bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S100P as a potential biomarker for immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: a bioinformatics analysis and in vitro study
Authors: Hao Weiwei , Zhang Yanyan , Dou Jingwen , Cui Pu , Zhu Jicun
Published: October 2023

Background

Immunosuppression is a significant factor contributing to the poor prognosis of cancer. S100P, a member of the S100 protein family, has been implicated in various cancers. However, its role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of S100P on TME characteristics in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Multiple data (including microarray, RNA-Seq, and scRNA-Seq) were obtained from public databases. The expression pattern of S100P was comprehensively evaluated in RNA-Seq data and validated in four different microarray datasets. Prognostic value was assessed through Kaplan-Meier plotter and Cox regression analyses. Immune infiltration levels were determined using the ESTIMATE and ssGSEA algorithms and validated at the single-cell level. Spearman correlation test was used to examine the correlation between S100P expression and immune checkpoint genes, and tumor mutation burden (TMB). DNA methylation analysis was performed to investigate the change in mRNA expression. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) were utilized to validate the expression using five cell lines and 60 pancreatic cancer tissues.

Results

This study found that S100P was differentially expressed in pancreatic cancer and was associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05). Notably, S100P exhibited a significant negative-correlation with immune cell infiltration, particularly CD8 + T cells. Furthermore, a close association between S100P and immunotherapy was observed, as it strongly correlated with TMB and the expression levels of TIGIT, HAVCR2, CTLA4, and BTLA (P < 0.05). Intriguingly, higher S100P expression demonstrated a negative correlation with methylation levels (cg14323984, cg27027375, cg14900031, cg14140379, cg25083732, cg07210669, cg26233331, and cg22266967), which were associated with CD8 + T cells. In vitro RT-PCR validated upregulated S100P expression across all five pancreatic cancer cell lines, and IHC confirmed high S100P levels in pancreatic cancer tissues (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that S100P could serve as a promising biomarker for immunosuppressive microenvironment, which may provide a novel therapeutic way for pancreatic cancer.
Concurrent clinical and pathological response predicts favorable prognosis of patients with gastric cancer after neoadjuvant therapy: a real-world study
Authors: Sun Chongyuan , Niu Penghui , Zhang Xiaojie , Zhao Lulu , Wang Wanqing , Luan Xiaoyi , Han Xue , Chen Yingtai , Zhao Dongbing
Published: October 2023

Background

Response of locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) may be associated with prognosis, but which of the clinical or pathological evaluation can accurately predict a favorable prognosis is still controversial. This study aims to compare the effect of clinical and pathological response on the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed LAGC patients who underwent NAT followed by surgery in the China National Cancer Center from January 2004 to January 2021. Clinical and pathological responses after NAT were evaluated using RECIST 1.1 and Mandard tumor regression grade system (TRG) respectively. Complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) assessed by computed tomography were regarded as clinical response. For histopathology regression assessment, response was defined as Mandard 1, 2, 3 and non-response as Mandard 4, 5. Furthermore, we combined clinical and pathological evaluation results into a variable termed “comprehensive assessment” and divided it into four groups based on the presence or absence of response (concurrent response, only clinical response, only pathological response, both non-response). The association between the prognosis and clinicopathological factors was assessed in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

In total, 238 of 1073 patients were included in the study after screening. The postoperative pathological response rate and clinical response rate were 50.84% (121/238) and 39.92% (95/238), respectively. 154 patients got consistent results in clinical and pathological evaluation (66 were concurrent response and 88 were both non-response), while the other 84 patients did not. The kappa value was 0.297(p < 0.001), which showed poor consistency. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that comprehensive assessment (P = 0.03), clinical N stage(P < 0.001), vascular or lymphatic invasion (VOLI) (HR 2.745, P < 0.001), and pre-CA724(HR 1.577, P = 0.047) were independent factors for overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. Among four groups in the comprehensive assessment, concurrent response had significantly better survival (median OS: 103.5 months) than the other groups (P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Concurrent clinical and pathological response might predict a favorable prognosis of patients with gastric cancer after neoadjuvant therapy, further validation is needed in prospective clinical trials with larger samples.
The heart of Detroit study: a window into urban middle-aged and older African Americans’ daily lives to understand psychosocial determinants of cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Davis Kristin M. , Knauft Katherine , Lewis Lena , Petriello Michael , Petrick Lauren , Luca Francesca , Joseph Nataria T. , Fritz Heather , Cutchin Malcolm , Rappaport Lance , Levy Phillip , Engeland Christopher G. , Zilioli Samuele
Published: October 2023

Background

Cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects African Americans. Psychosocial factors, including the experience of and emotional reactivity to racism and interpersonal stressors, contribute to the etiology and progression of cardiovascular disease through effects on health behaviors, stress-responsive neuroendocrine axes, and immune processes. The full pathway and complexities of these associations remain underexamined in African Americans. The Heart of Detroit Study aims to identify and model the biopsychosocial pathways that influence cardiovascular disease risk in a sample of urban middle-aged and older African American adults.

Methods

The proposed sample will be composed of 500 African American adults between the ages of 55 and 75 from the Detroit urban area. This longitudinal study will consist of two waves of data collection, two years apart. Biomarkers of stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular surrogate endpoints (i.e., heart rate variability and blood pressure) will be collected at each wave. Ecological momentary assessments will characterize momentary and daily experiences of stress, affect, and health behaviors during the first wave. A proposed subsample of 60 individuals will also complete an in-depth qualitative interview to contextualize quantitative results. The central hypothesis of this project is that interpersonal stressors predict poor cardiovascular outcomes, cumulative physiological stress, poor sleep, and inflammation by altering daily affect, daily health behaviors, and daily physiological stress.

Discussion

This study will provide insight into the biopsychosocial pathways through which experiences of stress and discrimination increase cardiovascular disease risk over micro and macro time scales among urban African American adults. Its discoveries will guide the design of future contextualized, time-sensitive, and culturally tailored behavioral interventions to reduce racial disparities in cardiovascular disease risk.
Cardiorespiratory diseases in an industrialized area: a retrospective population-based cohort study
Authors: Bustaffa Elisa , Mangia Cristina , Cori Liliana , Bianchi Fabrizio , Cervino Marco , Minichilli Fabrizio
Published: October 2023

Background

Atmospheric pollution has been recognized as the greatest environmental threat to human health. The population of the Venafro Valley, southern Italy, is exposed to emissions from a Waste-To-Energy (WTE) and a cement plant and potentially also to another WTE located in the neighboring region of Lazio; also, the vehicular atmospheric pollution situation is critical. In order to assess the environmental health risk of residents in eight municipalities of the Venafro Valley, a retrospective residential cohort study during 2006–2019 was carried out.

Methods

Four exposure classes were defined by natural-break method, using a dispersion map of nitrogen dioxides (chosen as proxy of industrial pollution). The association between the industrial pollution and cause-specific mortality/morbidity of the cohort was calculated using the Hazard Ratio (HR) through a multiple time-dependent and sex-specific Cox regression adjusting for age, proximity to main roads and socio-economic deprivation index.

Results

Results showed, for both sexes, mortality and morbidity excesses in the most exposed class for diseases of the circulatory system and some signals for respiratory diseases. Particularly, mortality excesses in both sexes in class 3 for diseases of the circulatory system [men: HR = 1.37 (1.04–1.79); women: HR = 1.27 (1.01–1.60)] and for cerebrovascular diseases [men: HR = 2.50 (1.44–4.35); women: HR = 1.41 (0.92–2.17)] were observed and confirmed by morbidity analyses. Mortality excesses for heart diseases for both sexes [men-class 3: HR = 1.32 (0.93–1.87); men-class 4: HR = 1.95 (0.99–3.85); women-class 3: HR = 1.49 (1.10–2.04)] and for acute respiratory diseases among women [HR = 2.31 (0.67-8.00)] were observed. Morbidity excesses in both sexes for ischemic heart diseases [men-class 3: HR = 1.24 (0.96–1.61); women-class 4: HR = 2.04 (1.04–4.02)] and in class 4 only among men for respiratory diseases [HR = 1.43 (0.88–2.31)] were also found.

Conclusions

The present study provides several not-negligible signals indicating mitigation actions and deserve further investigations. For future studies, the authors recommend enriching the exposure and lifestyle profile using tools such as questionnaires and human biomonitoring.
Association between childhood adversities and premature and potentially avoidable mortality in adulthood: a population-based study
Authors: Bhattarai Asmita , Dimitropoulos Gina , Bulloch Andrew G.M. , Tough Suzanne C. , Patten Scott B.
Published: October 2023

Background

The association of childhood adversities with mortality has rarely been explored, and even less studied is the question of whether any excess mortality may be potentially preventable. This study examined the association between specific childhood adversities and premature and potentially avoidable mortality (PPAM) in adulthood in a representative sample of the general population. Also, we examined whether the associations were potentially mediated by various adult socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors.

Methods

The study used data from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS-1994) linked to the Canadian Vital Statistics Database (CVSD 1994–2014) available from Statistics Canada. The NPHS interview retrospectively assessed childhood exposure to prolonged hospitalization, parental divorce, prolonged parental unemployment, prolonged trauma, parental problematic substance use, physical abuse, and being sent away from home for doing something wrong. An existing definition of PPAM, consisting of causes of death considered preventable or treatable before age 75, was used. Competing cause survival models were used to examine the associations of specific childhood adversities with PPAM in adulthood among respondents aged 18 to 74 years (rounded n = 11,035).

Results

During the 20-year follow-up, 5.4% of the sample died prematurely of a cause that was considered potentially avoidable. Childhood adversities had a differential effect on mortality. Physical abuse (age-adjusted sub-hazard ratio; SHR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03, 2.00) and being sent away from home (age-adjusted SHR 2.26; 95% CI 1.43,3.57) were significantly associated with PPAM. The associations were attenuated when adjusted for adulthood factors, namely smoking, poor perceived health, depression, low perceived social support, and low income, consistent with possible mediating effects. Other adversities under study were not associated with PPAM.

Conclusion

The findings imply that the psychological sequelae of childhood physical abuse and being sent away from home and subsequent uptake of adverse health behavior may lead to increased risk of potentially avoidable mortality. The potential mediators identified offer directions for future research to perform causal mediation analyses with suitable data and identify interventions aimed at preventing premature mortality due to potentially avoidable causes. Other forms of adversities, mostly related to household dysfunction, may not be determinants of the distal health outcome of mortality.
Superior short-term outcomes of FNS in combination with a cannulated screw in treating femoral neck fractures
Authors: Su Min , He Zexing , Huang Nianlai , Lin Xiaocong , Fang Kaibin , Dai Zhangsheng
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the femoral neck system alone or in combination with a cannulated screw compared with other internal fixation methods for treating femoral neck fractures. We further investigated the predictive effects of tip-apex distance (TAD) on clinical efficacy.

Methods

Data from 129 young adults with femoral neck fractures followed up at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2016 and June 2022 were retrospectively collected. The patients were categorized into four groups based on the different internal fixation methods. Analysis and comparisons of the four group were performed according to age, ASA score, operation time, blood loss, fracture classification, fracture healing time, Harris score, TAD value, presence of complications (osteonecrosis of the femoral head, screw failure, and femoral neck shortening), and changes in the neck-shaft angle.

Results

All 129 patients were followed up for at least one year. The group who received treatment with the femoral neck system combined with a cannulated screw exhibited the shortest fracture healing time. Differences were observed in the change of neck-shaft angle among the four groups (P < 0.001), with the smallest change observed in the aforementioned group (0.76 ± 0.54°). The femoral neck shortening was also lower in groups with the femoral neck system or combined with a cannulated screw. At the last follow-up surgery, the combined treatment group achieved the highest HHS score. Subgroup analysis revealed that when the TAD was less than 25 and 49 mm for the femoral neck system and combined groups, respectively, there was less femoral neck shortening, less change in the neck-shaft angle, and a higher HHS score.

Conclusions

The femoral neck system alone or combined with a cannulated screw demonstrated better short-term efficacy in the treatment of femoral neck fractures. Furthermore, TAD may serve as a predictive indicator of the potential success of femoral neck fracture treatment.
Tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and associated factors among Chinese adolescents: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Cui Zhiying , Wang Wenhui , Si Yan , Wang Xing , Feng Xiping , Tai Baojun , Hu Deyu , Lin Huancai , Wang Bo , Wang Chunxiao , Zheng Shuguo , Liu Xuenan , Rong Wensheng , Wang Weijian
Published: October 2023

Background

Tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste has become the most important way to provide the anti-caries effect of fluoride around the world. China has promoted the use of fluoridated toothpaste since 1989. However, there are few studies on the national profile of use of fluoridated toothpaste and related factors in Chinese adolescents. We carried out this study to investigate oral hygiene behaviours, especially the status of tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and its correlates among adolescents, based on data from the latest Nation Oral Health Survey in mainland China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 118,601 participants aged 12–15 years using multistage stratified sampling. Questionnaires were completed by students at school. Data employed in analyses were extracted from the questionnaire, including information on tooth brushing, fluoridated toothpaste, dental floss, sociodemographic factors, fluoride knowledge and attitude towards regular dental check-ups. A binary logistic regression was performed to compute the odds ratios (OR). Tooth brushing twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste was the dependent variable. Sociodemographic factors, fluoride knowledge, attitude towards regular dental check-ups, dental visit experience and perceived oral health were the independent variables. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 32.6% of participants brushed their teeth twice daily, 7.4% used fluoridated toothpaste, and 3.9% cleaned their teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste. The logistic regression showed the probability of twice-a-day tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste was higher among these groups: females (OR: 1.141; 95%CI: 1.072–1.214), 15-year-olds (OR: 1.786; 95%CI: 1.634–1.952), from urban areas (OR: 1.389; 95%CI: 1.288–1.497), without siblings (OR: 1.351; 95%CI: 1.259–1.450), with an educated father (OR: 1. 605; 95%CI: 1.442–1.788) and mother (OR: 1.706; 95%CI: 1.530–1.903), having dental visit experiences (OR: 1.702; 95%CI: 1.589–1.823), rating one’s oral health as good (OR: 2.341; 95%CI: 2.083–2.631), having fluoride knowledge (OR: 4.345; 95%CI: 4.034–4.678) and having a positive attitude towards regular dental check-ups (OR: 1.589; 95%CI: 1.460–1.729).

Conclusions

The oral hygiene behaviours of Chinese adolescents were undesirable. Twice daily tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste was significantly associated with sociodemographic factors, fluoride knowledge, and attitudes towards regular dental check-ups.
Exploring medical students’ perceptions and understanding of the health impacts of climate change: a qualitative content analysis
Authors: Heydari Ahad , Partovi Peyman , Zarezadeh Yadolah , Yari Arezoo
Published: October 2023

Background

Climate change has been identified as the greatest threat to global health in the twenty-first century, with its unfavorable health consequences being among its impacts on humans. Exploring the perspectives and understanding of healthcare professionals and service providers concerning climate change becomes imperative. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions and understanding of final-year medical students regarding the health impacts of climate change on individuals and the healthcare system using a qualitative content analysis.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative content analysis approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the aid of an interview guide to explore the students' awareness, understanding, and attitudes towards the impacts of climate change on public health and the healthcare system. The collected interview data were subsequently organized into codes, categories, and subcategories based on the students' perspectives and attitudes towards climate change.

Results

Fifteen medical intern students were interviewed for this study, and the qualitative findings were categorized into 3 categories, 23 subcategories, and 229 codes. The study's findings revealed various health impacts of climate change, which were classified into three main categories, including environmental effects with 8 subcategories, socio-economic effects with 8 subcategories, and health effects with 7 subcategories. The study's findings revealed medical students' perceptions of various health impacts of climate change and These findings suggest that medical student understand that climate change has significant impacts on individuals' health and society, mainly through environmental degradation, increased risks, and climate-related disasters, which ultimately lead to adverse health outcomes.

Conclusions

The perspectives of medical students in this study indicate that climate change may not have a direct and immediate impact on the health of individuals and communities. However, it can significantly influence their health and socio-economic well-being by exacerbating or causing environmental problems, increasing the risk of weather-related events and natural disasters, ultimately leading to adverse health outcomes. While the medical students' perspectives on the health impacts of climate change are indeed broad, incorporating scientific knowledge about this topic into the medical curriculum and educating students on how to deal with patients affected by these consequences can have a significant impact on health management. This proactive approach, despite the students' already comprehensive understanding, can enhance their preparedness to address the health effects of climate change and contribute to strengthening the healthcare system's resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
Molecular surveillance and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. in cattle (Bos taurus) and goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) from Hainan island/province, China
Authors: Zhou Sa , Huang Liangyuan , Lin Yang , Bhowmick Biswajit , Zhao Jianguo , Liao Chenghong , Guan Qingfeng , Wang Jinhua , Han Qian
Published: October 2023

Anaplasmosis is a highly prevalent tick-borne intracellular bacterial disease that affects various host species globally, particularly ruminants in tropical and subtropical regions. However, information regarding the distribution and epidemiology of anaplasmosis in small and large ruminants on Hainan Isalnd is limited. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to assess the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. infections in goats (N = 731) and cattle (N = 176) blood samples using nested PCR and conventional PCR based assays. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 30.1% in goats and 14.8% in cattle. The infection rates of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra in goat samples were 22.7%, 13.8%, 2.0% and 3.4%, respectively, while the infection rates of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. marginale in cattle samples were 11.4%, 6.3% and 5.7%, respectively. A. bovis exhibited the highest prevalence among the Anaplasma spp. in both goat and cattle samples. In addition, the most frequent co-infection was the one with A. phagocytophilum and A. bovis. It was found that the age, sex and feeding habits of cattle and goats were considered to be important risk factors. Evaluation of the risk factor relating to the rearing system showed that the infection rate for the free-range goats and cattle was significantly higher when compared with stall-feeding system.

This study represents one of the largest investigations on the distribution, prevalence, and risk factors associated with Anaplasma infection in ruminants on Hainan Island, highlighting a higher circulation of the infection in the region than previously anticipated. Further reasesrch is necessary to investigate tick vectors, reservoir animals, and the zoonotic potential of the Anaplasma spp. in this endemic region of Hainan Island.
The strategies to cure cancer patients by eradicating cancer stem-like cells
Authors: Mai Yansui , Su Jiyan , Yang Chuan , Xia Chenglai , Fu Liwu
Published: October 2023

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of cancer cells, possess remarkable capability in proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Their presence is recognized as a crucial factor contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. CSCs have garnered significant attention as a therapeutic focus and an etiologic root of treatment-resistant cells. Increasing evidence indicated that specific biomarkers, aberrant activated pathways, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and immunoevasion are considered the culprits in the occurrence of CSCs and the maintenance of CSCs properties including multi-directional differentiation. Targeting CSC biomarkers, stemness-associated pathways, TME, immunoevasion and inducing CSCs differentiation improve CSCs eradication and, therefore, cancer treatment. This review comprehensively summarized these targeted therapies, along with their current status in clinical trials. By exploring and implementing strategies aimed at eradicating CSCs, researchers aim to improve cancer treatment outcomes and overcome the challenges posed by CSC-mediated therapy resistance.
Body Mass Index is Associated with blood pressure and vital capacity in medical students
Authors: Song Lingxia , Li Jiajin , Yu Sen , Cai Yunjia , He Huan , Lun Jiayi , Zheng Li , Ye Jufeng
Published: October 2023

Background

The widely reported associations between body mass index (BMI) and various chronic diseases, such as hypertension and asthma, have garnered significant attention. Nonetheless, there remains a dearth of research dedicated to understanding the health impacts of medical school on the students, who experience considerable academic pressure. In that context, this study was driven by the goal of investigating the intricate interplay between BMI, blood pressure (BP), and vital capacity among medical students.

Methods

This study included a cohort of 843 medical students enrolled at Southern Medical University who were selected through random cluster sampling. Within this cohort, measurements of height, weight, BP, and vital capacity were taken. Subsequently, both BMI and vital capacity index (VCI) were calculated for each participant. By categorizing the subjects into four groups according to BMI classifications, a comprehensive analysis that included correlation assessments and binomial logistic regression was conducted.

Results

Within the participant pool, 9.4% and 3.8% of participants were classified as overweight and obese, respectively. Additionally, the prevalence of prehypertension, hypertension, and poor VCI was 18.1%, 2.7%, and 13.5%, respectively. Notably, male students exhibited a higher prevalence of the aforementioned health issues than their female counterparts. Correlation analysis revealed that BMI displayed positive associations with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and vital capacity (r = 0.372, 0.257, 0.428; P < 0.001). However, an inverse correlation emerged between BMI and VCI (r = -0.284, P < 0.001). Further analysis revealed that overweight and obese individuals faced an elevated risk of high blood pressure ([OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.15–3.67] and [OR 5.44, 95% CI 2.28–13.02], respectively) compared to their normal-weight counterparts. Moreover, these groups also exhibited a higher risk of poor VCI ([OR 5.25, 95% CI 3.04–9.06] and [OR 15.61, 95% CI 6.81–35.81], respectively), while underweight subjects experienced a reduced risk ([OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07–0.52]).

Conclusions

BMI demonstrated a notably strong positive correlation with both BP and vital capacity and a negative correlation with VCI. Therefore, for medical students as well as the daily health care of patients, weight control is recommended to better combat obesity-related diseases, for example, cardiopulmonary diseases, gout and diabetes.
Screening and verifying the mutations in the LDLR and APOB genes in a Chinese family with familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Lv Xian , Wang Chunyue , Liu Lu , Yin Guoqing , Zhang Wen , Abdu Fuad A. , Shi Tingting , Zhang Qingfeng , Che Wenliang
Published: October 2023

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. The primary objective of this study was to identify the major pathogenic mutations in a Chinese family with FH.

Methods

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify variants of FH-related genes, including low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9). Bioinformatics software was used to predict signal peptides, transmembrane structures, and spatial construction information of the mutated sequences. Western blotting was performed on the mutant protein to determine the presence of the major structural domains of the LDLR. The PCSK9 and APOB genes were screened and analyzed. Moreover, the proband and his brother were treated with a PCSK9 inhibitor for 1 year, and the effect of the treatment on lipid levels was assessed.

Results

WGS revealed two potentially pathogenic mutations in the LDLR gene. One was a novel mutation, c.497delinsGGATCCCCCAGCTGCATCCCCCAG (p. Ala166fs), and the other was a known pathogenic mutation, c.2054C>T (p. Pro685Leu). Bioinformatics prediction and in vitro experiments revealed that the novel mutation could not be expressed on the cell membrane. Numerous gene variants were identified in the APOB gene that may have a significant impact on the family members with FH. Thus, it is suggested that the severe manifestation of FH in the proband primarily resulted from the cumulative genetic effects of variants in both LDLR and APOB. However, a subsequent study indicated that treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor (Evolocumab) did not significantly reduce the blood lipid levels in the proband or his brother.

Conclusions

The cumulative effect of LDLR and APOB variants was the primary cause of elevated blood lipid levels in this family. However, PCSK9 inhibitor therapy did not appear to be beneficial for the proband. This study emphasizes the importance of genetic testing in determining the most suitable treatment options for patients with FH.
Effect of immunology biomarkers associated with hip fracture and fracture risk in older adults
Authors: Cedeno-Veloz Bernardo Abel , Lozano-Vicario Lucía , Zambom-Ferraresi Fabricio , Fernández-Irigoyen Joaquín , Santamaría Enrique , Rodríguez-García Alba , Romero-Ortuno Roman , Mondragon-Rubio Jaime , Ruiz-Ruiz Javier , Ramírez-Vélez Robinson , Izquierdo Mikel , Martínez-Velilla Nicolás
Published: October 2023

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that can increase the risk of fractures, leading to adverse health and socioeconomic consequences. However, current clinical methods have limitations in accurately estimating fracture risk, particularly in older adults. Thus, new technologies are necessary to improve the accuracy of fracture risk estimation. In this observational study, we aimed to explore the association between serum cytokines and hip fracture status in older adults, and their associations with fracture risk using the FRAX reference tool. We investigated the use of a proximity extension assay (PEA) with Olink. We compared the characteristics of the population, functional status and detailed body composition (determined using densitometry) between groups. We enrolled 40 participants, including 20 with hip fracture and 20 without fracture, and studied 46 cytokines in their serum. After conducting a score plot and two unpaired t-tests using the Benjamini-Hochberg method, we found that Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-α), Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3LG), Colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), and Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7) were significantly different between fracture and non-fracture patients (p < 0.05). IL-6 had a moderate correlation with FRAX (R2 = 0.409, p < 0.001), while CSF1 and CCL7 had weak correlations with FRAX. LT-α and FLT3LG exhibited a negative correlation with the risk of fracture. Our results suggest that targeted proteomic tools have the capability to identify differentially regulated proteins and may serve as potential markers for estimating fracture risk. However, longitudinal studies will be necessary to validate these results and determine the temporal patterns of changes in cytokine profiles.
Interleukin-37: associations of plasma levels and genetic variants in gout
Authors: Andres Cerezo Lucie , Navrátilová Adéla , Hulejová Hana , Pavlíková Markéta , Závada Jakub , Pavelka Karel , Šenolt Ladislav , Stiburkova Blanka
Published: October 2023

Objectives

IL-37 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine involved in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between IL-37 genetic variants, IL-37 plasma levels, and various clinical phases of gout.

Methods

The study included a control group with no history of primary hyperuricemia/gout, (n = 50), asymptomatic hyperuricemia (n = 74), intercritical gout (n = 200), acute gouty flare (n = 18), and chronic tophaceous gout (n = 30). Plasma IL-37 was analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All coding regions and intron–exon boundaries of IL-37 and exons 1–5 were amplified and sequenced.

Results

Plasma levels of IL-37 were significantly higher in asymptomatic hyperuricemic (p = 0.045), intercritical gout (p = 0.001), and chronic tophaceous gout (p = 0.021) cohorts when compared to control group. The levels of IL-37 in patients with acute gouty flare were comparable to control group (p = 0.061). We identified 15 genetic variants of IL-37: eight intron (rs2708959, rs2723170, rs2708958, rs2723169 rs2466448, rs3811045, rs3811048, rs2708944) and seven non-synonymous allelic variants (rs3811046, rs3811047, rs2708943, rs2723183, rs2723187, rs2708947, rs27231927), of which rs2708959 showed an over-presentation in gouty and acute flare cohorts (p = 0.003 and 0.033, respectively) compared to European population (minor allelic frequency MAF = 0.05) but not in control and hyperuricemic cohorts (p/MAF = 0.17/0.08 and 0.71/0.05, respectively).. On the contrary, rs3811045, rs3811046, rs3811047, and rs3811048 were underrepresented among individuals with tophaceous gout (MAF = 0.57) compared to European MAF 0.70–0.71, but not compared to the control cohort (MAF = 0.67).

Conclusions

We demonstrated the up-regulation of IL-37 levels across the clinical phases of gout: asymptomatic hyperuricemia, intercritical, and chronic tophaceous gout compared to control. Moreover, 15 genetic variants of IL-37 were identified and their associations with the clinical variants of gout were evaluated.
Accelerated DNA methylation age plays a role in the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on the human heart
Authors: Topriceanu Constantin-Cristian , Dev Eesha , Ahmad Mahmood , Hughes Rebecca , Shiwani Hunain , Webber Matthew , Direk Kenan , Wong Andrew , Ugander Martin , Moon James C. , Hughes Alun D. , Maddock Jane , Schlegel Todd T. , Captur Gabriella
Published: October 2023

Background

DNA methylation (DNAm) age acceleration (AgeAccel) and cardiac age by 12-lead advanced electrocardiography (A-ECG) are promising biomarkers of biological and cardiac aging, respectively. We aimed to explore the relationships between DNAm age and A-ECG heart age and to understand the extent to which DNAm AgeAccel relates to cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in a British birth cohort from 1946.

Results

We studied four DNAm ages (AgeHannum, AgeHorvath, PhenoAge, and GrimAge) and their corresponding AgeAccel. Outcomes were the results from two publicly available ECG-based cardiac age scores: the Bayesian A-ECG-based heart age score of Lindow et al. 2022 and the deep neural network (DNN) ECG-based heart age score of Ribeiro et al. 2020. DNAm AgeAccel was also studied relative to results from two logistic regression-based A-ECG disease scores, one for left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (LVSD), and one for LV electrical remodeling (LVER). Generalized linear models were used to explore the extent to which any associations between biological cardiometabolic risk factors (body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, previous cardiovascular disease [CVD], and any CV risk factor) and the ECG-based outcomes are mediated by DNAm AgeAccel. We derived the total effects, average causal mediation effects (ACMEs), average direct effects (ADEs), and the proportion mediated [PM] with their 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. 498 participants (all 60–64 years) were included, with the youngest ECG heart age being 27 and the oldest 90. When exploring the associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and Bayesian A-ECG cardiac age, AgeAccelPheno appears to be a partial mediator, as ACME was 0.23 years [0.01, 0.52] p = 0.028 (i.e., PM≈18%) for diabetes, 0.34 [0.03, 0.74] p = 0.024 (i.e., PM≈15%) for high cholesterol, and 0.34 [0.03, 0.74] p = 0.024 (PM≈15%) for any CV risk factor. Similarly, AgeAccelGrim mediates ≈30% of the relationship between diabetes or high cholesterol and the DNN ECG-based heart age. When exploring the link between cardiometabolic risk factors and the A-ECG-based LVSD and LVER scores, it appears that AgeAccelPheno or AgeAccelGrim mediate 10–40% of these associations.

Conclusion

By the age of 60, participants with accelerated DNA methylation appear to have older, weaker, and more electrically impaired hearts. We show that the harmful effects of CV risk factors on cardiac age and health, appear to be partially mediated by DNAm AgeAccelPheno and AgeAccelGrim. This highlights the need to further investigate the potential cardioprotective effects of selective DNA methyltransferases modulators.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Optimized design and application research of smart interactive screen for wireless networks based on federated learning
Authors: Zhao Chang , Zhang Linghao
Published: October 2023

The rapid development of infinite networks and information technology has promoted the wide deployment and rapid growth of intelligent interactive devices. However, at the same time, touch interaction technology also faces many challenges such as lack of precision. This study combines federated learning with LayerGesture technology to optimize and design a touch interaction system with higher interaction accuracy and applies it to practice. The analysis results show that with the increase in the number of iterations of the federated model, the accuracy of the human–computer recognition interaction and the amount of information contained in it increases, and the accuracy curve reaches stability at about 2800 times and is at the optimal interaction adaptation. At this point, the loss function also decreases gradually, while the loss factor tends to 0, which verifies the stability of the optimized model. According to the participants’ interaction experience and experimental results, the optimized LayerGesture technique of the federated learning model has an average correctness rate of 90.4% and the lowest average selection time, while the average selection time of LayerGesture in the interaction area at the edge of the screen is 2510 ms and the average correctness rate is 93.60%, which is better than the Shift technique. In addition, the subjective survey results indicated that more participants favored the optimized LayerGesture technique. In summary, this paper’s joint learning algorithm contributes to the recognition effectiveness and efficiency of intelligent interactive systems.
CT-based navigation for total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Cuozzo Francesco , Oliva Francesco , Eschweiler Joerg , Hildebrand Frank , Maffulli Nicola
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Computer tomography (CT) based navigation is considered by some authors as an advance in total hip arthroplasty (THA). A meta-analysis was conducted to compare CT based versus conventional THA in terms of surgical duration of the procedure, leg length difference, acetabular cup position, and rate of dislocation.

Material and methods

The present study was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020. In December 2022, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase with no time constrain. All the clinical studies comparing CT based navigation versus the conventional THA were accessed.

Results

Data from 1801 procedures were collected. The mean age of the patients was 61.6 ± 5.3 years, and the mean BMI was 26.9 ± 2.3 kg/m2. There was between studies comparability at baseline in terms of age, BMI, pain score, Harris hip score, leg length discrepancy (P > 0.1). The navigated group demonstrated lower leg length discrepancy (P = 0.02), and lower degrees of cup anteversion (P = 0.002). Similarity was found in cup inclination (P = 0.98), surgical duration (P = 0.3), and the rate of dislocation (P = 0.6).

Conclusion

CT guided THA may have the potential to increase the accuracy of acetabular positioning and reduce the leg length discrepancy. Current evidence is very limited and heterogeneous, and no recommendations can be inferred. Further investigations are required to definitely clarify the role of CT based THA in current practice.
Shear-wave velocity determination by combining data from passive and active source field investigations in Kumamoto city, Japan
Authors: Manakou Maria , Roumelioti Zafeiria , Riga Evi
Published: October 2023

We present the 1D subsoil structure and local site effects at KUMA strong ground motion station in Kumamoto City, Japan. We analyze data from a field campaign conducted in the framework of the Blind Prediction BP1 test of the 6th IASPEI/IAEE International Symposium: Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion. In parallel with other participants of the BP1 test, we process data from passive and active source measurements aiming to determine the shear-wave velocity, Vs, structure and the site response at KUMA station. Passive measurements are associated to five microtremor arrays. In each array, seven seismometers have been deployed in a common-center triangle shape, recording microtremors simultaneously for 1 to 2 h. The vertical component of microtremors was analyzed using the spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) method. Cross-correlation coefficients were computed for all station pairs available for each array. By fitting the average SPAC’s coefficients to the first-kind zero-order Bessel function, J0, and assuming that microtremors primarily comprise fundamental mode Rayleigh waves, phase velocity dispersion curves were determined. Phase velocity values for frequencies > 15 Hz were obtained from data of a close-by active source geophone profile. We integrated the data with those of the passive measurements and obtained an experimental phase velocity dispersion curve. The resulting curve shows low velocity variation, from 150 to 200 m/s, in the surface layers, whereas significant dispersion appears in frequencies below 2.5 Hz. By inverting this curve, we achieved to determine the 1D shear-wave velocity structure at KUMA station. Site response characteristics were determined by applying the Horizontal-to-Vertical-Spectral-Ratios method. Significantly amplified peaks in the frequency range between 0.3 to 1.5 Hz dominate HVSR spectral ratios. These peaks correspond to resonant frequencies of soils and originate from different impedance contrasts within the substratum of the site.

Graphical Abstract
A plagiarism paperdemic: determining plagiarism among COVID-19 articles in infectious disease journals between 2020 and 2021
Authors: Menshawey Rahma , Menshawey Esraa , Mitkees Ahmed , Mahamud Bilal A.
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused drastic changes in the publishing framework which allowed for the quick review and rapid publication of manuscripts in order to quickly share vital information about this new viral pandemic to the general public and scientists. Alarms have been raised for the potential for misconduct in COVID-19 research. The purpose of this study is to determine the presence of plagiarism in COVID-19 papers across infectious disease journals.

Methods

COVID-19 related research and review articles published in infectious disease journals were collected. Each manuscript was optimized and uploaded to Turnitin, which is a similarity checking tool. Similarity reports were manually checked for events of true plagiarism using an 80% threshold, performed via human judgment.

Results

In this cross-sectional study, 41.61% (n = 129) of manuscripts were deemed plagiarized out of a total of 310 papers that were analyzed. Plagiarism was identified in 35.07% of reviews (n = 47), and 46.6% of original research (n = 82). Among the plagiarized papers, the median number of copied sentences was 3 IQR 4. The highest recorded similarity report was 60%, and the highest number of copied sentences was 85. The discussion section of these articles was the most problematic area, with the average number of copied sentences in that section being 6.25 ± 10.16. The average time to judge all manuscripts was 2.45 ± 3.09 min. Among all the plagiarized papers, 72.09% belonged to papers where the similarity report was ≤ 15% (n = 93). No significant differences were found with regards to plagiarism events among the quartiles.

Conclusions

Plagiarism is prevalent in COVID-19 publications. All similarity reports should be supplemented with human judgment.
Predicting acute kidney injury with an artificial intelligence-driven model in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit
Authors: Fragasso Tiziana , Raggi Valeria , Passaro Davide , Tardella Luca , Lasinio Giovanna Jona , Ricci Zaccaria
Published: October 2023

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is among the most common complications following cardiac surgery in adult and pediatric patients, significantly affecting morbidity and mortality. Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Machine Learning (ML) can be used to predict outcomes. AKI diagnosis anticipation may be an ideal target of these methods. The scope of the study is building a Machine Learning (ML) train model with Random Forest (RF) algorithm, based on electronic health record (EHR) data, able to forecast AKI continuously after 48 h in post-cardiac surgery children, and to test its performance.

Four hundred nineteen consecutive patients out of 1115 hospital admissions were enrolled in a single-center retrospective study. Patients were younger than 18 years and admitted from August 2018 to February 2020 in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) undergoing cardiac surgery, invasive procedure (hemodynamic studies), and medical conditions with complete EHR records and discharged after 48 h or more.

Results

Thirty-six variables were selected to build the algorithm according to commonly described cardiac surgery-associated AKI clinical predictors. We evaluated different models for different outcomes: binary AKI (no AKI vs. AKI), severe AKI (no-mild vs severe AKI), and multiclass classification (maximum AKI and the most frequent level of AKI, mode AKI). The algorithm performance was assessed with the area under the curve receiver operating characteristics (AUC ROC) for binary classification, with accuracy and K for multiclass classification. AUC ROC for binary AKI was 0.93 (95% CI 0.92–0.94), and for severe AKI was 0.99 (95% CI 0.98–1). Mode AKI accuracy was 0.95, and K was 0.80 (95% CI 0.94–0.96); maximum AKI accuracy was 0.92, and K was 0.71 (95% CI 0.91–0.93). The importance matrix plot demonstrated creatinine, basal creatinine, platelets count, adrenaline support, and lactate dehydrogenase for binary AKI with the addition of cardiopulmonary bypass duration for severe AKI as the most relevant variables of the model.

Conclusions

We validated a ML model to detect AKI occurring after 48 h in a retrospective observational study that could help clinicians in individuating patients at risk of AKI, in which a preventive strategy can be determinant to improve the occurrence of renal dysfunction.