bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns in the provision of government-subsidised hormonal postpartum contraception in Queensland, Australia between 2012 and 2018: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Carrandi Alayna , Bull Claudia , Hu Yanan , Grzeskowiak Luke E , Teede Helena , Black Kirsten , Callander Emily 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundShort birth intervals and unintended pregnancy are associated with poorer maternal and infant outcomes. There is a risk of pregnancy during the immediate postpartum period unless contraception is initiated. This retrospective cohort study aimed to capture the current patterns of hormonal contraceptive provision within 12 months postpartum in a high-income country.MethodsWe used a linked administrative dataset comprising all women who gave birth in Queensland, Australia between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2018 (n=339 265 pregnancies). We described our cohort by whether they were provided with government-subsidised hormonal contraception within 12 months postpartum. The associations between hormonal postpartum contraceptive provision and demographic and clinical characteristics were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression and presented in terms of crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA majority of women (60.2%) were not provided with government-subsidised hormonal postpartum contraception within 12 months postpartum. Women who were younger (<25 years), were overweight or obese, smoked, were born in Australia, were non-Indigenous, gave birth in a public hospital, or were in the lowest socioeconomic status group were more likely to be provided with postpartum contraception after adjusting for other covariates, compared with their counterparts.ConclusionsStrategies to increase the provision and uptake of contraception in the immediate postpartum period are needed to prevent short birth intervals and unintended pregnancy and ensure women’s fertility intentions are enacted. Ongoing research is needed to examine the factors influencing women’s access to contraceptive services and, further, the types of contraception provided.
Could diabetes prevention programmes result in the widening of sociodemographic inequalities in type 2 diabetes? Comparison of survey and administrative data for England
Authors: Chatzi Georgia , Whittaker William , Chandola Tarani , Mason Thomas , Soiland-Reyes Claudia , Sutton Matt , Bower Peter 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundThe NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) in England is a behavioural intervention for preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH). How this programme affects inequalities by age, sex, limiting illnesses or disability, ethnicity or deprivation is not known.MethodsWe used multinomial and binary logistic regression models to compare whether the population with NDH at different stages of the programme are representative of the population with NDH: stages include (1) prevalence of NDH (using survey data from UK Household Longitudinal Study (n=794) and Health Survey for England (n=1383)); (2) identification in primary care and offer of programme (using administrative data from the National Diabetes Audit (n=1 267 350)) and (3) programme participation (using programme provider records (n=98 024)).ResultsPredicted probabilities drawn from the regressions with demographics as each outcome and dataset identifier as predictors showed that younger adults (aged under 40) (4% of the population with NDH (95% CI 2.4% to 6.5%)) and older adults (aged 80 and above) (12% (95% CI 9.5% to 14.2%)) were slightly under-represented among programme participants (2% (95% CI 1.8% to 2.2%) and 8% (95% CI 7.8% to 8.2%) of programme participants, respectively). People living in deprived areas were under-represented in eight sessions (14% (95% CI 13.7% to 14.4%) vs 20% (95% CI 16.4% to 23.6%) in the general population). Ethnic minorities were over-represented among offers (35% (95% CI 35.1% to 35.6%) vs 13% (95% CI 9.1% to 16.4%) in general population), though the proportion dropped at the programme completion stage (19% (95% CI 18.5% to 19.5%)).ConclusionThe DPP has the potential to reduce ethnic inequalities, but may widen socioeconomic, age and limiting illness or disability-related inequalities in T2DM. While ethnic minority groups are over-represented at the identification and offer stages, efforts are required to support completion of the programme. Programme providers should target under-represented groups to ensure equitable access and narrow inequalities in T2DM.
Endovascular thrombectomy beyond 24 hours from last known well: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Rodriguez-Calienes Aaron , Galecio-Castillo Milagros , Vivanco-Suarez Juan , Mohamed Ghada A , Toth Gabor , Sarraj Amrou , Pujara Deep , Chowdhury AJ A , Farooqui Mudassir , Ghannam Malik , Samaniego Edgar A , Jovin Tudor G , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundDifferent studies have demonstrated the benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) up to 24 hours after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) onset. Recent cohort observational studies suggest that patients with large vessel occlusion AIS may benefit from EVT beyond 24 hours from the last known well (LKW) when adequately selected. We aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of EVT beyond 24 hours from LKW using a meta-analysis of all the literature available.MethodsA systematic search from inception to April 2023 was conducted for studies including AIS patients with EVT beyond 24 hours from LKW in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Outcomes of interest included favorable functional outcome (90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–2), successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and 90-day mortality. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.ResultsTwelve studies with 894 patients were included. The rate of favorable functional outcome was 40% (95% CI 31% to 49%; I2=76%). The rate of successful reperfusion was 83% (95% CI 80% to 85%; I2=0%). The sICH rate was 7% (95% CI 5% to 9%; I2=0%) and the 90-day mortality rate was 28% (95% CI 24% to 33%; I2=0%). There was no significant difference in favorable outcomes (OR=0.69; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.14) and 90-day mortality (OR=1.35; 95% CI 0.90 to 2.00) among patients who underwent EVT <24 hours versus >24 hours.ConclusionsEVT beyond 24 hours from LKW may achieve favorable clinical outcomes and high reperfusion rates, with acceptable intracranial hemorrhage rates in selected patients. Considering the current certainty of the evidence and heterogenous individual study results, larger prospective trials are warranted.
Ensemble reservoir computing for dynamical systems: prediction of phase-space stable region for hadron storage rings
Authors: Casanova Maxime , Dalena Barbara , Bonaventura Luca , Giovannozzi Massimo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe investigate the ability of an ensemble reservoir computing approach to predict the long-term behaviour of the phase-space region in which the motion of charged particles in hadron storage rings is bounded, the so-called dynamic aperture. Currently, the calculation of the phase-space stability region of hadron storage rings is performed through direct computer simulations, which are resource- and time-intensive processes. Echo State Networks (ESN) are a class of recurrent neural networks that are computationally effective, since they avoid backpropagation and require only cross-validation. Furthermore, they have been proven to be universal approximants of dynamical systems. In this paper, we present the performance reached by ESN based on an ensemble approach for the prediction of the phase-space stability region and compare it with analytical scaling laws based on the stability-time estimate of the Nekhoroshev theorem for Hamiltonian systems. We observe that the proposed ESN approach is capable of effectively predicting the time evolution of the extent of the dynamic aperture, improving the predictions by analytical scaling laws, thus providing an efficient surrogate model.
Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Au Cluster-based Electrodes: Investigating the Role of Nafion Ionomer
Authors: Sharma Shailendra Kumar , Johannessen Bernt , Golovko Vladimir B. , Marshall Aaron T. 
Published: June 2023

The performance of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR) depends not only on the catalytic material but also on the neighbouring chemical environment around the active sites. The surrounding local environment can perturb the electronic properties of active sites and alter the adsorption/desorption behaviour of reactant/intermediate/product, thus changing CO2RR characteristics. Herein, we studied electrochemical reduction of CO2 onto supported atomically precise [Au9(PPh3)8](NO3)3 clusters and observed an unusual increase in catalytic activity over time. Additionally, electrochemical activation of the electrodes by applying a more negative potential was found to improve activity of the electrode. Investigations using UV–vis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed that these observations may be attributed to the interaction of the Nafion ionomer with the catalytic Au9 clusters. These interactions may cause partial blocking of the Au9 active sites, and the prolonged application of negative potentials leads to favourable interface reconstructions. In addition, a method was developed to minimise the interaction between the Au9 clusters and Nafion ionomer by first depositing a layer of carbon black followed by dropcasting the active catalyst. Our study highlights that polymeric binders modulate the electronic properties of the electrocatalysts, which can change the product distribution during CO2 electrolysis.
ESRRB Inhibits the TGFβ Signaling Pathway to Drive Cell Proliferation in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Li Qin-Shu , Zheng Peng-Sheng 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Estrogen-related receptor β (ESRRB) is a member of the orphan nuclear receptor family and mediates stem cell self-renewal and early embryonic development. Previous studies have also reported that ESRRB plays a role in the development and progression of breast cancer and prostate cancer. In this study, we observed that ESRRB was highly expressed in cervical cancer and was associated with disease progression. Knocking out ESRRB using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in cervical cancer cells induced cell-cycle arrest at the transition from the G0–G1 phase to the S phase, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo. Conversely, ectopic expression of ESRRB significantly promoted the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. ESRRB activated transcription of SMAD7, a TGFβ pathway inhibitor, which blocked phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of SMAD2/3 to the nucleus, thereby downregulating CDKN1A and upregulating CCNA2 and MYC. In turn, MYC transactivated ESRRB and upregulated SMAD7, thus forming a positive feedback loop with ESRRB. Together, these findings identify the tumor-promoting function of ESRRB in cervical cancer and reveal a mechanism by which ESRRB stimulates cell proliferation to promote cancer progression.

Significance:
The ESRRB/SMAD7/MYC-positive feedback loop inhibits TGFβ signaling to activate cell-cycle progression and promote proliferation in cervical cancer, thereby driving tumor growth.
Cross-talk between Myeloid and B Cells Shapes the Distinct Microenvironments of Primary and Secondary Liver Cancer
Authors: Chen Zhihang , Zhang Guopei , Ren Xiaoxue , Yao Zhijia , Zhou Qian , Ren Xuxin , Chen Shuling , Xu Lixia , Sun Kaiyu , Zeng Qianwen , Kuang Ming , Kuang Dong-Ming , Peng Sui 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment is distinctive in primary and secondary liver cancer. B cells represent an important component of immune infiltrates. Here, we demonstrated that B cells are an important regulator in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) microenvironments. B cells displayed distinct developmental trajectories in HCC and CRLM. Single-cell analysis revealed that IgG+ plasma cells preferentially accumulated in HCC, whereas IgA+ plasma cells were preferentially enriched in CRLM. Mechanistically, IgG+ plasma cells in HCC were recruited by tumor-associated macrophages via the CXCR3–CXCL10 axis, whereas IgA+ plasma cells in CRLM were recruited by metastatic tumor cells via CCR10–CCL28 signaling. Functionally, IgG+ plasma cells preferentially promoted protumorigenic macrophages formation in HCC, and IgA+ plasma cells preferentially induced granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells activation in CRLM. Clinically, increased infiltration of IgG+ plasma cells and macrophages in HCC was correlated to worse survival, whereas increased intratumoral IgA+ plasma cells and neutrophils in CRLM indicated poor prognosis. Taken together, this study demonstrated plasma and myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppression in HCC and CRLM, suggesting that selectively modulating primary or secondary tumor-related immunosuppressive regulatory networks might reprogram the microenvironment and provide an immunotherapeutic strategy for treating liver cancer.

Significance:
The immunomodulatory patterns of tumor-infiltrating B cells are distinct in primary and secondary liver cancer, with plasma cells mediating important physiologic processes that drive cancer progression.
Preexisting Immunity Drives the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Arbore Giuseppina , Albarello Luca , Bucci Gabriele , Punta Marco , Cossu Andrea , Fanti Lorella , Maurizio Aurora , Di Mauro Francesco , Bilello Vito , Arrigoni Gianluigi , Bonfiglio Silvia , Biancolini Donatella , Puccetti Francesco , Elmore Ugo , Vago Luca , Cascinu Stefano , Tonon Giovanni , Rosati Riccardo , Casorati Giulia , Dellabona Paolo 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Current treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT), alone or combined with radiotherapy, before surgery. However, fewer than 30% of treated patients show a pathologic complete response to nCT, which correlates with increased 5-year survival compared with nonresponders. Understanding the mechanisms of response to nCT is pivotal to better stratify patients and inform more efficacious therapies. Here, we investigated the immune mechanisms involved in nCT response by multidimensional profiling of pretreatment tumor biopsies and blood from 68 patients with EAC (34 prospectively and 34 retrospectively collected), comparing complete responders versus nonresponders to nCT. At the tumor level, complete response to nCT was associated with molecular signatures of immune response and proliferation, increased putative antitumor tissue-resident memory CD39+ CD103+ CD8+ T cells, and reduced immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Treg) and M2-like macrophages. Systemically, complete responders showed higher frequencies of immunostimulatory CD14+ CD11c+ HLA-DRhigh cells, and reduced programmed cell death ligand 1–positive (PD-L1+) monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, along with high plasma GM-CSF (proinflammatory) and low IL4, CXCL10, C3a, and C5a (suppressive). Plasma proinflammatory and suppressive cytokines correlated directly and inversely, respectively, with the frequency of tumor-infiltrating CD39+ CD103+ CD8+ T cells. These results suggest that preexisting immunity in baseline tumor drives the clinical activity of nCT in locally advanced EAC. Furthermore, it may be possible to stratify patients based on predictive immune signatures, enabling tailored neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant regimens.

Significance:
Multidimensional profiling of pretreatment esophageal adenocarcinoma shows patient response to nCT is correlated with active preexisting immunity and indicates molecular pathways of resistance that may be targeted to improve clinical outcomes.
Sources of Disparities in Surveillance Mammography Performance and Risk-Guided Recommendations for Supplemental Breast Imaging: A Simulation Study
Authors: Hubbard Rebecca A. , Pujol Toyya A. , Alhajjar Elie , Edoh Kossi , Martin Melissa L. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background:
Surveillance mammography is recommended for all women with a history of breast cancer. Risk-guided surveillance incorporating advanced imaging modalities based on individual risk of a second cancer could improve cancer detection. However, personalized surveillance may also amplify disparities.

Methods:
In simulated populations using inputs from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC), we investigated race- and ethnicity-based disparities. Disparities were decomposed into those due to primary breast cancer and treatment characteristics, social determinants of health (SDOH) and differential error in second cancer ascertainment by modeling populations with or without variation across race and ethnicity in the distribution of these characteristics. We estimated effects of disparities on mammography performance and supplemental imaging recommendations stratified by race and ethnicity.

Results:
In simulated cohorts based on 65,446 BCSC surveillance mammograms, when only cancer characteristics varied by race and ethnicity, mammograms for Black women had lower sensitivity compared with the overall population (64.1% vs. 71.1%). Differences between Black women and the overall population were larger when both cancer characteristics and SDOH varied by race and ethnicity (53.8% vs. 71.1%). Basing supplemental imaging recommendations on high predicted second cancer risk resulted in less frequent recommendations for Hispanic (6.7%) and Asian/Pacific Islander women (6.4%) compared with the overall population (10.0%).

Conclusions:
Variation in cancer characteristics and SDOH led to disparities in surveillance mammography performance and recommendations for supplemental imaging.

Impact:
Risk-guided surveillance imaging may exacerbate disparities. Decision-makers should consider implications for equity in cancer outcomes resulting from implementing risk-guided screening programs.
See related In the Spotlight, p. 1479
Siglec-15 Promotes Evasion of Adaptive Immunity in B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Pillsbury Claire E. , Dougan Jodi , Rabe Jennifer L. , Fonseca Jairo A. , Zhou Chengjing , Evans Alyssa N. , Abukharma Hasan , Ichoku Ona , Gonzalez-Flamenco Gloria , Park Sunita I. , Aljudi Ahmed , DeRyckere Deborah , Castellino Sharon M. , Rafiq Sarwish , Langermann Solomon , Liu Linda N. , Henry Curtis J. , Porter Christopher C. 
Published: June 2023

Siglec-15 (Sig15) has been implicated as an immune checkpoint expressed in solid tumor-infiltrating macrophages and is being targeted in clinical trials with mAbs to normalize the tumor immune microenvironment and stimulate antitumor immunity. However, the role of Sig15 in hematologic malignancies remains undefined. Sig15 mRNA and protein expression levels in hematologic malignancies were determined from publicly available databases, cell lines, and primary patient samples. Human B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell lines were used to identify signaling pathways involved in the regulation of Sig15 expression. Secreted/soluble Sig15 and cytokine levels were measured from the plasma of children with leukemia and healthy controls. Knockdown and knockout of Siglec15 in a murine model of B-ALL was used to evaluate the effect of leukemia-derived Sig15 on the immune response to leukemia. We observed pathologic overexpression of Sig15 in a variety of hematologic malignancies, including primary B-ALL samples. This overexpression was driven by NFκB activation, which also increased the surface localization of Sig15. Secreted/soluble Sig15 was found to circulate at elevated levels in the plasma of children with B-ALL and correlated with an immune-suppressive cytokine milieu. Genetic inhibition of Sig15 in murine B-ALL promoted clearance of the leukemia by the immune system and a marked reversal of the immune-privileged leukemia bone marrow niche, including expanded early effector CD8+ T cells and reduction of immunosuppressive cytokines. Thus, Sig15 is a novel, potent immunosuppressive molecule active in leukemia that may be targeted therapeutically to activate T lymphocytes against leukemia cells.

Significance:
We demonstrate that Sig15 is overexpressed in hematologic malignancies driven by NFκB, is required for immune evasion in a mouse model of leukemia, and, for the first time, that it circulates at high levels in the plasma of children with leukemia.
Students’ and Employers’ Perceptions of Employability Skills in Uganda
Authors: Tagulwa Elvaida Agnes , Owino Philip , Muwonge Francis , Kaahwa Maria Goretti 
Published: June 2023

The study evaluated employability skills as they were perceived by students of Kyambogo University and employers. The population comprised of students and employers. Students were from the faculty of science and the sample size consisted of 226 students from six departments. The employers were from organisations where these students do their industrial training. The sample size of the employers consisted of 19 participants from thirteen organisations. The specific objective of the study was to evaluate students’ and employers’ perceptions of employability skills. Employability skills were evaluated basing on their categorisation: professional skills, personal skills, and interpersonal skills (Byrne, 2022; Yorke & Night, 2007; Chowdhury & Miah, 2019). Quantitative results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in the perceptions of important employability skills between students of Kyambogo University and employers (P=0.00 < 0.05). Statistical and qualitative analysis gave important employability skills as theoretical knowledge and skills, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, positive attitude, and collaboration and team work. Strategies to enable students acquire employability skills include: job market analysis, collaboration and partnerships with local industries to do research; provide enough practicals and field studies. It was therefore recommended that Kyambogo University should develop collaboration and partnerships with local industries to do research.