bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional tumor cell-intrinsic STING, not host STING, drives local and systemic antitumor immunity and therapy efficacy following cryoablation
Authors: Alshebremi Mohammad , Tomchuck Suzanne L , Myers Jay T , Kingsley Daniel T , Eid Saada , Abiff Muta , Bonner Melissa , Saab Shahrazad T , Choi Sung Hee , Huang Alex Yee-Chen 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundDespite its potential utility in delivering direct tumor killing and in situ whole-cell tumor vaccination, tumor cryoablation produces highly variable and unpredictable clinical response, limiting its clinical utility. The mechanism(s) driving cryoablation-induced local antitumor immunity and the associated abscopal effect is not well understood.MethodsThe aim of this study was to identify and explore a mechanism of action by which cryoablation enhances the therapeutic efficacy in metastatic tumor models. We used the subcutaneous mouse model of the rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell lines RMS 76-9STINGwtor RMS 76-9STING-/-, along with other murine tumor models, in C57BL/6 or STING-/-(TMEM173-/-) mice to evaluate local tumor changes, lung metastasis, abscopal effect on distant tumors, and immune cell dynamics in the tumor microenvironment (TME).ResultsThe results show that cryoablation efficacy is dependent on both adaptive immunity and the STING signaling pathway. Contrary to current literature dictating an essential role of host-derived STING activation as a driver of antitumor immunity in vivo, we show that local tumor control, lung metastasis, and the abscopal effect on distant tumor are all critically dependent on a functioning tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling pathway, which induces inflammatory chemokine and cytokine responses in the cryoablated TME. This reliance extends beyond cryoablation to include intratumoral STING agonist therapy. Additionally, surveys of gene expression databases and tissue microarrays of clinical tumor samples revealed a wide spectrum of expressions among STING-related signaling components.ConclusionsTumor cell-intrinsic STING pathway is a critical component underlying the effectiveness of cryoablation and suggests that expression of STING-related signaling components may serve as a potential therapy response biomarker. Our data also highlight an urgent need to further characterize tumor cell-intrinsic STING pathways and the associated downstream inflammatory response evoked by cryoablation and other STING-dependent therapy approaches.
Relative importance of inflammation and cardiorespiratory fitness for all-cause mortality risk in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: the population-based Trøndelag Health Study
Authors: Videm Vibeke , Liff Marthe Halsan , Hoff Mari 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveInflammation and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with increased mortality rates in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed at directly comparing the relative importance of inflammation and reduced CRF as mediators of all-cause mortality in persons with RA compared with controls, quantifying direct and indirect (mediated) effects.MethodsPersons with (n=223, cases) and without (n=31 684, controls) RA from the third survey of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3, 2006–2008) were included. Inflammation was quantified using C reactive protein (CRP) and estimated CRF (eCRF) was calculated using published formulae. All-cause mortality was found by linkage to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry, with follow-up from inclusion in HUNT3 until death or 31 December 2018. Data were analysed using standardised equation modelling, permitting complex correlations among variables.ResultsPersons with RA had increased all-cause mortality rates (24.1% vs 9.9%, p<0.001). Both eCRF (p<0.001) and CRP ≥3 mg/L (p<0.001) were mediators of this excess mortality, rendering the direct effect of RA non-significant (p=0.19). The indirect effect of RA mediated by eCRF (standardised coefficient 0.006) was approximately three times higher than the indirect effect mediated by CRP (standardised coefficient 0.002) in a model adjusted for other mortality risk factors.ConclusionEven with CRP concentrations <3 mg/L in all patients with RA, excess mortality mediated by low CRF would still play an important role. Improved inflammation control in RA does not necessarily lead to better CRF. Therefore, our study strongly supports recommendations for development and implementation of exercise programmes aimed at improving CRF in persons with RA.
GENERALIZED CANTOR-INTEGERS AND INTERVAL DENSITY OF HOMOGENEOUS CANTOR SETS
Authors: CHEN JIN , WANG XIN-YU 
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we study the generalized Cantor-integers [Formula: see text] with the base conversion function [Formula: see text] being strictly increasing and satisfying [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We show that the sequence [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is dense in the closed interval with the endpoints being its inferior and superior, respectively. Moreover, every homogeneous Cantor set [Formula: see text] satisfying open set condition can be induced by some generalized Cantor-integers, we get the exact point which attains the maximal interval density of the form [Formula: see text] with respect to the self-similar probability measure supported on [Formula: see text]. This result partially confirms a conjecture of E. Ayer and R. S. Strichartz [Exact Hausdorff measure and intervals of maximum density for Cantor sets, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 351(9) (1999) 3725–3741].
VSSB-Raft: A Secure and Efficient Zero Trust Consensus Algorithm for Blockchain
Authors: Tian Siben , Bai Fenhua , Shen Tao , Zhang Chi , Gong Bei 
Published: August 2023

To solve the problems of vote forgery and malicious election of candidate nodes in the Raft consensus algorithm, we combine zero trust with the Raft consensus algorithm and propose a secure and efficient consensus algorithm -Verifiable Secret Sharing Byzantine Fault Tolerance Raft Consensus Algorithm (VSSB-Raft). The VSSB-Raft consensus algorithm realizes zero trust through the supervisor node and secret sharing algorithm without the invisible trust between nodes required by the algorithm. Meanwhile, the VSSB-Raft consensus algorithm uses the SM2 signature algorithm to realize the characteristics of zero trust requiring authentication before data use. In addition, by introducing the NDN network, we redesign the communication between nodes and guarantee the communication quality among nodes. The VSSB-Raft consensus algorithm proposed in this paper can make the algorithm Byzantine fault tolerant by setting a threshold for secret sharing while maintaining the algorithm’s complexity to be O(n). Experiments show that the VSSB-Raft consensus algorithm is secure and efficient with high throughput and low consensus latency.
Reduced Diversities and Clonally Expanded Sequences of T-Cell Receptors in Patients With Essential Hypertension and Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Ma Xiaoxiang , Zhuo Yue , Huang Yu , He Pengming , Huang Zhaoyi , Jiang Li , Tong Luyao , Yao Xiaoqin , Wen Xueping , Zhong Xuemei , Yang Shihan , Li Changqiong , Liu Yuping , Zhang Zhixin 
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:
It has long been hypothesized that the abnormal immune responses contribute to the essential hypertension (EH) and its subclinical target organ damage (STOD). However, the mechanism is unclear. This study aimed at exploring the potential association with abnormal T-cell responses and EH, STOD, and early atherosclerosis in patients with EH.

METHODS:
This cross-sectional study included 146 patients with EH and 73 age-matched normotensive individuals. The expressed peripheral TCR (T-cell receptor) β repertoire was analyzed by high through-put sequencing.

RESULTS:

The TCRβ repertoires of the patients with EH were significantly different, with significantly elevated certain TCR beta variable (
TRBV
) and joint (
TRBJ
) gene usages, significantly reduced TCRβ diversity indexes (diversity 50s) and numbers of total TCRβ clonal types, significantly elevated percentages of the biggest TCRβ clones and numbers of clones accounting >0.1% sequences, compared with those in the normotensive controls. Decreased diversity 50s and increased biggest TCRβ clone percentages were independently correlated with carotid intima-media thickness and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA) in the patients with EH. Moreover, the diversity 50s were further significantly reduced and the biggest TCRβ clone percentages were significantly increased in the patients with EH with SCA (n=89) comparing to the patients with EH/patients without SCA (n=57), and in patients with EH/SCA with carotid plaque (n=22) comparing to patients with EH/SCA/patients without carotid plaque (n=67). Importantly, specific TCRβ clones were identified in different subgroups of the patients with EH.

CONCLUSIONS:
These results reveal that abnormal T-cell responses may play important roles in the progression of EH and its SCA, especially the formation of carotid plaque.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.chictr.org.cn
; Unique identifier: ChiCTR2100054414.
Cerebellar Stroke Score and Grading Scale for the Prediction of Mortality and Outcomes in Ischemic Cerebellar Stroke
Authors: Won Sae-Yeon , Melkonian Ruzanna , Behmanesh Bedjan , Bernstock Joshua D. , Czabanka Marcus , Dubinski Daniel , Freiman Thomas M. , Günther Albrecht , Hellmuth Kara , Hernandez-Duran Silvia , Herrmann Eva , Konczalla Juergen , Maier Ilko , Mielke Dorothee , Naser Paul , Rohde Veit , Schaefer Jan Hendrik , Senft Christian , Storch Alexander , Trnovec Svorad , Unterberg Andreas , Walter Johannes , Walter Uwe , Wittstock Matthias , Dinc Nazife , Gessler Florian 
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:
Several individual predictors for outcomes in patients with cerebellar stroke (CS) have been previously identified. There is, however, no established clinical score for CS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop simple and accurate grading scales for patients with CS in an effort to better estimate mortality and outcomes.

METHODS:
This multicentric retrospective study included 531 patients with ischemic CS presenting to 5 different academic neurosurgical and neurological departments throughout Germany between 2008 and 2021. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors related to 30-day mortality and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 4–6). By weighing each parameter via calculation of regression coefficients, an ischemic CS-score and CS-grading scale (CS-GS) were developed and internally validated.

RESULTS:

Independent predictors for 30-day mortality were aged ≥70 years (odds ratio, 5.2), Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 to 4 at admission (odds ratio, 2.6), stroke volume ≥25 cm
3
(odds ratio, 2.7), and involvement of the brain stem (odds ratio, 3.9). When integrating each parameter into the CS-score, age≥70 years and brain stem stroke were assigned 2 points, Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 to 4, and stroke volume≥25 cm
3
1 point resulting in a score ranging from 0 to 6. CS-score of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 points resulted in 30-day mortality of 1%, 6%, 6%, 17%, 21%, 55%, and 67%, respectively. Independent predictors for 30-day unfavorable outcomes consisted of all components of the CS-score with an additional variable focused on comorbidities (CS-GS). Except for Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 to 4 at admission, which was assigned 3 points, all other parameters were assigned 1 point resulting in an overall score ranging from 0 to 7. CS-GS of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 points resulted in 30-day unfavorable outcome of 1%, 17%, 33%, 40%, 50%, 80%, 77%, and 100%, respectively. Both 30-day mortality and unfavorable outcomes increased with increasing CS-score and CS-GS (
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:
The CS-score and CS-GS are simple and accurate grading scales for the prediction of 30-day mortality and unfavorable outcome in patients with CS. While the score systems proposed here may not directly impact treatment decisions, it may help discuss mortality and outcome with patients and caregivers.
COVID‐19 Affects Short‐Term, But Not 90‐Day, Outcome in Patients With Stroke Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy
Authors: Beckonert Niklas M. , Bode Felix J. , Dorn Franziska , Stösser Sebastian , Meißner Julius N. , Nordsiek Julia , Kindler Christine , Ebrahimi Taraneh , Riegler Christoph , Nolte Christian H. , Petzold Gabor C. , Weller Johannes M. ,   the GSR‐ET investigators
Published: August 2023

Background
COVID‐19 is associated with an increased stroke risk. Moreover, outcome at discharge was worse in patients with large‐vessel occlusion stroke with concomitant COVID‐19 receiving endovascular treatment (ET). We aimed to investigate the impact of concomitant COVID‐19 on later functional outcome in patients with large‐vessel occlusion stroke treated with ET.

Methods
We analyzed patients from the GSR‐ET (German Stroke Registry–Endovascular Treatment), an observational multicenter registry of patients with large‐vessel occlusion stroke receiving ET. Baseline characteristics, procedural parameters, discharge parameters, and functional outcome at 90 days were compared between patients with concomitant COVID‐19 and propensity score–matched controls (ratio, 1:4; matched for age, sex, prestroke modified Rankin Scale score, and stroke severity), and multivariable ordinal regression analysis was performed.

Results

Among 4010 patients receiving ET between February 2020 and December 2021, 72 (1.8%) had concomitant COVID‐19. Compared with 224 matched patients without COVID‐19, they (n=56) were more severely affected, with a higher median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score after 24 hours (NIHSS score, 14.5 [interquartile range {IQR}, 9–22] versus 12 [IQR, 6–18.75];
P
=0.015), and NIHSS score and modified Rankin Scale score at discharge (NIHSS score, 12 [IQR, 6.75‐16.75] versus 6 [IQR, 2–13];
P
=0.001; and modified Rankin Scale score, 5 [IQR, 4–5] versus 4 [IQR, 2–5];
P
=0.023), but functional outcome at 90‐day follow‐up was similar (modified Rankin Scale score, 4 [IQR, 4–6] versus 4 [IQR, 2–6];
P
=0.34). After adjustment for prespecified confounders, COVID‐19 was associated with worse functional outcome at discharge (common odds ratio [OR], 0.40 [95% CI, 0.19–0.80];
P
=0.011), but not at 90‐day follow‐up (common OR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.32–1.60];
P
=0.43).

Conclusions
COVID‐19 affected short‐term, but not 90‐day, functional outcome in patients with large‐vessel occlusion stroke treated with ET. Hence, ET should not be withheld in patients with concomitant COVID‐19.
Complementary Roles of Note-Oriented and Mixing-Oriented Software in Student Learning of Computer Science Plus Music
Authors: McCall Lauren , Freeman Jason , McKlin Tom , Lee Taneisha , Horn Michael , Magerko Brian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMany introductory computer science educational platforms foster student interest and facilitate student learning through the authentic incorporation of music. Although many such platforms have demonstrated promising outcomes in student engagement across diverse student populations and learning contexts, little is known about the specific ways in which music and computer science learning are uniquely combined to support student knowledge in both domains. This study looks at two different learning platforms for computer science and music (CS-plus-music), TunePad and EarSketch, which were used by middle school students during a week-long virtual summer camp. Using both platforms, students created computational music projects, which we analyzed for characteristics of music and code complexity across multiple dimensions. Students also completed surveys before and after the workshop about their perceptions of the platforms and their own backgrounds, and we interviewed some students. The results suggest that different connections between music and computing concepts emerge, as well as different progressions through the concepts themselves, depending in part on the design affordances of the application programming interface for computer music in each platform. Coupled with prior findings about the different roles each platform may play in developing situational interest for students, these findings suggest that different CS-plus-music-learning platforms can provide complementary roles that benefit and support learning and development of student interest.
A (Dis-)information Theory of Revealed and Unrevealed Preferences: Emerging Deception and Skepticism via Theory of Mind
Authors: Alon Nitay , Schulz Lion , Rosenschein Jeffrey S. , Dayan Peter 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn complex situations involving communication, agents might attempt to mask their intentions, exploiting Shannon’s theory of information as a theory of misinformation. Here, we introduce and analyze a simple multiagent reinforcement learning task where a buyer sends signals to a seller via its actions, and in which both agents are endowed with a recursive theory of mind. We show that this theory of mind, coupled with pure reward-maximization, gives rise to agents that selectively distort messages and become skeptical towards one another. Using information theory to analyze these interactions, we show how savvy buyers reduce mutual information between their preferences and actions, and how suspicious sellers learn to reinterpret or discard buyers’ signals in a strategic manner.
Ficophagus pisocarpae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), an associate of Ficus pisocarpa in China
Authors: Zeng Yongsan , Zhang Dayuan , Giblin-Davis Robin M. , Roberts Joseph A. 
Published: August 2023

Summary
A new species of the genus Ficophagus was recovered from the syconia of Ficus pisocarpa from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, China. It is described herein as Ficophagus pisocarpae n. sp. and is characterised by possessing the combined characters of a short PUS (6.4-9.3 μm or 0.3-0.4 VBD long), an excretory pore near the head, presence of crustaformeria, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail (one pair just adcloacal (P2), one pair halfway between cloacal aperture and tail terminus (P3a), and one pair near tail tip (P4)), rounded male tail tip without mucron, absence of gubernaculum and rose-thorn-shaped spicule with conical rostrum. Ficophagus pisocarpae n. sp. was differentiated from other sequenced species by the partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis with the LSU D2-D3 expansion segment sequence suggested that F. pisocarpae n. sp. is clustered in the same highly supported monophyletic clade with F. annulatae, F. benjamina, F. curtipes and F. microcarpus. It differs morphologically from these species in lateral incisure number, EP position, spicule and uterus morphology and some morphometric characters.
Slavuta, Zhytomyr, and Vilna: The Intersecting Stories of the Romm and Shapira Publishing Houses
Authors: Gebel Ada 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The article outlines key intersections between two Eastern European Jewish printing businesses during the nineteenth century. The first is the Shapira printing house, located first in Slavuta, and later in Zhytomyr. The second is the Romm printing and publishing house, Vilna, the largest Jewish printing house in Eastern Europe at the time. The first significant interaction between these two printing houses was a fierce disagreement over the printing rights of the Babylonian Talmud. However, they progressed to an economic cooperation in further printings of the Babylonian Talmud. Eventually, Romm’s printing house purchased Shapira’s printing house and closed it as part of preparations for the printing of another edition of the Talmud. The cultural contexts discussed in the article are part of and shed light on predominant tensions within European Jewish society at the time: the dispute between the Ḥasidim and the Mitnaggedim, and the dispute between maskilim and traditionalists.
Application of cementoplasty in patients with symptomatic benign osteopathy disease
Authors: Song Hong-Mei , Yan Bi-Cong , Lu Ying-Ying , Huang Qin , Li Zuo-Wei , Wu Chun-Gen 
Published: August 2023

Background The optimal treatment for some symptomatic, benign osteopathy lesions is yet to be identified. Purpose To investigate the clinical efficiency of cementoplasty in managing symptomatic, benign osteopathy. Material and Methods Between June 2006 and January 2020, we retrospectively enrolled 31 patients (10 men, 21 women; mean age = 46.5 ± 16.6 years; age range = 20–85 years), accounting for 34 treatment sites, who underwent percutaneous osteoplasty (14 treatment sites) and percutaneous vertebroplasty (20 treatment sites) with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or DSA combined with computed tomography (CT). All the participants experienced different degrees of clinical symptoms with benign osteopathy lesions. The technical success of the procedure and occurrence of complications were recorded. Follow-up examinations were conducted to assess the treatment outcome using the MacNab criteria. Results All the participants had a diagnosis of benign osteopathy lesions before or after the cementoplasty. Surgery was successfully completed in all patients. Cement distributions were diffuse and homogeneous, with the complication of cement leakage occurring in 17.6% (6 of 34) of the lesions. The leakage occurred in the intervertebral disc (n = 1), the intra-articular space (n = 1), and the surrounding soft tissue (n = 4). Analysis of the treatment outcome using the MacNab criteria revealed that all patients showed improvement in their clinical symptoms to some extent and in the quality of life. Conclusion Cementoplasty is an effective treatment for symptomatic, benign osteopathy, with the advantage of favorable clinical outcomes, and low complication rate.
Presence of risk factors associated with colectomy among patients with ulcerative colitis: a post hoc analysis of data from the tofacitinib OCTAVE ulcerative colitis clinical program
Authors: Rubin David T. , Salese Leonardo , Cohen Mitchell , Kotze Paulo G. , Woolcott John C. , Su Chinyu , Mundayat Rajiv , Paulissen Jerome , Torres Joana , Long Millie D. 
Published: August 2023

Background: Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Objective: To assess colectomy incidence rates (IRs) and baseline characteristics for the presence of identified colectomy risk factors among patients in the tofacitinib OCTAVE UC clinical program. Design: This post hoc analysis evaluated patients in the 8-week OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2, 52-week OCTAVE Sustain, and OCTAVE Open (open-label, long-term extension) studies. Methods: IRs [95% confidence interval (CI)] for colectomy were analyzed. Baseline risk factors based on clinical guidelines: aged <40 years at diagnosis, extensive colitis, severe endoscopic disease [Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) = 3], hospitalization for UC within 12 months, C-reactive protein (CRP) >3 mg/L, and serum albumin <3.5 g/dL. Baseline risk factors were evaluated in patients who underwent colectomy by study and summarized descriptively. Results: Over a maximum of 7.8 years of tofacitinib exposure, 14 patients underwent colectomy: 3/1139 (0.3%) in OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 [tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (BID): n = 2; placebo: n = 1], 3/593 (0.5%) in OCTAVE Sustain (placebo: n = 3), and 8/944 (0.8%) in OCTAVE Open (tofacitinib 10 mg BID: n = 8). Colectomy IR per 100 patient-years for all patients who received ⩾1 tofacitinib dose was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16–0.63). All patients who underwent colectomy had ⩾1 risk factor and prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure, among which the most common risk factors were a MES of 3 ( n = 13), CRP >3 mg/L ( n = 11), and aged <40 years at diagnosis ( n = 9). Conclusions: Among patients with moderate to severe UC receiving tofacitinib, colectomies were infrequent; all patients undergoing colectomy had prior TNFi failure, and most had multiple additional risk factors. This provides important information to discuss with patients and inform management decisions. Registration: NCT01465763; NCT01458951; NCT01458574; and NCT01470612.