bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cancer-associated fibroblasts and its derived exosomes: a new perspective for reshaping the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Peng Zhiwei , Tong Zhiwei , Ren Zihao , Ye Manping , Hu Kongwang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). They extensively communicate with the other cells. Exosome-packed bioactive molecules derived from CAFs can reshape the TME by interacting with other cells and the extracellular matrix, which adds a new perspective for their clinical application in tumor targeted therapy. An in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics of CAF-derived exosomes (CDEs) is critical for depicting the detailed landscape of the TME and developing tailored therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this review, we have summarized the functional roles of CAFs in the TME, particularly focusing on the extensive communication mediated by CDEs that contain biological molecules such as miRNAs, proteins, metabolites, and other components. In addition, we have also highlighted the prospects for diagnostic and therapeutic applications based on CDEs, which could guide the future development of exosome-targeted anti-tumor drugs.
Carboxymethyl cellulose/sulfur-functionalized Ti-based MOF composite: synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer potentiality
Authors: Abdelhameed Reda M. , Hasanin Mohamed S. , Hashem Amr H. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMicrobial resistance is the first morbidity and mortality cause for patients as usually a secondary infection. Additionally, the MOF is a promising material that shows a nice activity in this field. However, these materials need a good formulation to enhance biocompatibility and sustainability. Cellulose and its derivatives are well as filers for this gap. In this presented work, a novel green active system based on carboxymethyl cellulose and Ti-MOF (MIL-125-NH2@CMC) modified with thiophene (Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC) was prepared by a post-synthetic modification (PSM) route based. FTIR, SEM and PXRD were utilized to characterize nanocomposites. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to corroborate the nanocomposites' particle size and diffraction pattern as well as the DLS affirmed the size as 50 and 35 nm for MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC, respectively. The formulation of the nanocomposites was validated by physicochemical characterization techniques, while morphological analysis confirmed the nanoform of the prepared composites. The antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor properties of MIL-125-NH2@CMC and Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC were assessed. Antimicrobial testing revealed that Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC possesses greater antimicrobial activity than MIL-125-NH2@CMC. Additionally, Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC demonstrated promising antifungal activity againstC. albicansandA. nigerwhere MICs were 31.25 and 0.97 µg/mL, respectively. Also, Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC exhibited antibacterial activity againstE. coliandS. aureuswhere MICs were 1000 and 250 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the results demonstrated that Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC displayed promising antiviral activity against both HSV1 and COX B4, with antiviral activities of 68.89% and 39.60%, respectively. Furthermore, Thio@MIL-125-NH2@CMC exhibited potential anticancer activity against MCF7 and PC3 cancerous cell lines, where IC50was 93.16 and 88.45%, respectively. In conclusion, carboxymethyl cellulose/sulfur-functionalized Ti-based MOF composite was successfully synthesized which had antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer activities.
Bayesian compositional regression with microbiome features via variational inference
Authors: Scott Darren A. V. , Benavente Ernest , Libiseller-Egger Julian , Fedorov Dmitry , Phelan Jody , Ilina Elena , Tikhonova Polina , Kudryavstev Alexander , Galeeva Julia , Clark Taane , Lewin Alex 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe microbiome plays a key role in the health of the human body. Interest often lies in finding features of the microbiome, alongside other covariates, which are associated with a phenotype of interest. One important property of microbiome data, which is often overlooked, is its compositionality as it can only provide information about the relative abundance of its constituting components. Typically, these proportions vary by several orders of magnitude in datasets of high dimensions. To address these challenges we develop a Bayesian hierarchical linear log-contrast model which is estimated by mean field Monte-Carlo co-ordinate ascent variational inference (CAVI-MC) and easily scales to high dimensional data. We use novel priors which account for the large differences in scale and constrained parameter space associated with the compositional covariates. A reversible jump Monte Carlo Markov chain guided by the data through univariate approximations of the variational posterior probability of inclusion, with proposal parameters informed by approximating variational densities via auxiliary parameters, is used to estimate intractable marginal expectations. We demonstrate that our proposed Bayesian method performs favourably against existing frequentist state of the art compositional data analysis methods. We then apply the CAVI-MC to the analysis of real data exploring the relationship of the gut microbiome to body mass index.
Neighbourhood greenness moderates the association between physical activity and geriatric-relevant health outcomes: an analysis of the CLSA
Authors: Putman Andrew , Klicnik Irmina , Dogra Shilpa 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between baseline physical activity levels of older adults and geriatric-relevant health outcomes at 3-year follow-up, and to determine whether baseline neighbourhood characteristics alter this association.MethodsData from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) were used to assess geriatric-relevant outcomes of physical impairment, medication use, severity of daily pain, and depressive symptoms. Data from the Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE) and the Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) were used to determine neighbourhood walkability and greenness, respectively. The analytic sample included adults who were 65 years or older at baseline$$(n=\text{16,735}, age=73\pm 5.6, 50\% female)$$. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the base relationships were calculated using proportional odds logistic regression (physical impairment, pain, medication use), and linear regression (depressive symptoms). Moderation effects of environmental factors were assessed using greenness and walkability.ResultsThe base relationships showed protective associations between each additional hour per week of total physical activity and physical impairment$$\left(OR=0.95, 95\%CI=\text{0.94,0.96}; p<.001\right),$$daily pain severity$$\left(OR=0.98, 95\%CI=0.98, 0.99; p<.001\right),$$medication use$$(OR=0.98, 95\%CI= 0.97, 0.99; p< .001)$$, and depressive symptoms$$(OR=0.95, 95\%CI=\text{0.94,0.96}; p<.001)$$. Additive moderation effects were seen when greenness was added to physical impairment$$(\beta =0.022, p=.04)$$, daily pain severity$$(\beta =0.019, p<.01)$$, and depressive symptoms$$(\beta =0.032, p=.01)$$but no moderation was seen with walkability. Sex differences were observed. For example, greenness moderation was found in severity of daily pain in males but not in females.ConclusionFuture research investigating geriatric-relevant health outcomes and physical activity should consider neighbourhood greenness as a potential moderator.
Factors associated with the unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes in the northern regions of Namibia: a mixed methods study
Authors: Amkongo Mondjila , Mitonga Honoré K. , Alfeus Anna , Shipingana Loide Ndelimona Ndapandula , Keendjele Tuwilika , Eelu Hilja , Nashihanga Tunelago 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is among the leading causes of death globally. The disease has a huge burden in Namibia, with a case notification rate of at least 442 per 100,000. To date, Namibia is among the countries with the highest global TB burden, despite all efforts to reduce it. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the unsuccessful treatment outcomes of the Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS) programme in the Kunene and Oshana regions.

Methods
The study utilised a mixed-methods explanatory-sequential design to collect data from all TB patient records and healthcare workers who work directly with the DOTS strategy for TB patients. The relationship between independent and dependent variables was analysed using multiple logistic regression analysis, while interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results
The overall treatment success rates of the Kunene and Oshana regions throughout the review period were 50.6% and 49.4%, respectively. The logistic regression analyses showed that in the Kunene region, the type of DOT used (Community-based DOTS) (aOR = 0.356, 95% CI: 0.835–2.768, p = 0.006) was statistically significant with the unsuccessful treatment outcomes. While in the Oshana region, age groups 21–30 years old (aOR = 1.643, 95% CI = 1.005–2.686, p = 0.048), 31–40 years old (aOR = 1.725, 95% CI = 11.026–2.9, p = 0.040), 41–50 years old (aOR = 2.003, 95% CI = 1.155–3.476, p = 0.013) and 51–60 years old (aOR = 2.106, 95% CI = 1.228–3.612, p = 0.007) had statistically significant associations with the poor TB-TO. Inductive thematic analysis revealed that patients in the Kunene region were challenging to reach owing to their nomadic lifestyle and the vastness of the area, adversely affecting their ability to observe TB therapy directly. In the Oshana region, it was found that stigma and poor TB awareness among adult patients, as well as mixing anti-TB medication with alcohol and tobacco products among adult patients, was a prevalent issue affecting TB therapy.

Conclusion
The study recommends that regional health directorates embark on rigorous community health education about TB treatment and risk factors and establish a robust patient observation and monitoring system to enhance inclusive access to all health services and ensure treatment adherence.
Delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted at pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Gardie Yimenu , Wassie Mulugeta , Wodajo Seid , Giza Mastewal , Ayalew Mulugeta , Sewale Yihenew , Feleke Zelalem , Dessie Melkamu Tilahun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundDelay in the diagnosis of childhood cancer is one of the major health problem that contribute to decreased survival rates of children particularly in developing nations. Despite advances in the field of pediatric oncology, cancer remains a leading cause of death in children. Diagnosis of childhood cancer as early as possible is crucial to reduce mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess delay in diagnosis and associated factors among children with cancer admitted to pediatric oncology ward, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia 2022.MethodInstitutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from January1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. All 200 children were included in the study and Data were extracted through structured check-list. The data were entered using EPI DATA version 4.6 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for data analysis.ResultsFrom the total of two hundred pediatric patients 44% had delayed diagnosis and the median delay diagnosis was 68 days. Rural residence (AOR = 1.96; 95%CI = 1.08–3.58), absence of health insurance (AOR = 2.21; 95%CI = 1.21–4.04), Hodgkin lymphoma (AOR = 9.36; 95%CI = 2.1-41.72), Retinoblastoma (AOR = 4.09; 95%CI = 1.29–13.02), no referral (AOR = 6.3; 95%CI = 2.15–18.55) and absence of comorbid disease (AOR = 2.14; 95%CI = 1.17–3.94) were significant factors associated with delay in diagnosis.Conclusion and recommendationDelayed in diagnosis of childhood cancer was relatively lower than previous studies and most influenced by the child’s residency, health insurance, type of cancer and comorbid disease. Thus; every effort should be made to promote public and parental understanding of childhood cancer, promote health insurance and referral.
Cancer incidence and mortality in Brunei Darussalam, 2011 to 2020
Authors: Leong Elvynna , Ong Sok King , Si-Ramlee Khairil Azhar , Naing Lin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study presents the trends of age-standardised incidence and mortality rates of common cancers in Brunei Darussalam from 2011 to 2020. All cancer cases diagnosed among Brunei Darussalam citizens and permanent residents in the period 2011 to 2020 were included in the study. De-identified data were provided by the CanReg5 based BDCR, Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam. The annual age-standardised incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 persons were standardised by the direct method using the World Health Organization (WHO) world standard population distribution. Joinpoint regression analyses were used to study the incidence and mortality trends of cancer in Brunei Darussalam over the 2011–2020 period. Trends were expressed as average annual percent change (AAPC) over 2011 to 2020, or annual percent change (APC) for a given time period. There were a total of 6,495 new cancer cases diagnosed and 3,359 death cases recorded from 2011 to 2020, in Brunei Darussalam. The five common cancers for males were colorectal, lung and bronchus, prostate, liver, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Among females, the five most common cancers were breast, colorectal, lung and bronchus, corpus uteri and cervix uteri. The five leading cancer deaths for males were lung and bronchus, colorectal, liver, prostate, and stomach, while for females, the five leading cancer deaths were breast, lung and bronchus, colorectal, ovary, and cervix uteri. There was a significant increase in the incidence trend of corpus uteri (AAPC$$:13.3$$

:
13.3

) and a significant decline in the incidence trend for cervical cancer (AAPC$$:-4.5$$

:
-
4.5

) from 2011 to 2020. There was a significant increase in the mortality trend of female breast cancer from 2011 to 2015 (APC$$:16.3$$

:
16.3

), but the trend significantly declined from 2015 to 2020 (APC$$:-12.5$$

:
-
12.5

). We also found a significant decrease in mortality trends for stomach cancer (AAPC$$:-4.7$$

:
-
4.7

) from 2011 to 2020 for both genders combined. The burden of common cancers is expected to continue to grow with ageing population, effective public health interventions targeting high burden cancers and high-risk groups, and control of modifiable risk factors will continue to be the essential approaches in reducing cancer burden.
A comparative study on two methods of ocular surface microbial sampling
Authors: Shen Xinyi , Xu Yi , Huang Jinzhi , Wu Peiyu , Zhou Weihe , Chen Yanyan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To compare the effect of traditional conjunctival sac swab sampling (A) with aerosolization ocular surface microorganism sampling (B),a novel microbial sampling method, in detecting ocular microbial infection.

Methods
The study included 61 participants (122 eyes) enrolled at the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University from December, 2021 to March, 2023. Each eye of the participants underwent sampling first with method A then B.Before aerosolization sampling, the air environment was disinfected and sampled as blank air control sample. Subsequently, the air pulses impinging the ocular surface causes dehiscence of the tear film covering the ocular surface and aerosols are formed.The microorganisms from the ocular surface attach to the aerosols generated as aerosolization ocular surface microorganism and be sampled as subject sample by bio-aerosol sampler.The samples were collected and incubated at 25℃ for 3–5 days and 37℃ for 24–48 h.The colonies were counted and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Results
The accuracy in Group B was higher than that in Group A (45.8% vs. 38.3%, P = 0.289). There was a slight level of agreement between the results from both the sampling methods (k = 0.031, P = 0.730). The sensitivity in Group B was higher than that in Group A (57.1% vs. 35.7%, P = 0.453). The specificity results in Group B was higher than that in Group A (44.3% vs. 38.7%, P = 0.480). There were 12 and 37 types of microbes detected in Groups A and B, respectively.

Conclusions
Compared with traditional swab sampling, the novel aerosolization sampling method shows higher accuracy and more comprehensive detection of microbes; however, it cannot completely replace swab sampling. The novel method can be a novel conducive strategy and supplement swab sampling to auxiliary diagnose ocular surface infection.
Depression after stoma surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kovoor Joshua G. , Jacobsen Jonathan Henry W. , Stretton Brandon , Bacchi Stephen , Gupta Aashray K. , Claridge Brayden , Steen Matthew V. , Bhanushali Ameya , Bartholomeusz Lorenz , Edwards Suzanne , Asokan Gayatri P. , Asokan Gopika , McGee Amanda , Ovenden Christopher D. , Hewitt Joseph N. , Trochsler Markus I. , Padbury Robert T. , Perry Seth W. , Wong Ma-Li , Licinio Julio , Maddern Guy J. , Hewett Peter J. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Depression is the leading cause of global disability and can develop following the change in body image and functional capacity associated with stoma surgery. However, reported prevalence across the literature is unknown. Accordingly, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to characterise depressive symptoms after stoma surgery and potential predictive factors.

Methods
PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched from respective database inception to 6 March 2023 for studies reporting rates of depressive symptoms after stoma surgery. Risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist for non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSIs), and Cochrane RoB2 tool for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Meta-analysis incorporated meta-regressions and a random-effects model. Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42021262345.

Results
From 5,742 records, 68 studies were included. According to Downs and Black checklist, the 65 NRSIs were of low to moderate methodological quality. According to Cochrane RoB2, the three RCTs ranged from low risk of bias to some concerns of bias. Thirty-eight studies reported rates of depressive symptoms after stoma surgery as a proportion of the respective study populations, and from these, the median rate across all timepoints was 42.9% 42.9% (IQR: 24.2–58.9%). Pooled scores for respective validated depression measures (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)) across studies reporting those scores were below clinical thresholds for major depressive disorder according to severity criteria of the respective scores. In the three studies that used the HADS to compare non-stoma versus stoma surgical populations, depressive symptoms were 58% less frequent in non-stoma populations. Region (Asia–Pacific; Europe; Middle East/Africa; North America) was significantly associated with postoperative depressive symptoms (p = 0.002), whereas age (p = 0.592) and sex (p = 0.069) were not.

Conclusions
Depressive symptoms occur in almost half of stoma surgery patients, which is higher than the general population, and many inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer populations outlined in the literature. However, validated measures suggest this is mostly at a level of clinical severity below major depressive disorder. Stoma patient outcomes and postoperative psychosocial adjustment may be enhanced by increased psychological evaluation and care in the perioperative period.
Circulating eosinophils associated with responsiveness to COVID-19 vaccine and the disease severity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection
Authors: Zhu Zhuxian , Cai Jixu , Tang Qiang , Mo Yin-yuan , Deng Tiantian , Zhang Xiaoyu , Xu Ke , Wu Beishou , Tang Haicheng , Zhang Ziqiang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the longitudinal circulating eosinophil (EOS) data impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine, the predictive role of circulating EOS in the disease severity, and its association with T cell immunity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant infection in Shanghai, China.MethodsWe collected a cohort of 1,157 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron/BA.2 variant in Shanghai, China. These patients were diagnosed or admitted between Feb 20, 2022, and May 10, 2022, and were classified as asymptomatic (n = 705), mild (n = 286) and severe (n = 166) groups. We compiled and analyzed data of patients’ clinical demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, and clinical outcomes.ResultsCOVID-19 vaccine reduced the incidence of severe cases. Severe patients were shown to have declined peripheral blood EOS. Both the 2 doses and 3 doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines promoted the circulating EOS levels. In particular, the 3rd booster shot of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine was shown to have a sustained promoting effect on circulating EOS. Univariate analysis showed that there was a significant difference in age, underlying comorbidities, EOS, lymphocytes, CRP, CD4, and CD8 T cell counts between the mild and the severe patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis indicate that circulating EOS (AUC = 0.828, p = 0.025), the combination of EOS and CD4 T cell (AUC = 0.920, p = 0.017) can predict the risk of disease severity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant infection.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccine promotes circulating EOS and reduces the risk of severe illness, and particularly the 3rd booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine sustainedly promotes EOS. Circulating EOS, along with T cell immunity, may have a predictive value for the disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infected patients.
Analysis of clinical characteristics of thyroid disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with pegylated-interferon alpha
Authors: Liu Yisi , Zheng Yanhong , Lin Xiao , Cao Zhenhuan , Lu Junfeng , Ma Lina , Ren Shan , Zheng Sujun , Hu Zhongjie , Xu Bin , Chen Xinyue 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Thyroid disorders (TD) is a common complication of pegylated-interferon alpha (Peg-IFNα) therapy. Few studies have investigated the relationship between TD and the efficacy of interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Therefore, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of TD in patients with CHB treated with Peg-IFNα, and evaluated the correlation between TD and Peg-IFNα treatment efficacy.

Methods
In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 146 patients with CHB receiving Peg-IFNα therapy were collected and analyzed.

Results
During the course of Peg-IFNα therapy, positive conversion of thyroid autoantibodies and TD occurred in 7.3% (85/1158) and 8.8% (105/1187) patients, respectively, and was diagnosed more often in women. The most common thyroid disorder was hyperthyroidism (53.3%), followed by subclinical hypothyroidism (34.3%). We found that thyroid function returned to normal in 78.7% of patients with CHB, and thyroid antibody levels returned to the negative range in approximately 50% of patients after interferon treatment cessation. Only 25% of patients with clinical TD required treatment. Compared with patients with hypothyroidism/subclinical hypothyroidism, patients with hyperthyroidism/subclinical hyperthyroidism showed greater reduction and seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels.

Conclusions
TD are not an absolute contraindication for interferon therapy; however, patients should be monitored closely during interferon therapy. In pursuit of functional cure, a balance between efficacy and safety must be achieved.