bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional cervical tumor microcirculatory response: Are there	systematic differences in contrast uptake patterns with respect to the	uterus?
Authors: Wu Dee H. , Mayr Nina A. , Zheng Yi , Wolff James D. , Edwards Susan M. , Liu Hong , Yuh William T.C. 
Published: November 2024

Purpose/Objective: Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been reported to be valuable in the evaluation of perfusion patterns throughout the entire tumor bed. Tumor cell heterogeneity over the entire structure has been well described in the literature. However, regional heterogeneity of DCE-MRI within the tumor has not been previously investigated until this point. The purpose of this study was to assess the topographical pattern of DCE-MRI among different subdivisions within tumors evaluated by DCE-MRI in cervical cancer patients. Materials/Methods: The DCE-MRI data from subdivisions of cervical cancer patients were evaluated prior to radiation therapy (n = 18). Each tumor was sectioned into eight three-dimensional subdivision wedge "regions" arrayed around the tumor center-of-volume. The orientation of the wedges was based upon uterine direction as determined by the projection of the endometrial canal and spatial orientation of the uterus. Tumor perfusion was estimated by the Relative Signal Intensity (RSI), which was defined by the ratio of the plateau post-injection signal intensity (SI) (at 75 seconds post-injection) divided by the pre-contrast SI on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Perfusion in each of eight regions of the cervical cancers was estimated by the mean RSI within each region. Statistical differences among the various regions were computed from RSI distributions within each three-dimensional wedge evaluated in cervical cancer patients pre-radiotherapy. Results: Significant differences over the eight regional subdivisions were found via a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) design that produced an F-value = 18.37 with Degrees of Freedom – DOF(7,119) such that p < 0.0001. In addition, a planned comparison between tumor segments closest to the uterine corpus as compared to segments closest to the cervix demonstrated significant differences t-value = 3.19, p < 0.002.
Evaluation of cryptococcal antigen testing using a novel chemiluminescence assay in two medical centers of China
Authors: Tang Zhuo-Yun , Xu Ping , Wang Zhong-Hao , Wang Ting-Ting , Zhou Dan , Ao Ke-Ping , Song Hua-Feng , Yin Xiao-Yun , Li Dong-Dong 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of innovative Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) in testing Cryptococcal Antigen (CrAg) across two medical centers, employing the FDA-approved CrAg Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) by IMMY as a reference standard.MethodsThe study encompassed patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis at West China Hospital of Sichuan University (HX) between July 2022 and May 2023, and Suzhou Fifth People’s Hospital (SZ) from September 2020 to September 2023. All specimens underwent simultaneous detection using the LFA (IMMY, Norman, USA) and CLIA (Chuanglan, Suzhou, China).ResultsA total of 628 patients were enrolled, revealing a remarkable 99.20% concordance between LFA and CLIA (623/628, 99.20%). The LFA exhibited a sensitivity of 96.83% (244/252) and specificity of 98.35% (179/182). Among the 42 patients with unaltered CrAg titers, the changes of Signal-to-Cut-Off ratio (ΔS/CO) results exhibited a noteworthy discrepancy, with 71.43% (30/42) demonstrating a decreasing trend in ΔS/CO of at least 10%.ConclusionsThe CLIA method demonstrated commendable specificity and sensitivity, exhibiting a high level of agreement with the FDA-approved LFA method. Additionally, CLIA demonstrated superior utility for treatment monitoring compared to LFA, offering continuous insight into the fluctuation of CrAg concentrations.
Terpenoids as principal bioactive compound of Cissampelos oppositifolia essential oils: enhancing synergistic efficacy with conventional antibiotics
Authors: Zhao Kexin , Jiang Yurong , Dev Kamal , He Xin , Sharma Vipasha , Pang Xinli 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundThe rise of antibiotic resistance imposes the search for novel antimicrobial strategies as natural products or its combination with antibiotics. This study investigates the synergistic effects of terpenoids from Cissampelos oppositifolia (C. oppositifolia) essential oil in combination with antibiotics against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The aims were to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy, analyze functional group modifications and assess molecular interaction.MethodsEssential oil was extracted from C. oppositifolia by hydro-distillation. The EO was analyzed for terpenoid content via Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the disc diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration determinations (MIC) by broth dilution followed by bactericidal essay (Time-killing). FTIR and UV spectroscopy were employed to detect functional group modifications in terpenoid-antibiotic combinations. Molecular docking studies assessed interaction energies between terpenoids and antibiotics.ResultsTLC identified α-pinene, δ-carene, and caryophyllene in the EO. δ-Carene exhibited the highest synergy with antibiotics, showing the lowest MIC of 0.04 mg/mL against S. aureus ATCC-43300 and 0.05 mg/mL against E. coli MTCC-739. Time-kill assays demonstrated that α-pinene, δ-carene, and caryophyllene achieved complete bacterial eradication by 4 hours in combination with amoxicillin against E. coli, and by 2 hours against S. aureus in combination with erythromycin. FTIR analysis revealed peak shifts at 1599, 1774, and 2259 cm−1 for amoxicillin + α-pinene, and new peaks at 1648 and 1287 cm−1 for δ-carene + erythromycin. UV spectra indicated potential complex formations. Docking studies showed δ-carene’s strong interaction with erythromycin and amoxicillin, with interaction energies of -96.10 and -87.75 kcal/mol, respectively.ConclusionTerpenoids from C. oppositifolia enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotics. Functional group modifications and complex formations suggest that these interactions may contribute to synergistic effects. These findings support the potential use of terpenoid-antibiotic combinations in overcoming antibiotic resistance and warrant further investigation into their mechanisms of action.
Prevalence of respiratory pathogens among hospitalised patients with acute respiratory infection during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Shijiazhuang, China
Authors: Zheng Pan-pan , Zhao Ya-nan , Wang Zhi-kai , Wang Min-zhen , Li Rong , Zhang Jing , Li Nan , Zhang Zi-feng , Rong Rui-juan , Sun Yi-chan , Liu Zan-chao 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have led to changes in the epidemiology of other respiratory pathogens. This study was conducted to explore the epidemiological characteristics of 13 respiratory pathogens, including 11 respiratory viruses and 2 non-classical microorganisms, in hospitalised patients with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) and to compare the prevalence of respiratory pathogens during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a single-centre retrospective study involving 8979 patients with ARTIs in Shijiazhuang City from December 2019 to December 2023. The GeXP analysis platform and multiple reverse transcription–PCR (mRT–PCR) technology were used to simultaneously detect 13 respiratory pathogens. The ARIMA model was constructed to predict the pathogen detection rate in each quarter of Shijiazhuang City in the next 2 y.ResultsAmong the 8979 patients, 4169 (46.43%) tested positive for respiratory pathogens. The total pathogen detection rate rebounded in the year after the COVID-19 pandemic. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the positive rates in men were slightly higher than those in women and the positive rates in spring and winter were significantly higher than those in summer. The dominant pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic were Influenza A viru (InfA; 24.08%) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV; 21.77%), and after the COVID-19 pandemic were InfA (27.92%) and H3 (21.17%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, InfA and HRV frequently occurred in all age groups. After the COVID-19 pandemic, InfA and Seasonal Influenza virus H3N2 (H3) frequently occurred in all age groups.ConclusionsA series of NPIs introduced by the Chinese government during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on acute upper respiratory pathogenic infections. After the withdrawal of the NPIs, the spectrum of respiratory pathogens changed.
Transplanting interventions could help conserve the living fossil Athrotaxis cupressoides under fire regimes induced by climate change
Authors: French Ben J. , Prior Lynda D. , Bowman David M. J. S. 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionPencil pine (Athrotaxis cupressoides) is an iconic, paleoendemic tree restricted to historic fire refugia in Tasmania’s western mountains. Anthropogenic climate change is increasingly exposing these areas to wildfire. Given that pencil pines have little capacity to recover from fire, and show scarce natural recruitment across their core range, they will be lost from many areas without interventions to restore population viability to burnt stands.MethodsWe conducted a large-scale field study targeting pencil pine stands burnt in recent (2016) and historic (1960) fires. Using small (0.5 m2) experimental plots distributed across a range of topography and vegetation, we trialled three interventions: i) protecting groups of naturally germinated seedlings from herbivores in situ (35 plots); ii) introducing seeds via multiple sowing methods (300 plots); and iii) transplanting tube stock propagated from seed or cutting material, with and without herbivore protection (1007 plots).ResultsWe found that protecting natural germinants from herbivores did not prevent seedling mortality over 2.5 years, and sowing interventions largely failed. Most transplants exposed to herbivores failed to establish after 1.5 years, but establishment rates were high with herbivore exclusion, indicating strong predation by native macropod herbivores. Transplant establishment also varied with fine-scale topography, with the best outcomes in well-drained and Sphagnum dominated positions, and the worst outcomes in poorly-drained positions, suggesting young pencil pines are sensitive to waterlogging. Transplant establishment rates varied little between recently and historically burnt sites, and were insensitive to how plants were propagated.DiscussionIn summary, transplanting tube stock with herbivore protection is a promising method for restoring burnt pencil pine stands, and establishment rates can be improved by selecting favourable planting positions at fine scales. Our findings suggest pencil pine stands burnt decades previously are suitable for restoration. Managers seeking to conserve pencil pines may begin restoring both historically and recently burnt stands, alongside protecting unburned stands from fire. Interventions should be refined through adaptive management, including re-surveys of this long-term trial.
Association between urinary cadmium levels and prevalence of coronary artery disease: NHANES cross-sectional study (2009–2018)
Authors: Ma Xuhui , Yang Yang , Jiang Qingjun 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThis study aims to sheds light on the correlation between urinary cadmium (Cd-U) exposure and coronary heart disease (CHD) and the mediating effects of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) based on a sample of adults in the United States.MethodsA comprehensive cross-sectional study was performed on 8,998 CHD participants who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2018. Weighted logistic regression was employed to elucidate the association between Cd-U and the likelihood of CHD. We investigated the link of Cd-U exposure to the prevalence of CHD using limited cubic spline models to analyze the exposure-dose relationship. In addition, mediation analyses were conducted to explore the role of serum ALP in metal exposure-induced CHD.Results8,998 participants were included, and 323 among them were diagnosed with CHD. Our study found that elevated levels of Cd-U in U.S. are linked to a heightened likelihood of CHD. Additionally, there is a non-linear positive correlation between Cd-U and CHD, and a saturation effect was observed. Further mediation analysis revealed that the association between Cd-U and CHD prevalence was mediated through serum ALP mellitus, with the mediation percentage being 2.5% (P value &lt;0.05).ConclusionsOur study indicates a strong association between the levels of Cd-U exposure in urine and the likelihood of CHD, with serum ALP serving as a mediator.
Exercise intolerance in patients with chronic coronary syndrome: insights from exercise stress echocardiography
Authors: Zhu Wei-wei , Tian Run-Yu , Guo Di-chen , Lin Ming-ming , Cai Qi-zhe , Qin Yun-yun , Ding Xue-yan , Lv Xiu-zhang 
Published: November 2024

AimsThis study applied exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) to identify risk factors associated with exercise intolerance in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).Methods and results90 CCS patients underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and ESE, assessing exercise capacity, left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, and systolic reserve. The patients were divided into two groups according to the percentage of predicted oxygen consumption (VO2) at peak (≥85%, normal exercise tolerance group; &lt;85%, exercise intolerant group). The left ventricular ejection fraction, average mitral valve S’, and left ventricular global longitudinal strain were lower in the exercise intolerant group than in the normal group, but no significant differences were observed in myocardial work parameters at rest. The average mitral valve E/e’, EDVi/E/e’, and proportion of abnormal diastolic function at the peak were higher in the exercise intolerant group than in the normal group. Moreover, the ΔSVi and flow reserve were lower, but the Δaverage mitral valve E/e’ was higher in the exercise-intolerant group. From univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, only peak EDVi/E/e’ and ΔSVi correlated independently with exercise intolerance in CCS patients. With cutoff values of 8.64 ml/m2 for peak EDVi/E/e’ and 12.17 ml/m2 for ΔSVi, the combination of these factors had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.906 (95% confidence interval, 0.820–0.960) for the prediction of exercise intolerance in CCS patients.ConclusionHemodynamic changes during exercise in CCS patients were effectively evaluated using ESE. An elevated peak EDVi/E/e’ and a decreased ΔSVi are independent risk factors for exercise intolerance in patients with CCS.
Sex modifies association between dietary sodium intake and cardiovascular disease mortality among US adult with hypertension: a national population-based cohort
Authors: Chen Zhiqiang , Rao Jingan , Fan Weiguo , Wu Zuxiang , Shi Yumeng , Wu Yingxing , Hu Huan , Cheng Xiaoshu , Li Ping 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary sodium intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in hypertensive American adults.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted to examine the association between dietary sodium intake, as estimated by a single 24-h dietary recall from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2012), and mortality data obtained from the National Death Index.ResultsThis study included 12,236 adults with hypertension, with 837 CVD-related deaths identified over a median follow-up period of 10.3 years. A nonlinear association between dietary sodium intake and CVD mortality was observed. The inflection point of the curve occurred at a sodium intake level of 2.07 g/day. Below this threshold, higher sodium intake was associated with a reduced risk of CVD mortality, though the association was not statistically significant after full adjustment (aHR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.58–1.05). In contrast, sodium intake above 2.07 g/day was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality (aHR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23). The log-likelihood ratio test yielded a P-value of 0.04. This J-shaped association was observed exclusively in females, not males. Among females, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) were 0.65 (0.42, 0.99) below and 1.29 (1.11, 1.53) above the inflection point (P for log-likelihood ratio test = 0.009).ConclusionsIn American adults with hypertension, dietary sodium intake exceeding 2.07 g/day was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality, while intake below this threshold was not significantly linked to mortality risk. Additionally, a sex-specific effect of dietary sodium intake on CVD mortality was observed, showing a J-shaped relationship exclusively in females, with no such association found in males.
Association between residual cholesterol and sarcopenia in American adults
Authors: Li Jianzhao , Lin Yuning 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundRemnant cholesterol (RC) is a novel lipid metabolism indicator; however, its relationship with sarcopenia has not been clearly established. This study was conducted to explore the association between RC and sarcopenia.MethodsAn analysis was performed utilizing cross-sectional data from the NHANES 2011–2018. The variable RC was subjected to a logarithmic transformation to address its skewness. Logistic regression studies were conducted to examine the association between RC and sarcopenia. This study used restricted cubic spline (RCS) and threshold saturation techniques to investigate nonlinear connections. Subgroup, sensitivity, and additional analyses were performed to assess the robustness and validity of the findings.ResultsThe study included 4636 participants. Participants with sarcopenia had significantly higher RC levels. Logistic regression demonstrated a substantial positive association between the prevalence of sarcopenia and log RC (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.32-2.17). RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship, identifying a threshold at RC=25. When the RC is below this threshold, every one-unit increase in RC increases the chance of sarcopenia by 7% (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.04-1.10); above this threshold, changes in RC were not significant. Subgroup analysis confirmed that RC was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia. The sensitivity and supplementary analyses supported the main findings.ConclusionThis study demonstrates a significant positive association between RC levels and the prevalence of sarcopenia in U.S. adults, offering novel evidence that RC may serve as a valuable indicator for sarcopenia assessment.
Impact of different types of nitrogen and phosphorus compound fertilizers on maize yield and drip emitter clogging using secondary sewage effluent
Authors: Hao Fengzhen , Liu Zihui , Zhen Zhilei , Wang Zhen 
Published: November 2024

Phosphorus (P) is a key nutrient for crop growth and yield. The use of drip irrigation systems to apply phosphate fertilizer may enhance the migration distance and improve usage rates. However, emitter clogging poses a substantial challenge to phosphorus drip irrigation systems. In this study, we evaluated the influences of the phosphorus fertilizer type on soil-available phosphorus (P), plant growth, yield, and drip emitter clogging. Experiments were conducted in both seasons using different phosphorus fertilizers, including urea phosphate (UP, F1), monoammonium phosphate (MAP, F2), and a combination of urea phosphate and monoammonium phosphate (UP + MAP, F3). A treatment without phosphate fertigation (F0) was used as the control. Applying phosphorus fertilizers enhanced soil-available P content, increased plant height, and improved the leaf area index (LAI) to a larger extent than those without P fertilizer. This promoted photosynthesis and increased the dry matter mass, plant P and N uptake, and aboveground plant biomass. The maximum yield of 14,764.2 and 14,778.2 kg ha−1 was obtained under urea phosphate (F1) and monoammonium phosphate (F2) in 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Phosphorus fertilization changes the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the emitter biofilm. Urea phosphate and monoammonium phosphate increased the abundance of Proteobacteria and decreased the abundance of Acidobacteriota. Acidobacteriota was strongly positively correlated with extracellular protein, whereas Proteobacteria was negatively correlated with extracellular polysaccharides, extracellular protein, and extracellular polymer. The content of extracellular polymer and solid particles decreased by 30.1%–42.0% and 39.8%–79.7%, respectively, inducing a higher relative emitter discharge for the treatment with phosphorus fertilizers. Acidic phosphorus fertilizers, such as urea phosphate and monoammonium phosphate, can maintain the high performance of drip irrigation and produce high crop yield.
Intra-tumoral lymphocyte scoring in colorectal cancer: improving prognostic utility and correlation with underlying cancer biology
Authors: Wagner Patrick L. , Xie Jianwu , Flaherty Devin C. , Park Hyun , Knotts Chelsea , Debelius Justine , Tilves Curtis , Dadgar Neda , Xiao Kunhong , Zaidi Ali H. , Acevedo Louis Gil , LaFramboise William , Zhao Ni , Sears Cynthia , Mueller Noel 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundIntra-tumoral lymphocytes hold prognostic and predictive significance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The internationally validated Immunoscore™ predicts CRC survival risk by averaging percentile scores of tumor-associated CD3+ and CD8+ cell densities, but is limited by increased cost, intra-tumoral heterogeneity and omission of other immunologic variables of importance. To address these limitations, we sought to explore alternative prognostic markers based on CD3+ and CD8+ quantification in CRC.Methods201 resected CRCs were subjected to quantitative CD3/CD8 immunohistochemistry, from which percentile cell counts were averaged (“I-score”) in a manner analogous to the Immunoscore™. I-score and exploratory endpoints, including CD3+ and CD8+ cell densities/percentiles, CD3+-CD8+ density/percentile differences, and CD3+:CD8+ density/percentile ratios were tested for association with clinicopathologic and genomic correlates and disease-specific survival (DSS).ResultsCD3+ density among CRCs was right-skewed and potentially bimodal, while CD8+ density was right-skewed. Density and intra-tumoral variability for CD3+ and CD8+, as well as combination metrics including I-score, CD3+-CD8+ density/percentile differences, and CD3+-CD8+ density/percentile ratios showed distinct clinicopathologic and genomic associations, suggesting that each may hold unique biological significance. CD3+ density, CD8+ density/percentile, I-score and CD3+:CD8+ percentile ratio were associated with DSS; only CD3+:CD8+ percentile ratio was pTNM stage-independent on multivariable analysis. Independently, CD8+ density was as prognostic as I-score, questioning the necessity of CD3, or a combination metric.ConclusionsI-score, in our study, was closely associated with potentially confounding biologic variables such as sex, active smoking, pTNM stage, and mutations in BRAF, and MMR genes. More precise and biologically relevant biomarkers can be achieved by using data-driven CD3+/CD8+ density cutoffs and ratios, while controlling for important clinicopathologic and molecular variables in CRC. Independent validation and inclusion of other relevant immunocyte types could bring these findings closer to clinical utility in CRC.