bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitudes and practices in biosafety and biosecurity in medical biology laboratories in Togo, 2021
Authors: Halatoko Wemboo Afiwa , Sondou Essozimna , Sopoh Ghislain Emmanuel , Kassegne Amèwouga , Katawa Gnatoulma , Salou Mounerou , Karou Simplice Damintoti , Ouendo Edgard-Marius 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionFaced with the emergence of pandemics and the omnipresence of gaps in the process of controlling elements likely to impact the implementation of biosafety and biosecurity measures, the evaluation of the related determinants becomes an urgent necessity.MethodsThe subject addressed in this study was primarily aimed at exploring the current situation of knowledge, attitudes and practices of biosafety and biosecurity as well as the associated factors in medical biology laboratories in Togo in 2021. A cross-sectional study with an analytical focus among laboratory professionals was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Statistical tests were performed using Epi Info 7.2.3.0 (2019) and Stata 13 (2013) software.ResultsOf the 322 participants, 49.1% had good knowledge while 62.4% and 77.6% had good attitudes and practices respectively. In 23.4% (25/107) of the laboratories, the staff surveyed ate their meals in the manipulation room, of which 80.0% (20/25) were in the public sector. Although the results showed that respondents who had received prior training in this area had higher score on the knowledge component (p = 0.03), this intervention had no direct effect on the attitude (p = 0.91) or practice (p = 0.84) scores. Trained participants were significantly more likely to have good knowledge. Regional disparity was noted on the knowledge and practice components and several gaps were identified.DiscussionBiosafety and biosecurity remain a challenge in medical biology laboratories in Togo. Based on the gaps identified, training, substantial improvement of the working environment, and provision of resources to achieve optimal and sustainable biosafety and biosecurity practices in Togo are required.
Spatial network structure and influencing factors of carbon emission intensity in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao greater bay area
Authors: Wei Heng , Zheng Chaohui 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: In response to China’s ambitious dual-carbon goals, this study investigates the spatial correlation and influencing factors of carbon emission intensity within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great Bay Area (GBA), a region pivotal for the nation’s energy conservation and emission reduction efforts. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing the period from 2000 to 2020, this research aims to delineate the spatial dynamics of carbon emissions and identify actionable insights for regional low-carbon development.Methods: Utilizing an integrated methodology comprising spatial autocorrelation analysis, Social Network Analysis (SNA), and the Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP), the study analyzes carbon emission data alongside socio-economic variables. These methodologies allow for a nuanced exploration of the spatial correlation structure and the determination of factors influencing carbon emission intensity across the GBA.Results: Findings reveal a cyclical fluctuation in the spatial network of carbon emissions from 2000 to 2020, characterized by varying degrees of cohesion among cities, indicating significant opportunities for spatial optimization. A “core-periphery” pattern emerges, with economically robust cities such as Hong Kong and Macao at the core, and less developed cities like Huizhou and Jiangmen on the periphery. Cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen play crucial mediator roles. The QAP analysis further identifies six major influencing factors: geographic spatial proximity, economic development level, urbanization rate, industrial configuration, level of technological innovation, and environmental protection efforts, with the latter four having a markedly positive impact on spatial relevance.Discussion: The study’s insights underscore the importance of understanding the spatial dynamics of carbon emissions and the role of socioeconomic factors in shaping these patterns. For policymakers and stakeholders in the GBA, these findings highlight the necessity of targeted intervention strategies that consider both the unique position of cities within the spatial network and the broader socio-economic context. This approach can significantly contribute to achieving China’s dual-carbon objectives, promoting energy conservation, and facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Identification and functional analysis of lactic acid metabolism-related differentially expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Haiyan , Qian Fuchu , Bao Shengjie 
Published: April 2024

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rate that seriously threatens human health. We aimed to investigate the expression, prognostic value, and immune cell infiltration of lactic acid metabolism-related genes (LAMRGs) in HCC using bioinformatics.Methods: The HCC database (The Cancer Genome Atlas–Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma) was downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and tumor groups were identified. The LAMRGs were obtained from literature and GeneCards and MSigDB databases. Lactic acid metabolism-related differentially expressed genes (LAMRDEGs) in HCC were screened from the DEGs and LAMRGs. Functional enrichment analyses of the screened LAMRDEGs were further conducted using Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The genes were used in multivariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses to construct a prognostic model. Then, a protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING and CTD databases. Furthermore, the CIBERSORTx online database was used to assess the relationship between immune cell infiltration and hub genes.Results: Twenty-eight lactic acid metabolism-related differentially expressed genes (LAMRDEGs) were identified. The GO and KEGG analyses showed that the LAMRDEGs were related to the prognosis of HCC. The GSEA indicated that the LAMRDEGs were significantly enriched in tumor related pathways. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, 14 key genes (E2F1, SERPINE1, GYS2, SPP1, PCK1, CCNB1, CYP2C9, IGFBP3, KDM8, RCAN1, ALPL, FBP1, NQO1, and LCAT) were found to be independent prognostic factors of HCC. Finally, the LASSO and Cox regression analyses showed that six key genes (SERPINE1, SPP1, CCNB1, CYP2C9, NQO1, and LCAT) were associated with HCC prognosis. Moreover, the correlation analyses revealed that the expression of the six key genes were associated with immune infiltrates of HCC.Conclusion: The LAMRDEGs can predict the prognosis and may be associated with immune cells infiltration in patients with HCC. These genes might be the promising biomarkers for the prognosis and treatment of HCC.
Clinical and immunological comparison of COVID-19 disease between critical and non-critical courses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hedayati-Ch Mojtaba , Ebrahim-Saraie Hadi Sedigh , Bakhshi Arash 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionAcute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which appeared in 2019, has been classified as critical and non-critical according to clinical signs and symptoms. Critical patients require mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission, whereas non-critical patients require neither mechanical ventilation nor ICU admission. Several factors have been recently identified as effective factors, including blood cell count, enzymes, blood markers, and underlying diseases. By comparing blood markers, comorbidities, co-infections, and their relationship with mortality, we sought to determine differences between critical and non-critical groups.MethodWe used Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for our systematic search. Inclusion criteria include any report describing the clinical course of COVID-19 patients and showing the association of the COVID-19 clinical courses with blood cells, blood markers, and bacterial co-infection changes. Twenty-one publications were eligible for full-text examination between 2019 to 2021.ResultThe standard difference in WBC, lymphocyte, and platelet between the two clinical groups was 0.538, -0.670, and -0.421, respectively. Also, the standard difference between the two clinical groups of CRP, ALT, and AST was 0.482, 0.402, and 0.463, respectively. The odds ratios for hypertension and diabetes were significantly different between the two groups. The prevalence of co-infection also in the critical group is higher.ConclusionIn conclusion, our data suggest that critical patients suffer from a suppressed immune system, and the inflammation level, the risk of organ damage, and co-infections are significantly high in the critical group and suggests the use of bacteriostatic instead of bactericides to treat co-infections.
Analysis of microbial community evolution, autolysis phenomena, and energy metabolism pathways in Pholiota nameko endophytes
Authors: Zhao Huan , He Yan , Wang Yichu , He Xiaolong , Zhao Ruihua , Liu Bo 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPholiota nameko is a widely consumed edible fungus. This study focuses on two crucial developmental stages of Pholiota nameko, namely, mycelium and ascospores. The objectives of this research were to investigate changes in microbial diversity and community structure during the growth of Pholiota nameko and to analyze the adaptability of the dominant strains to their respective habitats through metabolic.MethodsSpecifically, we conducted second-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (Illumina) on samples obtained from these stages. In addition, we isolated and characterized endophytes present in Pholiota nameko, focusing on examining the impact of dominant endophyte genera on autolysis. We also conducted a metabolic pathway analysis.Results and discussionThe results unveiled 578,414 valid sequences of Pholiota nameko endophytic fungi. At the phylum level, the dominant taxa were Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, Zoopagomycota, and Mucoromycota. At the genus level, the dominant taxa observed were Pholiota, Inocybe, Fusarium, and Hortiboletus. For endophytic bacteria, we obtained 458,475 valid sequences. The dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, TM6, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, while the dominant genera were Edaphobacter, Xanthomonas, Burkholderia, and Pseudomonas. Moreover, we identified the isolated strains in Pholiota nameko using 16S rDNA, and most of them were found to belong to the genus Pseudomonas, with Pseudomonas putida being the most prevalent strain. The findings revealed that the Pseudomonas putida strain has the ability to slow down the breakdown of soluble proteins and partially suppress the metabolic processes that generate superoxide anion radicals in Pholiota nameko, thereby reducing autolysis. Additionally, our results demonstrated that molybdenum enzyme-mediated anaerobic oxidative phosphorylation reactions were the primary energy metabolism pathway in the Pseudomonas putida strain. This suggests that the molybdenum cofactor synthesis pathway might be the main mechanism through which Pholiota nameko adapts to its complex and diverse habitats.
Preventive effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 against uric acid accumulation and renal damages
Authors: Zhang Xingting , Jiang Junliang , Xin Jinge , Sun Ning , Zhao Zhifang , Gan Baoxing , Jiang Yi , Gong Xuemei , Li Hao , Ma Hailin , Ni Xueqin , Chen Yu , Bai Yang , Wang Hesong 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHyperuricemia (HUA) is a prevalent metabolic disorder whose development is associated with intestinal microbiota. Therefore, probiotics have emerged as a potential and safe approach for lowering uric acid (UA) levels. However, the underlying mechanisms of many effective probiotic strains remain unknown.Methods and resultsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: control and model groups. The model group received 12 weeks of potassium oxonate. Through 16s sequencing we found that HUA resulted in a significant decrease in the total diversity of all intestinal segments. When each intestinal segment was analyzed individually, the reduction in diversity was only significant in the cecum and colon sections. RDA analysis showed that lactobacilli in the rat colon exhibited a strong correlation with model group, suggesting that Lactobacillus may play an important role in HUA. Consequently, the preventive effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 against HUA were investigated. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: control, model and YH1136 groups. The results showed that administering Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 effectively reduced serum UA levels in vivo by inhibiting hepatic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity and promoting renal ABCG2 transporter expression. Moreover, supplementation with Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 significantly ameliorated pathological damage in the kidney and liver, thereby reducing UA accumulation.ConclusionHyperuricemia is accompanied by an altered composition of multiple gut bacteria, of which Lactobacillus is a key genus. Lactobacillus johnsonii YH1136 may ameliorate renal involvement in HUA via the gut-kidney axis.
Automatic segmentation of hemorrhagic transformation on follow-up non-contrast CT after acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sun Jiacheng , Werdiger Freda , Blair Christopher , Chen Chushuang , Yang Qing , Bivard Andrew , Lin Longting , Parsons Mark 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHemorrhagic transformation (HT) following reperfusion therapies is a serious complication for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Segmentation and quantification of hemorrhage provides critical insights into patients’ condition and aids in prognosis. This study aims to automatically segment hemorrhagic regions on follow-up non-contrast head CT (NCCT) for stroke patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).MethodsPatient data were collected from 10 stroke centers across two countries. We propose a semi-automated approach with adaptive thresholding methods, eliminating the need for extensive training data and reducing computational demands. We used Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient (Lin’s CCC) to evaluate the performance of the algorithm.ResultsA total of 51 patients were included, with 28 Type 2 hemorrhagic infarction (HI2) cases and 23 parenchymal hematoma (PH) cases. The algorithm achieved a mean DSC of 0.66 ± 0.17. Notably, performance was superior for PH cases (mean DSC of 0.73 ± 0.14) compared to HI2 cases (mean DSC of 0.61 ± 0.18). Lin’s CCC was 0.88 (95% CI 0.79–0.93), indicating a strong agreement between the algorithm’s results and the ground truth. In addition, the algorithm demonstrated excellent processing time, with an average of 2.7 s for each patient case.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to perform automated segmentation of post-treatment hemorrhage for acute stroke patients and evaluate the performance based on the radiological severity of HT. This rapid and effective tool has the potential to assist with predicting prognosis in stroke patients with HT after EVT.
Case report: An ultrasound-based approach as an easy tool to evaluate hormone receptor-positive HER-2-negative breast cancer in advanced/metastatic settings: preliminary data of the Plus-ENDO study
Authors: Montella Liliana , Di Marino Luigi , Marino Maria Adele , Riccio Vittorio , Del Gaudio Nunzio , Altucci Lucia , Berretta Massimiliano , Facchini Gaetano 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHormone receptor-positive tumors are unlikely to exhibit a complete pathological tumor response. The association of CDK 4/6 inhibitor plus hormone therapy has changed this perspective.Case presentationIn this study, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with a diagnosis of luminal A/B advanced/metastatic tumors treated with a CDK 4/6 inhibitor-based therapy. In this part of the study, we present clinical and ultrasound evaluation. Eight female patients were considered eligible for the study aims. Three complete and five partial responses were reported, including a clinical tumor response of 50% or more in five out of nine assessed lesions (55%). All patients showed a response on ultrasound. The mean lesion size measured by ultrasound was 27.1 ± 15.02 mm (range, 6–47 mm) at the baseline; 16.08 ± 14.6 mm (range, 0–40 mm) after 4 months (T1); and 11.7 ± 12.9 mm (range, 0–30 mm) at the 6 months follow-up (T2). Two patients underwent surgery. The radiological complete response found confirmation in a pathological complete response, while the partial response matched a moderate residual disease.ConclusionThe evaluation of breast cancer by ultrasound is basically informative of response and may be an easy and practical tool to monitor advanced tumors, especially in advanced/unfit patients who are reluctant to invasive exams.
Totally implantable venous ports in infants and children: a single-center retrospective study of indications and safety
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Moryciński Sebastian , Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska Danuta , Michalik Karolina , Madziar Klaudyna , Kukfisz Agata , Zielińska Daria , Mańkowski Przemysław 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionTotally Implantable Venous Access Devices (TIVADs) contribute significantly to the treatment progress and comfort of patients requiring long-term therapy. However, the procedure for implanting TIVADs, as well as its very presence, may be associated with complications.AimThis study evaluates the indications, safety, and complication rates of venous port implantations in pediatric patients. It also explores factors influencing the occurrence of early and late complications post-implantation.Materials and methodsThe study included 383 pediatric patients treated at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, and Urology in Poznan between 2013 and 2020 who underwent 474 implantations of intravenous ports. Venous access was achieved using the Seldinger technique. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13 with TIBCO and PQStat 1.8.2.156 with PQStat.ResultsVenous ports were used in 345 oncology patients requiring chemotherapy (90% of the total group) and in 38 children (10%) with non-oncology indications. There were 36 early complications (7.6%) and 18 late complications (3.8%), excluding infectious complications. The most common early, non-infectious complications included pneumothorax (15 patients; 3%) and port pocket hematoma (12 patients; 2.5%). The most common late, non-infectious complications observed were venous catheter obstruction (8 children; 1.7%) and port system leakage (5 children; 1%). Infectious complications occurred in 129 cases (27.2%). Children with a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia had a significantly higher incidence of port infections. Venous ports equipped with a polyurethane catheter, compared to systems with a silicone catheter, functioned significantly shorter.ConclusionsThe Seldinger method of port implantation is quick, minimally invasive, and safe. The type of port, including the material of the port’s venous catheter, and the underlying disease have an impact on the durability of implantable intravenous systems. The experience of the surgeon is related to the frequency of complications associated with the procedure.
Role of social support in the relationship between resilience and sleep quality among cancer patients
Authors: Cui ChunYing , Wang Lie 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe present study aimed to investigate the effect of resilience on sleep quality and explore the role of social support between resilience and sleep quality in cancer patients.MethodsA multicenter and cross-sectional study was conducted in China from May to November 2021. A total of 202 cancer patients were recruited to complete the questionnaires composed of demographic information, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14), and Multidimensions Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The associations between resilience, social support, and sleep quality were explored through hierarchical regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of poor sleep quality was 50% among cancer patients. Resilience, social support, and the interaction between resilience and social support were all found to be significantly associated with sleep quality. Results of simple slope analysis indicated that the association between resilience and sleep quality were gradually decreased with the increasing social support levels (1 SD below the mean, B=-0.225, β=-0.551, P&lt;0.001), mean social support (B=-0.147, β=-0.353, P&lt;0.001) and high social support (1 SD above the mean, B=-0.065, β=-0.156, P&lt;0.001). Additionally, social support mediated the effect of resilience on sleep quality among cancer patients.DiscussionPoor sleep quality has been common in cancer patients. Social support could mediate and alleviate the relationship between resilience and sleep quality among cancer patients. Besides providing sufficient social support, interventions based on resilience should be applied to address sleep problems in cancer patients.
A systematic review of economic evaluations of pharmacological treatments for active tuberculosis
Authors: Nagar Sarosh , Nicholls David , Dawoud Dalia 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesThe continuing spread of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, especially drug-resistant TB, poses a major challenge to healthcare systems globally. Addressing this requires appraising the cost effectiveness of existing pharmacological interventions against TB to identify key drivers of cost effectiveness and value and guide pharmaceutical innovation and novel drug regimen development.MethodsStudies were identified from a search of six database: MEDLINE MEDLINE-In Process, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Econlit in July 2022. Two reviewers independently assessed all identified studies and reports using pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study methodological quality was assessed, data were extracted in standard tables, and results were narratively synthesized.ResultsOverall, 991 studies and 53 HTA reports were identified with 20 studies and 3 HTA reports meeting the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of the 20 studies identified 4 with minor limitations, while the remainder were assessed as having potentially or very serious limitations. Sixteen studies conducted cost-utility analyses, 6 conducted cost-effectiveness analyses, and 2 conducted cost-comparison analyses with some studies performing multiple analyses. The majority (n = 16) were model-based. Eleven studies analyzed the cost-effectiveness of bedaquiline, 6 compared shorter to longer/standard duration regimens, 2 assessed ethambutol, and 1 assessed delamanid. Key drivers of cost effectiveness were drug costs, the number of TB cases, the portion of cases with sputum culture conversion, treatment delivery costs, and treatment efficacy. Common value elements considered included adverse events, drug resistance, and improving treatment adherence.ConclusionOur results suggest that out of the pharmacological treatments assessed, bedaquiline is likely a cost-effective addition to existing treatment regimens/background treatment regimens, while ethambutol is not likely to be. Newer shorter regimens, even if more costly, seem to be more cost-effective compared to longer regimens. These results illustrate the limited number of novel cost-effective pharmacological interventions and highlight a need to develop new drugs/regimens against TB to overcome resistance, taking into account the key drivers of cost effectiveness and other value attributes identified from this review.