bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between different timeframes of air pollution exposure and COVID-19 incidence, morbidity and mortality in German counties in 2020
Authors: Hermanns Sophie , von Schneidemesser Erika , Caseiro Alexandre , Koch Susanne 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Ambient air pollution is a known risk factor for several chronic health conditions, including pulmonary dysfunction. In recent years, studies have shown a positive association between exposure to air pollutants and the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of a COVID-19 infection, however the time period for which air pollution exposure is most relevant for the COVID-19 outcome is still not defined. The aim of this study was to analyze the difference in association when varying the time period of air pollution exposure considered on COVID-19 infection within the same cohort during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing the association between long- (10- and 2-years) and short-term (28 days, 7 days, and 2 days) exposure to NO2 and PM2.5 on SARS-CoV-2 incidence, morbidity, and mortality at the level of county during the first outbreak of the pandemic in spring 2020. Health data were extracted from the German national public health institute (Robert-Koch-Institute) and from the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. Air pollution data were taken from the APExpose dataset (version 2.0). We used negative binomial models, including adjustment for risk factors (age, sex, days since first COVID-19 case, population density, socio-economic and health parameters).

Results
We found that PM2.5 and NO2 exposure 28 days before COVID-19 infection had the highest association with infection, morbidity as well as mortality, as compared to long-term or short-term (2 or 7 days) air pollutant exposure. A 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 31.7% increase in incidence, a 20.6% need for ICU treatment, a 23.1% need for mechanical ventilation, and a 55.3% increase in mortality; an increase of 1 μg/m3 of NO2 was associated with an increase for all outcomes by 25.2 – 29.4%.

Conclusions
Our findings show a positive association between PM2.5 and NO2 exposure and the clinical course of a SARS-CoV2 infection, with the strongest association to 28 days of exposure to air pollution. This finding provides an indication as to the primary underlying pathophysiology, and can therefore help to improve the resilience of societies by implementing adequate measures to reduce the air pollutant impact on health outcomes.

Trial registration
Not applicable.
Tracking of serum lipids from prepuberty to young adulthood: results from the KiGGS cohort study
Authors: Truthmann Julia , Schienkiewitz Anja , Kneuer Antje , Du Yong , Scheidt-Nave Christa 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Universal lipid screening in childhood for early detection and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia is under discussion, but will also detect children with multifactorial dyslipidemia. Results from population-based studies can support the design of public health strategies. As few previous studies considered pubertal changes in serum lipid levels, we examined tracking of serum lipids from prepuberty to young adulthood in a population-based cohort.

Methods
This longitudinal study includes 692 children from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS; baseline: 2003–2006, follow-up: 2014–2017) who were 6–8 years old at baseline, at least 18 years old at follow-up, and had measurements of serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; non-HDL-C) at both time points. We calculated proportions of participants by life stage-specific risk categories applying cut points for young children and young adults. We used correlation coefficients to estimate serum lipid tracking from childhood to young adulthood. The association between follow-up and baseline lipid levels was examined in sex-specific multivariable linear regression models including body mass index (BMI), health-related behaviors and medication use as covariables.

Results
The correlation coefficient between baseline and follow-up was 0.60 for non-HDL-C, 0.56 for TC, and 0.43 for HDL-C and was higher in males than in females. 67% of participants had acceptable and 9% had borderline/elevated non-HDL-C levels at both time points. Of participants with borderline/elevated non-HDL-C levels at baseline 32% remained in this category and 68% improved. Non-HDL-C levels at baseline explained 53% of the variance in levels at follow-up in males and 28% in females. After adjustment for covariables, the explained variance increased to 62% in males and 45% in females. An increase in BMI z-scores from childhood to young adulthood in all sexes and oral contraceptive use in females was positively associated with higher levels at follow-up.

Conclusions
Non-HDL-C levels in prepuberty are moderate predictors of levels in young adulthood, along with increasing BMI from childhood to young adulthood, and oral contraceptive use among women. Comprehensive strategies including public health interventions targeting elevated lipid levels and obesity in combination, are essential to prevent premature cardiovascular events.
Identifying an effective Chinese herbal medicine for reducing postoperative hidden bleeding and stabilizing blood volume following intertrochanteric femur fracture: a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wu Xiaowei , Yan Linglan , Wu Tianran , Tu Shaochen , Lin Yanbin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Objective
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is extensively utilized in managing hidden bleeding following an intertrochanteric femur fracture (IFF). Despite its widespread use, the most effective CHM approach for addressing hidden bleeding post-IFF remains unclear. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to identify a CHM that both effectively reduces hidden bleeding and stabilizes blood volume after IFF.

Methods
Comprehensive electronic searches were performed on databases in both Chinese and English, including the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) employing CHM to address hidden bleeding post-IFF, up to December 31, 2023, were thoroughly reviewed. The analysis utilized Stata17.0 and Review Manager 5.4 software, tailored to the frequentist framework.

Results
Thirty-one articles were included, encompassing 17 interventions and 2076 patients. The systematic analysis revealed that: For improving postoperative haemoglobin (HB), the top three interventions were conventional treatment combined with Yiqi Buxue decoction, Yangxue Rougan decoction, and Sanqi powder; For reducing hidden bleeding post-surgery, the leading interventions were conventional treatment combined with Siwu decoction, Yangxue Rougan decoction, and Qitian Keli prescription; For enhancing the Harris score, the top interventions were conventional treatment combined with Bazhen decoction, Danggui Buxue decoction, and Sanqi powder; Descriptive analysis indicated minimal adverse reactions and enhanced safety overall.

Conclusion
CHM presents a viable method for treating hidden blood loss after IFF. Yangxue Rougan decoction notably excels in reducing hidden bleeding and stabilizing HB levels, making it a preferred option. Nevertheless, further rigorous RCT studies are essential to compare various CHM treatments to establish the most effective options for clinicians.
PROSPERO registration number CRD42023489292.
OTULIN confers cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma by mediating GPX4 protein homeostasis to evade the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Authors: Zheng Zehang , Zeng Yunhao , Bao Xing , Huang Chuang , Guo Fengjing , Xu Fei , Luo Zhengqiang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Osteosarcoma (OS), the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, arises from bone-forming mesenchymal cells. Despite advancements in surgical resection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin, doxorubicin, and methotrexate), chemotherapy resistance remains a significant challenge, leading to poor survival rates in patients with metastatic or recurrent OS.

Methods
In this study, we focused on the role of OTULIN, a key linear deubiquitinating enzyme, in OS chemoresistance. In addition, mechanistic investigations were carried out to identify potential downstream targets of OTULIN involved in cisplatin resistance.

Results
Our results demonstrated that OTULIN expression was significantly upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines following cisplatin treatment but not in response to doxorubicin or methotrexate. High OTULIN expression was associated with reduced survival in sarcoma patients. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of prechemotherapy and postchemotherapy OS tissues revealed increased OTULIN expression in postchemotherapy samples. In vitro results demonstrated that OTULIN plays a critical role in mediating cisplatin resistance in OS. Mechanistically, GPX4 could be a downstream target of OTULIN, conferring cisplatin resistance to OS by blocking the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway but not ferroptosis. Specifically, OTULIN prevents the proteasomal degradation of GPX4 by reducing its ubiquitin level, thereby conferring resistance to cisplatin in OS cells.

Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of OTULIN in OS chemoresistance and provides a promising approach for targeting the OTULIN-GPX4 axis to improve the prognosis of OS patients. Our findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying OS chemoresistance and suggest potential therapeutic targets for future clinical interventions.
Alteration of Rice Root Endophytic Bacterial Community Composition by Meloidogyne graminicola and Identification of Potential Biocontrol Agent
Authors: Kunda Pranamita , Mondal Sandip , De Debjit , Dhal Paltu Kumar , Mukherjee Abhishek 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Introduction
Rice root gall is a severe infection caused by the rice root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola. Overuse of chemical nematicides intensifies the need for a suitable biocontrol agent. Nematode infestation in plants alters the associated microbiome; however, their correlations need to be better understood. Hence, this work aimed to unravel the changes in indigenous endophytic bacterial community composition of rice root because of infection caused by M. graminicola and also to identify dominant bacteria strains as a potential biological control agent.

Material & Methods
The endophytic bacterial community of non-infected rice root and gall was analysed using a 16 S rRNA gene-based metagenomics approach. The dominant endophytic bacterial community was further isolated and screened for its PGP and nematicidal activity using bacterial cell suspension and culture filtrate to identify a potential biocontrol agent.

Result and Discussion
Our results show that nematode infection has altered the bacterial community composition, and a distinct community existed between gall and non-infected roots. This shift in the microbial community is associated with reduced species richness due to infection. We also observed that a few endophytic genera like Chryseobacterium, Rhizobium, Gemmata, and Pseudomonas that were unique to gall are reported to have been associated either with nematode or may have been recruited by plants as a growth promoter to combat nematode infection. Other bacterial endophytes that are specific to the non-infected root microbiome, like Delftia, Bacillus, Pantoea, Acidovorax, and Azorhizobium, are hypothesised to remain associated with rice seeds, and they possess biological control/plant growth promotion abilities. Further, after screening all isolates, Enterobacter sp. strain SSNI 8 isolated from a non-infected root was evaluated for its efficiency in acting as a nematicidal agent against M. graminicola, and we found that the strain showed 90% nematode mortality with its culture filtrate which may possess some secondary metabolites antagonistic to the nematode.

Conclusion
Overall, this study provided a comprehensive view of endophytes associated with gall in non-infected roots and identified a potential biocontrol agent.
Association between body temperature and all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis: analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Zhao Yunuo , Zhang Bo 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Abnormal body temperature (fever or hypothermia) is a critical symptom in sepsis and is strongly associated with clinical prognosis and disease progression. Given the duality and variability of body temperature fluctuations throughout the disease course, further research is essential to refine clinical strategies for temperature management in sepsis patients.

Methods
We extracted clinical data of sepsis patients from the MIMIC-IV database. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve was employed to describe the non-linear relationship between body temperature and clinical outcomes. Based on peak temperature within the first 24 h after admission, patients were categorized into three groups: < 36 °C, 36–38 °C, and > 38 °C. We subsequently matched patients one-to-one into three cohorts using a pairwise propensity score matching (PSM) approach. Alongside clinical data, we conducted log-rank and McNemar tests, and established multiple models, including multiple Cox regression, overlap-weighted (OW) adjusted Cox regression, multiple logistic regression, and OW-adjusted multiple logistic regression, to investigate the impact of temperature on clinical outcomes.

Results
A total of 35,499 sepsis patients were included in my study: 311 with a temperature below 36 °C, 27,538 with a temperature between 36 and 38 °C, and 7650 with a temperature above 38 °C. The RCS analysis revealed a non-linear, U-shaped relationship between body temperature and 28-day, ICU, and in-hospital mortality. Patients with hypothermia had significantly higher 28-day mortality (54.34% vs. 19.28%), ICU mortality (44.37% vs. 12.89%), and in-hospital mortality (49.20% vs. 17.46%) compared to those with hyperthermia. Among patients younger than 65 years, hyperthermia was a protective factor against 28-day mortality relative to normal body temperature, while the opposite was observed in patients aged 65 and older. This trend was consistent in the analysis of ICU and in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions
Among sepsis patients admitted to the ICU, a peak temperature below 36 °C within the first 24 h of admission was associated with higher 28-day mortality. However, no significant difference in clinical prognosis was observed between normothermic and hyperthermic patients.
Clinicopathological significance of c-MET and HER2 altered expression in bladder cancer
Authors: Naguib Engy Mohammed , Ismail EF , Badran DI , Sherief MH , El-Abaseri TB 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Tumor recurrence or metastasis after surgery is a significant factor influencing bladder cancer (BC) prognosis. Novel molecular biomarkers are necessary to determine each patient’s specific outcome because current biomarkers have limited power for predicting prognosis. The proto-oncogene MET encodes c-MET, a tyrosine kinase receptor. When c-MET attaches to its ligand, it triggers several steps in the signal transduction cascade that control cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. c-MET is overexpressed in several carcinomas. The HER2 gene encodes another receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). HER2 overexpression is linked to altered proliferation and increased aggressiveness in several malignancies. Identifying crosstalk partners of RTKs implicated in bladder cancer development may have a unique role in predicting aggressiveness. This study explored the expression status of c-MET and HER2 in human BC and their clinical significance in disease outcomes.

Methods
A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was done on 40 BC patients who had undergone transurethral resection (TUR) or radical cystectomy and had a pathologically verified diagnosis of primary tumor without prior chemoradiotherapy as well as 20 patients with benign diseases who served as controls. The c-MET and HER2 expression levels were investigated, and their relationship with clinicopathological features was analyzed.

Results
c-MET and HER2 gene expression were significantly higher, 6.1- and 4.5-fold, in the study group compared to the controls. The frequency of c-MET and HER2 overexpression in the study group was 80% (32/40) and 90% (36/40), respectively. c-MET overexpression was associated with pathological stage(P = 0.002), tumor grade (P = 0.019), muscle invasion (P = 0.008), and node involvement (P = 0.017), while HER2 overexpression was associated with pathological stage(P = 0.033), invasion to muscles (P = 0.003), and node involvement (P = 0.005). Based on the Log-rank test, patients expressing both c-MET and HER2 had the poorest disease-free survival rates among all studied patients (median = 10 m, 3.0–16.9 95%CI).

Conclusion
There is a possible correlation between c-MET and HER2 gene overexpression and poor clinical outcomes in patients with BC.
Cost-effectiveness of ten commonly used antipsychotics in first-episode schizophrenia in the UK: economic evaluation based on a de novo discrete event simulation model
Authors: Zhou Junwen , Millier Aurelie , Aballea Samuel , Francois Clement , Jin Huajin , Williams Ryan , Lennox Belinda , Tsiachristas Apostolos , Toumi Mondher 
Published: December 2024

Background
Previous economic evidence about interventions for schizophrenia is outdated, non-transparent and/or limited to a specific clinical context.

Aims
We developed a de novo discrete event simulation (DES) model for estimating the cost-effectiveness of interventions in schizophrenia in the UK.

Method
The DES model was developed based on the structure of previous models, populated with demographic, clinical and cost data from the UK, and antipsychotics' effects from recent network meta-analyses. We simulated treatment pathways for patients with first-episode schizophrenia including events such as relapse, remission, treatment discontinuation, cardiovascular disease and death and estimated costs (2020£) taking the National Health Service perspective and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over ten years. Using the model, we ranked ten first-line antipsychotics based on their QALYs and cost-effectiveness.

Results
Amisulpride was associated with the highest QALYs, followed by risperidone long-acting injection (LAI), aripiprazole-LAI (6.121, 6.084, 6.070, respectively) and others (5.947–6.058). The most cost-effective antipsychotics were amisulpride, olanzapine and risperidone-LAI, with total probability of rankings of 1, ≤2, ≤3, that is, 95%, 89%, 80%, respectively; meanwhile, the least cost-effective were cariprazine, lurasidone and quetiapine, with total probability of rankings of 10, ≥9, ≥8, that is, 96%, 92%, 81%, respectively. Results were robust across sensitivity analyses and influenced primarily by relapse relevant parameters.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest amisulpride (or risperidone-LAI where oral treatment is inappropriate) as the best overall first-line option based on QALYs and cost-effectiveness. Our ranking may be used to guide decision-making between antipsychotics. Our model is open source and could be applied to the other settings.
Impact of Tabata Training Under Digital Monitoring on Physical Fitness in High-Level University Tennis Athletes
Authors: Luo YunZhong , Deng Liang , Chen Kai , Huang XiaoLing 
Published: December 2024

Background: The increasing demand for improved physical conditioning in university tennis athletes has highlighted the need for training methods that effectively enhance endurance, explosiveness, and agility. Chinese university tennis players often face constraints such as limited training time and insufficient focus on physical conditioning, which adversely affect their competitive performance. This study investigates the impact of Tabata training under digital monitoring on the physical fitness of high-level university tennis athletes, offering novel insights into optimizing training efficacy.
Methods: This experimental study involved 20 university tennis athletes who participated in an 8-week training intervention. The experimental group underwent Tabata training, while the control group adhered to traditional training methods. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention on 11 physical fitness parameters, including strength, speed, agility, and endurance. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with paired t-tests conducted to examine changes in performance.
Results: a. Speed: The experimental group exhibited significant improvements in the 20-meter sprint (P < 0.05), with no significant differences in the 5-meter and 10-meter sprints (P > 0.05). b. Strength: Significant improvements were observed across all strength parameters except for half-squat at half-body weight (P < 0.05). c. Agility: The experimental group showed highly significant improvements in agility (P < 0.001). d. Endurance: The experimental group demonstrated a highly significant increase in endurance (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: An 8-week regimen of Tabata training significantly enhanced the physical performance of high-level university tennis athletes, particularly in agility and endurance. These findings affirm the effectiveness of Tabata training in improving athletic fitness.
On the Concept of Opportunity Cost in Integrated Demand Management and Vehicle Routing
Authors: Fleckenstein David , Klein Robert , Klein Vienna , Steinhardt Claudius 
Published: December 2024

Integrated demand management and vehicle routing problems are characterized by a stream of customers arriving dynamically over a booking horizon and requesting logistical services, fulfilled by a given fleet of vehicles during a service horizon. Prominent examples are attended home delivery and same-day delivery problems, where customers commonly have heterogeneous preferences regarding service fulfillment and requests differ in profitability. Thus, demand management methods are applied to steer the booking process to maximize total profit considering the cost of the routing decisions for the resulting orders. To measure the requests’ profitability for any demand management method, it is common to estimate their opportunity cost. In the context of integrated demand management and vehicle routing problems, this estimation differs substantially from the estimation in the well-examined demand management problems of traditional revenue management applications as, for example, found in the airline or car rental industry. This is because of the unique interrelation of demand control decisions and vehicle routing decisions as it inhibits a clear quantification and attribution of cost, and of displaced revenue, to certain customer requests. In this paper, we extend the theoretical foundation of opportunity cost in integrated demand management and vehicle routing problems. By defining and analyzing a generic Markov decision process model, we formally derive a definition of opportunity cost and prove opportunity cost properties on a general level. Hence, our findings are valid for a wide range of specific problems. Further, based on these theoretical findings, we propose approximation approaches that have not yet been applied in the existing literature, and evaluate their potential in a computational study. Thereby, we provide evidence that the theoretical results can be practically exploited in the development of solution algorithms. Funding: This work was supported by the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2024.0644 .