bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Case report and literature review: Treatment of sweat gland carcinoma
Authors: Dai Yuhong , Feng Jin , Zhou Xiao
Published: January 2023

Background

Sweat gland carcinoma (SGC) is a rare neoplasm originating from sweat glands. Surgical resection is the first choice for SGC treatment, and there is no consensus on other treatments for advanced SGC.

Methods and result

In this case report, we present a case of a female patient with advanced SGC who received surgery; radiotherapy; multiple lines of chemotherapy, which include docetaxel, nedaplatin, albumin-bound paclitaxel, and pemetrexed; and immunotherapy (camrelizumab). The survival time of this patient is 35 months. MRI tumor monitoring indicated that these treatments slowed the progression of the disease. The effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy should be tested for more patients with SGC in the future.

Conclusion

Although the patient’s tumor was uncontrolled eventually, multiple treatments delayed tumor growth over a period of time, providing ideas for others when choosing regimens.
Case Report: Adrenal glands degenerated schwannoma: Report of three cases and literature review
Authors: Zhang Tao , Yin Si-fan , Feng Wen-bo , Feng Run-lin , Ke Chang-xing
Published: January 2023

Background

Schwannoma is a benign tumor, of which degenerated schwannoma is a subtype. Retroperitoneal schwannomas are extremely rare, as they account for only 3% of retroperitoneal tumors.Degenerated schwannoma is a schwannoma subtype. However,degenerated schwannoma occurring in the adrenal glands is extremely rare.

Case summary

Case 1: A 42-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further examination of a left adrenal mass that was incidentally discovered during a routine physical check-up.No significant abnormalities were found in laboratory tests results. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic excision of the left adrenal gland was performed under general anesthesia. Case 2: A 47-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of a left adrenal mass found on a routine physical examination.The patient was previously in good health, and there was no family history of a similar disorder. Left-sided laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed under general anaesthesia. Case 3: A 62-year-old woman with hypertension and diabetes mellitus was referred to our hospital after an incidentally found left adrenal mass.There was no family history of a similar disorder. Left-sided laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed under general anaesthesia. None of the patients had a recurrence in our study during the postoperative follow-up.

Conclusion

Degenerated schwannoma of the adrenal glands is very rare. The clinical presentations of degenerated schwannoma are nonspecific; a small number of patients do not have any symptoms, and the mass is only found incidentally during physical examination for any number of reasons. The preoperative diagnosis of adrenal degenerated schwannoma is difficult because the diagnosis must rely on pathological examination and immunohistochemistry assays. The management is surgical excision and regular follow-up.
Bibliometric analysis and evidence of clinical efficacy and safety of digital pills
Authors: Litvinova Olena , Klager Elisabeth , Yeung Andy Wai Kan , Tzvetkov Nikolay T. , Kimberger Oliver , Kletecka-Pulker Maria , Willschke Harald , Atanasov Atanas G.
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Digital pills are new technologies that aim to improve healthcare by increasing medication adherence. The aim of the work was a bibliometric analysis of clinical studies of digital pills and an assessment of the level of evidence of their effectiveness, safety, and prospects for the future.

Materials and Methods: The studies were conducted using online databases such as ClinicalTrials.gov, Dimensions, and Web of Science for the period January 2012 to July 2022. The VOSviewer tool for building and visualizing bibliometric networks was used.

Results: Bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature revealed that over the past 10 years, the number of publications about digital pills has noticeably increased, which indicates the increasing importance of this field of knowledge. The leading positions in this area are occupied by scientists from the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. Sources of financial support for authors of publications in the field of digital pills are funds from leading developer companies, budget allocations, and funds from non-commercial organizations. Public-private partnerships are an important path to develop and implement digital pills. The four main clusters of digital pill studies were highlighted and visualized: efficacy and safety analysis for serious mental disorders; treatment and costs of tuberculosis therapy; features of the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and AIDS; and usage monitoring. Available publications demonstrate the efficacy potential and safety of digital pills. Nevertheless, the effects of digital pills have not yet been fully studied.

Conclusion: Priority areas for future research are further randomized controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses, which are necessary for a high level (I level) of evidence for therapeutic applications of digital pills, as well as pharmacoeconomic studies.
Anticancer effects of licochalcones: A review of the mechanisms
Authors: Deng Nan , Qiao Mingming , Li Ying , Liang Fengyan , Li Jingjing , Liu Yanfeng
Published: January 2023

Cancer is a disease with a high fatality rate representing a serious threat to human health. Researchers have tried to identify effective anticancer drugs. Licorice is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with various pharmacological properties, and licorice-derived flavonoids include licochalcones like licochalcone A, licochalcone B, licochalcone C, licochalcone D, licochalcone E, and licochalcone H. By regulating the expression in multiple signaling pathways such as the EGFR/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38/JNK, JAK2/STAT3, MEK/ERK, Wnt/β-catenin, and MKK4/JNK pathways, and their downstream proteins, licochalcones can activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and death receptor pathway, promote autophagy-related protein expression, inhibit the expression of cell cycle proteins and angiogenesis factors, regulate autophagy and apoptosis, and inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Among the licochalcones, the largest number of studies examined licochalcone A, far more than other licochalcones. Licochalcone A not only has prominent anticancer effects but also can be used to inhibit the efflux of antineoplastic drugs from cancer cells. Moreover, derivatives of licochalcone A exhibit strong antitumor effects. Currently, most results of the anticancer effects of licochalcones are derived from cell experiments. Thus, more clinical studies are needed to confirm the antineoplastic effects of licochalcones.
Population pharmacokinetics of FCN-159, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, in adult patients with advanced melanoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and model informed dosing recommendations for NF1 pediatrics
Authors: Tan Yan , Cui Ailing , Qian Lixuan , Li Chao , Wu Zhuli , Yang Yuchen , Han Pu , Huang Xin , Diao Lei
Published: January 2023

Objective: FCN-159 is a highly active mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) inhibitor in patients with advanced melanoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We report a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model-based analysis of FCN-159 and its application to inform dose selection for NF1 pediatric trials.

Methods: PK data collected from patients with advanced melanoma and NF1 in two clinical studies (NCT03932253 and NCT04954001) were analyzed using a non-linear mixed effects model. The adult model was adapted by incorporating allometric scaling for PK projection in 2–17 years old children. Pediatric exposure in different body surface area (BSA) bins was simulated to identify nominal doses (i.e., dose amounts given as integers) and BSA bin cutoffs to achieve exposure comparable to adults’ optimal exposure across the entire pediatric BSA range.

Results: The final dataset consisted of 45 subjects with a total of 1030 PK samples. The PK of FCN-159 was well-described by a 2-compartment model with first-order linear elimination and delayed first-order absorption. Covariates, including BSA, age, sex, albumin, total protein, and cancer type, were identified as statistically significant predictors of FCN-159 disposition. Simulations based on the final model projected daily doses of 4 mg/m2 QD with optimized BSA bin cutoffs would allow fixed nominal doses within each bin and result in steady state exposure approximating the adult exposure observed at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) in NF1, which is 8 mg QD.

Conclusion: The developed population PK model adequately described the PK profile of FCN-159, which was adapted using allometric scaling to inform dose selection for NF1 pediatric trials.
Comparative clinical-related outcomes of Chinese patent medicines for cardiac hypertrophy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zhang Tianqi , Xu Haoyang , Zhen Dong , Fu Danni , Zhao Ming , Wei Chengxi , Bai Xue
Published: January 2023

Background: Persistent pathological cardiac hypertrophy has been associated with increased risk of heart failure and even sudden death. Multiple Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) have gained attention as alternative and complementary remedies due to their high efficiency and few side effects. However, the effects of CPM-related treatment regimens for cardiac hypertrophy had not been systematically evaluated.

Aim: The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the effectiveness of different mechanisms of CPMs to improve clinical outcomes, including clinical efficacy and echocardiographic indices, in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy patents.

Methods: A network meta-analysis was conducted on CPM-related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2012 and 2022 involving cardiac hypertrophy patients from four foreign and four Chinese databases. The outcomes concerned efficacy and related indicators, including echocardiographic indices, cardiac biomarkers, and functional exercise capacity, which were evaluated as odds ratios, mean differences, and 95% credible intervals. Network plots, league tables, surface-under-the-cumulative ranking (SUCRA), and funnel plots were created for each outcome, and all analyses were conducted using Stata 16.0 software.

Results: A total of 25 RCTs were evaluated; these involved 2395 patients in a network meta-analysis (NMA). The results from existing evidence indicate that blood-activating and stasis-removing Chinese patent medicine (BASR-CPM) + Western medicine (WM) showed a good improvement in clinical efficacy (OR = 8.27; 95%CI = 0.97, 70.73). A combined treatment regimen of CPM with a function of qi-replenishing, blood-activating and stasis-removing, and Western medicine was an effective treatment regimen for echocardiographic indices such as decreasing left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) (SMD = −2.35; 95%CI = −3.09, −1.62) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (SMD = −1.73; 95%CI = −2.92, −0.54). Furthermore, KWYR-CPM + WM and BASR-CPM also showed good improvement for echocardiographic indices of LVEDD (SMD = −1.84; 95%CI = −3.46, −0.22) and left ventricular ejection fraction (SMD = 1.90; 95%CI = −0.46, −3.35), respectively.

Conclusion: The study showed that BASR-CPM + WM may be the potentially superior treatment regimen for improving clinical efficacy among cardiac hypertrophy patients. QR&BASR-CPM + WM might be the optimal treatment for decreasing LVESD and LVMI. However, due to potential risks from bias and limited RCTs, further studies with larger samples and high-quality RCTs are needed to support these findings.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=329589],identifier [CRD42022329589].
Stability improvement of multi-beam picosecond–petawatt laser system for ultrahigh peak-power applications
Authors: Tang Shunxing , Guo Yajing , Yang Pengqian , Jiang Xiuqing , Hua Neng , Zong Nan
Published: January 2023

Pointing fluctuations of beams reduce the possibility of incoherent or coherent addition for ultrahigh peak power in a multi-beam picosecond–petawatt laser system. Pointing fluctuations on the target were observed on Shenguang Upgrade Petawatt (SGII-UP-Petawatt) beam using a high-speed and high-resolution active pointing stabilization control system. The maximum frequency of the pointing fluctuations was less than 50 Hz, and the amplitude was approximately 2.8 µrad (RMS). An online test of pointing fluctuations with active stabilization control demonstrated that pointing fluctuations could be reduced to 0.63 µrad (RMS), approximately one-quarter of that without active stabilization control. The benefits of reduced pointing fluctuation were estimated using a multi-beamlet petawatt laser system; the results demonstrated that peak power could be increased by 51.7% when active stabilization control was used in an eight-beamlet picosecond–petawatt laser system.
Bacillus proteolyticus OSUB18 triggers induced systemic resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Piao , Zhao Zhenzhen , Fan Jiangbo , Liang Yinping , Bernier Matthew C. , Gao Yu , Zhao Lijing , Opiyo Stephen Obol , Xia Ye
Published: January 2023

Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea cause destructive bacterial speck and grey mold diseases in many plant species, leading to substantial economic losses in agricultural production. Our study discovered that the application of Bacillus proteolyticus strain OSUB18 as a root-drench enhanced the resistance of Arabidopsis plants against P. syringae and B. cinerea through activating Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR). The underlying mechanisms by which OSUB18 activates ISR were studied. Our results revealed that the Arabidopsis plants with OSUB18 root-drench showed the enhanced callose deposition and ROS production when inoculated with Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea pathogens, respectively. Also, the increased salicylic acid (SA) levels were detected in the OSUB18 root-drenched plants compared with the water root-drenched plants after the P. syringae infection. In contrast, the OSUB18 root-drenched plants produced significantly higher levels of jasmonyl isoleucine (JA-Ile) than the water root-drenched control after the B. cinerea infection. The qRT-PCR analyses indicated that the ISR-responsive gene MYC2 and the ROS-responsive gene RBOHD were significantly upregulated in OSUB18 root-drenched plants upon both pathogen infections compared with the controls. Also, twenty-four hours after the bacterial or fungal inoculation, the OSUB18 root-drenched plants showed the upregulated expression levels of SA-related genes (PR1, PR2, PR5, EDS5, and SID2) or JA-related genes (PDF1.2, LOX3, JAR1 and COI1), respectively, which were consistent with the related hormone levels upon these two different pathogen infections. Moreover, OSUB18 can trigger ISR in jar1 or sid2 mutants but not in myc2 or npr1 mutants, depending on the pathogen’s lifestyles. In addition, OSUB18 prompted the production of acetoin, which was reported as a novel rhizobacterial ISR elicitor. In summary, our studies discover that OSUB18 is a novel ISR inducer that primes plants’ resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens by enhancing the callose deposition and ROS accumulation, increasing the production of specific phytohormones and other metabolites involved in plant defense, and elevating the expression levels of multiple defense genes.
Low-level cadmium exposure induced hormesis in peppermint young plant by constantly activating antioxidant activity based on physiological and transcriptomic analyses
Authors: Wang Bin , Lin lvna , Yuan Xiao , Zhu Yunna , Wang Yukun , Li Donglin , He Jinming , Xiao Yanhui
Published: January 2023

As one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, cadmium (Cd) has lastingly been considered to have negative influences on plant growth and productivity. Recently, increasing studies have shown that low level of Cd exposure could induce hormetic effect which benefits to plants. However, the underlying mechanisms of Cd-triggered hormesis are poorly understood. In this study, we found that Cd stress treatment showed a hormetic effect on peppermint and Cd treatment with 1.6 mg L-1 concertation manifested best stimulative effects. To explore the hormesis mechanisms of Cd treatment, comparative transcriptome analysis of peppermint young plants under low (1.6 mg L-1) and high (6.5 mg L-1) level of Cd exposure at 0 h, 24 h and 72 h were conducted. Twelve of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected for qRT-PCR validation, and the expression results confirmed the credibility of transcriptome data. KEGG analysis of DEGs showed that the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and photosynthesis were important under both low and high level of Cd treatments. Interestingly, GO and KEGG analysis of 99 DEGs specifically induced by low level of Cd treatment at 72 h indicated that these DEGs were mainly involved in the pathway of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and their functions were associated with antioxidant activity. The expression pattern of those genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and encoding antioxidant enzymes during 72 h of Cd exposure showed that low level of Cd treatment induced a continuation in the upward trend but high level of Cd treatment caused an inverted V-shape. The changes of physiological parameters during Cd exposure were highly consistent with gene expression pattern. These results strongly demonstrate that low level of Cd exposure constantly enhanced antioxidant activity of peppermint to avoid oxidative damages caused by Cd ion, while high level of Cd stress just induced a temporary increase in antioxidant activity which was insufficient to cope with lasting Cd toxicity. Overall, the results presented in this study shed a light on the underlying mechanisms of the Cd-mediated hormesis in plant. Moreover, our study provided a safe method for the efficient utilization of mild Cd-contaminated soil as peppermint is an important cash plant.
Daily living skills scale: Development and preliminary validation of a new, open-source assessment of daily living skills
Authors: Uljarević Mirko , Spackman Emily K. , Cai Ru Ying , Paszek Katherine J. , Hardan Antonio Y. , Frazier Thomas W.
Published: January 2023

Autistic individuals and individuals with a range of other neurodevelopmental conditions (NDD) often present with lower levels of daily living skills (DLS) when compared to their neurotypical peers. Importantly, lower levels of DLS have been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including lower rates of post-secondary education, lower employment rates, and higher daily support needs across autism and NDD. However, there are currently no open-source informant-reported instruments for capturing key aspects of DLS. This study describes the development, refinement, and initial psychometric evaluation of a new, relatively brief (53-item). Daily Living Skills Scale (DLSS) in a sample of 1,361 children aged 2–17 years, Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated an excellent fit of unidimensional model to the data (CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.951, RMSEA = 0.073 [95% CI: 0.071–0.074]). The single-factor CFA model showed evidence of measurement invariance of factor loadings, thresholds, and residual variance (strict invariance) across sex, age, race, and ethnicity. Model reliability and internal consistency were excellent (ω = 0.98; α = 0.97). Conditional reliability estimates indicated very good reliability (= 0.80) for the total DLS scale from very low (θ = −4.2) to high (θ = +2.4) scores. Conceptually derived self-care, homecare, and community participation subscales also showed strong reliability and internal consistency. With further replication, the EFS has excellent potential for wide adoption across research and clinical contexts.
Integration of art and technology in personalized radiation oncology care: Experiences, evidence, and perspectives
Authors: Casà Calogero , Dinapoli Loredana , Marconi Elisa , Chiesa Silvia , Cornacchione Patrizia , Beghella Bartoli Francesco , Bracci Serena , Salvati Alessandra , Scalise Sara , Colloca Giuseppe Ferdinando , Chieffo Daniela Pia Rosaria , Gambacorta Maria Antonietta , Valentini Vincenzo , Tagliaferri Luca
Published: January 2023

Cancer diagnoses expose patients to traumatic stress, sudden changes in daily life, changes in the body and autonomy, with even long-term consequences, and in some cases, to come to terms with the end-of-life. Furthermore, rising survival rates underline that the need for interventions for emotional wellbeing is in growing demand by patients and survivors. Cancer patients frequently have compliance problems, difficulties during treatment, stress, or challenges in implementing healthy behaviors. This scenario was highlighted during the COVID-19 emergency. These issues often do not reach the clinical attention of dedicated professionals and could also become a source of stress or burnout for professionals. So, these consequences are evident on individual, interpersonal, and health system levels. Oncology services have increasingly sought to provide value-based health care, considering resources invested, with implications for service delivery and related financing mechanisms. Value-based health care can improve patient outcomes, often revealed by patient outcome measures while seeking balance with economical budgets. The paper aims to show the Gemelli Advanced Radiation Therapy (ART) experience of personalizing the patients' care pathway through interventions based on technologies and art, the personalized approach to cancer patients and their role as “co-stars” in treatment care. The paper describes the vision, experiences, and evidence that have guided clinical choices involving patients and professionals in a co-constructed therapeutic pathway. We will explore this approach by describing: the various initiatives already implemented and prospects, with particular attention to the economic sustainability of the paths proposed to patients; the several pathways of personalized care, both from the patient's and healthcare professional perspective, that put the person's experience at the Gemelli ART Center. The patient's satisfaction with the treatment and economic outcomes have been considered. The experiences and future perspectives described in the manuscript will focus on the value of people's experiences and patient satisfaction indicators, patients, staff, and the healthcare organization.
Pathogenic tau decreases nuclear tension in cultured neurons
Authors: Sohn Claira , Ma Jiacheng , Ray William J. , Frost Bess
Published: January 2023

Neurodegenerative tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease, are pathologically defined by the presence of aggregated forms of tau protein in brains of affected individuals. Previous studies report that the negative effects of pathogenic tau on the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules cause a toxic destabilization of the lamin nucleoskeleton and formation of nuclear invaginations and blebs. Based on the known function of the nucleus as a mechanosensor, as well as the high incidence of nuclear pleomorphism in human Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies, we investigated the effects of pathogenic tau on nuclear tension. We first find that tau-dependent nuclear envelope invagination and relocalization of LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex components are conserved in a newly-developed neuroblastoma cell line that features doxycycline-inducible expression of a tau mutant associated with autosomal dominant frontotemporal dementia. We next determine that a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensor of nuclear tension responds to cytoskeletal stabilization and destabilization when expressed in neuroblastoma cells. Using this nuclear tension sensor, we find that induced expression of pathogenic tau is sufficient to decrease nuclear tension. This work provides the initial proof-of-concept evidence that pathogenic forms of tau alter nuclear tension, paving the way for the future study of altered nuclear mechanosensing in the context of tau-mediated neurodegenerative disorders.
First results from post-COVID inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Kupferschmitt Alexa , Langheim Eike , Tüter Haris , Etzrodt Franziska , Loew Thomas H. , Köllner Volker
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID-19 is associated with various symptoms and psychological involvement in the long term. In view of the multifactorial triggering and maintenance of the post-COVID syndrome, a multimodal therapy with somatomedical and psychotherapeutic content is expedient. This paper compares the psychological stress of post-COVID patients and their course in rehabilitation to psychosomatic and psychocardiological patients.

Method

Observational study with control-groups and clinical, standardized examination: psychological testing (BDI-II, HELATH-49), 6-MWT as somatic parameter, two measurement points (admission, discharge). Sample characteristics, including work related parameters, the general symptom-load and the course of symptoms during rehabilitation are evaluated.

Results

At admission in all measures post-COVID patients were significantly affected, but less pronounced than psychosomatic or psychocardiological patients (BDI-II post-COVID = 19.29 ± 9.03, BDI-II psychosomatic = 28.93 ± 12.66, BDI-II psychocardiology = 24.47 ± 10.02). During rehabilitation, in all complaint domains and sub-groups, symptom severity was significantly reduced (effect sizes ranging from d = .34 to d = 1.22). Medium positive effects were seen on self-efficacy (d = .69) and large effects on activity and participation (d = 1.06) in post-COVID patients. In the 6-MWT, the walking distance improved by an average of 76.43 ± 63.58 meters (d = 1.22). Not a single patient deteriorated in walking distance, which would have been a possible sign of post exercise malaise (PEM).

Conclusion

Post-COVID patients have a slighter psychological burden as psychocardiological or psychosomatic patients. Although rehabilitation is not curative, post-COVID patients benefit significantly from the interventions and there were no signs of PEM.
A single-arm retrospective study of the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Wang Xiangbin , Tian Zheng , Mansuerjiang Maiwulan , Younusi Aikebaier , Xu Leilei , Xiang Haibin , Cao Li , Wang Chong
Published: January 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods

Patients who underwent UBE-TLIF due to single-segment LSS between August 2019 and July 2021 were retrospectively included in the study. Clinical outcomes evaluated include operative time, estimated blood loss (including postoperative drainage), time to ambulation, postoperative hospital stay, complications, visual analog scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and leg pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and modified Macnab criteria. Interbody bony fusion at the index level was assessed using Bridwell grading criteria.

Results

A total of 73 patients (29 males and 44 females) were enrolled in this study. All surgeries were successfully performed without intraoperative conversion to open surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed optimal direct neural decompression after UBE-TLIF. The mean operative time was 150.89 ± 15.58 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 126.03 ± 17.85 ml (postoperative drainage was 34.84 ± 8.31 ml). Time to ambulation was 2.0 ± 0.75 days after the procedure. Postoperatively, the mean hospital stay was 5.96 ± 1.38 days. VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, JOA, and ODI were significantly improved postoperatively compared with those before the operation, and differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Excellent and good outcomes were reported by 87.67% of patients according to the modified Macnab criteria at the final follow-up. A total of nine perioperative complications occurred, with an incidence of 12.33%. X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) 6 months after the procedure showed that 37 cases (50.68%) presented with segmental fusion, 30 cases (41.10%) showed incomplete fusion, and 6 cases (8.22%) showed no signs of fusion. However, bony fusion was achieved in all cases at the final follow-up.

Conclusions

UBE-TLIF for LSS has the advantages of less surgical invasiveness and fast postoperative recovery.
Az algebrailag ekvivalens átalakítás módszere súlyozott lineáris komplementaritási feladatokra
Authors: Darvay Zsolt , Jakab Zsanett
Published: January 2023

Az algebrailag ekvivalens átalakítás módszerét tanulmányozzuk egy Java programozási nyelvben implementált súlyozott lineáris komplementaritási feladatokat megoldó alkalmazás által. Az algebrailag ekvivalens átalakítás módszere esetén a centrális utat meghatározó rendszer nem lineáris egyenletét, az úgynevezett centralitási egyenletet, általában elosztjuk a barrier-paraméterrel. Ebben az esetben viszont a centralitási egyenletet a barrier-paramétertől függő jobb oldali vektorral komponensenként osztjuk el. A kapott összefüggés mindkét oldalára alkalmazunk egy folytonosan differenciálható, invertálható függvényt, majd a Newton-módszer segítségével különböző keresési irányokat kapunk. Elemezzük az alkalmazás által szolgáltatott numerikus eredményeket abban az esetben, ha az algebrailag ekvivalens átalakítás módszerét az identikus függvény, illetve a négyzetgyökfüggvény segítségével alkalmazzuk.
AlSi1MgMn-alumíniumötvözet öregedési folyamatának vizsgálata
Authors: Mudabbiruddin Mohammed , Kovács Tünde Anna
Published: January 2023

Az ipari gyakorlatban az alumíniumötvözeteket elterjedten alkalmazzák: ennek oka leginkább, hogy mechanikai tulajdonságai és megmunkálhatósága megfelelő. A tanulmány a klaszterek kialakulását, az eróziót és korróziót, a kiválási folyamatokat, a mesterséges öregedést és egyéb tényezőket és azok hatását taglalja. A kísérleteink során az alumíniumötvözetek kísérleti vizsgálatát végeztük gyakorlati úton, ami azt jelenti, hogy az AlSi1MgMn (EN AW 6082 T6)-típusú alumíniumötvözet öregedési folyamatának vizsgálatát tűztük ki fő célkitűzésként. Az alumíniumötvözetek vegyületkiválásának vizsgálatára hőkezelést végeztünk. A hőkezelés után elvégeztük a keménységmérést, és kiértékeltük a keménységi értékeket, mely segítségével megkaptuk az optimális keménységi értéket, az öregedési időnek és a hőmérsékletnek megfelelően. A vizsgálatok során a keménységmérések eredményei szignifikánsak voltak, ezzel szemben a metallográfiai képelemzés nem adott releváns eredményt. A pontosabb eredmények érdekében további vizsgálatok javasoltak.
RUemo—The Classification Framework for Russia-Ukraine War-Related Societal Emotions on Twitter through Machine Learning
Authors: Vyas Piyush , Vyas Gitika , Dhiman Gaurav
Published: January 2023

The beginning of this decade brought utter international chaos with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war (RUW). The ongoing war has been building pressure across the globe. People have been showcasing their opinions through different communication media, of which social media is the prime source. Consequently, it is important to analyze people’s emotions toward the RUW. This paper therefore aims to provide the framework for automatically classifying the distinct societal emotions on Twitter, utilizing the amalgamation of Emotion Robustly Optimized Bidirectional Encoder Representations from the Transformers Pre-training Approach (Emoroberta) and machine-learning (ML) techniques. This combination shows the originality of our proposed framework, i.e., Russia-Ukraine War emotions (RUemo), in the context of the RUW. We have utilized the Twitter dataset related to the RUW available on Kaggle.com. The RUemo framework can extract the 27 distinct emotions of Twitter users that are further classified by ML techniques. We have achieved 95% of testing accuracy for multilayer perceptron and logistic regression ML techniques for the multiclass emotion classification task. Our key finding indicates that:First, 81% of Twitter users in the survey show a neutral position toward RUW; second, there is evidence of social bots posting RUW-related tweets; third, other than Russia and Ukraine, users mentioned countries such as Slovakia and the USA; and fourth, the Twitter accounts of the Ukraine President and the US President are also mentioned by Twitter users. Overall, the majority of tweets describe the RUW in key terms related more to Ukraine than to Russia.
On the Moments of the Number of Hires in the Assistant Hiring Algorithm
Authors: Kim Leeseok , Palacios José Luis
Published: January 2023

We find closed-form expressions for the variance and the third moment of the number of hires in the assistant hiring algorithm, as well as asymptotic values for higher moments of this variable.
Cyber Sexual Harassment among Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Salazar Marissa , Raj Anita , Silverman Jay G. , Rusch Melanie L. A. , Reed Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

Background: Research efforts are increasingly recognizing young girls’ experiences of technology facilitated sexual harassment, which includes sexual harassment via electronic technology and social networking sites. The current study aimed to qualitatively describe experiences of cyber sexual harassment (CSH), as well as its effects, among a sample of sexually active adolescent girls. Methods: Qualitative interviews (n = 25) were conducted among a sub-group of adolescent girls at risk for CSH (those who reported experiencing sexual or dating violence) who participated in a larger cross-sectional clinic-based study on sexual health. Participants were asked to describe their experiences or peers’ experiences of CSH. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and a thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative findings. Results: Participants reported experiencing several different types of CSH, including (a) being forced or pressured to send sexual photos, (b) receiving unwanted sexual messages/photos, and (c) having sexual photos posted or shared without the sender’s permission. Findings also highlighted the consequences of experiencing CSH, including social isolation and negative effects on girls’ education. Conclusions: These scenarios of CSH described by participants highlight the multiple ways in which girls experience CSH. Our findings begin to inform the development of quantitative survey measures that reflect these specific types of CSH experiences reported by adolescents. The consistent use of such measures will be critical to establish the prevalence and consequences of CSH in future studies on this topic.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Applied Sciences in 2022
Authors:   Applied Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Optimization of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Route Using the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows Model and Capacity Constraint
Authors: Oliveira Cátia , Pereira Joana , Santos Eva , Lima Tânia M. , Gaspar Pedro D.
Published: January 2023

At this time the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines has been proven, and it is crucial to carry out the complete vaccination of the population. Therefore, it is imperative to optimize the vaccine distribution fleets. This paper discusses the optimization of distribution routes for the Pfizer vaccine in Portugal in terms of transportation time, total costs, and CO2 emissions. To this end, the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) model with a vehicle capacity restriction was used. The VRPTW model was tested for two scenarios. The first scenario allowed the driver to work overtime (585 min). The second scenario considered that the driver works 8 h (480 min). The results are presented to compare and justify the proposed method with large significance placed in terms of safety concerns, economic savings, environmental protection, and energy consumption. This paper aims to contribute to the healthcare system by optimizing the COVID-19 vaccine distribution routes and minimizing this process’s carbon footprint.
Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Seismic Performance of New Assembled Concrete Frame Beam–Column Joints
Authors: Liu Jianhua , Liu Yunlin , Yu Dehu
Published: January 2023

A new type of assembled concrete beam–column joint based on a bolted connection was proposed, aiming to complete the post-earthquake node repair work by replacing precast beams and bolts. To study the seismic performance of the new beam–column joints, two full-scale components of the new joints were fabricated and subjected to low cyclic loading. The whole process from crack generation to component failure was investigated in detail, and seismic performance indicators such as the hysteresis curve, skeleton curve and stiffness degradation curve were compared and analyzed. Based on the experimental results, ABAQUS finite element software was applied to numerically simulate cast-in-place joints and test joints. Based on the failure mechanism of the new assembled beam–column semi-rigid joints, a stress analysis of semi-rigid joints was carried out. The research results show that the two new joints have good seismic performance and energy dissipation performance. Bolts and precast beams are the main stress components, and the repair of new joints can be completed by replacing bolts, which meets the seismic design concepts of “strong columns and weak beams” and “strong joints and weak components”. The larger the diameter of the bolts, the higher the load capacity and the lower the stiffness degradation rate. The finite element simulation results are high-accuracy and can well reflect the seismic performance of the components. It is found that cast-in-place joints are better in energy dissipation capacity than test joints, but the ultimate bearing capacity of test joints is better than that of cast-in-place joints. Based on the experimental stress characteristics of the nodal core zone, a mechanical analysis model of the nodal core zone of the new assembled concrete beam–column joints is proposed, and shear force calculation equations for the core zone of the new assembled concrete beam–column rigid joints and semi-rigid joints are derived.
Immunotherapy and the Combination with Targeted Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Laface Carmelo , Ranieri Girolamo , Maselli Felicia Maria , Ambrogio Francesca , Foti Caterina , Ammendola Michele , Laterza Marigia , Cazzato Gerardo , Memeo Riccardo , Mastrandrea Giovanni , Lioce Marco , Fedele Palma
Published: January 2023

One of the most important abilities of a tumor is to establish a state of immunosuppression inside the tumor microenvironment. This is made possible through numerous mechanisms of tumor immune escape that have been identified in experimental studies during the last decades. In addition, the hepatic microenvironment is commonly oriented towards a state of immune tolerance because the liver receives blood from the hepatic arteries and portal veins containing a variety of endogenous antigens. Therefore, the hepatic microenvironment establishes an autoimmune tolerance, preventing an autoimmune reaction in the liver. On this basis, hepatic tumor cells may escape the immune system, avoiding being recognized and destroyed by immune cells. Moreover, since the etiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is often related to cirrhosis, and hepatitis B or C, this tumor develops in the context of chronic inflammation. Thus, the HCC microenvironment is characterized by important immune cell infiltration. Given these data and the poor prognosis of advanced HCC, different immunotherapeutic strategies have been developed and evaluated for these patients. In this review, we describe all the clinical applications of immunotherapy for advanced HCC, from the drugs that have already been approved to the ongoing clinical trials.
Accuracy of p16 IHC in Classifying HPV-Driven OPSCC in Different Populations
Authors: Gallus Roberto , Nauta Irene H , Marklund Linda , Rizzo Davide , Crescio Claudia , Mureddu Luca , Tropiano Paolo , Delogu Giovanni , Bussu Francesco
Published: January 2023

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a defined etiopathogenetic factor in oropharyngeal carcinogenesis with a clear prognostic value. The P16 IHC (immunohistochemistry) is a widely accepted marker for HPV-driven carcinogenesis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC); in the present paper, we discuss its reliability as a standalone marker in different populations. The literature suggests that rates of p16 IHC false positive results are inversely correlated with the prevalence of HPV-driven carcinogenesis in a population. We propose a formula that can calculate such a false positive rate while knowing the real prevalence of HPV-driven OPSCCs in a given population. As it has been demonstrated that p16 positive/HPV negative cases (i.e., false positives at p16 IHC) have the same prognosis as p16 negative OPSCC, we conclude that despite the valuable prognostic value of p16 IHC, relying only on a p16 IHC positive result to recommend treatment de-intensification could be risky. For this aim, confirmation with an HPV nucleic acid detection system, especially in areas with a low prevalence of HPV-related OPSCCs, should be pursued.
HPV Type Distribution in Benign, High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions and Squamous Cell Cancers of the Anus by HIV Status
Authors: Chowdhury Sona , Darragh Teresa , Berry-Lawhorn J. , Isaguliants Maria , Vonsky Maxim , Hilton Joan , Lazar Ann , Palefsky Joel
Published: January 2023

The incidence of anal cancer is increasing, especially in high-risk groups, such as PLWH. HPV 16, a high-risk (HR) HPV genotype, is the most common genotype in anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the general population. However, few studies have described the distribution of HR HPV genotypes other than HPV 16 in the anus of PLWH. HPV genotyping was performed by DNA amplification followed by dot-blot hybridization to identify the HR and low-risk (LR) genotypes in benign anal lesions (n = 34), HSIL (n = 30), and SCC (n = 51) of PLWH and HIV-negative individuals. HPV 16 was the most prominent HR HPV identified, but it was less common in HSIL and SCC from PLWH compared with HIV-negative individuals, and other non-HPV 16 HR HPV (non-16 HR HPV) types were more prevalent in samples from PLWH. A higher proportion of clinically normal tissues from PLWH were positive for one or more HPV genotypes. Multiple HPV infection was a hallmark feature for all tissues (benign, HSIL, SCC) of PLWH. These results indicate that the development of anal screening approaches based on HPV DNA testing need to include non-16 HR HPVs along with HPV 16, especially for PLWH. Along with anal cytology, these updated screening approaches may help to identify and prevent anal disease progression in PLWH.
Combining TNFR2-Expressing Tregs and IL-6 as Superior Diagnostic Biomarkers for High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Masses
Authors: Kampan Nirmala Chandralega , Kartikasari Apriliana Ellya Ratna , Deceneux Cyril , Madondo Mutsa Tatenda , McNally Orla M. , Flanagan Katie Louise , Aziz Norhaslinda A. , Stephens Andrew N. , Reynolds John , Quinn Michael A. , Plebanski Magdalena
Published: January 2023

We hypothesised that the inclusion of immunosuppressive and inflammatory biomarkers in HGSOC patients would improve the sensitivity and specificity of the preoperative marker prediction of malignancy in patients with ovarian masses. We tested a panel of 29 soluble immune factors by multiplex bead immunoassay and 16 phenotypic T cell markers by flow cytometry in pre-treatment blood samples from 66 patients undergoing surgery for suspected ovarian cancer or ovarian cancer risk reduction. The potential diagnostic utility of all parameters was explored using Volcano plots, principal component analysis (PCA) and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis. We also assessed the effect of culturing PBMCs from 20 healthy donors in the presence of malignant ascites fluid. The combination of TNFR2+ Tregs and IL-6 in the pre-treatment blood of patients with advanced HGSOC effectively discriminated patients with benign or malignant ovarian masses. In vitro culturing of the PBMCs of healthy donors in malignant ascites promoted an increase in TNFR2-expressing Tregs, which were decreased following blockade with IL-6 or STAT3 activity. Pre-treatment serum IL-6 and peripheral blood TNFR2+ Tregs may be potential clinical biomarkers that can discriminate patients with malignant compared to benign ovarian cancer masses, and the relationship between IL-6 and TNFR2+ Treg is likely to be mediated via the STAT3 signalling pathway.
Incidental Diagnosis of Urothelial Bladder Cancer: Associations with Overall Survival
Authors: Kamecki Hubert , Dębowska Małgorzata , Poleszczuk Jan , Demkow Tomasz , Przewor Artur , Nyk Łukasz , Sosnowski Roman
Published: January 2023

Background: We investigated whether an incidental diagnosis (ID) of bladder cancer (BC) was associated with improved survival. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of consecutive patients with no prior diagnosis of urothelial cancer who underwent a primary transurethral resection of bladder tumor (pTURBT) between January 2013 and February 2021 and were subsequently diagnosed with urothelial BC. The type of diagnosis (incidental or non-incidental) was identified. Overall, relative, recurrence-free, and progression-free survival rates (OS, RS, RFS, and PFS) after pTURBT were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier curves and long-rank tests. A multivariable Cox regression model for the overall mortality was developed. Results: A total of 435 patients were enrolled. The median follow-up was 2.7 years. ID cases were more likely to be low-grade (LG) and non-muscle-invasive. ID vs. non-ID was associated with a trend toward an improved 7-year OS (66% vs. 49%, p = 0.092) and a significantly improved 7-year OS, if incidental cases were limited to ultrasound-detected tumors (75% vs. 49%, p = 0.013). ID was associated with improved survival among muscle-invasive BC (MIBC) patients (3-year RS: 97% vs. 23%, p < 0.001), but not among other subgroups stratified according to disease stage or grade. In multivariable analysis, only age, MIBC, and high-grade (HG) cancer demonstrated an association with mortality. PFS and RFS among non-MIBC patients did not differ in regard to the type of diagnosis. Conclusions: Incidental diagnosis may contribute to an improved survival in BC patients, most probably in the mechanism of the relative downgrading of the disease, including the possible overdiagnosis of LG tumors. Nevertheless, in the subgroup analyses, we noted marked survival benefits in MIBC cases. Further prospective studies are warranted to gain a deeper understanding of the observed associations.