bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A nomogram for predicting overall survival in patients with Appendiceal mucinous carcinoma: A population-based analysis
Authors: Sun Xu , Li Rui , Zhao Wen , Li Dingchang , Dong Guanglong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma (AMA) is a rare tumor and prognostic prediction models have rarely been reported. The aim of our study was to establish and evaluate a nomogram to predict the overall survival of AMA patients.
Methods
We selected patients diagnosed with AMA from 2000 to 2020 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. They were randomized in a 7:3 ratio to be further divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were used to select prognostic independent risk factors and further to select variables for nomogram. The validity of the nomogram was assessed using the consistency index (C index), area under the curve of time-dependent ROC curves (time-dependent AUC), and calibration curves. The net benefit of nomograms with different threshold probabilities was quantified using Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) and compared to the net benefit of AJCC standard-based tumor staging. The Net Reclassification Index (NRI) and Integrated Discriminatory Improvement (IDI) were also employed to compare the clinical use of the nomogram with AJCC standard-based tumor staging. Comparison of risk stratification for nomogram and AJCC standard-based tumor staging.
Results
A total of 2489 patients were enrolled according to the admission and exclusion criteria and divided into training cohort (n = 1739) and validation cohort (n = 750) in a 7:3 ratio. Six variables were selected to establish the nomogram of AMA based on univariate and multivariate regression analyses. C-index (0.724 for the training cohort, and 0.693 for the validation cohort) and time-dependent AUC (> 0.7) indicated that the nomogram had a satisfactory discriminatory ability. In both the training and validation cohorts, the calibration curves demonstrated a decent agreement between the predictions of the nomogram and the actual observations. the NRI values (training cohort: 0.308 for 1 year, 0,300 for 3 years, 0.187 for 5 years OS prediction; validation cohort:0.178 for 1 year, 0.172 for 3 years and 0.148 for 5 years OS prediction) and IDIs (training cohort: 0.052 for 1 year, 0.076 for 3 years, 0.069 for 5 years OS prediction; validation cohort: 0.035for 1 year, 0.053 for 3 years, 0.058 for 5 years OS prediction) indicated that the constructed nomogram significantly outperforms tumor staging based on the AJCC standard alone (P < 0.05). Furthermore, DCA showed that the nomogram has clinical utility to identify patients at higher risk than AJCC standard-based tumor staging.
Conclusion
We established and validated a prognostic nomogram to help clinicians evaluate the prognosis of patients with AMA. In the future, we hope that more external validation will be added to increase its efficacy.
Validation of The Health Promotion Literacy Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analysis in Taiwan's University Social Responsibility Context
Authors: Wang Yu-Ming , Hung Chia-Hui , Li Yi-Ching , Ho Yung-Chuan , Hwang Gwo-Jen , Huang Cheng Yi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Introduction:
The development of a Health Promotion Literacy Scale within the USR Curriculum is crucial for addressing the existing gap in measuring the impact of USR on students' citizenship and social engagement. This study aimed to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Health Promotion Literacy-based Scale in USR (HPLS-USR) scale on medical university students through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in Taiwan.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited a convenience sample of 405 students in central Taiwan. The HPLS-USR scale, developed by Hung et al. in 2022, comprises four factors—personal growth, responsibility of citizenship, social interaction, and intellectual development—that together accounted for 61.83% of the total variance. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS (version 22.0) to perform a CFA to verify the model's goodness of fit.
Results: The modified model derived 17 items in 3 factors, with 51.02% of the total variance explained. The structural equation model displayed a good fit, suggesting that personal growth, responsibility for citizenship, and social interaction were latent variables of the Health Promotion Literacy-based Scale on a USR curriculum. The Cronbach's alphas for the overall scale and the three subscales ranged from 0.82 to 0.93. The psychometric properties of the scale demonstrated good to excellent model fit in the CMIN/DF (χ2/df) = 3.149, GFI = 0.91, AGFI = 0.88, SRMR = 0.04, RMSEA = 0.07, NFI = 0.90, NNFI = 0.92, RFI = 0.89, IFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.93, PNFI = 0.78, and PCFI = 0.81. The Cronbach's alphas ranged between.81 and.89; the composite alphas ranged between.87 and.94.
Conclusion:
The present study validates the HPLS-USR structure, a reliable and valid instrument with excellent psychometric properties for reflecting literacy by USR students.
Chitosan/PLA-loaded Magnesium oxide nanocomposite to attenuate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotoxicity in rat models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Rajkumar Manickam , Prabha Govindaraj , Vimala Karuppaiya , Thangaraj Ramasundaram , Kannan Soundarapandian 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and dysfunction in the mitochondria and cholinergic system. In this study, the synthesis of chitosan-polylactic acid-loaded magnesium oxide nanocomposite (CH/PLA/MgONCs) was examined using the green precipitation method. The synthesized CH/PLA/MgONCs were confirmed by using the UV-Vis spectrum, FT-IR, SEM-EDAX, and physical properties. The experiments were carried out using male Wistar rats by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) bilaterally into the brain's ventricles through the intracerebroventricular (ICV) route at a dose of 3 mg/kg. We also evaluated the effects of CH/PLA/MgONCs at doses of 10 mg/kg. To assess the cognitive dysfunction induced by ICV-STZ, we performed behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological analyses. In our study results, UV-Vis spectrum analysis of CH/PLA/MgONCs showed 285 nm, FT-IR analyses confirmed that the various functional groups were present, and SEM-EDAX analysis confirmed that a cauliflower-like spherical shape, Mg and O were present. Treatment with CH/PLA/MgONCs (10 mg/kg) showed a significant improvement in spatial and non-spatial memory functions. This was further supported by biochemical analysis showing improved antioxidant enzyme (GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx activity) activities that significantly attenuated cholinergic activity and oxidative stress. In the CH/PLA/MgONCs-treated group, significant improvement was observed in the mitochondrial complex activity. ICV-STZ-induced neuroinflammation, as indicated by increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP, was significantly reduced by CH/PLA/MgONCs treatment. Additionally, CH/PLA/MgONCs treated histological results showed improved healthy neuronal cells in the brain. Furthermore, in silico studies confirm that these molecules have good binding affinity and inhibit Aβ aggregation. In conclusion, CH/PLA/MgONCs treatment reversed AD pathology by improving memory and reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings recommend that CH/PLA/MgONCs are possible therapeutic agents to treat AD.
Isolated respiratory tract microorganisms and clinical characteristics in asthma exacerbation of obese patients: a multicenter study
Authors: Park Sojung , Hwang Yong Il , Lee Sei Won , Kim Hyo-Jung , Kim Byung-Keun , Lee Jin Hwa , Ryu Yon Ju , Kim So Ri , Chang Jung Hyun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: Viral infection is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation (AE). However, bacterial infections related to AE in adults are poorly known. On the other hand, obese patients with asthma have their own clinical and biological characteristics compared with non-obese patients.
Methods: We investigated the differences in causative pathogens for AE between obese and non-obese patients with asthma. We included 407 patients with AE from 24 medical centers in Korea. Microorganisms isolated from culture, RT-PCR or serologic tests using lower respiratory tract specimens were retrospectively investigated.
Results: A total of 171 obese and 236 non-obese patients with asthma were included for analysis. Compared to non-obese patients, obese patients were associated with women (77.2% vs. 63.6%), never smoker (82.5% vs. 73.9%), shorter duration of asthma (7.9 ± 8.4 vs. 10.5 ± 10.1 years), less history of pulmonary tuberculosis (8.8% vs. 17.4%), and more comorbidity of allergic rhinitis (48.5% vs. 0.8%). Viral and/or bacterial infections were detected in 205 patients (50.4%) with AE. The numbers of patients with viral only, bacterial only, or both infections were 119, 49, and 37, respectively. The most commonly isolated bacterium was Streptococcus pneumoniae, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Obese patients showed a lower incidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. In the non-obese group, bacterial infection, especially Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, was significantly associated with the duration of systemic corticosteroid use (13.6 ± 19.8 vs. 9.7 ± 6.7 days, p = 0.049).
Conclusion: AE in obese patients with asthma presented particular clinical characteristics. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was less associated with obese patients with AE. Isolated microbial data may help to choose proper treatment of AEs in obese patients in Korea.
“Teaching Capital” – a sociological analysis of medical educator portfolios for promotion
Authors: Christensen Mette Krogh , Pedersen Iris Maria , Wichmann-Hansen Gitte 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Medical educator portfolios (MEP) are increasingly recognized as a tool for developing and documenting teaching performance in Health Professions Education. However, there is a need to better understand the complex interplay between institutional guidelines and how teachers decode those guidelines and assign value to teaching merits. To gain a deeper understanding of this dynamic, this study employed a sociological analysis to understand how medical educators aspiring to professorships use MEPs to display their teaching merits and how cultural capital is reflected in these artefacts. We collected 36 medical educator portfolios for promotion from a large research-intensive university and conducted a deductive content analysis using institutional guidelines that distinguished between mandatory (accounting for the total body of teaching conducted) and optional content (arguing for pedagogical choices and evidencing the quality, respectively). Our analysis showed that the portfolios primarily included quantifiable data about teaching activities, e.g., numbers of students, topics and classes taught. Notably, they often lacked evidence of quality and scholarship of teaching. Looking at these findings through a Bourdieusian lens revealed that teachers in this social field exchange objectified evidence of hours spent on teaching into teaching capital recognized by their institution. Our findings highlight how institutional guidelines for MEPs construct a pedagogical battlefield, where educators try to decode and exchange the “right” and recognized teaching capital. This indicates that MEPs reflect the norms and practices of the academic field more than individual teaching quality.
Clinicopathological and molecular features of genome-stable colorectal cancers
Authors: Jin Lingyan , Jin Hye-Yeong , Kim Younghoon , Cho Nam-Yun , Bae Jeong-Mo , KIm Jung Ho , Han Sae_Won , Kim Tae-You , Kang Gyeong Hoon 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Colorectal cancers (CRCs) are traditionally divided into CRCs with either chromosomal instability (CIN) or microsatellite instability (MSI). By utilizing TCGA data, the Laird team found a subset of CRCs, namely, genome stable CRCs (GS CRCs), which lack both CIN and MSI. Although the molecular features of GS CRCs have been described in detail, the clinicopathological features are not well defined.
A total of 437 CRCs were analyzed for copy number variation (CNV) statuses in 8 genes (ARID1A, EGFR, FGFR1, KDM5B, MYBL2, MYC, SALL4, and SETDB1) using droplet-digital PCR. CRCs that showed CNV in ≤one gene and no MSI were defined as GS CRCs. Clinicopathological and molecular features of GS CRCs were compared with those of CIN CRCs. GS CRCs comprised 4.6% of the CRCs. Compared with the CIN subtype,the GS subtype showed a predilection toward the proximal colon, lower nuclear optical density, KRAS mutation, PIK3CAmutation, and aberrant expression of KRT7. Survival analysis showed no significant difference between the three subgroups.
Through our study, the GS subtype was found to comprise a minor proportion of CRCs and have proclivity toward proximal bowel location, hypochromatic tumor nuclei, aberrant KRT7 expression, and a high frequency of KRAS and PIK3CA mutations.
Validation of a targeted sequencing panel with automatic analysis system for clinical decision support in cancer therapy
Authors: Che Jingmin , Kwon Woo Sun , Kim Jaeyoung , Jadamba Erkhembayar , Han Hyo Jun , Kim Yuhnam , Lee Choong-kun , Chung Hyun Cheol , Rha Sun Young 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Precision cancer therapy relies on the identification of tumor-specific genomic alterations, which can be achieved through next-generation sequencing (NGS). In the clinic, personalized treatment for patients with advanced treatment-refractory solid tumors often requires rapid and comprehensive multi-dimensional molecular signature analysis using tumor-only samples because paired normal specimens are unavailable in most cases. To address this issue, we developed a CancerMaster panel, targeted NGS panel with 524 key genes specifically designed for multi-dimensional molecular signature analysis of solid tumors.
Methods
Its asynchronous and parallel one-stop automated analysis pipeline with a reporting system provides a comprehensive solution to shorten the turnaround time from analysis to reporting. The panel can detect common genomic alteration types, including SNVs/Indels and CNVs, fusions, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)/Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB) status and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing.
Results
We confirmed its reproducibility (100%) and analytical sensitivity (99%) using reference materials and performed clinical validation of the panel, which demonstrated a high accuracy (94%). Using the CancerMaster panel, we identified actionable mutations (TP53, KRAS, and PIK3CA) and CNV (ERBB2 amplification) mainly in gastric and colorectal cancer. We also found a high correlation between MSI and TMB in our patient samples (n = 668, r = 0.75, p < ), especially for gastric cancer (n = 412, r = 0.75, p < ) and colorectal cancer (n = 66, r = 0.87, p < ).
Conclusion
The CancerMaster panel demonstrated the potential for clinical decision support in personalized cancer treatment.
Efficient Path Coverage-based Test Data Generation using an Enhanced Pelican Algorithm
Authors: Salehi Mojtaba , Parsa Saeed , Joudaki Saba 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
White box test data generation typically relies on an optimized search through the program input space. Metaheuristic algorithms, such as Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Simulated Annealing, are commonly utilized to address this problem. However, it is observed that existing algorithms often fall short in generating diverse test data. Their primary focus is identifying the optimal solution rather than a diverse set of reasonable solutions. This paper aims to address the issue of limited diversity in test data generation by proposing a modified version of the Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA). The goal is to improve coverage and reduce the fitness evaluations required for generating test data. Additionally, the paper aims to tackle the challenge of minimizing test data volume while achieving high coverage, which is a significant concern in automatic test data generation. The proposed approach introduces the adapted POA to solve the diversity problem in test data generation. The modified algorithm outperforms eight well-known metaheuristic algorithms regarding coverage and the number of fitness evaluations needed. The approach also incorporates techniques to address the challenge of reducing test data volume while maintaining high coverage. Compared to similar well-known methods, our enhanced Pelican algorithm can improve test coverage by up to 83% when generating a thousand test data for benchmark programs. Without a doubt, the diversity in test data leads to less overlap between the paths covered by the test data, which in turn results in increased path coverage and improved test effectiveness. The superior performance of the adapted POA highlights its effectiveness in generating diverse and high-coverage test data.
The mechanism of effective components compatibility of Astragalus and Nelumbinis folium on the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia by regulating cholesterol reversal transport
Authors: Chen Jian , Shi Cheng , Zhang Yufang , Gao Ya , Li Dantong , Gu Ying , Zhang Yixin , Zhang Muqing 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Astragalus saponins (AS) and Nelumbinis folium alkaloids (NFA) are the main active components of Astragalus membranaceus and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. This research investigated the beneficial effects and mechanisms of AS-NFA in preventing and treating dyslipidemia.
Methods
Rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for to establish a dyslipidemia model and HepG2 cells were induced by cholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol to establish a steatosis cell model, treating with AS-NFA. The levels of blood lipids and liver function were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. HE staining and oil red O staining were used to observe the pathological morphological changes and steatosis. The uptake of Dil-HDL by HepG2 cells was observed and detected by fluorescence microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Cholesterol reverse transport (RCT)-related mRNA and protein. in rat liver and HepG2 cells were detected by RT-PCR, immunofluorescent staining and Western Blot.
Results
AS-NFA had remarkable effects on regulating blood lipids, improving liver function, alleviating pathological injury of liver tissues, and reducing hepatic lipid accumulation. AS-NFA dramatically reduced total cholesterol (TC), total bile acid (TBA) levels, and lipid accumulation, and increased the intake of HDL in HepG2 cells. AS-NFA can regulate RCT by upregulating scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1), recombinant cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in the HFD rats and HepG2 steatosis cells. The effects of AS-NFA on the SR-B1/CYP7A1/FXR signaling pathway were abolished when SR-B1 was inhibited by BLT-1 (a selective SR-B1 inhibitor) in HepG2 cells.
Conclusion
AS-NFA has an efficient lipid-regulating effect mediated by activation of the SR-B1/CYP7A1/FXR signaling pathway to regulate RCT. Our findings provide new insight and evidence for the discovery of a new lipid-regulating drug for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in the clinic.
Molecular insights of an avian species with low oxygen affinity, the crystal structure of duck methemoglobin
Authors: Ponnuraj Sathya Moorthy , Kamariah Neelagandan , Moovarkumudalvan Balasubramanian , Ramadoss Ramya , N. Ponnuswamy M. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Hemoglobin is an iron-containing metalloprotein which plays a major role in the transportation of oxygen from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back to lungs. The structural investigations on avian hemoglobin are limited when compared with the enormous work has been carried out on mammalian hemoglobin. Here, the crystal structure of methemoglobin from domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos), a low oxygen affinity avian species, determined to 2.1 Å resolution is presented. It has been crystallized in orthorhombic space group C2221 with unit cell parameters a = 59.89, b = 109.42 and c = 92.07 Å. The final model is refined to an R-factor and Rfree of 19.5% and 25.2%, respectively. The structural analysis reveals that duck methemoglobin adopts a unique quaternary structure that is distinct from any of the liganded hemoglobin structures. Moreover, it closely resembles the deoxy hemoglobin of bar-headed goose, a high oxygen affinity species. Besides the amino acid αPro 119 located in the α1β1 interface, a unique quaternary structure with a constrained heme environment is attributed for the intrinsic low oxygen affinity of duck hemoglobin.
Digital media use, depressive symptoms and support for violent radicalization among young Canadians: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Miconi Diana , Santavicca Tara , Frounfelker Rochelle L. , Rousseau Cécile 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background.
Despite the prominent role that digital media play in the lives and mental health of young people as well as in violent radicalization (VR) processes, empirical research aimed to investigate the association between Internet use, depressive symptoms and support for VR among young people is scant. We adopt a person-centered approach to investigate patterns of digital media use and their association with depressive symptoms and support for VR.
Methods.
A sample of 2,324 Canadian young people (Mage = 30.10; SDage = 5.44 ; 59% women) responded to an online questionnaire. We use latent class analysis to identify patterns of digital media use and linear regression to estimate the associations between class membership, depressive symptoms and support for VR.
Results.
We identified three classes of individuals in regards to digital media use, named Personal sphere/Low Trust, Social conformity/Institutional Trust, Online Community/Undifferentiated Trust. Linear regression indicated that individuals in the Online Community/Undifferentiated Trust class were at greater risk, whereas individuals in the Social conformity/Institutional Trust class were at lower risk of both depression and supporting VR compared to individuals in the Personal sphere/Low Trust.
Conclusions.
It is essential to tailor prevention and intervention efforts to mitigate risks of VR to the specific needs and experiences of different groups in society, within a socio-ecological perspective. Prevention should consider both strengths and risks of digital media use and simulteaneously target both online and offline experiences and networks, with a focus on the relational/emotional components of Internet use.