bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cross‐sectional study of COVID‐19 vaccination patterns among patients with epilepsy in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Charlie CH , Choi Chun‐Ho , Lui Wai Ting , Ip Bonaventure , Ma Karen KY , Ma Sze Ho , Fan Florence SY , Au Lisa , Lau Alexander , Chan Anne YY , Ip Vincent , Soo Yannie , Leung Thomas , Mok Vincent , Leung Howan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveAs Hong Kong faced the 5th wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the facilitators and hurdles toward effective vaccination is important for healthcare professionals to understand the vaccination gap among patients with epilepsy.MethodsA cross‐sectional, pragmatic study of COVID‐19 vaccination was performed at a tertiary epilepsy center with regards to patterns of vaccination and any unusually high rate of adverse events. Patients having recent visits at the epilepsy center (4 months) had their anonymized electronic linkage records examined 12 months after the inception of vaccination program for types of vaccines, seizure demographics, and adverse events following immunization (AEFI).ResultsA total of 200 patients with epilepsy and their anonymized data were analyzed. The vaccine uptake was approximately 60% of that of the general population. Twice as many patients with epilepsy chose to receive mRNA vaccine as compared with inactivated vaccine. The proportion of patients who kept up‐to‐date with all available dosing was 7%. Patients with epilepsy with genetic etiology were least likely to receive vaccination (13/38, 34%, P = .02). There was no unreasonably high rate of unacceptable side effects after vaccination among patients with epilepsy. Only 3 patients reported worsening of seizures without meeting the criteria for AEFI. Refractory epilepsy, allergy to antiseizure medications and elder age (≥65) did not confer any significant difference in vaccination patterns or adverse effects.SignificanceA vaccination gap exists among epilepsy patients which calls for actionable strategies for improving vaccine uptake, including education and outreach programs.
Endoscopic trans‐lateral oropharyngeal wall approach to the petrous apex and the petroclival region
Authors: Li Lifeng , Xu Hongbo , London Nyall R. , Carrau Ricardo L. , Jin Yonggang , Chen Xiaohong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundA trans‐lateral oropharyngeal wall approach (TLOWA) to the petrous apex has not been previously defined. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a TLOWA for surgical access to the petrous apex and the petroclival region.MethodsAn endoscopic TLOWA for exposure of the petrous apex and petroclival region was performed on five cadaveric specimens (10 sides). Associated anatomical landmarks were defined, and the strategies for maximal exposure of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were explored.ResultsVia a TLOWA, the parapharyngeal ICA was widely exposed in all 10 sides. Following transection of the Eustachian tube, the inferior petrous apex and petroclival region could be sufficiently exposed. After drilling the anteroinferior bony canal, the horizontal petrous ICA, foramen lacerum, and the paraclival ICA could be adequately revealed.ConclusionThe TLOWA may provide an alternative corridor for access to the petrous apex and the petroclival region. The parapharyngeal, petrous, lower paraclival ICAs, and the foramen lacerum could be adequately exposed via the TLOWA.
Identification of prediagnostic metabolites associated with prostate cancer risk by untargeted mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics: A case‐control study nested in the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study
Authors: Östman Johnny R. , Pinto Rui C. , Ebbels Timothy M. D. , Thysell Elin , Hallmans Göran , Moazzami Ali A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer form in males in many European and American countries, but there are still open questions regarding its etiology. Untargeted metabolomics can produce an unbiased global metabolic profile, with the opportunity for uncovering new plasma metabolites prospectively associated with risk of PCa, providing insights into disease etiology. We conducted a prospective untargeted liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) metabolomics analysis using prediagnostic fasting plasma samples from 752 PCa case‐control pairs nested within the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (NSHDS). The pairs were matched by age, BMI, and sample storage time. Discriminating features were identified by a combination of orthogonal projection to latent structures‐effect projections (OPLS‐EP) and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests. Their prospective associations with PCa risk were investigated by conditional logistic regression. Subgroup analyses based on stratification by disease aggressiveness and baseline age were also conducted. Various free fatty acids and phospholipids were positively associated with overall risk of PCa and in various stratification subgroups. Aromatic amino acids were positively associated with overall risk of PCa. Uric acid was positively, and glucose negatively, associated with risk of PCa in the older subgroup. This is the largest untargeted LC‐MS based metabolomics study to date on plasma metabolites prospectively associated with risk of developing PCa. Different subgroups of disease aggressiveness and baseline age showed different associations with metabolites. The findings suggest that shifts in plasma concentrations of metabolites in lipid, aromatic amino acid, and glucose metabolism are associated with risk of developing PCa during the following two decades.
Radiofrequency impedance monitoring of the biological tissues under local heating by optical radiation
Authors: Kovalenko Nikita , Sovin Kirill , Malikova Tatiana , Smirnov Artur , Anpilov Vladimir , Ryabushkin Oleg 
Published: July 2022

AbstractDevelopment of methods for simultaneous control of state of biological tissues during optical treatment is the important tasks in laser surgery. We introduce a novel approach for the monitoring of the state of biological tissues in the process of its local heating by optical radiation. It is based on measurements of the electrical radiofrequency impedance kinetics of the sample during irradiation. The obtained data are processed using interconnected mathematical modeling of corresponding thermodynamic, optical and electrical problems. Experimental applications of this approach, represented in the paper, reveal its high sensitivity, repeatability and consistency with the model. The introduced method can be used for the selection and optimization of radiation parameters of medical laser sources as an alternative or an addition to histological techniques. Radiofrequency impedance measurement can be used directly in the course of surgical operations for monitoring the treated tissues state, including its temperature and degree of damage.
Moving towards a novel therapeutic strategy for hyperammonemia that targets glutamine metabolism
Authors: Fukui Kaori , Takahashi Tomoyuki , Matsunari Hitomi , Uchikura Ayuko , Watanabe Masahito , Nagashima Hiroshi , Ishihara Naotada , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Watanabe Yoriko , Yamashita Yushiro , Yoshino Makoto 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPatients with urea cycle disorders intermittently develop episodes of decompensation with hyperammonemia. Although such an episode is often associated with starvation and catabolism, its molecular basis is not fully understood. First, we attempted to elucidate the mechanism of such starvation‐associated hyperammonemia. Using a mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) culture system, we found that glucose starvation increases ammonia production, and that this increase is associated with enhanced glutaminolysis. These results led us to focus on α‐ketoglutarate (AKG), a glutamate dehydrogenase inhibitor, and a major anaplerotic metabolite. Hence, we sought to determine the effect of dimethyl α‐ketoglutarate (DKG), a cell‐permeable AKG analog, on MEFs and found that DKG mitigates ammonia production primarily by reducing flux through glutamate dehydrogenase. We also verified that DKG reduces ammonia in an NH4Cl‐challenged hyperammonemia mouse model and observed that DKG administration reduces plasma ammonia concentration to 22.8% of the mean value for control mice that received only NH4Cl. In addition, we detected increases in ornithine concentration and in the ratio of ornithine to arginine following DKG treatment. We subsequently administered DKG intravenously to a newborn pig with hyperammonemia due to ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency and found that blood ammonia concentration declined significantly over time. We determined that this effect is associated with facilitated reductive amination and glutamine synthesis. Our present data indicate that energy starvation triggers hyperammonemia through enhanced glutaminolysis and that DKG reduces ammonia accumulation via pleiotropic mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, cell‐permeable forms of AKG are feasible candidates for a novel hyperammonemia treatment.
Campylobacter jejuniinduces differentiation of human neutrophils to the CD16hi/CD62Llo subtype
Authors: Dolislager Carolina G , Callahan Sean M , Donohoe Dallas R , Johnson Jeremiah G 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe discovery of neutrophil subtypes has expanded what is known about neutrophil functions, yet there is still much to learn about the role of these subtypes during bacterial infection. We investigated whether Campylobacter jejuni induced differentiation of human neutrophils into the hypersegmented, CD16hi/CD62Llo subtype. In addition, we investigated whether C. jejuni-dependent differentiation of this neutrophil subtype induced cancer-promoting activities of human T cells and colonocytes, which were observed in other studies of hypersegmented, CD16hi/CD62Llo neutrophils. We found that C. jejuni causes a significant shift in human neutrophil populations to the hypersegmented, CD16hi/CD62Llo subtype and that those populations exhibit delayed apoptosis, elevated arginase-1 expression, and increased reactive oxygen species production. Furthermore, incubation of C. jejuni-infected neutrophils with human T cells resulted in decreased expression of the ζ-chain of the TCR, which was restored upon supplementation with exogenous l-arginine. In addition, incubation of C. jejuni-infected neutrophils with human colonocytes resulted in increased HIF-1α stabilization and NF-κB activation in those colonocytes, which may result in the up-regulation of protumorigenic genes.
q value and parent energy optimization using a low‐voltage ionization approach increases resolution in linear ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Madama Simone , Falletta Ermelinda , Malvandi Amir Mohammad , Arzoni Kevin , Brogna Carlo , Varelli Marco , Bertelli Matteo , Conti Matteo , Larini Martina , Guidugli Federico , Traldi Pietro , Cristoni Simone 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn this work, the isolation step in the linear ion trap was performed using different “q values” conditions at a low collision‐induced dissociation (CID) energy leading to the parent ion resolution improvements, reasonably due to better ion energy distribution. According to the results, we obtained a greater resolution and mass accuracy operating in both traditional electrospray and low voltage ionization near the q value = 0.778 and with a CID energy of 10%. This effect was evaluated with low‐molecular‐mass compounds (skatole and arginine). The proposed optimization yielded a superior instrument performance without adding technological complexity to mass spectrometry analyses.
Evaluating Tumor‐Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Breast Cancer
Authors: Jia Yingying , Zhu Yangyang , Li Ting , Song XueWen , Duan Ying , Yang Dan , Nie Fang 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesTumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have emerged as an efficient biomarker predicting treatment response and prognosis of breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to evaluate the association between conventional ultrasound and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging features with TIL levels in invasive BC patients.MethodsWe retrospectively included 267 women with invasive BC who had undergone conventional ultrasound and CEUS. Patients were divided into low (≤10%) and high (>10%) TIL groups. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS features were analyzed by two sonographers. The associations between the TIL levels and imaging features were evaluated.ResultsOf the 267 patients, 122 with high TILs and 145 with low TIL levels. High TIL tumors were more likely to have a circumscribed margin, oval or round shape, and enhanced posterior echoes on ultrasonography (p < 0.05). In contrast, low TIL tumors were more likely to have an irregular shape, un‐circumscribed, indistinct and spiculated margin (p < 0.05). In CEUS, high TIL tumors showed a more regular shape, clearer margin, more homogeneous enhancement and higher peak intensity (PI) value (p < 0.05). Logistic analysis indicated that shape, posterior features, PI, and enhanced homogeneity were independent predictors for high TIL tumors. The model combined the four independent predictors have a moderate performance in predicting high TIL tumors with AUC 0.79, sensitivity 0.72, and specificity 0.78.ConclusionsConventional ultrasound and CEUS features were associated with TIL levels in invasive BC. Consequently, the results suggested that preoperative conventional ultrasound and CEUS may be a useful noninvasive imaging biomarker for individualized treatment decisions.
A call to integrate health equity into learning health system research training
Authors: Coley R. Yates , Duan Kevin I. , Hoopes Andrea J. , Lapham Gwen T. , Liljenquist Kendra , Marcotte Leah M. , Ramirez Magaly , Schuttner Linnaea 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn 2016, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recommended seven domains for training and mentoring researchers in learning health systems (LHS) science. Health equity was not included as a competency domain. This commentary from scholars in the Consortium for Applied Training to Advance the Learning health system with Scholars/Trainees (CATALyST) K12 program recommends that competency domains be extended to reflect growing demands for evidence on health inequities and interventions to alleviate them. We present real‐life case studies from scholars in an LHS research training program that illustrate facilitators, challenges, and potential solutions at the program, funder, and research community‐level to receiving training and mentorship in health equity‐focused LHS science. We recommend actions in four areas for LHS research training programs: (a) integrate health equity throughout the current LHS domains; (b) develop training and mentoring in health equity; (c) establish program evaluation standards for consideration of health equity; and (d) bring forth relevant, extant expertise from the areas of health disparities research, community‐based participatory research, and community‐engaged health services research. We emphasize that LHS research must acknowledge and build on the substantial existing contributions, mainly by scholars of color, in the health equity field.
Clinical acceptability of fully automated external beam radiotherapy for cervical cancer with three different beam delivery techniques
Authors: Rhee Dong Joo , Jhingran Anuja , Huang Kai , Netherton Tucker J. , Fakie Nazia , White Ingrid , Sherriff Alicia , Cardenas Carlos E. , Zhang Lifei , Prajapati Surendra , Kry Stephen F. , Beadle Beth M. , Shaw William , O'Reilly Frederika , Parkes Jeannette , Burger Hester , Trauernicht Chris , Simonds Hannah , Court Laurence E. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeTo fully automate CT‐based cervical cancer radiotherapy by automating contouring and planning for three different treatment techniques.MethodsWe automated three different radiotherapy planning techniques for locally advanced cervical cancer: 2D 4‐field‐box (4‐field‐box), 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). These auto‐planning algorithms were combined with a previously developed auto‐contouring system. To improve the quality of the 4‐field‐box and 3D‐CRT plans, we used an in‐house, field‐in‐field (FIF) automation program. Thirty‐five plans were generated for each technique on CT scans from multiple institutions and evaluated by five experienced radiation oncologists from three different countries. Every plan was reviewed by two of the five radiation oncologists and scored using a 5‐point Likert scale.ResultsOverall, 87%, 99%, and 94% of the automatically generated plans were found to be clinically acceptable without modification for the 4‐field‐box, 3D‐CRT, and VMAT plans, respectively. Some customizations of the FIF configuration were necessary on the basis of radiation oncologist preference. Additionally, in some cases, it was necessary to renormalize the plan after it was generated to satisfy radiation oncologist preference.ConclusionApproximately, 90% of the automatically generated plans were clinically acceptable for all three planning techniques. This fully automated planning system has been implemented into the radiation planning assistant for further testing in resource‐constrained radiotherapy departments in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Reproducibility of rapid multi‐parameter mapping at 3T and 7T with highly segmented and accelerated 3D‐EPI
Authors: Wang Difei , Ehses Philipp , Stöcker Tony , Stirnberg Rüdiger 
Published: July 2022

PurposeQuantitative multi‐parameter mapping (MPM) has been shown to provide good longitudinal and cross‐sectional reproducibility for clinical research. Unfortunately, acquisition times (TAs) are typically infeasible for routine scanning at high resolutions.MethodsA fast whole‐brain MPM protocol based on interleaved multi‐shot 3D‐EPI with controlled aliasing (SC‐EPI) at 3T and 7T is proposed and compared with MPM using a standard spoiled gradient echo (FLASH) sequence. Four parameters (R1, PD, , and MTsat) were measured in less than 3 min at 1 mm isotropic resolution. Five subjects went through the same scanning sessions twice at each scanner. The intra‐subject coefficient of variation (scan–rescan) (CoV) was estimated for each protocol and scanner to assess the longitudinal reproducibility.ResultsAt 3T, the CoV of SC‐EPI ranged between 1.2%–4.8% for PD and R1, 2.8%–10.6% for and MTsat, which was comparable with FLASH (0.6%–4.9% for PD and R1, 2.6%–11.3% for and MTsat). At 7T, where the SC‐EPI TA was reduced to ∼2 min, the CoV of SC‐EPI (1.4%–10.6% for PD, R1, and ) was 1.2–2.4 times larger than the CoV of FLASH (1.0%–15%) and MTsat showed much higher variability across subjects. The SC‐EPI‐MPM protocol at 3T showed high reproducibility and yielded stable quantitative maps at a clinically feasible resolution and scan time, whereas at 7T, MT saturation homogeneity needs to be improved.ConclusionSC‐EPI‐based MPM is feasible as an additional MRI modality in clinical or population studies where the parameters offer great potential as biomarkers.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1, glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon receptor poly‐agonists: a new era in obesity pharmacotherapy
Authors: Malik Is‐haq O. , Petersen Max C. , Klein Samuel 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAchieving successful long‐term weight loss with lifestyle modification in people with obesity is difficult and underscores the need for effective pharmacotherapy. Since 1947, a total of 18 medications have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating obesity; however, only 5 remain available for long‐term use in the US. Semaglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist approved in 2021, demonstrated much greater weight loss than previous medications, which stimulated the development of poly‐agonists that combine GLP‐1 receptor agonism with glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon receptor agonism. The potential of this approach was recently demonstrated by the extraordinary weight loss achieved by tirzepatide, a GLP‐1/GIP receptor dual agonist. The therapeutic efficacy of poly‐agonists is likely to change the treatment paradigm for obesity. However, the use of medications for obesity, as for other chronic diseases, will likely require lifelong treatment, which makes it important to analyze the long‐term efficacy, safety, and economic implications of chronic pharmacotherapy.
Crucial role of Ca2+/CN signalling pathway in the antifungal activity of disenecioyl‐cis‐khellactone against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Song Ping‐Ping , Wang Yu , Hou Yi‐Ping , Mao Xue‐Wei , Liu Zong‐Liang , Wei Min , Yu Jin‐Ping , Wang Bi , Qian Yi‐Yun , Yan Lu , Xu Shu , Jiang Yan‐Qin , Zhou Dong‐Qin , Yin Min , Dou Jian 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDBotrytis cinerea causes grey mould and is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens affecting important fruit and vegetable crops. In preliminary studies, we found that disenecioyl‐cis‐khellactone (DK) had strong antifungal activity against several fungi species including B. cinerea [half maximal effective concentration (EC50) = 11.0 μg mL−1]. In this study, we aimed to further evaluate the antifungal activity of DK against B. cinerea and determine the role of calcium ion/calcineurin (Ca2+/CN) signalling pathway on its antifungal effect.RESULTSDK was effective against B. cinerea in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Exogenous Ca2+ reduced the antifungal activity of DK. The combination of DK and cyclosporine A (CsA) did not exhibit an additive effect against B. cinerea. In contrast to CsA, DK reduced the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in B. cinerea. DK bound to calcineurin A (cnA) and up‐regulated the expression of PMC1 and PMR1 genes. Moreover, DK sensitivity of △bccnA significantly decreased compared with that of Bc05.10 strain.CONCLUSIONDK is a promising lead compound for developing fungicides against B. cinerea. The Ca2+/CN signalling pathway plays a crucial role in the DK antifungal activity, and cnA is one of the targets of DK against B. cinerea. DK directly reacts with cnA, which up‐regulates the transcription of Ca2+/CN‐dependent target genes PMC1 and PMR1, decreasing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and disturbing the intracellular Ca2+ balance, leading to cell death. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.