bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upadacitinib as Rescue Therapy for Corticosteroid Failure Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: First Case Report in Asia
Authors: Chung Chen-Shuan , Le Puo-Hsien 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a medical emergent condition and approximately one-third of patients with ASUC do not respond to corticosteroid. Whether small molecule drugs are efficient and safe for salvage therapy of ASUC is not well-understood.
Methods: Consecutive patients with ASUC who failed responding to first-line corticosteroid were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and pathological data were analyzed.
Results: Five Asian male patients (median age of 38.9 year-old) with ASUC who received salvage therapy with upadacitinib were enrolled. The mean (±standard deviation) disease duration was 3.44 (±3.30, 0.53~7.88) years. Baseline Montreal disease extent, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were four (80%) E3 and one (20%) E2 disease, 40.54 (±74.26) mg/dl, and 24.50 (±19.09) mm/hour, respectively. Daily upadacitinib 45mg were prescribed for 56 days in all patients. Clinical response, clinical remission, corticosteroid-free remission and endoscopic improvement at week 8 and 12 were achieved in five (100%) and five (100%), four (80%) and five (100%), four (80%) and five (100%), and four (80%) and five (100%) patients, respectively. One (20%) patient achieved histo-endoscopic remission at week 24. None of them had re-hospitalization or colectomy during the follow-up period but one patient developed penile simplex-1 infection which resolved after topical antiviral ointment without upadacitinib discontinuation.
Conclusions: Upadacitinib is an efficient salvage therapy for patients with ASUC. Further investigations are essential to assess long-term durability, safety profile, and viability as a bridging regimen in the treatment of ASUC.
Excess Weight leads to a better Health-Related Quality of Life in patients with Cancer
Authors: Dai Yiding , Zhang Yong , Yu Qingsong , Pan Zhijin , Huang Jingjing , Chen Qiulong , Chen Yi , Zhou Xiangxi , Tian Xin , Luo Jie , Huang Baiwei , Liu Fang , Shi Qiuling 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important indicator for patients with cancer. Currently, it is unclear whether body mass index (BMI) impact the quality of life of patients with cancer. To investigate whether elevated BMI results in improved HRQoL and to assess factors that are associated with HRQoL in patients attending an acupuncture rehabilitation clinic.
Methods
This analysis using the baseline data from a longitudinal cohort study on patients with cancer undergoing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. Patients in the TCM clinic of Sichuan Cancer Hospital were recruited between August 2021 and November 2023. During the baseline investigation, patients completed a sociodemographic survey and the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. EQ-VAS, derived from EQ-5D-5L, was chosen as primary measure to evaluate HRQoL. BMI was the primary explanatory variable in this study.
Results
Total 2059 patients were included in the analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI was an independent protective factor for HRQoL (B = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.13 ~ 0.72, P = 0.005). The HRQoL of patients with the excess weight (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2) was significantly better than that of those with BMI < 24 (71.00 ± 16.90 vs 68.28 ± 18.76, P = 0.004). Similar trends were noted within subgroups of patients under 60 years of age, without hypertension, or receiving treatments other than surgery alone.
Conclusion
Cancer patients who are overweight have a better HRQoL. Maintaining an appropriate weight during and after cancer treatment would benefit patients preserving a good quality of life.
Trial registration
ChiCTR2100052816.Registered on November 05, 2021.
Projected near-future changes in precipitation extremes over Anambra-Imo River Basin inferred from CMIP6 HighResMIP
Authors: Ibe Colman , Dike Victor Nnamdi , Ishaya Samaila Kunden , Magaji Jos , Ibe Amarachukwu A. , Anoruo Chukwuma 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The southeastern region of Nigeria is susceptible to flood disasters primarily triggered by extreme precipitation with localized impacts. This study uses the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) to investigate seasonal dependent changes in precipitation extremes in the near future (2031–2050) in the Anambra-Imo River Basin, in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Evaluating the models against observation for the 1995–2014 period, it is found that models creditably reproduced the spatial pattern of the observed annual precipitation extremes over the river basin. Results show that in the near future, annual precipitation extremes will be characterized by a robust increase in annual total precipitation amount (PRCPTOT), maximum 5-day precipitation (RX5day), and heavy precipitation (R10mm). Meanwhile, the models project a significant increase in PRCPTOT, RX5day, R10mm, and wet-day intensity (SDII) for the June-July-August (JJA) and September-October-November (SON) seasons. The results demonstrate a robust and higher magnitude increase in precipitation extremes during the SON season. Specifically, PRCPTOT, RX5day, R10mm and SDII are projected to increase by up to 46 mm, 24 mm, 1.2 days and 2.4 mm/day, respectively. Whereas during the March-April-May (MAM) season, the HighResMIP suggests that PRCPTOT, R10mm, and SDII will marginally increase over the eastern part of the Anambra-Imo River Basin. Besides, the December-January-February (DJF) season will be characterized by a marginal increase in the precipitation extremes, especially over the southern fringes of the river basin. We note that in the near future, precipitation extremes in the river basin will be characterized by more intense and less frequent precipitation extremes during the JJA and SON, potentially exacerbating flash flooding in the river basin. Hence, the results of this study may be vital for near-term socio-economic planning and policy decisions that will minimize the impact of flood disasters in the Anambra-Imo River Basin.
LL-37 Limits the Therapeutic Efficacy of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 and Suramin for HCC by Enhancing M2 Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Zhang Huidan , Yuan Xueli , Yang Yaxin , Xie Wenjing , Chen Qin , Duan Wenliang , Zhu Yiqiang , chen yuqing 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Supplementation with 1,25(OH)2D3 alone doesn't benefit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. LL-37, part of innate immunity, and its impact on HCC progression via macrophages, as well as its interaction with 1,25(OH)2D3, remain unclear.
Methods: HCC/macrophage co-cultures in vitro was applied and the M1/M2 polarization from THP-1-derived macrophages was identified by qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining and ELISA assays. The effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 -LL-37 axis on HCC cells (PLC/PRF-5 and Huh7) was detected by proliferation, colony formation, and invasion assays. A HCC/macrophage co-xenograft model tested suramin's targeting of TAMs for 1,25(OH)2D3 therapy.
Results: LL-37 expression rose in HCC/macrophage co-culture. LL-37 overexpression boosted macrophage recruitment, M2 polarization, and Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT3 pathway activation, enhancing HCC cell viability, migration, invasion. 1,25(OH)2D3 increased hCAP18/LL-37 levels in vitro and in xenografted mice, involving the vitamin D receptor. 1,25(OH)2D3 also increased macrophage recruitment, M2 polarization. Suramin blockade of LL-37 eliminated 1,25(OH)2D3-induced effects, enhancing its anticancer activity in vivo.
Conclusions: LL-37 contributes to a 1,25(OH)2D3-induced immunosuppressive microenvironment by TAM regulation, limiting 1,25(OH)2D3 efficacy in HCC. Combining 1,25(OH)2D3 with suramin may enhance anticancer effects, potentially benefiting HCC patients.
Comprehensive analyses of the postharvest physiology and browning mechanism of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) during cold storage
Authors: Tian Feng-xia , Zhou En-ping , Yu Zi-han , Xu Guang-ling 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the Punicaceae family. Pomegranates are valued for their social, ecological, economic and aesthetic value and, more recently, for their health benefits. Tunisian pomegranate, which has soft seeds and large arils that can be easily swallowed, is particularly popular. In this study, soft seed pomegranate fruit was stored at chilling injury (CI) temperature (0 °C) and non-CI temperature (8 °C) after harvest to investigate the impacts of these temperatures on CI development and browning and the associated underlying mechanisms. Pomegranates are susceptible to CI when stored at temperatures below 7 °C. The results showed that at 0 °C, the CI index, browning degree, and chlorophyll content were greater than those at 8 °C. Furthermore, storage at 0 °C increased cell membrane permeability and increased polyphenol oxidase activity. These findings demonstrated that CI and browning in pomegranate were closely associated with the metabolism of membrane lipids and phenolics. The aim of this study was to explore environmental factors that affect fruit skin browning as well as the relationship between changes in enzyme activity and fruit skin browning. A temperature of 0 °C can cause low-temperature damage to pomegranates, while at 8 °C, the fruit hardly experiences cold damage. In the later stage of fruit storage, damage to cell membrane permeability, a gradual increase in the content of the membrane lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, oxidation and degradation of phenolic substances, slight ageing and browning of the fruit skin, and an acidic tissue pH were observed.
Myf5 and Myf6 gene expression profiles and their relationship with muscle fiber-type composition of Angora, Hair, Honamlı, and Kilis male kids
Authors: BAYRAK Büşra , Şen Uğur , GÖKÇEK Dilek , ŞİRİN Emre 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In the present study, Myf5 and Myf6 gene expression profiles and their relationship with muscle fiber-type composition and size were evaluated in some skeletal muscles of Angora (n = 6), Hair (n = 6), Honamlı (n = 6), and Kilis (n = 6) weaned male kids. Myf5 and Myf6 gene expression were measurement using real-time PCR. Total RNA amount longissimus-dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) ST muscles was relatively higher (p < 0.05) in Honamlı kids compared to kids born to other breeds. Kids of Honamlı goats had a more increased (p < 0.05) Myf5 gene expression than other kids’ breeds in LD muscle. Expression of the Myf5 gene in ST muscle was lower in kids of Hair goat than those of Honamlı and Kilis goats (p < 0.05). Myf6 gene expression was lower (p < 0.05) in the LD muscle of Kilis kids than those of other kids. The highest (p < 0.05) Myf6 gene expression was found in the ST muscle of Honamlı and Angora kids. Additionally, significant correlations were observed (p < 0.05) among Myf5 and Myf6 gene expression levels and muscle fiber-type composition at different levels in each breed. Results of the current study indicated that alterations in muscle fiber number, type, and size might be associated with interactive activity of Myf 5 and Myf 6 gene expression during muscle development. Moreover, significantly different breed-specific expressions of Myf5 and Myf6 led to the conclusion that these genes can be used to choose more productive goat breed, especially in fattening.
Homocysteine, blood pressure and gene–diet interactions in relation to vascular function measures of Black South Africans
Authors: Plessis Jacomina P , Lammertyn Leandi , Schutte Aletta E. , Nienaber-Rousseau Cornelie 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Aims
We investigated circulating homocysteine (Hcy), a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, examining its dietary associations to provide personalized nutrition advice. This study addressed the inadequacy of current dietary interventions to ultimately address the disproportionately high incidence of CVD in Black populations. Methods and Results: Cross-sectional analyses of 1,867 Black individuals of the PURE-SA study allowed the identification of dietary intake and cardiovascular measure interactions on three sub-categories: 1) normal blood pressure (BP), hypertension or Hcy-related hypertension (Htype), 2) low, normal or high Hcy concentrations, and 3) Hcy-related genetic combinations. Favorable body composition, but adverse dietary intake and cardiovascular determinants, were observed in higher Hcy categories. H-types, compared to regular hypertensives, had higher alcohol and lower macronutrient and micronutrient consumption. Inverse associations with carotid-radial pulse wave velocity were evident between monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) consumption and H-type hypertension as well as polyunsaturated FA and CBS883/ins68 TT carriers. Energy intake was positively associated with vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in variant CBST883C/ins68 and CBS9276 GG carriers. VCAM-1 was also positively associated with plant protein intake in CBS9276 GG and MTR2756 AA carriers and negatively with total protein intake and CBS9276 GG carriers. Alcohol intake was positively associated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in MTR2756 minor allele carriers. Conclusion: Because Hcy genediet interactions are evident, personalized nutrition, by adjusting diets based on genetic profiles (e.g., CBS and MTR variations) and dietary interactions (e.g., fatty acids and proteins), can enhance cardiovascular outcomes by managing Hcy and related hypertension in genetically susceptible individuals.
Effect of platelet indices on mortality and comorbidity in peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Qing , Tian Xin-Kui , Wang Ling , Tang Wen 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background There were limited data investigating platelet indices in predicting peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcomes on comorbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between platelet indices and new-onset comorbidity and all-cause mortality in PD patients.
MethodsA single-center, retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in incident PD patients from 28 December 2011 to 24 January 2018, and followed up until 31 December 2022. Time to the first new-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) and time to the first new-onset infection event after PD were identified as the primary outcomes. All-cause mortality was identified as the secondary endpoint. The correlation between platelet indices and comorbidities and all-cause mortality were assessed by Cox model. Survival curves were performed by Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests.
ResultsA total of 250 incident PD patients with a median follow-up of 6.79 (inter-quarter range 4.05, 8.89) years was included. High mean platelet volume(MPV) was independently associated with high risk of time to the first new-onset CVD (HR 1.895, 95% CI 1.174-3.058, p=0.009) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.710, 95% CI 1.155-2.531, p =0.007). Patients with low mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio (MPV/PC) were prone to occur the new-onset infection events (log rank 5.693, p=0.017). Low MPV/PC (HR 0.652, 95% CI 0.459-0.924, p=0.016) was significantly associated with the time to the first new-onset infection event on PD.
Conclusions Platelet indices were associated with the new-onset CVD, infectious comorbidities and all-cause mortality on PD. Low MPV/PC was associated with time to the first new-onset infection event in PD patients. Moreover, high MPV was associated with new-onset CVD and all-cause mortality in the incident PD patients.
Effects of exercise on depression in postmenopausal women: a pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Han Bing , Duan Yaya , Zhang Peizhen , Zeng Liqing , Pi Peng , Chen Jiping , Du Guoli 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Exercise is a promising non-pharmacological therapy for depression; however, it is unclear whether exercise interventions are effective for postmenopausal women, and which ones work best.
Methods: Electronic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CNKI, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL Plus were conducted to identify articles published through 1 March 2024, and included randomized controlled trials that examined the effectiveness of exercise interventions on depression in postmenopausal women. Mean changes (± standard deviations) in depression scores, assessed using various scales, were extracted to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs). These SMDs were then pooled using a random effects model in a pairwise meta-analysis. Additionally, a Frequentist network meta-analysis employing a random effects model was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different exercise types.
Results: This study included 26 studies involving 2,170 participants. In pairwise meta-analysis, exercise has shown a clinically significant positive impact on depression in postmenopausal women (SMD=-0.71, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=-0.94–-0.48, P<0.001; I2=78%). In network meta-analysis, mind-body exercise (SMD=-0.98, 95% CI=-1.28–-0.68) and aerobic exercise (SMD=-0.58, 95% CI=-0.88–-0.29) significantly reduced the level of depression compared to the control group, and there was a significant trend for stretching, resistance exercise, and concurrent training. Mind-body exercise had the highest probability of being the most effective intervention. Exercise interventions also showed positive effects on anxiety.
Conclusion: For postmenopausal women, exercise interventions are a clinically effective antidepressant therapy, with mind-body exercise most likely being the optimal type, followed by aerobic exercise.
Trial registration: This meta-analysis was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024505425).
Physics-Informed Masked Autoencoder for Active Sparse Imaging
Authors: McEvoy Luke , Tafone Daniel , Sua Yong Meng , Huang Yu-Ping 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Imaging technology based on detecting individual photons has seen tremendous progress in recent years, with broad applications in autonomous driving, biomedical imaging, astronomical observation, and more. Comparing with conventional methods, however, it takes much longer time and relies on sparse and noisy photon-counting data to form an image. Here we introduce Physics-Informed Masked Autoencoder (PI-MAE) as a fast and efficient approach for data acquisition and image reconstruction through hardware implementation of the MAE (Masked Autoencoder). We examine its performance on a single-photon LiDAR system when trained on digitally masked MNIST data. Our results show that, with 1.8 × 10−6 or less detected photons per pulse and down to 9 detected photons per pixel, it achieves high-quality image reconstruction on unseen object classes with 90% physical masking. Our results highlight PI-MAE as a viable hardware accelerator for significantly improving the performance of single-photon imaging systems in photon-starving applications.
Management of Traumatic Subaxial Cervical Facet Dislocation：A retrospective study of 10 patients
Authors: Zhang Qin , Ding Tao , Liu Yi , Xue Yun-Tao 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective. To discuss the clinical efficacy of manual close reduction in emergency room and different surgery choices in treating traumatic subaxial cervical facet dislocation patients.
Summary of Background Data. The treatment of traumatic subxial cervical facet dislocation is controversial. Although there are heterogeneous methods, it is challenge for surgeons to make a proper surgery choice to treat the traumatic subxial cervical facet dislocation.
Methods. A retrospective study was performed on 10 case of traumatic subaxial cervical facet dislocation treated by manual close reduction and different surgery procedures from January 2019 to January 2023. There were 8 males, 2 females, with a meal age of 52.7 years (from 32 to 80 yr). Dislocation sites: 2 in C6-7, 5 in C5-6
, 3 in C4-5; 2 cases with unilateral cervical facet dislocation, 8 cases with bilateral dislocation.
Results. All the patients were performed manually close reduction in emergency room as soon as the dislocation diagnosis was made. 5 patients achieved successful manual close reduction. 2 patients achieved successful close reduction through cranial traction. 7 patients undertook anterior approach, or anterior-posterior approach or posterior-anterior approach surgeries and 5 patients were
postoperatively classified as grade E according to Frankel
standard. All patients were followed up for average of 6 months.
Conclusion. Manual close reduction in emergency room may be a good choice for traumatic subaxial cervical facet dislocation patients, if failed, cranial traction may be useful for close reduction. Emergency open reduction, neurological decompression and internal fixation should be performed if close reduction is fail. Different surgical procedures choice should base on the patent’s neurological status and the surgeon’s experience.
EcoSense: A Revolution in Urban Air Quality Forecasting for Smart Cities
Authors: Chatterjee Kalyan , Thara Machakanti Navya , Re Mandadi Sriya , Selvamuthukumaran N. , Priyadharshini M. , Reddy Tummala Abhinav Vardhan , Chakraborty Somenath , Mallik Saurav , Shah Mohd Asif , Li Aimin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The Smart City (SC) framework, renowned for enhancing lives and bolstering public safety, encounters challenges due to its reliance on IoT devices, contributing to electronic waste and resource consumption. Integrating weather research and a weather-smart grid into the SC framework becomes crucial to address these issues and safeguard the environment and residents’ well-being. This study proposes a novel approach, EcoSense: A Revolution in Urban Air Quality Forecasting for Smart Cities, which incorporates Bi-directional Stacked LSTM with a Weather-Smart Grid (BlaSt). BlaSt utilizes temporal aggregation and lagged features to capture temporal dependencies and trends in air quality data, considering air pollutants and meteorological factors for future air pollutant concentration prediction. The model is designed for 1-hour prediction intervals and outperforms traditional methods by leveraging feature attribute values, enhancing accuracy, and reducing computational complexity. Experimental results demonstrate the improved accuracy and computational efficiency of the BlaSt model compared to conventional models. Additionally, it effectively handles extensive air quality data and exhibits promising predictive capabilities for future data.