bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refugees' time investments—Differences in the time use of refugees, other immigrants, and natives in Germany
Authors: Kuhlemann Jana 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionSince the 2015/16 refugee influx to Germany and other European countries, these host societies have been challenged with the integration of culturally distant refugees. These recent arrivals can strategically invest their time in activities promoting their integration, thereby rendering time use as a channel of integration. Refugees are a vulnerable group that differs from other immigrants with respect to their migration motivation, experience, and conditions in the receiving countries. Accordingly, refugees might also differ from other immigrants with respect to their time use. This might play a role in explaining differences in refugees' and other immigrants' integration outcomes.MethodsUsing a cluster analysis approach, this contribution (1) descriptively examines whether and to what extent refugees' time use differs from that of other immigrants and the host-country population in Germany and (2) examines the role of refugees' legal status for their time use. The study examines time allocation to different activities of refugees, other first-generation immigrants, and native Germans, using data collected from 2016 to 2019 of the German Socio-Economic Panel, including the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees and the IAB-SOEP Migration Sample.Results and discussionResults from (1) the cluster analysis approach show different clusters of time use patterns for the three population groups of refugees, other immigrants, and natives. For native Germans and other immigrants, the dominant time use cluster is characterized by full-time investment in employment activities. For refugees, the dominant time use pattern is characterized by low overall invested hours to the measured activities (low activitycluster). In contrast to the other two groups, a cluster of refugees predominantly allocating their time to employment activities is not found. Pooled analyses (2) of the role of refugees' legal status show some evidence that those who have a form of protection status, in comparison to those who have asylum seeker status, have a lower probability to display childcare- and household-related activities than to reportlow activity. However, fixed effects analyses show that refugees receiving a positive decision on their asylum application do not change with respect to their time use patterns.
cGAS deficiency enhances inflammasome activation in macrophages and inflammatory pathology in pristane-induced lupus
Authors: Kumpunya Sarinya , Thim-uam Arthid , Thumarat Chisanu , Leelahavanichkul Asada , Kalpongnukul Nuttiya , Chantaravisoot Naphat , Pisitkun Trairak , Pisitkun Prapaporn 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionType I interferon (IFN) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Cyclic GMP AMP synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor that recognizes dsDNA and creates cGAMP to activate STING-mediated type I IFN production. The activation of STING induces lupus disease in Fcgr2b deficient mice through the differentiation of dendritic cells. In contrast, Cgas-deficient mice could be generated more autoantibody production and proteinuria in pristane-induced lupus (PIL). These data suggested that the other dsDNA sensors could be involved in lupus development mechanisms.MethodsThis study aimed to identify the cGAS-mediated mechanisms contributing to lupus pathogenesis in PIL. The Cgas-deficient and WT mice were induced lupus disease with pristane and subsequently analyzed autoantibody, histopathology, and immunophenotypes. The lung tissues were analyzed with the expression profiles by RT-PCR and western blot. The bone marrow-derived macrophages were stimulated with inflammasome activators and observed pyroptosis.ResultsThe Cgas-/- mice developed more severe pulmonary hemorrhage and autoantibody production than WT mice. The activated dendritic cells, IFN-g-, and IL-17a-producing T helper cells, and infiltrated macrophages in the lung were detected in Cgas-/- mice higher than in WT mice. We observed an increase in expression of Aim2, Casp11, and Ifi16 in the lung and serum IL-1a but IL-1b in pristane-injected Cgas-/- mice. The rise of Caspase-11 in the lung of pristane-injected Cgas-/- mice suggested noncanonical inflammasome activation. The activation of AIM2 and NLRP3 inflammasomes in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) enhanced the number of dead cells in Cgas-/- mice compared with WT mice. Activation of the inflammasome significantly induced pyroptosis in Cgas-/- BMDMs. The dsDNA level, but not mitochondrial DNA, increased dramatically in pristane-injected Cgas-/- mice suggesting the dsDNA could be a ligand activating inflammasomes. The cGAS agonist-induced BMDM activation in the Cgas-/- mice indicated that the activation of DNA sensors other than cGAS enhanced activated macrophages.ConclusionThese findings suggested that cGAS hampers the unusual noncanonical inflammasome activation through other DNA sensors.
Piperlongumine alleviates corneal allograft rejection via suppressing angiogenesis and inflammation
Authors: Fan Xiangyu , Qiu Jini , Yuan Tianjie , Zhang Jing , Xu Jianjiang 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundNeovascularization and inflammatory response are two essential features of corneal allograft rejection. Here, we investigated the impact of Piperlongumine (PL) on alleviating corneal allograft rejection, primarily focusing on pathological angiogenesis and inflammation.MethodsA murine corneal allograft transplantation model was utilized to investigate the role of PL in preventing corneal allograft rejection. PL (10 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally injected daily into BALB/c recipients from day -3 to day 14. The clinical signs of the corneal grafts were monitored for 30 days. Corneal neovascularization and inflammatory cell infiltration were detected by immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry. The proportion of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in the draining lymph nodes (DLNs) was examined by flow cytometry. In vitro, HUVECs were cultured under hypoxia or incubated with TNF-α to mimic the hypoxic and inflammatory microenvironment favoring neovascularization in corneal allograft rejection. Multiple angiogenic processes including proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of HUVECs in hypoxia with or without PL treatment were routinely evaluated. The influence of PL treatment on TNF-α-induced pro-inflammation in HUVECs was investigated by real-time PCR and ELISA.ResultsIn vivo, PL treatment effectively attenuated corneal allograft rejection, paralleled by coincident suppression of neovascularization and alleviation of inflammatory response. In vitro, PL distinctively inhibited hypoxia-induced angiogenic processes in HUVECs. Two key players in hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, HIF-1α and VEGF-A were significantly suppressed by PL treatment. Also, TNF-α-induced pro-inflammation in HUVECs was hampered by PL treatment, along with a pronounced reduction in ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CCL2, and CXCL5 expression.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrated that PL could exhibit both anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in preventing corneal allograft rejection, highlighting the potential therapeutic applications of PL in clinical strategy.
Ultrasound cyclo-plasty for moderate glaucoma: Eighteen-month results from a prospective study
Authors: Wang Rui-Xue , Li Ning , Chen Xiao-Ya 
Published: December 2022

PurposeTo evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of ultrasound cyclo-plasty (UCP) in the treatment of moderate glaucoma and molecular effects in animal experiments.MethodsAn 18-month clinical study was conducted among 32 patients with moderate glaucoma. The primary outcome was surgical success, defined as a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) of greater than or equal to 20% from the baseline and an IOP value of greater than 5 mmHg at the last follow-up. The secondary outcomes were related to the quality of life, complications, and mean IOP value at each follow-up. In the animal experiment, 20 New Zealand rabbits were used to establish a high-IOP model and implement UCP. The distribution of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the ciliary body and the tissue changes under electron microscopy were observed after surgery.ResultsThe mean patient IOP decreased from 34.9 ± 4.9 mmHg before surgery to 23.5 ± 5.2 mmHg at 18 months after UCP. No vision loss occurred in any patient. Some patients had postoperative complications, but the symptoms were mild and disappeared within 3 months after the surgery. Most patients had good postoperative quality of life. Histology showed that AQP4 remained in the ciliary muscle after UCP, and only the bilayered epithelial cells showed coagulative necrosis. Furthermore, electron microscopic observation revealed the destruction of ciliary process cells covered by ultrasound after UCP.ConclusionUCP is associated with mild postoperative reactions and the mild treatment of ciliary tissue and is a safe and effective method for reducing IOP in moderate glaucoma.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) excess mortality outcomes associated with pandemic effects study (COPES): A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lu David , Dhanoa Sumeet , Cheema Harleen , Lewis Kimberley , Geeraert Patrick , Merrick Benjamin , Vander Leek Aaron , Sebastianski Meghan , Kula Brittany , Chaudhuri Dipayan , Basmaji John , Agrawal Arnav , Niven Dan , Fiest Kirsten , Stelfox Henry T. , Zuege Danny J. , Rewa Oleksa G. , Bagshaw Sean M. , Lau Vincent I. 
Published: December 2022

Background and aimWith the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continuing to impact healthcare systems around the world, healthcare providers are attempting to balance resources devoted to COVID-19 patients while minimizing excess mortality overall (both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients). To this end, we conducted a systematic review (SR) to describe the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on all-cause excess mortality (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) during the pandemic timeframe compared to non-pandemic times.MethodsWe searched EMBASE, Cochrane Database of SRs, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), from inception (1948) to December 31, 2020. We used a two-stage review process to screen/extract data. We assessed risk of bias using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). We used Critical Appraisal and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.ResultsOf 11,581 citations, 194 studies met eligibility. Of these studies, 31 had mortality comparisons (n = 433,196,345 participants). Compared to pre-pandemic times, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our meta-analysis demonstrated that COVID-19 mortality had an increased risk difference (RD) of 0.06% (95% CI: 0.06–0.06% p &lt; 0.00001). All-cause mortality also increased [relative risk (RR): 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–1.70, p &lt; 0.00001] alongside non-COVID-19 mortality (RR: 1.18, 1.07–1.30, p &lt; 0.00001). There was “very low” certainty of evidence through GRADE assessment for all outcomes studied, demonstrating the evidence as uncertain.InterpretationThe COVID-19 pandemic may have caused significant increases in all-cause excess mortality, greater than those accounted for by increases due to COVID-19 mortality alone, although the evidence is uncertain.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails], identifier [CRD42020201256].
Present and future of gait assessment in clinical practice: Towards the application of novel trends and technologies
Authors: Hulleck Abdul Aziz , Menoth Mohan Dhanya , Abdallah Nada , El Rich Marwan , Khalaf Kinda 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundDespite being available for more than three decades, quantitative gait analysis remains largely associated with research institutions and not well leveraged in clinical settings. This is mostly due to the high cost/cumbersome equipment and complex protocols and data management/analysis associated with traditional gait labs, as well as the diverse training/experience and preference of clinical teams. Observational gait and qualitative scales continue to be predominantly used in clinics despite evidence of less efficacy of quantifying gait.Research objectiveThis study provides a scoping review of the status of clinical gait assessment, including shedding light on common gait pathologies, clinical parameters, indices, and scales. We also highlight novel state-of-the-art gait characterization and analysis approaches and the integration of commercially available wearable tools and technology and AI-driven computational platforms.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted within PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and ScienceDirect for all articles published until December 2021 using a set of keywords, including normal and pathological gait, gait parameters, gait assessment, gait analysis, wearable systems, inertial measurement units, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, insole sensors, electromyography sensors. Original articles that met the selection criteria were included.Results and significanceClinical gait analysis remains highly observational and is hence subjective and largely influenced by the observer's background and experience. Quantitative Instrumented gait analysis (IGA) has the capability of providing clinicians with accurate and reliable gait data for diagnosis and monitoring but is limited in clinical applicability mainly due to logistics. Rapidly emerging smart wearable technology, multi-modality, and sensor fusion approaches, as well as AI-driven computational platforms are increasingly commanding greater attention in gait assessment. These tools promise a paradigm shift in the quantification of gait in the clinic and beyond. On the other hand, standardization of clinical protocols and ensuring their feasibility to map the complex features of human gait and represent them meaningfully remain critical challenges.
Characterization of cellular senescence patterns predicts the prognosis and therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tang Yuqin , Guo Chengbin , Chen Chuanliang , Zhang Yongqiang 
Published: December 2022

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a high mortality rate. Cellular senescence, an irreversible state of cell cycle arrest, plays a paradoxical role in cancer progression. Here, we aimed to identify Hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes by cellular senescence-related genes (CSGs) and to construct a cellular senescence-related gene subtype predictor as well as a novel prognostic scoring system, which was expected to predict clinical outcomes and therapeutic response of Hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: RNA-seq data and clinical information of Hepatocellular carcinoma patients were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). The “multi-split” selection was used to screen the robust prognostic cellular senescence-related genes. Unsupervised clustering was performed to identify CSGs-related subtypes and a discriminant model was obtained through multiple statistical approaches. A CSGs-based prognostic model-CSGscore, was constructed by LASSO-Cox regression and stepwise regression. Immunophenoscore (IPS) and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) were utilized to evaluate the immunotherapy response. Tumor stemness indices mRNAsi and mDNAsi were used to analyze the relationship between CSGscore and stemness.Results: 238 robust prognostic differentially expressed cellular senescence-related genes (DECSGs) were used to categorize all 336 hepatocellular carcinoma patients of the TCGA-LIHC cohort into two groups with different survival. Two hub genes, TOP2A and KIF11 were confirmed as key indicators and were used to form a precise and concise cellular senescence-related gene subtype predictor. Five genes (PSRC1, SOCS2, TMEM45A, CCT5, and STC2) were selected from the TCGA training dataset to construct the prognostic CSGscore signature, which could precisely predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients both in the training and validation datasets. Multivariate analysis verified it as an independent prognostic factor. Besides, CSGscore was also a valuable predictor of therapeutic responses in hepatocellular carcinoma. More downstream analysis revealed the signature genes were significantly associated with stemness and tumor progression.Conclusion: Two subtypes with divergent outcomes were identified by prognostic cellular senescence-related genes and based on that, a subtype indicator was established. Moreover, a prognostic CSGscore system was constructed to predict the survival outcomes and sensitivity of therapeutic responses in hepatocellular carcinoma, providing novel insight into hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers investigation and design of tailored treatments depending on the molecular characteristics of individual patients.
Feature optimization based on improved novel global harmony search algorithm for motor imagery electroencephalogram classification
Authors: Shi Bin , Chen Xiaokai , Yue Zan , Zeng Feixiang , Yin Shuai , Wang Benguo , Wang Jing 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundEffectively decoding electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern for specific mental tasks is a crucial topic in the development of brain-computer interface (BCI). Extracting common spatial pattern (CSP) features from motor imagery EEG signals is often highly dependent on the selection of frequency band and time interval. Therefore, optimizing frequency band and time interval would contribute to effective feature extraction and accurate EEG decoding.ObjectiveThis study proposes an approach based on an improved novel global harmony search (INGHS) to optimize frequency-time parameters for effective CSP feature extraction.MethodsThe INGHS algorithm is applied to find the optimal frequency band and temporal interval. The linear discriminant analysis and support vector machine are used for EEG pattern decoding. Extensive experimental studies are conducted on three EEG datasets to assess the effectiveness of our proposed method.ResultsThe average test accuracy obtained by the time-frequency parameters selected by the proposed INGHS method is slightly better than artificial bee colony (ABC) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. Furthermore, the INGHS algorithm is superior to PSO and ABC in running time.ConclusionThese superior experimental results demonstrate that the optimal frequency band and time interval selected by the INGHS algorithm could significantly improve the decoding accuracy compared with the traditional CSP method. This method has a potential to improve the performance of MI-based BCI systems.
Is exposure to hydrocarbons associated with chronic kidney disease in young Nigerians? A case–control study
Authors: Okoye Ogochukwu Chinedum , Awunor Nyemike 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionAlthough environmental exposure to hydrocarbons has been linked to non-communicable diseases, its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still an emerging area. Epidemiological studies associating CKD with prolonged exposure to hydrocarbons have mostly focused on occupational exposure, with fewer studies on environmental exposure from residing in contaminated areas. The aim of this study was to determine any association between long-term exposure to petrochemical products and the risk of CKD by comparing the residence and occupational history of young patients with CKD and non-CKD controls.Materials and methodsA case–control study of 74 cases and 74 age- and sex-matched non-CKD controls was carried out. Cases were patients with CKD who were aged 18–44 years and diagnosed with suspected chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Patients were recruited from an outpatient nephrology clinic and medical wards. Patients with CKD from traditional causes were excluded. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise approach to the non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) instrument. To assess exposure, a detailed work history and all residential addresses where the patients have lived for at least 5 years were recorded. ‘Exposed’ status was regarded as long-term residence in a known oil-polluted area and jobs involving crude oil exploration, processing, transportation and sales, and cleanup of crude oil hazards. Absence of a history of chronic exposure or any form of exposure was regarded as ‘less exposed’.ResultsThere were 52 (70.3%) cases categorized as exposed, compared with 21 (28.4%) controls (p &lt; 0.001). There were 34 (45.9%) cases born near petrochemical refineries and plants, compared with 11 (14.9%) controls (p ≤ 0.001). There were 34 (45.9%) cases residing near petrochemical refineries and plants, compared with 8 (10.9%) controls (p ≤ 0.001). When asked ‘Do you think you have been significantly exposed to crude oil?’, 15 (20.3%) cases and 2 (2.7%) controls answered ‘yes’ (p ≤ 0.001).ConclusionOur findings suggest an association between exposure to petrochemicals and CKD in young Nigerians diagnosed with suspected CGN. Exposure is significantly associated with a higher mean age, waist circumference, and blood sugar levels; however, other traditional risk factors for CKD were not considerably more prevalent in this unique patient population. These findings should prompt more emphasis on occupational history, residential history, and other relevant environmental exposures in the assessment of patients at risk for CKD.
Case report: Spinal drop metastasis of IDH-mutant, 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendroglioma
Authors: Karaman Ahmet Kursat , Korkmazer Bora , Urganci Nil , Baş Gülçin , Arslan Serdar , Comunoglu Nil , Hanci Mehmet Murat , Kızılkılıç Osman 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundSymptomatic spinal metastases of oligodendroglioma are rare. Moreover, none of the previously published cases demonstrated the typical IDH mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion for this glial tumor. This case presents an IDH mutant, 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendroglioma with multiple spinal drop metastases.Case descriptionWe report a case of a 55-year-old woman with left frontal grade 3 oligodendroglioma diagnosed 3 years ago. No tumor recurrence was observed in post-operative follow-up MRI examinations. However, she was admitted to our institution again with severe low back pain. Gadolinium enhanced MRI of the spine revealed an intradural, extramedullary metastatic lesion between T11–L1 levels and multiple enhancing metastatic tumor deposits around cauda equine roots between L4–S1. T11–T12 midline laminectomy was performed and gross total resection of metastatic lesions was achieved. Final histological diagnosis of the spinal lesions was WHO Grade 3 Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, 1p/19q-codeleted.ConclusionThis case is the first molecularly-defined spinal metastatic oligodendroglioma. The possibility of drop metastasis should be kept in mind in oligodendroglioma patients with spinal cord-related symptoms. There is no standard approach for the diagnosis and treatment of spinal metastases of this type of glial tumor.