bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Androgens as potential prognostic biomarkers are correlated with E-cadherin/β-catenin pathway in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Wu Xirong , Zhang Kaiwen , Wang Tianqi , Yan Ye , Zhang Jingying , Zhao Shuangshuang , Yang Xiaoqing , Tian Wenyan , Wang Yingmei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Androgens are associated with the risk of endometrial carcinoma (EC). However, their roles as prognostic factors are less clear. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of different androgenic hormones and further uncovered the involved mechanism.
Methods
We examined associations between endogenous testosterone levels (total, bioavailable and free testosterone) and the clinical outcomes in patients with EC. The biological function of androgen was examined by in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Results
Compared with healthy controls, patients with EC showed significantly higher levels of testosterone. However, higher levels of bioavailable and free testosterone in EC patients correlated with favourable clinicopathological features. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that higher bioavailable and free testosterone levels were associated with better overall survival (P = 0.048, P = 0.036, respectively), which was not observed in subgroup analysis of total testosterone (P = 0.097). Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that androgen-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could inhibit the migration and invasion of EC cells. Mechanistically, DHT could recruit β-catenin to E-cadherin to stabilize the adhesion junctions and inhibit β-catenin translocation into the nucleus in EC cells.
Conclusions
Androgens may potentially predict the prognosis of patients with EC.
Real-time segmentation of biliary structure in pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy: an experimental study using deep learning for augmented surgery
Authors: Oh Namkee , Kim Bogeun , Kim Taeyoung , Rhu Jinsoo , Kim Jong Man , Choi Gyu-Seong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH) has become a standard practice for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in expert centers. Accurate understanding of biliary structures is crucial during PLDH to minimize the risk of complications. This study aims to develop a deep learning-based segmentation model for real-time identification of biliary structures, assisting surgeons in determining the optimal transection site during PLDH. A single-institution retrospective feasibility analysis was conducted on 30 intraoperative videos of PLDH. All videos were selected for their use of the indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescence technique to identify biliary structure. From the analysis, 10 representative frames were extracted from each video specifically during the bile duct division phase, resulting in 300 frames. These frames underwent pixel-wise annotation to identify biliary structures and the transection site. A segmentation task was then performed using a DeepLabV3+ algorithm, equipped with a ResNet50 encoder, focusing on the bile duct (BD) and anterior wall (AW) for transection. The model's performance was evaluated using the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC). The model predicted biliary structures with a mean DSC of 0.728 ± 0.01 for BD and 0.429 ± 0.06 for AW. Inference was performed at a speed of 15.3 frames per second (FPS), demonstrating the feasibility of real-time recognition of anatomical structures during surgery. The deep learning-based semantic segmentation model exhibited promising performance in identifying biliary structures during PLDH. Future studies should focus on validating the clinical utility and generalizability of the model and comparing its efficacy with current gold standard practices to better evaluate its potential clinical applications.
Sulcation in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Burckard Soline , Dupong Irène , Leprince Yann , Fischer Clara , Beggiato Anita , Lefebvre Aline , Cachia Arnaud , Alison Marianne , Guevara Miguel , Frouin Vincent , Mangin Jean-François , Duchesnay Edouard , Leboyer Marion , Delorme Richard , Charman Tony , Wolfers Thomas , Durston Sarah , Moessnang Carolin , Dell'Acqua Flavio , Ecker Christine , Loth Eva , Murphy Declan G.M. , Baron-Cohen Simon , Buitelaar Jan K. , Marquand André , Beckmann Christian F. , Houenou Josselin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The neurobiology of autism remains poorly understood. Brain sulcation is a promising proxy to assess the cortical developmental trajectory in autism spectrum disorders. We aimed to explore this neurodevelopmental marker in children with autism and its association with symptoms in a large multicentric dataset.
Methods
841 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including 145 females, and 872 controls, including 251 females, underwent a high-resolution T1-weighted brain MRI. We processed images with the Brain VISA automatized pipeline to extract the local sulcal indices (l-SI) (the proportion of buried cortex) from 12 a priori determined brain regions for each hemisphere, covering the whole brain. We studied how the variations in regional sulcation were associated with clinical autism assessment scales (ADOS, ADI, SRS, RME), controlling for age and sex.
Results
Between children with ASD and controls, we found a significantly higher sulcation (l-SI) in control children compared with children with ASD in the left (p = 0.015) and right (p = 0.048) precentral regions. Within ASD children, a significant positive association was found between ADOS scores and sulcation in the right intra-parietal fissure (p = 0.049). Significant positive correlations were also found between ADI communication scores and sulcation in the left parietal region (p = 0.037), in the right medial frontal region (p = 0.035) and in the left posterior medial region (p = 0.049). Finally, significant correlations were found between l-SI and RME scores in right parietal (p = 0.037), right calcarine (p = 0.049) (positive) and left precentral regions (p = 0.014) (negative). Of note, most results were driven by girls.
Limitations:
p-values were not corrected for multiple comparisons. Sample size is reduced for girls’ analyses.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that clinical features of ASD are correlated with localized changes in cortical folding in children, mainly driven by girls. Increased symptomatic levels were associated with an increased right and decreased left sulcation, consistent with the decreased asymmetry theory of ASD. The study of cortical sulcation appears to be a promising marker of neurodevelopmental processes and their clinical correlates in ASD.
Practice makes perfect, but to what end? Computerised brain training has limited cognitive benefits in healthy ageing
Authors: Sutton Emma , Catling Jonathan , Zanten Jet J.C.S. Veldhuijzen van , Segaert Katrien 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Whether brain training programmes are effective and have transferable benefits to wider cognitive abilities is controversial, especially in older adult populations. We assessed, in a randomised controlled intervention study, whether a commercially available brain training programme can induce cognitive improvements in a sample of healthy older adults (N = 103). Participants completed a three-month intervention of either an adaptive computerised cognitive training programme (through a brain training app) or active control. Cognition was measured through a comprehensive battery of tasks pre- and post-intervention to assess working memory, processing speed, attention, and language functioning. Participants in the intervention group significantly improved on all tasks that were trained specifically within the brain training programme (i.e. practice effects). However, for the cognitive tasks tested pre- and post-intervention there was no evidence of any of these practice effects transferring to improvements in cognitive outcome measures compared to the active control group (i.e. transfer effects). Our results indicate that the benefits of brain training programmes appear to be limited to practice effects of trained tasks, while no evidence is found for transfer effects to other, related or unrelated, untrained cognitive tasks.
Outcome of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) in post-CAR-T patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: Zu Cheng , Li Wenxiao , Zhang Mingming , Dong Yetian , Fu Shan , Feng Jingjing , Hong Ruimin , Huang He , Hu Yongxian , Su Junwei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) is an opportunistic infection associated with immunocompromised patients. The development of novel immunotherapies has promoted the incidence of PcP. This study describes the clinical course and outcome of PcP in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell recipients with hematological malignancies.
Methods
This is a retrospective case series of CAR-T recipients diagnosed with PcP in our center. The cases were all confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing of clinical samples. The demographic, clinical, and outcome data were retrieved from the patients’ medical charts and electronic medical record system.
Results
In total, 8 cases of PcP were identified. The underlying malignancies included T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 1), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n = 4), and B-ALL (n = 3). One patient received short-term sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP) while the others had no prophylaxis. Four patients had neutropenia/lymphopenia at the diagnosis of PcP, and two patients had immunosuppressants within one month before PcP manifestation. The median time from CAR-T infusion to PcP diagnosis was 98.5 days (range 52–251). Seven patients recovered from PcP after proper management while one died of septic shock.
Conclusion
PcP can occur after different CAR-T product, and the long-term depletion of immune cells seems to be related to PcP. SMZ-TMP is effective in this setting. More real-world experience of CAR-T therapy is required to assess the incidence and outcome of PcP in this population.
Assessing the environmental footprint of the mining industry: A case study on the bauxite and iron mining projects of Boke and Kerouane, Guinea
Authors: Kolie Benjamin , Elshkaki Ayman , Sunahara Geoffrey 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The extractive industry has a profound impact on the environment, emphasizing the need for environmentally friendly practices. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the environmental impact of bauxite and iron mining projects in Boke and Kerouane, Guinea. Primary data were collected from October 2022 to January 2023, with a focus on water pollution, soil, noise, air quality, vegetation, fauna, and flora. A reference matrix was used to assess the impact of mining activities, categorizing them as negligible, moderate, or significant. This study analyzed 400 soil samples from 21 sites to evaluate water quality, measured noise levels using an NL52 Class 1 sound level meter, and monitored air quality using the DustMate system. Biodiversity surveys were conducted to identify potential impacts on the receptors. The results showed that the pH of the water averaged between 5.79 and 8.66, and some companies exceeded the average value of electrical conductivity. The soil composition showed the presence of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in both the mining regions. Noise and particulate matter pollution exceeded the guideline values at some sites. This project will result in the direct loss of natural and modified habitats, including erosion of lateritic soil in ridge areas. Non-native plant species have been identified in the Kerouane Iron Project. This study underscores the need for policymakers to integrate climate change mitigation strategies into land use planning and use an integrated index of economic and environmental performance to improve sustainability in the mining industry.
Can Clinical Findings at Admission Allow Withholding of Antibiotics in Patients Hospitalized for Community Acquired Pneumonia when a Test for a Respiratory Virus is Positive?
Authors: Ward Ryan , Gonzalez Alejandro J. , Kahla Justin A. , Musher Daniel M. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background. Current guidelines recommend empiric antibiotic therapy for patients who require hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We sought to determine whether clinical, imaging or laboratory features in patients hospitalized for CAP in whom PCR is positive for a respiratory virus enabled exclusion of bacterial coinfection so that antibiotics could be withheld.
Methods. For this prospective study, we selected patients in whom an etiologic diagnosis was likely to be reached, namely those who provided a high-quality sputum sample at or shortly after admission, and in whom PCR was done to test for a respiratory virus. We performed quantitative bacteriologic studies on sputum to determine the presence of bacterial infection or coinfection and reviewed all clinical, imaging and laboratory studies.
Results. Of 122 patients, 77 (63.1%) had bacterial infection, 16 (13.1%) viral infection, and 29 (23.8%) bacterial/viral coinfection. Although upper respiratory symptoms were more common in patients with viral pneumonia, and white blood cell (WBC) counts were higher in patients with bacterial pneumonia, no clinical, laboratory or imaging findings allowed exclusion of bacterial coinfection in patients who tested positive for a respiratory virus. A greater proportion of patients with bacterial/viral coinfection (30%) were admitted or transferred to the ICU during their hospital course, compared to 17% and 19% of patients with bacterial or viral infection, respectively (p<.05).
Conclusions. If a test for a respiratory virus test is positive in a patient hospitalized for CAP, no sufficiently differentiating features exclude bacterial coinfection, thereby supporting the recommendation that empiric antibiotics be administered to all patients who are sufficiently ill to require hospitalization for CAP.
Magnetic DL-methionine grafted to chitosan by EDTA linker nanomaterial: a highly efficient multifunctional organocatalyst for the synthesis of highly substituted imidazole derivatives under green conditions
Authors: Dohendou Mohammad , Dekamin Mohammad G. , Dehnamaki Zahra , Namaki Danial , Mayani Suranjana V. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In this research, a novel protocol for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives with various substitutions has been investigated in the presence of a new and highly effective magnetic decorated DL-methionine amino acid grafted onto the chitosan backbone by using EDTA linker (CS − EDTA − MET@Fe3O4) under green chemistry conditions. The CS − EDTA − MET@Fe3O4 nanocomposite was properly characterized by using FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TGA and VSM spectroscopic, microscopic, or analytical methods. The CS − EDTA − MET@Fe3O4 nanocomposite was used as a highly efficient heterogeneous organocatalyst for the synthesis of a wide range of three- and four-substituted imidazole derivatives, as an important pharmaceutical scaffold, through multicomponent reactioins (MCRs) strategy. The CS − EDTA − MET@Fe3O4 multifunctional nanocatalyst exhibited high catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability to promote the reactions of benzoin or benzyl, different aldehyde derivatives, and ammonim acetate as well as aromatic or aliphatic amine derivatives in EtOH as green solvent. Key advantages of the present protocol are high to excellent yields, the use of a low loading renewable, bio-based and biodegredable chitosan- as well as amino acid-based nanomaterial, and simple procedure for the preparation of CS − EDTA − MET@Fe3O4 nanomaterial and synthesis of a wide range of imoidazole derivatives. In addition, the catalyst's properties, including its magnetic properties and appropriate surface area characteristicscontribute to its excellent catalytic performance. Fuerthermore, the CS − EDTA − MET@Fe3O4 nanocatalyst can be used for up to six cycles for the preparation of imidazole derivatives with only a slight decrease in its catalytic activity.
Mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediments of the Ouaka river, central-eastern Central African Republic: weathering, provenance and tectonic setting
Authors: Ouambeti-Wickon André Jules , Ngueutchoua Gabriel , Wouatong Armand Sylvain Ludovic , Takenne Doria Grace , Danguene Prince Emilien , Ngagoum-Kontchipe Yannick Steve , Sonfack Aristide Nadine 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Textural, mineralogical and geochemical studies used to characterise the weathering context of the Ouaka River sediments, their provenance and the tectonic conditions of the source zone. All along the Ouaka, the textural data show almost the same granulometric distribution, ranging from very coarse to fine sands. Mineralogical data from X-ray diffraction dominated by quartz, followed by haematite, rutile and feldspar. The heavy minerals found in these sediments are opaque oxides, rutile, tourmaline, zircon, sillimanite, garnet, hypersthene and kyanite. The values of the alteration indices (CIA, PIA and CIW) and the A-CN-K and (A-K)-C-N diagrams indicate a high intensity of chemical alteration in the source zone. The sediments resulting from this alteration phenomenon are immature, as shown by the values of the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio, the ICV and the ZTR index. The use of ternary V-Ni-Th*10 diagrams and binary diagrams (Zr versus TiO2 and Th/Co versus La/Sc) provided evidence of the contribution of the felsic rocks from which these sediments originated. These felsic rocks are probably Archean to post-Archean in age, according to the Eu/Eu* binary diagram as a function of (Gd/Yb)cn. Based on major and trace elements, the discriminant function diagrams, DF1(Arc-Rift-Col)m1 versus DF (Arc-Rift-Col)m1, DF(A-P)M and DF(A-P)MT, of tectonics suggest a rift and passive margin environment of the watershed, consistent with the general geology of the CAR.
Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation and multi-peak spatiotemporal staggered periodic patterns in a nonlocal Holling-Tanner predator-prey model
Authors: Cao Xun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

A reaction-diffusion Holling-Tanner predator-prey model with nonlocal prey competition involving \emph{purely spatial heat kernel} is investigated. \emph{The first bifurcation curve} is mathematically described, that is a piecewise smooth parameter curve of dividing the stability and instability of the coexistence equilibrium. The concepts of Turing/Hopf instability are extended to the higher codimension bifurcation instability, because the non-smooth points of the first bifurcation curve can be Bogdanov-Takens/Turing-Hopf/Hopf-Hopf instability point. Utilizing normal form method, spatiotemporal dynamics near $Z_2$ symmetric Bogdanov-Takens singularity are theoretically and numerically studied, including the stable coexistence of a pair of steady states with the shape of $\cos \frac{2x}{l}$ and a spatiotemporal staggered periodic solution with the shape of $\cos \omega t\cos \frac{2x}{l}$. It is found that the larger the spatial size of a habitat is, the more complex the distributions of a species can be, while too narrow or wide range of nonlocal interactions inhibit the formations of complex spatiotemporal patterns.
Development of a midwifery regulatory environment index using data from the Global Midwives’ Associations Map Survey
Authors: Clark Emma Virginia , LaNoue Marianna , Clouse Kate , Zuber Alexandra , Neal Jeremy 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: Global policymakers have proposed strengthening midwifery regulation to improve access to and quality of care provided by midwives, thereby enhancing maternal healthcare delivery and outcomes. However, quantifying ‘midwifery regulatory environments’ as a construct across countries has been difficult, limiting our ability to evaluate relationships between regulatory environments and key outcomes and hindering actionable steps toward improvement. The Global Midwives’ Associations Map Survey includes data across five domains of regulation (overarching regulatory policy and legislation; education and qualification; licensure; registration/re-licensure; and scope and conduct of practice). We aimed to use these data to develop a composite index that represents the midwifery regulatory environment in the countries that participated in the survey.
Methods: To develop our composite Midwifery Regulatory Environment (MRE) Index, we analyzed data from 115 countries in the Global Midwives’ Associations Map Survey. We identified five different possible scoring characterizations for thirteen regulatory items. Four characterizations used continuous or categorical cumulative scoring and one used multiple individual components scoring. We compared these characterizations using Clarke’s test and descriptive model fit metrics to identify the best fit and performance for three outcomes: maternal mortality ratio, low birthweight prevalence, and stillbirth rate.
Results: The Aggregated Domain Scoring method, which assigns one point for each of the five essential regulatory domains with activity (possible score range: 0-5), was the best fit and performing characterization for maternal mortality ratio and stillbirth outcomes. The Any-or-None Scoring method, which assigns one point per survey item with regulatory activity (possible score range: 0-13), best fit low birthweight prevalence.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that developing composite characterizations of complex constructs, as exemplified by MRE Index development, can enhance the usability of existing global health datasets. Additionally, it highlights how employing model fit prediction provides a transparent, replicable, and accessible approach for identifying the optimal characterization of the construct based on a specific outcome. Specifically, we found that different characterizations for the MRE Index are preferred for different maternal health outcomes. The MRE Index we have developed stands as a valuable tool for future research exploring relationships between midwifery regulation and maternal health outcomes.