bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The central role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and by‐products in COVID‐19 related pulmonary thrombosis
Authors: Li Shi , Wang Hui , Shao Qixiang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractExtracellular trap networks (neutrophil extracellular traps [NETs]) of polymorphonuclear neutrophils are mesh‐like substances that prevent the spread of pathogens. They primarily consist of DNA skeletons, histones, granule components, and cytoplasmic proteins. NETs formation requires a certain environment and there are different pathways for NETs production. However, it is still not clear how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) promotes NETs. NETs exert antiinflammatory effects through immune response, while they can also lead to certain adverse outcomes, such as the development of immunothrombosis. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an inflammatory reaction affecting various organs caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, especially the lungs. NETs production and disease severity are linked with unique neutrophil clusters by single‐cell RNA sequencing. NETs might exert an anti‐inflammatory role in the initial stage of lung tissue inflammation. Nevertheless, numerous studies and cases have shown that they can also result in pulmonary thrombosis. There is mounting evidence that NETs are tightly related with COVID‐19 pulmonary thrombosis, and many studies on the mechanisms are involved. The role and mechanism of NETs in the development of pulmonary thrombosis will be the main topics of this manuscript. Additionally, we address the potential targeting of NETs in COVID‐19 patients.
DOCK8 inhibits the immune function of neutrophils in sepsis by regulating aerobic glycolysis
Authors: Zhu Hongjun , Xu Junlong , Li Ke , Chen Miaomiao , Wu Yueming , Zhang Xian , Chen Hua , Chen Deyuan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionThis study endeavored to investigate the role of DOCK8 in modulating the immune function triggered by sepsis.MethodsExpression of DOCK8 in the whole blood of sepsis patients and its enrichment pathways were assayed by bioinformatics. Pearson analysis was used to predict the relationship between glycolytic signaling pathway and its relevance to neutrophil function in sepsis. A sepsis mouse model was then built by performing cecal ligation and puncture treatment on male mice. Neutrophils were isolated, and their purity was tested by flow cytometry. Neutrophils were then stimulated by lipopolysaccharide to build a sepsis cell model. Next, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and CCK‐8 were applied to test the expression of DOCK8 and cell viability, western blot to assay the expression of HK‐2, PKM2, and LDHA proteins, ELISA to measure the concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6, Transwell to detect the chemotaxis of neutrophils and flow cytometry to detect the phagocytic activity of neutrophils. Finally, in different treatment groups, we used Seahorse XF 96 to analyze the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of sepsis cells and used enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to detect the contents of pyruvic acid, lactic acid, and ATP in sepsis cells.ResultsDOCK8 was downregulated in sepsis blood and activated neutrophils. Aerobic glycolysis was positively correlated with sepsis. Activated neutrophils promoted the expression of inflammatory factors TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6. Low expression of DOCK8 facilitated the proliferation, chemotaxis, and phagocytic activity of sepsis cells and promoted the expression of inflammatory factors. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that DOCK8 was enriched in the glycolytic signaling pathway. Low expression of DOCK8 induced ECAR, promoted the protein expression of HK‐2, PKM2 and LDHA, and favored the increase of pyruvate, lactate, and ATP contents. While 2‐DG treatment could restore these effects.ConclusionDOCK8 may inhibit sepsis‐induced neutrophil immune function by regulating aerobic glycolysis and causing excessive inflammation, which helps to explore potential therapeutic targets.
First‐ever Marburg virus disease outbreak in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania: An imminent crisis in West and East Africa
Authors: Sibomana Olivier , Kubwimana Emmanuel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Marburg virus, which is a member of the same virus family as the Ebola virus called Filoviridae, causes the severe infectious disease known as Marburg virus disease (MVD). Previously, different outbreaks of MVD have appeared in different African countries, including Ghana, Guinea, Uganda, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and South Africa. For the first time, Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania are experiencing MVD outbreaks. A total of 17 laboratory‐confirmed cases of MVD and 23 probable cases have been reported in Equatorial Guinea since the confirmation of the outbreak on February 13, 2023. The first MVD outbreak in the United Republic of Tanzania was formally confirmed by the Ministry of Health on March 21, 2023. As of 22 March, there were eight cases and five fatalities (case fatality ratio [CFR]: 62.5%). Due to the facts that Ebebiyin and Nsock Nsomo districts, the affected regions of Equatorial Guinea, borders Cameroon and Gabon, and Kagera region, the affected region of Tanzania, borders Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, there is fear of cross‐border spread of MVD due to cross‐border migrations, and this can be a great crisis in West and East Africa. Although there are currently outbreaks of MVD in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, there is currently no proof of an epidemiological connection between the two outbreaks. The aim of this article is to describe MVD, describe its first outbreak in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, explain the efforts being used and the challenges being faced in MVD mitigation, and recommend different measures to be taken to cope with the outbreak of MVD in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
Genome‐wide exploration of genetic interactions for bladder cancer risk
Authors: Yu Evan Yi‐Wen , Tang Qiu‐Yi , Chen Ya‐Ting , Zhang Yan‐Xi , Dai Ya‐Nan , Wu Yu‐Xuan , Li Wen‐Chao , Mehrkanoon Siamak , Wang Shi‐Zhi , Zeegers Maurice P. , Wesselius Anke 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAlthough GWASs have been conducted to investigate genetic variation of bladder tumorigenesis, little is known about genetic interactions that may influence bladder cancer (BC) risk. By leveraging large‐scale participants from UK Biobank, we established a discovery database with 4000 Caucasian participants (2000 cases vs 2000 non‐cases), a database with 1648 Caucasian participants (824 cases vs 824 non‐cases) and 856 non‐Caucasian participants (428 cases vs 428 non‐cases) as validation. We then performed a genome‐wide SNP‐SNP interaction investigation related to BC risk based a machine learning approach (ie, GenEpi). Moreover, we used the selected interactions to build a BC screening model with an integrated interaction‐empowered polygenic risk score (iPRS) based on Cox proportional hazard model. With Bonferroni correction, we identified 10 statistically significant pairs of SNPs, which located in 17 chromosomes. Of these, four SNP‐SNP interactions were found to be positively associated with BC risk among Caucasian participants (ORs 1.57‐2.03), while six SNP‐SNP interactions showed negatively associated with BC risk (ORs 0.54‐0.65). Only four of the SNP‐SNP interactions were consistently identified in non‐Caucasian participants located in ST7L‐ADSS2, FHIT‐CHDH, LARP4B‐LHPP and RBFOX3‐MPRIP. In addition, the iPRS showed a HR of 1.81 (95% CI: 1.46‐2.09) compared the highest tertile to the lowest tertile, with an enhanced AUC (0.91; 95% CI:0.85‐0.97) than PRS (AUC: 0.86; 95% CI:0.76‐0.95; P‐DeLong test = 2.2 × 10−4). In summary, this study identified several important SNP‐SNP interactions for BC risk, and developed an iPRS model for BC screening, which may help to identify the people at high‐risk state of BC before early manifestation.
Synthesis, characterization, mechanical and magnetic characteristics of Gd3+/PO43− substituted zircon for application in hard tissue replacements
Authors: M Ezhilan , Alam M. Mushtaq , Vijayalakshmi U. , Gupta Somlee , Dhayalan Arunkumar , Kannan S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe study reports on the use of sol–gel technique to yield zircon type [Zr(1–0.1–x) GdxTi0.1] [(SiO4)1–x(PO4)x] solid solution. Titanium has been used as a mineralizer to trigger zircon formation while equimolar concentrations of Gd3+ and PO43− were added to determine their accommodation limits in the zircon structure. The crystallization of t‐ZrO2 as a dominant phase alongside the crystallization of m‐ZrO2 and zircon were detected at 1200°C while their further annealing revealed the formation of zircon as a major phase at 1300°C. Heat treatment at 1400°C revealed the formation of zircon‐type solid solution [Zr(1–0.1‐x)GdxTi0.1][(SiO4)1−x(PO4)x] comprising the accommodation of 10 mol.% of Gd3+/PO43− at the zircon lattice. Beyond 10 mol.% of Gd3+/PO43−, the crystallization of GdPO4 as a secondary phase is noticed. Structural analysis revealed the expansion of zircon lattice due to the simultaneous occupancy of Gd3+/PO43− for the corresponding Zr4+/SiO44− sites. The mechanical strength of single‐phase zircon solid solution was higher in comparison to that of multiphase materials, namely in the presence of GdPO4 formed as a secondary phase in samples with added equimolar Gd3+/PO43− contents beyond 10 mol.%. Nevertheless, the paramagnetic behavior of the samples demonstrated a steady surge as a function of enhanced Gd3+ content.
A tailored, interdisciplinary, multicomponent approach to decreasing workers’ compensation claims and costs in a hospital system: A retrospective study
Authors: Cinkay Jon 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGoalHealthcare is the leading profession for risk of injury with workers face a number of potential risk factors leading to musculoskeletal disorders. One method to promote safety for healthcare workers is with body mechanics training and ergonomics. Evidence suggests multicomponent interventions are required for successful safe patient handling programs. While numerous studies have considered interventions for nurses and nursing programs, few have targeted both patient handling and non‐patient handling employees simultaneously in a healthcare setting. Our main objective is to describe the implementation of a tailored multicomponent program (TMP) to address the needs of each department within a healthcare setting and examine the percentage of subsequent claims and overall costs reported.MethodsThe TMP was designed to combine department specific and employee specific evaluations and interventions to address workplace needs for all employees. Physical therapists implemented a combination of tailored hands on inservices, orientations, ergonomic assessments, physical therapy screens, return to work appointments, and education sessions over a period of six years. By tailoring the approach for each department, the TMP could focus on employee safety and environmental awareness, ultimately lower the risk of injury, claims and costs.Principal FindingsResults demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in workers’ compensation claims and overall costs in the years following the implementation of the TMP. Changes were immediate and continued over several years, indicating the effectiveness of the TMP.Practical ApplicationsHealthcare continues to be the most dangerous profession, with workers facing risk of injury from a number of possibilities. The TMP effectively addressed those risks. As the health care institution grew and evolved, so, too, did the TMP, altering itself and the needs and risks for each department changed. Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication were key to the success of the program. Continued reassessment is required to address the changing needs and institutional growth to ensure future success.
Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
Authors: Tonks Allie , Varcoe Justin , Maurici Siena 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) minimum competency framework requires all Australian radiographers to identify significant pathology in radiological images and take appropriate action to alert these urgent findings and ensure patient safety. Despite professional bodies endorsing the provision of preliminary image evaluations (PIE) in written format, radiographer image interpretation often remains inconsistent, informal, or undocumented. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the literature to determine if PIE in the form of written radiographer comments is of value to the Australian healthcare system. A structured search was completed using four health research databases: CINAHL, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies have suggested that there is a contextual need for commenting due to increased imaging service pressures, radiologist shortages and subsequent reporting delays. Radiographers appear well placed and willing to provide accurate initial input with evidence that this would be valued and appreciated within the multidisciplinary team. Radiographer commenting has also been shown to reduce diagnostic and communicative errors with the potential to improve patient management. Finally, it was shown that participation in image interpretation practices can enhance recruitment, retention and job satisfaction among radiographers. Therefore, the current literature supports implementation of radiographer commenting within the Australian healthcare system.
Effects of different strains fermentation on the sensory and nutritional properties of soy‐based yogurt
Authors: Xu Xinyue , Yan Yaxin , Xu Jiaxin , Yuan Zhiheng , Li Jun , Wang Shengnan , Yang Lina , Liu Jun , Liu He , Zhu Danshi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDSoy protein is the only full plant protein that is comparable to animal protein. Soy whey contains a variety of nutrients including isoflavones and oligosaccharides. Additionally, different strains have profound influence on functional metabolism. Most prospective studies used mixed strain fermented yogurt, but few studies on single strain fermented yogurt. The present study aimed to ferment nutritious and healthy soy‐based yogurt using a single strain and to provide technical support for the reuse of soy whey.RESULTSStreptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus HCS07‐002, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HCS04‐001 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HCS03‐084 had strong growth and metabolic activities. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HCS04‐001 fermentation raised the texture and rheological properties of yogurt and enriched the flavor substances in the yogurt, resulting in a good quality soy‐based yogurt. The contents of arginine, glutamic and proline were greatly affected by the fermentation of different strains. The fermentation of B. animalis subsp. lactis HCS04‐001 was beneficial to the enrichment of soy isoflavone and equol in yogurt, and enhanced antioxidant activity of yogurt.CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that yogurt fermented with B. animalis subsp. lactis HCS04‐001 had the best sensory and nutritional properties, which provides valuable insights into the selection of suitable strains to improve the quality and nutritional value of plant yogurt. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Climate risk zoning for wheat crops in the southeastern region of Brazil
Authors: Aparecido Lucas Eduardo de Oliveira , Padua Jose Maria Villela , Torsoni Guilherme Botega , Barboza Thiago Orlando Costa , Viol Lara Eduarda Silva , da Silva Cabral de Moraes Jose Reinaldo , dos Santos Adão Felipe 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most consumed food in the world. One way to meet this demand is the expansion of wheat cultivation to the Brazilian Cerrado in the southeastern region. However, one of the major limitations is that there are few studies related to wheat climate risk zoning. Thus, this study aimed to determine the agroclimatic zoning of wheat by estimating the water needs satisfaction index (ISNA) in the southeastern region of Brazil. For this purpose, a 60‐year historical series of meteorological data was used to calculate the potential evapotranspiration, crop evapotranspiration, and climatological water balance values. To define the agroclimatic zones of wheat and sowing date, the ISNA method was used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine the variations. To obtain the agroclimatic zoning of wheat, the geostatistical method of kriging interpolation was used.RESULTSThe regions with the highest rainfall are the south of Minas Gerais and the coast of São Paulo. The sowing period directly impacts the development of the crop, the available water capacity and the ISNA values indicated the spring and summer had better cultivation conditions, and the best window for wheat cultivation is concentrated in the fall due to the limitation of biotic factors.CONCLUSIONIn terms of altitude (>700 m), Minas Gerais has 39.4% of the area suitable for wheat cultivation. Thus, climatic variations within and between the states of the southeastern region should be considered for the positioning of wheat cultivars in these regions to obtain the maximum yield. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Aneurysmal bone cyst: Is selective arterial embolization effective as curettage and bone grafting?
Authors: Cevolani Luca , Staals Eric , Campanacci Laura , Dozza Barbara , Martella Claudia , Spinnato Paolo , Di Carlo Maddalena , Peta Giuliano , Donati Davide M. , Miceli Marco , Facchini Giancarlo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionAneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a lytic benign bone lesion representing about 1% of all primary bone tumors. Method to treat ABC's have developed over time. The standard of care cure for ABC has been curettage with or without bone grafting of the defect but is burdened by recurrence rates of approximately 25%–31%. Based on the assumption that ABCs usually supplied by one or more pathological feeding arteries, selective arterial embolization has been described as an adjuvant preoperative procedure to reduce intra‐operative hemorrhage, and as primary treatment for lesions in difficult surgical access. In the current study, we therefore asked whether (1) a single or a repeat selective arterial embolization (SAE) for treating ABCs would produce comparable healing rates compared with curettage and bone grafting; (2) evaluated the relationship of recurrence in relation to the site of the cyst, the age, and gender of the patients; and (3) the two techniques differ in term of long‐term complication.Material and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 265 patients who underwent curettage and bone grafting or SAE performed at our institute from 1994 to 2018. The diagnosis of ABC was always established with percutaneous CT‐guided biopsy or open biopsy. Patients were followed clinically with plain radiographs or CT scan at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months then annually in the absence of symptoms. Treatment success was determined evaluating pre‐ and postprocedural imaging according to Chang classification.ResultsTwo hundred and nineteen were treated with curettage and bone grafting (curettage group), and 46 with SAE Group. Of the 219 patients treated with Curettage and bone grafting (curettage group), 165 out of 219 (75.3%) experienced bone healing, while local recurrence was observed in 54 cases (24.7%) after 12 months on average (range: 3–120 months) from surgery. After the first SAE, bone ossification was seen in 27 (58.7%), without needing any further treatment. Eleven recurred patients were treated with SAE (four patients need two while seven need three SAE to heal), and eight patients with curettage and bone grafting. Thirty‐eight out of 46 (82%) patients experienced bone ossification regardless the number of SAE. The overall rate of local recurrence for all patients was 26.7%. SAE group presented a lower complication rate (6%) where two patients experienced skin necrosis, and one limb‐length discrepancies (2% of all cohort).DiscussionThe use of SAE is an attractive option to treat ABC as it combines on one hand a lower complication rate than curettage and bone grafting, on the other it can be carried out in case of nonresectable ABCs, significantly reducing the size of viable ABC lesions, fostering bone remodeling and mineralization, and most importantly, significantly improving the patient's quality of life.
Tc‐99m mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy to assess future liver remnant function before major liver surgery
Authors: Smet Héloïse , Martin David , Uldry Emilie , Duran Rafaël , Girardet Raphael , Schaefer Niklaus , Prior John O. , Denys Alban , Halkic Nermin , Demartines Nicolas , Melloul Emmanuel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAssessment of liver function is paramount before hepatectomy. This study aimed to assess future liver remnant function (FLR‐F) using hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) and to compare it to FLR volume (FLR‐V) in the prediction of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). The impact of volume and function gains were also assessed in patients undergoing portal vein embolization (PVE) or liver venous deprivation (LVD).MethodsAll consecutive patients undergoing major hepatectomy between 02/2018 and 09/2021 with preoperative HBS were included. FLR‐V was expressed as percentage of total liver volume and analyzed using preoperative computed tomography. FLR‐V and FLR‐F gains after embolization were expressed in percentage. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to compare both methods in predicting PHLF.ResultsThirty‐six patients were included. PVE and LVD were performed in 4 (11%) and 28 patients (78%), respectively. Overall, PHLF occurred in eight patients (22%). FLR‐F gain after embolization showed significant ability to predict PHLF (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.789), with cut‐off value of 150% showing a sensitivity of 1.00, a specificity of 0.42, and a negative predictive value of 1.00.ConclusionPreoperative HBS shows a high sensitivity to predict PHLF when HBS is performed twice to measure the function gain after venous embolization.
Outcomes in elderly patients undergoing hepatic resection compared to liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Khan Sameer A. , Ahmed Fasih A. , Hafeez Muhammad S. , Feng Lawrence R. , Seth Abhinav , Kwon Yong K. , Aziz Hassan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundHepatic resection (HR) is an excellent option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For patients meeting the Milan criteria, a liver transplant (LT) is also a viable option for patients with HCC, especially those with end‐stage liver disease. With increasing rates of LTs amongst the elderly, we sought to determine long‐term outcomes in patients who underwent HR compared to LTs in this patient population.MethodsWe queried the national cancer database for elderly patients (≥70 years) diagnosed with HCC between 2004 and 2020. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) computed using the Kaplan−Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression. One‐to‐one propensity score matching was conducted on the basis of clinicodemographic features to account for baseline differences between patients undergoing each procedure.ResultsOf the 5090 patients included, 4674 (91.8%) and 416 (8.2%) patients underwent HR and LT, respectively. Compared with HR patients, patients receiving LT had better OS (p < 0.001) and greater median survival time (65.6 months HR vs. 97.9 months LT, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, a LT was independently associated with improved survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.50−0.76, p < 0.001).ConclusionsLT is associated with improved survival for well‐selected elderly patients with HCC. Age alone should not be used as the sole parameter for the candidacy of LT in elderly patients.