bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 induces pyroptosis and inflammation of renal epithelial tubular cells in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by upregulating the KLF5/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Lu Jian , Hou Ya , Liu Si-Xiu , Jin Bo , Liu Jing , Li Nan , Zhu Yan , Zhang Qing-Yan , Wan Cheng , Feng Yuan , Xie Jun , Jiang Chun-Ming 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Pyroptosis of the renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and interstitial inflammation are central pathological characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI). Pyroptosis acts as a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death and is mainly dependent on activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Previous studies revealed that acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) promotes inflammation during metabolic stress suggesting that ACSS2 might regulate pyroptosis and inflammatory responses of RTECs in AKI.

Methods and results
The expression of ACSS2 was found to be significantly increased in the renal epithelial cells of mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI. Pharmacological and genetic strategies demonstrated that ACSS2 regulated NLRP3-mediated caspase-1 activation and pyroptosis through the stimulation of the KLF5/NF-κB pathway in RTECs. The deletion of ACSS2 attenuated renal tubular pathological injury and inflammatory cell infiltration in an LPS-induced mouse model, and ACSS2-deficient mice displayed impaired NLRP3 activation-mediated pyroptosis and decreased IL-1β production in response to the LPS challenge. In HK-2 cells, ACSS2 deficiency suppressed NLRP3-mediated caspase-1 activation and pyroptosis through the downregulation of the KLF5/NF-κB pathway. The KLF5 inhibitor ML264 suppressed NF-κB activity and NLRP3-mediated caspase-1 activation, thus protecting HK-2 cells from LPS-induced pyroptosis.

Conclusion
Our results suggested that ACSS2 regulates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis by inducing the KLF5/NF-κB pathway in RTECs. These results identified ACSS2 as a potential therapeutic target in AKI.

Graphical Abstract

We found that the expression of ACSS2 was significantly increased in RTECs in septic AKI. ACSS2-deficient mice displayed resistance to renal damage in this model. ACSS2 regulated NLRP3-mediated caspase-1 activation and pyroptosis through the KLF5/NF-κB pathway in RTECs. Pharmacological inhibition of KLF5 suppressed NLRP3 activation and caspase-1 cleavage by downregulating of NF-κB. Our results suggest that ACSS2 is a pro-pathogenic mediator of cell pyroptosis of RTECs and renal inflammation in sepsis-induced AKI.
Epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 by vaccination status: a multicenter historical cohort study
Authors: Alshanqeeti Shatha , Szpunar Susan , Anne Premchand , Saravolatz Louis , Bhargava Ashish 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction
COVID-19 disease resulted in over six million deaths worldwide. Although vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated efficacy, breakthrough infections became increasingly common. There is still a lack of data regarding the severity and outcomes of COVID-19 among vaccinated compared to unvaccinated individuals.

Methods
This was a historical cohort study of adult COVID-19 patients hospitalized in five Ascension hospitals in southeast Michigan. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Vaccine information was collected from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test, analysis of variance, the chi-squared test, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multivariable logistic regression.

Results
Of 341 patients, the mean age was 57.9 ± 18.3 years, 54.8% (187/341) were female, and 48.7% (166/341) were black/African American. Most patients were unvaccinated, 65.7%, 8.5%, and 25.8% receiving one dose or at least two doses, respectively. Unvaccinated patients were younger than fully vaccinated (p = 0.001) and were more likely to be black/African American (p = 0.002). Fully vaccinated patients were 5.3 times less likely to have severe/critical disease (WHO classification) than unvaccinated patients (p < 0.001) after controlling for age, BMI, race, home steroid use, and serum albumin levels on admission. The case fatality rate in fully vaccinated patients was 3.4% compared to 17.9% in unvaccinated patients (p = 0.003). Unvaccinated patients also had higher rates of complications.

Conclusions
Patients who were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated had more in-hospital complications, severe disease, and death as compared to fully vaccinated patients. Factors associated with severe COVID-19 disease included advanced age, obesity, low serum albumin, and home steroid use.
The development of working alliance in early stages of care from the perspective of patients attending a chiropractic teaching clinic
Authors: Ivanova Dima , Newell Dave , Field Jonathan , Bishop Felicity L. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The clinician-patient relationship has consistently been found to predict treatment success in both physical and mental health settings. This relationship has been operationalised in the literature as “Working Alliance,” which consists of three key components: patient-clinician agreement on the goals of care, agreement on the tasks required to achieve those goals, and the establishment of a strong bond. While research has demonstrated the impact of working alliance in physical health settings, it often measures working alliance early in patients’ care journeys. However, no primary research has investigated how early working alliance develops between patients and chiropractors. Evidence suggests that musculoskeletal practitioners may require further training to feel confident in establishing working alliance. Therefore, this study aims to explore the development of working alliance in the early stages of chiropractic care from the patients’ perspective to inform evidence-based practice.

Methods
Participants for this qualitative study were recruited from a teaching clinic at a specialised healthcare professions training university in the United Kingdom between September 2022 and April 2023. A total of 25 adult patients completed semi-structured interviews during the early stages of their care. The interview transcripts were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, from a critical realist stance.

Results
The findings highlight that an early working alliance entails the gradual development of patients’ confidence in their decision to seek help from trainee chiropractors to alleviate their symptoms. The four themes describe the impact of the clinical context on patients’ expectations, the trainee chiropractors’ qualities that participants considered important for early working alliance, the role of explanations, and the interplay between pain and early working alliance.

Conclusions
Establishing an early trainee chiropractor-patient working alliance involves a process of building patients’ confidence in the trainee chiropractors’ expertise, identifying the correct goals of care, and recognising the value of the proposed treatment plan. Factors shaping this process include the context of the care journey, patients’ perceptions of trainee chiropractors’ qualities, their bodily sensations, their expectations, their past experiences, and their satisfaction with trainee chiropractors’ explanations.
Valvar bypass surgery to ameliorate persistent lower limb edema caused by post-thrombotic syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Yanyang , Zhao Liang , Zhang Jie , Du Yali , Chen Jianfeng , Wu Yingfeng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObstruction and/or reflux compromise during venous emptying can facilitate different pathophysiologies in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). We present a patient with persistent lower limb CVI edema caused by post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), who responded well to femoral vein valve therapy via axillary vein bypass after unsuccessful valvuloplasty, and led a normal life. During a 12 month observation period, bridging vessels completely restored original anatomical structures. In a literature study, no similar surgeries were reported, but we show that this operation may be feasible in selected patients.
Humanistic burden of pediatric type 1 diabetes on children and informal caregivers: systematic literature reviews
Authors: Allen Veleka , Mahieu Aymeric , Kasireddy Ellen , Shouman Walid , Pourrahmat Mir-Masoud , Collet Jean-Paul , Cherkas Andriy 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Diagnosis of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) imposes an unprecedented burden on children and their caregivers.

Objective
To assess the burden of T1D on children and their informal caregivers, both after a recent diagnosis or after a longer duration of disease.

Methods
A series of systematic literature reviews were performed to explore the burden of T1D on children with the disease and their primary informal caregivers, based on the time of diagnosis. After the extraction of the qualitative and quantitative data from the included studies, two literature-based conceptual frameworks were developed: on the burden of pediatric T1D on children, and on informal caregivers. A third conceptual framework on the shared burden of pediatric T1D on both children and informal caregivers as part of the same family unit was also developed.

Results
The review of literature has identified a series of factors that affect the quality of life of children with T1D and their informal caregivers, with a direct impact on physical, emotional, and social outcomes. Generally, female patients and older adolescents experience more worry and stress that affects their quality of life. Other categories of factors affecting the child’s and caregiver’s burden include social, emotional, and physical factors, treatment-related and disease-related factors, as well as their coping abilities. Anxiety, depression, stress, and worry were commonly found among children and caregivers, starting with the diagnosis of T1D and continuing over time in relation to new challenges pertaining to aging or the disease duration.

Conclusion
T1D causes a significant burden to affected children and their caregivers, both independently and through transactional interaction within the family unit. Disease burden can be reduced by strengthening individuals for the benefit of the whole family.
Insurance barriers and inequalities in health care access: evidence from dual practice
Authors: Goetjes Eva , Blankart Katharina E. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
We investigate access disparities in pharmaceutical care among German patients with type 2 diabetes, focusing on differences between public and private health insurance schemes. The primary objectives include investigating whether patients with private health insurance experience enhanced access to antidiabetic care and analyzing whether the treatment received by public and private patients is influenced by the practice composition, particularly the proportion of private patients.

Methods
We estimate fixed effect regression models, to isolate the effect of insurance schemes on treatment choices. We utilize data from a prescriber panel comprising 681 physicians collectively serving 68,362 patients undergoing antidiabetic treatments.

Results
The analysis reveals a significant effect of the patient's insurance status on antidiabetic care access. Patients covered by private insurance show a 10-percentage-point higher likelihood of receiving less complex treatments compared to those with public insurance. Furthermore, the composition of physicians' practices plays a crucial role in determining the likelihood of patients receiving less complex treatments. Notably, the most pronounced disparities in access are observed in practices mirroring the regional average composition.

Conclusions
Our findings underscore strategic physician navigation across diverse health insurance schemes in ambulatory care settings, impacting patient access to innovative treatments.
AIoT-driven multi-source sensor emission monitoring and forecasting using multi-source sensor integration with reduced noise series decomposition
Authors: Bhatti Mughair Aslam , Song Zhiyao , Bhatti Uzair Aslam , M. S Syam 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe integration of multi-source sensors based AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) technologies into air quality measurement and forecasting is becoming increasingly critical in the fields of sustainable and smart environmental design, urban development, and pollution control. This study focuses on enhancing the prediction of emission, with a special emphasis on pollutants, utilizing advanced deep learning (DL) techniques. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks have shown promise in predicting air quality trends in time series data. However, challenges persist due to the unpredictability of air quality data and the scarcity of long-term historical data for training. To address these challenges, this study introduces the AIoT-enhanced EEMD-CEEMDAN-GCN model. This innovative approach involves decomposing the input signal using EEMD (Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition) and CEEMDAN (Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise) to extract intrinsic mode functions. These functions are then processed through a GCN (Graph Convolutional Network) model, enabling precise prediction of air quality trends. The model’s effectiveness is validated using air pollution datasets from four provinces in China, demonstrating its superiority over various deep learning models (GCN, EMD-GCN) and series decomposition models (EEMD-GCN, CEEMDAN-GCN). It achieves higher accuracy and better data fitting, outperforming other models in key metrics such as MAE (Mean Absolute Error), MSE (Mean Squared Error), MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error), and R2 (Coefficient of Determination). The implementation of this AIoT-enhanced model in air pollution prediction allows decision-makers to more accurately anticipate changes in air quality, particularly concerning carbon emissions. This facilitates more effective planning of mitigation measures, improvement of public health, and optimization of resource allocation. Moreover, the model adeptly addresses the complexities of air quality data, contributing significantly to enhanced monitoring and management strategies in the context of sustainable urban development and environmental conservation.
Serine synthesis and catabolism in starved lung cancer and primary bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Haitzmann Theresa , Schindlmaier Katharina , Frech Tobias , Mondal Ayusi , Bubalo Visnja , Konrad Barbara , Bluemel Gabriele , Stiegler Philipp , Lackner Stefanie , Hrzenjak Andelko , Eichmann Thomas , Köfeler Harald C. , Leithner Katharina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSerine and glycine give rise to important building blocks in proliferating cells. Both amino acids are either synthesized de novo or taken up from the extracellular space. In lung cancer, serine synthesis gene expression is variable, yet, expression of the initial enzyme, phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), was found to be associated with poor prognosis. While the contribution of de novo synthesis to serine pools has been shown to be enhanced by serine starvation, the impact of glucose deprivation, a commonly found condition in solid cancers is poorly understood. Here, we utilized a stable isotopic tracing approach to assess serine and glycine de novo synthesis and uptake in different lung cancer cell lines and normal bronchial epithelial cells in variable serine, glycine, and glucose conditions. Under low glucose supplementation (0.2 mM, 3–5% of normal plasma levels), serine de novo synthesis was maintained or even activated. As previously reported, also gluconeogenesis supplied carbons from glutamine to serine and glycine under these conditions. Unexpectedly, low glucose treatment consistently enhanced serine to glycine conversion, along with an up-regulation of the mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism enzymes, serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT2) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2). The relative contribution of de novo synthesis greatly increased in low serine/glycine conditions. In bronchial epithelial cells, adaptations occurred in a similar fashion as in cancer cells, but serine synthesis and serine to glycine conversion, as assessed by label enrichments and gene expression levels, were generally lower than in (PHGDH positive) cancer cells. In summary, we found a variable contribution of glucose or non-glucose carbon sources to serine and glycine and a high adaptability of the downstream one-carbon metabolism pathway to variable glucose supply.
Moral disengagement and empathy in cyberbullying: how they are related in reflection activities about a serious game
Authors: Mateus Francisco Sofia , Costa Ferreira Paula , Veiga Simão Ana Margarida , Salgado Pereira Nádia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCyberbullying is a complex phenomenon with multiple factors involved, both contextual and individual factors, such as moral disengagement and empathy. This study investigated how moral disengagement and empathy could be related, longitudinally in cyberbullying events. Specifically, two gamified tasks (one for empathy and other for moral disengagement) were analyzed. These tasks were developed attending to the specificities of the cyberbullying scenarios presented in a serious game. To accomplish this goal, data from gamified tasks (N = 208), from 4 different moments, were analyzed through multilevel linear modeling. Results suggested that there was a change in adolescents’ moral disengagement over time. Participants with greater empathy revealed lower moral disengagement overall. Over time, adolescents with greater empathy revealed lower moral disengagement within their own growth rate. Overall, our results provide important information about the dynamic relationship between moral disengagement, empathy and cyberbullying, which informs future studies and interventions.
Assessment of the axial resolution of a compact gamma camera with coded aperture collimator
Authors: Meißner Tobias , Cerbone Laura Antonia , Russo Paolo , Nahm Werner , Hesser Jürgen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Handheld gamma cameras with coded aperture collimators are under investigation for intraoperative imaging in nuclear medicine. Coded apertures are a promising collimation technique for applications such as lymph node localization due to their high sensitivity and the possibility of 3D imaging. We evaluated the axial resolution and computational performance of two reconstruction methods.

Methods
An experimental gamma camera was set up consisting of the pixelated semiconductor detector Timepix3 and MURA mask of rank 31 with round holes of 0.08 mm in diameter in a 0.11 mm thick Tungsten sheet. A set of measurements was taken where a point-like gamma source was placed centrally at 21 different positions within the range of 12–100 mm. For each source position, the detector image was reconstructed in 0.5 mm steps around the true source position, resulting in an image stack. The axial resolution was assessed by the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) profile along the z-axis of the stack. Two reconstruction methods were compared: MURA Decoding and a 3D maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm (3D-MLEM).

Results
While taking 4400 times longer in computation, 3D-MLEM yielded a smaller axial FWHM and a higher CNR. The axial resolution degraded from 5.3 mm and 1.8 mm at 12 mm to 42.2 mm and 13.5 mm at 100 mm for MURA Decoding and 3D-MLEM respectively.

Conclusion
Our results show that the coded aperture enables the depth estimation of single point-like sources in the near field. Here, 3D-MLEM offered a better axial resolution but was computationally much slower than MURA Decoding, whose reconstruction time is compatible with real-time imaging.
No Panic in Pandemic: The Impact of Individual Choice on Public Health Policy
Authors: Bai Miao , Cui Ying , Kong Guangwen , Zhang Anthony Zhenhuan 
Published: March 2024

Problem definition: Public health interventions, such as social distancing and lockdown, play an important role in containing infectious disease outbreaks, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, these interventions could cause significant financial losses because of the disruption to regular socioeconomic activities. Moreover, an individual’s activity level is influenced not only by public health policies but also by one’s perception of the disease burden of infection. Strategic planning is required to optimize the timing and intensity of these public health interventions by considering individual responses. Methodology/results: We use the multinomial logit choice model to characterize individual reactions to the risk of infection and public health interventions and integrate it into a repeated Stackelberg game with the susceptible-infected-recovered disease transmission dynamics. We find that the individual equilibrium activity level is higher than the socially optimal activity level because of an individual’s ignorance of the negative externality imposed on others. As a result, implementing lockdown and social distancing policies at moderate disease prevalence may be equivalently critical, if not more, compared with their implementations when the disease prevalence is at its peak level. To verify these findings, we conduct numerical studies based on representative COVID-19 data in Minnesota. Managerial implications: Our results call for policymakers’ attention to consider the impact of individuals’ responses in the planning for different pandemic containment measures. Individuals’ responses in the pandemic may significantly affect the optimal implementation of lockdown and social distancing policies. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0514 .