bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Putting Yourself in Someone’s Shoes: A Case Study of a Workshop at a Medical University in Japan on Multicultural Understanding in Healthcare Services
Authors: Onoe Tomoko
Published: March 2024

What criteria would you use when selecting a gift for your friend? Some of you might—while trying to keep a clear picture of your friend’s face in mind—choose something that they would love. Others, however, might choose something based on what they feel would be useful or beneficial to the friend. The former attitude is the one anthropologists take when conducting surveys and other research in their field; in other words, they try to understand and clarify how the individual informants and populations that they are researching understand their world. Incorporating such an attitude in medical education can be expected to enhance the education experience.
Multicriteria GIS-based assessment of biomass energy potentials in Nigeria
Authors: Ukoba M. O. , Diemuodeke E. O. , Briggs T. A. , Ojapah M. M. , Okedu K. E. , Owebor K. , Akhtar K. , Ilhami C.
Published: March 2024

The understanding of the geographical variability of biomass energy is an essential requirement for the optimal location of biomass energy conversion plants. This research presents a multicriteria GIS-based assessment of biomass energy potentials and the appropriate siting of biomass plants in Nigeria. The study applies the weighted overlay multicriteria decision analysis method. Crop and forest areas, settlement (energy supply areas), shrub/grasslands, barren land, water bodies, distance from water sources, road accessibility, topography, and aspect are the criteria that were considered for locating a biomass facility in this study. The results suggest that the theoretical, technical, and economical energy potentials of crop residues are highest in the North-East region of Nigeria and estimated at 1,163.32, 399.73, and 110.56 PJ/yr, respectively, and lowest in the South-East at 52.36, 17.99, and 4.98 PJ/yr, respectively. The theoretical, technical, and economical energy potentials of forest residues are highest in the North-West, estimated at 260.18, 156.11, and 43.18 PJ/yr, respectively, and lowest in the South-East at 1.79, 1.08, and 0.30 PJ/yr, respectively. Although most areas were identified to be suitable for siting biomass plants across Nigeria, the most suitable areas are located in the northern part of the country and include Niger, Zamfara, the Federal Capital Territory, Nassarawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Borno State. The study supports the Nigerian bio-energy policy that proposes to effectively utilize Nigeria’s non-fuelwood as a substitute for the felling of trees. This is very important to strengthen its commitment at the COP26 International Climate Conference, which is to conserve and restore its forest. Furthermore, this study will serve as a good reference for policymakers to make well-informed decisions on tackling the energy insecurity in Nigeria.
Research progress of drug eluting balloon in arterial circulatory system
Authors: Lu Keji , Ye Xianglin , Chen Yaoxuan , Wang Peng , Gong Meiting , Xuan Bing , Tang Zhaobing , Li Meiling , Hou Jun , Peng Ke , Pei Haifeng
Published: March 2024

The arterial circulatory system diseases are common in clinical practice, and their treatment options have been of great interest due to their high morbidity and mortality. Drug-eluting balloons, as a new type of endovascular interventional treatment option, can avoid the long-term implantation of metal stents and is a new type of angioplasty without stents, so drug-eluting balloons have better therapeutic effects in some arterial circulatory diseases and have been initially used in clinical practice. In this review, we first describe the development, process, and mechanism of drug-eluting balloons. Then we summarize the current studies on the application of drug-eluting balloons in coronary artery lesions, in-stent restenosis, and peripheral vascular disease. As well as the technical difficulties and complications in the application of drug-eluting balloons and possible management options, in order to provide ideas and help for future in-depth studies and provide new strategies for the treatment of more arterial system diseases.
TAVR-in-TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve for paravalvular leak
Authors: Nagasaka Takashi , Patel Vivek , Koren Ofir , Shechter Alon , Chakravarty Tarun , Cheng Wen , Ishii Hideki , Jilaihawi Hasan , Nakamura Mamoo , Makkar Raj R.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a severe complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) that can lead to poor outcomes. TAVR-in-TAVR is a promising treatment for PVL; however, reports on its safety or efficacy are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of TAVR-in-TAVR using balloon-expandable prostheses for PVLs after TAVR.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients who underwent TAVR-in-TAVR using balloon-expandable Sapien prostheses for PVL after an initial TAVR at our institution. The procedural success, in-hospital complications, all-cause mortality, and echocardiographic data for up to 2 years post-surgery were evaluated.

Results

In total, 31 patients with a mean age of 81.1 ± 7.9 years and mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 8.8 ± 5.4% were identified. The procedural success rate of TAVR-in-TAVR was 96.8% (30/31). No in-hospital deaths, cardiac tamponade, or conversion to sternotomy occurred. Re-intervention was performed in only one patient (3.2%) during hospitalization. The all-cause mortality rates at 30 days and 2 years were 0% and 16.1%, respectively. A significant reduction in the PVL rate was observed at 30 days compared with that at baseline (p < 0.01).

Discussion

Our findings suggest that TAVR-in-TAVR using balloon-expandable prostheses is safe and effective for PVL after TAVR with low complication rates and acceptable long-term outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.
Association of coffee intake with bone mineral density: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ye Yang , Zhong Rui , Xiong Xiao-ming , Wang Chuan-en
Published: March 2024

Background

In observational studies, the relationship between coffee intake and bone mineral density (BMD) is contradictory. However, residual confounding tends to bias the results of these studies. Therefore, we used a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to further investigate the potential causal relationship between the two.

Methods

Genetic instrumental variables (IVs) associated with coffee intake were derived from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) in 428,860 British individuals and matched using phenotypes in PhenoScanner. Summarized data on BMD were obtained from 537,750 participants, including total body BMD (TB-BMD), TB-BMD in five age brackets ≥60, 45-60, 30-45, 15-30, and 0-15 years, and BMD in four body sites: the lumbar spine, the femoral neck, the heel, and the ultradistal forearm. We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) methods as the primary analytical method for causal inference. In addition, several sensitivity analyses (MR-Egger, Weighted median, MR-PRESSO, Cochran’s Q test, and Leave-one-out test) were used to test the robustness of the results.

Results

After Bonferroni correction, Coffee intake has a potential positive correlation with total body BMD (effect estimate [Beta]: 0.198, 95% confidence interval [Cl]: 0.05-0.35, P=0.008). In subgroup analyses, coffee intake was potentially positively associated with TB-BMD (45-60, 30-45 years) (Beta: 0.408, 95% Cl: 0.12-0.69, P=0.005; Beta: 0.486, 95% Cl: 0.12-0.85, P=0.010). In addition, a significant positive correlation with heel BMD was also observed (Beta: 0.173, 95% Cl: 0.08-0.27, P=0.002). The results of the sensitivity analysis were generally consistent.

Conclusion

The results of the present study provide genetic evidence for the idea that coffee intake is beneficial for bone density. Further studies are needed to reveal the biological mechanisms and offer solid support for clinical guidelines on osteoporosis prevention.
Comparison of ultrasound risk stratification systems for pediatric thyroid nodules
Authors: Yu Jing , Cui Yiyang , Fu Chao , Ma Xiao , Si Caifeng , Huang Yuanjing , Cui Kefei , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2024

Background

There is currently insufficient data to validate adult-based US risk stratification systems (RSSs) for the identification of malignant thyroid nodules in a pediatric population.

Methods

From October 2016 and May 2023, 173 thyroid nodules of pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years) with definitive pathology results and ultrasound (US) examination within 1 month before surgery or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in our institution were enrolled in this study. The clinical and US characteristics of these nodules were retrospectively reviewed and categorized according to the ACR-TIRADS, C-TIRADS, and ATA guidelines. The diagnostic performance of US-based FNA criteria (original and simulating) of the three guidelines in thyroid cancer detection was estimated.

Results

The three RSSs had similar AUC according to the categories(0.849-0.852, all P > 0.05). When combined with the original FNA criteria of the three RSSs to manage the nodules, the FNA rate of ACR-TIRADS and C-TIRADS were significantly less than ATA guidelines (53.18% vs. 64.63%, P < 0.05, and 52.60% vs. 64.63%, P < 0.05). The missed malignancy rate (MMR) and unnecessary FNA rate (UFR) of ATA guidelines (50.00%, 35.85%) was highest among the three RSSs, followed by the C-TIRADS (37.80%, 19.57%) and the ACR-TIRADS (37.04%, 19.57%). When nodules < 1 cm with the highest category in each RSS biopsied, that is when using the simulating FNA thresholds, the MMR was reduced overall (all P < 0.001), without a change in the UFR (all P > 0.05). All the three RSSs showed a substantial improvement in accuracy and malignant detection rate (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The ACR-TIRADS, C-TIRADS, and ATA guidelines showed high missed malignancy rates when using their original recommended FNA criteria. When nodules < 1 cm with the highest category in each RSS biopsied, the missed malignancy rate of each RSS was decreased. Decreasing the FNA thresholds for highly suspicious malignant nodules may therefore be an effective means of managing malignant thyroid nodules in pediatric patients.
The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on pregnancy outcomes in women with unexplained infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination: a retrospective single-center cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Jiaxu , Yu Jiaxin , Huang Yingqin , Xie Baoli , Hu Qianwen , Ma Nana , Qin Rongyan , Luo Jianxin , Wu Hao , Liao Ming , Qin Aiping
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Infertility affects 8-12% of couples worldwide, with 15-30% classified as unexplained infertility (UI). Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), the most common autoimmune disorder in women of reproductive age, may impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. This study focuses on intrauterine insemination (IUI) and its potential association with TAI in UI patients. It is the first meta-analysis following a comprehensive literature review to improve result accuracy and reliability.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study analyzing 225 women with unexplained infertility, encompassing 542 cycles of IUI treatment. Participants were categorized into TAI+ group (N=47, N= 120 cycles) and TAI- group (N=178, N= 422 cycles). Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analyses following PRISMA guidelines were conducted, incorporating this study and two others up to June 2023, totaling 3428 IUI cycles.

Results

Analysis revealed no significant difference in independent variables affecting reproductive outcomes. However, comparison based on TAI status showed significantly lower clinical pregnancy rates (OR: 0.43, P= 0.028, 95%CI: 0.20-0.93) and live birth rate (OR: 0.20, P= 0.014, 95%CI: 0.05 ~ 0.71) were significantly lower than TAI- group. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between the two groups (OR: 0.61, P= 0.135, 95%CI: 0.32-1.17). However, the meta-analysis combining these findings across studies did not show statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates (OR:0.77, P=0.18, 95%CI: 0.53-1.13) or live birth rates (OR: 0.68, P=0.64, 95%CI: 0.13-3.47) between the TAI+ and TAI- groups.

Discussion

Our retrospective cohort study found an association between TAI and reduced reproductive outcomes in women undergoing IUI for unexplained infertility. However, the meta-analysis incorporating other studies did not yield statistically significant associations. Caution is required in interpreting the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and reproductive outcomes. Future studies should consider a broader population and a more rigorous study design to validate these findings. Clinicians dealing with women with unexplained infertility and TAI should be aware of the complexity of this field and the limitations of available evidence.
A study on the correlations of PRL levels with anxiety, depression, sleep, and self-efficacy in patients with prolactinoma
Authors: Miao Xiaoju , Fu Zhongmin , Luo Xian , Wang Jun , Yuan Lili , Zhao Shunjun , Feng Yi , Huang Shiming , Xiao Shunwu
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma and to investigate the correlations between anxiety, depression, sleep, self-efficacy, and PRL levels.

Methods

This retrospective study included 176 patients with prolactinoma who received outpatient treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from May 2017 to August 2022. The general information questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were used for data collection. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to analyze the factors influencing PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma. GEE single-effect analysis was used to compare PRL levels at different time points between anxiety group and nonanxiety group, between insomnia group and normal group, and between low, medium, and high self-efficacy groups.

Results

The median baseline PRL level and the PRL levels at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up were 268.50 ng/ml, 122.25 ng/ml, 21.20 ng/ml, 19.65 ng/ml, and 16.10 ng/ml, respectively. Among patients with prolactinoma, 59.10% had anxiety (HADS-A score = 7.35 ± 3.34) and 28.98% had depression (HADS-D score = 5.23 ± 3.87), 9.10% had sleep disorders (AIS score = 6.10 ± 4.31) and 54.55% had low self-efficacy (GSES score = 2.13 ± 0.83). Educational level, tumor size, number of visits, sleep quality, anxiety level, and self-efficacy level were found to be factors influencing PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma (P<0.05). Higher PRL levels were observed in the anxiety group compared to the non-anxiety group (P<0.001), in the insomnia group compared to the normal group (P<0.05), and in the low self-efficacy group compared to the medium and high self-efficacy groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion

PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma are related to education level, tumor size, number of visits, anxiety, self-efficacy, and sleep but not depression. PRL levels were higher in patients with anxiety, low self-efficacy, and sleep disorders.
Power quality improvement using a 31-level multi-level inverter with bio-inspired optimization approach
Authors: Praveena A. , Sathishkumar K.
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the power quality (PQ) improvements have been explored through various approaches. The employment of electronic devices with renewable energy sources has expanded the harmonics level of voltage and current. Due to harmonics, the PQ of a specific electrical system gets affected. At critical load conditions, the traditional PQ mitigation approaches fail to develop the performance of the system. Therefore, in this work, the Spider Monkey Optimization convolutional neural network (SM-CNN)-based 31-level multilevel inverter (MLI) is used. This method balances the reactive power demands and enhances real power in the grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm depending on radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) is used to maximize PV power. For strengthening the voltage level of the PV and to generate higher DC voltage with a minimized switching loss, an integrated boost fly back converter (IBFC) is introduced. The presented technique is implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink platform to figure out the estimation of PQ issues. The suggested MLI lessens the total harmonic distortion (THD) value to 2.45% with an improved power factor.
Numerical simulation study on the ultimate injection concentration and injection strategy of a proppant in hydraulic fracturing
Authors: Wu Jianfa , He Yuting , Zeng Bo , Huang Haoyong , Gui Junchuan , Guo Yintong
Published: March 2024

The injection volume and the distribution of a proppant inside a fracture have a direct impact on the stimulation effect of fracturing. In this study, a new proppant transport model was established based on the Euler method. In this model, the proppant plugging element allows fluid to pass through. Furthermore, the proppant plugging process was successfully simulated based on this model. The proppant transport and ultimate injection concentration under different injection modes were discussed. The numerical simulation results indicate that compared with the strategy of constant concentration, the strategy of a stepwise increasing concentration can make the proppant distribution in the fracture more uniform. The strategy of injection with a stepwise increasing concentration and a periodic injection with a stepwise increasing concentration can increase the injection volume of the proppant by 25%. In the fracture network, a 67% increase in the number of branch fractures resulted in a 17% increase in the maximum proppant injection volume. If the branch fracture width is reduced by 50%, the maximum proppant injection volume is reduced by 17%.
Toxicology, environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, and One Health: definitions and paths for future research
Authors: Sauvé Sébastien
Published: March 2024

The definitions of toxicology, environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, environmental risk, and ecotoxicology are closely related and sometimes used as synonyms, whereas One Health is a more recent, complementary concept. This contribution examines the origins of the usages of these terms, explores their interchangeability (whether appropriate or not), and proposes some paths to better define each. The usage of these terms is evolving, and current research and paradigms are progressing toward the integration of broader, more integrative perspectives, such as the One Health approach. One Health is a holistic approach that helps link and integrate work on environmental and human health impacts. Definitions and research should not necessarily strive to segregate human vs. environmentally focused work, and most of the problems are complex and interconnected. Future research endeavors and funding programs must better reflect the multidisciplinary nature of environmental toxicology, and more broadly, One Health research and environmental research must recognize the interrelationships of human health, environmental health, ecotoxicology, and a multitude of geochemical, microbiological, and ecological processes.
Scientific contributions and lessons learned from 30 years of ecological monitoring of the Bylot Island tundra ecosystem
Authors: Gauthier Gilles , Berteaux Dominique , Bêty Joël , Legagneux Pierre , Fauteux Dominique , Gravel Dominique , Cadieux Marie-Christine
Published: March 2024

The Arctic tundra has a relatively low biodiversity but species living there have unique adaptations and are exposed to unprecedented rates of climate warming. Monitoring changes in Arctic biodiversity and identifying the driving forces is thus a pressing issue. Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic has one of the longest and most comprehensive monitoring programs of the tundra food web, spanning four decades. We provide a historical overview of ecological studies on Bylot Island, summarize their key scientific contributions, show their impacts, and present the ingredients for the success of the program and the main challenges encountered. Some major contributions include demonstrating the key role of predation in structuring the tundra food web, the importance of exchanges between ecosystems for the persistence of top predators and their cascading effects on trophic interactions, the apparent resistance of the vertebrate biota to climate warming, the need to consider multiple hypotheses to explain northward range expansion of species and the benefits of integrating scientific data and local knowledge into ecological monitoring. The program has produced >250 journal articles and >80 graduate student theses, which generated >7,700 citations in the scientific literature. A high proportion (65%) of the articles had more citations than comparable publications in their field. The longevity and success of the program can be attributed to several factors, including a researcher-driven (i.e. bottom-up) approach to design the monitoring; long-term commitment of a small number of dedicated researchers and the strong participation of graduate students; the adoption of a food web rather than a single species perspective; extensive presence in the field; the combination of several methodological approaches; and the use of multiple spatial scales adapted to research questions of interest. Challenges encountered include funding issues, transfer of expertise over time, limited spatial replication, statistical design and maintaining partnerships. Robust monitoring is essential to provide sound baseline to detect future changes, and lessons learned from our program could improve future monitoring schemes in the Arctic. Paradoxically, we believe that ecological monitoring on Bylot Island has been successful in large part because it was not originally designed as a monitoring program per se.
Obese visceral adipose dendritic cells downregulate regulatory T cell development through IL-33
Authors: Soedono Shindy , Sharlene Sharlene , Vo Dan Hoang Nguyet , Averia Maria , Rosalie Eufrasia Elaine , Lee Yun Kyung , Cho Kae Won
Published: March 2024

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) residing in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) play a pivotal role in regulating tissue inflammation and metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity. However, the specific phenotypic and functional characteristics of Tregs in obese VAT, as well as the regulatory mechanisms shaping them, remain elusive. This study demonstrates that obesity selectively reduces Tregs in VAT, characterized by restrained proliferation, heightened PD-1 expression, and diminished ST2 expression. Additionally, obese VAT displays distinctive maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), marked by elevated expressions of MHC-II, CD86, and PD-L1, which are inversely correlated with VAT Tregs. In an in vitro co-culture experiment, only obese VAT DCs, not macrophages or DCs from subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and spleen, result in decreased Treg differentiation and proliferation. Furthermore, Tregs differentiated by obese VAT DCs exhibit distinct characteristics resembling those of Tregs in obese VAT, such as reduced ST2 and IL-10 expression. Mechanistically, obesity lowers IL-33 production in VAT DCs, contributing to the diminished Treg differentiation. These findings collectively underscore the critical role of VAT DCs in modulating Treg generation and shaping Treg phenotype and function during obesity, potentially contributing to the regulation of VAT Treg populations.
The effects of food provisioning on the gut microbiota community and antibiotic resistance genes of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey
Authors: Li Lei , Jing Shan , Tang Yun , Li Dayong , Qin Mingsen
Published: March 2024

Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) are the highest elevation lived non-human primate, and their survival has been threatened for decades. To promote their population growth, a reserve provides a typical monkey population with supplemental food. However, the influences of this food provisioning on their gut microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were unknown. Therefore, we investigated the gut microbiota and ARGs of the food-provisioned monkey population compared with another wild foraging population. We found that food provisioning significantly increased the gut microbiota diversity and changed the community composition, particularly increased both the Firmicutes abundance and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Meanwhile, the food provisioning decreased the complex and stable gut microbiota network. KEGG functions were also influenced by food provisioning, with wild foraging monkeys showing higher functions of metabolism and genetic information processing, especially the carbohydrate metabolism, while food-provisioned monkeys exhibited increased environmental information processing, cellular processes, and organismal systems, including valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation. In addition, food provisioning increased the abundance of ARGs in the gut microbiota, with most increasing the abundance of bacA gene and changing the correlations between specific ARGs and bacterial phyla in each population. Our study highlights that even food provisioning could promote wildlife nutrient intake, and it is necessary to pay attention to the increased ARGs and potential effects on gut microbiota stability and functions for this human conservation measure.
The transcription factor Pou4f3 is essential for the survival of postnatal and adult mouse cochlear hair cells and normal hearing
Authors: Singh Jarnail , Randle Michelle R. , Walters Bradley J. , Cox Brandon C.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Hair cells (HCs) of the cochlea are responsible for sound transduction and hearing perception in mammals. Genetic mutations in the transcription factor Pou4f3 cause non-syndromic autosomal dominant hearing loss in humans (DFNA15) which varies in the age of onset depending on the individual mutation. Mouse models with germline deletion or mutations in Pou4f3 have previously demonstrated its critical role in the maturation and survival of cochlear HCs during embryonic development. However, the role of Pou4f3 in auditory function and in the survival or maintenance of cochlear HCs after birth and during adulthood has not been studied.

Methods

Therefore, using the inducible CreER-loxP system, we deleted Pou4f3 from mouse cochlear HCs at different postnatal ages, relevant to specific stages of HC maturation and hearing function.

Results and discussion

Elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds and significant HC loss were detected in mice with Pou4f3 deletion compared to their control littermates, regardless of the age when Pou4f3 was deleted. However, HC loss occurred more rapidly when Pou4f3 was deleted from immature HCs. Additionally, HC loss caused by Pou4f3 deletion did not affect the number of cochlear supporting cells, but caused a delayed loss of spiral ganglion neurons at 4 months after the deletion. In conclusion, Pou4f3 is necessary for the survival of cochlear HCs and normal hearing at all postnatal ages regardless of their maturation state. Our data also suggest that Pou4f3 indirectly regulates the survival of spiral ganglion neurons.
GABAergic synapses from the ventral lateral septum to the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus modulate anxiety
Authors: Liu Ying-Juan , Wang Yan , Wu Jiao-Wen , Zhou Jie , Song Bai-Lin , Jiang Yi , Li Lai-Fu
Published: March 2024

Emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, represent a major societal problem; however, the underlying neurological mechanism remains unknown. The ventral lateral septum (LSv) is implicated in regulating processes related to mood and motivation. In this study, we found that LSv GABAergic neurons were significantly activated in mice experiencing chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) after exposure to a social stressor. We then controlled LSv GABAergic neuron activity using a chemogenetic approach. The results showed that although manipulation of LSv GABAergic neurons had little effect on anxiety-like behavioral performances, the activation of LSv GABAergic neurons during CSDS worsened social anxiety during a social interaction (SI) test. Moreover, LSv GABAergic neurons showed strong projections to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, which is a central hub for stress reactions. Remarkably, while activation of GABAergic LSv–PVN projections induced social anxiety under basal conditions, activation of this pathway during CSDS alleviated social anxiety during the SI test. On the other hand, the chemogenetic manipulation of LSv GABAergic neurons or LSvGABA–PVN projections had no significant effect on despair-like behavioral performance in the tail suspension test. Overall, LS GABAergic neurons, particularly the LSv GABAergic–PVN circuit, has a regulatory role in pathological anxiety and is thus a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of emotional disorders.
Harnessing the power of resistant starch: a narrative review of its health impact and processing challenges
Authors: Baptista Nathália Trunckle , Dessalles Robin , Illner Anne-Kathrin , Ville Patrice , Ribet Léa , Anton Pauline M. , Durand-Dubief Mickaël
Published: March 2024

Starch is a primary energy storage for plants, making it an essential component of many plant-based foods consumed today. Resistant starch (RS) refers to those starch fractions that escape digestion in the small intestine and reach the colon where they are fermented by the microflora. RS has been repeatedly reported as having benefits on health, but ensuring that its content remains in food processing may be challenging. The present work focuses on the impact RS on health and explores the different processes that may influence its presence in foods, thus potentially interfering with these effects. Clinical evidence published from 2010 to 2023 and studying the effect of RS on health parameters in adult populations, were identified, using PUBMED/Medline and Cochrane databases. The search focused as well on observational studies related to the effect of food processes on RS content. While processes such as milling, fermentation, cooking and heating seem to have a deleterious influence on RS content, other processes, such as cooling, cooking time, storage time, or water content, may positively impact its presence. Regarding the influence on health parameters, there is a body of evidence suggesting an overall significant beneficial effect of RS, especially type 1 and 2, on several health parameters such as glycemic response, insulin resistance index, bowel function or inflammatory markers. Effects are more substantiated in individuals suffering from metabolic diseases. The effects of RS may however be exerted differently depending on the type. A better understanding of the influence of food processes on RS can guide the development of dietary intake recommendations and contribute to the development of food products rich in RS.
Comparison of outcomes between preoperative and postoperative systemic treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a SEER database-based study
Authors: Liu Yadi , Sun Shuangshuang , Chu Zhaoyin , Liu Caixia , Chen Lina , Ruan Zhengshang
Published: March 2024

Background

Significant advancements in systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma have been made in recent years. However, the optimal timing of systemic treatment before or after surgery remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the impact of sequencing systemic treatment and surgical intervention on the long-term prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Methods

In our study, we analyzed data from patients diagnosed with primary liver cancer (2004-2015) extracted from the SEER database. Patients who underwent both systemic treatment and surgical intervention were selected, divided into preoperative and postoperative systemic therapy groups. The primary endpoint of the study is overall survival(OS), and the secondary endpoint is cancer-specific survival (CSS). Propensity score matching (PSM) reduced the influence of confounding factors, while Kaplan-Meier curves and a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model accounted for variables during survival analysis.

Results

A total of 1918 eligible HCC patients were included, with 1406 cases in the preoperative systemic treatment group and 512 cases in the postoperative systemic treatment group. Survival analysis showed that both the preoperative group demonstrated longer median overall survival (OS) and median cancer-specific survival (CSS) before and after PSM. After conducting multivariate COX regression analysis with stepwise adjustment of input variables, the postoperative systemic treatment group continued to exhibit a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.55-2.1) and cancer-specific mortality (HR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.73-2.54). Subgroup analysis indicated consistent results for overall survival (OS) across different subgroups.

Conclusions

Hepatocellular carcinoma patients from the SEER database who received preoperative systemic therapy had superior OS and CSS compared to those who received postoperative systemic therapy.
Breast cancer risk prediction using machine learning: a systematic review
Authors: Hussain Sadam , Ali Mansoor , Naseem Usman , Nezhadmoghadam Fahimeh , Jatoi Munsif Ali , Gulliver T. Aaron , Tamez-Peña Jose Gerardo
Published: March 2024

Background

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities among women worldwide. Conventional screening and risk prediction models primarily rely on demographic and patient clinical history to devise policies and estimate likelihood. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, particularly deep learning (DL), have shown promise in the development of personalized risk models. These models leverage individual patient information obtained from medical imaging and associated reports. In this systematic review, we thoroughly investigated the existing literature on the application of DL to digital mammography, radiomics, genomics, and clinical information for breast cancer risk assessment. We critically analyzed these studies and discussed their findings, highlighting the promising prospects of DL techniques for breast cancer risk prediction. Additionally, we explored ongoing research initiatives and potential future applications of AI-driven approaches to further improve breast cancer risk prediction, thereby facilitating more effective screening and personalized risk management strategies.

Objective and methods

This study presents a comprehensive overview of imaging and non-imaging features used in breast cancer risk prediction using traditional and AI models. The features reviewed in this study included imaging, radiomics, genomics, and clinical features. Furthermore, this survey systematically presented DL methods developed for breast cancer risk prediction, aiming to be useful for both beginners and advanced-level researchers.

Results

A total of 600 articles were identified, 20 of which met the set criteria and were selected. Parallel benchmarking of DL models, along with natural language processing (NLP) applied to imaging and non-imaging features, could allow clinicians and researchers to gain greater awareness as they consider the clinical deployment or development of new models. This review provides a comprehensive guide for understanding the current status of breast cancer risk assessment using AI.

Conclusion

This study offers investigators a different perspective on the use of AI for breast cancer risk prediction, incorporating numerous imaging and non-imaging features.
Clinical study on the prediction of ALN metastasis based on intratumoral and peritumoral DCE-MRI radiomics and clinico-radiological characteristics in breast cancer
Authors: Wang Yunxia , Shang Yiyan , Guo Yaxin , Hai Menglu , Gao Yang , Wu Qingxia , Li Shunian , Liao Jun , Sun Xiaojuan , Wu Yaping , Wang Meiyun , Tan Hongna
Published: March 2024

Objective

To investigate the value of predicting axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis based on intratumoral and peritumoral dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) radiomics and clinico-radiological characteristics in breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 473 breast cancer patients who underwent preoperative DCE-MRI from Jan 2017 to Dec 2020 were enrolled. These patients were randomly divided into training (n=378) and testing sets (n=95) at 8:2 ratio. Intratumoral regions (ITRs) of interest were manually delineated, and peritumoral regions of 3 mm (3 mmPTRs) were automatically obtained by morphologically dilating the ITR. Radiomics features were extracted, and ALN metastasis-related radiomics features were selected by the Mann-Whitney U test, Z score normalization, variance thresholding, K-best algorithm and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. Clinico-radiological risk factors were selected by logistic regression and were also used to construct predictive models combined with radiomics features. Then, 5 models were constructed, including ITR, 3 mmPTR, ITR+3 mmPTR, clinico-radiological and combined (ITR+3 mmPTR+ clinico-radiological) models. The performance of models was assessed by sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F1 score and area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

A total of 2264 radiomics features were extracted from each region of interest (ROI), 3 and 10 radiomics features were selected for the ITR and 3 mmPTR, respectively. 5 clinico-radiological risk factors were selected, including lesion size, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression, vascular cancer thrombus status, MR-reported ALN status, and time-signal intensity curve (TIC) type. In the testing set, the combined model showed the highest AUC (0.839), specificity (74.2%), accuracy (75.8%) and F1 Score (69.3%) among the 5 models. DCA showed that it had the greatest net clinical benefit compared to the other models.

Conclusion

The intra- and peritumoral radiomics models based on DCE-MRI could be used to predict ALN metastasis in breast cancer, especially for the combined model with clinico-radiological characteristics showing promising clinical application value.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of the novel ozagrel–paeonol codrug with antiplatelet aggregation activities as a potent anti-stroke therapeutic agent
Authors: Zuo Chijing , Yan Fulong , Wang Jie , Zhu Yulong , Luo Wenhui , Liu Yan , Liang Wanhui , Yu Weidong , Zhang Jingwei , Peng Daiyin , Ma Xiaodong , Peng Can
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is the second most common chronic disease worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thromboembolism and platelet aggregation are the most characteristic features of stroke. Other than aspirin, no standard, accepted, or effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke has been established. Consequently, it is essential to identify novel therapeutic compounds for this condition.

Methods: In this study, novel ozagrel/paeonol-containing codrugs were synthesized and characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Their antiplatelet aggregation activity was evaluated, with compound PNC3 found to exhibit the best effect. Subsequently, studies were conducted to assess its neuroprotective effect, pharmacokinetic properties and model its binding mode to P2Y12 and TXA2, two proteins critical for platelet aggregation.

Results: The results indicated that PNC3 has good bioavailability and exerts protective effects against oxygen-glucose deprivation injury in PC12 cells. Molecular docking analysis further demonstrated that the compound interacts with residues located in the active binding sites of the target proteins.

Conclusion: The codrugs synthesized in this study display promising pharmacological activities and have the potential for development as an oral formulation.
Safety assessment of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma: acute and subacute oral toxicity
Authors: Liu Jia , Ping Xin , Sun Shu-jie , Yang Jiali , Lu Ye , Pei Lin
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that is used for treating neuropathic diseases. However, there is little information about the safety of ATR.

Methods: The present study evaluated the acute and subacute oral toxicity of a water extract of ATR in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. In acute trials, a single administration of extract at a dose 5,000 mg/kg body weight led to no clinical signs of toxicity or mortality, indicating that the lethal dose (LD50) exceeded 5,000 mg/kg. A subacute toxicity test was done using daily doses of 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg of the ATR extract for 28 days, which did not show any adverse clinical symptoms or mortality. However, the male renal organ index and urea level in mice given 5,000 mg/kg was obviously abnormal, which was consistent with pathological results and suggested that this dose might cause kidney injury.

Results: Doses of ATR lower than 2,500 mg/kg could be regarded as safe, although the potential cumulative effects of long-term use of high doses of ATR need to be considered.

Discussion: The study highlights the function of ATR in reducing blood lipids and provides a new idea for its widespread clinical use in the future.
Changes in salivary oxytocin in response to biologically-relevant events in farm animals: method optimization and usefulness as a biomarker
Authors: Moscovice Liza R. , Sobczak Birgit , Niittynen Taru , Koski Sonja E. , Gimsa Ulrike
Published: March 2024

Although best known for its established role in mediating parturition and lactation, the highly-conserved neuropeptide hormone oxytocin also mediates a range of social and stress-buffering processes across mammalian species. Measurements of peripheral oxytocin in plasma have long been considered the gold standard, but there is increasing interest in developing methods to detect oxytocin non-invasively in saliva. Here we present an analytical and biological validation of a novel method to measure salivary oxytocin (sOXT) in an under-studied research group: farm animals. Given their similarities with humans in physiology and brain, methods that can identify valued social contexts and social relationships for farm animals and investigate their function have implications for clinical research as well as for animal welfare science. However, current methods to measure sOXT vary greatly in terms of sample collection, pre-measurement processing and measurement and more rigorous standardization and validation of methods is critical to determine the utility of sOXT as a biomarker of salient social events and related emotions. We optimized a method for extracting sOXT in pigs and horses and measured sOXT in extracted samples using a commercially available enzyme-immunoassay. Extracted samples were within acceptable ranges for precision (CVs < 15.2%), parallelism and recovery (94%–99%) in both species. Salivary oxytocin increased in samples collected during birth in pigs (Friedmans, p = 0.02) and horses (Wilcoxon, p = 0.02). Salivary oxytocin tended to decrease in sows after a 90-min separation from their piglets (Wilcoxon, p = 0.08). We conclude that sOXT can be reliably linked to physiological events that are mediated by the oxytocinergic system in farm animals, but that more research is needed to determine whether sOXT is a reliable trait marker for more general oxytocin system activation in response to salient social events. Future research should characterize how individual attributes and salivary parameters influence sOXT measurement and should emphasize reporting of analytical and biological validations to increase acceptance of non-invasive methods.
Hair dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as biomarker of employees’ well-being? A longitudinal investigation of support, resilience, and work engagement during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Girardi Damiano , Dal Corso Laura , Arcucci Elvira , Yıldırım Murat , Pividori Isabella , Prandi Alberto , Falco Alessandra
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Building on the motivational process of the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, in the current research we investigated the longitudinal association between supervisor support/resilience as job/personal resources, work engagement (WE) and hair dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, or DHEA(S), as a possible biomarker of employees’ well-being.

Methods

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, 122 workers completed two self-report questionnaires (i.e., psychological data): the former at Time 1 (T1) and the latter three months afterwards, at Time 2 (T2). Participants also collected a strand of hair (i.e., biological data) at T2.

Results

Results from path analysis showed that both SS and resilience at T1 were positively related to WE at T2, which, in its turn, was positively related to hair DHEA(S) at T2. Both SS and resilience at T1 had a positive indirect effect on hair DHEA(S) at T2 through WE at T2, which fully mediated the association between job/personal resources and hair DHEA(S).

Discussion

Overall, results are consistent with the motivational process of the JD-R. Furthermore, this study provides preliminary evidence for the role of hair DHEA(S) as a biomarker of WE, a type of work-related subjective well-being that plays a central role in the motivational process of the JD-R, leading to favorable personal and organizational outcomes. Finally, the article outlines practical implications for organizations and professionals to foster WE within the workplace.