bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poly(ethyl methacrylate)-based diblock copolymer nano-objects prepared via RAFT-mediated polymerization induced self-assembly in n-heptane
Authors: Li Shanji , Huang Jianbing 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
A series of poly(lauryl methacrylate)-poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PLMA-PEMA) diblock copolymer nano-objects were prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization in n-heptane at 65 oC. By using PLMA with a fixed degree of polymerization (DP) of 18 as a steric stabilizer block, polymerization of EMA at relatively high concentrations (15% w/w solids or above) allowed for the production of nano-objects with morphologies of sphere, worm and vesicle. Interestingly, at lower concentrations, the diblock copolymer could form unusual structures: micrometer-sized rods and nanotubes at 10% and 7.5% w/w solids, respectively. The SEM and TEM characterization suggests that the rods are kinetically trapped aggregates of worms and spheres, and the formation of nanotubes is presumably due to the fusion of ellipsoidal vesicles and then the shear force exerted by stirring which may trigger the elongation of the vesicles to form the nanotubes. Besides, the diblock copolymer worms exhibited thermoresponsive behavior on heating to 90 oC due to the change in nano-object morphology from worms to spheres.
Combined corneal biomechanical and tomographical indices in subclinical and forme fruste keratoconus
Authors: Ganesh Meghna , Arora Ritu , Titiyal Jeewan Singh 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluation of combined corneal tomographic and biomechanical parameters in subclinical/forme fruste keratoconus (ScKC/FFKC).
Design: Cross-sectional observational case-control study
Methods:
Inclusion criteria: 31 eyes with ScKC (fellow eye of KC with any one sign: keratometry >47 diopters, cylinder >1.5D, central corneal thickness <500mm, with/without abnormal topography) or FFKC (fellow eye of KC with normal topography and slit lamp examination) >13 years (cases) and 44 eyes of age-matched 22 healthy subjects (controls).
Exclusion criteria:Clinically diagnosed KC, presence of corneal scars, prior ocular surgery eyes.
Study parameters:16 Pentacam, 15 Corvis ST and 5 Sirius parameters were analysed using paired sample t-test and sub-sample found to be significantly different was used in ROC analysis. Youden Index was calculated and Pearson’s correlation analysis was done.
Results: 5 Pentacam, 3 Corvis ST and 2 Sirius parameters had AUC >0.75. TBI (cut-off 0.59, 95% specificity, 77% sensitivity), BAD (cut-off 1.8, 81% specificity, 80% sensitivity) and SIb (cut-off 0.16, 97% specificity, 67% sensitivity) best identified early KC. TBI strongly correlated with maximum Pentacam parameters in both cases and controls. CBI strongly correlated only in cases and SP-A1-SD weakly correlated in cases.
Conclusion: Upon combined analysis, average sensitivity and specificity respectively of top three parameters (according to AUC) from Pentacam and Corvis ST was 74.1% and 95.4% for PE and TBI, 81.3% and 78.1% for BAD and SP-A1-SD and 77.1% and 82.9% for KI and CBI. Average sensitivity and specificity respectively of top two parameters (according to AUC) from Sirius was 66.1% and 97.6% for SIb and BCVb.
Trial Registration: Trial registered in Clinical Trial Registry of India on Jan 28, 2022. Trial Registration Number is REF/2022/01/050638.
New Insights into Macrophage Polarization and its Prognostic Role in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Authors: Khanduri Isha , Maki Harufumi , Verma Anuj , Katkhuda Riham , Anandappa Gayathri , Pandurengan Renganayaki , Zhang Shanyu , Mejia Alicia , Tong Zhimin , Soto Luisa M. Solis , Jadhav Akshaya , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Kopetz Scott , Parra Edwin R. , Vauthey Jean-Nicolas , Maru Dipen M. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background: As liver metastasis is the most common cause of mortality in patients with colorectal cancer, studying colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CLM) microenvironment is essential for improved understanding of tumor biology and to identify novel therapeutic targets.
Methods: We used multiplex immunofluorescence platform to study tumor associated macrophage (TAM) polarization and adaptive T cell subtypes in tumor samples from 105 CLM patients (49 without and 56 with preoperative chemotherapy).
Results: CLM exhibited M2 macrophage polarization, and helper T cells were the prevalent adaptive T cell subtype. The density of total, M2 and TGFβ-expressing macrophages, and regulatory T cells was lower in CLM treated with preoperative chemotherapy. CLM with right-sided primary demonstrated enrichment of TGFβ-expressing macrophages, and with left-sided primary had higher densities of helper and cytotoxic T cells. In multivariate analysis, high density of M2 macrophages correlated with longer recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the entire cohort [hazard ratio (HR) 0.425, 95% CI 0.219-0.825, p=0.011) and in patients without preoperative chemotherapy (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.221-0.932, p=0.032). High pSMAD3-expressing macrophages were associated with shorter RFS in CLM after preoperative chemotherapy.
Conclusions: Our results highlight the significance of a multi-marker approach to define the macrophage subtypes and identify M2 macrophages as a predictor of favorable prognosis in CLM.
Transcultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Coronary Artery Disease Empowerment Scale (CADES)
Authors: Jalali Amir , Darvishi Niloufar , Ahmadi Yasin , Khodamorovati Mahbod , Vatandost Salam , Moradi khalil 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: Individuals with coronary artery disease are exposed to multiple problems and recurrent disease due to the chronic and progressive nature of the disease. They need to assess their own abilities and use them in their own healthcare to learn how to manage their disease and health independently.
Objective: This study was conducted in order to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of "Coronary Artery Disease Empowerment Scale (CADES)" in Iran.
Method: This is a cognitive study in which the Coronary Artery Disease Empowerment Scale (CADES) was translated into Persian using forward-backward translation method. After cultural validation, the steps of content assessment, response reaction, and internal structure evaluation were performed, which included evaluating the completeness of the structure in terms of items, the relationship between construct and observation of the tool, and the opinions and thoughts of experts and respondents, as well as the reliability and confirmation of the factorial structure. For confirmatory factor analysis, the research sample increased to 344 patients with heart disease, while 190 individuals were used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Participants were selected using convenient sampling method for this stage. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess internal consistency, and test-retest method was used to evaluate the reliability of the tool. SPSS version 26 and Lisrel version 8 were used for data analysis in this study.
Results: The EFA and CFA results confirmed the tool with three factors and 25 items. The main indicators of the model in factor analysis were all above 0.9, indicating a good fit of the model. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the items and subscales with the main scale showed a direct and significant relationship. Additionally, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.813) and retest (0.763) confirmed the reliability of the Persian version of CADES.
Conclusion: Overall, the study results showed that the Persian version of CADES has acceptable and practical characteristics for assessing the empowerment of coronary artery disease patients and can serve as a valid tool that reflects the empowerment of CAD patients.
Most monogenic disorders are caused by mutations altering protein folding free energy
Authors: Pandey Preeti , Alexov Emil 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Revealing the molecular effect that pathogenic missense mutations cause on the corresponding protein is crucial for developing therapeutic solutions. This is especially important for monogenic diseases since, for most of them, there is no treatment available, while typically, the treatment should be provided in the early development stages. This requires fast, targeted drug development at a low cost. Here, we report a database of monogenic disorders (MOGEDO), which includes 768 proteins, the corresponding 2559 pathogenic and 1763 benign mutations, along with the functional classification of the corresponding proteins. Using the database and various computational tools that predict folding free energy change (ΔΔG), we demonstrate that, on average, 70% of pathogenic cases result in decreased protein stability. Such a large fraction indicates that one should aim at in-silico screening for small molecules stabilizing the structure of the mutant protein. We emphasize that knowledge of ΔΔG is essential because one wants to develop stabilizers that compensate for ΔΔG but not to make protein over-stable since over-stable protein may be dysfunctional. We demonstrate that using ΔΔG and predicted solvent exposure of the mutation site; one can develop a predictive method that distinguishes pathogenic from benign mutation with a success rate even better than some of the leading pathogenicity predictors. Furthermore, hydrophobic-hydrophobic mutations have stronger correlations between folding free energy change and pathogenicity compared with others. Also, mutations involving Cys, Gly, Arg, Trp and Tyr amino acids being replaced by any other amino acid are more likely to be pathogenic. To facilitate further detection of pathogenic mutations, the wild type of amino acids in the 768 proteins mentioned above was mutated to other 19 residues (14,847,817 mutations), and the ΔΔG was calculated with SAAFEC-SEQ, and 5,506,051 mutations were predicted to be pathogenic.
Intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis as an independent protective factor for persistent postoperative ileus in visceral obesity patients: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Guo Fangliang , Xia Cong , Wang Zongheng , Wang Ruiqi , Meng Yue , Zhang Qianshi , Ren Shuangyi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to compare short-term outcomes between Intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (IIA) and extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (EIA) after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in patients with visceral obesity. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors associated with persistent postoperative ileus (PPOI).
Methods: This single-center retrospective study analyzed patients with visceral obesity who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for malignancybetween January 2020 and June 2023. Patients were categorized into IIA and EIA groups based on the type of anastomosis, and a 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis was performed.
Results: A total of 129 patients were initially included in this study, with 45 patients in each group following propensity score matching. The IIA group had significantly longer anastomosis times (p<0.001), shorter incision length (p<0.001), and shorter length of stay (p=0.003) than the EIA group. Meanwhile, the IIA group showed a shorter time to first flatus (p=0.044) and quicker tolerance of a solid diet (p=0.030). On multivariate analysis, postoperative use of opioid analgesic is an independent risk factor for persistent postoperative ileus (PPOI) (OR: 3.672 95% CI 1.108-12.017, p=0.033), while IIA is an independent protective factor (OR: 0.246 95% CI 0.065-0.921, p=0.037).
Conclusions: IIA remains a safe and feasible option for patients with VO. It is also associated with a quicker recovery of bowel function and shorter length of stay when compared to EIA. Additionally, IIA is an independent protective factor for PPOI.
Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Pancreas with Scalp Metastasis: A Case Report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Xinyi , Lin Zichun , Li Xiaoqing , Zheng Jingfan , Chen Yuyu , Liu Kang , Li Fangchao , Lu Zhong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Primary pancreatic leiomyosarcoma (PLMS) is a rare sarcomaPLMS is an invasive tumor with a poor prognosis. The typical sites of metastases for PLMS include the liver and lung among others. Distant metastase to the scalp are rarely reported.
Case Presentation
We report a 36 year-old woman with a history of Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Pancreas. The patient first noticed a protrusion on the left occipital region while combing her hair some time before her initial visit . She paid little attention to the mass at that time.During treatment, the mass in the left occipital region gradually increased in size.A biopsy of the scalp lesion was performed.Results showed metastatic leiomyosarcoma.
Conclusion
Therefore, to catch subtle historical and physical exam findings in the clinical setting, patients with cancer or concern for cancer should receive a detailed physical examination and clinical history, especially on initial presentation. Moreover, when a patient develops a new, persistent, or sudden skin lesion, they should attach great importance to said lesion, with vigilance to the possibility of skin metastasis or other cutaneous manifestation of cancer.
DPP7 as a Prognostic Marker for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ma Li , Yang Hailang , Tao Yulin , Wang Chunliang , Mei Jinhong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose
DPP7 is overexpressed in various types of tumors, but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. To study the effect of DPP7 on CRC and to investigate its impact on overall survival.
Methods
We examined DPP7 expression in CRC using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2(TIMER2) databases, the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) databases, and experimental validation. We investigated the association of DPP7 with patient prognosis and the immune landscape using clinical data and statistical analyses. In vitro and in vivo experiments assessed the impact of DPP7 on cellular behavior and tumor growth.
Results
DPP7 is significantly upregulated in CRC, associated with poor prognosis and immune suppression. Experimental findings demonstrate that DPP7 promotes cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth.
Conclusions
DPP7 holds promise as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.
Assessing the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Ukrainian pediatric trauma and burn patients and their caregivers amidst the Russian conflict: insights from a surgical mission in Poland
Authors: Bean Christopher , Evchenko Natalia , Yakovleva Olga , Dabek Robert J. , Fuzaylov Gennadiy 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
On a recent surgical medical mission caring for Ukrainian pediatric burn and trauma patients in Poland, an assessment of the mental health and well-being of children and their caregivers was completed. Children living in war zones frequently experience significant distress and mental health problems, but little is known about the impact of co-existing related or unrelated burn injuries or physical disabilities. 19 Ukrainian children and their caregivers were interviewed utilizing validated questionnaires Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) to assess their risk for developing or for the presence of clinically-significant mental health problems. We found a high percentage of children at risk for developing mental health disorders and an unexpectedly high number of children meeting criteria for mental health disorders. As a result of interviewing the caregivers, agreement was seen between the self-assessment in children and the perception of parents about their children’s wellbeing. Further study is needed to better understand the complex interactions between pre-existing burn and traumatic injuries and their impact on the psychosocial wellbeing of children living in war-torn environments.
The effect of anxiety levels on attentional networks in high-altitude migrants: the role of sleep quality and haemoglobin concentration
Authors: zhang jia , shi linyu , chen dongmei , ma hailin , li hao 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
To explore the effect of anxiety levels on attentional networks in high altitude migrants and to verify the mediating and moderating role of sleep quality and haemoglobin concentration(HGB). One hundred and forty high altitude transplants living on the plateau for two years were selected and anxiety levels were captured by the SCL-90 questionnaire, behavioural data by the ANT experimental procedure, sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleepiness Index and HGB by means of venous blood sampling. The results revealed a significant difference between the high and low anxiety groups in the attentional executive network and no difference in the alertness and orientation networks; a difference in sleep quality between the high and normal HGB groups.Sleep quality was fully mediated between anxiety level and attentional executive network, accounting for 45% of the total effect; sleep quality and HGB were moderated mediation between anxiety level and attentional executive network (β = 0.19, t = 2.03, p < 0.05), and only for individuals with high HGB did the sleep quality of individuals with high anxiety levels differ from that of individuals with low anxiety levels. It was only for individuals with high HGB that differences existed. It is concluded that as anxiety levels increase, this affects the sleep quality of high altitude migrants and thus their attentional network efficiency, and that as HGB increase, this alleviates the poor sleep quality of high altitude migrants with increased anxiety levels and thus improves their attentional network efficiency.
Geography, phylogeny and host switch drive the co-evolution of parasitic Gyrodactylus flatworms and their hosts
Authors: Lei Hong-Peng , Jakovlić Ivan , Zhou Shun , Liu Xiang , Yan Chuan , Jin Xiao , Wang Bo , Li Wen-Xiang , Wang Gui-Tang , Zhang Dong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: Gyrodactylus is a lineage of monogenean flatworm ectoparasites exhibiting many features that make them a suitable model to study the host-parasite co-evolutionary dynamics. Previous co-evolutionary studies of this lineage mainly relied on low-power datasets (a small number of samples and a single molecular marker), and (now) outdated algorithms.
Methods: To investigate the coevolutionary relationship of gyrodactylids and their fish hosts in high resolution, we used complete mitogenomes (including two newly sequenced Gyrodactylus species), a large number of species in the single-gene dataset, and four different coevolutionary algorithms.
Results: The overall co-evolutionary fit between the parasites and hosts was consistently significant. Multiple indicators support gyrodactylids as highly host-specific parasites, but few gyrodactylids can parasitize either multiple (more than 5) or phylogenetically-distant fish hosts. The molecular dating results indicate they tend to evolve towards high host specificity. Speciation by host-switching is a more important speciation mode than co-speciation for them. Assuming the origin on Cypriniformes, we inferred four major host switch events to non-Cypriniformes hosts (mostly Salmoniformes) occurred deep in the evolutionary history. Despite their relative rarity, these events had strong macroevolutionary consequences for gyrodactylid diversity. For example, in our dataset, 57.28% of all studied gyrodactylids parasitised only non-Cypriniformes hosts, which implies that the evolutionary history of more than half of all included lineages could be traced back to these major host switch events. The geographical co-occurrence of fishes and gyrodactylids determined the host use by these gyrodactylids, and geography accounted for most of the phylogenetic signal in host use.
Conclusions: In a sentence, our findings suggest that the co-evolution of Gyrodactylus flatworms and their hosts is largely driven by geography, phylogeny, and host switches.
Tuberculosis survivors and the risk of cardiovascular disease: Analysis using a nationwide survey in Korea
Authors: Yang Jiyoul , Kim Sun-Hyung , Sim Jae Kyeom , Gu Seonhye , Won Seok Jeong , Bae Dae-Hwan , Cho Jun Yeun , Lee Ki Man , Lee Hyun , Yang Bumhee , Min Kyung Hoon 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Although the association between tuberculosis (TB) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported in several studies and is explained by mechanisms related to chronic inflammation, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the association between TB and CVD in Korea.
Methods
Using a population-based nationwide survey, we categorized participants into two groups according to the presence or absence of prior TB infection. We evaluated the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorder (ASCVD) risk in both groups and analyzed the 10-year ASCVD risk according to epidemiological characteristics.
Results
Compared with the control group, the post-TB survivor group had a higher mean age (53.73 vs. 45.35 years), a higher proportion of male sex (60.20% vs. 49.53%), and a lower proportion of unmarried individuals (10.01% vs. 23.01%). Comparing the 10-year ASCVD risk between the post-TB survivor and control groups, the post-TB survivor group had an increased 10-year ASCVD risk in the high-risk group (40.46% vs. 24.00%, P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the intermediate and high-risk groups had also significantly increased 10-year ASCVD risks (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.23 and OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.59–1.78, respectively) in the post-TB survivor group. In the association of CVD among post-TB survivors according to epidemiologic characteristics, age (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.10, 95% CI 1.07–1.12), a current smoker (aOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.32–5.17), a high family income (aOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.32–4.62), Diabetes mellitus (aOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.20–3.07), and depression (aOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.10–4.19) were associated with CVD in the post-TB survivor group.
Conclusions
Our study findings suggest a higher 10-year ASCVD risk among TB survivors than among control participants. This warrants long-term cardiovascular monitoring and management of the post-TB population.
Optical multi-image encryption based on chaotic fingerprint phase mask and multi-slice diffractive imaging
Authors: Wang Yonghui , Xu Wenjun , Zhao Qinyu , Li Fei , Liu Shuaiqi , Su Yonggang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
To enhance the encryption efficiency and security of optical encryption systems, we propose a novel optical multi-image encryption scheme based on chaotic fingerprint phase mask (CFPM) and multi-slice diffractive imaging in this paper. During the encryption process, multiple original images are first arranged along the axial direction with a fixed interval between each image, forming a multi-slice object. Then, under the illumination of different speckle patterns, the multi-slice object is encrypted into a series of noise-like diffractive patterns using the CFPMs placed at different free-space propagation distances. The original images can be recovered by using the iterative phase retrieval algorithm and the correct decryption keys. In this scheme, the CFPMs are generated by the fingerprint and chaotic Henon map, which only used as interim variables. The fingerprint and chaotic parameters are used as secret keys directly, which makes the storage and management of the keys more convenient. Fingerprints possess uniqueness and a strong link with the user, which enhances the security of the encryption scheme. In addition, the illumination pattern and the free-space propagation distance provide additional security to the encryption scheme. Numerical simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme has high security and robustness.