bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Levels of serum lipids predict responses to PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line treatment in small cell lung cancer: an observational study
Authors: Chen Qiaoli , Zhang Wei , Shu Ping , Yuan Xia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background There has not been a definite study on the relationship between serum lipid and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients’ response to programed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Objective The aim of this study was to explore the association between serum lipids levels and SCLC patients’ response to PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line treatment.
Methods This study included patients with SCLC who received at least one cycle of PD-L1inhibitor at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from August 2020 to December 2023. We collected the clinical data of the SCLC patients, including basic information and serum lipids levels, before immunotherapy.
Results Overall, 124 patients were included in this study. The incidence of immune related adverse events (irAEs) was 16.1%. In the multivariate analyzes, TG/HDL-C ratio was a remarkable independent predictor of irAEs (HR: 16.427, 95% CI: 1.046-258.092, p=0.046). Tumor response analysis indicated that an objective response rate (ORR) achieved 43.4% and a disease control rate (DCR) achieved 79.5%. Seventy-seven patients experienced any progression-free survival (PFS) event. The median PFS was longer in HDL-C-high group (10.03 months) than in HDL-C-low group (6.67 months) (p=0.043). In Cox regression analyses, HDL-C was a remarkable independent predictor for PFS (HR: 2.814, 95% CI: 1.413-5.602, p=0.003). Notably, the ORR significantly differed between patients who suffered from any irAEs and those who did not (p=0.0062).
Conclusion This study clarified that serum lipids levels might predict responses to anti-PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line treatment in SCLC.
Modeling a biofluid-derived extracellular vesicle surface signature to differentiate pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome clinical subgroups
Authors: Cricri Giulia , Gobbini Andrea , Bruno Stefania , Bellucci Linda , Tassinari Sarah , Caicci Federico , Tamburello Chiara , Nittoli Teresa , Paraboschi Irene , Berrettini Alfredo , Grifantini Renata , Bussolati Benedetta , Morello William , Montini Giovanni , Collino Federica 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) is a common childhood glomerular disease requiring intense immunosuppressive drug treatments. Prediction of treatment response and the occurrence of relapses remains challenging. Biofluid-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may serve as novel liquid biopsies for INS classification and monitoring. Our cohort was composed of 106 INS children at different clinical time points (onset, relapse, and persistent proteinuria, remission, respectively), and 19 healthy controls. The expression of 37 surface EV surface markers was evaluated by flow cytometry in serum (n=83) and urine (n=74) from INS children (mean age=10.1, 58% males) at different time points. Urine EVs (n=7) and serum EVs (n=11) from age-matched healthy children (mean age=7.8, 94% males) were also analyzed. Tetraspanin expression in urine EVs was enhanced during active disease phase in respect to the remission group and positively correlates with proteinuria levels. Unsupervised clustering analysis identified an INS signature of 8 markers related to immunity and angiogenesis/adhesion processes. The CD41b, CD29, and CD105 showed the best diagnostic scores separating the INS active phase from the healthy condition. Interestingly, combining urinary and serum EV markers from the same patient improved the precision of clinical staging separation. Three urinary biomarkers (CD19, CD44, and CD8) were able to classify INS based on steroid sensitivity. Biofluid EVs offer a non-invasive tool for INS clinical subclassification and “personalized” interventions.
Influence of Fan and Duct Layout Parameters on the Effectiveness of Tunnel Ventilation and Dust Removal
Authors: Chen Chen Feng , Wang Wang Tingchuan , YANG YANG Shuai , Ren Ren Rui , XIAO XIAO Fu-wen , Hao Hao Xue 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In order to optimize the tunnel inclined shaft press-in construction ventilation scheme and improve the efficiency of dust removal in the tunnel, this paper relies on a tunnel of Zhengzhou West Highway, and adopts Fluent software to establish a 1:1 inclined shaft press-in construction ventilation numerical simulation model, to study the influence of press-in duct air velocity, distance of press-in duct from the palisade surface, and the location of the left tunnel deflector fan on the effect of construction ventilation and verify the results of the simulation through the on-site measured data. The simulation results are verified by field measurement data. The results show that increasing the air velocity of the air duct is favorable to the discharge of dust particles in the tunnel, and considering the dust removal efficiency and energy economy, the ventilation effect of the press-in air duct with air velocity of 22m/s is the best. Tunnel duct from the palm face 20m when the construction of the ventilation effect is better, the best effect on the discharge of dust particles. The inflow fan has a better auxiliary ventilation effect for the migration of dust particles in the tunnel locally and as a whole ; the inflow fan of the left tunnel is the most effective for the discharge of dust particles in the left tunnel when it is set up at 170m from the face of the palms, and the efficiency of the dust removal is improved by 6.73% and 21.64% compared with that at 70m and 270m from the face of the palms, respectively. The monitoring results of the environmental conditions of the construction site after the optimization of the construction ventilation scheme show that the optimized ventilation scheme is effective, which is of great significance in guiding and reference for the future ventilation of tunnel construction.
Classification number: U453.5 Literature symbol code: A
Pupil-linked arousal reflects intracranial aperiodic neural activity in the human auditory cortex
Authors: Mocchi Madaline , Bartoli Eleonora , Magnotti John , DeGee Jan Willem , Metzger Brian , Pascuzzi Bailey , Mathura Raissa , Pulapaka Suhrutha , Goodman Wayne , Sheth Sameer , McGinley Matthew , Bijanki Kelly 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Disrupted cortical and peripheral neural responses to salient stimuli occur in neural disease states, which may be rooted in pathophysiological neuromodulatory system dynamics. Although low-frequency oscillatory activity is the canonical measure of cortical neuromodulatory state, aperiodic 1/f slope encapsulates the balance between low-frequency and high-frequency activity and could thus provide a more sensitive electrophysiological measure. Here, we simultaneously record pupil diameter as a noninvasive measure of brain state, and intracranial local field potentials (LFP) in the auditory cortex and association regions in humans during an auditory oddball task. We demonstrate a trial-by-trial relationship between pupil and auditory cortical responses that is specific to the high gamma frequency band. We find that pupillary and cortical responses show a state-dependent relationship with aperiodic 1/f slope that is similar to canonical low-frequency measures, but that only the 1/f measure shows a trial-by-trial relationship with tonic and phasic pupil activity. Finally, salient stimuli trigger prolonged shifts in aperiodic 1/f activity after stimulus playback, which associates with altered responses on subsequent trials. Taken together, aperiodic slope captures tonic and phasic components of cortical state at the single trial level, providing mechanistic insight into human saliency responses and a path for pupillometry as a non-invasive readout.
Temperature Characteristics Survey for a LDMOS 1000W Shortwave Power Amplifier
Authors: lin qian , wang meiqian , You Fei , Wu Ji-hua , lv yingchun 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In order to study the temperature characteristics of the LDMOS 1000W shortwave power amplifier under different temperature, a series of tests have been carried out here. The results showed that Pout, Gain, PAE, two-tone power, second harmonic and third harmonic of the PA decrease dramatically with rising temperature. Meanwhile, when the number of cycles increases from 1 to 5, its Pout, Gain, PAE, two-tone power, second harmonic and third harmonic generally show the downward trend. Further analysis shows that this degradation is caused by the increase of temperature, the decrease of electron mobility and the increase of scattering between electrons and the lattice, which lead to the generation of heat and the intensification of the self-heating effect. At the same time, high temperature also lead to the increase of thermal resistance (Rth), which causes decrease in the efficiency of PA. Therefore, to ensure that the whole amplifier can maintain stable at different temperatures, a temperature compensation circuit is proposed to offset the performance degradation which can provide important reference for the reliability design of PA.
FABP4 deficiency ameliorates alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice via inhibition of p53 signaling pathway
Authors: Xing Hao , Wu Zhan , Jiang Keqing , Yuan Guandou , Guo Zhenya , Yu Shuiping , He Songqing , Zhong Fudi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) plays an essential role in metabolism and inflammatory. However, the role of FABP4 in alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the function of FABP4 and the underlying mechanisms in the progression of ASH. Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) datasets were obtained from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen key genes in FABPs family. Wild-type (WT) and FABP4-deficient (FABP4−/−) mice were subjected to ASH models and the role of FABP4 was investigated. Transcriptional profiling of mouse liver tissue was performed and analyzed by integrative bioinformatics. The Fabp4 associated signaling pathway was further verified. FABP4 was up-regulated in two AH datasets and identified as a critical biomarker. Compared to control, FABP4 is higher expressed in liver tissues of ALD patients and ASH mice. FABP4 deficiency reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammation in ASH mice. Mechanistically, FABP4 was involved in regulating the p53 signaling pathway and Sirt1 signaling pathway, subsequently affecting the lipid metabolism and the polarization of macrophages in the liver of ASH mice. FABP4 is involved in the progression of ASH. FABP4 deficiency ameliorates mouse ASH, suggesting that FABP4 may be a potential therapeutic target for ASH.
Thrombocytopenia is Associated with Higher Fontan Pressure and Increased Morbidity in Patients with Fontan Circulation
Authors: Gould Michael , Gunsaulus Megan , Feingold Brian , Goldstein Bryan , Hoskoppal Arvind , Kreutzer Jacqueline , Lanford Lizabeth , Trucco Sara , Alsaied Tarek 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
After the Fontan procedure, patients require lifelong follow-up due to significant late morbidity and mortality. Thrombocytopenia is seen frequently post-Fontan, likely due to secondary hypersplenism from elevated Fontan pressure. We investigated platelet counts in patients with a Fontan circulation and assessed associations with catheterization data and clinical outcomes.
Methods
This retrospective study included 92 patients (33% female) post-Fontan who had a complete blood count performed between January 2011 and July 2023. The age at evaluation was 24.0 ± 8.9 years. Outcomes measured included elevated Fontan pressure (≥ 15 mmHg), Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD), unscheduled admissions, transplant, and death.
Results
Participants with thrombocytopenia (£150,000/µL) had significantly higher rates of elevated Fontan pressure (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.3–52.7, p = 0.03), FALD (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.6–10.6, p = 0.004), and unscheduled admissions (361.8 ± 576.7 versus 115.4 ± 185.4 admissions per 1000 patient-years, p = 0.02).
Conclusion
Thrombocytopenia post-Fontan is associated with elevated Fontan pressure, Fontan-associated liver disease, and increased morbidity. Platelet count could serve as a non-invasive factor in identifying patients at risk of decompensation.
Impact of different Modern Irrigation Systems on Water Productivity of Some Vegetables Considering Climatic Factors
Authors: Embaby Mohamed , Zead Talaat Abo , Elbably Walid , Helmy Mohamed 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Climate change is emerging as one of the major constraints to global food security and through expected changes in the coming years will become even more influential. Agriculture is the sector most affected by climate change. This experiment is concerned with change in humidity and temperature, and it is effects on the productivity of one unit of water and the productivity of some vegetable crops. Fluctuations in average monthly temperature are one of the most important reasons that negatively affect vegetable production, as many physiological and biochemical activities of the plant depend on temperature. Case studies related to the effect of temperature change on the productivity of some vegetable crops were discussed. A field experiment was conducted in the winter season of 2021–2022 at the Wadi El-Natoun Research Station in the Western Desert of Egypt to study the effect of temperature changes and irrigation systems (surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems) on the water unit productivity of tomato and pepper crops in greenhouses. Irrigation water requirements increased by increased temperature while crop yield increased by decreased temperature. The highest water productivity values 16.1 and 17.3 kg/m3 were obtained in S1 treatment (Covering with plastic only) for tomato and pepper respectively by using subsurface drip irrigation.
The relationship of persistent post-surgery pain after cardiac surgery and anxiety, depression, and attachment style: a single center longitudinal study.
Authors: Javurkova Alena , Ruzickova Katerina , Bilek Jan , Budera Petr , Varrassi Giustino , Raudenska Jaroslava 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: The development of persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is an important issue in cardiosurgery, as it can both predict and result from psychological phenomena such as depression or anxiety. This study aimed to identify differences between cardiac surgery patients with and without PPSP at 3- and 12-months post-surgery in various psychological domains.
Methods: This is a single-center prospective longitudinal study. N = 125 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the years 2018-2020 at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic, were psychologically examined before the operation and by surface mail 3 and 12 months after the operation. Postoperative pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), Pain Map localization, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to measure depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) to measure anxiety, to assess the relationship The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ). Patients were divided into two groups: the first, which met the criteria for persistent postoperative pain (PPSP), and the second, which had no PPSP. N = 94 patients responded 3 months after surgery and N = 72 patients 12 months after surgery.
Results: 3 months after surgery there were N = 67 (71.28%) patients with PPSP and N = 27 (28.72%) without PPSP, 12 months after surgery there were N = 44 (61.11%) patients with PPSP and N = 28 (38.89%) patients without PPSP. The results showed that patients with PPSP in both measurements had a significantly higher level of intensity of pain and discomfort (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and anxiety (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) as well as a higher probability of insecure attachment (P = 0.011), were more often female (P = 0.020, P = 0.005) and older than those without PPSP (P = 0.031).
Conclusions: This study is the first to prospectively examine the psychological factors associated with PPSP in Czech cardiac surgery patients over a 12-month period. Such studies could help provide valuable information for preventive interventions in individuals in postoperative pain control and in individuals with postsurgical persistent pain targeting anxiety, depression, and adult attachment styles.
Prospector – a novel method for rational dosing of antibiotics during an exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Paprocki Marcin , Żwirowski Szymon , Kuziemski Krzysztof 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations frequently cause patient consultations in both out- and inpatient settings. Recent data suggest that only 40–60% of exacerbations are of bacterial origin and mandate antibiotic treatment. However, a reliable tool to justify prescribing antibiotics for COPD exacerbation is still lacking. This study was designed to explore the hypothesis that utilization of a novel decision-making tool called Prospector would lead to lower consumption of antibiotics and provide a more rational approach to managing COPD exacerbations versus standard therapy in patients with COPD.
Methods
The study included 77 COPD patients who experienced a COPD exacerbation and were treated in outpatient settings. The Prospector group (PG) (n = 40) were treated by the study author using the Prospector calculator (a tool designed by the first author that translates: patient symptoms, exacerbation, and medical history of COPD into a decision on the use of antibiotics in COPD exacerbation treatment). Other primary care specialists treated the control group (CG) (n = 37) in the same outpatient clinic; antibiotic therapies were implemented at the physician's discretion, most often using Anthonisen's criteria. All other medications were administered at the physician's discretion. Safety endpoints were set as: death, hospitalization, and number of exacerbations.
Results
Antibiotics were administered in 32.8% and 81.2% of exacerbations in the PG and CG, respectively (p < 0.0001). A comparable percentage was verified positively in both PG patient subsets: those that did and did not receive antibiotics at visit 1 (94.7% and 94.9%, respectively). Twenty-eight patients in the PG and 37 in the CG were followed for up to 35 months. Failure to recover (defined as deterioration or lack of improvement) in 30 days following exacerbation was 10.7% in the PG and 47.2% in the CG. In the CG, the failure rate was significantly higher (p = 0.0043). Hospitalization rates in the PG and the CG were 42.9% and 94.4%, respectively. In the CG, the hospitalization rate was significantly higher (p < 0.0001). COPD hospitalization rates in the PG and the CG were 17.9% and 33.3%, respectively (p = 0.1643).
Conclusions
This preliminary study suggests that using the Prospector calculator results in markedly reduced antibiotic prescription for COPD exacerbations. No new safety signals have been identified for the method.
Synthesis, Characterization Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Phytochemically Embellished Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Borkar S. D. , Roy M. , Dilliwar Vishwajit , Jadhao S. G. , Singh S. K. , Sannat C 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Currently, drug resistance has been emerged due to the over use of the antibiotics and drugs in treating infectious diseases. The present study focused on the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica (A. indica) leaf extract. The biogenic AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of A. indica leaf extract and synthesized AgNPs were assessed. The findings revealed that the synthesized AgNPs from A. indica leaf extract showed a prominent peak around 400–450 nm, with size ranges from 25nm to 70nm where as X ray diffraction analysis showed lower size nanaoparticles. The phytofabricated silver nanoparticles (AI-AgNP) showed a higher antioxidant activity (0.85mg/ml)as compared with the A. indica leaf extract. They also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity at levels of 65.8 and 37.5 μg/ml against both Gram-positive, methicillin-resistant (S. aureus), and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria, respectively. Therefore, the resulting phytofabricated AgNPs could be used as an alternative to antibiotic drugs, exhibiting better effect on multidrug resistant bacteria.
Analyzing free fatty acids in seminal plasma from asthenozoospermia patients undergoing antioxidant therapy
Authors: Amirjannati Naser , Asl Mahdieh Aghabalazadeh , Hosseini Elham , Henkel Ralf , Agharezaee Niloofar , Kafaeinezhad Raheleh , Rezadoost Hassan , Gilany Kambiz 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective
Different aspects of the functions of free fatty acid (FFA) in seminal plasma and their implications on male fertility are known. However, the profile of FFA in seminal plasma in asthenozoospermic patients following antioxidant therapy has not been studied.
Methods
In this case-control study, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and FFA profile of the seminal plasma were determined in 80 patients (29 normozoospermic volunteers and 51 asthenozoospermic men) who were treated with antioxidants for three months.
Results
The TAC level in normozoospermic men was significantly higher than in asthenozoospermic men before and after antioxidant therapy with even lower values after the treatment (P=0.0001). The most abundant identified FFAs in seminal plasma were palmitic acid, vaccenic acid, eicosatrienoic acid, stearic acid, and myristoleic acid. Palmitic acid was lower in asthenozoospermic patients (P=0.0001), and antioxidant treatment restored its level to near-control levels. Compared to normozoospermic controls, the level of eicosatrienoic acid is significantly lower in asthenozoospermia patients before (P=0.01) and after treatment (P=0.0001). Additionally, following oral antioxidant supplementation, the FFA pattern in asthenozoospermic patients changes to the pattern observed in normozoospermic men. However, these changes are not statistically significant.
Conclusion
The TAC level in asthenozoospermic patients after antioxidant treatment did not change to the levels in the control group; it even dropped to a lower level following three months of treatment. Antioxidant treatment can change the level of the FFA compositions of seminal plasma.
Clinical Efficacy of Endoscopic Interlaminar Decompression in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis:A Retrospective Study
Authors: Qu Xiao , Zhang Lin , xie Zhou , Zhang Jun , Huang Yanran , Li Ningdao , Luo Xiaoji 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This study aims to assess the clinical effectiveness of endoscopic interlaminar decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients who underwent lumbar decompression via an interlaminar approach under spinal endoscopy in our institution from February 2020 to January 2022. The early therapeutic outcome was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Evaluation score (JOA), and modified Macnab efficacy criteria.Results: All 40 patients successfully underwent the decompression operation. One patient experienced a dural sac injury, while the others had no complications such as dural, nerve root, or vascular injuries. The VAS and JOA scores were significantly improved post-operation (P < 0.05). At the last follow-up, the modified Macnab criterion indicated an excellent and good rate of 87.5%. None of the 40 patients underwent revision surgery during the follow-up period.Conclusion: Decompression surgery conducted via an endoscopic interlaminar approach demonstrates commendable clinical efficacy, safety, and contributes to an earlier resumption of activity post-surgery.