bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nomogram based on dual-energy CT-derived extracellular volume fraction for the prediction of microsatellite instability status in gastric cancer
Authors: Hu Wenjun , Zhao Ying , Ji Hongying , Chen Anliang , Xu Qihao , Liu Yijun , Zhang Ziming , Liu Ailian 
Published: May 2024

PurposeTo develop and validate a nomogram based on extracellular volume (ECV) fraction derived from dual-energy CT (DECT) for preoperatively predicting microsatellite instability (MSI) status in gastric cancer (GC).Materials and methodsA total of 123 patients with GCs who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal DECT scans were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into MSI (n=41) and microsatellite stability (MSS, n=82) groups according to postoperative immunohistochemistry staining, then randomly assigned to the training (n=86) and validation cohorts (n=37). We extracted clinicopathological characteristics, CT imaging features, iodine concentrations (ICs), and normalized IC values against the aorta (nICs) in three enhanced phases. The ECV fraction derived from the iodine density map at the equilibrium phase was calculated. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk predictors for MSI status. Then, a nomogram was established, and its performance was evaluated by ROC analysis and Delong test. Its calibration performance and clinical utility were assessed by calibration curve and decision curve analysis, respectively.ResultsThe ECV fraction, tumor location, and Borrmann type were independent predictors of MSI status (all P &lt; 0.05) and were used to establish the nomogram. The nomogram yielded higher AUCs of 0.826 (0.729–0.899) and 0.833 (0.675–0.935) in training and validation cohorts than single variables (P&lt;0.05), with good calibration and clinical utility.ConclusionsThe nomogram based on DECT-derived ECV fraction has the potential as a noninvasive biomarker to predict MSI status in GC patients.
Prognostic factors and predictive model construction in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Ma Shixin , Wang Lunqing 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to construct a nomogram model based on the general characteristics, histological features, pathological and immunohistochemical results, and inflammatory and nutritional indicators of patients so as to effectively predict the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgery.MethodsPatients with NSCLC who received surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2021 were selected as the study subjects. The predictors of OS and PFS were evaluated by univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis using the Cox proportional risk model. Based on the results of multi-factor Cox proportional risk regression analysis, a nomogram model was established using the R survival package. The bootstrap method (repeated sampling for 1 000 times) was used to internally verify the nomogram model, and C-index was used to represent the prediction performance of the nomogram model. The calibration graph method was used to visually represent its prediction compliance, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the application value of the model.ResultsUnivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors and to construct a nomogram of postoperative survival and disease progression in operable NSCLC patients, with C-index values of 0.927 (907–0.947) and 0.944 (0.922–0.966), respectively. The results showed that the model had high predictive performance. Calibration curves for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year OS and PFS show a high degree of agreement between the predicted probability and the actual observed probability. In addition, the results of the DCA curve show that the model has good clinical application value.ConclusionWe established a predictive model of survival prognosis and disease progression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after surgery, which has good predictive performance and can guide clinicians to make the best clinical decision.
Treatment of congenital middle ear cholesteatoma in children using endoscopic and microscopic ear surgeries: a case series
Authors: Xue Po , Wang Zhaoyan , Chai Yongchuan , Si Mingjue , Hu Lingxiang 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionSurgical removal is widely employed in children with congenital middle ear cholesteatoma (CMEC). Here, we report the surgical outcomes of CMEC removal via endoscopic ear surgery (EES) and microscopic ear surgery (MES) in children.MethodsChildren with CMEC who underwent preoperative medical history inquiry, hearing test, endoscopic evaluation, and radiology imaging before receiving EES or MES were included. Postoperative audiological outcomes and recurrence rates were collected.ResultsSeventeen children (20 ears) with stage II-IV CMEC were included. Of those, 11 ears (55.0%) underwent EES, and 9 ears (45.0%) underwent MES. The follow-up time was 35 ± 13.5 months. One child in the EES group with stage III CMEC had a recurrence during the follow-up period. In the EES group, the average minimum diameter of the external auditory canal on the affected side was 5.8 mm (4.3–8.0 mm). No linear association was found between age and the minimum diameter of the external auditory canal.DiscussionEES is a promising treatment option for children with early-stage CMEC because of its low recurrence rate and minimally invasive nature. The minimum diameter of the external auditory canal on the affected side should be meticulously examined when performing EES in children.
Predicting clinically significant events in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction
Authors: Wolmer Clara , Delmas Jean , Pecorelli Silvia , Dobremez Eric , Ferdynus Cyril , Harper Luke 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionUreteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) syndrome is one of the most common causes of neonatal hydronephrosis. Management varies from simple monitoring to surgical intervention, with indications differing between institutions. A consensus of 8 societies recently described a new Urinary Tract Dilation (UTD) classification which aims to standardize ultrasound description of hydronephrosis, but which is also supposed to have predictive value in children with hydronephrosis. Our aim was to compare, in a monocentric prospective cohort of children with UPJO, the ability of UTD to predict the occurrence of a clinically significant event within the first year of life, as compared to anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis (APD).Study designWe used a preexisting cohort of children followed in a prospective study on UPJO. A pediatric radiologist, blinded to the children's outcome, classified the last antenatal ultrasound and postnatal ultrasound according to the UTD-A and UTD-P classification. He also confirmed the APD-A and APD-P measures. We defined a clinically significant event as being: increased pelvic dilation (&gt;5 mm) and/or the presence of a febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) and/or impaired renal function on initial nuclear scan (&lt;40%). We performed a ROC-AUC curve and Random Forest (RF) analysis to compare the ability of the APD-A, APD-P, UTD-A and UTD-P scores to predict a clinically significant event.ResultsThe cohort included 28 children. Clinically significant events were noted in 20 out of 28 patients: 13 children presented an increase &gt;5 mm in dilation, 6 presented an episode of fUTI and 9 had impaired function of the affected kidney. APD-A was the most effective individual criterion for predicting the occurrence of a significant clinical event (AUC = 0.867).ConclusionIn our series, for children with UPJO, the most significant marker was prenatal APD &gt;15 mm to predict an increase in dilation &gt;5 mm.
Global research status and trends of enteric glia: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Li Huai-Yu , Yan Wei-Xin , Li Jia , Ye Jing , Wu Zhi-Guo , Hou Zheng-Kun , Chen Bin 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundEnteric glia are essential components of the enteric nervous system. Previously believed to have a passive structural function, mounting evidence now suggests that these cells are indispensable for maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis and exert pivotal influences on both wellbeing and pathological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the global status, research hotspots, and future directions of enteric glia.MethodsThe literature on enteric glia research was acquired from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer software (v1.6.19) was employed to visually represent co-operation networks among countries, institutions, and authors. The co-occurrence analysis of keywords and co-citation analysis of references were conducted using CiteSpace (v6.1.R6). Simultaneously, cluster analysis and burst detection of keywords and references were performed.ResultsA total of 514 publications from 36 countries were reviewed. The United States was identified as the most influential country. The top-ranked institutions were University of Nantes and Michigan State University. Michel Neunlist was the most cited author. “Purinergic signaling” was the largest co-cited reference cluster, while “enteric glial cells (EGCs)” was the cluster with the highest number of co-occurring keywords. As the keyword with the highest burst strength, Crohns disease was a hot topic in the early research on enteric glia. The burst detection of keywords revealed that inflammation, intestinal motility, and gut microbiota may be the research frontiers.ConclusionThis study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of enteric glia research. EGCs have emerged as a crucial link between neurons and immune cells, attracting significant research attention in neurogastroenterology. Their fundamental and translational studies on inflammation, intestinal motility, and gut microbiota may promote the treatment of some gastrointestinal and parenteral disorders.
Natural compound Alternol exerts a broad anti-cancer spectrum and a superior therapeutic safety index in vivo
Authors: He Chenchen , Ma Linlin , Hirst Jeff , Li Fei , Wu Hao , Liu Wang , Zhao Jiang , Xu Feng , Godwin Andrew K. , Wang Xiangwei , Li Benyi 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionAlternol is a natural compound isolated from the fermentation of a mutated fungus. We have demonstrated its potent anti-cancer effect via the accumulation of radical oxygen species (ROS) in prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we tested its anti-cancer spectrum in multiple platforms.MethodsWe first tested its anti-cancer spectrum using the National Cancer Institute-60 (NCI-60) screening, a protein quantitation-based assay. CellTiter-Glo screening was utilized for ovarian cancer cell lines. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry. Xenograft models in nude mice were used to assess anti-cancer effect. Healthy mice were tested for the acuate systemic toxicity.ResultsOur results showed that Alternol exerted a potent anti-cancer effect on 50 (83%) cancer cell lines with a GI50 less than 5 µM and induced a lethal response in 12 (24%) of those 50 responding cell lines at 10 µM concentration. Consistently, Alternol displayed a similar anti-cancer effect on 14 ovarian cancer cell lines in an ATP quantitation-based assay. Most interestingly, Alternol showed an excellent safety profile with a maximum tolerance dose (MTD) at 665 mg/kg bodyweight in mice. Its therapeutic index was calculated as 13.3 based on the effective tumor-suppressing doses from HeLa and PC-3 cell-derived xenograft models.ConclusionTaken together, Alternol has a broad anti-cancer spectrum with a safe therapeutic index in vivo.
3D MR neurography with gadolinium contrast to improve the visualization of pelvic nerves and the branches
Authors: Liu Hui , Xiao Zhibo , Tao Li , Tang Mingmei , Xu Yong , Pan Yuanrui , Zhang Ke , Qiu Xueke , Lv Fajin 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of 3D NerveVIEW sequence with gadolinium contrast on the visualization of pelvic nerves and their branches compared to that without contrast.MethodsParticipants were scanned twice using 3D NerveVIEW sequence with and without gadolinium contrast to acquire pelvic nerve images. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and contrast ratio of the nerves were calculated and compared to determine the quality of images. To subjectively assess, using a 3-point scale, branch nerves critical to therapeutic decision-making, including the pelvic splanchnic nerve and pelvic plexus, the superior gluteal nerve, and the pudendal nerve.ResultsIn the 32 eligible participants after using contrast, the CNRs of the images of nerve-to-bone and nerve-to-vessel significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05). The CR of the images with contrast of all nerve-to-surrounding tissues (i.e., bone, muscle, blood vessels, and fat) were also found significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05). The assessment of observers also shows higher scores for images with contrast compared to images without contrast.ConclusionThe 3D NerveVIEW sequence combined with gadolinium contrast improved vascular suppression, increased the contrast between pelvic nerves and surrounding tissue, and enhanced the visualization of nerves and their branches. This study may be helpful for the technically challenging preoperative planning of pelvic diseases surgery.
Genomic surveillance during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic – country experience and lessons learned from Türkiye
Authors: Yalçın Süleyman , Coşgun Yasemin , Dedeoğlu Ege , Kopp Katharina , Bayrakdar Fatma , Ünal Gültekin , Musul Biran , Sağtaş Ekrem , Korukluoğlu Gülay , Raftery Philomena , Kaygusuz Sedat 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundTürkiye confirmed its first case of SARS-CoV-2 on March 11, 2020, coinciding with the declaration of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Türkiye swiftly increased testing capacity and implemented genomic sequencing in 2020. This paper describes Türkiye’s journey of establishing genomic surveillance as a middle-income country with limited prior sequencing capacity and analyses sequencing data from the first two years of the pandemic. We highlight the achievements and challenges experienced and distill globally relevant lessons.MethodsWe tracked the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye from December 2020 to February 2022 through a timeline and analysed epidemiological, vaccination, and testing data. To investigate the phylodynamic and phylogeographic aspects of SARS-CoV-2, we used Nextstrain to analyze 31,629 high-quality genomes sampled from seven regions nationwide.ResultsTürkiye’s epidemiological curve, mirroring global trends, featured four distinct waves, each coinciding with the emergence and spread of variants of concern (VOCs). Utilizing locally manufactured kits to expand testing capacity and introducing variant-specific quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests developed in partnership with a private company was a strategic advantage in Türkiye, given the scarcity and fragmented global supply chain early in the pandemic. Türkiye contributed more than 86,000 genomic sequences to global databases by February 2022, ensuring that Turkish data was reflected globally. The synergy of variant-specific RT-qPCR kits and genomic sequencing enabled cost-effective monitoring of VOCs. However, data analysis was constrained by a weak sequencing sampling strategy and fragmented data management systems, limiting the application of sequencing data to guide the public health response. Phylodynamic analysis indicated that Türkiye’s geographical position as an international travel hub influenced both national and global transmission of each VOC despite travel restrictions.ConclusionThis paper provides valuable insights into the testing and genomic surveillance systems adopted by Türkiye during the COVID-19 pandemic, proposing important lessons for countries developing national systems. The findings underscore the need for robust testing and sampling strategies, streamlined sample referral, and integrated data management with metadata linkage and data quality crucial for impactful epidemiological analysis. We recommend developing national genomic surveillance strategies to guide sustainable and integrated expansion of capacities built for COVID-19 and to optimize the effective utilization of sequencing data for public health action.
Diversification of spider silk properties in an adaptive radiation of Hawaiian orb-weaving spiders
Authors: Alicea-Serrano Angela M. , Jain Dharamdeep , Dhinojwala Ali , Blackledge Todd A. 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThe design of biological structures and the materials composing those structures are intimately connected to performance in biological systems. Spider webs present an excellent example of how design and materials interact during their function in capturing prey. Major shifts in how spider webs capture prey have occurred due to evolutionary changes in both web architecture and silk properties. However, these shifts are mostly described for long timescales deep within the spider’s tree of life. Hawaiian Tetragnatha presents an opportunity to ask if such shifts can occur at much shorter timescales because web design diverges significantly among closely related species on the same island while also converging with more distant relatives on other islands. Here, we provide an initial test of whether or not silk properties diversified during the recent adaptive radiation of Hawaiian Tetragnatha.MethodsWe obtained radial and capture spiral silk from orb webs for spiders on two islands and tested their tensile and adhesive properties. We also used solution-state NMR to compare the composition of low molecular weight compounds in the glue because of their influence on capture spiral stickiness.ResultsResults showed differences in the stiffness of radial silk among four populations of Hawaiian Tetragnatha, while extensibility remained unchanged. Although not statistically different, radial strength and toughness varied twofold among species. Stickiness varied threefold among the four populations of orb weavers. No conspicuous qualitative differences in the low molecular weight compound composition of aggregate glue were found, suggesting that differences in capture spiral stickiness were due to the amount or arrangement of glue droplets on threads.DiscussionWhile our sampling is modest, our data provide the first evidence that silk properties can evolve measurably over the relatively short timescales of the adaptive radiation of Hawaiian Tetragnatha spiders.
High flow oxygen therapy versus conventional oxygen therapy in dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage: a pilot study
Authors: Dartencet Camille , Abunemeh Maha , Junot Stephane , Nectoux Alexandra , Allaouchiche Bernard , Krafft Emilie , Pouzot-Nevoret Celine 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivesTo evaluate the safety and feasibility of high flow oxygen therapy (HFOT), and to record SpO2 and desaturation episodes in dogs and cats receiving HFOT or conventional oxygen therapy (COT) during bronchoscopy ± bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).Materials and methodsDogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy ± BAL between January and May 2023 were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: HFOT (HFOT group; two cats and four dogs) and COT (COT group; one cat and five dogs). HFOT and COT were started at the beginning of the bronchoscopy. HFOT was delivered with a gas flow rate of 1 L/kg/min at an FiO2 of 100% and a temperature of 34°C (pediatric mode) or 37°C (adult mode). COT was delivered through the working channel of the bronchoscope at a rate of 1.5 L/min. The safety and feasibility of HFOT were assessed, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured by pulse oximetry every 30 s throughout the procedure.Measurements and main resultsHFOT was feasible and safe in both dogs and cats with no complications reported. While there was no significant difference in the number of desaturation episodes (SpO2 &lt; 94%) between the two groups, none of the patients in the HFOT group experienced severe desaturation (SpO2 &lt; 90%). In contrast, two patients in the COT group had an SpO2 &lt; 90%. Mean SpO2 was significantly higher in the HFOT group compared to the COT group at T0 (98% ± 2% vs. 94 ± 2%), T0.5 (98% ± 2% vs. 94% ± 3%) and T1 (98% ± 2% vs. 94% ± 4%).ConclusionTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest study conducted to date using HFOT during bronchoscopy in dogs and cats. Our results suggest that HFOT is feasible and safe during bronchoscopy ± BAL. Furthermore, HFOT may reduce the risk of desaturation episodes in dogs and cats undergoing bronchoscopy and BAL.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Context of Modern International Recommendations
Authors: Волкова М.В. 
Published: May 2024

Ревматоидный артрит (РА) является наиболее распространенным и тяжелым хроническим аутоиммунным заболеванием и характеризуется негативным влиянием на продолжительность и качество жизни, трудовую деятельность пациентов, значительными материальными затратами системы здравоохранения. Раннее выявление и лечение РА имеет большое значение для уменьшения негативных последствий заболевания. С этой целью разработаны новые классификационные критерии, которые позволяют диагностировать РА на ранней стадии, сформулирована четкая терапевтическая стратегия «Лечение до достижения цели». В настоящей статье приведены международные рекомендации по лечению РА, которые включают информацию о трех типах лекарственных средств, используемых при лечении заболевания: синтетических, таргетных синтетических и биологических болезнь-модифицирующих противоревматических препаратах. В статье также обсуждены вопросы, связанные с лечением болевого синдрома при РА.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common and severe chronic autoimmune disease and is characterized by a negative impact on the duration and quality of life, work activity of patients, significant material costs of the healthcare system. Early detection and treatment of RA is very important to reduce the negative consequences of the disease. Thus, new classification criteria have been developed that allow the diagnosis of RA at an early stage, and a clear therapeutic strategy "treat to target" has been formulated. This article presents international recommendations for the treatment of RA, which include information on three types of medicines used in the treatment of the disease: synthetic, targeted synthetic and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The article also discusses issues related to the treatment of pain syndrome in RA.