academic motivation and performance. The overarching aims of this study were to identify the predictor variable(s) or combination of predictor variables, namely self-esteem, interpersonal communication competence, and media and technology usage, that explain a significant percentage of the variance in loneliness amongst undergraduate university students, as well as to investigate whether differences exist in loneliness with regards to gender, ethnicity, and generational status. The sample consisted of 1,191 South African undergraduate university students between the ages of 18 and 30. This study was non-experimental in nature and a correlational research design was used. The results indicated that the combination of the independent (predictor) variables accounted for 51.9% of the variance in the Loneliness scores of the sample. Interpersonal Communication Competence and Self-esteem served as statistically and practically significant individual predictor variables of the students’ loneliness. Male students and first-generation students tend to be lonelier than female students and non-first-generation students, respectively.
Long-term behavioral effects of a school-based prevention program on illicit drug use among young adults
Authors: Griffin Kenneth W , Botvin Gilbert J , Scheier Lawrence M , Williams Christopher
Published: January 2023

Most universal drug abuse prevention efforts target early adolescents with the goal of delaying or preventing the onset of substance use. The present study examined long-term follow-up data from a large-scale randomized trial of a school-based prevention program that used cognitive-behavioral skills-training techniques to enhance social and personal competence skills and drug refusal skills. The preventive intervention was implemented in junior high schools, and pretest data were collected from students in the classroom. Approximately 13 years later, follow-up data were collected by mail from 2042 young adults. Rates of overall lifetime illicit drug use, as well as lifetime marijuana use, marijuana intoxication, and lifetime non-medical pill use, were lower among students who received the prevention program (Life Skills Training) during junior high school compared to control group participants. These findings support the hypothesis that comprehensive, universal school-based prevention programs can produce long-term effects on illicit drug use behavior.
How to measure large-scale complex urban network structures using night-time light satellite databases. Application to European metropolitan regions
Authors: Marull Joan , Farré Mercè , Espuña Marta Andreu , Prior Adrià , Galletto Vittorio , Trullén Joan
Published: January 2023

This article uses new methods and evidence from satellite data on night lighting to assess the urban network structure of 100 European metropolitan regions. Its aim was to develop indicators to test the hypothesis that complex urban networks are more efficient economically and less dependent on energy consumption owing to better information organization. It uses NPP-VIIRS NTL satellite data on night lighting (NTL) and employs a topographical representation of NTL intensities to detect urban centers. Based on the distribution of NTL intensities in urban centers represented as a Lorenz curve, it develops two new indicators of monocentricity and polycentricity to evaluate large-scale urban network structures. The results show that polycentric urban networks create more innovation, which allows them to be more economically efficient and less dependent on energy consumption. Further research should study in greater detail the relationships between urban network structures and their social, economic, and ecological performances.
Left-sided valvular heart disease and retinopathy in a 38-year-old woman with attenuated mucopolysaccharidosis: a case report
Authors: Asumda Faizal Z. , Kraker Jessica A. , Thomas Sarah C. , Maleszewski Joseph , Stone Edwin M. , Lanpher Brendan C. , Schimmenti Lisa A.
Published: January 2023

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficient levels and/or activity of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-degradative enzymes. MPS are characterized by accumulation of the mucopolysaccharides heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, or chondroitin sulfate in tissues. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with a history of joint restriction and retinitis pigmentosa who developed bivalvular heart failure requiring surgery. It was not until pathological examination of surgically excised valvular tissue that a diagnosis of MPS I was made. Her musculoskeletal and ophthalmologic symptoms, when placed in the context of MPS I, painted the diagnostic picture of a genetic syndrome that was overlooked until a diagnosis was made in late middle age.
Prior Immunization to an Intracellular Antigen Enhances Subsequent Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization in Mice
Authors: Jajosky Ryan Philip , Patel Seema R , Wu Shang-Chuen , Patel Kashyap R , Covington Mischa Li , Vallecillo-Zúniga Mary L , Ayona Diyoly , Bennett Ashley , Luckey Chance John , Hudson Krystalyn E , Hendrickson Jeanne Elise , Eisenbarth Stepahanie C , Josephson Cassandra D. , Zerra Patricia E , Stowell Sean R , Arthur Connie M
Published: January 2023

Antibodies to red blood cell (RBC) alloantigens can increase morbidity and mortality in transfusion recipients. However, alloimmunization rates can vary dramatically, with some patients never generating alloantibodies following transfusion, while others not only become alloimmunized, but may be prone to generating additional alloantibodies following subsequent transfusion. Previous studies suggest that CD4 T cell responses that drive alloantibody formation recognize the same alloantigen engaged by B cells. However, as RBCs express numerous antigens, both internally and externally, it is possible that CD4 T cell responses directed against intracellular antigens may facilitate subsequent alloimmunization to a surface RBC antigen. Here we show that B cells can acquire intracellular antigens from RBCs. Using a mouse model of donor RBCs expressing two distinct alloantigens, we demonstrate that immune priming to an intracellular antigen, which would not be detected by any currently used RBC compatibility assays, can directly influence alloantibody formation following exposure to a subsequent distinct surface RBC alloantigen. These findings suggest a previously under-appreciated mechanism whereby transfusion recipient responders may exhibit an increased rate of alloimmunization due to prior immune priming toward intracellular antigens.
Fecal microbiota transplantation from young mice rejuvenates aged hematopoietic stem cells by suppressing inflammation
Authors: Zeng Xiangjun , Li Xiaoqing , Li Xia , Wei Cong , Shi Ce , Hu Kejia , Kong Delin , Luo Qian , Xu Yulin , Shan Wei , Zhang Meng , Shi Jimin , Feng Jingjing , Han Yingli , Huang He , Qian Pengxu
Published: January 2023

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) aging is accompanied by hematopoietic reconstitution dysfunction, including loss of regenerative and engraftment ability, myeloid differentiation bias, and elevated risks of hematopoietic malignancies. Gut microbiota, a key regulator of host health and immunity, has recently been reported to affect hematopoiesis. However, there is currently limited empirical evidence explaining the direct impact of gut microbiome on aging hematopoiesis. In this study, we performed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from young mice to aged mice and observed a significant increment in lymphoid differentiation and decrease in myeloid differentiation in aged recipient mice. Furthermore, FMT from young mice rejuvenated aged HSCs with enhanced short-term and long-term hematopoietic repopulation capacity. Mechanistically, single-cell RNA sequencing deciphered that FMT from young mice mitigated inflammatory signals, upregulated the FoxO signaling pathway, and promoted lymphoid differentiation of HSCs during aging. Finally, integrated microbiome and metabolome analyses uncovered that FMT reshaped gut microbiota composition and metabolite landscape, and Lachnospiraceae and tryptophan-associated metabolites promoted the recovery of hematopoiesis and rejuvenated aged HSCs. Together, our study highlights the paramount importance of the gut microbiota in HSC aging and provides insights into therapeutic strategies for aging-related hematologic disorders.
Patients with Asian-type DEL can safely be transfused using RhD-positive blood
Authors: Ji Yanli , Luo Yalin , Wen Jizhi , Sun Yuanfan , Jia Shuangshuang , Ou Chunquan , Yang Wenbing , Chen Jingwang , Ye Hanshen , Liu Xiangfu , Liang Yongneng , Lu Zhigang , Feng Ying , Wu Xinzhong , Xiao Muzhou , Mo Jiankun , Zhou Zhenhai , Wang Zhen , Liao Zhijian , Chen Junhu , Wei Ling , Luo Guangping , Santoso Sentot , Fichou Yann , Flegel Willy A , Shao Chaopeng , Li Chengyao , Zhang Rui , Fu Yongshui
Published: January 2023

Red blood cells (RBCs) of the Asian-type DEL phenotype express few RhD proteins and are typed as serologic RhD-negative (D-) in routine testing. RhD-positive (D+) RBC transfusion for Asian-type DEL patients has been proposed but has not been generally adopted due to a lack of direct evidence regarding its safety and underlying mechanism. We performed a single-arm multicenter clinical trial to document the outcome of D+ RBC transfusion in Asian-type DEL patients; none of the recipients (0/42; 95% confidence interval, 0%-8.40%) developed alloanti-D after a median follow-up of 226 days. We conducted a large retrospective study to detect alloanti-D immunization in 4,045 serologic D- pregnant women throughout China; alloanti-D was found only in true D- individuals (2.63%, 79/3,009), but not in those with Asian-type DEL (0/1,032). We further retrospectively examined 127 serologic D- pregnant women who had developed alloanti-D and found none with Asian-type DEL (0/127). Finally, we analyzed RHD transcripts from Asian-type DEL erythroblasts and examined antigen epitopes expressed by various RHD transcripts in vitro, finding a low abundance of full-length RHD transcripts (0.18% of the total) expressing RhD antigens carrying the entire repertoire of epitopes, which could explain the immune tolerance against D+ RBCs. Our results provide multiple lines of evidence that individuals with Asian-type DEL cannot produce alloanti-D when exposed to D+ RBCs following transfusion or pregnancy. Therefore, we recommend considering D+ RBC transfusion and discontinuing anti-D prophylaxis in Asian-type DEL patients, including pregnant women. This clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03727230.
Identifying cancer driver genes based on multi-view heterogeneous graph convolutional network and self-attention mechanism
Authors: Peng Wei , Wu Rong , Dai Wei , Yu Ning
Published: January 2023

Background

Correctly identifying the driver genes that promote cell growth can significantly assist drug design, cancer diagnosis and treatment. The recent large-scale cancer genomics projects have revealed multi-omics data from thousands of cancer patients, which requires to design effective models to unlock the hidden knowledge within the valuable data and discover cancer drivers contributing to tumorigenesis.

Results

In this work, we propose a graph convolution network-based method called MRNGCN that integrates multiple gene relationship networks to identify cancer driver genes. First, we constructed three gene relationship networks, including the gene–gene, gene–outlying gene and gene–miRNA networks. Then, genes learnt feature presentations from the three networks through three sharing-parameter heterogeneous graph convolution network (HGCN) models with the self-attention mechanism. After that, these gene features pass a convolution layer to generate fused features. Finally, we utilized the fused features and the original feature to optimize the model by minimizing the node and link prediction losses. Meanwhile, we combined the fused features, the original features and the three features learned from every network through a logistic regression model to predict cancer driver genes.

Conclusions

We applied the MRNGCN to predict pan-cancer and cancer type-specific driver genes. Experimental results show that our model performs well in terms of the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the area under the precision–recall curve (AUPRC) compared to state-of-the-art methods. Ablation experimental results show that our model successfully improved the cancer driver identification by integrating multiple gene relationship networks.
Twice evasions of Omicron variants explain the temporal patterns in six Asian and Oceanic countries
Authors: Chen Boqiang , Zhao Yanji , Jin Zhen , He Daihai , Li Huaichen
Published: January 2023

Background

The ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged and caused multiple pandemic waves in the following six countries: India, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Some of the countries have been much less studied in this devastating pandemic. This study aims to assess the impact of the Omicron variant in these six countries and estimate the infection fatality rate (IFR) and the reproduction number$${R}_{0}$$R0in these six South Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania countries.

Methods

We propose a Susceptible-Vaccinated-Exposed-Infectious-Hospitalized-Death-Recovered model with a time-varying transmission rate$$\beta (t)$$β(t)to fit the multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and to estimate the IFR and$${R}_{0}(t)$$R0(t)in the aforementioned six countries. The level of immune evasion and the intrinsic transmissibility advantage of the Omicron variant are also considered in this model.

Results

We fit our model to the reported deaths well. We estimate the IFR (in the range of 0.016 to 0.136%) and the reproduction number$${R}_{0}(t)$$R0(t)(in the range of 0 to 9) in the six countries. Multiple pandemic waves in each country were observed in our simulation results.

Conclusions

The invasion of the Omicron variant caused the new pandemic waves in the six countries. The higher$${R}_{0}(t)$$R0(t)suggests the intrinsic transmissibility advantage of the Omicron variant. Our model simulation forecast implies that the Omicron pandemic wave may be mitigated due to the increasing immunized population and vaccine coverage.
Vitamin d deficiency with high parathyroid hormone levels is related to late onset SEPSIS among preterm infants
Authors: Tofe-Valera I. , Pérez-Navero J. L. , Caballero-Villarraso J. , Cañete M. D. , Villa-Jiménez R. , De la Torre-Aguilar M. J.
Published: January 2023

Preterm infants (PTs) are at greater risk for vitamin D deficiency, which relates to the possibility of a higher incidence of comorbidities. Our goal was twofold, 1) to monitor vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) serum levels at three-time points during hospitalization, and 2) to assess the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and outcomes in PTs.

Methods

We carried out a follow-up on 50 Caucasian PTs ≤ 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) and/or ≤ 1500 g birth weight at 28 days and at 4 months. PTs were divided into two subgroups for tests of association with clinical outcomes based on vitamin D deficient infants 25(OH) D cord blood levels: ≤ 20 ng/ml). At an initial stage, 25(OH) D levels were determined in maternal/preterm blood samples and were compared to full term delivery infants.

Results

There were no differences in 25(OH) D serum levels at birth when comparing PTs to term infants, or regarding maternal levels. A strong positive correlation was detected between maternal and neonatal 25(OH) D serum levels among PTs and term infants (r: 0.466; p < 0.001). Neonates with vitamin D deficiency did not present a higher incidence of comorbidities. PTs were classified in two subgroups based on vitamin D and PTH (group 1: vitamin D < 20 ng/mL and PTH > 60 pg/mL; group 2: vitamin D > 20 and PTH < 60 pg/mL). The PTs in group 1 showed a higher incidence of LOS (RR: 2; 95% CI: 1.31–3.55). No relationship was observed between MMP-8 serum levels and the incidence of sepsis.

Conclusions

This study did not find any evidence of an increase in preterm birth risk related to vitamin D level at birth. Vitamin D deficiency by itself is not associated with a higher incidence of comorbidities. However, the binomial vitamin D-PTH must be taken into consideration.
Claudin18.2 as a potential therapeutic target for primary ovarian mucinous carcinomas and metastatic ovarian mucinous carcinomas from upper gastrointestinal primary tumours
Authors: Wang Fujun , Yang Yao , Du Xiuzhen , Zhu Xiaoying , Hu Yanjiao , Lu Changyu , Sui Lei , Zhao Han , Song Kejuan , Yao Qin
Published: January 2023

Background

The vast majority of ovarian mucinous carcinomas are metastatic tumours derived from nonovarian primary cancers, typically gastrointestinal neoplasms. Therapy targeting claudin18.2 might be used in gastric, gastroesophageal junction and pancreatic cancers with high expression of claudin18.2. In this study, we aimed to profile the expression of claudin18.2 in primary ovarian mucinous carcinoma (POMC) and metastatic gastrointestinal mucinous carcinoma (MGMC).

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to detect claudin 18.2 expression in whole tissue sections of ovarian mucinous carcinomas, including 32 POMCs and 44 MGMCs, 23 of which were derived from upper gastrointestinal primary tumours and 21 of which were derived from lower gastrointestinal primary tumours. Immunohistochemical studies for claudin18.2, SATB2, PAX8, CK7 and CK20 were performed in all 76 cases.

Results

Among 76 primary and metastatic mucinous carcinomas, claudin18.2 was expressed in 56.6% (43/76) of cases. MGMCs from the upper gastrointestinal tract, including 22 derived from primary stomach tumours and one derived from a pancreas tumour, were positive for claudin 18.2 in 69.5% (16/23) of cases. MGMCs from the lower gastrointestinal tract, including 10 derived from primary appendiceal cancer and 11 derived from colorectal cancers, showed no claudin18.2 expression (0/21). The expression rate of claudin18.2 in primary ovarian mucinous neoplasms, including 22 primary ovarian mucinous carcinomas and 10 primary ovarian borderline mucinous tumours, was 84.4% (27/32). The common immunophenotypic characteristics of POMCs, upper gastrointestinal tract-derived MGMCs, and lower gastrointestinal tract-derived MGMCs were claudin18.2 + /PAX8 + /SATB2- (17/32), claudin18.2 + /PAX8-/SATB2- (16/23) and claudin18.2-/PAX8-/SATB2 + (19/21), respectively.

Conclusion

Claudin18.2 is highly expressed in POMCs and MGMCs derived from upper gastrointestinal tract primary tumours; therefore, claudin18.2-targeted therapy might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for POMCs and MGMCs from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
The prevalence of violence and its association with mental health among the Iranian population in one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 disease
Authors: Kamali Koorosh , Maleki Azam , Yazdi Seyed Abbas Bagheri , Faghihzadeh Elham , Hoseinzade Zarrintaj , Hajibabaei Marzieh , Sharafi Seyedeh Elham , Noorbala Ahmad Ali
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID-19 spread between and across nearly every country, with considerable negative health consequences. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of violence and its association with mental health among Iranians older than 15 years in 2020.

Methods

Data was collected through National Mental Health Survey on 24,584 Iranians older than 15 years in 2020. were analyzed to determine the prevalence of violence and its association with mental health. Multi-stage sampling method was used, and data on demographic characteristics and domestic-social violence and mental health (GHQ-28) were collected. Data analysis was administered using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test at a 95% level.

Results

The mean age of participants was 44.18 ± 16.4 years. The overall prevalence of domestic and social violence was 11.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Verbal violence was the most common type; with 61.8% and 66.8% for domestic and social violence, respectively. A suspected case of mental disorder, female gender, being younger than 25 years, living apart together, unemployment, low education, and history of COVID-19 infection presented a significant association with domestic and social violence (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

In comparison to the previous study in 2015, the prevalence of violence has increased. Therefore, domestic and social violence are the social concerns of Iranian society, indicating the necessity of appropriate interventions, particularly for those suspected of mental disorders and young women with low education levels.
Only one cluster per condition is an invalid design for a cluster randomized trial and should be re-labeled a quasi-experimental study. Response to: “Effect of behavioral activation on time and frequency domain heart rate variability in older adults with subthreshold depression: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Thailand”
Authors: Jamshidi-Naeini Yasaman , Golzarri-Arroyo Lilian , Siddique Abu Bakkar , Vorland Colby J. , Allison David B.
Published: January 2023

Ayudhaya et al. examined the effect of Behavioral Activation on daily step count and heart rate variability among older adults with depression in a study labeled a cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT). However, only one cluster was assigned to either of the study conditions. Such a design would have zero degrees of freedom for inferential testing, because the variation due to cluster membership cannot be estimated apart from the variation due to treatment assignment. Thus, the intervention effect is completely confounded with the cluster effect. The study should be labeled a quasi-experimental study, not a cRCT. Accordingly, the numerical results should be interpreted as associations but not evidence for causal relationships.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life and learning experiences of indigenous and non-Indigenous university and college students in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative study
Authors: Blaskovits Farriss , Bayoumi Imaan , Davison Colleen M. , Watson Autumn , Purkey Eva
Published: January 2023

Background

The years people spend attending university or college are often filled with transition and life change. Younger students often move into their adult identity by working through challenges and encountering new social experiences. These transitions and stresses have been impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to dramatic change in the post-secondary experience, particularly in the pandemic’s early months when colleges and universities were closed to in person teaching. The goal of this study was to identify how COVID-19 has specifically impacted the postsecondary student population in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Methods

The Cost of COVID is a mixed methods study exploring the social and emotional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on families, youth, and urban Indigenous People. The present analysis was completed using a subset of qualitative data including Spryng.io micronarrative stories from students in college and university, as well as in-depth interviews from service providers providing services to students. A double-coded phenomenological approach was used to collect and analyze data to explore and identify themes expressed by postsecondary students and service providers who worked with postsecondary students.

Results

Twenty-six micronarratives and seven in-depth interviews were identified that were specifically relevant to the post-secondary student experience. From this data, five prominent themes arose. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of technology was important to the post secondary experience. The pandemic has substantial educational impact on students, in what they chose to learn, how it was taught, and experiences to which they were exposed. Health and wellbeing, physical, psychological and emotional, were impacted. Significant impacts were felt on family, community, and connectedness aspects. Finally, the pandemic had important financial impacts on students which affected their learning and their experience of the pandemic. Impacts did differ for Indigenous students, with many of the traditional cultural supports and benefits of spaces of higher education no longer being available.

Conclusion

Our study highlights important impacts of the pandemic on students of higher education that may have significant individual and societal implications going forward. Both postsecondary institutions and society at large need to attend to these impacts, in order to preserve the wellbeing of graduates, the Canadian labor market, and to ensure that the pandemic does not further exacerbate existing inequalities in post-secondary education in Canada.
Challenges of using e-health technologies to support clinical care in rural Africa: a longitudinal mixed methods study exploring primary health care nurses’ experiences of using an electronic clinical decision support system (CDSS) in South Africa
Authors: Horwood Christiane , Luthuli Silondile , Mapumulo Sphindile , Haskins Lyn , Jensen Cecilie , Pansegrouw Deidre , McKerrow Neil
Published: January 2023

Background

Electronic decision-making support systems (CDSSs) can support clinicians to make evidence-based, rational clinical decisions about patient management and have been effectively implemented in high-income settings. Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) uses clinical algorithms to provide guidelines for management of sick children in primary health care clinics and is widely implemented in low income countries. A CDSS based on IMCI (eIMCI) was developed in South Africa.

Methods

We undertook a mixed methods study to prospectively explore experiences of implementation from the perspective of newly-trained eIMCI practitioners. eIMCI uptake was monitored throughout implementation. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with selected participants before and after training, after mentoring, and after 6 months implementation. Participants were then invited to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs) to provide further insights into barriers to eIMCI implementation.

Results

We conducted 36 IDIs with 9 participants between October 2020 and May 2021, and three FGDs with 11 participants in October 2021. Most participants spoke positively about eIMCI reporting that it was well received in the clinics, was simple to use, and improved the quality of clinical assessments. However, uptake of eIMCI across participating clinics was poor. Challenges reported included lack of computer skills which made simple tasks, like logging in or entering patient details, time consuming. Technical support was provided, but was time consuming to access so that eIMCI was sometimes unavailable. Other challenges included heavy workloads, and the perception that eIMCI took longer and disrupted participant’s work. Poor alignment between recording requirements of eIMCI and other clinic programmes increased participant’s administrative workload. All these factors were a disincentive to eIMCI uptake, frequently leading participants to revert to paper IMCI which was quicker and where they felt more confident.

Conclusion

Despite the potential of CDSSs to increase adherence to guidelines and improve clinical management and prescribing practices in resource constrained settings where clinical support is scarce, they have not been widely implemented. Careful attention should be paid to the work environment, work flow and skills of health workers prior to implementation, and ongoing health system support is required if health workers are to adopt these approaches (350).
Long noncoding RNAs: glycolysis regulators in gynaecologic cancers
Authors: Lv Nengyuan , Shen Siyi , Chen Qianying , Tong Jinyi
Published: January 2023

The three most common gynaecologic cancers that seriously threaten female lives and health are ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer. Glycolysis plays a vital role in gynaecologic cancers. Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to function as oncogenic molecules. LncRNAs impact downstream target genes by acting as ceRNAs, guides, scaffolds, decoys, or signalling molecules. However, the role of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in regulating gynaecologic cancers remains poorly understood. In this review, we emphasize the functional roles of many lncRNAs that have been found to promote glycolysis in gynaecologic cancers and discuss reasonable strategies for future research.
The roles of connexins and gap junctions in the progression of cancer
Authors: Zhou Mingming , Zheng Minying , Zhou Xinyue , Tian Shifeng , Yang Xiaohui , Ning Yidi , Li Yuwei , Zhang Shiwu
Published: January 2023

Gap junctions (GJs), which are composed of connexins (Cxs), provide channels for direct information exchange between cells. Cx expression has a strong spatial specificity; however, its influence on cell behavior and information exchange between cells cannot be ignored. A variety of factors in organisms can modulate Cxs and subsequently trigger a series of responses that have important effects on cellular behavior. The expression and function of Cxs and the number and function of GJs are in dynamic change. Cxs have been characterized as tumor suppressors in the past, but recent studies have highlighted the critical roles of Cxs and GJs in cancer pathogenesis. The complex mechanism underlying Cx and GJ involvement in cancer development is a major obstacle to the evolution of therapy targeting Cxs. In this paper, we review the post-translational modifications of Cxs, the interactions of Cxs with several chaperone proteins, and the effects of Cxs and GJs on cancer.
Lower SLC7A2 expression is associated with enhanced multidrug resistance, less immune infiltrates and worse prognosis of NSCLC
Authors: Jiang Shanshan , Zou Junrong , Dong Jianyu , Shi Huimian , Chen Jie , Li Yan , Duan Xianglong , Li Wensheng
Published: January 2023

Background

Solute carrier family 7 member 2 (SLC7A2), a cationic amino acid transporter, is lowly expressed in ovarian and hepatocellular cancers, which is associated with their worse prognosis. However, its roles in the prognosis, drug resistance and immune infiltration in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unclear.

Methods

We chose SLC7A2 from RNA-Seq of paclitaxel/cisplatin-resistant A549 cells, then bioinformatics, cell lines construction, RT-qPCR, and CCK8 were performed to investigate SLC7A2 role.

Result

We analyzed the 223 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from RNA-Seq of paclitaxel/cisplatin-resistant A549 cells and found that SLC7A2 expression was down-regulated in NSCLC. Lower SLC7A2 expression was associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) in NSCLC. SLC7A2 silencing enhanced the proliferation of NSCLC cells and their insensitivity to paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine in vitro. Activation of AMPK has up-regulated SLC7A2 expression and enhanced the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to anti-tumor drugs, which could be attributed to E2F1’s regulation. In addition, the levels of SLC7A2 expression were correlated to the numbers of infiltrated neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells and their marker genes, like CD86, HLA-DPA1 and ITGAM.

Conclusions

SLC7A2 may act as a tumor suppressor to modulate drug sensitivity, immune infiltration and survival in NSCLC.
Novel fondaparinux protocol for anticoagulation therapy in adults with renal failure and suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a retrospective review of institutional protocol
Authors: Ghaziri Dania , Dehaini Hassan , Msheik Mayyas , Bahmad Marwan , Zorkot Maya , Saad George Abi
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The literature recommends against the use of fondaparinux in patients with kidney failure and dialysis as it may, with repeated dosing, accumulate and put patients at risk of bleeding. The management of patients with thrombosis in the presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia HIT requires the introduction of an alternative anticoagulant like bivalirudin or argatroban. When these drugs are not available, fondaparinux, remains the only alternative. In similar scenarios, there are few studies addressing how to administer it. 

Methods

We developed a protocol for fondaparinux in patients with renal failure where pharmacokinetic parameters are altered, and levels changed only after hemodialysis or in cases of residual renal activity. Patients received a full first dose except for high risk of bleeding. We targeted a peak anti-factor Xa activity level of 0.6–1.3 units/ml and changed the subsequent dose accordingly. Furthermore, we monitored the patients for signs of bleeding, a drop in hemoglobin level, or clinical signs of thrombosis. 

Discussion

We described 10 patients with kidney failure and suspected HIT taking fondaparinux. All the patients achieved therapeutic anti-factor Xa activity levels. However, one developed new-onset venous thromboembolism (VTE) despite therapeutic anti-factor Xa levels. Another patient experienced a bleeding episode. We believe that these two patients developed complications due to their medical conditions rather than the use of fondaparinux.

Conclusion

Fondaparinux can be safely used in kidney failure using our protocol. However, despite its safety profile and relative success, this case series was small. More robust studies need to be conducted prior to drawing conclusions.
Aquatic therapy following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair enables faster improvement of Constant score than land‐based therapy or self‐rehabilitation therapy
Authors: Cikes Alec , Kadri Fayssal , van Rooij Floris , Lädermann Alexandre
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To compare the clinical and functional outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair over a period of 2 years using three postoperative rehabilitation modalities: aquatic therapy, land‐based therapy, and self‐rehabilitation therapy. The null hypothesis was that aquatic therapy would provide no difference in Constant score compared to land‐based therapy and self‐rehabilitation therapy.

Methods

A prospective study was performed on subjects scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2012 and 2017 that complied with the following criteria: (i) small to medium sized symptomatic supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tendon tears, (ii) low to moderate tendon retraction according to Patte, and (iii) fatty infiltration stage ≤2. Patients were allocated to perform either aquatic therapy, land‐based therapy, or self‐rehabilitation therapy for 2‐4 months. Independent observers blinded to the study design collected Constant score, SSV, and patient satisfaction at 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.

Study design

Level III, cohort study

Results

At 2 months follow‐up, patients performing aquatic therapy had significantly higher Constant scores (p < 0.001) and SSV (p < 0.001) compared to those performing land‐based therapy or self‐rehabilitation therapy. At 3 months follow‐up, patients performing aquatic therapy had significantly higher Constant scores (p < 0.001), and SSV (p < 0.001), both of which exceeded the respective minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) of 10.4 and 12. Patients performing aquatic therapy continued to have significantly higher Constant scores and SSV at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years.

Conclusion

Aquatic therapy has a positive effect on clinical outcomes at 3 months after surgery, but yields no relevant improvements on function or satisfaction at 1 to 2 years follow‐up.
Exploring the asymmetric effect of COVID-19 pandemic news on the cryptocurrency market: evidence from nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach and frequency domain causality
Authors: Gherghina Ştefan Cristian , Simionescu Liliana Nicoleta
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the asymmetric effect of COVID-19 pandemic news, as measured by the coronavirus indices (Panic, Hype, Fake News, Sentiment, Infodemic, and Media Coverage), on the cryptocurrency market. Using daily data from January 2020 to September 2021 and the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model, the results revealed that both adverse and optimistic news had the same effect on Bitcoin returns, indicating fear of missing out behavior does not prevail. Furthermore, when the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model is estimated, both positive and negative shocks in pandemic indices promote Bitcoin’s daily changes; thus, Bitcoin is resistant to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic crisis and may serve as a hedge during market turmoil. The analysis of frequency domain causality supports a unidirectional causality running from the Coronavirus Fake News Index and Sentiment Index to Bitcoin returns, whereas daily fluctuations in the Bitcoin price Granger affect the Coronavirus Panic Index and the Hype Index. These findings may have significant policy implications for investors and governments because they highlight the importance of news during turbulent times. The empirical results indicate that pandemic news could significantly influence Bitcoin’s price.
Transesophageal echocardiography for cardiac herniation occurring during robotic-assisted mitral valve repair: a case report
Authors: Miyata Kazuto , Shigematsu Sayaka , Miyayama Naoki
Published: January 2023

Background

Cardiac herniation has been reported in thoracic trauma and after pneumonectomy; however, it is sporadic in cardiac surgery.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old male patient underwent an elective totally endoscopic robotic-assisted mitral valve repair (TERMVR). His hemodynamics were stable after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, and no residual mitral valve regurgitation was observed. However, during suturing of the port wound, the patient developed hypotension, which improved with phenylephrine administration. Four-chamber transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images showed cardiac deformity, and postoperative chest radiography confirmed the dextrocardia. The cardiac herniation was repaired by deflating the left lung and over-inflating the right lung using a double-lumen tube, allowing selective ventilation without re-thoracotomy. The patient was discharged on the sixth postoperative day without complications.

Conclusions

This was a very unusual case of cardiac herniation during TERMVR visualized using distinct TEE images. The cardiac herniation was successfully repaired using a double-lumen tube without re-thoracotomy.