bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased expression of hyaluronan synthase and loss of hyaluronan-rich cells in the anterior tibial fascia of the rat model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Wang Ruilin , Matsuoka Yoshikazu , Sue Nobutaka , Nakatsuka Kosuke , Tsuboi Chika , Morimatsu Hiroshi 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
Previous studies on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have focused on neuronal damage. Although some studies have revealed that the fascia is an important sensory organ, currently, we do not know about chemotherapy drug-induced fascial dysfunction.

Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the fascia as a nonneural cause of mechanical hypersensitivity in CIPN by investigating the expression of hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) and histology of the fascia in an animal model of CIPN.

Methods:
Rats were intraperitoneally administered with vincristine (VCR). Mechanical hypersensitivities of the hind paw and the anterior tibial muscle were assessed. The expression of HAS mRNA in the fascia of the anterior tibial muscles was quantitated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for HAS2, hyaluronic acid–binding protein, and S100A4 in the fascia.

Results:
Vincristine administration significantly decreased mechanical withdrawal thresholds in the hind paw and the anterior tibial muscle after day 3. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed significant downregulation of HAS mRNAs in the fascia of VCR-treated rats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the number of cells with strong HAS2 immunoreactivity, classified as fasciacytes by morphology and colocalized marker S100A4, decreased significantly in the VCR group.

Conclusion:
Hyaluronic acid plays a critical role in somatic pain sensation. Damaged fascia could be a possible cause of musculoskeletal pain in patients with CIPN. This study suggests that fascia is a nonneural cause and novel therapeutic target for chemotherapy-induced “peripheral neuropathy.”
Deep Learning–Based Image Noise Quantification Framework for Computed Tomography
Authors: Huber Nathan R. , Kim Jiwoo , Leng Shuai , McCollough Cynthia H. , Yu Lifeng 
Published: June 2023

Objective
Noise quantification is fundamental to computed tomography (CT) image quality assessment and protocol optimization. This study proposes a deep learning–based framework, Single-scan Image Local Variance EstimatoR (SILVER), for estimating the local noise level within each region of a CT image. The local noise level will be referred to as a pixel-wise noise map.

Methods
The SILVER architecture resembled a U-Net convolutional neural network with mean-square-error loss. To generate training data, 100 replicate scans were acquired of 3 anthropomorphic phantoms (chest, head, and pelvis) using a sequential scan mode; 120,000 phantom images were allocated into training, validation, and testing data sets. Pixel-wise noise maps were calculated for the phantom data by taking the per-pixel SD from the 100 replicate scans. For training, the convolutional neural network inputs consisted of phantom CT image patches, and the training targets consisted of the corresponding calculated pixel-wise noise maps. Following training, SILVER noise maps were evaluated using phantom and patient images. For evaluation on patient images, SILVER noise maps were compared with manual noise measurements at the heart, aorta, liver, spleen, and fat.

Results
When tested on phantom images, the SILVER noise map prediction closely matched the calculated noise map target (root mean square error <8 Hounsfield units). Within 10 patient examinations, SILVER noise map had an average percent error of 5% relative to manual region-of-interest measurements.

Conclusion
The SILVER framework enabled accurate pixel-wise noise level estimation directly from patient images. This method is widely accessible because it operates in the image domain and requires only phantom data for training.
Breast DWI Analyzed Before and After Gadolinium Contrast Administration—An Intrapatient Analysis on 1.5 T and 3.0 T
Authors: van der Hoogt Kay J.J. , Schipper Robert-Jan , Wessels Ronni , ter Beek Leon C. , Beets-Tan Regina G.H. , Mann Ritse M. 
Published: June 2023

Objectives
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is gaining popularity as an addition to standard dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI. Although adding diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to the standard protocol design would require increased scanning-time, implementation during the contrast-enhanced phase could offer a multiparametric MRI protocol without any additional scanning time. However, gadolinium within a region of interest (ROI) might affect assessments of DWI. This study aims to determine if acquiring DWI postcontrast, incorporated in an abbreviated MRI protocol, would statistically significantly affect lesion classification. In addition, the effect of postcontrast DWI on breast parenchyma was studied.

Materials and Methods
Screening or preoperative MRIs (1.5 T/3 T) were included for this study. Diffusion-weighted imaging was acquired with single-shot spin echo–echo planar imaging before and at approximately 2 minutes after gadoterate meglumine injection. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) based on 2-dimensional ROIs of fibroglandular tissue, as well as benign and malignant lesions at 1.5 T/3.0 T, were compared with a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Diffusivity levels were compared between precontrast and postcontrast DWI with weighted κ. An overall P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
No significant changes were observed in ADCmean after contrast administration in 21 patients with 37 ROI of healthy fibroglandular tissue and in the 93 patients with 93 (malignant and benign) lesions. This effect remained after stratification on B0. In 18% of all lesions, a diffusion level shift was observed, with an overall weighted κ of 0.75.

Conclusions
This study supports incorporating DWI at 2 minutes postcontrast when ADC is calculated based on b150-b800 with 15 mL 0.5 M gadoterate meglumine in an abbreviated multiparametric MRI protocol without requiring extra scan time.
Relationship Between Distressing Symptoms and Changes in Disability After Major Surgery Among Community-living Older Persons
Authors: Gill Thomas M. , Han Ling , Feder Shelli L. , Gahbauer Evelyne A. , Leo-Summers Linda , Becher Robert D. 
Published: June 2023

Objectives:
To evaluate the relationship between distressing symptoms and changes in disability after major surgery and determine whether this relationship differs according to the timing of surgery (nonelective vs. elective), sex, multimorbidity, and socioeconomic disadvantage.

Summary Background Data:
Major surgery is a common and serious health event that has pronounced deleterious effects on both distressing symptoms and functional outcomes in older persons.

Methods:
From a cohort of 754 community-living persons, aged 70 or older, 392 admissions for major surgery were identified from 283 participants who were discharged from the hospital. The occurrence of 15 distressing symptoms and disability in 13 activities were assessed monthly for up to 6 months after major surgery.

Results:
Over the 6-month follow-up period, each unit increase in the number of distressing symptoms was associated with a 6.4% increase in the number of disabilities (adjusted rate ratio [RR]: 1.064; 95% CI: 1.053, 1.074). The corresponding increases were 4.0% (adjusted RR: 1.040; 95% CI: 1.030, 1.050) and 8.3% (adjusted RR: 1.083; 95% CI: 1.066, 1.101) for nonelective and elective surgeries. Based on exposure to multiple (i.e., 2 or more) distressing symptoms, the adjusted rate ratios (95% CI) were 1.43 (1.35, 1.50), 1.24 (1.17, 1.31), and 1.61 (1.48, 1.75) for all, nonelective, and elective surgeries. Statistically significant associations were observed for each of the other subgroups with the exception of individual-level socioeconomic disadvantage for number of distressing symptoms.

Conclusions:
Distressing symptoms are independently associated with worsening disability, providing a potential target for improving functional outcomes after major surgery.
Longitudinal characterisation of cachexia in patients undergoing surgical resection for cancer
Authors: Brown Leo R. , Laird Barry J.A. , Wigmore Stephen J. , Skipworth Richard J.E. 
Published: June 2023

Purpose of review
The complexity of the cancer cachexia phenotype has undoubtedly hindered researchers’ understanding of this devastating syndrome. The presence and magnitude of host–tumour interactions are rarely considered during clinical decision-making within the current staging paradigm. Furthermore, treatment options for those patients who are identified as suffering from cancer cachexia remain extremely limited.

Recent findings
Previous attempts to characterise cachexia have largely focussed on individual surrogate disease markers, often studied across a limited timeframe. While the adverse prognostic value of clinical and biochemical features is evident, the relationships between these are less clear. Investigation of patients with earlier-stage disease could allow researchers to identify markers of cachexia that precede the refractory stage of the wasting process. Appreciation of the cachectic phenotype within ‘curative’ populations may aid our understanding of the syndrome’s genesis and provide potential routes for prevention, rather than treatment.

Summary
Holistic, longitudinal characterisation of cancer cachexia, across all at-risk and affected populations, is of vital importance for future research in the field. This paper presents the protocol for an observational study aiming to create a robust and holistic characterisation of surgical patients with, or at risk of, cancer cachexia.
Bronchial Stenosis After Lung Transplantation From cDCD Donors Using Simultaneous Abdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion: A Single-center Experience
Authors: Mora-Cuesta Víctor M. , Tello-Mena Sandra , Izquierdo-Cuervo Sheila , Iturbe-Fernández David , Sánchez-Moreno Laura , Ballesteros Maria Angeles , Alonso-Lecue Pilar , Ortíz-Portal Felix , Ferrer-Pargada Diego , Miñambres-García Eduardo , Cifrián-Martínez José M. , Naranjo-Gozalo Sara 
Published: June 2023

Background.
Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) has increased the number of lung donors significantly. The use of abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (A-NRP) during organ procurement is a common practice in some centers due to its benefits on abdominal grafts. This study aimed to assess whether the use of A-NRP in cDCD increases the frequency of bronchial stenosis in lung transplant (LT) recipients.

Methods.
A single-center, retrospective study including all LTs was performed between January 1, 2015, and August 30, 2022. Airway stenosis was defined as a stricture that leads to clinical/functional worsening requiring the use of invasive monitoring and therapeutic procedures.

Results.
A total of 308 LT recipients were included in the study. Seventy-six LT recipients (24.7%) received lungs from cDCD donors using A-NRP during organ procurement. Forty-seven LT recipients (15.3%) developed airway stenosis, with no differences between lung recipients with grafts from cDCD (17.2%) and donation after brain death donors (13.3%; P = 0.278). A total of 48.9% of recipients showed signs of acute airway ischemia on control bronchoscopy at 2 to 3 wk posttransplant. Acute ischemia was an independent risk factor for airway stenosis development (odds ratio = 2.523 [1.311-4.855], P = 0.006). The median number of bronchoscopies per patient was 5 (2–9), and 25% of patients needed >8 dilatations. Twenty-three patients underwent endobronchial stenting (50.0%) and each patient needed a median of 1 (1–2) stent.

Conclusions.
Incidence of airway stenosis is not increased in LT recipients with grafts obtained from cDCD donors using A-NRP.
Validation of the International IgA risk prediction tool in American Indians and Hispanics
Authors: Shaffi Saeed Kamran , Fischer Edger , Argyropoulos Christos , Wagner Brent 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe International Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) risk prediction assesses the risk of kidney failure in patients with IgAN. The performance of this risk prediction tool has not been studied in American Indians and Hispanics. We conducted a single-center study to assess the equation performance in this population.MethodsWe calculated the 5-year risk of developing kidney failure with the IgAN risk prediction equation without race and assessed the equation performance using the metrics of calibration, discrimination, and overall prediction error.ResultsThirty-four patients were included, most of whom identified as of Hispanic race/ethnicity (44.1%), or as American Indians (26.5%). At biopsy, the median (IQR) age, serum creatinine, and spot urine protein to creatinine ratio were 38 years (27-45), 2.15 mg/dl (1.51-3.04), and 2.7 g/g (1.5-5.8), respectively. The equation identified patients at high risk of developing kidney failure early with a concordance statistic of 0.79 (95% CI 0.68 – 0.89). The agreement between observed and predicted outcomes at 5 years was marginal, with over-estimation of risk for patients with low observed risk and vice versa. Overall prediction error was suboptimal in this cohort [index of prediction accuracy 0.34 (0.03 – 0.51)].ConclusionsThe International IgAN risk prediction equation without race accurately identified patients at elevated risk of developing kidney failure. At 5 years, the agreement between the observed and predicted outcomes was sub-optimal, possibly due to advanced kidney disease in this cohort. A diverse development population may improve the risk prediction.
The Colloido-Osmotic Pressure as a useful biomarker of fatal outcome in pregnant COVID-19 patients
Authors: Zavala-Barrios B. , Cérbulo-Vázquez A. , García-Espinosa M. , Caldiño-Soto F. , Madera Sandoval Ruth L. , Ramírez-García L.A. , Eláceo-Fernández I.C. , Moreno-Álvarez O. , Guerrero-Avendaño G.M.L. , Briones-Garduño J.C. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundPregnancy was considering a health condition that could support high severity in COVID-19, among others the cardiologic and respiratory systems express some physiologic change in the pregnant women and could specially affected in COVID-19. Pregnant women characteristically have an increase volume of blood, with a higher cardiac output and lower peripheral vascular resistance, these could be negative affected by hypoalbuminemia frequently observed in COVID-19. Then, an early recognition of hypoalbuminemia in pregnant women with COVID-19 would help us to predict fatal outcome.ObjectiveWe conduct a study to analyzed the demographic, clinical, blood gas test results, laboratory and ultrasonographic doppler data in pregnant women with COVID-19 that demand medical attention for labor. Study design: Ninety-two pregnant women with COVID-19 were included in our study from may 30th2020 to august 12th2022, and data was analyzed in survival and fatal outcome patients. Normality test were applied to data and parametric or non-parametric test were used to determine statistical difference between or among data.ResultsDemographic and clinical data were quite similar between survival and fatal outcome pregnant patients with COVID-19. Also, blood gas test shown similar results among groups (asymptomatic, mild, or severe patients who survive COVID-19 or fatal outcome patients). We observed that serum albumin was consistently low in pregnant patients with fatal outcome by COVID-19, then based on Total Protein concentration in serum we calculated the colloido-osmotic pressure and we evaluate its utility as predictor of fatal outcome. ROC analysis and Kaplan-Meier of survival curves suggest that the colloido-osmotic pressure could be a potential predictor. Also, we observed an association of low colloido-osmotic pressure and low amniotic fluid index.ConclusionOur study suggests that early evaluation of pregnant with COVID-19 must include the calculation of colloido-osmotic pressure and the doppler analysis to early recognition of fatal outcome in pregnant women with COVID-19.
Methylome evolution through lineage-dependent selection in the gastric pathogenHelicobacter pylori
Authors: Ailloud Florent , Gottschall Wilhelm , Suerbaum Sebastian 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe bacterial pathogenHelicobacter pylori, the leading cause of gastric cancer, is genetically highly diverse and harbours a large and variable portfolio of restriction-modification systems. Our understanding of the evolution and function of DNA methylation in bacteria is limited. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the methylome diversity inH. pylori, using a dataset of 541 genomes that included all known phylogeographic populations. The frequency of 96 methyltransferases and the abundance of their cognate recognition sequences were strongly influenced by phylogeographic structure and were inter-correlated, positively or negatively, for 20% of type II methyltransferases. Low density motifs were more likely to be affected by natural selection, as reflected by higher genomic instability and compositional bias. Importantly, direct correlation showed that methylation patterns can be actively enriched by positive selection and suggests that specific sites have important functions in methylation-dependent phenotypes. Finally, we identified lineage-specific selective pressures modulating the contraction and expansion of the motif ACGT, revealing that the genetic load of methylation could be dependent on local ecological factors. Taken together, natural selection shapes both the abundance and distribution of methyltransferases and their specific recognition sequences, likely permitting a fine-tuning of genome-encoded functions not achievable by genetic variation alone.
p53-Bad* in a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mouse Model
Authors: Bowman Katherine Redd , Lu Phong , Lim Carol 
Published: June 2023

AbstractRecent advances in liver cancer treatments have not changed the fact that the majority of patients will not survive the disease. In order to advance future liver cancer treatments, this work presents an exploration of various iterations of the liver cancer specific AFP promoter as well as the gene construct p53-Bad*. p53-Bad* is a mitochondrially targeted re-engineered p53 therapy that has shown previous success in a zebrafish HCC model. Both the most promising AFP promoter and p53-Bad* were packaged in an adenoviral delivery system and tested in vitro in liver cancer cell lines. Finally, mixed results for adenoviral p53-Bad* in vivo are presented, and this work suggests future modifications to study parameters in order to further explore the potential of p53-Bad* as a potential liver cancer therapeutic.
Hypoxia coordinates the spatial landscape of myeloid cells within glioblastoma to affect outcome
Authors: Haley Michael J. , Bere Leoma , Minshull James , Georgaka Sokratia , Garcia-Martin Natalia , Howell Gareth , Coope David J. , Roncaroli Federico , King Andrew , Wedge David , Allan Stuart , Pathmanaban Omar N. , Brough David , Couper Kevin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMyeloid cells are highly prevalent in glioblastoma (GBM), existing in a spectrum of phenotypic and activation states. We currently have limited knowledge of the tumour microenvironment (TME) determinants that influence the localisation and the functions of the diverse myeloid cell populations in GBM. Here we have utilised orthogonal imaging mass cytometry with single cell and spatial transcriptomics approaches to identify and map the various myeloid populations in the human GBM tumour microenvironment (TME). Our results show that different myeloid populations have distinct and reproducible compartmentalisation patterns in the GBM TME that is driven by tissue hypoxia, regional chemokine signalling, and varied homotypic and heterotypic cellular interactions. We subsequently identified specific tumour sub-regions in GBM, based upon composition of identified myeloid cell populations, that were linked to patient survival. Our results provide new insight into the spatial organisation of myeloid cell sub populations in GBM, and how this is predictive of clinical outcome.TeaserMulti-modal mapping reveals that the spatial organisation of myeloid cells in glioblastoma impacts disease outcome.
Selection framework of disruption analysis methods for megaprojects: an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach
Authors: Okudan Ozan , Cevikbas Murat , Işık Zeynep 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a decision support framework that can be used by decision-makers to identify the most convenient disruption analysis (DA) methods for megaprojects and their stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThe framework was initially developed by conducting a comprehensive literature review to obtain extensive knowledge about disruption management and megaprojects. Focus group discussion (FGD) sessions with the participation of the construction practitioners were then organized to validate and strengthen the findings of the literature review. Consequently, 17 selection factors were identified and categorized as requirement, ability and outcome. Lastly, the most convenient DA methods for megaprojects were identified by performing integrated fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) analysis. Additionally, consistency analysis was also conducted to verify the reliability of the results.FindingsThe results revealed that the measured mile method is the most appropriate DA method for megaprojects. In case the measured mile method cannot be adopted due to various technical and contractual reasons, the decision-makers are proposed to consider program analysis, work or trade sampling, earned value analysis and control chart method, respectively. Second, the selection factors such as “Comprehensible analysis procedure,” “Existing knowledge and experience about a particular DA method,” “Ability to resolve greater number of disruption events,” “Ability to resolve complex disruption events,” “Ability to exclude factors that are not under the owner's responsibility” and “General acceptance by practitioners, courts, and arbitration, etc.” were given the top priority by the experts, highlighting the critical aspects of the DA methods.Originality/valueDisruption claims in megaprojects are very critical for the contractors to compensate for the losses stemming from disruption events. Although the effective use of DA methods maximizes the accuracy and reliability of disruption claims, decision-makers can barely implement these methods adequately since past studies neglect to present extensive knowledge about the most convenient DA methods for megaprojects. Thus, developing a decision support framework for the selection of DA methods, this study is the earliest attempt that examines the mechanisms and inherent differences of DA methods. Additionally, owing to the robustness and versatility of this research approach, the research approach could be replicated also for future studies focusing on other project-based industries since disruption is also a challenging issue for many other industries.