bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The binding of negative emotional stimuli with spatial information in working memory: A possible role for the episodic buffer
Authors: Cianfanelli Beatrice , Esposito Antonino , Spataro Pietro , Santirocchi Alessandro , Cestari Vincenzo , Rossi-Arnaud Clelia , Costanzi Marco 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionRemembering where negative events occur has undeniable adaptive value, however, how these memories are formed remains elusive. We investigated the role of working memory subcomponents in binding emotional and visuo-spatial information using an emotional version of the object relocation task (EORT).MethodsAfter displaying black rectangles simultaneously, emotional pictures (from the International Affective Pictures System) appeared sequentially over each rectangle. Participants repositioned the rectangles as accurately as possible after all stimuli had disappeared. During the EORT encoding phase, a verbal trail task was administered concurrently to selectively interfere with the central executive (CE). The immediate post-encoding administration of an object feature-report task was used to interfere with the episodic buffer (EB).ResultsOnly the EB-interfering task prevented the emotion-enhancing effect of negative pictures. The latter effect was not observed with a concurrent executive task.DiscussionOverall, our findings suggest that pre-attentive automatic processes are primarily involved in binding emotional and visuo-spatial information in the EB.
Do monocular myopia children need to wear glasses? Effects of monocular myopia on visual function and binocular balance
Authors: Xiang Aiqun , Du Kaixuan , Fu Qiuman , Zhang Yanni , Zhao Liting , Yan Li , Wen Dan 
Published: March 2023

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the binocular visual functions and balance among monocular myopic adolescents and adults and binocular low myopic adolescents and explore whether monocular myopia requires glasses.MethodsA total of 106 patients participated in this study. All patients were divided into three groups: the monocular myopia children group (Group 1 = 41 patients), the monocular myopia adult group (Group 2 = 26 patients) and the binocular low myopia children group (Group 3 = 39 patients). The refractive parameters, accommodation, stereopsis, and binocular balance were compared.ResultsThe binocular refractive difference in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 was −1.37 ± 0.93, −1.94 ± 0.91, and −0.32 ± 0.27 D, respectively. Moreover, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent (SE) and monocular accommodative amplitude (AA) between myopic and emmetropic eyes in Group 1 and Group 2 were significantly different (all P &lt; 0.05). There was a significant difference in the accommodative facility (AF) between myopic and emmetropic eyes in Group 2 (t = 2.131, P = 0.043). Furthermore, significant differences were found in monocular AA (t = 6.879, P &lt; 0.001), binocular AA (t = 5.043, P &lt; 0.001) and binocular AF (t = −3.074, P = 0.003) between Group 1 and Group 2. The normal ratio of stereopsis according to the random dots test in Group 1 was higher than in Group 2 (χ2 = 14.596, P &lt; 0.001). The normal ratio of dynamic stereopsis in Group 1 was lower than in Group 3 (χ2 = 13.281, P &lt; 0.001). The normal signal-to-noise ratio of the binocular balance point in Group 1 was lower than Group 3 (χ2 = 4.755, P = 0.029).ConclusionFirst, monocular myopia could lead to accommodative dysfunction and unbalanced input of binocular visual signals, resulting in myopia progression. Second, monocular myopia may also be accompanied by stereopsis dysfunction, and long-term uncorrected monocular myopia may worsen stereopsis acuity in adulthood. In addition, patients with monocular myopia could exhibit stereopsis dysfunction at an early stage. Therefore, children with monocular myopia must wear glasses to restore binocular balance and visual functions, thereby delaying myopia progression.
Identification of an immune subtype-related prognostic signature of clear cell renal cell carcinoma based on single-cell sequencing analysis
Authors: Fan Zongyao , Xu Hewei , Ge Qingyu , Li Weilong , Zhang Junjie , Pu Yannan , Chen Zhengsen , Zhang Sicong , Xue Jun , Shen Baixin , Ding Liucheng , Wei Zhongqing 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundThere is growing evidence that immune cells are strongly associated with the prognosis and treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Our aim is to construct an immune subtype-related model to predict the prognosis of ccRCC patients and to provide guidance for finding appropriate treatment strategies.MethodsBased on single-cell analysis of the GSE152938 dataset from the GEO database, we defined the immune subtype-related genes in ccRCC. Immediately afterwards, we used Cox regression and Lasso regression to build a prognostic model based on TCGA database. Then, we carried out a series of evaluation analyses around the model. Finally, we proved the role of VMP1 in ccRCC by cellular assays.ResultInitially, based on TCGA ccRCC patient data and GEO ccRCC single-cell data, we successfully constructed a prognostic model consisting of five genes. Survival analysis showed that the higher the risk score, the worse the prognosis. We also found that the model had high predictive accuracy for patient prognosis through ROC analysis. In addition, we found that patients in the high-risk group had stronger immune cell infiltration and higher levels of immune checkpoint gene expression. Finally, cellular experiments demonstrated that when the VMP1 gene was knocked down, 786-O cells showed reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion ability and increased levels of apoptosis.ConclusionOur study can provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ccRCC.
Identification and diagnosis of mammographic malignant architectural distortion using a deep learning based mask regional convolutional neural network
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Tong Yunfei , Wan Yun , Xia Ziqiang , Yao Guoyan , Shang Xiaojing , Huang Yan , Chen Lijun , Chen Daniel Q. , Liu Bo 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundArchitectural distortion (AD) is a common imaging manifestation of breast cancer, but is also seen in benign lesions. This study aimed to construct deep learning models using mask regional convolutional neural network (Mask-RCNN) for AD identification in full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and evaluate the performance of models for malignant AD diagnosis.MethodsThis retrospective diagnostic study was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between January 2011 and December 2020. Patients with AD in the breast in FFDM were included. Machine learning models for AD identification were developed using the Mask RCNN method. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, their areas under the curve (AUCs), and recall/sensitivity were used to evaluate the models. Models with the highest AUCs were selected for malignant AD diagnosis.ResultsA total of 349 AD patients (190 with malignant AD) were enrolled. EfficientNetV2, EfficientNetV1, ResNext, and ResNet were developed for AD identification, with AUCs of 0.89, 0.87, 0.81 and 0.79. The AUC of EfficientNetV2 was significantly higher than EfficientNetV1 (0.89 vs. 0.78, P=0.001) for malignant AD diagnosis, and the recall/sensitivity of the EfficientNetV2 model was 0.93.ConclusionThe Mask-RCNN-based EfficientNetV2 model has a good diagnostic value for malignant AD.
Correlation between the timing of diagnostic ureteroscopy for upper tract urothelial cancer and intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Luo Zhenkai , Jiao Binbin , Su Caixia , Zhao Hang , Yan Yangxuanyu , Pan Yijin , Ren Jian , Zhang Guan , Ding Zhenshan 
Published: March 2023

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing of diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) on intravesical recurrence (IVR) following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).Patients and methodsThe clinical data of 220 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) treated with RNU at our center from June 2010 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the timing of the URS, all patients were divided into three groups: the no URS group, the 1-session group (diagnostic URS immediately followed by RNU), and the 2-session group (RNU after diagnostic URS). Additionally, we analyzed IVR-free survival (IVRFS) using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional regression methods.ResultsThe median follow-up period of these 220 patents was 41 (range: 2-143) months. Among them, 58 patients developed IVR following RNU. Kaplan-Meier curve displayed a significantly higher IVR rate in both treatment groups than in the no-URS group (p=0.025). In the subgroup of patients with renal pelvis cancer, the incidence of IVR was significantly higher in both treatment groups than in the group without URS (p=0.006). In univariate Cox proportional regression analysis, the two treatment groups were risk factors for IVR compared to the no-URS group [p=0.027, hazard ratio (HR): 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-3.46]. The two-stage group (p=0.032, HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.08-3.65), positive urine pathology (p&lt;0.001, HR: 8.12, 95% CI: 3.63-18.15), adjuvant chemotherapy (p&lt;0.001, HR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.38), and positive margin (p&lt;0.0001, HR: 7.50, 95% CI: 2.44-23.08) were all identified as independent predictors in the multivariate.ConclusionThis study revealed that delayed RNU following diagnostic URS may increase the risk of postoperative IVR in patients with UTUC, preoperatively positive uropathology, and positive surgical margin were risk factors for IVR after RNU, while early postoperative chemotherapy may effectively prevent IVR. Delay of RUN after URS could increase the risk of IVR.
An analysis of the distribution and spectrum of alpha thalassemia mutations in Rasht City, North of Iran
Authors: Asghari Ahmadabad Mona , Pourreza Noushin , Ramezanpour Setareh , Baghersalimi Adel , Enshaei Mersedeh , Askari Marjan , Alizadeh Amirhossein , Izadi Elahe , Darbandi Bahram 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundAlpha thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary hemoglobin disorders worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, including Iran. Therefore, determining the spectrum and distribution of alpha thalassemia mutation is a fundamental component of preventive approaches and management strategies.MethodsThe present study reviews the genetic testing and blood laboratory results of 455 candidates eligible for marriage who were suspected of being thalassemia carriers and on whom genetic testing was performed from 21 March 2013 to 31 December 2020 in Rasht City.ResultsA total of 114 (25.05%) alpha thalassemia cases were identified. Fifteen different alpha mutations were found. The most common mutation among the study population was −α3.7 deletion in 55 patients (48.24%), followed by Hb Constant Spring (C.S) in 21 patients (18.42%) and poly A2 in 16 (14.03%). Also, most of the patients were silent carriers. The deletion type of mutation was much more common than non-deletion mutations.ConclusionOur study reveals genetic heterogeneity and alpha thalassemia diversity among the Rasht City population. We expect that these findings will help guide premarital screening and genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia, preventive strategy development, as well as a compilation of the alpha thalassemia catalog in Guilan province.
Pyelo-ureteral junction obstruction in poorly functioning kidneys: Does conservative management play a role in pediatric patients?
Authors: Zarfati Angelo , Mele Ermelinda , Villani Maria Felicia , Capozza Nicola , Castagnetti Marco 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundManagement of Pyelo-ureteral Junction Obstruction (PUJO) in poorly functioning kidneys in pediatric patients is still controversial, particularly regarding the role of conservative treatment.AimTo evaluate and present the outcomes of internal diversion and follow-up results of a small series of pediatric patients with UPJO in poorly functioning kidneys.Study designRetrospective review of 17 consecutive patients with unilateral PUJO in kidneys with Differential Renal Function (DRF) &lt;20% undergoing temporary internal urinary diversion between 2009 and 2021 at a single tertiary center. DRF was reassessed after 1–3 months of diversion and subsequent management was conservative or surgical (pyeloplasty or nephrectomy) based on surgeon’s and family’s preferences without randomization.ResultsAfter a trial of internal urinary diversion, 4/17 patients (23%) showed a DRF increase ≥5% (9%–12%), up to a maximum DRF of 28%, 3 underwent pyeloplasty, while 1 was managed conservatively. The remaining 13 patients showed no differential renal function improvement after diversion, and 7 were managed expectantly while 6 surgically (4 pyeloplasty, 2 nephrectomy). Overall, nine patients (53%) were managed surgically and 8 (47%) expectantly After a median (range) follow-up of 3.1 (0.3–7.9) years, no significant difference was observed between groups regarding symptoms (p = 0.205), need for further surgery (p = 1.000), and renal function (p = 1.000).DiscussionAlthough fraught with the limitation of a small sample size, this is the first study reporting on the conservative management of this controversial group of patients.ConclusionIn present pediatric series of pyelo-ureteral Junction obstruction in poorly functioning kidneys with differential renal function &lt;20%, function recovery after a trial of internal urinary diversion was quite exceptional, and no difference was observed in outcome between patients managed surgically and conservatively after stent removal.
Effect of mTOR inhibitors on sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) function in vitro
Authors: Saran Chitra , Ho Henry , Honkakoski Paavo , Brouwer Kim L. R. 
Published: March 2023

The sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP; gene name SLC10A1) is the primary hepatic basolateral uptake transporter for conjugated bile acids and the entry receptor for the hepatitis B and D virus (HBV/HDV). Regulation of human NTCP remains a knowledge gap due to significant species differences in substrate and inhibitor selectivity and plasma membrane expression. In the present study, various kinase inhibitors were screened for inhibition of NTCP function and taurocholate (TCA) uptake using NTCP-transfected HuH-7 cells. This study identified everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor and macrocyclic immunosuppressive drug, as an NTCP inhibitor with modest potency (IC50 = 6.7–8.0 µM). Further investigation in differentiated HuH-7 cells expressing NTCP and NTCP-overexpressing Flp-In T-REx 293 cells revealed that the mechanism of action of everolimus on NTCP is direct inhibition and mTOR-independent. Structural analogs of everolimus inhibited NTCP-mediated TCA uptake, however, functional analogs did not affect NTCP-mediated TCA transport, providing further evidence for direct inhibition. This work contributes to the growing body of literature suggesting that NTCP-mediated bile acid uptake may be inhibited by macrocyclic peptides, which may be further exploited to develop novel medications against HBV/HDV.
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and impaired kidney function during the Omicron surge
Authors: Yan Jiayi , Cai Hong , Wang Jieying , Zhu Mingli , Li Ping , Li Peiying , Wu Bin , Che Xiajing , Gu Leyi , Mou Shan 
Published: March 2023

Background: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir has demonstrated effectiveness in high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, investigations on the efficacy and safety of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with kidney dysfunction are limited.Methods: Data were collected from the patients admitted to a COVID-19 referral center in Shanghai, China. Patients were at least 18 years of age and had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of &lt;60 ml/min/1·73 m2. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, intensive care unit admission, or cardiovascular events. The secondary endpoint was viral shedding.Results: Among the 195 participants, 73 received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. A lower risk of the primary endpoint was observed in nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients compared with non-recipients [adjusted HR 0.56 (95% CI: 0.32–0.96); p = 0.035]. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients experienced a shorter duration of viral shedding [adjusted HR 3·70 (95%CI: 2.60–5.28); p &lt; 0.001) and faster viral load clearance versus non-recipients. Among the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir users, earlier initiation of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir within 5 days since COVID-19 diagnosis was related with shorter viral shedding time (adjusted HR 7.84 [95% CI: 3.28–18.76]; p &lt; 0.001) compared to late initiation. No patients reported serious adverse events during treatment.Conclusion: Our findings support the early initiation of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for high-risk patients with impaired kidney function. This could improve patient outcomes and shorten the viral shedding period.
Comparison of cardiac image-derived input functions for quantitative whole body [18F]FDG imaging with arterial blood sampling
Authors: Reed Murray Bruce , Godbersen Godber Mathis , Vraka Chrysoula , Rausch Ivo , Ponce de León Magdalena , Popper Valentin , Geist Barbara , Nics Lukas , Komorowski Arkadiusz , Karanikas Georgios , Beyer Thomas , Traub-Weidinger Tatjana , Hahn Andreas , Langsteger Werner , Hacker Marcus , Lanzenberger Rupert 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) and the application of kinetic models can provide important quantitative information based on its temporal information. This however requires arterial blood sampling, which can be challenging to acquire. Nowadays, state-of-the-art PET/CT systems offer fully automated, whole-body (WB) kinetic modelling protocols using image-derived input functions (IDIF) to replace arterial blood sampling. Here, we compared the validity of an automatic WB kinetic model protocol to the reference standard arterial input function (AIF) for both clinical and research settings.Methods: Sixteen healthy participants underwent dynamic WB [18F]FDG scans using a continuous bed motion PET/CT system with simultaneous arterial blood sampling. Multiple processing pipelines that included automatic and manually generated IDIFs derived from the aorta and left ventricle, with and without motion correction were compared to the AIF. Subsequently generated quantitative images of glucose metabolism were compared to evaluate performance of the different input functions.Results: We observed moderate to high correlations between IDIFs and the AIF regarding area under the curve (r = 0.49–0.89) as well as for the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRGlu) (r = 0.68–0.95). Manual placing of IDIFs and motion correction further improved their similarity to the AIF.Discussion: In general, the automatic vendor protocol is a feasible approach for the quantification of CMRGlu for both, clinical and research settings where expertise or time is not available. However, we advise on a rigorous inspection of the placement of the volume of interest, the resulting IDIF, and the quantitative values to ensure valid interpretations. In protocols requiring longer scan times or where cohorts are prone to involuntary movement, manual IDIF definition with additional motion correction is recommended, as this has greater accuracy and reliability.
Concurrent validity of machine learning-classified functional upper extremity use from accelerometry in chronic stroke
Authors: Geed Shashwati , Grainger Megan L. , Mitchell Abigail , Anderson Cassidy C. , Schmaulfuss Henrike L. , Culp Seraphina A. , McCormick Eilis R. , McGarry Maureen R. , Delgado Mystee N. , Noccioli Allysa D. , Shelepov Julia , Dromerick Alexander W. , Lum Peter S. 
Published: March 2023

Objective:This study aims to investigate the validity of machine learning-derived amount of real-world functional upper extremity (UE) use in individuals with stroke. We hypothesized that machine learning classification of wrist-worn accelerometry will be as accurate as frame-by-frame video labeling (ground truth). A second objective was to validate the machine learning classification against measures of impairment, function, dexterity, and self-reported UE use.Design:Cross-sectional and convenience sampling.Setting:Outpatient rehabilitation.Participants:Individuals (&gt;18 years) with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke &gt;6-months prior (n= 31) with persistent impairment of the hemiparetic arm and upper extremity Fugl-Meyer (UEFM) score = 12–57.Methods:Participants wore an accelerometer on each arm and were video recorded while completing an “activity script” comprising activities and instrumental activities of daily living in a simulated apartment in outpatient rehabilitation. The video was annotated to determine the ground-truth amount of functional UE use.Main outcome measures:The amount of real-world UE use was estimated using a random forest classifier trained on the accelerometry data. UE motor function was measured with the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), UEFM, and nine-hole peg test (9HPT). The amount of real-world UE use was measured using the Motor Activity Log (MAL).Results:The machine learning estimated use ratio was significantly correlated with the use ratio derived from video annotation, ARAT, UEFM, 9HPT, and to a lesser extent, MAL. Bland–Altman plots showed excellent agreement between use ratios calculated from video-annotated and machine-learning classification. Factor analysis showed that machine learning use ratios capture the same construct as ARAT, UEFM, 9HPT, and MAL and explain 83% of the variance in UE motor performance.Conclusion:Our machine learning approach provides a valid measure of functional UE use. The accuracy, validity, and small footprint of this machine learning approach makes it feasible for measurement of UE recovery in stroke rehabilitation trials.
Identification and analysis of lignin biosynthesis genes related to fruit ripening and stress response in banana (Musa acuminata L. AAA group, cv. Cavendish)
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Yao Xiao-ming , Jia Cai-hong , Xu Bi-yu , Wang Jing-yi , Liu Ju-hua , Jin Zhi-qiang 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundLignin is a key component of the secondary cell wall of plants, providing mechanical support and facilitating water transport as well as having important impact effects in response to a variety of biological and abiotic stresses.ResultsIn this study, we identified 104 genes from ten enzyme gene families related to lignin biosynthesis in Musa acuminata genome and found the number of MaCOMT gene family was the largest, while MaC3Hs had only two members. MaPALs retained the original members, and the number of Ma4CLs in lignin biosynthesis was significantly less than that of flavonoids. Segmental duplication existed in most gene families, except for MaC3Hs, and tandem duplication was the main way to expand the number of MaCOMTs. Moreover, the expression profiles of lignin biosynthesis genes during fruit development, postharvest ripening stages and under various abiotic and biological stresses were investigated using available RNA-sequencing data to obtain fruit ripening and stress response candidate genes. Finally, a co-expression network of lignin biosynthesis genes was constructed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis to elucidate the lignin biosynthesis genes that might participate in lignin biosynthesis in banana during development and in response to stresses.ConclusionThis study systematically identified the lignin biosynthesis genes in the Musa acuminata genome, providing important candidate genes for further functional analysis. The identification of the major genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in banana provides the basis for the development of strategies to improve new banana varieties tolerant to biological and abiotic stresses with high yield and high quality.