bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel nomogram to predict the overall survival of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients following ablation therapy
Authors: Zhang Honghai , Sheng Shugui , Qiao Wenying , Han Ming , Jin Ronghua 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThis study aimed to assess factors affecting the prognosis of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing ablation therapy and create a nomogram for predicting their 3-, 5-, and 8-year overall survival (OS).MethodsThe research included 881 early-stage HCC patients treated at Beijing You’an Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, from 2014 to 2022. A nomogram was developed using independent prognostic factors identified by Lasso and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Its predictive performance was evaluated with concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsThe study identified age, tumor number, tumor size, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), international normalized ratio (INR), and prealbumin (Palb) as independent prognostic risk factors. The nomogram achieved C-indices of 0.683 (primary cohort) and 0.652 (validation cohort), with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of 0.776, 0.779, and 0.822 (3-year, 5-year, and 8-year OS, primary cohort) and 0.658, 0.724, and 0.792 (validation cohort), indicating that the nomogram possessed strong discriminative ability. Calibration and DCA curves further confirmed the nomogram’s predictive accuracy and clinical utility. The nomogram can effectively stratify patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, particularly identifying high-risk patients.ConclusionsThe established nomogram in our study can provide precise prognostic information for HCC patients following ablation treatment and enable physicians to accurately identify high-risk individuals and facilitate timely intervention.
Compassionate use of contezolid in a toddler with severe community-acquired pneumonia induced by staphylococcus aureus: a case report and follow-up
Authors: Liu Hui-Ying , Bi Xiao-Fei , Wang Ya-Jun , Xie Feng-Jie , Zhang Hong , Zhu Yu-Cheng , Zhang Yan , Wang Zhi-Hui , Wu Di , Meng Huan , Lin Yi-Lu , Liu Lin-Qiong , Qiu Shu-Xiao , Gao Yan , Kang Kai , Gao Yang 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundInitial choices of antimicrobial therapy for most cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children under 5 years of age are typically based on local epidemiology, risk factors assessment, and subsequent clinical parameters and positive cultures, which can lead to the underdiagnosis and underestimation of lung infections caused by uncommon pathogens. Contezolid, an orally administered oxazolidinone antibiotic, gained approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China in June 2021 for managing complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI) caused by staphylococcus aureus (SA), streptococcus pyogenes, or streptococcus agalactis. Owing to its enhanced safety profile and ongoing clinical progress, the scope of contezolid's clinical application continues to expand, benefiting a growing number of patients with Gram-positive bacterial infections.Case summaryIn this report, we present the first use of contezolid in a toddler with severe CAP caused by SA, aiming to avoid potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with vancomycin and linezolid.ConclusionAlthough contezolid has not been officially indicated for CAP, it has been shown to be effective and safe in the management of SA-induced severe CAP in this toddler, suggesting its potential as an alternative option in the dilemma, especially for patients who are susceptible or intolerant to ADRs associated with first-line anti-methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) antimicrobial agents.
Male histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) knockout mice have enhanced ventilatory responses to hypoxic challenge
Authors: Getsy Paulina M. , Coffee Gregory A. , Kelley Thomas J. , Lewis Stephen J. 
Published: February 2024

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a class II histone deacetylase that is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of cells. HDAC6 associates with microtubules and regulates acetylation of tubulin and other proteins. The possibility that HDAC6 participates in hypoxic signaling is supported by evidence that 1) hypoxic gas challenges cause microtubule depolymerization, 2) expression of hypoxia inducible factor alpha (HIF-1α) is regulated by microtubule alterations in response to hypoxia, and 3) inhibition of HDAC6 prevents HIF-1α expression and protects tissue from hypoxic/ischemic insults. The aim of this study was to address whether the absence of HDAC6 alters ventilatory responses during and/or after hypoxic gas challenge (10% O2, 90% N2 for 15 min) in adult male wildtype (WT) C57BL/6 mice and HDAC6 knock-out (KO) mice. Key findings were that 1) baseline values for frequency of breathing, tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory times, and end expiratory pause were different between knock-out mice and wildtype mice, 2) ventilatory responses during hypoxic challenge were more robust in KO mice than WT mice for recorded parameters including, frequency of breathing, minute ventilation, inspiratory and expiratory durations, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, and inspiratory and expiratory drives, and 3) responses upon return to room-air were markedly different in KO compared to WT mice for frequency of breathing, minute ventilation, inspiratory and expiratory durations, end expiratory pause (but not end inspiratory pause), peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, and inspiratory and expiratory drives. These data suggest that HDAC6 may have a fundamentally important role in regulating the hypoxic ventilatory response in mice.
Rural community perceptions and practices toward the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention in Konso Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a lesson for the next pandemic
Authors: Karbana Gedeno , Ambelu Argaw , Birke Wondwossen , Asefa Lechisa , Lemma Hailu , Belay Mekdes Mekonen 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundCorona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has provided a lesson on preparedness and coping mechanisms for similar pandemics to different community segments. To control and prevent the spreading of COVID-19, people need to possess the correct attitude and perception to follow the appropriate practices against the causative agent. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the rural community's perceptions and practices toward COVID-19 prevention among southern Ethiopia's Konso zone rural communities.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study conducted from April to May 2022 on 605 study participants in the Kena district of the Konso zone of Ethiopia. Participants were recruited using simple random sampling techniques. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using structured questionnaires developed from the World Health Organization guide and related literature. A logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of perception and practice.ResultsAmong the 564 participants, 296 (52.5%) believed they would go to the healthcare facility if they contracted COVID-19. About 276 (48.9%) perceived that COVID-19 is not a stigma and should not be concealed. About 233 (41.3%) perceived COVID-19 would be controlled. However, the majority, 451 (80%), 440 (78%), 384 (68.1%), 381 (67.6%), 337 (59.8%), and 317 (56.2%) perceived that the cause of COVID-19 is sin, eating some food items were effective against the virus, no cases in their locality, living far away from COVID-19 area, the virus does not exist, respectively. Overall, only 22.5% of the study participants have good perceptions. About 58.5% practiced handwashing to prevent COVID-19, and 45.2% covered their mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing. Among the participants, 39.8% were vaccinated, and about a quarter (24.8%) of the respondents had good prevention practices. Participants with better educational status, use of social media as a source of information, and those with better income levels are found to be protective factors while being married is a risk factor.ConclusionThe status of the participant's perception and preventive practices toward COVID-19 was meager. There was a substantial magnitude of wrong perceptions about controlling such pandemics. High inaccurate perceptions and low preventive practice need an urgent and sustained improvement strategy to tackle similar pandemics or epidemics.
Australian health care workers experience of PPE related side-effects. A cross-sectional survey
Authors: McKenna Karen , Bouchoucha Stephane , Redley Bernice , Hutchinson Anastasia 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionProtection of health care workers (HCWs) is a fundamental aspect of an effective pandemic response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, frequency, and duration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use increased. The experience of PPE-related side-effects has potential to contribute to decreased compliance resulting in breaches in infection prevention and increasing risk of HCW exposure. This study aims were to measure the frequency of PPE-related side-effects amongst HCW in Australia, and to establish if an increased frequency of adverse reactions was related to the significant increase in use and extended duration of time spent in PPE.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was used.ResultsOf the 559 respondents the majority were female (83.7%), aged 31–45 years old (33.6%). A pre-existing skin condition was reported by 266 (47.6%). Frequency of PPE related side-effects were: pressure-related 401 (71.7%), skin 321 (57.4%) and respiratory 20 (3.6%). Surgical mask use was significantly associated with pre-exiting skin conditions (β = 1.494 (SE 0.186), df (1), p &lt; 0.001). Side effects to N95 respirator use was more commonly reported by staff working in COVID-19 high-risk areas (β = 0.572 (SE 0.211), df (1), p = 0.007) independent of work duration (β = −0.056 (SE 0.075), df (1), p = 0.456), and pre-existing skin conditions (β = 1.272, (SE.198), df (1), p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in the use of PPE. While the preventative benefits of PPE are significant, adverse events related to PPE use are frequently reported by HCW. Findings in this study highlight the need for innovation in PPE design to maximize protection while decreasing adverse effects and maintaining adhere to use.
The association between community-level economic deprivation and incidences of emergency department visits on account of attempted suicides in Maryland
Authors: Akinyemi Oluwasegun , Ogundare Temitope , Weldeslase Terhas , Andine Tsion , Fasokun Mojisola , Odusanya Eunice , Hughes Kakra , Mallory Williams , Luo Guoyang , Cornwell Edward 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundSuicide is a major cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for 14.5 deaths per 100,000 population. Many emergency department (ED) visits in the United States are due to attempted suicides. Suicide attempts predict subsequent completed suicides. Socioeconomic factors, such as community-level socioeconomic deprivation, significantly affect many traditional risk factors for attempted suicides and suicides.AimTo determine the association between community-level socioeconomic deprivation and ED visits for attempted suicide in Maryland.MethodsA retrospective analysis of attempted suicides in the Maryland State Emergency Department Database from January 2018 to December 2020. Community-level socioeconomic deprivation was measured using the Distress Community Index (DCI). Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify the association between DCI and attempted suicides/self-harm.ResultsThere were 3,564,987 ED visits reported in the study period, with DCI data available for 3,236,568 ED visits; 86.8% were younger than 45 years, 64.8% were females, and 54.6% non-Hispanic Whites. Over the study period, the proportion of ED visits due to attempted suicide was 0.3%. In the multivariate logistic regression, compared to prosperous zones, those in comfortable (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73–0.88, p &lt; 0.01), Mid-Tier (OR = 0.76, 95%CI:0.67–0.86, p &lt; 0.01), At-Risk (OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.65–0.92, p &lt; 0.01) and Distressed zones (OR = 0.53; 95% CI:0.42–0.66, p &lt; 0.01) were less likely to visit the ED for attempted suicide.ConclusionProsperous communities had the highest rate of attempted suicides, with the risk of attempted suicide increasing as individuals move from the least prosperous to more prosperous areas.
Social Inequalities in Long-Term Health Effects After COVID-19—A Scoping Review
Authors: Lammers Nina , Beese Florian , Hoebel Jens , Poethko-Müller Christina , Wachtler Benjamin 
Published: February 2024

Objectives: We aimed to map and synthesize evidence about social inequalities in long-term health effects after COVID-19 (LTHE), often referred to as “long COVID” or “post-COVID-19 conditions.”Methods: We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles by searching the databases Embase and Scopus. According to predefined inclusion criteria, titles/abstracts and full texts were screened for eligibility. Additionally, reference lists of all included studies were hand-searched for eligible studies. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews.Results: Nineteen articles were included. LTHE were analysed according to ethnicity, education, income, employment and deprivation indices. The studies varied significantly in their definitions of LTHE. Eighty-two analyses showed no statistically significant associations. At least 12 studies had a high risk of type II errors. Only studies associating deprivation indices and long COVID tended to show a higher prevalence of LTHE in deprived areas.Conclusion: Although some studies indicated social inequalities in LTHE, evidence was generally weak and inconclusive. Further studies with larger sample sizes specifically designed to detect social inequalities regarding LTHE are needed to inform future healthcare planning and public health policies.
Pre-Transplant Hyperparathyroidism and Graft or Patient Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Rodrigues Fernanda Guedes , Van Der Plas Willemijn Y. , Sotomayor Camilo German , Van Der Vaart Amarens , Kremer Daan , Pol Robert A. , Kruijff Schelto , Heilberg Ita Pfeferman , Bakker Stephan J. L. ,   TransplantLines Investigators, De Borst Martin H. 
Published: February 2024

The impact of pre-transplant parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels on early or long-term kidney function after kidney transplantation is subject of debate. We assessed whether severe hyperparathyroidism is associated with delayed graft function (DGF), death-censored graft failure (DCGF), or all-cause mortality. In this single-center cohort study, we studied the relationship between PTH and other parameters related to bone and mineral metabolism, including serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at time of transplantation with the subsequent risk of DGF, DCGF and all-cause mortality using multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses. In 1,576 kidney transplant recipients (51.6 ± 14.0 years, 57.3% male), severe hyperparathyroidism characterized by pre-transplant PTH ≥771 pg/mL (&gt;9 times the upper limit) was present in 121 patients. During 5.2 [0.2–30.0] years follow-up, 278 (15.7%) patients developed DGF, 150 (9.9%) DCGF and 432 (28.6%) died. A higher pre-transplant PTH was not associated with DGF (HR 1.06 [0.90–1.25]), DCGF (HR 0.98 [0.87–1.13]), or all-cause mortality (HR 1.02 [0.93–1.11]). Results were consistent in sensitivity analyses. The same applied to other parameters related to bone and mineral metabolism, including ALP. Severe pre-transplant hyperparathyroidism was not associated with an increased risk of DGF, DCGF or all-cause mortality, not supporting the need of correction before kidney transplantation to improve graft or patient survival.
Allelopathic Potential and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from the Invasive Plant Acmella radicans
Authors: Yang Kexin , Yang Yunhai , Wu Xiaohan , Zheng Fengping , Xu Gaofeng , Yang Shaosong , Jin Guimei , Clements David Roy , Shen Shicai , Zhang Fudou 
Published: February 2024

Acmella radicans (Jacquin) R.K. Jansen is a new invasive species recorded in Yunnan Province, China, and little is known about its allelopathic potential and allelochemicals. In this study, the allelopathic effects of the essential oil (EO) of A. radicans on seed germination and seedling growth of four common plants, Brassica napus, Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis, Digitaria sanguinalis, and Lolium multiflorum, were explored. The results showed that the seed germination index, germination rate, root length, stem length, and biomass of B. napus and B. rapa ssp. chinensis were significantly inhibited at all EO concentrations of A. radicans, but there was a ‘low-promotion and high-inhibition effect’ on the root length of D. sanguinalis and L. multiflorum at low concentrations of 0.5 μL·mL−1 and 0.5–1.0 μL·mL−1, respectively. With increasing concentrations of EO, the inhibition rates of seed germination and seedling growth of four common plants gradually increased, and D. sanguinalis and L. multiflorum were the most inhibited, followed by B. rapa ssp. chinensis, and the least inhibited was B. napus. Thirty-two components were identified using GC–MS, representing 99.07% of the EO in A. radicans. The major components were 2-tridecanone (30.46%), caryophyllene oxide (19.18%), 4,8,11,11-tetramethylbicyclo[7.2.0]undec-3-en-5-ol (7.84%), β-caryophyllene (7.67%), and widdrol (4.7%). Among the compounds we identified, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, 2-tridecanone, γ-cadinene, δ-cadinene, (E)-α-cadinol, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, and widdrol have been previously reported as having possible allelopathic effects. Our study was the first to show that A. radicans could potentially release allelochemicals to influence neighboring plants during its invasion and expansion.
Functional and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Specific Roles of Dimocarpus longan DlRan3A and DlRan3B in Root Hair Development, Reproductive Growth, and Stress Tolerance
Authors: Tian Qilin , Xie Xiying , Lai Ruilian , Cheng Chunzhen , Zhang Zihao , Chen Yukun , XuHan Xu , Lin Yuling , Lai Zhongxiong 
Published: February 2024

Ran GTPases play essential roles in plant growth and development. Our previous studies revealed the nuclear localization of DlRan3A and DlRan3B proteins and proposed their functional redundancy and distinction in Dimocarpus longan somatic embryogenesis, hormone, and abiotic stress responses. To further explore the possible roles of DlRan3A and DlRan3B, gene expression analysis by qPCR showed that their transcripts were both more abundant in the early embryo and pulp in longan. Heterologous expression of DlRan3A driven by its own previously cloned promoter led to stunted growth, increased root hair density, abnormal fruits, bigger seeds, and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Conversely, constitutive promoter CaMV 35S (35S)-driven expression of DlRan3A, 35S, or DlRan3B promoter-controlled expression of DlRan3B did not induce the alterations in growth phenotype, while they rendered different hypersensitivities to abiotic stresses. Based on the transcriptome profiling of longan Ran overexpression in tobacco plants, we propose new mechanisms of the Ran-mediated regulation of genes associated with cell wall biosynthesis and expansion. Also, the transgenic plants expressing DlRan3A or DlRan3B genes controlled by 35S or by their own promoter all exhibited altered mRNA levels of stress-related and transcription factor genes. Moreover, DlRan3A overexpressors were more tolerant to salinity, osmotic, and heat stresses, accompanied by upregulation of oxidation-related genes, possibly involving the Ran-RBOH-CIPK network. Analysis of a subset of selected genes from the Ran transcriptome identified possible cold stress-related roles of brassinosteroid (BR)-responsive genes. The marked presence of genes related to cell wall biosynthesis and expansion, hormone, and defense responses highlighted their close regulatory association with Ran.
A Social Network Analysis of Hemodialysis Clinics: Attitudes Toward Living Donor Kidney Transplant among Influential Patients
Authors: Calvelli Hannah , Gardiner Heather , Gadegbeku Crystal , Reese Peter , Obradovic Zoran , Fink Edward , Gillespie Avrum 
Published: February 2024

Key Points

Hemodialysis clinic social networks spread attitudes and behaviors toward kidney transplants.Identifying and characterizing influential patients is a first step in future hemodialysis clinic social network interventions to promote kidney transplantation.

Background
Hemodialysis clinics help develop patient social networks that may spread kidney transplant (KT) attitudes and behaviors. Identifying influential social network members is an important first step to increase KT rates. We mapped the social networks of two hemodialysis facilities to identify which patients were influential using in-degree centrality as a proxy for popularity and influence.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we performed a sociocentric social network analysis of patients on hemodialysis in two geographically and demographically different hemodialysis facilities. Statistical and social network analyses were performed using R statistical software.

Results
More patients at facility 1 (N=71) were waitlisted/evaluating living donor KT (50.7% versus 20.0%, P = 0.021), considered KT as very important (70.4% versus 45.0%, P = 0.019), and knew people who received a successful KT (1.0 versus 0.0, P = 0.003). Variables predicting relationship formation at facility 1 were the same shift (β=1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.19 to 2.55]; P < 0.0001), same sex (β=0.51, 95% CI [0.01 to 1.00]; P = 0.045), younger age (β=−0.03, 95% CI [−0.05 to −0.01]; P = 0.004), different lengths of time on hemodialysis (β=−0.49, 95% CI [−0.86 to −0.12]; P = 0.009), and knowing more people who received a successful KT (β=0.12, 95% CI [0.03 to 0.21]; P = 0.009). Predictive variables at facility 2 (N=40) were the same race (β=2.52, 95% CI [0.39 to 4.65]; P = 0.021) and knowing fewer people with successful KT (β=−0.92, 95% CI [−1.82 to −0.02]; P = 0.045). In-degree centrality was higher at facility 1 (1.1±1.2) compared with facility 2 (0.6±0.9).

Conclusions
Social networks differed between the hemodialysis clinics in structure and prevalent transplant attitudes. Influential patients at facility 1 (measured by in-degree centrality) had positive attitudes toward KT, whereas influential patients at facility 2 had negative attitudes.
Group B Streptococcus as a Cause of Intrauterine Infections
Authors: Логинова О.П. , Шевченко Н.И. 
Published: February 2024

Стрептококк группы В является значимым агентом в этиологии внутриутробной инфекции среди новорожденных детей. Расширение диагностических возможностей, появление и увеличение количества резистентных штаммов возбудителей требует осуществления постоянного мониторинга резистентности стрептококка группы В, что позволит усовершенствовать терапевтические подходы и предупредить неблагоприятные последствия.
Group B Streptococcus is a significant agent in the etiology of intrauterine infection among newborns. The expansion of diagnostic capabilities, the emergence and increase in the number of resistant strains of pathogens requires constant monitoring of the resistance of group B streptococcus, which will improve therapeutic approaches and prevent adverse consequences.