bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEMANDAS DA REDE DE PROTEÇÃO SOCIAL DE VARGINHA-MG PARA A GARANTIA DOS DIREITOS ÀS CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES
Authors: De Paula Meirivan , Brisola Elisa Maria Andrade , Ávila Maria Auxiliadora
Published: April 2024

No presente artigo discute-se as principais demandas apresentadas pelos participantes em relação à rede de proteção à criança e ao adolescente em Varginha- MG. A pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa teve como instrumento a entrevista guiada por roteiro com representantes da rede de proteção social do município de Varginha-MG. Foram entrevistados 01 assistente social e 01 psicólogo representando o Centro de Referência de Assistência Social - CRAS e um 01 assistente social e 01 psicólogo do Centro Especializado de Assistência Social- CREAS; 02 conselheiros tutelares e 01 representante da Vara da Infância e da Juventude. Destaca-se o efeito da pandemia de covid-19 que impactou a vida das famílias brasileiras do ponto de vista da saúde e pode ter interferido no cotidiano das crianças e adolescentes ocasionando impactos sociais e psicológicos, resultando no aumento das demandas para a rede de proteção social, em termos quantitativos também em relação às modalidades, tais como negligência, insegurança alimentar, automutilação entre outros. A análise dos dados se deu por meio da técnica da triangulação. Conclui-se que esse contexto tem desafiado a rede de proteção, exigindo dela estratégias de ação, articulação intersetorial e educação permanente.
Impact of Weirs on Decomposition Rates of Dombeya goetzenii (K. Schum) Leaf Litter in the River Njoro, Kenya
Authors: Kipnusu Evagzard Korir , M´Erimba Charles Mwithali , Mbaka John Gichimu
Published: April 2024

Water storage impoundments have deleterious effects on the structure and functioning of running water ecosystems. Many studies have been undertaken on the impacts of large impoundments on river ecosystems. However, comparatively few researches have determined the impact of small weirs on the functioning and structure of running water ecosystems. The main objective of the current study was to determine the impact of weirs on the decomposition rates of Dombeya goetzenii leaf litter in the Njoro River. The study was undertaken at five study sites located along the middle reaches of the Njoro River, near Egerton University, between November 2021 and January 2022. Four study sites were situated at upstream and downstream areas (i.e., approximately 10 m) of two weirs (i.e., Treetops and Canning weirs). A reference site was situated approximately 100 m upstream from the impoundment of the first weir. Physicochemical factors such as temperature, conductivity and nutrients (e.g., nitrates, ammonium) were determined at each study site. Additionally, decomposition rates of one of the most common tree species (i.e., Dombeya goetzenii) found growing along the Njoro River were determined. Leaf litter decomposition was determined using fine (100 µm) and coarse (500 µm) mesh litter bags and the negative exponential decay model was used to estimate decomposition rates (-k per day). The mean leaf litter decomposition rate was highest at the reference site (-k/day = 0.04) and lowest (-k/day = 0.02) at the upstream side of the first weir (i.e., Treetops weir).Leaf litter decomposition rates differed significantly (p = 0.002) between the aforementioned sites. Weirs had a significant local effect on the decomposition rates of Dombeya goetzenii leaf litter. The study provides crucial information to managers of riverine ecosystems about the impact of water storage weirs on an ecosystem function. The concerned government agencies should take action to prevent negative effects of weirs on riverine ecosystems.
Re-Energizing Gender Learning in the Context of the Competency Based Curriculum in Kenya
Authors: Mandela Rubai
Published: April 2024

This paper is informed by a desk review of research reports, policy document, books, journal papers and other online resources focusing on gender learning and Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). An informal discussion of the data that arose from the desk review was done with six gender experts of balanced gender from Women Educational Researchers of Kenya (WERK), mainly for purposes of quality control. The paper sheds light on gender learning as well as the key principles of CBC in Kenya. It highlights gender inequalities, biases and stereotypes in Kenyan schools and communities, and how they are perpetuated through school. Additionally, the paper demonstrates how CBC could promote gender learning, equality and equity. In this connection, a reflection is made on how girls could be supported in STEM, how community service learning provides a perfect avenue for gender learning and the question of textbook review for gender learning. Among other recommendations, clear policies on gender ought to be developed to guide CBC activities.
Charting climate adaptation integration in smart building rating systems: a comparative study
Authors: Khoja Ahmed , Danylenko Olena
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

As the world is engulfed with the growing impacts of climate change, the integration of climate adaptation measures into building performance requirements is essential. In the era of the fourth industrial revolution, smart buildings are expected to be the next frontier in the realm of building rating systems after sustainability-based one. Smart buildings can play a pivotal role in addressing the evolving challenges of changing climate due to their temporal and spatial cross-scale nature.

Methods:

This study assesses the integration of climate hazard adaptation options within four prominent smart building rating systems (SBRS). Using a sectoral analysis approach and a 4-point Likert scale, we systematically evaluate the extent to which these rating systems incorporate climate adaptation measures directly or indirectly across multiple building sectors. We identify strengths and weaknesses in each system’s approach, highlighting areas where adaptation options are more profoundly addressed and sectors that require further attention.

Results:

The evaluation results reveal variations in the comprehensiveness of climate adaptation integration among the smart building rating systems. The SRBS show a high level of integration of climate adaptation measures in the urban sectors intrinsically tied to the smart building paradigm, such as communication sector, and the human wellbeing and organization sector. Nevertheless, the study also revealed that SBRS almost universally fall short in covering other vital domains such as building envelope and structure, water and sanitation, and blue and green infrastructure.

Discussions:

Complementing the SBRS with sustainability rating systems (GBRS) can effectively address the limitations in climate adaptation integration within SBRS. Moreover, the inherent interconnectedness of smart buildings with their surrounding infrastructure and the broader urban environment underscores the importance of the cross-scale consideration in the building rating domain in general and in climate related topics in particular, this interconnectedness also highlights a smart building’s reliance on its surrounding context for optimal functionality and the interdependency between the building and urban scale.
Green synthesis, structure–activity relationships, in silico molecular docking, and antifungal activities of novel prenylated chalcones
Authors: Godara Rajni , Kaushik Parshant , Tripathi Kailashpati , Kumar Rakesh , Rana Virendra Singh , Kumar Rajesh , Mandal Abhishek , Shanmugam V. , Pankaj  , Shakil Najam Akhtar
Published: April 2024

A series of 16 novel prenylated chalcones (5A-5P) was synthesized by microwave-assisted green synthesis using 5-prenyloxy-2-hydroxyacetophenone and different benzaldehydes. Comparisons were also performed between the microwave and conventional methods in terms of the reaction times and yields of all compounds, where the reaction times in the microwave and conventional methods were 1–4 min and 12–48 h, respectively. The synthesized compounds were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques, including IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and LC-HRMS. The antifungal activities of all compounds were evaluated against Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum under in vitro conditions and were additionally supported by structure–activity relationship (SAR) and molecular docking studies. Out of the 16 compounds screened, 2’-hydroxy-4-benzyloxy-5’-O-prenylchalcone (5P) showed the highest activity against both S. rolfsii and F. oxysporum, with ED50 of 25.02 and 31.87 mg/L, respectively. The molecular docking studies of the prenylated chalcones within the active sites of the EF1α and RPB2 gene sequences and FoCut5a sequence as the respective receptors for S. rolfsii and F. oxysporum revealed the importance of the compounds, where the binding energies of the docked molecules ranged from −38.3538 to −26.6837 kcal/mol for S. rolfsii and −43.400 to −23.839 kcal/mol for F. oxysporum. Additional docking parameters showed that these compounds formed stable complexes with the protein molecules.
Global burden of stroke attributable to high systolic blood pressure in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019
Authors: Li Junxiao , Zhong Qiongqiong , Yuan Shixiang , Zhu Feng
Published: April 2024

Background

High systolic blood pressure (HSBP) is severely related to stroke, although the global burden of stroke associated with HSBP needs to be understood.

Materials and methods

Data derived from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study were used to analyze deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized rates of mortality (ASMR), age-standardized rates of DALY (ASDR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC).

Results

Globally, 52.57% of deaths and 55.54% of DALYs from stroke were attributable to HSBP in 2019, with higher levels in men; the ASMRs and ASDRs in 1990–2019 experienced a decline of 34.89% and 31.71%, respectively, with the highest ASMR- and ASDR-related EAPCs in women. The middle socio-demographic index (SDI) regions showed the most numbers of deaths and DALYs in 2019 and 1990, with a decline in ASMR and ASDR; East Asia shared over 33% of global deaths and DALYs; Central Asia shared the highest ASMR and ASDR; high-income Asia Pacific experienced the highest decline in the ASMR- and ASDR-related EAPCs. Central and Southeast Asia had the highest percentages for deaths and DALYs, respectively, with more ASMR in high-middle SDI; the SDI and human development index were negatively associated with ASMR/ASDR and ASMR/ASDR-related EAPCs in 2019.

Conclusion

Global deaths and DALYs of stroke attributable to HSBP but none of their age-standardized rates have been on the rise over the past three decades; its disease burden focused especially on men aged 70 years and older in East, Central, and Southeast Asia, and the middle to high SDI regions.
Blockchain integration in healthcare: a comprehensive investigation of use cases, performance issues, and mitigation strategies
Authors: Kasyapa Meenavolu S. B. , Vanmathi C.
Published: April 2024

Healthcare is a critical area where blockchain technology (BT) is being heralded as a potential game-changer for facilitating secure and efficient data sharing. The purpose of this review is to examine BT applications, performance challenges, and solutions in healthcare. To begin, This review paper explores popular blockchain networks for data exchange, encompassing both public and permissioned platforms, such as Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric. This paper analyzes the potential applications of BT’s decentralized, immutable, and smart contract capabilities in healthcare settings, including secure and interoperable health data exchange, patient consent management, drug supply chain oversight, and clinical trial management. The healthcare industry might greatly benefit from the increased privacy, transparency, and accessibility that these technologies provide. Despite BT’s promising medical uses, the technology is not without its drawbacks. High energy consumption, throughput, and scalability are all concerns. We wrapped up by discussing the solutions that have been implemented, including consensus processes, scalability measures like sharding, and off-chain transactions that are designed to mitigate the drawbacks.
Synergistic enhancement of hydrophobic dental adhesives: autonomous strengthening, polymerization kinetics, and hydrolytic resistance
Authors: Korkmaz Burak , Demirel Erhan , Ye Qiang , Misra Anil , Tamerler Candan , Spencer Paulette
Published: April 2024

The leading cause of composite restoration failure is recurrent marginal decay. The margin between the composite and tooth is initially sealed by a low-viscosity adhesive, but chemical, physical, and mechanical stresses work synergistically and simultaneously to degrade the adhesive, destroying the interfacial seal and providing an ideal environment for bacteria to proliferate. Our group has been developing self-strengthening adhesives with improved chemical and mechanical characteristics. This paper reports a self-strengthening adhesive formulation that resists hydrolysis-mediated degradation by providing intrinsic reinforcement of the polymer network through synergistic stimulation of free-radical polymerization, sol-gel reaction, and hydrophobicity. Hydrophobic resin formulation (NE1) was developed using HEMA/BisGMA 28/55w/w and 15 wt% MPS. Control (NC1) contained HEMA/BisGMA 28/55 w/w and 15 wt% MES. The polymerization kinetics, water sorption, leachates, and dynamic mechanical properties of the resin samples were investigated. The NC1 and NE1 samples showed comparable polymerization kinetics, degrees of conversion and water sorption. In contrast, NC1 showed significantly higher levels of HEMA and BisGMA leachate, indicating faster degradation in ethanol. At day 3, cumulative HEMA leachate for NC1 was ten times greater than NE1 (p < 0.05). Dynamic mechanical properties were measured at 37 and 70°C in both dry and wet conditions. Under dry conditions, the storage moduli of NC1 and NE1 were comparable and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of NC1 was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001) than NE1. Under wet conditions, the storage modulus of NC1 was lower than NE1 and at 70°C there was a threefold difference in storage modulus. At this temperature and under wet conditions, the storage modulus of NC1 is statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001) than NE1. The results indicated that in the wet environment, NE1 provided lower chain mobility, higher crosslink density, and more hydrogen bonds. The newly formulated methacrylate-based adhesive capitalizes on free-radical polymerization, sol-gel reactions, and hydrophobicity to provide enhanced mechanical properties at elevated temperatures in wet environments and hydrolytic stability under aggressive aging conditions.
Endocrine features of Prader-Willi syndrome: a narrative review focusing on genotype-phenotype correlation
Authors: Madeo Simona F. , Zagaroli Luca , Vandelli Sara , Calcaterra Valeria , Crinò Antonino , De Sanctis Luisa , Faienza Maria Felicia , Fintini Danilo , Guazzarotti Laura , Licenziati Maria Rosaria , Mozzillo Enza , Pajno Roberta , Scarano Emanuela , Street Maria E. , Wasniewska Malgorzata , Bocchini Sarah , Bucolo Carmen , Buganza Raffaele , Chiarito Mariangela , Corica Domenico , Di Candia Francesca , Francavilla Roberta , Fratangeli Nadia , Improda Nicola , Morabito Letteria A. , Mozzato Chiara , Rossi Virginia , Schiavariello Concetta , Farello Giovanni , Iughetti Lorenzo , Salpietro Vincenzo , Salvatoni Alessandro , Giordano Mara , Grugni Graziano , Delvecchio Maurizio
Published: April 2024

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder caused by three different types of molecular genetic abnormalities. The most common defect is a deletion on the paternal 15q11-q13 chromosome, which is seen in about 60% of individuals. The next most common abnormality is maternal disomy 15, found in around 35% of cases, and a defect in the imprinting center that controls the activity of certain genes on chromosome 15, seen in 1-3% of cases. Individuals with PWS typically experience issues with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to excessive hunger (hyperphagia), severe obesity, various endocrine disorders, and intellectual disability. Differences in physical and behavioral characteristics between patients with PWS due to deletion versus those with maternal disomy are discussed in literature. Patients with maternal disomy tend to have more frequent neurodevelopmental problems, such as autistic traits and behavioral issues, and generally have higher IQ levels compared to those with deletion of the critical PWS region. This has led us to review the pertinent literature to investigate the possibility of establishing connections between the genetic abnormalities and the endocrine disorders experienced by PWS patients, in order to develop more targeted diagnostic and treatment protocols. In this review, we will review the current state of clinical studies focusing on endocrine disorders in individuals with PWS patients, with a specific focus on the various genetic causes. We will look at topics such as neonatal anthropometry, thyroid issues, adrenal problems, hypogonadism, bone metabolism abnormalities, metabolic syndrome resulting from severe obesity caused by hyperphagia, deficiencies in the GH/IGF-1 axis, and the corresponding responses to treatment.
Habitat use of barbel (Barbus barbus) in a restored urban Danube tributary
Authors: Popp Stephanie , Pinter Kurt , Schwayer Christoph , Hayes Daniel S.
Published: April 2024

Tributaries play a vital role in fish spawning and recruitment, significantly influencing mainstem river fish populations. However, in the Anthropocene era, tributaries within river networks suffered ecological degradation due to fragmentation and channelization. This has led to reduced distribution ranges and declining populations of various riverine species, underscoring the urgency of conservation and rehabilitation efforts. Our study explores the potential for reintroducing fish from the mainstem Danube River into the Wien River, an urban tributary that has undergone partial rehabilitation. We assessed habitat use and movement patterns of 20 adult barbel (Barbus barbus), a species classified as ‘near threatened’ in Austria, collected from the Danube River during the spawning season. These barbel were tagged with radio telemetry tags and relocated into the upper reaches of the Wien River, surmounting several artificial barriers in the lower sections. Although spawning activity was not observed among the barbel, possibly due to prevailing water temperatures, our data suggest that the Wien River could function as a viable temporary habitat. Barbel were notably inclined to inhabit deeper pool and run habitats. Their daily movements and home ranges were relatively limited, ranging from 0.0 to 1.1 km and 100 m to 2.9 km, respectively. One contributing factor to restricted movement was the presence of beaver and knotweed dams, which created temporary migration obstacles. On average, the barbel remained within the system for more than a month. Most of these fish migrated downstream at the onset of a significant high-flow event. Our assessment suggests that while the Wien River may not serve as a permanent habitat, it could function as a temporary habitat for migratory fish. However, to ensure accurate assessments of the restored Wien River as a spawning habitat, it is imperative to reevaluate the findings under stable spawning conditions and gather comprehensive data on relevant abiotic factors. This study advocates for the restoration of longitudinal connectivity between tributaries and mainstem rivers as a means to counteract biodiversity loss in Anthropocene river ecosystems.
Predict lncRNA-drug associations based on graph neural network
Authors: Xu Peng , Li Chuchu , Yuan Jiaqi , Bao Zhenshen , Liu Wenbin
Published: April 2024

LncRNAs are an essential type of non-coding RNAs, which have been reported to be involved in various human pathological conditions. Increasing evidence suggests that drugs can regulate lncRNAs expression, which makes it possible to develop lncRNAs as therapeutic targets. Thus, developing in-silico methods to predict lncRNA-drug associations (LDAs) is a critical step for developing lncRNA-based therapies. In this study, we predict LDAs by using graph convolutional networks (GCN) and graph attention networks (GAT) based on lncRNA and drug similarity networks. Results show that our proposed method achieves good performance (average AUCs > 0.92) on five datasets. In addition, case studies and KEGG functional enrichment analysis further prove that the model can effectively identify novel LDAs. On the whole, this study provides a deep learning-based framework for predicting novel LDAs, which will accelerate the lncRNA-targeted drug development process.
Myocardial B cells have specific gene expression and predicted interactions in dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bermea Kevin C. , Duque Carolina , Cohen Charles D. , Bhalodia Aashik , Rousseau Sylvie , Lovell Jana , Zita Marcelle Dina , Mugnier Monica R. , Adamo Luigi
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Growing evidence from animal models indicates that the myocardium hosts a population of B cells that play a role in the development of cardiomyopathy. However, there is minimal data on human myocardial B cells in the context of cardiomyopathy.

Methods

We integrated single-cell and single-nuclei datasets from 45 healthy human hearts, 70 hearts with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 8 hearts with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Interactions between B cells and other cell types were investigated using the CellChat Package. Differential gene expression analysis comparing B cells across conditions was performed using DESeq2. Pathway analysis was performed using Ingenuity, KEGG, and GO pathways analysis.

Results

We identified 1,100 B cells, including naive B cells and plasma cells. Cells showed an extensive network of interactions within the healthy myocardium that included outgoing signaling to macrophages, T cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes, and incoming signaling from endothelial cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts. This niche relied on ECM-receptor, contact, and paracrine interactions; and changed significantly in the context of cardiomyopathy, displaying disease-specific features. Differential gene expression analysis showed that in the context of DCM both naive and plasma B cells upregulated several pathways related to immune activation, including upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation, upregulation of leukocyte extravasation, and, in naive B cells, antigen presentation.

Discussion

The human myocardium contains naive B cells and plasma cells, integrated into a diverse and dynamic niche that has distinctive features in healthy, DCM, and ARVC. Naive myocardial-associated B cells likely contribute to the pathogenesis of human DCM.
Brave new world: expanding home care in stem cell transplantation and advanced therapies with new technologies
Authors: Romon Iñigo , Gonzalez-Barrera Soledad , Coello de Portugal Carmen , Ocio Enrique , Sampedro Isabel
Published: April 2024

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cell therapies like CAR-T are costly, complex therapeutic procedures. Outpatient models, including at-home transplantation, have been developed, resulting in similar survival results, reduced costs, and increased patient satisfaction. The complexity and safety of the process can be addressed with various emerging technologies (artificial intelligence, wearable sensors, point-of-care analytical devices, drones, virtual assistants) that allow continuous patient monitoring and improved decision-making processes. Patients, caregivers, and staff can also benefit from improved training with simulation or virtual reality. However, many technical, operational, and above all, ethical concerns need to be addressed. Finally, outpatient or at-home hematopoietic transplantation or CAR-T therapy creates a different, integrated operative system that must be planned, designed, and carefully adapted to the patient’s characteristics and distance from the hospital. Patients, clinicians, and their clinical environments can benefit from technically improved at-home transplantation.
Research progress on the role of macrophages in acne and regulation by natural plant products
Authors: Zhao Dan , Wang Yun , Wu Shuhui , Ji Xiaotian , Gong Ke , Zheng Huie , Zhu Mingfang
Published: April 2024

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases. The current understanding of acne primarily revolves around inflammatory responses, sebum metabolism disorders, aberrant hormone and receptor expression, colonization by Cutibacterium acnes, and abnormal keratinization of follicular sebaceous glands. Although the precise mechanism of action remains incompletely understood, it is plausible that macrophages exert an influence on these pathological features. Macrophages, as a constituent of the human innate immune system, typically manifest distinct phenotypes across various diseases. It has been observed that the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acne. In recent years, extensive research on acne has revealed an increasing number of natural remedies exhibiting therapeutic efficacy through the modulation of macrophage polarization. This review investigates the role of cutaneous macrophages, elucidates their potential significance in the pathogenesis of acne, a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and explores the therapeutic mechanisms of natural plant products targeting macrophages. Despite these insights, the precise role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of acne remains poorly elucidated. Subsequent investigations in this domain will further illuminate the pathogenesis of acne and potentially offer guidance for identifying novel therapeutic targets for this condition.
Prognostic implications of STK11 with different mutation status and its relationship with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zheng Jianqing , Deng Yujie , Huang Bifen , Chen Xiaohui
Published: April 2024

Background

Mutations in STK11 (STK11Mut) gene may present a negative impact on survival in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients, however, its relationship with immune related genes remains unclear. This study is to unveil whether overexpressed- and mutated-STK11 impact survival in NSCLC and to explore whether immune related genes (IRGs) are involved in STK11 mutations.

Methods

188 NSCLC patients with intact formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue available for detecting STK11 protein expression were included in the analysis. After immunohistochemical detection of STK11 protein, patients were divided into high STK11 expression group (STK11High) and low STK11 expression group (STK11Low), and then Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX proportional hazards model were used to compare the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups of patients. In addition, the mutation data from the TCGA database was used to categorize the NSCLC population, namely STK11 Mutated (STK11Mut) and wild-type (STK11Wt) subgroups. The difference in OS between STK11Mut and STK11Wt was compared. Finally, bioinformatics analysis was used to compare the differences in IRGs expression between STK11Mut and STK11Wt populations.

Results

The median follow-up time was 51.0 months (range 3.0 - 120.0 months) for real-life cohort. At the end of follow-up, 64.36% (121/188) of patients experienced recurrence or metastasis. 64.89% (122/188) of patients ended up in cancer-related death. High expression of STK11 was a significant protective factor for NSCLC patients, both in terms of PFS [HR=0.42, 95% CI= (0.29-0.61), P<0.001] and OS [HR=0.36, 95% CI= (0.25, 0.53), P<0.001], which was consistent with the finding in TCGA cohorts [HR=0.76, 95%CI= (0.65, 0.88), P<0.001 HR=0.76, 95%CI= (0.65, 0.88), P<0.001]. In TCGA cohort, STK11 mutation was a significant risk factor for NSCLC in both lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) histology in terms of OS [HR=6.81, 95%CI= (2.16, 21.53), P<0.001; HR=1.50, 95%CI= (1.00, 2.26), P=0.051, respectively]. Furthermore, 7 IRGs, namely CALCA, BMP6, S100P, THPO, CGA, PCSK1 and MUC5AC, were found significantly overexpressed in STK11-mutated NSCLC in both LUSC and LUAD histology.

Conclusions

Low STK11 expression at protein level and presence of STK11 mutation were associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC, and mutated STK11 might probably alter the expression IRGs profiling.
Iron dissolution from Patagonian dust in the Southern Ocean: under present and future conditions
Authors: Demasy Clément , Boye Marie , Lai Barry , Burckel Pierre , Feng Yan , Losno Rémi , Borensztajn Stephan , Besson Pascale
Published: April 2024

Although the input of desert dust as a key source of trace metals in the Southern Ocean (SO) has been previously studied, the dissolution process of metals in surface waters, particularly iron (Fe), remain poorly understood. Given the crucial role of Fe in primary production and the biological carbon pump in the SO, we focused on experimental estimations of Fe dissolution from Patagonian dust, the primary natural dust source in the SO. Our study considered both current and projected future conditions, encompassing sea-surface warming, acidification, increased photosynthetically active radiation, and doubled dust inputs. Through controlled laboratory experiments using filtered SO seawater, conducted over 7 days, we assessed changes in particulate Fe (pFe) concentrations, Fe redox speciation (Fe(II)/Fe(III)), and in the mineralogy of Fe-bearing dust in abiotic condition. The predominant minerals in the dust included quartz and aluminosilicates, with silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), and Fe as the major elements. No significant alterations in the mineralogy and the elemental composition of the dust were recorded during the dissolution experiments, neither under present nor under projected future conditions. The particulate Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio remained consistently at 0.25 during the experiments, unaffected by changed conditions. Consequently, changes in environmental conditions in the SO would therefore not significantly alter the mineralogy and redox speciation of pFe in the Patagonian dust. On the contrary, pFe exhibited a dissolution rate of 3.8% and 1.6% per day under present and future conditions, respectively. The environmental changes anticipated for 2100 in the SO will likely to result in a decrease in the dissolution rate of pFe. Thus, even though a doubling of dust input by 2100 is anticipated, it will unlikely provide significantly more dissolved Fe (dFe) in seawater in the SO. Consequently, the future intensification of Patagonian dust inputs may not alleviate the Fe limitation in the SO.
The meta-learning method for the ensemble model based on situational meta-task
Authors: Zhang Zhengchao , Zhou Lianke , Wu Yuyang , Wang Nianbin
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The meta-learning methods have been widely used to solve the problem of few-shot learning. Generally, meta-learners are trained on a variety of tasks and then generalized to novel tasks.

Methods

However, existing meta-learning methods do not consider the relationship between meta-tasks and novel tasks during the meta-training period, so that initial models of the meta-learner provide less useful meta-knowledge for the novel tasks. This leads to a weak generalization ability on novel tasks. Meanwhile, different initial models contain different meta-knowledge, which leads to certain differences in the learning effect of novel tasks during the meta-testing period. Therefore, this article puts forward a meta-optimization method based on situational meta-task construction and cooperation of multiple initial models. First, during the meta-training period, a method of constructing situational meta-task is proposed, and the selected candidate task sets provide more effective meta-knowledge for novel tasks. Then, during the meta-testing period, an ensemble model method based on meta-optimization is proposed to minimize the loss of inter-model cooperation in prediction, so that multiple models cooperation can realize the learning of novel tasks.

Results

The above-mentioned methods are applied to popular few-shot character datasets and image recognition datasets. Furthermore, the experiment results indicate that the proposed method achieves good effects in few-shot classification tasks.

Discussion

In future work, we will extend our methods to provide more generalized and useful meta-knowledge to the model during the meta-training period when the novel few-shot tasks are completely invisible.
Transcranial photobiomodulation in children aged 2–6 years: a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial assessing safety, efficacy, and impact on autism spectrum disorder symptoms and brain electrophysiology
Authors: Fradkin Yuliy , De Taboada Luis , Naeser Margaret , Saltmarche Anita , Snyder William , Steingold Eugenia
Published: April 2024

Background

Small pilot studies have suggested that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) could help reduce symptoms of neurological conditions, such as depression, traumatic brain injury, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Objective

To examine the impact of tPBM on the symptoms of ASD in children aged two to six years.

Method

We conducted a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial involving thirty children aged two to six years with a prior diagnosis of ASD. We delivered pulses of near-infrared light (40 Hz, 850 nm) noninvasively to selected brain areas twice a week for eight weeks, using an investigational medical device designed for this purpose (Cognilum™, JelikaLite Corp., New York, United States). We used the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, 2nd Edition) to assess and compare the ASD symptoms of participants before and after the treatment course. We collected electroencephalogram (EEG) data during each session from those participants who tolerated wearing the EEG cap.

Results

The difference in the change in CARS scores between the two groups was 7.23 (95% CI 2.357 to 12.107, p = 0.011). Seventeen of the thirty participants completed at least two EEGs and time-dependent trends were detected. In addition, an interaction between Active versus Sham and Scaled Time was observed in delta power (Coefficient = 7.521, 95% CI -0.517 to 15.559, p = 0.07) and theta power (Coefficient = −8.287, 95% CI -17.199 to 0.626, p = 0.07), indicating a potential trend towards a greater reduction in delta power and an increase in theta power over time with treatment in the Active group, compared to the Sham group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the condition (Treatment vs. Sham) in the power of theta waves (net_theta) (Coefficient = 9.547, 95% CI 0.027 to 19.067, p = 0.049). No moderate or severe side effects or adverse effects were reported or observed during the trial.

Conclusion

These results indicate that tPBM may be a safe and effective treatment for ASD and should be studied in more depth in larger studies.

Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04660552, identifier NCT04660552.
Neutralization of Interleukin 1-beta is associated with preservation of thalamic capillaries after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Özen Ilknur , Clausen Fredrik , Flygt Johanna , Marklund Niklas , Paul Gesine
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury to thalamo-cortical pathways is associated with posttraumatic morbidity. Diffuse mechanical forces to white matter tracts and deep grey matter regions induce an inflammatory response and vascular damage resulting in progressive neurodegeneration. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), may contribute to the link between inflammation and the injured capillary network after TBI. This study investigates whether IL-1β is a key contributor to capillary alterations and changes in pericyte coverage in the thalamus and cortex after TBI.

Methods

Animals were subjected to central fluid percussion injury (cFPI), a model of TBI causing widespread axonal and vascular pathology, or sham injury and randomized to receive a neutralizing anti-IL-1β or a control, anti-cyclosporin A antibody, at 30 min post-injury. Capillary length and pericyte coverage of cortex and thalamus were analyzed by immunohistochemistry at 2- and 7-days post-injury.

Results and Conclusion

Our results show that early post-injury attenuation of IL-1β dependent inflammatory signaling prevents capillary damage by increasing pericyte coverage in the thalamus.
Short fiber bundle filtering and test-retest reproducibility of the Superficial White Matter
Authors: Mendoza Cristóbal , Román Claudio , Mangin Jean-François , Hernández Cecilia , Guevara Pamela
Published: April 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in studying the Superficial White Matter (SWM). The SWM consists of short association fibers connecting near giry of the cortex, with a complex organization due to their close relationship with the cortical folding patterns. Therefore, their segmentation from dMRI tractography datasets requires dedicated methodologies to identify the main fiber bundle shape and deal with spurious fibers. This paper presents an enhanced short fiber bundle segmentation based on a SWM bundle atlas and the filtering of noisy fibers. The method was tuned and evaluated over HCP test-retest probabilistic tractography datasets (44 subjects). We propose four fiber bundle filters to remove spurious fibers. Furthermore, we include the identification of the main fiber fascicle to obtain well-defined fiber bundles. First, we identified four main bundle shapes in the SWM atlas, and performed a filter tuning in a subset of 28 subjects. The filter based on the Convex Hull provided the highest similarity between corresponding test-retest fiber bundles. Subsequently, we applied the best filter in the 16 remaining subjects for all atlas bundles, showing that filtered fiber bundles significantly improve test-retest reproducibility indices when removing between ten and twenty percent of the fibers. Additionally, we applied the bundle segmentation with and without filtering to the ABIDE-II database. The fiber bundle filtering allowed us to obtain a higher number of bundles with significant differences in fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and radial diffusivity of Autism Spectrum Disorder patients relative to controls.
Development and validation of a diagnostic model for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wu Xingdong , Xie Yuhua , Zeng Wanting , Wu Xiaoping , Chen Jichuan , Li Genping
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The lymph node status is crucial for guiding the surgical approach for patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma (LHC). Nonetheless, occult lymph node metastasis presents challenges to assessment and treatment planning. This study seeks to develop and validate a diagnostic model for evaluating cervical lymph node status in LHC patients.

Materials and methods

This study retrospectively analyzed a total of 285 LHC patients who were treated at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, from January 2015 to December 2020. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to construct the predictive model. Discrimination and calibration were used to assess the predictive performance of the model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to evaluate the clinical utility of the model, and validation was conducted using 10-fold cross-validation, Leave-One-Out Cross Validation, and bootstrap methods.

Results

This study identified significant predictors of lymph node metastasis in LHC. A diagnostic predictive model was developed and visualized using a nomogram. The model demonstrated excellent discrimination, with a C-index of 0.887 (95% CI: 0.835-0.933). DCA analysis indicated its practical applicability, and multiple validation methods confirmed its fitting and generalization ability.

Conclusion

This study successfully established and validated a diagnostic predictive model for cervical lymph node metastasis in LHC. The visualized nomogram provides a convenient tool for personalized prediction of cervical lymph node status in patients, particularly in the context of occult cervical lymph node metastasis, offering valuable guidance for clinical treatment decisions.
The histological and molecular characteristics of early-onset colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lawler Thomas , Parlato Lisa , Warren Andersen Shaneda
Published: April 2024

Background

Early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), defined as diagnosis before age 50, has increased in recent decades. Although more often diagnosed at advanced stage, associations with other histological and molecular markers that impact prognosis and treatment remain to be clarified. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis concerning the prevalence of prognostic and predictive tumor markers for early- vs. late-onset CRC, including oncogene mutations, microsatellite instability (MSI), and emerging markers including immune cells and the consensus molecular subtypes.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed for original research articles published between April 2013–January 2024. Included studies compared the prevalence of tumor markers in early- vs. late-onset CRC. A meta-analysis was completed and summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from a random effects model via inverse variance weighting. A sensitivity analysis was completed to restrict the meta-analysis to studies that excluded individuals with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that influences the distribution of tumor markers for early-onset CRC.

Results

In total, 149 articles were identified. Tumors from early-onset CRC are less likely to include mutations in KRAS (OR, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.85-0.98), BRAF (0.63, 0.51-0.78), APC (0.70, 0.58-0.84), and NRAS (0.88, 0.78-1.00) but more likely to include mutations in PTEN (1.68, 1.04-2.73) and TP53 (1.34, 1.24-1.45). After limiting to studies that excluded Lynch syndrome, the associations between early-onset CRC and BRAF (0.77, 0.64-0.92) and APC mutation (0.81, 0.67-0.97) were attenuated, while an inverse association with PIK3CA mutation was also observed (0.88, 0.78-0.99). Early-onset tumors are less likely to develop along the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype pathway (0.24, 0.10-0.57), but more likely to possess adverse histological features including high tumor grade (1.20, 1.15-1.25), and mucinous (1.22, 1.16-1.27) or signet ring histology (2.32, 2.08-2.57). A positive association with MSI status (1.31, 1.11-1.56) was also identified. Associations with immune markers and the consensus molecular subtypes are inconsistent.

Discussion

A lower prevalence of mutations in KRAS and BRAF is consistent with extended survival and superior response to targeted therapies for metastatic disease. Conversely, early-onset CRC is associated with aggressive histological subtypes and TP53 and PTEN mutations, which may serve as therapeutic targets.
Transcatheter arterial perfusion chemotherapy combined with lipiodol chemoembolization for advanced colorectal cancer complicated by obstruction
Authors: Ding Xiaolong , Ma Yaozhen , Yin Meipan , Liu Tao , Jin Shuiling , Li Chunxia , Li Xiaobing , Zhang Chenchen , Zhou Gang , Wu Gang
Published: April 2024

Background

Obstruction is a common complication of advanced colorectal cancer. This study was aimed at investigating the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of transcatheter arterial perfusion chemotherapy combined with lipiodol chemoembolization for treating advanced colorectal cancer complicated by obstruction.

Patients and methods

This retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical data of patients with advanced colorectal cancer who received arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with lipiodol chemoembolization treatment at our center. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in terms of obstruction-free survival and overall survival, and treatment complications were monitored.

Results

Fifty-four patients with colorectal cancer complicated by obstruction were included. All patients successfully underwent transcatheter arterial infusion combined with lipiodol chemoembolization treatment. The average lipiodol dose administered was 2.62 ± 1.45 ml (0.5–5.5 ml). No serious complications such as perforation or tumor dissemination occurred. The clinical success rate was 83.3% (45/54). One month after treatment, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 66.67% and 88.9%, respectively. The median obstruction-free survival was 5.0 months. No serious adverse events occurred. As of the last follow-up, 6 patients survived, 44 died, and 4 were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with lipiodol chemoembolization is safe and effective for treating advanced colorectal cancer complicated by obstruction. It may serve as a new treatment strategy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer complicated by obstruction.
Predictors of radiation-induced late rectal toxicity in prostate cancer treatment: a volumetric and dosimetric analysis
Authors: Spohn Simon K. B. , Radicioni Gianluca , Eisfelder Marcio , Zamboglou Constantinos , Baltas Dimos , Grosu Anca-Ligia , Sachpazidis Ilias
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy in European men, often treated with radiotherapy (RT) for localized disease. While modern RT achieves high success rates, concerns about late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities persist. This retrospective study aims to identify predictors for late GI toxicities following definitive conventionally fractionated external beam RT (EBRT) for PCa, specifically exploring the dose to the rectal wall.

Materials and methods

A cohort of 96 intermediate- to high-risk PCa patients underwent EBRT between 2008 and 2016. Rectum and rectum wall contours were delineated, and 3D dose matrices were extracted. Volumetric and dosimetric indices were computed, and statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors using the Mann–Whitney U-rank test, logistic regression, and recursive feature elimination.

Results

In our cohort, 15 out of 96 patients experienced grade II late proctitis. Our analysis reveals distinct optimal predictors for rectum and rectum wall (RW) structures varying with α/β values (3.0 and 2.3 Gy) across prescribed doses of 68 to 76 Gy. Despite variability, RW predictors demonstrate greater consistency, notably V68Gy[%] to V74Gy[%] for α/β 3.0 Gy, and V68Gy[%] to V70Gy[%] for α/β 2.3 Gy. The model with α/β 2.3 Gy, featuring RW volume receiving 70 Gy (V70Gy[%]), stands out with a BIC value of 62.92, indicating its superior predictive effectiveness. Finally, focusing solely on the rectum structure, the V74Gy[%] emerges the best predictor for α/β 3.0 Gy, with a BIC value of 66.73.

Conclusion

This investigation highlights the critical role of V70Gy[%] in the rectum wall as a robust predictor for grade II late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity following external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer (PCa). Furthermore, our findings suggest that focusing on the rectum wall specifically, rather than the entire rectum, may offer improved accuracy in assessing proctitis development. A V70Gy (in EQD2 with α/β 2.3 Gy) of ≤5% and if possible ≤1% for the rectal wall should be achieved to minimize the risk of late grade II proctitis.