bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Double pituitary adenomas: report of two cases and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Zhang Yi , Gong Xinyue , Pu Jun , Liu Jifang , Ye Zhang , Zhu Huijuan , Lu Lin , Pan Hui , Deng Kan , Yao Yong 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveDouble pituitary adenomas (DPA) are a rare clinical condition, and our knowledge of them is limited. Missing the second lesion leading to incomplete biochemical remission after surgery is an important challenge in DPA management. This study aims to analyze independent prognostic factors in DPA patients and summarize clinical experiences to prevent surgical failure.MethodsTwo cases of DPA patients with Cushing’s disease diagnosed and surgically treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital are reported. A literature review was performed on the online database Pubmed, and 57 DPA patients from 22 retrieved articles were included. Demographic characteristics, endocrine manifestations, diagnostic methods, tumor size, and immunohistochemical features of 59 patients were analyzed. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify independent prognostic factors affecting postoperative biochemical remission.ResultsAmong 59 DPA patients, the mean ± SD age was 43.64 ± 14.42 years, with 61.02% being female (n = 36). The most common endocrine manifestations were Cushing’s syndrome (23/59, 38.98%) and acromegaly (20/59, 33.90%). The most prevalent immunohistochemical types were ACTH-immunopositive (31/118, 26.27%) and GH-immunopositive (31/118, 26.27%) tumors. Microadenomas (&lt;1cm) were the most frequent in terms of tumor size (62/92, 67.39%). The detection rate for double lesions on 3.0T MRI was 50.00% (14/28), which significantly higher than 1.5T MRI (P = 0.034). Univariate analysis revealed that female, Cushing’s syndrome and only single lesion detected by surgical exploration were associated with significantly worse prognosis (P&lt;0.05). Multivariate analysis identified double lesion detected by surgical exploration (OR = 0.08, P = 0.003) and contiguous type tumor (OR = 0.06, P = 0.017) as independent protective factors for DPA patients.ConclusionsThe double lesion detected by surgical exploration is independently associated with a better prognosis for DPA patients. Comprehensive intraoperative exploration are crucial measures to avoid missing causative lesions.
Experimental trials of predicted CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes of respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Qousain Naqvi Syeda Tahira , Muhammad Syed Aun , Guo Jinlei , Zafar Sidra , Ali Amjad , Anderson Larry J. , Rostad Christina A. , Bai Baogang 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in young children around the world and an important cause of LRTI in the elderly. The available treatments and FDA-approved vaccines for RSV only lessen the severity of the infection and are recommended for infants and elderly people.MethodsWe focused on developing a broad-spectrum vaccine that activates the immune system to directly combat RSV. The objective of this study is to identify CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes using an immunoinformatics approach to develop RSV vaccines. The efficacy of these peptides was validated through in-vitro and in-vivo studies involving healthy and diseased animal models. ResultsFor each major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I and II, we found three epitopes of RSV proteins including F, G, and SH with an antigenic score of &gt;0.5 and a projected SVM score of &lt;5. Experimental validation of these peptides on female BALB/c mice was conducted before and after infection with the RSV A2 line 19f. We found that the 3RVMHCI (CD8+) epitope of the F protein showed significant results of white blood cells (19.72 × 103 cells/μl), neutrophils (6.01 × 103 cells/μl), lymphocytes (12.98 × 103 cells/μl), IgG antibodies (36.9 µg/ml), IFN-γ (86.96 ng/L), and granzyme B (691.35 pg/ml) compared to control at the second booster dose of 10 µg. Similarly, 4RVMHCII (CD4+) of the F protein substantially induced white blood cells (27.08 × 103 cells/μl), neutrophils (6.58 × 103 cells/μl), lymphocytes (16.64 × 103 cells/μl), IgG antibodies (46.13 µg/ml), IFN-γ (96.45 ng/L), and granzyme B (675.09 pg/ml). In-vitro studies showed that 4RVMHCII produced a significant level of antibodies in sera on day 45 comparable to mice infected with the virus. 4RVMHCII also induced high IFN-γ and IL-2 secretions on the fourth day of the challenge compared to the preinfectional stage.ConclusionIn conclusion, epitopes of the F protein showed considerable immune response and are suitable for further validation.
Single-cell RNA-seq reveals T cell exhaustion and immune response landscape in osteosarcoma
Authors: Fan Qizhi , Wang Yiyan , Cheng Jun , Pan Boyu , Zang Xiaofang , Liu Renfeng , Deng Youwen 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundT cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated as a substantial contributor to tumor immunosuppression and progression. However, the correlation between T cell exhaustion and osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear.MethodsIn our present study, single-cell RNA-seq data for OS from the GEO database was analysed to identify CD8+ T cells and discern CD8+ T cell subsets objectively. Subgroup differentiation trajectory was then used to pinpoint genes altered in response to T cell exhaustion. Subsequently, six machine learning algorithms were applied to develop a prognostic model linked with T cell exhaustion. This model was subsequently validated in the TARGETs and Meta cohorts. Finally, we examined disparities in immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, immune-related pathways, and the efficacy of immunotherapy between high and low TEX score groups.ResultsThe findings unveiled differential exhaustion in CD8+ T cells within the OS microenvironment. Three genes related to T cell exhaustion (RAD23A, SAC3D1, PSIP1) were identified and employed to formulate a T cell exhaustion model. This model exhibited robust predictive capabilities for OS prognosis, with patients in the low TEX score group demonstrating a more favorable prognosis, increased immune cell infiltration, and heightened responsiveness to treatment compared to those in the high TEX score group.ConclusionIn summary, our research elucidates the role of T cell exhaustion in the immunotherapy and progression of OS, the prognostic model constructed based on T cell exhaustion-related genes holds promise as a potential method for prognostication in the management and treatment of OS patients.
Welding robot automation technology based on digital twin
Authors: Kang Yuhui , Chen Rongshang 
Published: April 2024

In the era of intelligence and automation, robots play a significant role in the field of automated welding, enhancing efficiency and precision. However, challenges persist in scenarios demanding complexity and higher precision, such as low welding planning efficiency and inaccurate weld seam defect detection. Therefore, based on digital twin technology and kernel correlation filtering algorithm, a welding tracking model is proposed. Firstly, the kernel correlation filtering algorithm is used to train the filter on the first frame of the collected image, determine the position of image features in the region, extract histogram features of image blocks, and then train the filter using ridge regression to achieve welding trajectory tracking. Additionally, an intelligent weld seam detection model is introduced, employing a backbone feature network for feature extraction, feature fusion through a feature pyramid, and quality detection of weld seams through head classification. During testing of the tracking model, the maximum tracking error is −0.232 mm, with an average absolute tracking error of 0.08 mm, outperforming other models. Comparatively, in tracking accuracy, the proposed model exhibits the fastest convergence with a precision rate of 0.845, surpassing other models. In weld seam detection, the proposed model excels with a detection accuracy of 97.35% and minimal performance loss at 0.023. In weld seam quality and melt depth error detection, the proposed model achieves errors within the range of −0.06 mm, outperforming the other two models. These results highlight the outstanding detection capabilities of the proposed model. The research findings will serve as technical references for the development of automated welding robots and welding quality inspection.
Association between gut microbiota and gastric cancers: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chang Yuan , Gao Guanzhuang , Feng Cuncheng 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with its etiology attributed to a complex interplay of genetic, dietary, environmental factors, and infections such as Helicobacter pylori. Despite the known risk factors, the role of gut microbiota in the development of gastric cancer remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to elucidate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and gastric cancer using a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.MethodsUtilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from the MiBioGen consortium and gastric cancer datasets, we selected instrumental variables for MR analysis based on their association with specific microbiota. We employed several MR methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and others, to estimate the causal effects of gut microbiota diversity on the risk of developing gastric cancer.ResultsOur analysis identified significant associations between certain gut microbiota and gastric cancer risk. Specifically, taxa such as Clostridium sensustricto1 (OR = 0.540, 95%CI: 0.354–0.823, p = 0.004), Actinomycetales (OR = 0.756, 95%CI: 0.613–0.932, p = 0.009), Selenomonadales (OR = 0.816, 95%CI: 0.666–1.000, p &lt; 0.05), Negativicutes (OR = 0.816, 95%CI: 0.666–1.000, p &lt; 0.05), Rikenellaceae (OR = 0.863, 95%CI: 0.746–0.999, p = 0.048) were found to have a protective effect against gastric cancer. Conversely, an increased risk of gastric cancer was associated with the abundance of Roseburia (OR = 1.342, 95%CI: 1.071–1.681, p = 0.011), Family XI (OR = 1.132, 95%CI: 1.012–1.267, p = 0.030), and Eubacterium brachy group (OR = 1.207, 95%CI: 1.074–1.355, p = 0.002). The findings were robust across various MR methods and were not driven by any single SNP, indicating a genuine causal relationship.ConclusionOur studies have shown that there is a causal relationship between intestinal flora and gastric cancer at the genetic level. Clostridium sensustricto1, Actinomycetales, Rikenellaceae, Selenomonadales, Negativicutes, and Actinomycetaceae as having a protective role against GC, while Roseburia, Family XI, and Eubacterium brachy group were associated with an increased risk.
Hypothermia amongst neonatal admissions in Kenya: a retrospective cohort study assessing prevalence, trends, associated factors, and its relationship with all-cause neonatal mortality
Authors: Wainaina John , Ogero Morris , Mumelo Livingstone , Wairoto Kefa , Mbevi George , Tuti Timothy , Mwaniki Paul , Irimu Grace , English Mike , Aluvaala Jalemba ,   The Clinical Information Network Author Group
Published: April 2024

BackgroundReports on hypothermia from high-burden countries like Kenya amongst sick newborns often include few centers or relatively small sample sizes.ObjectivesThis study endeavored to describe: (i) the burden of hypothermia on admission across 21 newborn units in Kenya, (ii) any trend in prevalence of hypothermia over time, (iii) factors associated with hypothermia at admission, and (iv) hypothermia's association with inpatient neonatal mortality.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to March 2023, focusing on small and sick newborns admitted in 21 NBUs. The primary and secondary outcome measures were the prevalence of hypothermia at admission and mortality during the index admission, respectively. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between selected factors and the outcomes cold stress (36.0°C–36.4°C) and hypothermia (&lt;36.0°C). Factors associated with neonatal mortality, including hypothermia defined as body temperature below 36.0°C, were also explored using logistic regression.ResultsA total of 58,804 newborns from newborn units in 21 study hospitals were included in the analysis. Out of these, 47,999 (82%) had their admission temperature recorded and 8,391 (17.5%) had hypothermia. Hypothermia prevalence decreased over the study period while admission temperature documentation increased. Significant associations were found between low birthweight and very low (0–3) APGAR scores with hypothermia at admission. Odds of hypothermia reduced as ambient temperature and month of participation in the Clinical Information Network (a collaborative learning health platform for healthcare improvement) increased. Hypothermia at admission was associated with 35% (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.22, 1.50) increase in odds of neonatal inpatient death.ConclusionsA substantial proportion of newborns are admitted with hypothermia, indicating a breakdown in warm chain protocols after birth and intra-hospital transport that increases odds of mortality. Urgent implementation of rigorous warm chain protocols, particularly for low-birth-weight babies, is crucial to protect these vulnerable newborns from the detrimental effects of hypothermia.
Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses of the effects of bagging treatment on carotenoid biosynthesis and regulation of Areca catechu L.
Authors: Zheng Xin , Huang Liyun , Fan Benyi , Peng Chunlin , Iqbal Amjad , Zhang Yujie , Chen Hongman , Ye Jianqiu , Yang Yaodong 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionFresh Aareca nut fruit for fresh fruit chewing commonly found in green or dark green hues. Despite its economic significance, there is currently insufficient research on the study of color and luster of areca. And the areca nut fruits after bagging showed obvious color change from green to tender yellow. In the study, we tried to explain this interesting variation in exocarp color.MethodsFruits were bagged (with a double-layered black interior and yellow exterior) 45 days after pollination and subsequently harvested 120 days after pollination. In this study, we examined the the chlorophyll and carotenoid content of pericarp exocarp, integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics to study the effects of bagging on the carotenoid pathway at the molecular level.ResultsIt was found that the chlorophyll and carotenoid content of bagged areca nut (YP) exocarp was significantly reduced. A total of 21 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) and 1784 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by transcriptomics and metabolomics. Three key genes in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway as candidate genes for qPCR validation by co-analysis, which suggested their role in the regulation of pathways related to crtB, crtZ and CYP707A.DiscussionWe described that light intensity may appear as a main factor influencing the noted shift from green to yellow and the ensuing reduction in carotenoid content after bagging.
Numerosity comparison, cognitive strategies, and general cognitive functioning in older people
Authors: Słupczewski Jakub , Gut Małgorzata , Matulewski Jacek , Tarnowski Adam 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionStudies have shown age-related differences in numerical cognition, for example, in the level of numerosity comparison ability. Moreover, some studies point out individual differences in the cognitive strategies employed during the performance of numerosity comparison tasks and reveal that they are related to the aging process. One probable cause of these differences is the level of cognitive functioning. The aim of our study was to determine the relationships among numerosity comparison ability, the cognitive strategies utilized in the performance of numerosity comparison tasks and the general cognitive functioning in older people.MethodsForty-seven elderly people participated in the study. The participants were examined using overall cognitive functioning scales and computerized numerosity comparison task.ResultsThe results showed many correlations between the participants’ level of cognitive functioning and the percent of correct responses (PCR) and response time (RT) during numerosity comparison, as well as with the cognitive strategies applied by the participants. Task correctness was positively related to the level of performance in the attention and executive function tasks. In contrast, the long-term memory resources index and visuospatial skills level were negatively correlated with RT regarding numerosity comparison task performance. The level of long-term memory resources was also positively associated with the frequency of use of more complex cognitive strategies. Series of regression analyses showed that both the level of general cognitive functioning and the cognitive strategies employed by participants in numerosity comparison can explain 9–21 percent of the variance in the obtained results.DiscussionIn summary, these results showed significant relationships between the level of cognitive functioning and proficiency in numerosity comparison measured in older people. Moreover, it has been shown that cognitive resources level is related to the strategies utilized by older people, which indicates the potential application for cognitive strategy examinations in the development of new diagnostic tools.
Long-term care needs and hospitalization costs with long-term care insurance: a mixed-sectional study
Authors: Che Tiantian , Li Jia , Li Jun , Chen Xiaobo , Liao Zangyi 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundWith the rapid aging of the population, the health needs of the older adult have increased significantly, resulting in the frequent occurrence of the “social hospitalization” problem, which has led to a rapid increase in hospitalization costs. This study investigates whether the “social hospitalization problem” arising from the long-term care needs can be solved through the implementation of long-term care insurance, thereby improving the overall health of the older adults and controlling the unreasonable increase in hospitalization costs.MethodsThe entropy theory was used as a conceptual model, based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015 and 2018. The least-squares method was used to examine the relationship between long-term care needs and hospitalization costs, and the role that long-term care insurance implementation plays in its path of influence.ResultsThe results of this study indicated that long-term care needs would increase hospitalization cost, which remained stable after a series of tests, such as replacing the core explanatory variables and introducing fixed effects. Through the intermediary effect test and mediated adjustment effect test, we found the action path of long-term care needs on hospitalization costs. Long-term care needs increases hospitalization costs through more hospitalizations. Long-term care insurance reduces hospitalization costs. Its specific action path makes long-term care insurance reduce hospitalization costs through a negative adjustment of the number of hospitalizations.ConclusionTo achieve fair and sustainable development of long-term care insurance, the following points should be achieved: First, long-term care insurance should consider the prevention in advance and expand the scope of participation and coverage; Second, long-term care insurance should consider the control in the event and set moderate levels of treatment payments; Third, long-term care insurance should consider post-supervision and explore appropriate payment methods.
Understanding dynamics and overlapping epidemiologies of HIV, HSV-2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in sexual networks of men who have sex with men
Authors: Omori Ryosuke , Chemaitelly Hiam , Abu-Raddad Laith J. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionWe aimed to investigate the overlapping epidemiologies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in sexual networks of men who have sex with men (MSM), and to explore to what extent the epidemiology of one sexually transmitted infection (STI) relates to or differs from that of another STI.MethodsAn individual-based Monte Carlo simulation model was employed to simulate the concurrent transmission of STIs within diverse sexual networks of MSM. The model simulated sexual partnering, birth, death, and STI transmission within each specific sexual network. The model parameters were chosen based on the current knowledge and understanding of the natural history, transmission, and epidemiology of each considered STI. Associations were measured using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (SRCC) and maximal information coefficient (MIC).ResultsA total of 500 sexual networks were simulated by varying the mean and variance of the number of partners for both short-term and all partnerships, degree correlation, and clustering coefficient. HSV-2 had the highest current infection prevalence across the simulations, followed by HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Threshold and saturation effects emerged in the relationship between STIs across the simulated networks, and all STIs demonstrated moderate to strong associations. The strongest current infection prevalence association was between HIV and gonorrhea, with an SRCC of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.87) and an MIC of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.74–0.88). The weakest association was between HSV-2 and syphilis, with an SRCC of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.48–0.59) and an MIC of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.49–0.65). Gonorrhea exhibited the strongest associations with the other STIs while syphilis had the weakest associations. Across the simulated networks, proportions of the population with zero, one, two, three, four, and five concurrent STI infections were 48.6, 37.7, 11.1, 2.4, 0.3, and &lt; 0.1%, respectively. For lifetime exposure to these infections, these proportions were 13.6, 21.0, 22.9, 24.3, 13.4, and 4.8%, respectively.ConclusionSTI epidemiologies demonstrate substantial overlap and associations, alongside nuanced differences that shape a unique pattern for each STI. Gonorrhea exhibits an “intermediate STI epidemiology,” reflected by the highest average correlation coefficient with other STIs.