bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in the Attenuation of Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping
Authors: Hermida-Ameijeiras Alvaro , Vazquez-Agra Nestor , Cruces-Sande Anton , Mendez-Alvarez Estefania , Soto-Otero Ramon , Lopez-Paz Jose-Enrique , Pose-Reino Antonio , Gonzalez-Quintela Arturo
Published: February 2023

To date, no model has jointly encompassed clinical, inflammatory, and redox markers with the risk of a non-dipper blood pressure (BP) profile. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between these features and the main twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-h ABPM) indices, as well as to establish a multivariate model including inflammatory, redox, and clinical markers for the prediction of a non-dipper BP profile. This was an observational study that included hypertensive patients older than 18 years. We enrolled 247 hypertensive patients (56% women) with a median age of 56 years. The results showed that higher levels of fibrinogen, tissue polypeptide-specific antigen, beta-2-microglobulin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and copper/zinc ratio were associated with a higher risk of a non-dipper BP profile. Nocturnal systolic BP dipping showed a negative correlation with beta-globulin, beta-2-microglobulin, and gamma-globulin levels, whereas nocturnal diastolic BP dipping was positively correlated with alpha-2-globulin levels, and negatively correlated with gamma-globulin and copper levels. We found a correlation between nocturnal pulse pressure and beta-2-microglobulin and vitamin E levels, whereas the day-to-night pulse pressure gradient was correlated with zinc levels. Twenty-four-hour ABPM indices could exhibit singular inflammatory and redox patterns with implications that are still poorly understood. Some inflammatory and redox markers could be associated with the risk of a non-dipper BP profile.
Predicting Vasovagal Reactions to Needles from Facial Action Units
Authors: Rudokaite Judita , Ertugrul Itir Onal , Ong Sharon , Janssen Mart P. , Huis in ‘t Veld Elisabeth
Published: February 2023

Background: Merely the sight of needles can cause extreme emotional and physical (vasovagal) reactions (VVRs). However, needle fear and VVRs are not easy to measure nor prevent as they are automatic and difficult to self-report. This study aims to investigate whether a blood donors’ unconscious facial microexpressions in the waiting room, prior to actual blood donation, can be used to predict who will experience a VVR later, during the donation. Methods: The presence and intensity of 17 facial action units were extracted from video recordings of 227 blood donors and were used to classify low and high VVR levels using machine-learning algorithms. We included three groups of blood donors as follows: (1) a control group, who had never experienced a VVR in the past (n = 81); (2) a ‘sensitive’ group, who experienced a VVR at their last donation (n = 51); and (3) new donors, who are at increased risk of experiencing a VVR (n = 95). Results: The model performed very well, with an F1 (=the weighted average of precision and recall) score of 0.82. The most predictive feature was the intensity of facial action units in the eye regions. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that it is possible to predict who will experience a vasovagal response during blood donation through facial microexpression analyses prior to donation.
Psychometric Calibration of a Tool Based on 360 Degree Videos for the Assessment of Executive Functions
Authors: Borgnis Francesca , Borghesi Francesca , Rossetto Federica , Pedroli Elisa , Lavorgna Luigi , Riva Giuseppe , Baglio Francesca , Cipresso Pietro
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Over the last decades, interactive technologies appeared a promising solution in the ecological evaluation of executive functioning. We have developed the EXecutive-functions Innovative Tool 360° (EXIT 360°), a new instrument that exploits 360° technologies to provide an ecologically valid assessment of executive functioning. Aim: This work wanted to evaluate the convergent validity of the EXIT 360°, comparing it with traditional neuropsychological tests (NPS) for executive functioning. Methods: Seventy-seven healthy subjects underwent an evaluation that involved: (1) a paper-and-pencil neuropsychological assessment, (2) an EXIT 360° session, involving seven subtasks delivered by VR headset, and (3) a usability assessment. To evaluate convergent validity, statistical correlation analyses were performed between NPS and EXIT 360° scores. Results: The data showed that participants had completed the whole task in about 8 min, with 88.3% obtaining a high total score (≥12). Regarding convergent validity, the data revealed a significant correlation between the EXIT 360° total score and all NPS. Furthermore, data showed a correlation between the EXIT 360° total reaction time and timed neuropsychological tests. Finally, the usability assessment showed a good score. Conclusion: This work appears as a first validation step towards considering the EXIT 360° as a standardized instrument that uses 360° technologies to conduct an ecologically valid assessment of executive functioning. Further studies will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the EXIT 360° in discriminating between healthy control subjects and patients with executive dysfunctions.
A Systematic Pan-Cancer Analysis of MEIS1 in Human Tumors as Prognostic Biomarker and Immunotherapy Target
Authors: Li Han , Tang Ying , Hua Lichun , Wang Zemin , Du Guoping , Wang Shuai , Lu Shifeng , Li Wei
Published: February 2023

Background: We intended to explore the potential immunological functions and prognostic value of Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 (MEIS1) across 33 cancer types. Methods: The data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and Gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets. Bioinformatics was used to excavate the potential mechanisms of MEIS1 across different cancers. Results: MEIS1 was downregulated in most tumors, and it was linked to the immune infiltration level of cancer patients. MEIS1 expression was different in various immune subtypes including C2 (IFN-gamma dominant), C5 (immunologically quiet), C3 (inflammatory), C4 (lymphocyte depleted), C6 (TGF-b dominant) and C1 (wound healing) in various cancers. MEIS1 expression was correlated with Macrophages_M2, CD8+T cells, Macrophages_M1, Macrophages_M0 and neutrophils in many cancers. MEIS1 expression was negatively related to tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and neoantigen (NEO) in several cancers. Low MEIS1 expression predicts poor overall survival (OS) in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients, while high MEIS1 expression predicts poor OS in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and low grade glioma (LGG) patients. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that MEIS1 is likely to be a potential new target for immuno-oncology.
Social Context and Tool Use Can Modulate Interpersonal Comfort Space
Authors: Ferrara Antonella , Rapuano Mariachiara , Ruggiero Gennaro
Published: February 2023

Recent research has investigated whether the representation of space around the body, in terms of reach–action (imagining of reaching another person) and comfort–social (tolerance of the other’s proximity) spaces, may reflect a shared sensorimotor basis. Some studies exploiting motor plasticity induced by tool use have not observed sensorimotor identity (i.e., the same mechanisms that underlie, based on sensory information, the representation of proximal space in terms of action possibilities, goal-directed motor actions, and anticipation of the sensorimotor consequences), whereas evidence to the contrary has also emerged. Since the data are not fully convergent, here we wondered whether or not the combination of motor plasticity induced by tool use and the processing of the role of social context might reflect a similar modulation in both spaces. To this end, we conducted a randomized control trial with three groups of participants (N = 62) in which reaching and comfort distances were measured in Pre- and Post-tool-use sessions. The tool-use sessions were conducted under different conditions: (i) in the presence of a social stimulus (determining the social context) (Tool plus Mannequin group); (ii) without any stimulus (Only Tool group); (iii) in the presence of a box (Tool plus Object group) as a control condition. Results showed an extension of comfort distance in the Post-tool session of the Tool plus Mannequin group compared with the other conditions. Conversely, the reaching distance was larger after tool use than at the Pre-tool-use session, independently of the experimental conditions. Our findings suggest that motor plasticity impacts reaching and comfort spaces to different degrees; while reaching space is markedly sensitive to motor plasticity, comfort space needs qualification of social context information.
Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Caregiving and Related Resource Needs
Authors: Bagautdinova Diliara , Bacharz Kelsey C. , Bylund Carma L. , Sae-Hau Maria , Weiss Elisa S. , Rajotte Michelle , Lincoln Greg , Vasquez Taylor S. , Parker Naomi D. , Wright Kevin B. , Fisher Carla L.
Published: February 2023

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) caregivers play a central role in disease management—a role that has been heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic given the healthcare system’s reliance on frontline family caregivers and CLL patients’ increased risk of infection and mortality. Using a mixed-method design, we investigated the impact of the pandemic on CLL caregivers (Aim 1) and their perceived resource needs (Aim 2): 575 CLL caregivers responded to an online survey; 12 spousal CLL caregivers were interviewed. Two open-ended survey items were thematically analyzed and compared with interview findings. Aim 1 results showed that two years into the pandemic, CLL caregivers continue to struggle with coping with distress, living in isolation, and losing in-person care opportunities. Caregivers described experiencing increasing caregiving burden, realizing the vaccine may not work or didn’t work for their loved one with CLL, feeling cautiously hopeful about EVUSHELD, and dealing with unsupportive/skeptical individuals. Aim 2 results indicate that CLL caregivers needed reliable, ongoing information about COVID-19 risk, information about and access to vaccination, safety/precautionary measures, and monoclonal infusions. Findings illustrate ongoing challenges facing CLL caregivers and provide an agenda to better support the caregivers of this vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hip Surveillance and Management of Hip Displacement in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Clinical and Ethical Dilemmas
Authors: Howard Jason J. , Willoughby Kate , Thomason Pam , Shore Benjamin J. , Graham Kerr , Rutz Erich
Published: February 2023

Hip displacement is the second most common musculoskeletal deformity in children with cerebral palsy. Hip surveillance programs have been implemented in many countries to detect hip displacement early when it is usually asymptomatic. The aim of hip surveillance is to monitor hip development to offer management options to slow or reverse hip displacement, and to provide the best opportunity for good hip health at skeletal maturity. The long-term goal is to avoid the sequelae of late hip dislocation which may include pain, fixed deformity, loss of function and impaired quality of life. The focus of this review is on areas of disagreement, areas where evidence is lacking, ethical dilemmas and areas for future research. There is already broad agreement on how to conduct hip surveillance, using a combination of standardised physical examination measures and radiographic examination of the hips. The frequency is dictated by the risk of hip displacement according to the child’s ambulatory status. Management of both early and late hip displacement is more controversial and the evidence base in key areas is relatively weak. In this review, we summarise the recent literature on hip surveillance and highlight the management dilemmas and controversies. Better understanding of the causes of hip displacement may lead to interventions which target the pathophysiology of hip displacement and the pathological anatomy of the hip in children with cerebral palsy. We have identified the need for more effective and integrated management from early childhood to skeletal maturity. Areas for future research are highlighted and a range of ethical and management dilemmas are discussed.
Factors Related to Plasma Homocysteine Concentration in Young Adults: A Retrospective Study Based on Checkup Populations
Authors: Li Zhihua , Zhao Jing , Hou Chengbei , Sun Fei , Dong Jing , Guo Yansu , Chu Xi
Published: February 2023

The distribution profile of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in young adults and its related factors are not well understood. We performed a generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis for plasma-Hcy-correlated factors in 2436 young adults, aged 20–39 years, from a health checkup population. We observed that the mean Hcy concentration in males (16.7 ± 10.3 μmol/L) was significantly higher than that in females (10.3 ± 4.0 μmol/L), and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) prevalence in males was 5.37 times than that in females (33.3% vs. 6.2%). A GEE analysis stratified by sex indicated that age (B = −0.398, p < 0.001) and LDL-C (B = −1.602, p = 0.043) were negatively correlated, while BMI (B = 0.400, p = 0.042) was positively correlated, with the Hcy level in young males. ALT (B = −0.021, p = 0.033), LDL-C (B = −1.198, p < 0.001) and Glu (B = −0.446, p = 0.006) were negatively correlated, while AST (B = 0.022, p = 0.048), CREA (B = 0.035, p < 0.001), UA (B = 0.004, p = 0.003) and TG (B = 1.042, p < 0.001) were positively correlated, with the Hcy level in young females. These results suggest that young males have a significantly higher plasma Hcy level and HHcy prevalence than young females; therefore, more attention should be paid to the reason for and effect of the higher HHcy prevalence in young males.
Early Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Females with Chronic Hyperprolactinemia: A Doppler Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Arcopinto Michele , D’Assante Roberta , Auriemma Renata Simona , Pirchio Rosa , Pivonello Rosario , Bossone Eduardo , Colao Annamaria , Cittadini Antonio
Published: February 2023

Despite the myocardial prolactin (PRL) binding activity and the known effect of enhancing contractility in the isolated rat heart, little information is available concerning the cardiovascular consequences of hyperprolactinemia in humans. To elucidate the effects of chronic hyperprolactinemia on cardiac structure and function, twenty-four patients with isolated PRL-secreting adenoma and twenty-four controls underwent a complete mono- and two-dimensional Doppler-echocardiography. Blood pressure and heart rate were similar in the two groups, and no significant differences were observed as to left ventricular (LV) geometry between patients and controls. Resting LV systolic function was normal in patients with hyperprolactinemia, as shown by similar values of fractional shortening and cardiac output. Conversely, hyperprolactinemic patients exhibited a slight impairment of LV diastolic filling, as demonstrated by the prolongation of the isovolumetric relaxation time and the increase of the atrial filling wave of mitral Doppler velocimetry (58 ± 13 vs. 47 ± 8 cm/s, p < 0.05) with a subgroup of females (16%) having a clear diastolic dysfunction, and a worse exercise capacity (6 min walking test 452 ± 70 vs. 524 ± 56; p < 0.05). In conclusion, hyperprolactinemia in humans may be associated with a slight impairment of diastolic function, with an overt diastolic dysfunction in a subgroup of females which correlated with poorer exercise performance, in the absence of significant abnormalities of LV structure and systolic function.
Determination of Whether Apex or Non-Apex Prostate Cancer Is the Best Candidate for the Use of Prostate-Specific Antigen Density to Predict Pathological Grade Group Upgrading and Upstaging after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Huang Cong , He Shiming , He Qun , Gong Yanqing , Song Gang , Zhou Liqun
Published: February 2023

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) may aid in predicting Gleason grade group (GG) upgrading and pathological upstaging in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). However, the differences and associations between patients with apex prostate cancer (APCa) and non-apex prostate cancer (NAPCa) have not been described. The aim of this study was to explore the different roles of PSAD in predicting GG upgrading and pathological upstaging between APCa and NAPCa. Patients and Methods: Five hundred and thirty-five patients who underwent prostate biopsy followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) were enrolled. All patients were diagnosed with PCa and classified as either APCa or NAPCa. Clinical and pathological variables were collected. Univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Results: Of the entire cohort, 245 patients (45.8%) had GG upgrading. Multivariate analysis revealed that only PSAD (odds ratio [OR]: 4.149, p < 0.001) was an independent, significant predictor of upgrading. A total of 262 patients (49.0%) had pathological upstaging. Both PSAD (OR: 4.750, p < 0.001) and percentage of positive cores (OR: 5.108, p = 0.002) were independently significant predictors of upstaging. Of the 374 patients with NAPCa, 168 (44.9%) displayed GG upgrading. Multivariate analysis also showed PSAD (OR: 8.176, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of upgrading. Upstaging occurred in 159 (42.5%) patients with NAPCa, and PSAD (OR: 4.973, p < 0.001) and percentage of positive cores (OR: 3.994, p = 0.034) were independently predictive of pathological upstaging. Conversely, of the 161 patients with APCa, 77 (47.8%) were identified with GG upgrading, and 103 (64.0%) patients with pathological upstaging. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that there were no significant predictors, including PSAD, for predicting GG upgrading (p = 0.462) and pathological upstaging (p = 0.100). Conclusions: PSAD may aid in the prediction of GG upgrading and pathological upstaging in patients with PCa. However, this may only be practical in patients with NAPCa but not with APCa. Additional biopsy cores taken from the prostatic apex region may help improve the accuracy of PSAD in predicting GG upgrading and pathological upstaging after RP.
Salivary IgG4 Levels Contribute to Assessing the Efficacy of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in Children with Asthma or Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Liu Jinling , Hu Minfei , Tao Xiaofen , He Jing , Wang Jianhua , Song Zhenghong , Wu Lei , Tang Lanfang , Chen Zhimin , Xu Xuefeng
Published: February 2023

At present, there are no effective, non-invasive, and objective indicators to evaluate the efficacy of pediatric house dust mite (HDM)-specific allergen immunotherapy (AIT). A prospective, observational study was performed in children with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (AR). Forty-four patients received subcutaneous Der p-AIT for 2 years, and eleven patients received only symptomatic treatment. The patients needed to finish their questionnaires at each visit. Serum and salivary Der p-specific IgE, IgG4, and IgE-blocking factors (IgE-BFs) were measured at 0, 4, 12, and 24 months during AIT. A correlation between them was also evaluated. Subcutaneous Der p-specific AIT improved the clinical symptoms of children with asthma and/or AR. The Der p-specific IgE-BF significantly increased at 4, 12, and 24 months after AIT treatment. Serum and salivary Der p-specific IgG4 significantly increased with the time of the AIT treatment, and significant correlations between them at different time points were observed (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant correlations (R = 0.31–0.62) between the serum Der p-specific IgE-BF and Der p-specific IgG4 at the baseline, 4, 12, and 24 months after the AIT (p < 0.01). The salivary Der p-specific IgG4 levels also demonstrated a certain correlation with the Der p-specific IgE-BF. Der p-specific AIT is an effective treatment for children with asthma and/or AR. Its effect was associated with increased serum and salivary-specific IgG4 levels, as well as an increased IgE-BF. Non-invasive salivary-specific IgG4 may be useful for monitoring the efficacy of AIT in children.
High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy versus Non-Invasive Ventilation in AIDS Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hao Jingjing , Liu Jingyuan , Pu Lin , Li Chuansheng , Zhang Ming , Tan Jianbo , Wang Hongyu , Yin Ningning , Sun Yao , Liu Yufeng , Guo Hebing , Li Ang
Published: February 2023

Background: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) remains the most common diagnosis for intensive care unit (ICU) admission in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Methods: We conducted a single-center, prospective, open-labeled, randomized controlled trial at the ICU, Beijing Ditan Hospital, China. AIDS patients with ARF were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) immediately after randomization. The primary outcome was the need for endotracheal intubation on day 28. Results: 120 AIDS patients were enrolled and 56 patients in the HFNC group and 57 patients in the NIV group after secondary exclusion. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) was the main etiology for ARF (94.7%). The intubation rates on day 28 were similar to HFNC and NIV (28.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.457). Kaplan–Meier curves showed no statistical difference in cumulative intubation rates between the two groups (log-rank test 0.401, p = 0.527). The number of airway care interventions in the HFNC group was fewer than in the NIV group (6 (5–7) vs. 8 (6–9), p < 0.001). The rate of intolerance in the HFNC group was lower than in the NIV group (1.8% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.032). The VAS scores of device discomfort in the HFNC group were lower than that in the NIV group at 2 h (4 (4–5) vs. 5 (4–7), p = 0.042) and at 24 h (4 (3–4) vs. 4 (3–6), p = 0.036). The respiratory rate in the HFNC group was lower than that in the NIV group at 24 h (25 ± 4/min vs. 27 ± 5/min, p = 0.041). Conclusions: Among AIDS patients with ARF, there was no statistical significance of the intubation rate between HFNC and NIV. HFNC had better tolerance and device comfort, fewer airway care interventions, and a lower respiratory rate than NIV. Clinical Trial Number: Chictr.org (ChiCTR1900022241).
Supplementary Pharmacotherapy for the Behavioral Abnormalities Caused by Stressors in Humans, Focused on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Authors: Fessel Jeffrey
Published: February 2023

Used as a supplement to psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy that addresses all of the known metabolic and genetic contributions to the pathogenesis of psychiatric conditions caused by stressors would require an inordinate number of drugs. Far simpler is to address the abnormalities caused by those metabolic and genetic changes in the cell types of the brain that mediate the behavioral abnormality. Relevant data regarding the changed brain cell types are described in this article and are derived from subjects with the paradigmatic behavioral abnormality of PTSD and from subjects with traumatic brain injury or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. If this analysis is correct, then therapy is required that benefits all of the affected brain cell types; those are astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, synapses and neurons, endothelial cells, and microglia (the pro-inflammatory (M1) subtype requires switching to the anti-inflammatory (M2) subtype). Combinations are advocated using several drugs, erythropoietin, fluoxetine, lithium, and pioglitazone, that benefit all of the five cell types, and that should be used to form a two-drug combination, suggested as pioglitazone with either fluoxetine or lithium. Clemastine, fingolimod, and memantine benefit four of the cell types, and one chosen from those could be added to the two-drug combination to form a three-drug combination. Using low doses of chosen drugs will limit both toxicity and drug-drug interactions. A clinical trial is required to validate both the advocated concept and the choice of drugs.
Causal Inference of Central Nervous System-Regulated Hormones in COVID-19: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Sun Yuxuan , Ding Ziyi , Guo Yawei , Yuan Jinqiu , Zhu Chengming , Pan Yihang , Sun Rui
Published: February 2023

We assessed the causal association of three COVID-19 phenotypes with insulin-like growth factor 1, estrogen, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone. We used bidirectional two-sample univariate and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the direction, specificity, and causality of the association between CNS-regulated hormones and COVID-19 phenotypes. Genetic instruments for CNS-regulated hormones were selected from the largest publicly available genome-wide association studies of the European population. Summary-level data on COVID-19 severity, hospitalization, and susceptibility were obtained from the COVID-19 host genetic initiative. DHEA was associated with increased risks of very severe respiratory syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 4.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41–12.59), consistent with multivariate MR results (OR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.20–11.51), and hospitalization (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.13–4.72) in univariate MR. LH was associated with very severe respiratory syndrome (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71–0.96) in univariate MR. Estrogen was negatively associated with very severe respiratory syndrome (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02–0.51), hospitalization (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08–0.78), and susceptibility (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.89) in multivariate MR. We found strong evidence for the causal relationship of DHEA, LH, and estrogen with COVID-19 phenotypes.
Research Progress of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Liver Diseases
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Gong Chen , Xu Jing , Chen Dong , Yang Bo , Chen Zhishui , Wei Lai
Published: February 2023

A growing body of evidence suggested that gut microbiota is associated with liver diseases through the gut–liver axis. The imbalance of gut microbiota could be correlated with the occurrence, development, and prognosis of a series of liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) seems to be a method to normalize the patient’s gut microbiota. This method has been traced back to the 4th century. In recent decade, FMT has been highly regarded in several clinical trials. As a novel approach to reconstruct the intestinal microecological balance, FMT has been used to treat the chronic liver diseases. Therefore, in this review, the role of FMT in the treatment of liver diseases was summarized. In addition, the relationship between gut and liver was explored through the gut–liver axis, and the definition, objectives, advantages, and procedures of FMT were described. Finally, the clinical value of FMT therapy in liver transplant (LT) recipients was briefly discussed.
Early vs. Late Readmission following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Predictors and Impact on Long-Term Outcomes
Authors: Eccleston David , Duong My-Ngan , Chowdhury Enayet , Schwarz Nisha , Reid Christopher , Liew Danny , Conradie Andre , Worthley Stephen G.
Published: February 2023

Background: Readmissions within 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are common (18.6–50.4% in international series) and a burden to patients and health services, however their long-term implications are not well characterised. We compared predictors of 30-day (early) and 31-day to 1-year (late) unplanned readmission and the impact of unplanned readmission on long-term clinical outcomes post-PCI. Methods: Patients enrolled in the GenesisCare Cardiovascular Outcomes Registry (GCOR-PCI) from 2008 to 2020 were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of early and late unplanned readmission. A Cox proportion hazards regression model was used to explore the impact of any unplanned readmission during the first year post-PCI on the clinical outcomes at 3 years. Finally, patients with early and late unplanned readmission were compared to determine which group was at the highest risk of adverse long-term outcomes. Results: The study comprised 16,911 consecutively enrolled patients who underwent PCI between 2009–2020. Of these, 1422 patients (8.5%) experienced unplanned readmission within 1-year post-PCI. Overall, the mean age was 68.9 ± 10.5 years, 76.4% were male and 45.9% presented with acute coronary syndromes. Predictors of unplanned readmission included increasing age, female gender, previous CABG, renal impairment and PCI for acute coronary syndromes. Unplanned readmission within 1 year of PCI was associated with an increased risk of MACE (adjusted HR 1.84 (1.42–2.37), p < 0.001) and death over a 3-year follow-up (adjusted HR 1.864 (1.34–2.59), p < 0.001) compared with those without readmission within 1-year post-PCI. Late compared with early unplanned readmission within the first year of PCI was more frequently associated with subsequent unplanned readmission, MACE and death between 1 and 3 years post-PCI. Conclusions: Unplanned readmissions in the first year following PCI, particularly those occurring more than 30 days after discharge, were associated with a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes, such as MACE and death at 3 years. Strategies to identify patients at high risk of readmission and interventions to reduce their greater risk of adverse events should be implemented post-PCI
Efficacy of 1-Year Cavacurmin® Therapy in Reducing Prostate Growth in Men Suffering from Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: Milanese Giulio , Agostini Edoardo , De Angelis Maria Vittoria , Pretore Eugenio , Galosi Andrea Benedetto , Castellani Daniele
Published: February 2023

We aim to assess the effect of Cavacurmin® on prostate volume (PV), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and micturition parameters in men after 1 year of therapy. From September 2020 to October 2021, data from 20 men with LUTS/benign prostatic hyperplasia and PV ≥40 mL who were on therapy with α1-adrenoceptor antagonists plus Cavacurmin® were retrospectively compared with 20 men on only α1-adrenoceptor antagonists. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), maximum urinary flow (Qmax) and PV. A Mann–Whitney U-test and Chi-square were used to assess the difference between the two groups. A comparison of paired data was performed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. At the 1-year follow-up, PV [55.0 (15.0) vs. 62.5 (18.0) mL, p = 0.04)], PSA [2.5 (1.5) ng/mL vs. 3.05 (2.7) vs. p = 0.009] and IPSS [13.5 (3.75) vs. 18 (9.25) p = 0.009] were significantly lower in the Cavacurmin® group. Qmax was significantly higher in the Cavacurmin® group [15.85 (2.9) vs. 14.5 (4.2), p = 0.022]. PV was reduced to 2 (5.75) mL in the Cavacurmin® group from baseline, while it increased to 12 (6.75) mL in the α1-adrenoceptor antagonists group (p < 0.001). PSA decreased in the Cavacurmin® group [−0.45 (0.55) ng/mL], whereas it increased in the α1-adrenoceptor antagonists group [0.5 (0.30) ng/mL, p < 0.001]. In conclusion, one-year Cavacurmin® therapy was able to block prostate growth with a concomitant decrease in PSA value from baseline. The association of Cavacurmin® with α1-adrenoceptor antagonists had a more beneficial effect compared to patients on α1-adrenoceptor antagonists alone but this needs further larger studies to be confirmed, particularly in the long-term.
Methods for the Inclusion of Real-World Evidence in a Rare Events Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yao Minghong , Wang Yuning , Mei Fan , Zou Kang , Li Ling , Sun Xin
Published: February 2023

Background: Many rare events meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have lower statistical power, and real-world evidence (RWE) is becoming widely recognized as a valuable source of evidence. The purpose of this study is to investigate methods for including RWE in a rare events meta-analysis of RCTs and the impact on the level of uncertainty around the estimates. Methods: Four methods for the inclusion of RWE in evidence synthesis were investigated by applying them to two previously published rare events meta-analyses: the naïve data synthesis (NDS), the design-adjusted synthesis (DAS), the use of RWE as prior information (RPI), and the three-level hierarchical models (THMs). We gauged the effect of the inclusion of RWE by varying the degree of confidence placed in RWE. Results: This study showed that the inclusion of RWE in a rare events meta-analysis of RCTs could increase the precision of the estimates, but this depended on the method of inclusion and the level of confidence placed in RWE. NDS cannot consider the bias of RWE, and its results may be misleading. DAS resulted in stable estimates for the two examples, regardless of whether we placed high- or low-level confidence in RWE. The results of the RPI approach were sensitive to the confidence level placed in RWE. The THM was effective in allowing for accommodating differences between study types, while it had a conservative result compared with other methods. Conclusion: The inclusion of RWE in a rare events meta-analysis of RCTs could increase the level of certainty of the estimates and enhance the decision-making process. DAS might be appropriate for inclusion of RWE in a rare event meta-analysis of RCTs, but further evaluation in different scenarios of empirical or simulation studies is still warranted.
Association of Serum BAFF Levels with Cardiovascular Events in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wang Ziyang , Wang Yueying , Cui Yuke , Chen Zhiyong , Yi Lei , Zhu Zhengbin , Ni Jingwei , Du Run , Wang Xiaoqun , Zhu Jinzhou , Ding Fenghua , Quan Weiwei , Zhang Ruiyan , Hu Jian , Yan Xiaoxiang
Published: February 2023

Objectives: The B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a B cell survival factor involved in atherosclerosis and ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. This study sought to investigate whether BAFF is a potential predictor of poor outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We prospectively enrolled 299 patients with STEMI, and serum levels of BAFF were measured. All subjects were followed for three years. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiovascular death, nonfatal reinfarction, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), and stroke. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to analyze the predictive value of BAFF for MACEs. Results: In multivariate analysis, BAFF was independently associated with risk of MACEs (adjusted HR 1.525, 95% CI 1.085–2.145; p = 0.015) and cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.632, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.132–11.650, p = 0.030) after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with BAFF levels above the cut-off value (1.46 ng/mL) were more likely to have MACEs (log-rank p < 0.0001) and cardiovascular death (log-rank p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis, the impact of high BAFF on MACEs development was stronger in patients without dyslipidemia. Furthermore, the C-statistic and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) values for MACEs were improved with BAFF as an independent risk factor or when combined with cardiac troponin I. Conclusions: This study suggests that higher BAFF levels in the acute phase are an independent predictor of the incidence of MACEs in patients with STEMI.
Mortality and Associated Causes in Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Multiple-Cause-of-Death Analysis in France
Authors: La Marle Solène , Richard-Colmant Gaëlle , Fauvernier Mathieu , Ghesquières Hervé , Hot Arnaud , Sève Pascal , Jamilloux Yvan
Published: February 2023

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome with an overall mortality rate of 40%. A multiple-cause-of-death analysis allows for the characterization of mortality and associated causes over an extended period. Death certificates, collected between 2000 and 2016 by the French Epidemiological Centre for the Medical Causes of Death (CepiDC, Inserm), containing the ICD10 codes for HLH (D76.1/2), were used to calculate HLH-related mortality rates and to compare them with the general population (observed/expected ratios, O/E). HLH was mentioned in 2072 death certificates as the underlying cause of death (UCD, n = 232) or as a non-underlying cause of death (NUCD, n = 1840). The mean age at death was 62.4 years. The age-standardized mortality rate was 1.93/million person-years and increased over the study period. When HLH was an NUCD, the most frequently associated UCDs were hematological diseases (42%), infections (39.4%), and solid tumors (10.4%). As compared to the general population, HLH decedents were more likely to have associated CMV infections or hematological diseases. The increase in mean age at death over the study period indicates progress in diagnostic and therapeutic management. This study suggests that the prognosis of HLH may be at least partially related to coexisting infections and hematological malignancies (either as causes of HLH or as complications).
Modeling Podocyte Ontogeny and Podocytopathies with the Zebrafish
Authors: Drummond Bridgette E. , Ercanbrack Wesley S. , Wingert Rebecca A.
Published: February 2023

Podocytes are exquisitely fashioned kidney cells that serve an essential role in the process of blood filtration. Congenital malformation or damage to podocytes has dire consequences and initiates a cascade of pathological changes leading to renal disease states known as podocytopathies. In addition, animal models have been integral to discovering the molecular pathways that direct the development of podocytes. In this review, we explore how researchers have used the zebrafish to illuminate new insights about the processes of podocyte ontogeny, model podocytopathies, and create opportunities to discover future therapies.
Tuning the Extracellular Vesicles Membrane through Fusion for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Karmacharya Mamata , Kumar Sumit , Cho Yoon-Kyoung
Published: February 2023

Membrane fusion is one of the key phenomena in the living cell for maintaining the basic function of life. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the ability to transfer information between cells through plasma membrane fusion, making them a promising tool in diagnostics and therapeutics. This study explores the potential applications of natural membrane vesicles, EVs, and their fusion with liposomes, EVs, and cells and introduces methodologies for enhancing the fusion process. EVs have a high loading capacity, bio-compatibility, and stability, making them ideal for producing effective drugs and diagnostics. The unique properties of fused EVs and the crucial design and development procedures that are necessary to realize their potential as drug carriers and diagnostic tools are also examined. The promise of EVs in various stages of disease management highlights their potential role in future healthcare.
Spectral Reflectance Estimation from Camera Responses Using Local Optimal Dataset
Authors: Tominaga Shoji , Sakai Hideaki
Published: February 2023

A novel method is proposed to estimate surface-spectral reflectance from camera responses using a local optimal reflectance dataset. We adopt a multispectral imaging system that involves an RGB camera capturing multiple images under multiple light sources. A spectral reflectance database is utilized to locally determine the candidates to optimally estimate the spectral reflectance. The proposed estimation method comprises two stages: (1) selecting the local optimal reflectance dataset and (2) determining the best estimate using only the local optimal dataset. In (1), the camera responses are predicted for the respective reflectances in the database, and then the prediction errors are calculated to select the local optimal dataset. In (2), multiple methods are used; in particular, the Wiener and linear minimum mean square error estimators are used to calculate all statistics, based only on the local optimal dataset, and linear and quadratic programming methods are used to solve optimization problems with constraints. Experimental results using different mobile phone cameras show that the estimation accuracy has improved drastically. A much smaller local optimal dataset among spectral reflectance databases is enough to obtain the optimal estimates. The method has potential applications including fields of color science, image science and technology, computer vision, and graphics.
Radio-Frequency Energy Harvesting Using Rapid 3D Plastronics Protoyping Approach: A Case Study
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Viet Linh , Gerges Tony , Bevilacqua Pascal , Duchamp Jean-Marc , Benech Philippe , Verdier Jacques , Lombard Philippe , Linge Pangsui Usifu , Mieyeville Fabien , Cabrera Michel , Allard Bruno
Published: February 2023

Harvesting of ambient radio-frequency energy is largely covered in the literature. The RF energy harvester is considered most of the time as a standalone board. There is an interest to add the RF harvesting function on an already-designed object. Polymer objects are considered here, manufactured through an additive process and the paper focuses on the rapid prototyping of the harvester using a plastronic approach. An array of four antennas is considered for circular polarization with high self-isolation. The RF circuit is obtained using an electroless copper metallization of the surface of a 3D substrate fabricated using stereolithography printing. The RF properties of the polymer resin are not optimal; thus, the interest of this work is to investigate the potential capabilities of such an implementation, particularly in terms of freedom of 3D design and ease of fabrication. The electromagnetic properties of the substrate are characterized over a band of 0.5–2.5 GHz applying the two-transmission-line method. A circular polarization antenna is experimented as a rapid prototyping vehicle and yields a gain of 1.26 dB. A lab-scale prototype of the rectifier and power management unit are experimented with discrete components. The cold start-up circuit accepts a minimum voltage of 180 mV. The main DC/DC converter operates under 1.4 V but is able to compensate losses for an input DC voltage as low as 100 mV (10 μW). The rectifier alone is capable of 3.5% efficiency at −30 dBm input RF power. The global system of circularly polarized antenna, rectifier, and voltage conversion features a global experimental efficiency of 14.7% at an input power of −13.5 dBm. The possible application of such results is discussed.
Study on Wave Loads during Steady-State Gap Resonance with Free Heave Motion of Floating Structure
Authors: Gao Junliang , Gong Shukai , He Zhiwei , Shi Huabin , Zang Jun , Zou Tao , Bai Xu
Published: February 2023

Fluid resonance may occur in a narrow gap between two side-by-side vessels under wave actions, which can cause significant wave height amplification inside the gap and further induce large wave loads and motion responses of the vessel. Based on an open-sourced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package, OpenFOAM, the steady-state gap resonance phenomenon formed in between two side-by-side boxes and triggered by the incident regular waves is simulated, where the upriver box keeps fixed and the downriver one heaves freely under wave actions. This article comprehensively investigates the influence of the vertical degree of freedom of the downriver box on the wave loads exerting on both boxes and further reveals how the relative position of the heaving box with respect to the incident wave direction affects the characteristics of wave loads during the steady-state gap resonance. The results show that both the normalized largest wave loads and the dimensionless wavenumber where the normalized largest wave loads occur are significantly affected by both the incident wave heights and the relative position of the heaving box to the incident wave direction.
A High Abundance of Holothuria (Halodeima) atra (Holothuroidea Aspidochirotida) in a Halimeda Dominated Habitat
Authors: Kongsap Vanyarat , Rattanachot Ekkalak , Prathep Anchana , Buaphol Witthaya , Mayakun Jaruwan
Published: February 2023

High-value sea cucumber species are overexploited, and the focus of fishing has shifted to low-value species, e.g., Holothuria (Halodeima) atra. In this study, the population of H. atra was investigated in three different habitats: a seagrass habitat, a seaweed habitat, and bare sand, at an intertidal zone of Lidee Island, Mu Ko Phetra National Park, Satun Province, Thailand. The habitat type was the predictor which had a significant impact on the density and frequency distribution of the body length of H. atra individuals. H. atra was only found in the seaweed and seagrass habitats. The highest density of this species, 91.1 ± 9.6 inds 100 m−2, was found in the seaweed habitat. The frequency distribution of the body length of H. atra individuals in the seagrass habitat showed no significant change throughout the study period, but the mode of the length frequency distribution in the seaweed habitat gradually rose from 9 to 22 cm from January−September 2019. Asexual reproduction was the major source of recruitment. The occurrence of recently fissioned individuals was slightly higher in the seaweed habitat than in the seagrass habitat (6.0 ± 1.1% and 2.2 ± 0.6%, respectively). This study showed that H. atra was most abundant in the seaweed habitat, which is likely because of the greater availability in this habitat of food sources, microhabitats, and protection against sun irradiance, desiccation, and stress during low tides.
A Novel Intelligent Detection Algorithm of Aids to Navigation Based on Improved YOLOv4
Authors: Zhen Rong , Ye Yingdong , Chen Xinqiang , Xu Liangkun
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the problem of high-precision detection of AtoN (Aids to Navigation, AtoN) in the complex inland river environment, in the absence of sufficient AtoN image types to train classifiers, this paper proposes an automatic AtoN detection algorithm Aids-to-Navigation-YOLOv4 (AN-YOLOv4) based on improved YOLOv4 (You Only Look Once, Yolo). Firstly, aiming at the problem of an insufficient number of existing AtoN datasets, the Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Networks (DCGAN) is used to expand and enhance the AtoN image dataset. Then, aiming at the problem of small target recognition accuracy, the image pyramid is used to multi-scale zoom the dataset. Finally, the K-means clustering algorithm is used to correct the candidate box of AN-YOLOv4. The test on the test dataset shows that the improvement effect of AN-YOLOv4 is obvious. The accuracy rate of small targets is 92%, and the average accuracy (mAP) of eight different types of AtoN is 92%, which is 14% and 13% higher than the original YOLOv4, respectively. This research has important theoretical significance and reference value for the intelligent perception of the navigation environment under the intelligent shipping system.