bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival and safety after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or upfront surgery for locally advanced colon cancer: meta-analysis
Authors: Aliseda Daniel , Arredondo Jorge , Sánchez-Justicia Carlos , Alvarellos Alicia , Rodríguez Javier , Matos Ignacio , Rotellar Fernando , Baixauli Jorge , Pastor Carlos 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is increasingly used to treat locally advanced (T3–4 Nx–2 M0) colon cancer due to its potential advantages over the standard approach of upfront surgery. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyse data from comparative studies to assess the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on oncological outcomes.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted by searching the MEDLINE and Scopus databases. The search encompassed RCTs, propensity score-matched studies, and controlled prospective studies published up to 1 April 2023. As a primary objective, overall survival and disease-free survival were compared. As a secondary objective, perioperative morbidity, mortality, and complete resection were compared using the DerSimonian and Laird models.

Results
A total of seven studies comprising a total of 2120 patients were included. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a reduction in the hazard of recurrence (HR 0.73, 95% c.i. 0.59 to 0.90; P = 0.003) and death (HR 0.67, 95% c.i. 0.54 to 0.83; P &lt; 0.001) compared with upfront surgery. Additionally, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with higher 5-year overall survival (79.9% versus 72.6%; P &lt; 0.001) and disease-free survival (73.1% versus 64.5%; P = 0.028) rates. No significant differences were observed in perioperative mortality (OR 0.97, 95% c.i. 0.28 to 3.33), overall complications (OR 0.95, 95% c.i. 0.77 to 1.16), or anastomotic leakage/intra-abdominal abscess (OR 0.88, 95% c.i. 0.60 to 1.29). However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a lower risk of incomplete resection (OR 0.70, 95% c.i. 0.49 to 0.99).

Conclusion
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with a reduced hazard of recurrence and death, as well as improved overall survival and disease-free survival rates, compared with upfront surgery in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.
Making the invisible visible: imaging techniques for assessing muscle mass and muscle quality in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Sabatino Alice , Sola Kristoffer Huitfeldt , Brismar Torkel B , Lindholm Bengt , Stenvinkel Peter , Avesani Carla Maria 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
Muscle wasting and low muscle mass are prominent features of protein energy wasting (PEW), sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition, muscle wasting is associated with low muscle strength, impaired muscle function and adverse clinical outcomes such as low quality of life, hospitalizations and increased mortality. While assessment of muscle mass is well justified, the assessment of skeletal muscle should go beyond quantity. Imaging techniques provide the means for non-invasive, comprehensive, in-depth assessment of the quality of the muscle such as the infiltration of ectopic fat. These techniques include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is also an imaging technique, but one that only provides quantitative and not qualitative data on muscle. The main advantage of imaging techniques compared with other methods such as bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry is that they offer higher precision and accuracy. On the other hand, the higher cost for acquiring and maintaining the imaging equipment, especially CT and MRI, makes these less-used options and available mostly for research purposes. In the field of CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), imaging techniques are gaining attention for evaluating muscle quantity and more recently muscle fat infiltration. This review describes the potential of these techniques in CKD and ESKD settings for muscle assessment beyond that of muscle quantity.
In-hospital prognosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients with recent recreational drug use
Authors: Clement Arthur , Dillinger Jean-Guillaume , Ramonatxo Arthur , Roule Vincent , Picard Fabien , Thevenet Eugenie , Swedzky Federico , Hauguel-Moreau Marie , Sulman David , Stevenard Mathilde , Amri Nabil , Martinez David , Maitre-Ballesteros Laura , Landemaine Thomas , Coppens Alexandre , Bouali Nabil , Guiraud-Chaumeil Paul , Gall Emmanuel , Lequipar Antoine , Henry Patrick , Pezel Theo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Aims
Although recreational drug use may induce ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), its prevalence in patients hospitalized in intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs), as well as its short-term cardiovascular consequences, remains unknown. We aimed to assess the in-hospital prognosis of STEMI in patients with recreational drug use from the ADDICT-ICCU study.

Methods and results
From 7–22 April 2021, recreational drug use was detected prospectively by a systematic urine multidrug test in all consecutive patients admitted for STEMI in 39 ICCUs across France. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined by death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or cardiogenic shock. Among the 325 patients (age 62 ± 13 years, 79% men), 41 (12.6%) had a positive multidrug test (cannabis: 11.1%, opioids: 4.6%, cocaine: 1.2%, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine: 0.6%). The prevalence increased to 34.0% in patients under 50 years of age. Recreational drug users were more frequently men (93% vs. 77%, p = 0.02), younger (50 ± 12 years vs. 63 ± 13 years, P &lt; 0.001), and more active smokers (78% vs. 34%, P &lt; 0.001). During hospitalization, 17 MACEs occurred (5.2%), including 6 deaths (1.8%), 10 cardiogenic shocks (3.1%), and 7 resuscitated cardiac arrests (2.2%). Major adverse cardiac events (17.1% vs. 3.5%, P &lt; 0.001) and ventricular arrhythmia (9.8% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.01) were more frequent in recreational drug users. Use of recreational drugs was associated with more MACEs after adjustment for comorbidities (odds ratio = 13.1; 95% confidence interval: 3.4–54.6).

Conclusion
In patients with STEMI, recreational drug use is prevalent, especially in patients under 50 years of age, and is independently associated with an increase of MACEs with more ventricular arrhythmia.

Trial registration
URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05063097.
A novel zinc-chelating compound has antifungal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including multidrug-resistant Candida auris
Authors: Shinohara Takayuki , Wada Akira , Abe Masahiro , Nakayama Nobuko , Nagi Minoru , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objectives
In recent years, the incidence of invasive fungal infections has increased, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Potential challenges in treating these infections with the few existing antifungal agents highlight the urgency of developing new ones. Here, we evaluated six alkyl polyamine compounds (APCs), not previously reported as antifungal drugs to our knowledge, that could deprive fungi of essential transition metals.

Methods
The APC with confirmed antifungal activity against Candida spp. was analysed by using transcriptomics, followed by metal-addition experiments, mass spectrometric analyses and intracellular zinc quantification with a fluorescent probe.

Results
A cyclic APC with three pyridylmethyl groups, APC6, had high antifungal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including MDR Candida auris. We conclusively demonstrated that APC6 was able to capture zinc within fungal cells. APC6 not only exhibited activity against C. auris as a single agent but also enhanced the efficacy of an azole antifungal agent, voriconazole, in vitro and in vivo. APC6 disrupted the biofilms formed by Candida species.

Conclusions
This zinc-chelating compound has potential as an antifungal agent, and the control of zinc levels in Candida species could be a powerful approach to treating drug-resistant candidiasis.
Multi-scale cortical bone traits vary in females and males from two mouse models of genetic diversity
Authors: Migotsky Nicole , Kumar Surabhi , Shuster John T , Coulombe Jennifer C , Senwar Bhavya , Gestos Adrian A , Farber Charles R , Ferguson Virginia L , Silva Matthew J 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of cortical bone traits can allow for the discovery of novel genes or biological pathways regulating bone health. Mice are the most widely used mammalian model for skeletal biology and allow for the quantification of traits that cannot easily be evaluated in humans, such as osteocyte lacunar morphology. The goal of our study was to investigate the effect of genetic diversity on multi-scale cortical bone traits of 3 long bones in skeletally-mature mice. We measured bone morphology, mechanical properties, material properties, lacunar morphology, and mineral composition of mouse bones from 2 populations of genetic diversity. Additionally, we compared how intrabone relationships varied in the 2 populations. Our first population of genetic diversity included 72 females and 72 males from the 8 inbred founder strains used to create the Diversity Outbred (DO) population. These 8 strains together span almost 90% of the genetic diversity found in mice (Mus musculus). Our second population of genetic diversity included 25 genetically unique, outbred females and 25 males from the DO population. We show that multi-scale cortical bone traits vary significantly with genetic background; heritability values range from 21% to 99% indicating genetic control of bone traits across length scales. We show for the first time that lacunar shape and number are highly heritable. Comparing the 2 populations of genetic diversity, we show that each DO mouse does not resemble a single inbred founder, but instead the outbred mice display hybrid phenotypes with the elimination of extreme values. Additionally, intrabone relationships (eg, ultimate force vs. cortical area) were mainly conserved in our 2 populations. Overall, this work supports future use of these genetically diverse populations to discover novel genes contributing to cortical bone traits, especially at the lacunar length scale.
Industrial defective chips detection using deep convolutional neural network with inverse feature matching mechanism
Authors: Ullah Waseem , Khan Samee Ullah , Kim Min Je , Hussain Altaf , Munsif Muhammad , Lee Mi Young , Seo Daeho , Baik Sung Wook 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The growing demand for high-quality industrial products has led to a significant emphasis on image anomaly detection (AD). AD in industrial goods presents a formidable research challenge that demands the application of sophisticated techniques to identify and address deviations from the expected norm accurately. Manufacturers increasingly recognize the significance of employing intelligent systems to detect flaws and defects in product parts. However, industrial settings pose several challenges: diverse categories, limited abnormal samples and vagueness. Hence, there is a growing demand for advanced image AD techniques within industrial product manufacturing. In this paper, an intelligent industrial defective chips detection framework is proposed which mainly consists of three core components. First, the convolutional features of the efficient backbone model is effectively utilized to balance the computational complexity and performance of industrial resource-constrained devices. Secondly, a novel inverse feature matching followed by masking method is proposed to enhance the explanability that localizes the abnormal regions of the abnormal chips. Finally, to evaluate our proposed method a comprehensive ablation study is conducted, where different machine learning and deep learning algorithms are analysed to claim the superiority of our method. Furthermore, to help the research community, a benchmark dataset is collected from real-world industry manufacturing for defective chip detection. The empirical results from the dataset demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of the proposed model compared to the other models.
Evaluating Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) for the reduction of fumonisin B1 levels in livestock feed
Authors: Paulk Ryan T , Abbas Hamed K , Rojas M Guadalupe , Morales-Ramos Juan , Busman Mark , Little Nathan , Shier W Thomas 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Mycotoxins that contaminate grain can cause the devaluation of agricultural products and create health risks for the consumer. Fumonisins are one such mycotoxin. Produced primarily by Fusarium verticillioides (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) (Nirenberg, 1976) on corn, fumonisins’ economic impact can be significant by causing various diseases in livestock if contaminated corn is not monitored and removed from animal feed. Finding safe alternatives to the destruction and waste of contaminated grain and restoring its economic value is needed for a sustainable future. Safe reintroduction into the farm food web may be possible through a consumable intermediary such as insects. This study demonstrates the suitability of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus L., as an alternative protein source in domestic animal feed by quantifying fumonisin B1 (FB1) levels in their subsequent insect meal and frass. Small colonies of 2nd instar A. domesticus were reared to 5th instar adults on nutrient-optimized corn-based diets treated with 4 levels of FB1 from 0 to 20 ppm. Increasing levels of FB1 had no adverse effects on the survivorship or growth of A. domesticus. Insect meals prepared from A. domesticus had significantly lower levels of FB1, at 3%–5% of their respective diets, while frass did not differ significantly from their diet. The successful rearing to adulthood of A. domesticus on fumonisin-contaminated diet paired with lower levels of FB1 in their processed insect meal supports the idea that more sustainable agricultural practices can be developed through remediation of low-value mycotoxin-contaminated grain with safer, higher-value insects as livestock feed components.
Round-up of China trade marks in 2023
Authors: Ferrante Michele 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
2023 was a challenging year globally, but China has continued to be attractive to foreign investors, due to its committment to the removal of restrictions on foreign investment and an emphasis on strengthening intellectual property laws so that they are favourable to right holders rather than infringers. The 2023 round-up focuses on the Draft 5th Amendment to the Trademark Law of China, which was published in January 2023. This article analyses the highlights of the Draft Amendment, which includes strengthened provisions relating to bad faith filings and an increased emphasis on the requirement that registered trademarks are actually used. The Draft, if implemented in full, will ensure that repeated filings of trademark applications will no longer be permitted, as well as providing greater protection for well-known marks and changes to procedural rules. The round-up will conclude that the Draft 5th Amendment will enhance the exisiting Trademark Law and further encourage brands to ionvest their business in China.
In vitro comparison of two food choice methodologies for necrophagous species of the genus Thanatophilus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Silphinae)
Authors: Kadlec Jakub , Jakubec Pavel , Šípek Petr 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
To accurately model the food webs, we need to acquire precise data on food ecology of the interacting species. This allows better understanding of the trophic interactions and for the necrophagous species this information could be used in medico-legal investigations. For this reason, we recently proposed standardized laboratory methodology to assess the foraging strategies based on parallel testing of 2 food items (meat, dead larvae) (Jakubec et al. 2021). The original methodology had 2 shortcomings. It was not suited for testing living larvae, which could prove predatory behavior of the species. The methodology was also based on parallel experimental design, where the food items are tested together, which could underestimate the maximum consumption of the tested subject for some items. To test if these concerns are valid, we improved original methodology allowing testing living larvae as well as a new sequential experimental setup, where consumption of each item is tested individually in a random order, thus theoretically giving an unbiased maximum consumption estimate. These methodologies were tested head-to-head on 3 forensically relevant species from the genus Thanatophilus (Thanatophilus micans (Fabricius 1794)(Fabricius 1794), Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Thanatophilus sinuatus(Fabricius, 1775)). The experiments have confirmed that all 3 species are almost strictly necrophagous, although they were capable of predation, despite the presence of preferred food (meat). The comparison also showed that the sequential design has indeed improved capability to quantify the maximal consumption of the given food item. Thus, we suggest following this methodology in future studies.
The challenge of boredom in education: Kevin Hood Gary’s Why Boredom Matters
Authors: Scribner Campbell F 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This essay explores the relationship between boredom, leisure, selfhood, and education in Kevin Hood Gary’s book, Why Boredom Matters, paying particular attention to connections between Aristotelian and existentialist approaches to the subject. Following Gary, the essay argues that schools force students to endure boredom or try to stimulate them with distractions, rather than helping them focus on enduring sources of meaning or cultivate stronger senses of self.
Assessing viral metagenomics for the diagnosis of acute undifferentiated fever in returned travellers: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Camprubí-Ferrer Daniel , Tomazatos Alexandru , Balerdi-Sarasola Leire , Cobuccio Ludovico G , Van Den Broucke Steven , Horváth Balázs , Van Esbroeck Marjan , Martinez Miguel J , Gandasegui Javier , Subirà Carme , Saloni Meritxell , Genton Blaise , Bottieau Emmanuel , Cadar Dániel , Muñoz Jose 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Up to 45% of febrile returning travellers remain undiagnosed after a thorough diagnostic work-up, even at referral centres. Although metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has emerged as a promising tool, evidence of its usefulness in imported fever is very limited.

Methods
Travellers returning with fever were prospectively recruited in three referral clinics from November 2017 to November 2019. Unbiased mNGS optimised for virus detection was performed on serum samples of participants with acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI), and results were compared to those obtained by reference diagnostic methods (RDM).

Results
Among 507 returned febrile travellers, 433(85.4%) presented with AUFI. Dengue virus (n = 86) and Plasmodium spp. (n = 83) were the most common causes of fever. 103/433(23.8%) AUFI remained undiagnosed at the end of the follow-up.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing unveiled potentially pathogenic microorganisms in 196/433(38.7%) AUFI. mNGS identifications were more common in patients with a shorter duration of fever (42.3% in ≤5 days vs 28.7% in &gt;5 days, P = 0.005). Potential causes of fever were revealed in 25/103(24.2%) undiagnosed AUFI and 5/23(21.7%) travellers with severe undiagnosed AUFI. Missed severe aetiologies included eight bacterial identifications and one co-infection of B19 parvovirus and Aspergillus spp.
Additional identifications indicating possible co-infections occurred in 29/316(9.2%) travellers with AUFI, and in 11/128(8.6%) travellers with severe AUFI, who had received a diagnosis through RDM. The most common co-infections detected in severe AUFI were caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Serum mNGS was unable to detect &gt;50% of infectious diagnoses achieved by RDM and also yielded 607 non-pathogenic identifications.

Discussion
mNGS of serum can be a valuable diagnostic tool for selected travellers with undiagnosed AUFI or severe disease in addition to reference diagnostic techniques, especially during the first days of symptoms. Nevertheless, mNGS results interpretation presents a great challenge. Further studies evaluating the performance of mNGS using different sample types and protocols tailored to non-viral agents are needed.
First detection and modelling of spatially resolved Lyα in TW Hya
Authors: Chang Seok-Jun , Arulanantham Nicole , Gronke Max , Herczeg Gregory J , Bergin Edwin A 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
Lyman-α (Lyα) is the strongest emission line in the accretion-generated ultraviolet spectra from T Tauri stars and, as such, plays a critical role in regulating chemistry within the surrounding protoplanetary discs. Due to its resonant nature, the scattering of Lyα photons along the line of sight encodes information about the physical properties of the intervening H i medium. In this work, we present the first spatially resolved spectral images of Lyα emission across a protoplanetary disc in the iconic face-on T Tauri star TW Hya, observed with HST-STIS at spatial offsets 0, ±0.2, and ±0.4 arcsec. To comprehensively interpret these Lyα spectra, we utilize a 3D Monte Carlo Lyα radiative transfer simulation considering the H i wind and protoplanetary disc. From the simulation, we constrain the wind’s properties: the H i column density $\sim 10^{20} {\rm \, cm^{-2}}$ and the outflow velocity $\sim 200 {\rm \, km\, s^{-1}}$. Our findings indicate that successfully interpreting the observed spectra necessitates scattering contributions in the H i layer within the disc. Furthermore, to explore the effect of Lyα radiative transfer on protoplanetary disc chemistry, we compute the radiation field within the scattering medium and reveal that the wind reflection causes more Lyα photons to penetrate the disc. Our results show the necessity of spatially resolved Lyα observations of a broad range of targets, which will decode the complex interactions between the winds, protoplanetary discs, and surrounding environments.
A uGMRT search for radio emission from planets around evolved stars
Authors: Narang Mayank , Puravankara M , Chandra C H Ishwara , Banerjee Bihan , Tyagi Himanshu , Tamura Motohide , Henning Thomas , Mathew Blesson , Lazio Joseph , Surya Arun , Nayak Prasanta K 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
In this work, we present the results from a study using the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) to search for radio emission from planets around three evolved stars namely α Tau, β UMi, and β Gem. Both α Tau and β UMi host massive ∼ 6 MJ mass planets at about ∼1.4 au from the central star, while β Gem is host to a 2.9 MJ mass planet at 1.7 au from the host star. We observe α Tau and β UMi at two upgraded GMRT bands: band 3 (250–500 MHz) and band 4 (550–900 MHz). We also analysed the archival observations from β Gem at 150 MHz from GMRT. We did not detect any radio signals from these systems. At 400 MHz, the 3σ upper limit is 87 μJy beam−1 for α Tau b and 77.4 μJy beam−1 for β UMi b. From our observations at 650 MHz, we place a 3σ upper limit of 28.2 μJy beam−1 for α Tau b and 33.6 μJy beam−1 for β UMi b. For β Gem b, at 150 MHz, we place an upper limit of 2.5 mJy. At 400 and 650 MHz, our observations are the deepest radio images for any exoplanetary system.