bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does vitamin D reduce the mortality rate of Plasmodium infection?: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kalantari Narges , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Ghaffari Salman , Rostami-Mansoor Sahar 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Vitamin D supplementation is recommended as an effective adjunct to counteract malaria pathogenesis, but the evidence on this point is limited and controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D administration on the survival rate of Plasmodium-infected animals in experimentally-induced malaria on days 6 and 10 post-infection.

Methods
Five electronic databases were searched up to 20 December 2021. The pooled risks ratio (RR) and associated 95% confidence interval were estimated using the Restricted-maximum likelihood (REML) random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran’s Q test and I2 value. Sub-group analyses were used to identify the sources of heterogeneity for several variables, such as type of vitamin D, type of intervention, and dose of vitamin D.

Results
Out of 248 articles found in the electronic database, six were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The current study found that the pooled random effect of risks ratio favored a statistically significant effect of vitamin D administration on survival rate in infected mice on day 6 post Plasmodium infection (RR = 1.08, 95%CI 1.03, 1.15, p < 0.99; I2 = 0%). It also found that vitamin D administration significantly affected the survival rate on day 10 post-infection (RR = 1.94, 95%CI 1.39, 2.71, p < 0.001; I2 = 69.02%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated a significant pooled RRs of the positive effect of vitamin D administration for cholecalciferol (RR = 3.11, 95%CI 2.41, 4.03, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%), doses higher than 50 µg/kg (RR = 3.37, 95%CI 2.55, 4.27, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%), and oral administration (RR = 3.01, 95%CI 2.37, 3.82, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion
This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that vitamin D administration positively affects the survival rate in Plasmodium-infected mice. Since, the mouse model may not accurately reproduce the clinical and pathological features of human malaria, future research should investigate the impact of vitamin D in human malaria.
Estimation of the value of curative therapies in oncology: a willingness-to-pay study in China
Authors: Huang Li , Peng Xiaochen , Sun Lihua , Zhang Dawei 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe objective of this study was to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) among people with malignancies in China. The WTP for a QALY was estimated using a contingent valuation survey. Health utility was measured in EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D). The questionnaires were completed in face-to-face interviews. Respondents consisted of patients with malignant tumors and their family members and came from three tertiary hospitals in different cities with high, medium, and low gross domestic product (GDP) levels. In this study, we offered lump-sum payments and 10 year installment plans to respondents. Finally, we conducted sensitivity analysis and stepwise regression analyses to identify factors that affected the WTP/QALY ratios. A total of 1264 people participated in this survey, and 1013 people gave WTP responses for further analysis. The mean and median WTP/QALY values based on the lump-sum payments were 366,879 RMB (53,171USD, 5.1 times the GDP per capita) and 99,906 RMB (14,479USD, 1.39 times the GDP per capita) for the overall sample; 339,330 RMB (49,178USD, 4.71 times the GDP per capita) and 83,875 RMB (12,156USD, 1.16 times the GDP per capita) for the patient group; and 407,396 RMB (59,043USD, 5.66 times the GDP per capita) and 149,436 RMB (21,657USD, 2.08 times the GDP per capita) for the family group. Considering the skewedness of the data distribution, we suggest setting the cost-utility threshold with reference to the median. When the payment plan changed to 10-year installments, the median increased to 134,734RMB (19,527USD), 112,390 RMB (16,288USD) and 173,838 RMB (25,194USD) for the above groups, respectively. EQ-5D-5L health utility, annual household income per capita, patients with other chronic diseases, occupation, regular physical examinations (patients) and age (family members) were significantly related to WTP/QALY. This study provides empirical evidence of the monetary value of a QALY from a sample of the Chinese population with malignancies. In addition, the ratio of the WTP/QALY to GDP per capita was related to the disease and hypothetical scenario, and a higher ratio of GDP per capita for malignant tumor therapies should be considered.
Primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid with concurrent papillary thyroid cancer: a rare case report and a review of literature
Authors: Asiri Mohamed , Alsarrani Faisal , Altasan Abdullah , Alqahtani Faisal , Ali Lujain Akram , Pharaon Majed , Alshehri Saad , Alshahrani Awad 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a soft tissue malignant tumor that has a predilection to the abdominopelvic and limb smooth muscles. LMS of the thyroid is exceptionally rare. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy and originates from the thyroid epithelial layer. To our knowledge, the presence of both tumors in the same patient has not been reported previously.

Case presentation & literature review
A 42-year-old woman presented with a progressively enlarging neck mass for a few months. She underwent left thyroid lobectomy, and the histology showed high-grade primary LMS of the thyroid. She subsequently underwent a complete thyroidectomy, which identified a classical PTC on her right lobe.
Our comprehensive literature review identified 39 published cases of primary LMS of the thyroid. The average tumor size was 5.88 cm and occurred more in women. The most common presentation was neck mass, followed by compressive symptoms. Recurrence and metastasis were uncommon at 15% and 10–25%, respectively.

Conclusion
Thyroid LMS is a rare malignancy with a worse prognosis than PTC. A thorough workup must be done to rule out metastasis before labeling it as primary thyroid cancer.
Mechanistic insights into the interactions between cancer drivers and the tumour immune microenvironment
Authors: Misetic Hrvoje , Keddar Mohamed Reda , Jeannon Jean-Pierre , Ciccarelli Francesca D. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
The crosstalk between cancer and the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) has attracted significant interest in the latest years because of its impact on cancer evolution and response to treatment. Despite this, cancer-specific tumour-TIME interactions and their mechanistic insights are still poorly understood.

Methods
Here, we compute the significant interactions occurring between cancer-specific genetic drivers and five anti- and pro-tumour TIME features in 32 cancer types using Lasso regularised ordinal regression. Focusing on head and neck squamous cancer (HNSC), we rebuild the functional networks linking specific TIME driver alterations to the TIME state they associate with.

Results
The 477 TIME drivers that we identify are multifunctional genes whose alterations are selected early in cancer evolution and recur across and within cancer types. Tumour suppressors and oncogenes have an opposite effect on the TIME and the overall anti-tumour TIME driver burden is predictive of response to immunotherapy. TIME driver alterations predict the immune profiles of HNSC molecular subtypes, and perturbations in keratinization, apoptosis and interferon signalling underpin specific driver-TIME interactions.

Conclusions
Overall, our study delivers a comprehensive resource of TIME drivers, gives mechanistic insights into their immune-regulatory role, and provides an additional framework for patient prioritisation to immunotherapy. The full list of TIME drivers and associated properties are available at http://www.network-cancer-genes.org.
Stability of Cayley dynamic systems with impulsive effects
Authors: Younus Awais , Atta Gulnaz , Aloqaily Ahmad , Mlaiki Nabil , Abdeljawad Thabet 
Published: June 2023

AbstractLinear dynamic systems with impulsive effects are considered. For such a system we define a new impulsive exponential matrix. Necessary and sufficient conditions for exponential stability and boundedness have been established. The fundamental tool is an impulsive exponential matrix for exponential stability.
A remark on Jleli–Samet’s best proximity point theorems for α-ψ-contraction mappings
Authors: Ardsalee Pinya 
Published: June 2023

AbstractInspired by the work of Jachymski, we slightly extend some fixed point theorems with a graph and show that some best proximity point theorems for α-ψ-contraction mappings of Jleli and Samet can be deduced by our results.
Pre-assessment and management of long COVID patients requiring elective surgery: challenges and guidance
Authors: Boles Sophie , Ashok Sundar Raj 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Whilst most patients infected with COVID-19 make a full recovery, around 1 in 33 patients in the UK report ongoing symptoms post-infection, termed ‘long COVID’. Studies have demonstrated that infection with early COVID-19 variants increases postoperative mortality and pulmonary complications for around 7 weeks after acute infection. Furthermore, this increased risk persists for those with ongoing symptoms beyond 7 weeks. Patients with long COVID may therefore also be at increased postoperative risk, and despite the significant prevalence of long COVID, there are minimal guidelines on how best to assess and manage these patients perioperatively. Long COVID shares several clinical and pathophysiological similarities with conditions such as myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and postural tachycardia syndrome; however, there are no current guidelines for the preoperative management of these patients to help develop something similar for long COVID patients. Developing guidelines for long COVID patients is further complicated by its heterogenous presentation and pathology. These patients can have persistent abnormalities on pulmonary function tests and echocardiography 3 months after acute infection, correlating with a reduced functional capacity. Conversely, some long COVID patients can continue to experience symptoms of dyspnoea and fatigue despite normal pulmonary function tests and echocardiography, yet demonstrating significantly reduced aerobic capacity on cardiopulmonary exercise testing even a year after initial infection. How to comprehensively risk assess these patients is therefore challenging. Existing preoperative guidelines for elective patients with recent COVID-19 generally focus on the timing of surgery and recommendations for pre-assessment if surgery is required before this time interval has elapsed. How long to delay surgery in those with ongoing symptoms and how to manage them perioperatively are less clear. We suggest that multidisciplinary decision-making is required for these patients, using a systems-based approach to guide discussion with specialists and the need for further preoperative investigations. However, without a better understanding of the postoperative risks for long COVID patients, it is difficult to obtain a multidisciplinary consensus and obtain informed patient consent. Prospective studies of long COVID patients undergoing elective surgery are urgently required to help quantify their postoperative risk and develop comprehensive perioperative guidelines for this complex patient group.
Effect of Wollastonite Microfibers and Waste Tire Rubber on Mechanical Properties of Concrete
Authors: Lotfollahi Sina , Jaidari Alireza , Bakhtiari Parham , Hosseini Mojtaba , Ghorbani Mohammad 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe main objective of the present research is to investigate the effect of adding wollastonite microfibers and waste tire rubber on the mechanical properties of concrete. For this purpose, two different series of mixtures were considered. Different percentages (5, 10, 15, and 20 percent) of wollastonite microfibers were added to the ordinary concrete and tested in the first series. Then, in the second series, wollastonite microfibers were added to the specimens in the amount of 20% by the weight of cement, and waste tire rubber was replaced with fine aggregate in different percentages (3, 5, 7, and 10 percent by the weight of fine aggregate), and the specimens were tested again. All the specimens were cured at the two ages of 7 and 28 days, and they were tested for the slump, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength. The results showed that the addition of 20% wollastonite microfibers to the specimens increased the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of the concrete at 28 days of age by 16, 87, and 78%, respectively, compared to the control specimen. The outcomes also demonstrated that replacing fine aggregate with tire rubber in samples containing 20% wollastonite microfibers reduces the strength of the samples. The highest reduction is related to the sample containing 20% of waste tire rubber, which has a reduced compressive strength of about 20% compared to the control sample. Furthermore, the results of this research showed that adding wollastonite microfibers to concrete reduces the concrete slump, while the density of the samples increases with the addition of wollastonite. Moreover, the presence of wollastonite microfibers reduces the porosity of concrete, but there is an increase in the number of pores in concrete samples containing waste tire rubber.
Leveraging large-scale assessments for effective and equitable school practices: the case of the nordic countries
Authors: Teig Nani , Steinmann Isa 
Published: June 2023

AbstractOne of the primary goals of educational research is to identify effective and equitable school practices that aim to promote desired educational outcomes for all students, regardless of their background. This pursuit raises the question of why certain countries or schools demonstrate more favourable outcomes than others. To shed light on this question, this special issue delves into the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) as a showcase.Despite their similar historical, cultural, and economic characteristics, these countries show vastly different levels of student outcomes. This special issue comprises seven studies that utilize data from the international large-scale assessments (PIRLS, TIMSS, and PISA), leveraging their international comparative design and nationally representative student samples. The present article provides an overview of the seven included studies by underlining the key themes that transcend them as well as their contributions and implications. These themes include the measurement of educational effectiveness with international large-scale assessments, the central role of teachers, and the importance of both cognitive and non-cognitive student outcomes in studying different perspectives on effective and equitable school practices.
Comprehensive analysis of geographic and breed-purpose influences on genetic diversity and inherited disease risk in the Doberman dog breed
Authors: Wade Claire M. , Nuttall Robin , Liu Sophie 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Publicly available phenotype data and genotyping array data from two citizen science projects: “Doberman Health Surveys” and “The Doberman Diversity Project” were analyzed to explore relative homozygosity, diversity, and disorder risk according to geographical locale and breeding purpose in the Doberman.

Results
From the phenotypic data cohort, life expectancy of a Doberman at birth is 9.1 years. The leading causes of death were heart disease (accounting for 28% of deaths) and cancers (collectively accounting for 14% of deaths).
By genotyping, the world Doberman population exists as four major cohorts (European exhibition-bred, Americas exhibition-bred, European work, Americas pet/informal). Considering the entire Doberman population, four genomic regions longer than 500 Kb are fixed in 90% or more of 3,226 dogs included in this study. The four fixed regions reside on two autosomal chromosomes: CFA3:0.8–2.3 Mb (1.55 Mb); CFA3: 57.9–59.8 Mb (1.8 Mb); CFA31:0–1.2 Mb (1.2 Mb); and CFA31:4.80–6.47 Mb (1.67 Mb). Using public variant call files including variants for eight Doberman pinschers, we observed 30 potentially functional alternate variants that were evolutionarily diverged relative to the wider sequenced dog population within the four strongly homozygous chromosomal regions.
Effective population size (Ne) is a statistical measure of breed diversity at the time of sampling that approximates the number of unique individuals. The major identified sub-populations of Dobermans demonstrated Ne in the range 70–236. The mean level of inbreeding in the Doberman breed is 40% as calculated by the number of array variants in runs of homozygosity divided by the assayed genome size (excluding the X chromosome). The lowest observed level of inbreeding in the Dobermans assayed was 15% in animals that were first generation mixes of European and USA bred Dobermans. Array variant analysis shows that inter-crossing between European and USA-bred Dobermans has capacity to re-introduce variation at many loci that are strongly homozygous.

Conclusions
We conclude that efforts to improve breed diversity first should focus on regions with the highest fixation levels, but managers must ensure that mutation loads are not worsened by increasing the frequencies of rarer haplotypes in the identified regions. The analysis of global data identified regions of strong fixation that might impact known disorder risks in the breed. Plausible gene candidates for future analysis of the genetic basis of cardiac disease and cancer were identified in the analysis.
Skin absorption of felbinac solid nanoparticles in gel formulation containing l-menthol and carboxypolymethylene
Authors: Kadowaki Reita , Ogata Fumihiko , Fushiki Aoi , Daimyo Saki , Deguchi Saori , Otake Hiroko , Nagata Mayumi , Sasaki Hiroshi , Kawasaki Naohito , Nagai Noriaki 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
It is important to design an effective formulation to enhance the skin penetration, and nanotechnologies have been used in dermal and transdermal drug delivery. In this study, we prepared formulations (gels) containing l-menthol and felbinac (FEL) solid nanoparticles (FEL-NP gel) for topical application, and investigated the local and systemic absorption of the prepared FEL-NP gel.

Methods
FEL solid nanoparticles were obtained by bead milling of FEL powder (microparticles), and a topical formulation (FEL-NP gel) consisting of 1.5% FEL solid nanoparticles), 2% carboxypolymethylene, 2% l-menthol, 0.5% methylcellulose, and 5% 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (w/w %) were prepared.

Results
The particle size of FEL nanoparticles was 20–200 nm. The released FEL concentration from FEL-NP gel was significantly higher than that from FEL gel without bead mill treatment (carboxypolymethylene gel in which FEL microparticles (MPs) instead of FEL nanoparticles were incorporated, FEL-MP gel), and FEL was released as nanoparticles from the gel. Moreover, both transdermal penetration and percutaneous absorption of FEL-NP gel were significantly increased compared with those of FEL-MP gel, and the area under the FEL concentration-time curve (AUC) of FEL-NP gels was 1.52- and 1.38-fold of commercially available FEL ointment and FEL-MP gel, respectively. In addition, after 24 h of treatment, the FEL content in rat skin treated with FEL-NP gels was 1.38- and 2.54-fold higher than that when treated with commercially available FEL ointment and FEL-MP gel, respectively. Moreover, the enhanced skin penetration of FEL-NP gels was significantly attenuated by inhibition of energy-dependent endocytosis, such as clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Conclusions
We successfully prepared a topically applied carboxypolymethylene gel containing FEL nanoparticles. In addition, we observed that the endocytosis pathway was mainly related to the high skin penetration of FEL nanoparticles, and FEL-NP gel application resulted in high local tissue concentration and systemic absorption of FEL. These findings provide useful information for the design of topically applied nanoformulations against inflammation by providing local and systemic effects.
An adenocarcinoma in an inverted Meckel’s diverticulum with intussusception
Authors: Miwa Yamato , Sato Yo , Hirano Kenichiro , Sunami Eiji , Takahashi Motoko , Kosugi Shin-ichi , Suda Takeshi , Hasegawa Go 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Adenocarcinoma in an inverted Meckel's diverticulum with intussusception has not been reported to date. We discuss the clinical issues concerning this rare condition and review the relevant literature.

Case presentation
A 71-year-old Japanese female was referred to our hospital for further investigation of severe anemia. Computed tomography revealed a tumorous lesion in the terminal ileum. Capsule endoscopy did not provide detailed images. Exploratory laparoscopy revealed intussusception in the terminal ileum. An intraluminal tumor 70 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve was observed to be the lead point. Partial resection including the tumor was performed. Macroscopically, a polypoid tumor at the tip of an inverted diverticulum-like structure was observed. The tumor was histologically composed of adenocarcinoma accompanied by gastric and pyloric gland metaplasia in the background mucosa, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Based on these characteristics, this tumor is considered to have developed from the ectopic gastric mucosa in a Meckel's diverticulum.

Conclusions
When we encounter patients with unfamiliar lesions in the small bowel, we need to differentiate Meckel's diverticulum related disease. Meckel's diverticulum can invert into the lumen of the small bowel and cause an intussusception, and has potential of malignant transformation.