bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiological signs of stone impaction add no value in predicting spontaneous stone passage
Authors: Popiolek Marcin , Lidén Mats , Georgouleas Petros , Sahlén Klara , Sundqvist Pernilla , Jendeberg Johan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractStone size and location are key factors in predicting spontaneous stone passage (SSP), but little attention has been paid to the influence of radiological signs of stone impaction (RSSI). This research aims to determine whether RSSI, alongside stone size, can predict SSP and to evaluate the consistency of ureteral wall thickness (UWT) measurements among observers. In this retrospective study, 160 patients with a single upper or middle ureteral stone on acute non-enhanced computed tomography (NCCT) were analysed. Patient data were collected from medical records. Measurements of RSSI, including UWT, ureteral diameters, and average attenuation above and below the stone, were taken on NCCT by four independent readers blind to the outcomes. The cohort consisted of 70% males with an average age of 51 ± 15. SSP occurred in 61% of patients over 20 weeks. The median stone length was 5.7 mm (IQR: 4.5–7.3) and was significantly shorter in patients who passed their stones at short- (4.6 vs. 7.1, p < 0.001) and long-term (4.8 vs. 7.1, p < 0.001) follow-up. For stone length, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting SSP was 0.90 (CI 0.84–0.96) and only increased to 0.91 (CI 0.85–0.95) when adding ureteral diameters and UWT. Ureteral attenuation did not predict SSP (AUC < 0.5). Interobserver variability for UWT was moderate, with ± 2.0 mm multi-reader limits of agreement (LOA). The results suggest that RSSI do not enhance the predictive value of stone size for SSP. UWT measurements exhibit moderate reliability with significant interobserver variability.
First-line treatment with KN046, chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an open-label, dose escalation, and dose expansion phase Ib trial
Authors: Zhao Qi , Su Xi , Xue Jiao , Liu Yandong , Zhu Jiaxing , Cai Xuwei , Qin Songbing 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThere is growing evidence to suggest that radiotherapy might enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. This study aimed to assess the possibility of KN046, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and CTLA-4, combined with chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this open-label, phase Ib trial, patients with advanced ESCC were administered chemotherapy with palliative radiotherapy, and KN046 in the predefined escalation dosages of 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg (every 3 weeks during chemotherapy cycles and every 2 weeks during KN046 maintenance). The chemotherapy regimen constituted cisplatin (75 mg/m2 i.v., d1) and paclitaxel (135–175 mg/m2 ivgtt., d1). Radiotherapy specifics, including site, timing, dose, and fragmentation pattern, were at the investigator’s discretion. The primary outcome was dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). From May 2019 to April 2021, 25 patients were enrolled across the dosage groups: 3 in 1 mg/kg, 12 in 3 mg/kg, and 10 in 5 mg/kg. No DLT was observed during the dose escalation. The objective response rate was 41.7% (95%CI 22.1–63.4), while the disease control rate was 87.5% (95%CI 67.6–97.3). At a median follow-up of 11.8 months, the median progression-free survival was 7.8 months (95%CI 5.2–9.7) and median overall survival was 15.9 months (95%CI 8.4-NE). Serious adverse events were reported in 48.0% of patients, predominantly leukopenia (16%), immune-mediated enterocolitis (12%), immune-mediated pneumonitis (8%), and neutropenia (8%). Combining KN046 with chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy might be feasible, showing a favorable safety profile and notable efficacy in advanced ESCC patients.
TIGIT expression in renal cell carcinoma infiltrating T cells is variable and inversely correlated with PD-1 and LAG3
Authors: Perales Oscar , Jilaveanu Lucia , Adeniran Adebowale , Su David G. , Hurwitz Michael , Braun David A. , Kluger Harriet M. , Schoenfeld David A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but many patients do not respond to therapy and the majority develop resistant disease over time. Thus, there is increasing need for alternative immunomodulating agents. The co-inhibitory molecule T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) may play a role in resistance to approved immune checkpoint inhibitors and is being investigated as a potential therapeutic target. The purpose of this study was to quantify TIGIT positivity in tumor-infiltrating T cells in RCC.

Methods
We employed tissue microarrays containing specimens from primary RCC tumors, adjacent normal renal tissue, and RCC metastases to quantify TIGIT within tumor-infiltrating CD3+ T cells using quantitative immunofluorescent analysis. We also compared these results to TIGIT+ CD3+ levels in four other tumor types (melanoma, non-small cell lung, cervical, and head and neck cancers).

Results
We did not observe significant differences in TIGIT positivity between primary RCC tumors and patient-matched metastatic samples. We found that the degree of TIGIT positivity in RCC is comparable to that in lung cancer but lower than that in melanoma, cervical, and head and neck cancers. Correlation analysis comparing TIGIT positivity to previously published, patient-matched spatial proteomic data by our group revealed a negative association between TIGIT and the checkpoint proteins PD-1 and LAG3.

Conclusion
Our findings support careful evaluation of TIGIT expression on T cells in primary or metastatic RCC specimens for patients who may be treated with TIGIT-targeting antibodies, as increased TIGIT positivity might be associated with a greater likelihood of response to therapy.
Rare case of simultaneous occurrence of chronic neutrophil leukemia and T lymphoblastic lymphoma: case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Shi-xuan , Wang Fang , Tu Ye-chao , Zhou Yu-lan , Tu Song-tao , Wang Jie-yu , Lv Ke-bing , Li Fei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractChronic neutrophil leukemia (CNL) is a rare and life-threatening disease. Cases of CNL combined with lymphoma are rare. Here, we report a case of CNL with T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL) in a 28-year-old male. After a regimen of ruxolitinib, VICLP (Vincristine, Idarubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone, Peg-asparaginase) regimen, high-dose cytarabine, and methotrexate regimens, the patient’s bone marrow condition partially resolved. However, when the disease relapsed four months later, despite attempts with selinexor, venetoclax, and CAG(aclarubicin hydrochloride, Algocytidine, Granulocyte Stimulating Factor) chemotherapy, the leukocytes and peripheral blood primitive cells reduced, but the bone marrow did not achieve remission. This pathogenesis may be related to microenvironmental immune escape under prolonged inflammatory stimulation and gene disruption affecting protein function due to colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor gene (CSF3R) mutations. For this type of disease, early intervention may delay disease progression.
Stereoscopic Micro-PIV measurement of the flow dynamics in a spherical dimple
Authors: Rohwer Lukas , Deponte Hannes , Augustin Wolfgang , Scholl Stephan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOne way to increase the thermal efficiency of heat exchangers is to structure the heat transfer surfaces with dimples, resulting in an enlarged surface area and intensified turbulence in the fluid flow. The increased turbulence also causes higher wall shear stress, which potentially suppresses the deposition of particles and supports a self-cleaning of the surface. For a deeper understanding of these phenomena, the flow dynamics inside the dimple were observed experimentally with Stereoscopic Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry (Stereo µPIV). The formation of an unsteady oscillating vortex, which leads to an asymmetric trail downstream of the dimple, is visualized. The significant influence of the dimple geometry on heat transfer enhancement is shown, and the most beneficial geometric ratio of the spherical dimple regarding its ability to increase turbulence is identified. A comparison of the local flow velocities with the results of the numerically and experimentally observed patterns of the deposited particles caused by the dimple’s self-cleaning effect shows a good match.
A very fast high-order flux reconstruction for Finite Volume schemes for Computational Aeroacoustics
Authors: Ramírez Luis , Fernández-Fidalgo Javier , París José , Deligant Michael , Khelladi Sofiane , Nogueira Xesús 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Given the small wavelengths and wide range of frequencies of the acoustic waves involved in Aeroacoustics problems, the use of very accurate, low-dissipative numerical schemes is the only valid option to accurately capture these phenomena. However, as the order of the scheme increases, the computational time also increases. In this work, we propose a new high-order flux reconstruction in the framework of finite volume (FV) schemes for linear problems. In particular, it is applied to solve the Linearized Euler Equations, which are widely used in the field of Computational Aeroacoustics. This new reconstruction is very efficient and well suited in the context of very high-order FV schemes, where the computation of high-order flux integrals are needed at cell edges/faces. Different benchmark test cases are carried out to analyze the accuracy and the efficiency of the proposed flux reconstruction. The proposed methodology preserves the accuracy while the computational time relatively reduces drastically as the order increases.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) alleviates inflammation and damage induced by experimental colitis
Authors: Ariturk Leman Arslan , Cilingir Sumeyye , Kolgazi Meltem , Elmas Merve , Arbak Serap , Yapislar Hande 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic gastrointestinal disorders associated with significant morbidity and complications. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis model, focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal membrane permeability.

Methods
Wistar albino rats were divided into Control, Colitis, and Colitis + DHA groups (n = 8–10/group). The Colitis and Colitis + DHA groups received TNBS intrarectally, while the Control group received saline. DHA (600 mg/kg/day) or saline was administered via gavage for six weeks. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of colon tissues were conducted. Parameters including occludin and ZO-1 expressions, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured in colon tissues.

Results
Colitis induction led to significantly higher macroscopic and microscopic damage scores, elevated TOS levels, reduced occludin and ZO-1 intensity, decreased mucosal thickness, and TAS levels compared to the Control group (p < 0.001). DHA administration significantly ameliorated these parameters (p < 0.001). MPO, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were elevated in the Colitis group but significantly reduced in the DHA-treated group (p < 0.001 for MPO, MDA; p < 0.05 for TNF-α and IL-6).

Conclusion
DHA demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing reactive oxygen species production, enhancing TAS capacity, preserving GSH content, decreasing proinflammatory cytokine levels, preventing neutrophil infiltration, reducing shedding in colon epithelium, and improving gland structure and mucosal membrane integrity. DHA also upregulated the expressions of occludin and ZO-1, critical for barrier function. Thus, DHA administration may offer a therapeutic strategy or supplement to mitigate colitis-induced adverse effects.
PAX8 expression in cancerous and non-neoplastic tissue: a tissue microarray study on more than 17,000 tumors from 149 different tumor entities
Authors: Gorbokon Natalia , Baltruschat Sarah , Lennartz Maximilian , Luebke Andreas M. , Höflmayer Doris , Kluth Martina , Hube-Magg Claudia , Hinsch Andrea , Fraune Christoph , Lebok Patrick , Bernreuther Christian , Sauter Guido , Marx Andreas H. , Simon Ronald , Krech Till , Clauditz Till S. , Jacobsen Frank , Burandt Eike , Steurer Stefan , Minner Sarah 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPAX8 plays a role in development of the thyroid, kidney, and the Wolffian and Mullerian tract. In surgical pathology, PAX8 immunohistochemistry is used to determine tumors of renal and ovarian origin, but data on its expression in other tumors are conflicting. To evaluate PAX8 expression in normal and tumor tissues, a tissue microarray containing 17,386 samples from 149 different tumor types and 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. PAX8 results were compared with previously collected data on cadherin 16 (CDH16). PAX8 positivity was found in 40 different tumor types. The highest rate of PAX8 positivity was found in thyroidal neoplasms of follicular origin (98.6–100%), gynecological carcinomas (up to 100%), renal tumors (82.6–97.8%), and urothelial neoplasms (2.3–23.7%). Important tumors with near complete absence of PAX8 staining (< 1%) included all subtypes of breast cancers, hepatocellular carcinomas, gastric, prostatic, pancreatic, and pulmonary adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine neoplasms, small cell carcinomas of various sites, and lymphomas. High PAX8 expression was associated with low tumor grade in 365 non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinomas (p < 0.0001) but unrelated to patient outcome and/or tumor phenotype in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, high-grade serous ovarian cancer, and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. For determining a renal tumor origin, sensitivity was 88.1% and specificity 87.2% for PAX8, while sensitivity was 85.3% and specificity 95.7% for CDH16. The combination of PAX8 and CDH16 increased specificity to 96.8%. In conclusion, PAX8 immunohistochemistry is a suitable diagnostic tool. The combination of PAX8 and CDH16 positivity has high specificity for renal cell carcinoma.
Extracellular vesicles miR-574-5p and miR-181a-5p as prognostic markers in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab
Authors: Genova Carlo , Marconi Silvia , Chiorino Giovanna , Guana Francesca , Ostano Paola , Santamaria Sara , Rossi Giovanni , Vanni Irene , Longo Luca , Tagliamento Marco , Zullo Lodovica , Dal Bello Maria Giovanna , Dellepiane Chiara , Alama Angela , Rijavec Erika , Ludovini Vienna , Barletta Giulia , Passiglia Francesco , Metro Giulio , Baglivo Sara , Chiari Rita , Rivoltini Licia , Biello Federica , Baraibar Iosune , Gil-Bazo Ignacio , Novello Silvia , Grossi Francesco , Coco Simona 
Published: August 2024

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although patient survival is still unsatisfactory. Accurate predictive markers capable of personalizing the treatment of patients with NSCLC are still lacking. Circulating extracellular vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communications through miRNAs (EV-miRs) transfer are promising markers. Plasma from 245 patients with advanced NSCLC who received nivolumab as second-line therapy was collected and analyzed. EV-miRnome was profiled on 174/245 patients by microarray platform, and selected EV-miRs were validated by qPCR. A prognostic model combining EV-miR and clinical variables was built using stepwise Cox regression analysis and tested on an independent patient cohort (71/245). EV-PD-L1 gene copy number was assessed by digital PCR. For 54 patients with disease control, EV-miR changes at best response versus baseline were investigated by microarray and validated by qPCR. EV-miRNome profiling at baseline identified two EV-miRs (miR-181a-5p and miR-574-5p) that, combined with performance status, are capable of discriminating patients unlikely from those that are likely to benefit from immunotherapy (median overall survival of 4 months or higher than 9 months, respectively). EV-PD-L1 digital evaluation reported higher baseline copy number in patients at increased risk of mortality, without improving the prognostic score. Best response EV-miRNome profiling selected six deregulated EV-miRs (miR19a-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-1260a, miR-1260b, and miR-5100) in responding patients. Their longitudinal monitoring highlighted a significant downmodulation already in the first treatment cycles, which lasted more than 6 months. Our results demonstrate that EV-miRs are promising prognostic markers for NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab.
Enhancing CAR T cells function: role of immunomodulators in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Rehman Maheen , Qaiser Ariba , Khan Hassan Sardar , Manzoor Sobia , Ashraf Javed 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCAR T-cell therapy is a promising immunotherapy, providing successful results for cancer patients who are unresponsive to standard and traditional therapeutic approaches. However, there are limiting factors which create a hurdle in the therapy performing its role optimally. CAR T cells get exhausted, produce active antitumor responses, and might even produce toxic reactions. Specifically, in the case of solid tumors, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells fail to produce the desired outcomes. Then, the need to use supplementary agents such as immune system modifying immunomodulatory agents comes into play. A series of the literature was studied to evaluate the role of immunomodulators including a phytochemical, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved targeted drugs, and ILs in support of their achievements in boosting the efficiency of CAR-T cell therapy. Some of the most promising out of them are reported in this article. It is expected that by using the right combinations of immunotherapy, immunomodulators, and traditional cancer treatments, the best possible cancer defying results may be produced in the future.
Cooler Is Better: The Role of Temperature in the Reproductive Biology of Persian Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Studied in a Hungarian-Bred Cultivar
Authors: Fotirić Akšić Milica , Ercisli Sezai , Meland Mekjell , Bujdosó Géza 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe aim was to determine the growth of pollen tubes throughout the transmitting tissue and the process of fertilization in open, optimal and over pollination on the 3rd, 6th and 9th day after pollination of pistillate flowers, together with apomixis. The experiment was carried out over 2 years in Lovasberény, Fejér district, Hungary, which differed in temperature conditions. The average number of pollen tubes in the locule of the ovary was significantly higher in 2017 (1.3%) than in 2019 (1%). A higher percentage of fruit set was recorded in 2017 compared to 2019. The percentage of apomictic fruits from variant of unpollination was higher in 2017 (10%) than in 2019 (3.7%). Based on these results it can be concluded that pollen tube growth and post-fertilization processes together with apomixis of cultivar ‘AK’ are better adaptable to lower temperatures. These findings may help us to move walnut production to the north or to higher altitudes, where the climate is more continental.
An effective multi-modal adaptive contextual feature information fusion method for Chinese long text classification
Authors: Xu Yangshuyi , Liu Guangzhong , Zhang Lin , Shen Xiang , Luo Sizhe 
Published: August 2024

AbstractChinese long text classification plays a vital role in Natural Language Processing. Compared to Chinese short texts, Chinese long texts contain more complex semantic feature information. Furthermore, the distribution of these semantic features is uneven due to the varying lengths of the texts. Current research on Chinese long text classification models primarily focuses on enhancing text semantic features and representing Chinese long texts as graph-structured data. Nonetheless, these methods are still susceptible to noise information and tend to overlook the deep semantic information in long texts. To address the above challenges, this study proposes a novel and effective method called MACFM, which introduces a deep feature information mining method and an adaptive modal feature information fusion strategy to learn the semantic features of Chinese long texts thoroughly. First, we present the DCAM module to capture complex semantic features in Chinese long texts, allowing the model to learn detailed high-level representation features. Then, we explore the relationships between word vectors and text graphs, enabling the model to capture abundant semantic information and text positional information from the graph. Finally, we develop the AMFM module to effectively combine different modal feature representations and eliminate the unrelated noise information. The experimental results on five Chinese long text datasets show that our method significantly improves the accuracy of Chinese long text classification tasks. Furthermore, the generalization experiments on five English datasets and the visualized results demonstrate the effectiveness and interpretability of the MACFM model.
Application of artificial intelligence in turbomachinery aerodynamics: progresses and challenges
Authors: Zou Zhengping , Xu Pengcheng , Chen Yiming , Yao Lichao , Fu Chao 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTurbomachinery plays a vital role in energy conversion systems, with aerodynamic issues being integral to its entire lifecycle, spanning the period of design, validation, and maintenance. Conventionally, the reliance on skilled aerodynamic engineers has been pivotal in the successful development of turbomachines. However, in the current era of burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) technology, researchers are increasingly turning to AI to replace human expertise and decision-making in these aerodynamic issues and to solve previously intractable aerodynamic problems. This paper presents a systematic literature review of the latest advancements in applying AI to turbomachinery aerodynamics, encompassing the design, validation, and maintenance of compressors and turbines. It underscores how AI is revolutionizing the research paradigm of turbomachinery aerodynamics. AI’s powerful learning capability facilitates more precise and convenient aerodynamic analyses and inspires innovative aerodynamic design ideas that go beyond the capabilities of classical design techniques. Additionally, AI’s autonomous decision-making capability can be employed for aerodynamic optimization and active flow control of turbomachines, generating optimal aerodynamic solutions and complex control strategies that surpass human brains. As a main contribution, we provide a detailed exposition of the future intelligent turbomachinery research and development (R &D) system, along with highlighting potential challenges such as physics embedding, interactive 3D design optimization, and real-time prognoses. It is anticipated that harnessing AI’s full potential will lead to a comprehensive AI-based turbomachinery R &D system in the future.