bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of benzodiazepines for dyspnea in patients with cancer
Authors: Yasuda Shuntaro , Sugano Koji , Matsuda Yoshinobu , Kako Jun , Takagi Yusuke , Watanabe Hiroaki , Kasahara Yoko , Goya Sho , Kohara Hiroyuki , Mori Masanori , Nakayama Takeo , Yamaguchi Takashi 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective
the role of benzodiazepines in relieving dyspnea in patients with cancer has not yet been established. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepines alone or in combination with opioids for dyspnea in patients with cancer.

Methods
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Ichushi-Web were searched for articles published from database inception to 23 September 2019. Studies of benzodiazepines alone or in combination with opioids for dyspnea were included. The primary outcome measure was the relief of dyspnea. The secondary outcome measures were anxiety, somnolence and severe adverse events.

Results
of 505 publications initially identified, two trials and one trial were included in the meta-analysis of midazolam alone and in combination with morphine, respectively. With regard to the relief of dyspnea, midazolam alone showed no significant difference compared with morphine alone, with a relative risk of 0.95 (95% confidence interval: 0.47–1.89). Meanwhile, midazolam plus morphine was significantly more effective than morphine alone, with a relative risk of 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.75). For anxiety relief, a meta-analysis could not be performed because of insufficient data. The incidence of somnolence and severe adverse events was not significantly different between the experimental and control groups for either midazolam alone or in combination with morphine.

Conclusions
benzodiazepines alone do not significantly improve dyspnea compared with opioids alone, but a combination of benzodiazepines and opioids may be more effective. Evidence from randomized controlled trials focusing on patients with cancer has not been generated in recent years. Further appropriately designed randomized controlled trials are required.
Well-Founded Fear of Algorithms or Algorithms of Well-Founded Fear? Hybrid Intelligence in Automated Asylum Seeker Interviews
Authors: McNamara Robert G , Tikka Pia 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Growing numbers of asylum seekers across Europe have created heightened pressure on governments to employ technologies to assist immigration systems in meeting humanitarian standards of international law. This article analyses the potential of hybrid intelligence (HI)—a machine learning (ML) utility supervised by and supervising human intelligence—for assisting both asylum seekers and immigration officers in performing fair and just assessments, while addressing theoretical underpinnings of what hybridity entails from the perspective of stakeholders and humanitarian systems. While aspects of ML demonstrate promise in reducing bias in immigration decisions, such technology itself suffers from various inherent biases. In addition, technological mediation poses several unforeseen, unintended, and subtle threats to humanitarian missions. By analysing ML algorithms currently employed in refugee status determination pilot programs and immigration control, this article synthesizes universal complications of using assistive technology in Refugee Status Determinations, with special focus on evaluating resultant theoretical refugee identity reconfigurations. Conceptually, this article expands on the theoretical model of what has been termed ‘ID entity’ by biometrics researchers and ethnographers by analysing potential latent consequences from technological mediation in asylum cases, while addressing use cases such as German and Canadian immigration services’ pilot programs, along with automated pilot border screening projects such as Iborderctrl, among others. In addition, several hypothetical scenarios are presented to concretize and further theoretical inquiry of using HI in asylum seeker interviews, with special focus on the requisite criterion of possessing a well-founded fear of persecution.
The association between sexual dysfunction and prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dilixiati Diliyaer , Kadier Kaisaierjiang , Laihaiti Duolikun , Lu Jian-De , Azhati Baihetiya , Rexiati Mulati 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundWhether there is a connection between sexual dysfunction (SD) and prostate cancer (PCa) is controversial.AimWe sought to review the interrelationship between SD and PCa and to determine whether there is a definitive risk of men developing PCa after suffering from SD.MethodsA complete search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to search for eligible studies published up to October 2022. The protocol for this meta-analysis is available from PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022342381).OutcomesThe associations between SD and the risk of PCa were assessed by calculating pooled ORs with 95% CIs, and the standard mean difference (SMD) and its 95% CI were used to assess the relationship between SD and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or prostate volume (PV). Random-effects models were used to account for potential heterogeneity, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.ResultsTwenty studies involving 215,626 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with controls, subjects with SD had a 1.62-fold increased risk of PCa (OR = 1.62, 95% CI, 1.77-2.23, P = .003; heterogeneity: I2 = 97.8%, P &lt; .001). Patients with SD had higher PSA levels than controls (SMD =0.07, 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.13, P = .041; heterogeneity: I2 = 55.6%, P = .027). However, there was no association between SD and PV (SMD = 0.03, 95% CI, −0.05 to 0.11, P = .122; heterogeneity: I2 = 48.5%, P = .100).Clinical ImplicationsCurrent evidence confirms a potential link between SD and the risk of PCa and that SD in PCa patients should be of concern to clinicians.Strengths and LimitationsThe strength of this study is that it is to our knowledge the first meta-analysis of studies on the risk of PCa in men with SD. A limitation is that most of the studies included in this meta-analysis focused on ED.ConclusionOur systematic review and meta-analysis results suggest that men with SD have a higher risk of PCa and higher PSA levels than men without SD. However, this is merely inferential, and causality cannot be determined based on the current data. Further longitudinal studies should be performed to validate our preliminary findings.
Stricter treat-to-target in RA does not result in less radiographic progression: a longitudinal analysis in RA BIODAM
Authors: Ramiro Sofia , Landewé Robert , van der Heijde Désirée , Sepriano Alexandre , FitzGerald Oliver , Østergaard Mikkel , Homik Joanne , Elkayam Ori , Thorne J Carter , Larché Maggie J , Ferraccioli Gianfranco , Backhaus Marina , Boire Gilles , Combe Bernard , Schaeverbeke Thierry , Saraux Alain , Dougados Maxime , Rossini Maurizio , Govoni Marcello , Sinigaglia Luigi , Cantagrel Alain G , Allaart Cornelia F , Barnabe Cheryl , Bingham Clifton O , van Schaardenburg Dirkjan , Hammer Hilde B , Dadashova Rana , Hutchings Edna , Paschke Joel , Maksymowych Walter P 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate whether meticulously following a treat-to-target (T2T)-strategy in daily clinical practice will lead to less radiographic progression in patients with active RA who start (new) DMARD-therapy.

Methods
Patients with RA from 10 countries starting/changing conventional synthetic or biologic DMARDs because of active RA, and in whom treatment intensification according to the T2T principle was pursued, were assessed for disease activity every 3 months for 2 years (RA-BIODAM cohort). The primary outcome was the change in Sharp-van der Heijde (SvdH) score, assessed every 6 months. Per 3-month interval DAS44-T2T could be followed zero, one or two times (in a total of two visits). The relation between T2T intensity and change in SvdH-score was modelled by generalized estimating equations.

Results
In total, 511 patients were included [mean (s.d.) age: 56 (13) years; 76% female]. Mean 2-year SvdH progression was 2.2 (4.1) units (median: 1 unit). A stricter application of T2T in a 3-month interval did not reduce progression in the same 6-month interval [parameter estimates (for yes vs no): +0.15 units (95% CI: −0.04, 0.33) for 2 vs 0 visits; and +0.08 units (−0.06; 0.22) for 1 vs 0 visits] nor did it reduce progression in the subsequent 6-month interval.

Conclusions
In this daily practice cohort, following T2T principles more meticulously did not result in less radiographic progression than a somewhat more lenient attitude towards T2T. One possible interpretation of these results is that the intention to apply T2T already suffices and that a more stringent approach does not further improve outcome.
Proprietary estoppel and the position of the stranger
Authors: Palser Elaine 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
This article examines the position of a stranger in two principal scenarios, and the implications for strangers of the possible outcomes to these scenarios. First, if A makes a promise to B that C will receive A’s property if B advances monies to A, can the promise be enforced to benefit C who is a stranger to the promise? Secondly, if A makes a promise to B that B will receive A’s 50% share in a property if B advances monies to A, but A then enters into a declaration of trust with D (with whom A then purchases the property), is B bound by that declaration (to which B is a stranger)? Is B then excluded from a constructive or resulting trust claim, and left solely with a proprietary estoppel claim?
Is there added value from using three serial samples when surveying the occurrence of intestinal parasites in children?
Authors: Jerez Puebla Luis Enrique , Núñez-Fernández Fidel A , La Rosa Osoria Edel , Atencio Millán Iraís , Cruz Rodríguez Iredys , Rojas Rivero Lázara , Fresco Sampedro Yanet , Rodríguez Moreno Laura , Robertson Lucy J 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Surveys for intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) often involve samples from three sampling dates analysed by various microscopy techniques. However, analysis of three samples per individual is a huge burden on time and resources. We compared the value from analysing three or fewer samples.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, three faecal samples were collected every other day from 332 children from two locations in Guantanamo province, Cuba. Samples were analysed by wet mount with Lugol stain, Willis flotation method and Kato–Katz thick smear.

Results
Most parasites were detected by wet mount, although helminth eggs not found by wet smear were detected by the Willis flotation method (in particular) and Kato–Katz smear. Blastocystis spp. was the most commonly detected parasite (about 65%), then Giardia duodenalis and then Entamoeba spp. Although analysis of two stool samples significantly increased occurrence data for Blastocystis, this was not so for the other parasites. For none of the protozoan parasites were results from analysing three samples significantly higher than results from analysing just two samples.

Conclusions
Analysing two faecal samples by wet mount and the Willis flotation method provides useful data for estimating the prevalence of IPIs in relatively high prevalence settings. Analysing further samples provides limited additional information and adds an extra burden in terms of time and resources.
Study on Spatio-temporal Prevalence and Hematological Attributes of Bovine Babesiosis in Cattle Population of Layyah, Southern Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Absar , Ali Zulfiqar , Lashari Mushtaq Hussain 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to investigate the spatiotemporal prevalence of bovine babesiosis in cattle population (n=376) of District Layyah, South Punjab, Pakistan as affected by location, age, breed, gender and seasons. Blood samples were collected aseptically and assessed for babesiosis through microscopy and PCR, and through automated analyzer for hematological attributes. Overall results of prevalence as attained through PCR in cattle population showed a significantly (P≤0.05) lower prevalence of 19.4% (n=72/376) as compared to 37.2% (n=140/276) through microscopy. None of the studied cattle from Cholistani breed were Babesia-positive. However, significantly (P≤0.05) higher prevalence was noticed for crossbred cattle (46.7%, n= 50/107) followed by that in Friesian (16.1%, n= 10/62), Jersey (7%, n= 5/71) and Sahiwal (6.9%, n= 7/101) cattle breeds. Female cattle (19.5%, n= 55/281) and age group 1 (Up to 2 years) (40%, n= 42/105) had higher prevalence of Babesia as ascertained through PCR in comparison to their counterpart groups. Significantly (P≤0.05) higher prevalence of 35.9% (n=60/167) was shown in summer as compared to that in winter season (5.7%, n= 12/209). All the positive samples produced the 490bp amplicons specific and typical for Babesia bigemina. Regarding hematology, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocytic count, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume were significantly (P≤0.05) lower in babesia-positive cattle as compared to healthy ones. In a nutshell, indigenous cattle breeds are tick-resistant hardy breeds and do not show severe signs of babesiosis as compared to exotic and crossbred cattle. Furthermore, Southern Punjab area of Pakistan has a different spatiotemporal distribution of babesiosis with bigemina being predominant.
Wnt signaling regulates ion channel expression to promote smooth muscle and cartilage formation in developing mouse trachea
Authors: Russell Nicholas X. , Burra Kaulini , Shah Ronak , Bottasso-Arias Natalia , Mohanakrishnan Megha , Snowball John , Ediga Harshavardhana H. , Madala Satish K , Sinner Debora 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTIon channels play critical roles in the physiology and function of the nervous system and contractile tissue; however, their role in non-contractile tissue and embryonic development has yet to be understood. Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and complete tracheal rings (CTR) are disorders affecting the muscle and cartilage of the trachea and bronchi, whose etiology remains poorly understood. We demonstrated that trachealis muscle organization and polarity are disrupted after epithelial ablation of Wls, a cargo receptor critical for the Wnt signaling pathway, in developing trachea. The phenotype resembles the anomalous trachealis muscle observed after deletion of ion channel encoding genes in developing mouse trachea. We sought to investigate whether and how the deletion ofWlsaffects ion channels during tracheal development. We hypothesize that Wnt signaling influences the expression of ion channels to promote trachealis muscle cell assembly and patterning. DeletingWlsin developing trachea causes differential regulation of genes mediating actin binding, cytoskeleton organization, and potassium ion channel activity. Wnt signaling regulated expression ofKcnj13, Kcnd3, Kcnj8,andAbcc9as demonstrated by in vitro studies and in vivo analysis inWnt5aand β-catenindeficient tracheas. Pharmacological inhibition of potassium ion channels and Wnt signaling impaired contractility of developing trachealis smooth muscle and formation of cartilaginous mesenchymal condensation. Thus, in mice, epithelial-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates trachealis muscle and cartilage development via modulation of ion channel expression, promoting trachealis muscle architecture, contractility, and cartilaginous extracellular matrix. In turn, ion channel activity may influence tracheal morphogenesis underlying TBM and CTR.
Angiopoietin-like 4 shapes the intrahepatic T-cell landscape via eIF2α signaling during steatohepatitis in diet-induced NAFLD
Authors: Low Zun Siong , Chua Damien , Cheng Hong Sheng , Tee Rachel , Tan Wei Ren , Ball Christopher , Sahib Norliza Binte Esmail , Ng Ser Sue , Qu Jing , Liu Yingzi , Hong Haiyu , Cai Chaonong , Rao Nandini C. L. , Wee Aileen , Muthiah Mark D. , Bichler Zoë , Mickelson Barbara , Lee Jia Qi , Kong Mei Suen , Tay Vanessa S.Y. , Yan Zhuang , Chen Jiapeng , Ng Aik Seng , Yip Yun Sheng , Vos Marcus Ivan Gerard , Lim Debbie Xiu En , Chittezhath Manesh , Yaligar Jadegoud , Verma Sanjay Kumar , Poptani Harish , Guan Xue Li , Velan S. Sendhil , Ali Yusuf , Li Liang , Tan Nguan Soon , Wahli Walter 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTAdaptive T-cell immune response is essential in conferring protective immunity, a process requiring tight cellular homeostasis regulation. Pathological intrahepatic T-cell landscape has a role in NAFLD propagation; however, its activation remains unknown. To address this gap, we extensively characterized a novel diet-induced NAFLD murine model (LIDPAD) featuring key phenotypic and genetic attributes reflective of human NAFLD. Comparative transcriptomic-guided staging of human and murine NASH reinforced the robustness of LIDPAD in recapitulating critical transitory stages of human NAFLD. We found that angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) shapes activation of the intrahepatic T-cell landscape through the modulation of eIF2α signaling during fibrosis. Single-immune cell analysis and hepatic transcriptomics during fibrosis, and kinase inhibitor screening confirmed that Angptl4 orchestrates the hyperactivation of intrahepatic adaptive immunity via eIF2α signaling. Consistently, immunoblocking of cAngplt4 reduces T-cell overactivation, delaying disease aggravation. Taken together, Angptl4 is a crucial determinant in shaping intrahepatic adaptive immunity during fibrosis in NAFLD.
MRBEE: A novel bias-corrected multivariable Mendelian Randomization method
Authors: Lorincz-Comi Noah , Yang Yihe , Li Gen , Zhu Xiaofeng 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMendelian randomization (MR) is an instrumental variable approach used to infer causal relationships between exposures and outcomes and can apply to summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Since GWAS summary statistics are subject to estimation errors, most existing MR approaches suffer from measurement error bias, whose scale and direction are influenced by weak instrumental variables and GWAS sample overlap, respectively. We introduce MRBEE (MR using Bias-corrected Estimating Equation), a novel multivariable MR method capable of simultaneously removing measurement error bias and identifying horizontal pleiotropy. In simulations, we showed that MRBEE is capable of effectively removing measurement error bias in the presence of weak instrumental variables and sample overlap. In two independent real data analyses, we discovered that the causal effect of BMI on coronary artery disease risk is entirely mediated by blood pressure, and that existing MR methods may underestimate the causal effect of cannabis use disorder on schizophrenia risk compared to MRBEE. MRBEE possesses significant potential for advancing genetic research by providing a valuable tool to study causality between multiple risk factors and disease outcomes, particularly as a large number of GWAS summary statistics become publicly available.
Identification of Cell-Type Specific Alternative Transcripts in the MulticellularAlga Volvox carteri
Authors: Balasubramanian Ravi N. , Umen James 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTCell type specialization is a hallmark of complex multicellular organisms and is usually established through implementation of cell-type-specific gene expression programs. The multicellular green algaVolvox carterihas just two cell types, germ and soma, that have previously been shown to have very different transcriptome compositions which reflect differences in their respective forms and functions. Here we interrogated another potential mechanism for differentiation inV. carteri, cell type specific alternative transcript isoforms (CTSAI). We used pre-existing predictions of alternative transcripts andde novotranscript assembly to compile a list of 1978 loci with two or more transcript isoforms, 67 of which also showed cell type isoform expression biases. Manual curation identified 15 strong candidates for CTSAI, three of which were experimentally verified and provide insight into potential functional differentiation of encoded protein isoforms. Alternative transcript isoforms are also found in a unicellular relative ofV. carteri,Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, but there was little overlap in orthologous gene pairs in the two species which both exhibited CTSAI, suggesting that CTSAI observed inV. carteriarose after the two lineages diverged. CTSAIs in metazoans are often generated through alternative pre-mRNA processing mediated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs). We interrogated cell type expression patterns of 126V. carteripredicted RBP encoding genes and found 40 that showed either somatic or germ cell expression bias. These RBPs are potential mediators of CTSAI inV. carteriand suggest possible pre-adaptation for cell type specific RNA processing and a potential path for generating CTSAI in the early ancestors of metazoans and plants.
Microfluidics-enabled fluorescence-activated cell sorting of single pathogen-specific antibody secreting cells for the rapid discovery of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Fischer Katrin , Lulla Aleksei , So Tsz Y , Pereyra-Gerber Pehuén , Raybould Matthew I. J. , Kohler Timo N. , Kaminski Tomasz S. , Yam-Puc Juan Carlos , Hughes Robert , Leiß-Maier Florian , Brear Paul , Matheson Nicholas J. , Deane Charlotte M. , Hyvönen Marko , Thaventhiran James E. D. , Hollfelder Florian 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMonoclonal antibodies are increasingly used to prevent and treat viral infections, playing a pivotal role in pandemic response efforts. Antibody secreting cells (ASCs, plasma cells and plasmablasts) are an excellent source of high-affinity antibodies with therapeutic potential. Current methodologies to study antigen-specific ASCs either have low throughput, require expensive and labour-intensive screening or are technically demanding and therefore not accessible to the wider research community. Here, we present a straightforward technology for the rapid discovery of monoclonal antibodies from ASCs: we combine microfluidic encapsulation of single cells into an antibody capture hydrogel with antigen bait sorting by conventional flow cytometry. With our technology, we screened millions of mouse and human ASCs and obtained anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies with high affinity (pM) and neutralising capacity (<100 ng/mL) in two weeks with a high hit rate (>85%). By facilitating access into the underexplored ASC compartment, we enable fast and efficient antibody discovery as well as immunological studies into the generation of protective antibodies.