bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A ferroptosis-related signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in cervical squamous carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yuling , Fu Xing , Yang Yiping 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death that plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the prognostic value of ferroptosis related genes (FRGs) in cervical squamous carcinoma (CSC) remains unknown. Method: Differentially expressed FRGs (DE-FRGs) were identified via the GEO2R online tool. Univariate and LASSO cox regression analyses were used to develop a ferroptosis-related signature. Kaplan-Meier curves, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), and Cox regression analyses were applied to explore the prognostic performance of signature. GSEA analysis was used to identify tumor hallmarks. The immune inflation and Immunophenoscore (IPS) analysis were used to predict immune response. Result: A total of 22 differentially expressed FRGs were screened between CSC and normal tissue. Based on the DE-FRGs, CSC patients were classified into three subtypes, with significant immune status and survival differences. The ferroptosis-related signature was developed based on 5-FRGs by LASSO cox regression analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 0.755, 0.701, and 0.697 in the TCGA, and 0.790, 0.756, and 0.701 in the GSE52903, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves indicate a poor prognosis for the high risk group. The riskscore was an independent prognostic factor. The term of hypoxia, epithelial mesenchymal transition，mtorc1signal，myc-targets were enriched in high risk group. The infiltration of T-cell CD8+, Myeloid dendritic cell resting，and Mast cell resting was higher in the low-risk group. IPS analysis suggests that patients with low risk score may be suitable for immunotherapy. We found a lower risk score correlated with the immunotherapy response (PR/CR) group than in the non-response (PD/SD) group by datasets of GSE78220 and IMvigor210. Surprisingly, the AUCs for predicting immune response were 0.728 and 0.628, respectively, which were better than PD-1 and PDL-1.Conclusion：We constructed a ferroptosis-related signature that can accurately predict prognosis and correlates with immune infiltration and immunotherapy.
Influence of glutathione-S-transferase polymorphisms on the metabolism of the potent aromatase inhibitor, exemestane
Authors: Teslenko Irina , Trudeau Julia , Luo Shaman , Watson Christy J.W. , Chen Gang , Truica Cristina I. , Lazarus Philip 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background:Exemestane (EXE) is used to treat post-menopausal women diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. A major mode of metabolism of EXE and its active metabolite, 17β-dihydroexemestane (17β-DHE), is via glutathionylation by glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of genetic variation in EXE-metabolizing GST enzymes on overall EXE metabolism.Methods:Seventy-five normal human liver tissue bank specimens, and plasma and urine from 68 ER+ breast cancer patients receiving EXE, were included in this study. Samples were genotyped for GSTA1 and GSTM1 by real-time PCR. The EXE-GS and DHE-GS conjugation rates in human liver specimens and levels of EXE-cys, DHE-cys and DHE-Gluc in plasma and urine were determined by UPLC/MS.Results:Ex vivo assays examining human liver revealed the GSTA1 *B/*B genotype was associated with significant decreases in EXE-GS (26%, p=0.034) and DHE-GS (15%, p=0.014) formation. In the plasma of 68 ER+ breast cancer patients treated with EXE, the GSTA1 *B*B genotype was associated with significant decreases in both EXE-cys (29%, p=0.0056) and DHE-cys (34%, p=0.032). A near-significant (ptrend=0.060) trend was observed for urinary EXE-cys levels from the same patients. In contrast, plasma and urinary DHE-Gluc levels were significantly increased (36%, p=0.00097; and 52%, p=0.0089, respectively) in patients with the GSTA1 *B*B genotype. No significant correlations were observed between GSTM1 genotype and EXE metabolite levels.Conclusions:These data suggest that the GSTA1*B allele is associated with interindividual variability in EXE metabolism and may play a role in overall response to EXE.Trial registration: retrospectively registered
Comprehensive immunovirological and environmental screening reveals risk factors for fatal COVID-19 during post-vaccination nursing home outbreaks
Authors: Cuypers Lize , Keyaerts Els , Hong Samuel , Gorissen Sarah , Menezes Soraya Maria , Starick Marick , Elslande Jan Van , Weemaes Matthias , Wawina-Bokalanga Tony , Vanmechelen Bert , Holm Bram Van , Bloemen Mandy , Dogne Jean-Michel , Dufrasne François , Durkin Keith , Ruelle Jean , De Mendonca Ricardo ,   COVID-19 Genomics Belgium Consortium, Wollants Elke , Vermeersch Pieter , Bouloffe Caroline , Djiena Achille , Broucke Caroline , Catry Boudewijn , Lagrou Katrien , Ranst Marc Van , Neyts Johan , Baele Guy , Maes Piet , André Emmanuel , Dellicour Simon , Weyenbergh Johan Van 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccination has resulted in excellent protection against fatal disease, including in the elderly. However, risk factors for post-vaccination fatal COVID-19 are largely unknown. We comprehensively studied three large nursing home outbreaks (20-35% fatal cases) by combining SARS-CoV-2 aerosol monitoring, whole-genome phylogenetic analysis, and immunovirological profiling by digital nCounter transcriptomics. Phylogenetic investigations indicated each outbreak stemmed from a single introduction event, though with different variants (Delta, Gamma, and Mu). SARS-CoV-2 was detected in aerosol samples up to 52 days after the initial infection. Combining demographic, immune and viral parameters, the best predictive models for mortality comprised IFNB1 or age, viral ORF7a and ACE2 receptor transcripts. Comparison with published pre-vaccine fatal COVID-19 signatures and reanalysis of single-cell RNAseq data highlights the unique immune signature in post-vaccine fatal COVID-19 outbreaks. A multi-layered strategy including environmental sampling, immunomonitoring, and early antiviral therapy should be considered to prevent post-vaccination COVID-19 mortality in nursing homes.
Psychometric Properties of the Medical Outcomes Study Perceived Social Support Survey and a Brief Version in a Sample of Cuban Seniors Suffering from Chronic Pain
Authors: Martín-Carbonell Marta , Pérez-Díaz Raquel 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: There is a consensus that receiving satisfactory social support is crucial for elderly people experiencing chronic pain; however, no instruments have been validated for the Cuban population. The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) is an instrument that has been widely validated across several countries, indicating significant psychometric properties to measure perceived social support; however, MOS has never been applied to Cubans. This study obtained evidence of the internal and external validity of the original MOS survey structure and its brief 8-item version in a sample of Cuban seniors with chronic pain.Methods: The sample included 200 Cuban single and retired seniors, with an intermediate level of education. The MOS Social Support Survey and a structured interview were conducted to obtain socio-demographic information and learn about the support perceived by elders in pain. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the structure. Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients were considered for internal consistency, in addition to the relation between the item variance and error variance (Average variance extracted). Furthermore, Spearman’s rho coefficient was used to estimate the correlations between the MOS scores and the support assessment given by seniors in pain.Results: All the models assessed through the CFA indicated good adjustment indices. However, the brief version of the model gave better results. Of the coefficients assessing internal consistency, the 2-factor 8-item version indicated the best indicators and accounted for greater variance not attributable to the error. Both versions of the MOS and their corresponding sub-scales obtained significant positive correlations with the support received by seniors in pain.Conclusions: The MOS (4-factor) and the 8-item brief version (with 2 factors) present suitable evidence of structural validity, internal consistency, and external validity.
Persistence and genetic diversity of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in soil during an epizootic
Authors: Sato Narimasa , Takashima Ayaka , Pavlushin Sergey , Martemyanov Vyacheslav , Sawahata Takuo , Yamashita Megumi , Inoue Maki 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth), one of the most destructive forest pests, causes periodic outbreaks culminating with an epizootic of the baculovirus L. dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV). However, the source and mode of LdMNPV infection remain unclear. To examine whether LdMNPV in the soil acts as an inoculum source for an epizootic, we performed DNA analyses and bioassays using samples collected in Yamanashi, Japan. In the study area, L. dispar outbreak began in 2019 and an LdMNPV epizootic occurred in 2020. Using purified occlusion bodies (OBs), the LC50 value of the droplet-feeding bioassay was 1.9 × 105 OBs/mL and that of the soil-feeding bioassay was 6.4 × 104 OBs/mL. PCR assay could detect purified OBs dose-dependently but not soil-mixed OBs. Soil-feeding bioassays using field-collected soils and PCR assay revealed that LdMNPV OBs maintained their biological potency and were estimated to be approximately 104 OBs/g soil. Larvae fed soil from after the epizootic showed a significant lower survival rate than ones fed soil from before the epizootic. DNA sequencing showed increased LdMNPV genetic diversity in the same locality and a single host during the epizootic, suggesting the migration of LdMNPV-infected larvae into the study site. Furthermore, a few identical LdMNPV haplotype were dominant during the epizootic, and the pathogenicity such as mortality rate and the OBs yields did not significantly differ between the LdMNPV isolates. These results suggest that LdMNPV in the soil is an important source of inoculum infecting L. dispar.
Improvement and Application of GAN Models for Time Series Image Prediction—A Case Study of Time Series Satellite Nephograms
Authors: Wang Ruifu , Teng Dongdong , Yu Wenqing , Zhang Xi , zhu jinshan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Predicting the shape evolution and movement of nephograms is a difficult task required for the effective monitoring and rapid prediction of thunderstorms, gales, rainstorms, and other disastrous weather conditions. With time sequence information as a constraint, forecasting and outputting nephogram data in the future can effectively compensate for the deficiencies of traditional nephogram methods. To improve the visual effect as much as possible and ensure the accuracy of the shape and movement trends of time series nephogram predictions, a GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) is used. Through comparative experiments and analyses, the best combination of the Mish activation function and Huber loss function is selected. We propose an improved GAN model for time series nephogram prediction in the following 3 aspects. A multineighborhood gradient difference loss is adopted to improve the sharpness of the prediction nephogram, a multiscale structure is used to improve the long-term performance of nephogram prediction, and the Wasserstein distance is introduced to replace JS divergence to ensure the normal updating of generator parameters. Experimental Results show that the improved multiscale model can maintain good visual effects and accurately depict the overall changes in and movement trends of nephograms. For example, for the improved model using four-neighborhood gradient difference loss, the overall average improvement in PSNR (peak signal-to-noise ratio) is 6.42% and SSIM (structural similarity) is 35.57%.
Clinical outcomes after arthroscopic revision excision of recurrent dorsal wrist ganglion cyst: a case series study
Authors: Zheng Tong , Huang Xingjian , Yang Yong , Li Bin , Li Feng , Li Zhongzhe 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The recurrence of dorsal wrist ganglion (DWG) cyst following excision has been reported up to 40%. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes regarding the functional evaluation and recurrence rate after the arthroscopic excision of recurrent DWG cysts.
Methods
From November 2017 to March 2020, 11 consecutive patients diagnosed as recurrent DWG cysts underwent revision excision in an arthroscopic approach. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was performed routinely before the surgery to identify the location and limits of the cyst. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The second recurrence was recorded if a mass reappeared at the same site, with a positive transillumination test. Pain during activity was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS). Active range of motion (ROM) of the wrist was measured by a goniometer, and the hand grip strength was measured using a digital dynamometer.
Results
After a mean follow-up period of 29.3 months (range, 24 to 34 months), no second recurrence of the cyst was recorded. The VAS score improved from 1.4 to 0.3 (P = 0.003), and the residual pain was reported by 3 patients (VAS score was 1 for each). The active wrist flexion increased from 73.6° to 78.2° (P = 0.016). No significant change was found in active wrist extension and hand grip strength (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
Arthroscopic excision of recurrent DWG cyst yielded satisfactory results with no second recurrence, significant pain relief, and good wrist function at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Clear identification of the location and limits of the ganglion based on the preoperative MRI could be helpful to achieve a complete excision and to prevent a second recurrence.
Brownian-Huygens propagation: modeling wave functions with discrete particle-antiparticle random walks
Authors: Hrgovcic Hrvoje J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
We present a simple method of discretely modeling solutions of the classical wave and Klein-Gordon equations using variations of random walks on a graph. Consider a collection of particles executing random walks on an undirected bipartite graph embedded in RD at discrete times Z, and assume those walks are “heat-like”, in the sense that a (conserved) density of particles obeys the heat equation in the continuum limit. If the particles possess a binary degree of freedom (so that they may be said to be either particles or “antiparticles”, i.e., “positive” or “negative), then there exist closely related branching random walks on the same graph that are “wave-like”, in the sense that their (also conserved) net density obeys the D-dimensional classical wave equation. Such wave-like paths can be generated even on random graphs. The transformation by which the heat-like random walks become wave-like branching random walks is as follows: at every time step, any “incoming” particle arriving at any node X of the graph along some edge eX creates a particle-antiparticle pair at that node, with the stipulation that the newly created particle with the opposite sign of the incoming particle must initially step (in “Huygens” back-propagation fashion) along eX in the reverse direction, while the other two take a step (in “Brownian” fashion) along any edge of X (including possibly eX) with equal likelihood, and chosen independently. An additional degree of freedom (resulting in “bra” and “ket” particles) leads to quasi-probability densities proportional to the square of the wave functions.
Drivers of ‘voluntary’ recruitment and challenges for families with adolescents engaged with armed groups: A conceptual framework from Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Blackwell Alexandra , Agengo Yvonne , Ozoukou Daniel , Wendt Julia Ulrike , Nigane Alice , Goana Paradis , Kanani Bertin , Falb Kathryn 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Globally, armed conflicts have increased threefold since 2010. The number of children voluntarily engaging with armed groups is also rising around the world, despite increasing recognition and efforts to prevent this grave human rights violation. However, traditional approaches focusing on the prevention, release, and reintegration of children through forced recruitment do not adequately address the complex and interlinking push and pull factors of voluntary recruitment. This qualitative study sought to deepen understanding of the drivers and consequences of voluntary recruitment from the perspectives of adolescents and their caregivers, as well as to explore how to better support families living in conflict settings.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 74 adolescents (44 boys and 30 girls aged 14 to 20 years) and 39 caregivers (18 men and 21 women aged 32 to 66 years) in two distinct conflict settings: the North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ouham-Pendé, Central African Republic. Adolescents respondents were either formerly involved in armed groups or were at risk of engaging, and caregivers were the primary caregivers for children formerly involved in armed groups. Interviews with adolescents utilized a visual narrative technique.Results: The findings examine the unique perspectives of adolescents engaged with armed groups and their caregivers to understand how conflict experiences, economic insecurity, and social insecurity influence children’s engagement with armed groups and reintegration with their families. The study found that families living in conflict settings are subject to traumatic experiences and economic hardship that erode protective family relationships, leaving adolescent boys and girls particularly vulnerable to the systemic and overlapping economic, social, institutional push and pull factors that influence them to engage with and return to armed groups.Conclusions: The findings illustrate how these factors can disrupt protective social structures, and inversely how familial support can act as a potential protective factor against recruitment and break the cycle of reengagement. By better understanding the experiences and needs of children enduring recruitment and how to support caregivers of those children, more comprehensive programming models can be developed to adequately prevent voluntary recruitment and promote successful reintegration, enabling children to reach their full potential.
Protein Structure Readouts of Cancer Drivers for Precision Medicine
Authors: Dhanjal Jaspreet Kaur , Kalra Rajkumar Singh 
Published: March 2022

Abstract:
Cancer is fundamentally a disease of perturbed genes. Although many mutations can be
marked in the genome of cancer or a transformed cell, the initiation and progression are driven by only
a few mutational events, viz., driver mutations that progressively govern and execute the functional impacts.
The driver mutations are thus believed to dictate and dysregulate the subsequent cellular proliferative
function/decisions, thereby producing a cancerous state. Therefore, identifying the driver events
from the genomic alterations in a patient’s cancer cell gained enormous attention recently for designing
better targeting therapies and paving the way for precision cancer medicine. With rolling advancements
in high-throughput omic technologies, analysis of genetic variations and gene expression profiles for
cancer patients has become a routine clinical practice. However, it is anticipated that protein structural
alterations resulting from such driver mutations can provide more direct and clinically relevant evidence
of disease states than genetic signatures alone. This review comprehensively discusses various
aspects and approaches that have been developed for the prediction of cancer drivers using genetic signatures
and protein structures and their potential application in developing precision cancer therapies.
New Aspects of the Virus Life Cycle and Clinical Utility of Next Generation
Sequencing based HIV-1 Resistance Testing in the Genomic, the Proviral,
and the Viral Reservoir of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Pröll Johannes , Paar Christian , Taylor Ninon , Skocic Matthias , Freystetter Andrea , Blaimschein Anna , Mayr Roland , Niklas Norbert , Atzmüller Sabine , Raml Edeltraud , Wechselberger Christian 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Typically, genotypic resistance testing is recommended at the start of antiretroviral
therapy and is even mandatory in cases of virologic failure. The material of choice is
plasma viral RNA. However, in patients with low viremia (viral load < 500 copies/ml), resistance
testing by population-based sequencing is very difficult.

Objective:
Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether next generation sequencing (NGS) from proviral
DNA and RNA could be an alternative.

Material and Methods:
EDTA blood samples (n = 36) from routine clinical viral load testing were
used for the study. Viral loads ranged from 96 to 390,000 copies/mL, with 100% of samples having
low viremia. Distribution of subtypes; A (n = 2), B (n = 16), C (n = 4), D (n = 2), G (1), CRF02 AG
(n = 5), CRF01 AE (n = 5), undefined/mixed (n = 4). The extracted consensus sequences were uploaded
to the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Data Base and Geno2pheno for online analysis of drug
resistance mutations and resistance factors.

Results:
A total of 2476 variants or drug resistance mutations (DRMs) were detected with Sanger
sequencing, compared with 2892 variants with NGS. An average of 822/1008 variants were identified
in plasma viral RNA by Sanger or NGS sequencing, 834/956 in cellular viral RNA, and
820/928 in cellular viral DNA.

Conclusions:
Both methods are well suited for the detection of HIV substitutions or drug resistance
mutations. Our results suggest that cellular RNA or cellular viral DNA is an informative alternative
to plasma viral RNA for variant detection in patients with low viremia, as shown by the high correlation
of variants in the different viral pools. We show that by using UDS, a plus of two DRMs per
patient becomes visible, which can make a big difference in the assessment of the expected resistance
behavior of the virus.
Sugar Consumption Pattern among Cardiometabolic Risk Individuals: A
Scoping Review
Authors: Azlan Azrina , Chiang Wan Ling , Yusof Barakatun-Nisak Mohd 
Published: March 2022

Background:
The global prevalence of noncommunicable diseases has risen rapidly
over the past decade. Research has focused on dietary management, particularly dietary sugar, to
prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases.

Objective:
This study undertakes a scoping review of research on the impacts of dietary sugar on
cardiometabolic related health outcomes.

Methods:
Ovid Medline, Scopus and Web of Science Core collection databases were used to identify
papers published from January 1, 2010 onwards. The included studies had to be cross-sectional
or cohort studies, peered review, published in English and in adults, aged 18 years old and above.
Articles had to determine the impacts of sugar intake on cardiometabolic related health outcomes.
Study quality was measured using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and
Cross-sectional Studies. In addition, a narrative synthesis of extracted information was conducted.

Results:
Thirty-one articles were included in this review. All studies had a large sample size, and
the exposure measure was clearly defined, valid and applied consistently across all study participants.
Exposure was measured using validated questionnaires. All data were statistically analysed
and adjusted for critical potential confounding variables. Results showed that dietary sugar intake
was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids,
and body weight.

Conclusion:
Dietary sugar intake significantly increased cardiometabolic risks through mechanisms
dependent and independent of weight gain. It is essential to create public awareness on the
topics of cardiometabolic risk management and dietary sugars intake.