bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A genome-wide association study for survival from a multi-centre European study identified variants associated with COVID-19 risk of death
Authors: Colombo Francesca , Minnai Francesca , Biscarini Filippo , Esposito Martina , Dragani Tommaso , Bujanda Luis , Rahmouni Souad , Alarcon Marta , Bernardo David , Carnero Elena , Buti Maria , Zeberg Hugo , Asselta Rosanna , Romero-Gomez Manuel , Fernández-Cádenas Israel , Fallerini Chiara , Zguro Kristina , Furini Simone , Renieri Alessandra 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

The clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection vary widely among patients, from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Host genetics is one of the factors that contributes to this variability as a previous case-control genome-wide association study by the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (HGI) identified sixteen loci associated with COVID-19 severity. Herein, we investigated the genetic determinants of COVID-19 mortality, by performing a case-only genome-wide survival analysis, 60 days after infection, of 3,904 COVID-19 patients from the GEN-COVID and other European series included in the EGAS00001005304 study of the COVID-19 HGI. Patients were genotyped using Illumina Infinium Global Screening Arrays. We carried out data quality check, principal component analysis, imputed the data, and performed survival analysis using the Cox model adjusted for age, age2, sex, series, time of infection, and the first ten principal components. Results of the analyses showed a genome-wide significant (P-value < 5.0x10-8) association of the rs117011822 variant, on chromosome 11, and association, approaching the genome-wide threshold, of rs7208524 (P-value = 5.19x10-8), on chromosome 17. A total of 113 variants were associated with survival at P-value < 1.0x10-5and most of them had gene expression regulatory functions as expression quantitative trait loci, mainly involved in immune response (e.g.,CD300andKLRgenes), or in lung repair and function (e.g.,FGF19andCDH13). Overall, our results suggest that germline variants may modulate COVID-19 risk of death, possibly through the regulation of gene expression in immune response and lung function pathways.
Prevalence, Clinical Reasons and Associated Factors of Extended Treatment Duration for Drug Susceptible Tuberculosis – a Real-World Experience
Authors: Liu Chih-Yu , Chen Rou-Tsern , Shu Chin-Chung , Lin Shu-Yung 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The standard short-course treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB) is 6 months, but in certain cases, treatment duration may need to be extended. However, limited research has been conducted on the prevalence and factors associated with extended TB treatment.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted. Drug-susceptible patients with TB from the TB registry of a study hospital between January 2018 and December 2020 were enrolled. The prevalence, reasons, and associated factors for extended TB treatment (≥ 9 months) were analyzed and compared with those of the standard treatment course.
Results
A total of 221 patients with TB were analyzed, of whom 80 (28.7%) received extended TB treatment and 141 were in the control group. The extended treatment group had higher proportions of hepatitis B infection (12.5% vs. 5%, p = 0.043) and recent treatment for cancer (17.5% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.046). Adverse drug events were more prevalent in the extended treatment group (grade 3 or more symptoms: 26.3% vs. 11.3%, p = 0.008), and treatment interruption was more frequent (46.3% vs. 18.4%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that hepatitis B infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.10, p = 0.039), recent treatment for cancer (AOR 3.09, p = 0.013), and post-treatment abnormal aminotransferase (AOR 2.40, p = 0.014) were independent factors associated with extended treatment duration.
Conclusions
Extended anti-TB treatment is not uncommon, affecting 28.7% of the patients in this study. Factors such as host characteristics and adverse drug effects might contribute to extended TB treatment duration. Integration of these factors into treatment strategies is necessary to optimize patient care.
Associations between dietary calcium intake and lung function were modified by age and gender in the USA : A cross-sectional study of NHANES
Authors: Chen Wenwen , Liu Zitian , Zhang Xiang , Ni Jiangwei , Zheng Liangcheng , Cheng Dezhi , Chen Kun 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The present study aimed to evaluate the associations between dietary calcium intake and lung function, and whether these associations were affected by age and gender.
Methods
A total of 6476 participants aged 18 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of the 2007 to 2012 were included in the analyses. Weighted linear regression was used to estimate beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between dietary calcium intake and pulmonary function test parameters, with adjustment for relevant covariates and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were conducted.
Results
Calcium intake was positively associated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (β: 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–0.21; P < 0.0001) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (β: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.18–0.31; P < 0.0001), and interactions between calcium intake, age, gender, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) existed on lung function. RCS analysis shows that for 60–79 year-old individuals, there was the U-shape dose–response relationship between the calcium intake and FEV1 (P for nonlinearity = 0.0415), and the association between the calcium intake and FEV1 was linear (P for non-linearity = 0.076) for 20–40 years old individuals, and there is no correlation between calcium intake and FEV1 for 40–60 years old individuals (P for overall = 0.8337). In addition, RCS analysis shows that for male, there was the U-shape dose–response relationship between the calcium intake and FEV (P for nonlinearity = 0.0012), while the association between the calcium intake and FVC was linear in female (P for overall = 0.8056).
Conclusion
Findings suggested that dietary calcium intake and lung function were modified by age and gender. Increased calcium intake was recommended for participants with young and elderly people in improving lung function.
Factors to Improve Odds of Success Following Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Machine Learning Analysis
Authors: Yang Hong Yeol , Shin Yong Gwan , Shin Hyun Ho , Choi Ji Hoon , Seon Jong Keun 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background: Although high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an established treatment option for medial compartment osteoarthritis, the predictive factors for HTO treatment success remain unclear. This study aimed to identify informative variables associated with HTO treatment success and to develop and internally validate machine learning algorithms to provide patient-specific predictions of which patients will achieve HTO treatment success for medial compartmental osteoarthritis.
Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent medial opening-wedge HTO (MOWHTO) at our center between March 2010 and December 2015. The primary outcomes were the lack of conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and achievement of the minimal clinically important difference of improvement in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at a minimum of five years postoperatively. Recursive feature selection was used to identify the combination of variables from an initial pool of 25 features that optimized model performance. Five machine learning algorithms (XGBoost, multilayer perception, support vector machine, elastic-net penalized logistic regression, and random forest) were trained using five-fold cross-validation three times and applied to an independent test set of patients.The performance of the model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results: A total of 231 patients were included, and 200 patients (86.6%) achieved treatment success at the mean of 9 years of follow-up. A combination of seven variables optimized algorithm performance, and specific cutoffs increased the likelihood of MOWHTO treatment success: body mass index (BMI) ≤26.8, preoperative KOOS for pain ≤46.0, preoperative KOOS for quality of life ≤33.0, preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee score ≤42.0, preoperative Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) score >42.25, three-month postoperative hip-knee-ankle angle >1.0, and three-month postoperative medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) >91.5 and ≤94.7. The random forest model demonstrated the best performance (F1 score: 0.93; AUC: 0.81) and was transformed into an online application as an educational tool to demonstrate machine learning capabilities.
Conclusions: The random forest machine learning algorithm best predicted MOWHTO treatment success. Patients with a lower BMI, poor clinical status, slight valgus overcorrection, and postoperative MPTA <94.7, more frequently achieved a greater likelihood of treatment success.
Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.
ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 down-regulates Il-1β expression in mice with experimental autoimmune myocarditis
Authors: Li Yanjun , Gao Ge , Han Yiru , Xiao Bingshuai , Shen Liyuan , Yang Xiangxin , Liu Yangqing , Mu Yaqin , Zhang Nianping , Niu Chunhong , Wang Yuxing 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Autoimmune myocarditis is a limited or diffuse inflammation of the myocardium brought on by dysfunction in the normal function of cellular and humoral immunity of the body. Mouse models of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) were constructed using peptide MyHC-α614–629. After secondary immunization, the mice were given intraperitoneal injection of the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 the next day, and the heart tissues of the EAM mice were isolated and weighed on day 21. As a result, the hearts of EAM mice were significantly enlarged and whitened; the body weight (BW) of mice in the EAM group increased slowly, and the heart weight (HW) and the ratio of HW/eventual body weight (e-BW) were raised; the inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of the myocardial tissue were aggravated. But Y-27632 treatment improved the above-mentioned phenotypic or pathological features of EAM mice. Besides, the monocytes in the spleen of EAM mice mounted up, which showed a decline in number after Y-27632 treatment. Mechanistic analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of Notch1, Hes1, Jag2, Dil1, Tlr2 and Il-1β in the myocardial tissue of the EAM mice. Notably, the expression of IL-1β was consistent with that of Notch1 and Tlr2. After Y-27632 treatment, the expression of key target genes (Notch1, Hes1, Dil1 and Jag2) of the NOTCH signaling pathway and Tlr2 expression were obviously decreased. The ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 exerts a protective effect in EAM mice by down-regulating Il-1β expression. This study aims to provide a reference value for the future treatment of myocarditis in clinical settings.
Reliability of an ultrasound imaging acquisition procedure for examining osteoarthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint
Authors: Molyneux Prue , Bowen Catherine , Ellis Richard , Rome Keith , Fitzgerald Kate , Clark Phillip , Carroll Matthew 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Objective Given the ability of ultrasound imaging (USI) to depict tissue-specific morphological changes before the onset of pain and before the point of irreversible structural damage, USI could play a fundamental role in earlier detection and assessment of foot osteoarthritis. Current guidelines require further refinement of anatomical landmarks to establish a standardised imaging procedure to improve interpretability and reproducibility between studies evaluating the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). The aims were to develop an USI acquisition procedure and grading system to examine OA features in the first MTPJ and to determine intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability of a newly developed USI acquisition procedure.Design Thirty participants with first MTPJ osteoarthritis confirmed radiographically with the use of the La Trobe Foot Atlas were included. An experienced sonographer applied a newly developed USI procedure to examine the following features: joint effusion, synovial hypertrophy, synovitis, joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and cartilage thickness. To determine intra and inter-examiner reliability an experienced radiologist and sonographer applied the developed grading system to the images acquired from two imaging sessions. Intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).Results ICCs for intra-examiner between session reliability ranged from 0.58 to 0.92 for semiquantitative grading and 0.39 to 0.94 for continuous measures. Joint effusion and osteophytes achieved the highest intra-examiner reliability (ICC = 0.78–0.94). ICCs for session one inter-examiner reliability ranged from 0.61 to 1.0 for semiquantitative grading, all continuous measures had an ICC of 1. ICCs for session two inter-examiner reliability ranged from 0.55 to 1.0 for semiquantitative grading and 0.9 to 0.97 for continuous measures. Inter-examiner reliability was good for grading joint effusion (ICC = 0.55–0.62) and was excellent for all other USI features (ICC = 0.77-1.0).Conclusion The USI acquisition procedure and grading system are reliable in evaluating first MTPJ osteoarthritis features in participants with radiologically confirmed osteoarthritis. The study will inform the methodological development of an ultrasound atlas for grading the degree of osteoarthritic change in the first MTPJ.
Aerosol Influence on Cloud Macrophysical and Microphysical Properties over the Tibetan Plateau and Its Adjacent Regions
Authors: Wei Chengqiang , Zhao Pengguo , Wang Yuting , Wang Yuan , Mo Shuying , Zhou Yunjun 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This study uses aerosol optical depth (AOD) and cloud properties data to investigate the influence of aerosol on the cloud properties over the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent regions. The study regions are divided as the western part of the Tibetan Plateau (WTP), the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), and the Sichuan Basin (SCB). All three regions show significant cloud effects under low aerosol loading conditions. In WTP, under low aerosol loading conditions, the effective radius of liquid cloud particles (LREF) decreases with the increase of aerosol loading, while the effective radius of ice cloud particles (IREF) and cloud top height (CTH) increase during the cold season. Increased aerosol loading might inhibit the development of warm rain processes, transporting more cloud droplets above the freezing level and promoting ice cloud development. During the warm season, under low aerosol loading conditions, both the cloud microphysical (LREF and IREF) and macrophysical (cloud top height and cloud fraction) properties increase with the increase of aerosol loading, likely due to higher dust aerosol concentration in this region. In IGP, both LREF and IREF increase with the increase in aerosol loading during the cold season. In SCB, LREF increases with the increase in aerosol loading, while IREF decreases, possibly due to the higher hygroscopic aerosol concentration in the SCB during the cold season. Meteorological conditions also modulate the aerosol-cloud interaction. Under different convective available potential energy (CAPE) and relative humidity (RH) conditions, the influence of aerosol on clouds varies in the three regions. Under low CAPE and RH conditions, the relationship between LREF and aerosol in both the cold and warm seasons is opposite in the WTP: LREF decreases with the increase of aerosol in the cold season, while it increases in the warm season. This discrepancy may be attributed to a difference in the moisture condition between the cold and warm seasons in this region.
Efficacy of endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device for small rectal neuroendocrine tumor: study protocol of a multicenter open-label randomized control trial (BANDIT trial)
Authors: Takada Kazunori , Imai Kenichiro , Yamada Takanori , Ohata Ken , Kanesaka Takashi , Nagami Yasuaki , Yamasaki Yasushi , Kobara Hideki , Inokuchi Yasuhiro , Chino Akiko , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Ikehara Hisatomo , Kawamura Takuji , Yabuuchi Yohei , Mizuguchi Yasuhiko , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Yokoi Chizu , Hattori Santa , Ohno Kazuya , Yoshizawa Yashiro , Fukuzawa Masakatsu , Tsuji Yosuke , Konishi Jun , Yamamura Takeshi , Osawa Satoshi , Oka Shiro , Hikichi Takuto , Togashi Kazutomo , Hirasawa Kingo , Uraoka Toshio , Takeuchi Yoji , Chiba Hideyuki , Komeda Yoriaki , Doyama Hisashi , Oba Mari S , Saito Yutaka 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background:Endoscopic resection is widely accepted as a local treatment for rectal neuroendocrine tumors sized ≤ 10 mm. However, there is no consensus on the best method for the endoscopic resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors. As a simplified endoscopic procedure, endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) indicates a histologically complete resection rate comparable to that of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We hypothesized that ESMR-L than ESD would be preferred for rectal neuroendocrine tumors. Hence, this trial aimed to verify whether ESMR-L is non-inferior to ESD in terms of histologically complete resection rate.Methods:This is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial of two parallel groups, conducted at the Shizuoka Cancer Center and 31 other institutions in Japan. Patients with a lesion endoscopically diagnosed as a rectal neuroendocrine tumor ≤ 10 mm are eligible for inclusion. A total of 266 patients will be recruited and randomized to undergo either ESD or ESMR-L. The primary endpoint is the rate of en bloc resection with histologically tumor-free margins (R0 resection). Secondary endpoints include en bloc resection rate, procedure time, adverse events, hospitalization days, total devices and agents cost, adverse event rate between groups with and without resection site closure, outcomes between expert and non-expert endoscopists, and factors associated with R0 resection failure. The sample size is determined based on the assumption that the R0 resection rate will be 95.2% in the ESD group and 95.3% in the ESMR-L group, with a non-inferiority margin of 8%. With a one-sided significance level of 0.05 and a power of 80%, 226 participants are required. Assuming a dropout rate of 15%, 266 patients will be included in this study.Discussion:This is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing ESD and ESMR-L for the R0 resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors ≤ 10 mm. This will provide valuable information for standardizing endoscopic resection methods for rectal neuroendocrine tumors.Trial registration:Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs042210124. Registered on Jan 6, 2022.
The relationship between physical activity and academic achievement in middle school students: the chain mediating role of social support and learning engagement
Authors: Xiang Jun , Gao Jia , Gao Yun 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The academic achievement of middle school students has always been a hot topic that scholars pay attention to.
Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement of middle school students, and to verify the mediating role of social support and learning engagement between them.
Methods: 3230 middle school students in Guangdong Province were investigated and tested by physical activity scale, academic achievement scale, perceptive social support scale and learning engagement scale.
Results: (1) Boys scored slightly higher than girls in physical activity and social support, but slightly lower in academic achievement and engagement. There were some differences in physical activity, academic achievement, social support and learning engagement among middle schools in Guangdong Province (P<0.05). (2) Physical activity had a significant positive correlation with academic achievement (r=0.37, p < 0.01), and physical activity had a significant direct path to academic achievement (β=-0.025, t=2.052, p < 0.01). Physical activity positively predicted social support (β=0.085, t=1.552, p < 0.01) and learning engagement (β=0.082, t=0.562, p < 0.01). Social support significantly predicted learning engagement (β=0.096, t=3.376, p < 0.01) and academic achievement (β=-0.038, t=1.568, p < 0.01). Learning engagement positively predicted academic achievement (β=0.054, t=1.558, p < 0.01). (3) Social support and learning engagement play a significant mediating role between physical activity and academic achievement, and the mediating effect accounts for 90.25% of the total effect. The mediating effect was composed of three pathways: physical activity → social support → academic achievement (13.82%), physical activity → learning engagement → academic achievement (26.02%), physical activity → social support → learning engagement → academic achievement (50.41%).
Conclusion: Physical activity can significantly positively predict middle school students' social support, learning engagement and academic achievement, that is, physical activity can not only directly predict middle school students' academic achievement, but also directly predict academic achievement through the independent mediating effect of social support and learning engagement, and indirectly predict academic achievement through the chain mediating effect of social support and learning engagement.
Gamified Antimicrobial Decision Support App (GADSA) changes antibiotics prescription behaviour in surgeons in Nigeria: A hospital-based pilot study
Authors: Luedtke Susanne , Wood Caroline , Olufemi Olajumoke , Okonji Patrick , Kpokiri Eneyi E , Musah Anwar , Bammeke Funmi , Mutiu Bamidele , Ojewola Rufus , Bankole Olufemi , Ademuyiwa Adesoji , Ekumankama Chibuzo , Theophilus Ayibanoah , Aworabhi-Oki Neni , Shallcross Laura , Molnar Andreea , Wiseman Sue , Hayward Andrew , Birjovanu Georgiana , Lefevre Carmen , Petrou Stylianos , Ogunsola Folasade , Kostkova Patty 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Aims:
Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) in Nigeria is often not evidence based. The aim of this study is to test if the GADSA application can change prescription behaviour of surgeons in Nigeria. In addition, the study aims to identify AMS strategies and policies for the future.
Methods:
The GADSA gamified decision support app uses WHO and Sanford prescribing guidelines to deliver real-time persuasive technology feedback to surgeons through an interactive mentor. The app can advise on whether clinician’s decisions align with SAP recommendations and provides the opportunity for clinicians to make adjustments. Twenty surgeons actively participated in a 6-month pilot study in three hospitals in Nigeria. Surgeons determined the risk, need, type and duration of SAP for a surgical procedure. The study used a longitudinal approach to test whether the GADSA app significantly changed prescribing behaviour of participating surgeons by analysing the reported prescription decisions within the app.
Results:
321 SAP prescriptions were recorded. Concerning the surgical risk decision, 12% of surgeons changed their decision to be in line with guidelines after app feedback (p < 0.001) and 10% of surgeons changed their decision about the need for SAP (p = 0.0035) to align with guidelines. The change in decision making for SAP use in terms of “type” and “duration” to align with guidelines was similar with 6% and 5% respectively (both p-values < 0.001).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that the GADSA app, with its game based and feedback feature, could significantly change prescribing behaviour at the point of care in an African setting, which could lead to tackling the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.