bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HSA Adductomics Reveals Sex Differences in NHL Incidence and Possible Involvement of Microbial Translocation
Authors: Grigoryan Hasmik , Imani Partow , Sacerdote Carlotta , Masala Giovanna , Grioni Sara , Tumino Rosario , Chiodini Paolo , Dudoit Sandrine , Vineis Paolo , Rappaport Stephen M. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background:
The higher incidence of non–Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in males is not well understood. Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated as causes of NHL, they cannot be measured directly in archived blood.

Methods:
We performed untargeted adductomics of stable ROS adducts in human serum albumin (HSA) from 67 incident NHL cases and 82 matched controls from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Italy cohort. Regression and classification methods were employed to select features associated with NHL in all subjects and in males and females separately.

Results:
Sixty seven HSA-adduct features were quantified by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry at Cys34 (n = 55) and Lys525 (n = 12). Three features were selected for association with NHL in all subjects, while seven were selected for males and five for females with minimal overlap. Two selected features were more abundant in cases and seven in controls, suggesting that altered homeostasis of ROS may affect NHL incidence. Heat maps revealed differential clustering of features between sexes, suggesting differences in operative pathways.

Conclusions:
Adduct clusters dominated by Cys34 oxidation products and disulfides further implicate ROS and redox biology in the etiology of NHL. Sex differences in dietary and alcohol consumption also help to explain the limited overlap of feature selection between sexes. Intriguingly, a disulfide of methanethiol from enteric microbial metabolism was more abundant in male cases, thereby implicating microbial translocation as a potential contributor to NHL in males.

Impact:
Only two of the ROS adducts associated with NHL overlapped between sexes and one adduct implicates microbial translocation as a risk factor.
Variations in Genes Encoding Human Papillomavirus Binding Receptors and Susceptibility to Cervical Precancer
Authors: Mukherjee Amrita , Ye Yuanfan , Wiener Howard W. , Kuniholm Mark H. , Minkoff Howard , Michel Kate , Palefsky Joel , D'Souza Gypsyamber , Rahangdale Lisa , Butler Kenneth R. , Kempf Mirjam-Colette , Sudenga Staci L. , Aouizerat Bradley E. , Ojesina Akinyemi I. , Shrestha Sadeep 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background:
Cervical cancer oncogenesis starts with human papillomavirus (HPV) cell entry after binding to host cell surface receptors; however, the mechanism is not fully known. We examined polymorphisms in receptor genes hypothesized to be necessary for HPV cell entry and assessed their associations with clinical progression to precancer.

Methods:
African American women (N = 1,728) from the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study were included. Two case–control study designs were used—cases with histology-based precancer (CIN3+) and controls without; and cases with cytology-based precancer [high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL)] and controls without. SNPs in candidate genes (SDC1, SDC2, SDC3, SDC4, GPC1, GPC2, GPC3, GPC4, GPC5, GPC6, and ITGA6) were genotyped using an Illumina Omni2.5-quad beadchip. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations in all participants and by HPV genotypes, after adjusting for age, human immunodeficiency virus serostatus, CD4 T cells, and three principal components for ancestry.

Results:
Minor alleles in SNPs rs77122854 (SDC3), rs73971695, rs79336862 (ITGA6), rs57528020, rs201337456, rs11987725 (SDC2), rs115880588, rs115738853, and rs9301825 (GPC5) were associated with increased odds of both CIN3+ and HSIL, whereas, rs35927186 (GPC5) was found to decrease the odds for both outcomes (P value ≤ 0.01). Among those infected with Alpha-9 HPV types, rs722377 (SDC3), rs16860468, rs2356798 (ITGA6), rs11987725 (SDC2), and rs3848051 (GPC5) were associated with increased odds of both precancer outcomes.

Conclusions:
Polymorphisms in genes that encode binding receptors for HPV cell entry may play a role in cervical precancer progression.

Impact:
Our findings are hypothesis generating and support further exploration of mechanisms of HPV entry genes that may help prevent progression to cervical precancer.
Predicted Proteome Association Studies of Breast, Prostate, Ovarian, and Endometrial Cancers Implicate Plasma Protein Regulation in Cancer Susceptibility
Authors: Gregga Isabelle , Pharoah Paul D. P. , Gayther Simon A. , Manichaikul Ani , Im Hae Kyung , Kar Siddhartha P. , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Wheeler Heather E. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background:
Predicting protein levels from genotypes for proteome-wide association studies (PWAS) may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying cancer susceptibility.

Methods:
We performed PWAS of breast, endometrial, ovarian, and prostate cancers and their subtypes in several large European-ancestry discovery consortia (effective sample size: 237,483 cases/317,006 controls) and tested the results for replication in an independent European-ancestry GWAS (31,969 cases/410,350 controls). We performed PWAS using the cancer GWAS summary statistics and two sets of plasma protein prediction models, followed by colocalization analysis.

Results:
Using Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) models, we identified 93 protein–cancer associations [false discovery rate (FDR) &lt; 0.05]. We then performed a meta-analysis of the discovery and replication PWAS, resulting in 61 significant protein–cancer associations (FDR &lt; 0.05). Ten of 15 protein–cancer pairs that could be tested using Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) protein prediction models replicated with the same directions of effect in both cancer GWAS (P &lt; 0.05). To further support our results, we applied Bayesian colocalization analysis and found colocalized SNPs for SERPINA3 protein levels and prostate cancer (posterior probability, PP = 0.65) and SNUPN protein levels and breast cancer (PP = 0.62).

Conclusions:
We used PWAS to identify potential biomarkers of hormone-related cancer risk. SNPs in SERPINA3 and SNUPN did not reach genome-wide significance for cancer in the original GWAS, highlighting the power of PWAS for novel locus discovery, with the added advantage of providing directions of protein effect.

Impact:
PWAS and colocalization are promising methods to identify potential molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits.
Cigarette and Alternative Tobacco Product Use among Adult Cancer Survivors Enrolled in 9 ECOG-ACRIN Clinical Trials
Authors: Streck Joanna M. , Lee Ju-Whei , Walter Angela Wangari , Rosen Rachel L. , Gareen Ilana F. , Kircher Sheetal Mehta , Herman Benjamin A. , Carlos Ruth C. , Kumar Shaji , Mayer Ingrid A. , Saba Nabil F. , Fenske Timothy S. , Neal Joel W. , Atkins Michael B. , Hodi F. Stephen , Kyriakopoulos Christos E. , Tempany Clare , Shanafelt Tait D. , Wagner Lynne I. , Land Stephanie R. , Park Elyse R. , Ostroff Jamie S. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background:
While cigarette smoking has declined among the U.S. general population, sale and use of non-cigarette alternative tobacco products (ATP; e.g., e-cigarettes, cigars) and dual use of cigarettes/ATPs are rising. Little is known about ATP use patterns in cancer survivors enrolled in clinical trials. We investigated prevalence of tobacco product use, and factors associated with past 30-day use, among patients with cancer in national trials.

Methods:
Cancer survivors (N = 756) enrolled in 9 ECOG-ACRIN clinical trials (2017–2021) completed a modified Cancer Patient Tobacco Use Questionnaire (C-TUQ) which assessed baseline cigarette and ATP use since cancer diagnosis and in the past 30 days.

Results:
Patients were on average 59 years old, 70% male, and the mean time since cancer diagnosis was 26 months. Since diagnosis, cigarettes (21%) were the most common tobacco product used, followed by smokeless tobacco use (5%), cigars (4%), and e-cigarettes (2%). In the past 30 days, 12% of patients reported smoking cigarettes, 4% cigars, 4% using smokeless tobacco, and 2% e-cigarettes. Since cancer diagnosis, 5.5% of the sample reported multiple tobacco product use, and 3.0% reported multiple product use in the past 30 days. Males (vs. females; OR 4.33; P = 0 &lt; 0.01) and individuals not living with another person who smokes (vs. living with; OR, 8.07; P = 0 &lt; 0.01) were more likely to use ATPs only versus cigarettes only in the past 30 days.

Conclusions:
Among patients with cancer, cigarettes were the most prevalent tobacco product reported.

Impact:
Regardless, ATPs and multiple tobacco product use should be routinely assessed in cancer care settings.
Prevalence of FH-Causing Variants and Impact on LDL-C Concentration in European, South Asian, and African Ancestry Groups of the UK Biobank—Brief Report
Authors: Gratton Jasmine , Humphries Steve E. , Futema Marta 
Published: July 2023

Background:
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disease that causes high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and higher risk of premature coronary heart disease. The prevalence of FH-causing variants and their association with LDL-C in non-European populations remains largely unknown. Using DNA diagnosis in a population-based cohort, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of FH across 3 major ancestry groups in the United Kingdom.

Methods:
Principal component analysis was used to distinguish genetic ancestry in UK Biobank participants. Whole exome sequencing data were analyzed to provide a genetic diagnosis of FH. LDL-C concentrations were adjusted for statin use.

Results:

Principal component analysis distinguished 140 439 European, 4067 South Asian, and 3906 African participants with lipid and whole exome sequencing data. There were significant differences between the 3 groups, including total and LDL-C concentrations, and prevalence and incidence of coronary heart disease. We identified 488, 18, and 15 participants of European, South Asian, and African ancestry carrying a likely pathogenic or pathogenic FH-variant. No statistical difference in the prevalence of an FH-causing variant was observed: 1 out of 288 (95% CI, 1/316–1/264) in European, 1 out of 260 (95% CI, 1/526–1/173) in African, and 1 out of 226 (95% CI, 1/419–1/155) in South Asian. Carriers of an FH-causing variant had significantly higher LDL-C concentration than noncarriers in every ancestry group. There was no difference in median (statin-use adjusted) LDL-C concentration in FH-variant carriers depending on their ancestry background. Self-reported statin use was nonsignificantly highest in FH-variant carriers of South Asian ancestry (55.6%), followed by African (40.0%) and European (33.8%;
P
=0.15).

Conclusions:
The prevalence of FH-causing variants in the UK Biobank is similar across the ancestry groups analyzed. Despite overall differences in lipid concentrations, FH-variant carriers across the 3 ancestry groups had similar LDL-C levels. In all ancestry groups, the proportion of FH-variant carriers treated with lipid-lowering therapy should be improved to reduce future risk of premature coronary heart disease.
Le fāʾ des systèmes hypothétiques en in de l’arabe classique : critères de prédiction des valeurs sémantiques de fāʾ
Authors: Sartori Manuel 
Published: July 2023

Résumé
Dans les systèmes hypothétiques arabes apparaît très souvent un fa- entre la protase et l’apodose. Selon la grammaire arabe classique, formée sur un corpus préclassique et pour le seul opérateur in des systèmes hypothétiques, le fāʾ marquerait une rupture formelle dès lors que l’apodose ne saurait être protase, c’est-à-dire dès lors que l’apodose n’a pas la forme faʿala (accompli neutre du point de vue du temps) ou yafʿal (inaccompli apocopé). Toutefois, outre les innombrables cas où cette règle n’est pas respectée, fāʾ manquant là où il était attendu, son apparition ne répond pas qu’à une nécessité formelle, encore semble-t-elle répondre à une nécessité sémantique : indiquer qu’en sa présence la relation entre la protase p et l’apodose q ne relève pas de la logique mais de la pragmatique. Pour le dire autrement avec Larcher, fāʾ est fonctionnellement et fondamentalement un segmentateur qui marque une rupture pragmatique indiquant que l’énoncé se situe au niveau de la logique naturelle des actes de langage où l’énonciation de p est une cause pour l’énonciation de q. Là, différentes valeurs interprétatives se laissent entrevoir (concessive, déductive, justificative, oppositive, etc.). Ce papier se propose d’en ajouter une, causalo-inductive, et de montrer en quoi, après avoir rappelé une distinction fondamentale faite par la tradition arabe médiévale qui distingue entre fāʾ sababiyya (fāʾ causal) et fāʾ taʿlīliyya (fāʾ illatif), l’hypothèse d’une corrélation entre le type d’apodose, en fonction qu’il s’agit sémantiquement d’une assertion (iḫbār) ou non, et donc d’une performance (inšāʾ), et l’une des deux valeurs du fāʾ semble pertinente et fonctionnelle.
A History of a Traveling Qurʾān Manuscript in Inhambane, Mozambique
Authors: Mutiua Chapane 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The present article traces the history of a Qurʾān manuscript that, according to oral testimony, travelled from Oman to Inhambane via Zanzibar between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The manuscript is kept at the Jam’a Mosque in the city of Inhambane, southern Mozambique. Inhambane fell under the sphere of influence of the ancient sheikhdom of Sofala, founded by Swahili Arab traders as part of the Zimbabwe gold trade in the eighth century ad and destroyed by the Portuguese in the early sixteenth century. The presence of this manuscript in Inhambane contradicts the general idea of a disconnect between the southern Mozambique region and Swahili trading networks as a result of the Portuguese presence in Sofala, Tete, Quelimane, and Mozambique Island. The properties of the manuscript, its materials (ink and paper), and its writing style (its script style and punctuation marks) are adduced, on the one hand, to argue that it was not produced in the territory of Mozambique; on the other hand, this highlights its connection with Qurʾān manuscripts produced in other parts of the western Indian Ocean region.
Allowing Corruption and Dodging Accountability
Authors: Gascoigne Joseph 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Public investigations can be important fact-finding mechanisms empowered to scrutinize instances of government corruption. But in the small states of the Anglophone Caribbean, the opposite is true, and these institutions can become political tools used to avoid accountability. By concentrating unchecked discretion in the prime minister, the Westminster system empowers governments in small states to establish controlled investigations lacking essential investigative powers. Meanwhile, the public’s understanding of the resultant investigation can be influenced by a highly partisan media, largely controlled by the government. In such circumstances, public investigations can be used to insulate governments from accountability and allow corruption to go unpunished while giving the superficial appearance of transparency and accountability. These strategies were successfully used during the 1987 Nedd Investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the redevelopment of Antigua’s airport in 1986. Manipulation of public investigations is another damaging consequence of the Westminster system being used in small, polarized states.
Relationships between 10 Years of Radar-Observed Supercell Characteristics and Hail Potential
Authors: Homeyer Cameron R. , Murillo Elisa M. , Kumjian Matthew R. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Supercell storms are commonly responsible for severe hail, which is the costliest severe storm hazard in the United States and elsewhere. Radar observations of such storms are common and have been leveraged to estimate hail size and severe hail occurrence. However, many established relationships between radar-observed storm characteristics and severe hail occurrence have been found using data from few storms and in isolation from other radar metrics. This study leverages a 10-yr record of polarimetric Doppler radar observations in the United States to evaluate and compare radar observations of thousands of severe hail–producing supercells based on their maximum hail size. In agreement with prior studies, it is found that increasing hail size relates to increasing volume of high (≥50 dBZ) radar reflectivity, increasing midaltitude mesocyclone rotation (azimuthal shear), increasing storm-top divergence, and decreased differential reflectivity and copolar correlation coefficient at low levels (mostly below the environmental 0°C level). New insights include increasing vertical alignment of the storm mesocyclone with increasing hail size and a Doppler velocity spectrum width minimum aloft near storm center that increases in area with increasing hail size and is argued to indicate increasing updraft width. To complement the extensive radar analysis, near-storm environments from reanalyses are compared and indicate that the greatest environmental differences exist in the middle troposphere (within the hail growth region), especially the wind speed perpendicular to storm motion. Recommendations are given for future improvements to radar-based hail-size estimation.
Utilization of Circulating Tumor DNA in the Surveillance Setting
Authors: Gibbs Jennifer N. , Dale Paul S. , Weatherall Andrew L. 
Published: July 2023

Introduction National guidelines give recommendations regarding cancer surveillance follow-up. In many early staged cancers radiographic imaging and labs are not routinely recommended unless patients are symptomatic. This can cause a gap in care because commonly when patients present symptomatically, they have progressed and transitioned to later-stage cancer. This study demonstrates how circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be used alongside current guidelines to help screen patients for recurrence in the surveillance setting. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed. Fifty-five charts were reviewed of patients who received ctDNA testing drawn in follow-up after their primary tumor or metastatic disease was rendered surgically or radiographically disease-free. A customized signature profile, using the sixteen most prevalent genomic markers from a patient’s primary tumor or biopsy, is developed by whole-exome sequencing. Serial blood draws are then drawn to assess for specific DNA markers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Results Fifty-five charts were reviewed in patients who had stage I-III breast, pancreatic, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. Of the fifty-five, a total of seven had a positive test. Of the seven positive tests, six patients were found to have recurrent/metastatic disease. One positive test was performed four weeks postoperatively but by the second draw ten weeks postoperatively had non-detectable ctDNA. The remaining forty-eight patients had non-detectable ctDNA levels and to date have not had any evidence of recurrence based on standard follow-up guidelines. Conclusion The utilization of ctDNA in the surveillance setting can be used to help detect recurrence in the surveillance setting.
PLCL-TPU bi-layered artificial blood vessel with compliance matching to host vessel
Authors: Guan Lihua , Zhao Huijing , Wang Kai , Zhang Ke-qin , Meng Kai 
Published: July 2023

Compliance mismatch between the artificial blood vessel and the host vessel leads to abnormal hemodynamics and is a major mechanical trigger of intimal hyperplasia. Efforts have been made to achieve higher compliance of artificial blood vessels. However, the preparation of artificial blood vessels with compliance matching to host vessels has not been realized. A bi-layered artificial blood vessel was successfully prepared by dip-coating and electrospinning composite method using poly(L-Lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) and thermoplastic poly(ether urethane) (TPU). In the case of a certain wall thickness (200 μm), thickness ratios of the PLCL inner layer (dip-coating method) and TPU outer layer (electrospinning method) were controlled at 0:1, 1:9, 3:7, 5:5, 7:3, and 1:0 respectively and the compliance, radial tensile properties, burst pressure, and suture retention strength were investigated. Results showed compliance value of the artificial blood vessel decreased with the increase of the thickness ratio, which suggested the compliance of the bi-layered artificial blood vessel can be regulated by adjusting the ratio of the inner and outer layer thicknesses. In the six different artificial blood vessels, the one with thickness ratio of 1:9 not only had high compliance (8.768 ± 0.393%/100 mmHg) but also can guarantee the other mechanical properties, such as the radial breaking strength (6.333 ± 0.689 N/mm), burst pressure (534.473 ± 20.899 mmHg), and suture retention strength (300.773 ± 9.351 cN). The proposed artificial blood vessel preparation method is expected to achieve compliance matching with the host vessel. It is beneficial for eliminating abnormal hemodynamics and reducing intimal hyperplasia.
Peripherally inserted central venous catheter for pediatric acute leukemia: A retrospective 11-year single-center experience
Authors: Ligia Silvio , Morano Salvatore Giacomo , Kaiser Francesca , Micozzi Alessandra , Chistolini Antonio , Barberi Walter , Arena Valentina , Piciocchi Alfonso , Forgione Maurizio , Gasperini Giulia , Berneschi Paola , Testi Anna Maria 
Published: July 2023

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are successfully increasingly used in children in onco-hematologic setting. PICC insertion, especially in oncologic patients, can be associated with adverse events (thrombosis, mechanical complications, and infections). Data regarding the use of PICC, as long-term access in pediatric patients with severe hematologic diseases, are still limited. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of 196 PICC, inserted in 129 pediatric patients with acute leukemia diagnosed and treated at Pediatric Hematology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome. Results: The 196 PICC analyzed were in situ for a median dwell time of 190 days (range 12–898). In 42 children, PICC was inserted twice and in 10, three times or more due to hematopoietic stem cell transplant, disease recurrence, or PICC-related complications. The overall complication rate was 34%: catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) occurred in 22% of cases after a median time of 97 days; a catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in 3.5% and mechanical complications in 9% of cases. Premature removal for complications occurred in 30% of PICC. One death from CRBSI was observed. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study represents the largest cohort of pediatric patients who have inserted the PICC for acute leukemia. In our experience, PICC was a cheap, safe, and reliable device for long-term intravenous access in children with acute leukemia. This has been possible with the help of dedicated PICC team.