bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Role of TIGIT Expression in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiao Kunmin , Xiao Kunlin , Li Kexin , Xue Peng , Zhu Shijie 
Published: December 2021

Background. T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) is a recently identified immunosuppressive receptor. The expression levels of TIGIT affect the prognosis of patients with solid tumors. To fully comprehend the role of TIGIT on the prognosis of patients with solid tumors, we conducted a meta-analysis. Methods. We performed an online search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (WOS), and MEDLINE databases for literature published till March 31, 2021. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature, and Stata 16.0 and Engauge Digitizer 4.1 software were used for data analysis. Results. Our literature search identified eight papers comprising 1426 patients with solid tumors. Increased expression of TIGIT was associated with poor prognosis. High expression of TIGIT was a risk factor for overall survival (OS) {

hazard

ratio

HR

=
1.66

, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.26, 2.20],

P
<
0.001

} and progression-free survival (PFS) (

HR
=
1.44

, 95% CI [1.15, 1.81],

P
=
0.01

). We performed subgroup analysis to explore the source of heterogeneity, colorectal cancer (

HR
=
2.07

, 95% CI [0.23, 18.82],

P
=
0.518

), lung cancer (

HR
=
1.29

, 95% CI [0.96, 1.72],

P
=
0.094

), esophageal cancer (

HR
=
1.70

, 95% CI [1.20, 2.40],

P
=
0.003

), and other cancers (

HR
=
1.83

, 95% CI [1.25, 2.68],

P
=
0.002

). In addition to cancer type, expression location, sample size, and different statistical analysis methods are also considered the possible causes of heterogeneity between studies. Funnel plots suggested no publication bias for OS (

P
=
0.902

), and Egger’s test supported this conclusion (

P
=
0.537

). Conclusion. TIGIT expression was associated with OS and PFS in patients with solid tumors. Patients with elevated TIGIT expression have a shorter OS and PFS, and TIGIT expression could be a novel biomarker for prognosis prediction and a valuable therapeutic target for solid tumors.
Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification via Nondestructive 3D Pathology with Deep Learning–Assisted Gland Analysis
Authors: Xie Weisi , Reder Nicholas P. , Koyuncu Can , Leo Patrick , Hawley Sarah , Huang Hongyi , Mao Chenyi , Postupna Nadia , Kang Soyoung , Serafin Robert , Gao Gan , Han Qinghua , Bishop Kevin W. , Barner Lindsey A. , Fu Pingfu , Wright Jonathan L. , Keene C. Dirk , Vaughan Joshua C. , Janowczyk Andrew , Glaser Adam K. , Madabhushi Anant , True Lawrence D. , Liu Jonathan T.C. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractProstate cancer treatment planning is largely dependent upon examination of core-needle biopsies. The microscopic architecture of the prostate glands forms the basis for prognostic grading by pathologists. Interpretation of these convoluted three-dimensional (3D) glandular structures via visual inspection of a limited number of two-dimensional (2D) histology sections is often unreliable, which contributes to the under- and overtreatment of patients. To improve risk assessment and treatment decisions, we have developed a workflow for nondestructive 3D pathology and computational analysis of whole prostate biopsies labeled with a rapid and inexpensive fluorescent analogue of standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. This analysis is based on interpretable glandular features and is facilitated by the development of image translation–assisted segmentation in 3D (ITAS3D). ITAS3D is a generalizable deep learning–based strategy that enables tissue microstructures to be volumetrically segmented in an annotation-free and objective (biomarker-based) manner without requiring immunolabeling. As a preliminary demonstration of the translational value of a computational 3D versus a computational 2D pathology approach, we imaged 300 ex vivo biopsies extracted from 50 archived radical prostatectomy specimens, of which, 118 biopsies contained cancer. The 3D glandular features in cancer biopsies were superior to corresponding 2D features for risk stratification of patients with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer based on their clinical biochemical recurrence outcomes. The results of this study support the use of computational 3D pathology for guiding the clinical management of prostate cancer.Significance:An end-to-end pipeline for deep learning–assisted computational 3D histology analysis of whole prostate biopsies shows that nondestructive 3D pathology has the potential to enable superior prognostic stratification of patients with prostate cancer.
Asian American/Pacific Islander and Hispanic Ethnic Enclaves, Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence in California: An Update
Authors: Sangaramoorthy Meera , Yang Juan , Guan Alice , DeRouen Mindy C. , Tana Michele M. , Somsouk Ma , Thompson Caroline A. , Gibbons Joseph , Ho Chanda , Chu Janet N. , Cheng Iona , Gomez Scarlett Lin , Shariff-Marco Salma 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
Using more recent cancer registry data, we analyzed disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence by ethnic enclave and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) among Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Hispanic populations in California.

Methods:
Primary, invasive HCC cases were identified from the California Cancer Registry during 1988–1992, 1998–2002, and 2008–2012. Age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 population), incidence rate ratios, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated for AAPI or Hispanic enclave, nSES, and the joint effects of ethnic enclave and nSES by time period (and the combination of the three periods), sex, and race/ethnicity.

Results:
In the combined time period, HCC risk increased 25% for highest versus lowest quintile of AAPI enclave among AAPI males. HCC risk increased 22% and 56% for lowest versus highest quintile of nSES among AAPI females and males, respectively. In joint analysis, AAPI males living in low nSES areas irrespective of enclave status were at 17% to 43% increased HCC risk compared with AAPI males living in areas of nonenclave/high nSES. HCC risk increased by 22% for Hispanic females living in areas of low nSES irrespective of enclave status and by 19% for Hispanic males living in areas of nonenclave/low nSES compared with their counterparts living in areas of nonenclave/high nSES.

Conclusions:
We found significant variation in HCC incidence by ethnic enclave and nSES among AAPI and Hispanic populations in California by sex and time period.

Impact:
Future studies should explore how specific attributes of enclaves and nSES impact HCC risk for AAPI and Hispanic populations.
Rare Sequences Make Sense of CAR T-cell Therapy Outcomes
Authors: Ghorashian Sara , Bartram Jack 
Published: December 2021

Summary:
In this issue, Pulsipher and colleagues used next-generation sequencing to detect leukemia-specific sequences following tisagenlecleucel therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A challenge for the field currently is to identify which patients will have therapy failure and to do so early enough to allow planning for further treatment, for example, stem cell transplantation. Detection of disease below the standard detection level for this technique (less than one per million cells) at day 28 was associated with poorer outcomes and potentially therefore could be used to identify those that might benefit from adjunctive therapies.
See related article by Pulsipher et al. p. 66.
Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care knee ultrasound for evaluation of meniscus and collateral ligaments pathology in comparison with MRI
Authors: Elshimy Ahmed , Osman Ahmed M , Awad Mohamed El Sayed , Abdel Aziz Mohamed M 
Published: December 2021

Background Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often the “gold standard” for diagnosing knee problems, it has many limitations. Therefore, ultrasonography has been suggested as an effective rapid alternative in many knee abnormalities, especially after injuries of the meniscus and collateral ligaments. Purpose To determine the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in detecting injuries of the meniscus and collateral ligament compared to MRI. Material and Methods An observational cross-sectional blinded study was conducted of 60 patients with clinically suspicious meniscus and collateral ligament injuries who were planned for an arthroscopy and or operative procedure. These patients underwent both blinded POCUS and MRI of the knees before the intervention procedure and results of both imaging modalities were compared according to the operative and arthroscopic findings. Results The preoperative reliability of POCUS compared to MRI for the assessment of meniscus injuries was sensitivity (92.9% vs. 90.5%), specificity (88.9% vs. 83.3%), positive predictive value (PPV; 95.1% vs. 92.7%), negative predictive value (NPV; 84.2% vs. 79%), and overall accuracy (91.7% vs. 88.3%). However, for diagnosing collateral ligament injures, POCUS versus MRI assessed sensitivity (92.3% vs. 88.5%), specificity (100% vs. 97.1%), PPV (100% vs. 95.8%), NPV (94.4% vs. 91.7%), and overall accuracy (96.7% vs. 93.3%). Conclusion Ultrasonography is a useful screening tool for the initial diagnosis of meniscal and collateral ligament pathology compared to or even with potential advantages over MRI, especially when MRI is unavailable or contraindicated. As newly advanced portable ultrasonography becomes available, it could be considered as a point-of-injury diagnostic modality.
Is 2D SWE sufficient as clinical diagnosis in patients with plantar fasciitis?
Authors: Beydoğan Engin , Yalçın Atilla 
Published: December 2021

Background The use of shear wave elastography (SWE) seems to be an important imaging method in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis (PF). Purpose To compare patients diagnosed with PF with similar and young healthy control groups in terms of B-mode ultrasound (US) and SWE results and to evaluate the elasticity of the plantar fascia. Material and Methods A total of 140 feet of 70 participants were evaluated, including 30 patients and 40 healthy individuals as the control. Clinical, B-mode US, and SWE evaluations were performed for each patient. In addition, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was calculated to evaluate pain and foot function in both groups. Results Of the patients in the PF group, 40 (88%) were women and the healthy control groups had similar sex distributions ( P = 0.23). The AOFAS score was lower in feet with PF compared to the other groups ( P < 0.001). Of 30 patients with PF, 15 (50%) had bilateral PF and 15 (50%) unilateral PF. In addition, ≥4 mm thickness measurement, which was used as a diagnostic criterion for PF as a US finding, could be shown in 11 (73.3%) patients with unilateral PF and 6 (40%) patients with bilateral PF. Conclusion In conclusion, the evaluation of the diagnosis of PF with clinical findings and regular follow-up of measurements with SWE can provide measurement results with higher sensitivity in the diagnosis of PF.
Outbreak of postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a case report and brief literature review
Authors: Cheraqpour Kasra , Ahmadraji Aliasghar , Tabatabaei Seyed Ali , Bohrani Sefidan Bahram , Soleimani Mohammad , Shahriari Mansoor , Ramezani Bahareh 
Published: December 2021

Endophthalmitis is the most serious complication of cataract surgery. A cluster of endophthalmitis is a devastating event for surgeons. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the main causative pathogen of Gram-negative endophthalmitis, which can be suggestive of the occurrence of an outbreak. Ten patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery performed by one surgeon were analyzed in this study. At presentation, five patients had obvious clinical findings of endophthalmitis with visual acuity of light perception, two patients had poor light perception/no light perception of vision complicated by concomitant keratitis, and three patients had earlier signs of infection (e.g., a lower degree of anterior chamber and vitreous cells, better presenting visual acuity, and greater visibility of the fundus). Investigations revealed that the source of infection was growth of P. aeruginosa on the phaco probe. All of the surgeries had been performed by the same contaminated probe without sterilization between surgeries. This finding emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to sterility protocols during high-risk surgeries such as intraocular surgeries. Additionally, this report aims to emphasize to surgeons that negligence of simple but vital steps of sterility for any reason, such as limitations in time or equipment, can lead to catastrophic events.
Association between serum lipids and breast cancer risk in premenopausal women: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Jing , Lei Xun , Pan Xianjun , Zeng Xiaohua , Li Wei 
Published: December 2021

Objective Associations between serum lipids and their individual components with premenopausal breast cancer risk are unclear. This meta-analysis summarized the literature on serum lipids and premenopausal breast cancer risk to elucidate their relationship. Methods Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases until 31 December 2020. Standardized mean difference (SMD) scores with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were used to assess the impact of serum lipids on premenopausal breast cancer risk. The I2 statistic was calculated to measure the percentage of heterogeneity, and Egger’s test was performed to measure publication bias. Results Thirteen studies were included. The SMD scores of triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were 12.90 (95%CI: 7.19–18.61) and 31.43 (95%CI: 8.72–54.15), respectively. The SMD scores of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were not significantly different between the groups. The included studies were highly heterogeneous. There were no publication biases found in TC, LDL-C, or HDL-C analyses, whereas publication bias was present in the TG analysis. Conclusions TG and LDL-C were higher in premenopausal breast cancer patients than in women without breast cancer. However, no significant differences were found in TC or HDL-C levels.
Achilles Tendon Ruptures in Middle-Aged Rats Heal Poorly Compared With Those in Young and Old Rats
Authors: Leahy Thomas P. , Nuss Courtney A. , Evans Mary Kate , Fung Ashley K. , Shetye Snehal S. , Soslowsky Louis J. 
Published: December 2021

Background: Achilles tendon ruptures are painful and debilitating injuries and are most common in middle-aged patients. There is a lack of understanding of the underlying causes for increased rupture rates in middle-aged patients and how healing outcomes after a rupture might be affected by patient age. Therefore, the objective of this study was to define age-specific Achilles tendon healing by assessing ankle functional outcomes and Achilles tendon mechanical and histological properties after a rupture using a rat model. Hypothesis: Rats representing the middle-aged patient population would demonstrate reduced healing capability after an Achilles tendon rupture, as demonstrated by a slower return to baseline ankle functional properties and inferior biomechanical and histological tendon properties. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Fischer 344 rats were categorized by age to represent young, middle-aged, and old patients, and Achilles tendon ruptures were induced in the right hindlimb. Animals were allowed to heal and were euthanized at 3 or 6 weeks after the injury. In vivo functional assays and ultrasound imaging were performed throughout the healing period, and ex vivo tendon mechanical and histological properties were assessed after euthanasia. Results: Rats representing middle-aged patients displayed reduced healing potential compared with the other age groups, as they demonstrated decreased recovery of in vivo functional and ultrasound assessment parameters and inferior mechanical and histological properties after an Achilles tendon rupture. Conclusion: These findings may help explain the increased rupture rate observed clinically in middle-aged patients by suggesting that there may be altered tendon responses to daily trauma. Clinical Relevance: The results provide novel data on age-specific healing outcomes after an Achilles tendon rupture, which underscores the importance of considering a patient’s age during treatment and expectations for outcomes.
Agri-input Buying Behaviour of Paddy Farmers: A Study in the Context of the New Normal Due to COVID-19
Authors: Haidery Ferman Haider , Kundu Kaushik , Sarkar Dev Narayan 
Published: December 2021

Humanity has witnessed diseases and illnesses since the ancient days. These diseases and illnesses resulted in days of suffering leading to disabilities or deaths of many people within communities and are termed as epidemics. As the society progressed, widespread trade increased the interactions between human, animals and ecosystems, thereby increasing the occurrence of these epidemics, often named as pandemics. Several pandemics have afflicted the world throughout history, be it malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, influenza, smallpox, plagues or HIV/AIDS or the recent incidence of Novel Coronavirus. Diseases affect the supply chain of farm produce and agriculture. Consequently, it may impact food security. It is assumed that pandemic affects the buying behaviour of farmers and it has the capacity to alter the buying behaviour of paddy farmers in India. In this study, an attempt is made to investigate the effect of certain factors on farmers purchase behaviour during pandemic situation among rice farmers in Chhattisgarh, India. The studied sample included 120 farmers in Dhamtari, Raipur, India, selected randomly. Narratives were collected from the farmers and were analysed using qualitative data analysis software. From the qualitative data analysis, the implication for marketers is that itinerant trainers should be sent to villages to train the farmers, especially the bigger farmers (who have secondary influence), on the new technologies in agricultural inputs. The farmers also influence each other, and some amount of training coverage may eventually reach all farmers. The local dealers and the village headmen should also be influenced. An attempt should be made to marry the new technologies with the traditional methods, as much as possible.
Modeling and simulation of ductile damage in forged steel used to encapsulate high-level radioactive waste
Authors: Serveaux Jérémy , Labergere Carl , Bumbieler Frédéric , Saanouni Khémais 
Published: December 2021

Andra, the French national radioactive waste management agency, is in charge of studying the disposal of high-level and long-lived intermediate-level waste (HLW and ILW-LL) in a deep geological repository. According to the reference concept, it is planned to encapsulate high-level waste in non-alloy P285NH steel overpacks before inserting them into horizontal steel cased micro-tunnels. This work is a part of the study about the long-term behavior of a welded steel overpack subjected to external hydrostatic pressure and several localized loading paths. Indeed, the main objective of this work is to develop the most suitable model for non-alloy steel P285NH to be used in the prediction of the long-term overpack behavior. Dealing with a ductile steel, elastoplastic constitutive equations accounting for mixed nonlinear isotropic and kinematic hardening strongly coupled with ductile isotropic damage are adopted. They are formulated based on the classical thermodynamics of irreversible processes framework with state variables at the macroscopic scale, (Germain, 1973) (Lemaitre 1985, Saanouni 2012). In this paper, a new coupling formulation between the scalar isotropic ductile damage and the deviatoric and spherical part of the Cauchy stress and elastic strain tensors is proposed. In order to calibrate the developed model on P285NH steel, multiple tensile tests are performed using classical cylindrical specimens, notched specimens and double notched specimens. In the last part, some experimental fields are measured using digital image correlation. Application is made to a simplified overpack represented by thick walled cylinder subject to compressive loading path. A FEM (Finite Element method) crushing operation of an overpack’s cylindrical part has simulated and analysed.
The relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and microvascular changes in retinal zones and optic disc in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ulutas Hafize Gokben , Guclu Metin , Aslanci Mehmet Emin , Karatas Gokhan 
Published: December 2021

Purpose The aim of this study was to detect early retinal vascular changes with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients without diabetic retinopathy and to evaluate the correlation of the results with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Design This is a case–control and cross-sectional study. Methods This study included 38 adult patients with T1DM, and 38 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Retinal and optic disc (OD) measurements were taken using OCTA. The carotid artery IMT of each patient was measured using Doppler ultrasonography. Superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel density, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), non-flow area (NFA) and foveal density (FD) were analysed in the fovea centred 6 × 6 mm macular area. The superficial capillary plexus and DCP were also scanned centred on the peripapillary region. The correlations between OCTA measurements and carotid IMT, duration of DM and haemoglobin A1c levels in patients with T1DM were evaluated. Results The mean values for carotid IMT were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls ( p < 0.001). The mean values for vessel density SCP, DCP and OD were significantly lower in the diabetic group ( p < 0.05). There were correlations between the carotid IMT and duration of T1DM and the evaluated parameters of OCTA. Conclusion Microvascular changes in the SCP and DCP in patients with T1DM without DR offer important data. OCTA can be used to detect early microvascular changes in patients with T1DM without DR. In addition, a relationship was found between SCP vascular dropout and carotid IMT.