bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the correlation between metabolic activity through 18F-FDG-PET/CT and immune landscape in soft-tissue sarcomas: an insight from the NEOSARCOMICS study
Authors: Crombé Amandine , Bertolo Frédéric , Vanhersecke Lucile , Guegan Jean-Philippe , Bessede Alban , Perret Raul , Le Loarer François , Chaire Vanessa , Coindre Jean-Michel , Lucchesi Carlo , Italiano Antoine 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMetabolic elevation in soft-tissue sarcomas (STS), as documented with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) has been linked with cell proliferation, higher grade, and lower survivals. However, the recent diagnostic innovations (CINSARC gene-expression signature and tertiary lymphoid structure [TLS]) and therapeutic innovations (immune checkpoint inhibitors [ICIs]) for STS patients underscore the need to re-assess the role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Thus, in this correspondence, our objective was to investigate the correlations between STS metabolism as assessed by nuclear imaging, and the immune landscape as estimated by transcriptomics analysis, immunohistochemistry panels, and TLS assessment. Based on a prospective cohort of 85 adult patients with high-grade STS recruited in the NEOSARCOMICS trial (NCT02789384), we identified 3 metabolic groups according to 18F-FDG-PET/CT metrics (metabolic-low [60%], -intermediate [15.3%] and high [24.7%]). We found that T-cells CD8 pathway was significantly enriched in metabolic-high STS. Conversely, several pathways involved in antitumor immune response, cell differentiation and cell cycle, were downregulated in extreme metabolic-low STS. Next, multiplex immunofluorescence showed that densities of CD8+, CD14+, CD45+, CD68+, and c-MAF cells were significantly higher in the metabolic-high group compared to the metabolic-low group. Lastly, no association was found between metabolic group and TLS status. Overall, these results suggest that (i) rapidly proliferating and metabolically active STS can instigate a more robust immune response, thereby attracting immune cells such as T cells and macrophages, and (ii) metabolic activity and TLS could independently influence immune responses.
Rapid assays of SARS-CoV-2 virus and noble biosensors by nanomaterials
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Yilong , Hang Yuteng , Wang Lei , Wang Jinghan , Bao Ning , Kim Youngeun , Jang Ho Won 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 has spread rapidly across the world to form a global epidemic of respiratory infectious diseases. Increased investigations on diagnostic tools are currently implemented to assist rapid identification of the virus because mass and rapid diagnosis might be the best way to prevent the outbreak of the virus. This critical review discusses the detection principles, fabrication techniques, and applications on the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 with three categories: rapid nuclear acid augmentation test, rapid immunoassay test and biosensors. Special efforts were put on enhancement of nanomaterials on biosensors for rapid, sensitive, and low-cost diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Future developments are suggested regarding potential candidates in hospitals, clinics and laboratories for control and prevention of large-scale epidemic.
Graphical Abstract
Value of high frame rate contrast enhanced ultrasound in gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting
Authors: Zhu Lianhua , Li Nan , Zhu Yaqiong , Han Peng , Jiang Bo , Li Miao , Luo Yukun , Clevert Dirk-André , Fei Xiang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Ultrasound (US) has been widely used in screening and differential diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening (GWT). However, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing wall-thickening type gallbladder cancer are limited, leading to delayed treatment or overtreatment. We aim to explore the value of high frame rate contrast enhanced ultrasound (H-CEUS) in distinguishing wall-thickening type gallbladder cancer (malignant) from GWT mimicking malignancy (benign).

Methods
This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with non-acute GWT who underwent US and H-CEUS examination before cholecystectomy. Clinical information, US image and H-CEUS image characteristics between malignant and benign GWT were compared. The independent risk factors for malignant GWT on H-CEUS images were selected by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The diagnostic performance of H-CEUS in determining malignant GWT was compared with that of the gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) score.

Results
Forty-six patients included 30 benign GWTs and 16 malignant GWTs. Only mural layering and interface with liver on US images were significantly different between malignant and benign GWT (P < 0.05). Differences in enhancement direction, vascular morphology, serous layer continuity, wash-out time and mural layering in the venous phase of GWT on H-CEUS images were significant between malignant and benign GWT (P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of H-CEUS based on enhancement direction, vascular morphology and wash-out time in the diagnosis of malignant GWT were 93.75%, 90.00%, and 91.30%, respectively. However, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the GB-RADS score were only 68.75%, 73.33% and 71.74%, respectively. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of H-CEUS was significantly higher than that of the GB-RADS score (AUC = 0.965 vs. 0.756).

Conclusions
H-CEUS can accurately detect enhancement direction, vascular morphology and wash-out time of GWT, with a higher diagnostic performance than the GB-RADS score in determining wall-thickening type gallbladder cancer. This study provides a novel imaging means with high accuracy for the diagnosis of wall-thickening type gallbladder cancer, thus may be better avoiding delayed treatment or overtreatment.
Validation of an automated sample preparation module directly connected to LC-MS/MS (CLAM-LC-MS/MS system) and comparison with conventional immunoassays for quantitation of tacrolimus and cyclosporin A in a clinical setting
Authors: Shimada Tsutomu , Kawakami Daisuke , Fujita Arimi , Yamamoto Rintaro , Hara Satoshi , Ito Kiyoaki , Mizushima Ichiro , Kitajima Shinji , Iwata Yasunori , Sakai Norihiko , Kawano Mitsuhiro , Wada Takashi , Sai Yoshimichi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) systems generally use either liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) or immunoassay, though both methodologies have disadvantages. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether a CLAM-LC-MS/MS system, which consists of a sample preparation module directly connected to LC-MS/MS, could be used for clinical TDM work for immunosuppressive drugs in whole blood, which requires a hemolytic process. For this purpose, we prospectively validated this system for clinical measurement of tacrolimus and cyclosporin A in patients’ whole blood. The results were also compared with those of commercial immunoassays.

Methods
Whole blood from patients treated with tacrolimus or cyclosporin A at the Department of Nephrology and Departments of Rheumatology, Kanazawa University Hospital, from May 2018 to July 2019 was collected with informed consent, and drug concentrations were measured by CLAM-LC-MS/MS and by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for tacrolimus and affinity column-mediated immunoassay (ACMIA) for cyclosporin A. Correlations between the CLAM-LC-MS/MS and immunoassay results were analyzed.

Results
Two hundred and twenty-four blood samples from 80 patients were used for tacrolimus measurement, and 76 samples from 21 patients were used for cyclosporin A. Intra- and inter-assay precision values of quality controls were less than 7%. There were significant correlations between CLAM-LC-MS/MS and the immunoassays for tacrolimus and cyclosporin A (Spearman rank correlation coefficients: 0.861, 0.941, P < 0.00001 in each case). The drug concentrations measured by CLAM-LC-MS/MS were about 20% lower than those obtained using the immunoassays. CLAM-LC-MS/MS maintenance requirements did not interfere with clinical operations. Compared to manual pretreatment, automated pretreatment by CLAM showed lower inter-assay precision values and greatly reduced the pretreatment time.

Conclusions
The results obtained by CLAM-LC-MS/MS were highly correlated with those of commercial immunoassay methods. CLAM-LC-MS/MS offers advantages in clinical TDM practice, including simple, automatic pretreatment, low maintenance requirement, and avoidance of interference.
Neural Correlates of Balance Skill Learning in Young and Older Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Bakker Lisanne B. M. , Lamoth Claudine J. C. , Vetrovsky Tomas , Gruber Markus , Caljouw Simone R. , Nieboer Ward , Taube Wolfgang , van Dieën Jaap H. , Granacher Urs , Hortobágyi Tibor 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Despite the increasing number of research studies examining the effects of age on the control of posture, the number of annual fall-related injuries and deaths continues to increase. A better understanding of how old age affects the neural mechanisms of postural control and how countermeasures such as balance training could improve the neural control of posture to reduce falls in older individuals is therefore necessary. The aim of this review is to determine the effects of age on the neural correlates of balance skill learning measured during static (standing) and dynamic (walking) balance tasks in healthy individuals.

Methods
We determined the effects of acute (1–3 sessions) and chronic (> 3 sessions) balance skill training on balance in the trained and in untrained, transfer balance tasks through a systematic review and quantified these effects by robust variance estimation meta-analysis in combination with meta-regression. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Balance performance and neural plasticity outcomes were extracted and included in the systematic synthesis and meta-analysis.

Results
Forty-two studies (n = 622 young, n = 699 older individuals) were included in the systematic synthesis. Seventeen studies with 508 in-analysis participants were eligible for a meta-analysis. The overall analysis revealed that acute and chronic balance training had a large effect on the neural correlates of balance skill learning in the two age groups combined (g = 0.79, p < 0.01). Both age groups similarly improved balance skill performance in 1–3 training sessions and showed little further improvements with additional sessions. Improvements in balance performance mainly occurred in the trained and less so in the non-trained (i.e., transfer) balance tasks. The systematic synthesis and meta-analysis suggested little correspondence between improved balance skills and changes in spinal, cortical, and corticospinal excitability measures in the two age groups and between the time courses of changes in balance skills and neural correlates.

Conclusions
Balance skill learning and the accompanying neural adaptations occur rapidly and independently of age with little to no training dose-dependence or correspondence between behavioral and neural adaptations. Of the five types of neural correlates examined, changes in only spinal excitability seemed to differ between age groups. However, age or training dose in terms of duration did not moderate the effects of balance training on the changes in any of the neural correlates. The behavioral and neural mechanisms of strong task-specificity and the time course of skill retention remain unclear and require further studies in young and older individuals.

Registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022349573.
Effect of anti-epileptic drugs usage on thyroid profile in Egyptian epileptic children
Authors: Rafik Amira , El-Din Nahed Salah , El Khayat Naglaa Mohamed , Nada Maha , Abushady Eman Mones 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The long-term use of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) adversely affects thyroid, lipid profile and other metabolic functions. Subclinical hypothyroidism and alterations in thyroid hormone serum levels are reported with older ASMs in adults with limited and conflicting data of the influence of ASMs especially newer one on thyroid function in children. This study aimed to investigate the effects of conventional and newer ASMs whether mono or polytherapy on thyroid profile in children with epilepsy and its impact on lipid profile and metabolic functions.

Results
This study included 155 children with epilepsy (76 on monotherapy and 79 on polytherapy) with mean age of 9.677 ± 3.981 years (54.84% euthyroid, 31.61% hypothyroid, 9.68% subclinical hyperthyroid and 3.87% subclinical hypothyroid) and 78 healthy controls. Children with epilepsy whether on monotherapy or on polytherapy had a statistically significant thyroid profile abnormalities (hypothyroidism, sub-clinical hypothyroidism or sub-clinical hyperthyroidism), dyslipidemia, delayed growth and increase in DBP compared to control group. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between hypothyroidism and dyslipidemia as well as between hypothyroidism and delayed growth and increase in DBP. There was no statistically significant difference between polytherapy and monotherapy regarding thyroid and lipid parameters but children with epilepsy on polytherapy were associated with more statistically significant delay in growth and increase in DBP compared to monotherapy group. Carbamazepine had a statistically significant association with hypothyroidism, increase in DBP and higher total and LDL-cholesterol. Valproic acid had a statistically significant association with sub-clinical hypothyroidism with a positive dose correlation. Levetiracetam (LEV) was associated with a statistically significant lower HDL-cholesterol. All echocardiography data showed no abnormality.

Conclusion
ASMs whether older or newer generations can affect thyroid and lipid profile differently through different mechanisms that are dose and duration dependent regardless of the seizure type and age of the patient. ASMs mainly conventional ones are associated with hypothyroidism, sub-clinical hypothyroidism, sub-clinical hyperthyroidism, dyslipidemia and consequently delayed growth and diastolic blood pressure abnormalities.
Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities, in silico analyses, and anti-Alzheimer’s disease potential of leaf extracts of three Nigerian endemic medicinal plants (Spondias mombin, Carica papaya and Kalanchoe crenata)
Authors: Adetuyi Aanuoluwapo Ruth , Ayenero Michael E. , Olaleye Mary T. , Akindahunsi Afolabi A. , Akinmoladun Afolabi C. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The evaluation of the correlations between antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of methanol leaf extracts of three Nigerian endemic plants, Spondias mombin, Carica papaya and Kalanchoe crenata, was carried out. Their constituent phytochemicals were identified by HPLC–DAD fingerprinting. The antioxidant activity as typified by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS·+) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities were evaluated. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of the extracts was also determined.

Results
The extracts contained appreciable amounts of the flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol. The extracts of Spondias mombin, Carica papaya and Kalanchoe crenata showed concentration-dependent inhibitory activities against DPPH· and ABTS·+ with IC50 of 43.29 ± 0.443 µg/mL, 59.27 ± 0.644 µg/mL and 80.20 ± 0.414 µg/mL; 25.43 ± 0.325 (µg/mL), 39.84 ± 0.163 µg/mL and 59.02 ± 0.376 (µg/mL), respectively. The IC50 for the NO scavenging activities of the Spondias mombin, Carica papaya and Kalanchoe crenata extracts were 41.99 ± 0.217 µg/mL, 50.44 ± 0.281 µg/mL and 60.12 ± 0.512 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 for the inhibitory effects on AChE was 53.24 ± 0.327 µg/mL, 60.95 ± 0.290 µg/m and 70.5 ± 0.426 µg/mL, respectively. The effectiveness of the plant in all the experimental tests was in the following order: S. mombin > C. papaya > K. crenata. The total flavonoid and total phenolic contents have extremely significant positive correlations with the antioxidant activities and AChE inhibitory activity. The correlation coefficients (r2) of DPPH scavenging activity and NO scavenging activity with the AChE inhibitory activity were 0.8295 µg/mL and 0.7337 µg/mL, respectively (P < 0.0001). The molecular docking and pharmacokinetic analyses on some constituent phytochemicals showed that quercetin, kaempferol, ferulic acid, leucocyanidin, gallic acid and isorhamnetin fulfilled the requirements for an anti-Alzheimer drug.

Conclusions
The results suggest that the plant species provide a significant source of secondary metabolites that can act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which will be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Detection of Helicobacter pylori using Giemsa staining in chronic tonsillitis patients: cross-sectional study
Authors: Mahmoud Elawamry Mahmoud Ibrahim , El-Desouky Mohamed Ibrahim , Mohammed Tarek Gamal , Hussien Mohamed Ahmed , Mohamed Mohamed Nasr 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a well-known bacteria that is recognized as the most prevalent infection in humans and is present in the majority of people in the world.

Aim
To investigate the presence of an extragastric reservoir of Helicobacter pylori in tonsillectomy specimens to ascertain whether it is an etiologic factor in the development of chronic tonsillitis.

Subjects and methods
The study included 100 patients of both sexes with chronic tonsillitis who visited the ENT (ear, nose, and throat) outpatient department and tested positive for H. pylori antigen in stool and tonsillectomy materials. Giemsa stain was used. The population was patients with chronic tonsillitis who had been diagnosed based on physical examination and history-taking at the (Oto-Rhino-Laryngology) outpatient clinic.

Results
It is shown that patients with positive H. pylori had considerably more acute tonsillitis attacks per year than those with negative H. pylori. Examining the patients with Giemsa modification staining revealed 40% of them to be positive.

Conclusion
H. pylori was found in the tonsil tissue of 40% of the patients with chronic tonsillitis using the Giemsa modification staining method, suggesting that H. pylori may be contributing etiologic factors in the development of chronic tonsillitis.
Prevalence, Dynamics, and Prognostic Role of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential in Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Morganti Stefania , Gibson Christopher J. , Jin Qingchun , Santos Katheryn , Patel Ashka , Wilson Alex , Merrill Margaret , Vincuilla Julie , Stokes Samantha , Lipsyc-Sharf Marla , Parker Tonia , King Tari A. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Curigliano Giuseppe , Hughes Melissa E. , Stover Daniel G. , Tolaney Sara M. , Weeks Lachelle D. , Tayob Nabihah , Lin Nancy U. , Garber Judy E. , Miller Peter G. , Parsons Heather A. 
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE
Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is frequent in patients with solid tumors. Prospective data about CHIP prevalence at breast cancer diagnosis and its dynamic evolution under treatment selective pressure are limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed targeted error-corrected sequencing on 614 samples from 380 patients with breast cancer. We investigated the dynamics of CHIP on prospectively collected paired samples from patients with early breast cancer (eBC) receiving chemotherapy (CT) or endocrine therapy (ET). We assessed the correlation of CHIP with survival in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). We estimated the risk of progression to treatment-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) according to the clonal hematopoiesis risk score (CHRS). In exploratory analyses, we considered clonal hematopoiesis (CH) with variant allele fraction (VAF) ≥0.005.

RESULTS

CHIP was identified in 15% of patients before treatment. Few CHIP emerged after treatment, and the risk of developing new mutations was similar for patients receiving CT versus ET (odds ratio [OR], 1.16;
P
= .820). However, CT increased the risk of developing new CH with VAF ≥0.005 (OR, 3.45;
P
= .002). Five
TP53-
mutant CH with VAF ≥0.005 emerged among patients receiving CT. Most patients had low risk of t-MN according to the CHRS score. CHIP did not correlate with survival in mTNBC.

CONCLUSION

CHIP is frequent in patients with breast cancer. In this study, CT did not lead to emergence of new CHIP, and most patients had low risk of developing t-MN. This finding is reassuring, given long life expectancy of patients with eBC and the association of CHIP with morbidity and mortality. However,
TP53
-mutant CH with VAF ≥0.005 emerged with CT, which carries high risk of t-MN. Evolution of these small clones and their clinical significance warrant further investigation.
Epidemiology, Genetics, and DNA Methylation Grouping of Hyperostotic Meningiomas
Authors: Umbach Gray , Tran Edwina B. , Eaton Charlotte D. , Choudhury Abrar , Morshed Ramin , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , Theodosopoulos Philip V. , Magill Stephen T. , McDermott Michael W. , Raleigh David R. , Goldschmidt Ezequiel 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors and are among the only tumors that can form lamellar, hyperostotic bone in the tumor microenvironment. Little is known about the epidemiology or molecular features of hyperostotic meningiomas.

METHODS:
Using a retrospective database of 342 meningiomas treated with surgery at a single institution, we correlated clinical, tumor-related, targeted next-generation DNA sequencing (n = 39 total, 16 meningioma-induced hyperostosis [MIH]), and surgical variables with the presence of MIH using generalized linear models. Meningioma DNA methylation grouping was analyzed on a separate population of patients from the same institution with preoperative imaging studies sufficient for identification of MIH (n = 200).

RESULTS:
MIH was significantly correlated with anterior fossa (44.3% of MIH vs 17.5% of non-MIH were in the anterior fossa P < .001, c2) or skull base location (62.5% vs 38.3%, P < .001, c2) and lower MIB-1 labeling index. Gross total resection was accomplished in 27.3% of tumors with MIH and 45.5% of nonhyperostotic meningiomas (P < .05, t test). There was no association between MIH and histological World Health Organization grade (P = .32, c2). MIH was significantly more frequent in meningiomas from the Merlin-intact DNA methylation group (P < .05). Somatic missense mutations in the WD-repeat–containing domain of the TRAF7 gene were the most common genetic alteration associated with MIH (n = 12 of 15, 80%, P < .01, c2).

CONCLUSION:
In this article, we show that MIH has a predilection for the anterior skull base and affected tumors are less amenable to gross total resection. We find no association between MIH and histological World Health Organization grade, but show that MIH is more common in the Merlin-intact DNA methylation group and is significantly associated with TRAF7 somatic missense mutations. These data provide a framework for future investigation of biological mechanisms underlying MIH.