bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting diagnostic gene biomarkers in patients with diabetic kidney disease based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis and machine-learning algorithms
Authors: Gao Qian , Wang Yanan , Xu Wenfang , Jin Huawei 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective: The present study was designed to identify potential diagnostic markers for diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods: One publicly available gene expression profile (GSE142153 dataset) from human DKD and control samples were downloaded from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between 23 DKD and 10 control samples. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to find the modules related to DKD. The overlapping genes of DEGs and Turquoise modules were narrowed down using the LASSO regression model and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) analysis to identify candidate biomarkers. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value was obtained and used to evaluate discriminatory ability. Results: A total of 110 DEGs were obtained: 64 genes were significantly upregulated and 46 genes were significantly downregulated. WGCNA found that the turquoise module had the strongest correlation with DKD (R= -0.58, P=4×10-4). Thirty-eight overlapping genes of DEGs and turquoise modules were extracted. The identified DEGs were mainly involved in p53 signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, JAK−STAT signaling pathway and FoxO signaling pathway between and the control. CXCL3 and LINC00282 were identified as diagnostic markers of DKD with an AUC of 0.97 (95% CI 0.9–1.0) in CXCL3, AUC of 1 (95% CI1–1) in LINC00282.Conclusion: CXCL3 and LINC00282 were identified as diagnostic biomarkers of DKD and can provide new insights for future studies on the occurrence and the molecular mechanisms of DKD.
A predictive model of macrosomic birth based upon real-world clinical data from pregnant women
Authors: Gao Jing , Shi Huwei , Chen Chao , Xiao Zhongzhou , Chen Lei , Wang Ping , Yang Sen , Chen Jiayuan , Chen Ruiyao , Lu Lu , Luo Shuqing , Yang Kaixiang , Xu Jie , Cheng Weiwei 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aim: To develop a nomogram model for the prediction of macrosomia using real-world clinical data.Methods: In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of pregnant women who delivered singleton infants at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai from 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2019. We extracted the data from a total of 13,403 pregnant women for this study, with the original dataset split into a training set (n = 9,382) and a validation set (n = 4,021) at a 7:3 ratio to generate and validate our model. The independent risk factors for macrosomia in pregnant women were analyzed employing multivariate logistic regression, and the nomogram model used to predict the risk of macrosomia in pregnant women was established and verified with R software.Results: We compared the differences between the macrosomic and non-macrosomic groups within the training set and found 16 independent risk factors for macrosomia (P < 0.05), including biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), femur length (FL), amniotic fluid index (AFI) at the last prenatal examination, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and triglycerides (TG). Values for the areas under the curve (AUC) for the nomogram model were 0.917 (95% CI, 0.908-0.927) and 0.910 (95% CI, 0.894-0.927) in the training set and validation set, respectively. The internal and external validation of the nomogram demonstrated favorable calibration as well as discriminatory capability of the model.Conclusions: Our model has precise discrimination and calibration capabilities, which can help clinical healthcare staff accurately predict macrosomia in pregnant women.
Electrogenic Staphylococcus epidermidis colonizes nasal cavities and alleviates IL-6 progression induced by SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein
Authors: Zayabaatar Enkhbat , Trinh Tang Nguyen Mai , Pham Minh Tan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The cytokine storm leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ dysfunction in COVID-19 cases. One of the major cytokines is IL-6, which is positively associated with the severity of the condition. In the present study, nasal inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (NPP) elevated IL-6 abundancy in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in mice. Staphylococcus epidermidis K1 (S. epidermidis K1)-colonized mice nasally administered with glycerol or FMN resulted in a reduction of NPP-induced IL-6. S. epidermidis fermented glycerol to generate a large amount of electrons which further supported bacterial colonization. Inhibition of riboflavin kinase in S. epidermidis considerably suppressed the effect of nasal S. epidermidis plus glycerol on the decrement of NPP-induced IL-6. Taken together, our results show that nasal colonization of S. epidermidis mitigates a cytokine storm caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Evaluation of a Competency Based Medical Curriculum in a Sub-Saharan African Medical School
Authors: McKenzie-White Jane , Mubuuke Aloysius G. , Westergaard Sara , Munabi Ian G , Bollinger Robert C , Opoka Robert , Mbalinda Scovia N , Katete David , Manabe Yukari C , Kiguli Sarah 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Medical schools in Sub-Saharan Africa have adopted competency based medical education (CBME) to improve the quality of graduates trained. In 2015, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MaKCHS) implemented CBME for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme in order to produce doctors with the required attributes to address community health needs. However, no formal evaluation of the curriculum has been conducted to assess the alignment of the assessment methods to the competencies.
Objective
To evaluate the MBChB curriculum for alignment of the assessment methods with the stated competencies.
Methods
The evaluation adopted a cross-sectional study design in which the MBChB curriculum was evaluated using the Essential Course Evidence Form (ECEF) that was developed to collect information about each assessment used for each course. Information was collected on: 1) Assessment title, 2) Description, 3) Competency domain 4) Sub-competency measured, 5) Student instructions, and 6) Grading method/details. Data were entered into a structured Access data base. In addition, face-to-face interviews were conducted with faculty course coordinators.
Results
The MBChB curriculum consisted of 62 courses over 5 years, focusing on preclinical skills in years 1–2 and clinical skills in years 3–5. Fifty-nine competencies were identified and aggregated into the 9 domains. Fifty-eight competencies were assessed at least one time in the curriculum. Faculty cited limited training in assessment as well as large student numbers as hindrances to designing robust assessments for the competencies.
Conclusion
CBME was successfully implemented at MaKCHS and the faculty interviewed were largely aware of it. All but one of the 59 competencies within the nine domains established were assessed within the MBChB curriculum. Faculty need more training in competency-based assessment to improve the implementation of CBME.
Prediction of difficult laryngoscopy / difficult intubation cases using upper airway ultrasound measurements in emergency department; A diagnostic study
Authors: Sotoodehnia Mehran , Khodayar Maryam , Jalali Alireza , Momeni Mehdi , Safaie Arash , Abdollahi Atefeh 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Difficult laryngoscopy and intubation are serious problems among critically ill patients in emergency department (ED) so utility of a rapid, accurate and noninvasive method for predicting of these patients are necessary. Ultrasonography has been recently used in this regard and this study was conducted to investigate the correlation of some introduced upper airway ultrasound parameters with difficult laryngoscopy / difficult intubation in patients referred to the ED. Method: In this diagnostic study all patients ≥18-year-old who had an indication for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) were included. Ultrasound parameters including Hyoid Bone Visibility (HBV), Distance from Skin to Hyoid Bone (DSHB), Distance from Skin to Vocal Cords (DSVC), Distance from Skin to Thyroid Isthmus (DSTI), and Distance between Arytenoids Cartilages (DBAC) were measured in all cases. The patients underwent RSI and thereafter the patients’ baseline characteristics, Cormack-Lehane grade, number of attempted laryngoscopy were recorded in a pre-prepared check list and compared with measured ultrasound parameters. The “difficult laryngoscopy” was defined as Cormack-Lehane classification grades III/IV; and need for more than 3 intubation attempts was considered as “difficult intubation”.Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients (52% male) were included of whom 10 patients (8.1%) were categorized as difficult laryngoscopy cases; and just 4 (3.3%) cases underwent more than 3 laryngoscopy attempts who considered as difficult intubation cases. The mean age of the patients in non-difficult and difficult intubation groups were 69.2±15.16 and 68.77±17.37 years, respectively (p>0.05). There was no significant relationship between difficult laryngoscopy and HBV (P=0.381) but has significant correlation with difficult intubation (p=0.004). The DSHB had a significant correlation with difficult laryngoscopy (p=0.002) but its correlation with difficult intubation was not significant (p=0.629). The DSVC and DSTI had a significant relationship with both difficult laryngoscopy (p=0.003 and p=0.001), and difficult intubation (p=0.025 and p=0.001). The DBAC had not significant correlation neither with the difficult laryngoscopy (p=0.142), nor with difficult intubation (p=0.526).Conclusion: The findings showed that ultrasound parameters including soft tissue DSHB, DSVC and DSTI could be proper predictors of difficult laryngoscopy. Also, HBV, DSVC and DSTI may be proper predictors for difficult intubation. But DBAC was not useful in this regard.
Loss of parasitoid diversity in China’s corn agro-ecosystem over a 30-year time period
Authors: Hu Zunrui , Myint Yee Yee , Zhang Tiantao , Bai Shuxiong , He Kanglai , Wyckhuys Kris A.G. , Li Zhengxi , Wang Zhenying 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Globally, insects are undergoing a rapid decline in abundance and diversity. Despite varying degrees of scientific attention across insect taxa and geographies, these patterns can entail an extinction of ecological interactions and a decay of ecosystem functions. In this study, we compared the spatial distribution, abundance and species composition of Trichogramma spp. egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) over a 30-year time period in China. During the 1980s and in 2016–2018, egg masses of the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis, were systematically sampled in multiple key farming regions. In 2018, five species were identified using morphological and molecular methods, with Trichogramma ostriniae representing 90% of the species complex. Since the 1980s, two new species have made their appearance (i.e., T. brassicae, T. bilinggensis), while nine (out of 12; i.e., 75%) species have disappeared. Across sites, species richness and diversity have declined by a respective 25–86% and 56–100% (except for Heilongjiang province) over this time frame. We hypothesize that this loss of functional diversity is attributed to the progressive intensification of corn cropping systems, involving landscape simplification, pesticide use and the loss of (crop, non-crop) plant diversity. Conversely, no evidence was found that augmentative biological control (as compared to pesticide-based measures) negatively affected the resident parasitoid community in farm settings. Given the drastic reduction in ACB parasitoid richness, agro-ecological measures and diversification strategies should be deployed to restore the ecological resilience of local farming systems. Our work thus carries major implications for food security and helps to muster support for more nature-friendly, pest-resilient farming systems in China and abroad.
TransPrompt v2: Transferable Prompt-based Fine-tuning for Few-shot Text Classification
Authors: Wang Jianing , Wang Chengyu , Chen Cen , Gao Ming , Huang Jun , Zhou Aoying 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Recent studies have shown that prompt-based fine-tuning improves the performance of large Pre-trained Language Models (PLMs) for few-shot text classification. Specifically, this type of method transforms the text classification task into the inherent Masked Language Modeling (MLM) with some natural language prompts and verbalizers to bridge the gap between the pre-training stage and the fine-tuning stage. Yet, it is unclear how the prompting knowledge can be transferred across similar or distant NLP tasks, for the purpose of mutual reinforcement. Based on continuous prompt embeddings, we propose TransPrompt v2, a novel transferable prompting framework for few-shot learning across similar or distant text classification tasks. For transferable prompt learning across similar tasks, we employ a multi-task meta-knowledge acquisition procedure to train a meta-learner that captures the cross-task transferable knowledge. For learning across distant tasks, we further introduce the task type descriptions and propose intra-type and inter-type prompt encoders to capture implicit mutual relations among multiple distant tasks. Additionally, two de-biasing techniques are further designed to make the trained meta-learner more task-agnostic and unbiased towards any tasks. After that, the meta-learner can be fine-tuned for specific tasks with better parameters initialization. Extensive experiments show that TransPrompt v2 outperforms single-task and cross-task strong baselines over multiple NLP tasks and datasets. We further show that the meta-learner can effectively improve the performance of PLMs on previously unseen tasks. In addition, TransPrompt v2 also outperforms strong fine-tuning baselines when learning with full training sets.
p53 downregulates PD-L1 expression via miR-34a to inhibit the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells: A potential clinical immunotherapeutic target
Authors: Deng Siyu , Wang Mengna , Wang Chenglong , Zeng Yan , Qin Xue , Tan Yiwen , Liang Bing , Cao Youde 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Compared with other breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has poorer responses to therapy and lower overall survival rates. The use of an inhibitor of immune checkpoint programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a promising treatment strategy and is approved for malignant tumors, especially for TNBC. p53 regulates various biological processes, but the association between p53 and immune evasion remains unknown. miR-34a is a known tumor suppressor and p53-regulated miRNA that is downregulated in several cancers; however, it has not been reported in TNBC. Herein, we aimed to explore the regulatory signaling axis among p53, miR-34a and PD-L1 in TNBC cells in vivo and in tissue and to improve our understanding of immunotherapy for TNBC. p53-EGFP, p53-siRNA and miR-34a mimics were transfected into TNBC cell lines, and the interaction between miR-34a and PD-L1 was analyzed via dual-luciferase reporter assays. We found that p53 could inhibit the expression of PD-L1 via miR-34a and that miR-34a could inhibit both cell activity and migration and promoted apoptosis and cytotoxicity in TNBC. Furthermore, miR-34a agomir was injected into MDA-MB-231 tumors of nude mice. The results showed that miR-34a could inhibit tumor growth and downregulate the expression of PD-L1 in vivo. A total of 133 TNBC tissue samples were analyzed by immunochemistry; the proportion of positive expression of PD-L1 was 57.14% (76/133), and the proportion of samples with negative expression of PD-L1 was 42.86% (57/133). Our research may provide a novel potential target for TNBC.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt versus endoscopic third ventriculostomy for post-thalamic hemorrhage hydrocephalus
Authors: Chen Bin , Lu Wenchao , Feng Kang , Xu Jun , Jia Dong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective
To compare the efficacy of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in the treatment of hydrocephalus after thalamic hemorrhage (TH), so as to provide reasonable surgical treatment.
Methods
The clinical data of 87 patients with hydrocephalus after TH admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into VPS group and ETV group according to different surgical methods. The operation time, hospital stay, complications and reoperation rate of the two groups were compared.
Results
There was no statistical difference in intraoperative bleeding and length of hospital stay between the two groups, and all patients had external ventricular drainage. (EVD) removed successfully after surgery. 7 (16.6%) complications in the ETV group and 5 (11.0%) complications in the VPS group. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups. 10 cases (26.2%) in the ETV group required reoperation and 4 cases (8.9%) in the VPS group required reoperation. There was significant difference in reoperation rate between the two groups. In subgroup analysis, TH with fourth ventricular hemorrhage, 7 cases (16.7%) required reoperation in the ETV and 1 case (2.2%) required reoperation in the VPS group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant.
Conclusion
Both ETV and VPS have good efficacy in treating hydrocephalus caused by TH and TH breaking into the lateral ventricle and the third ventricle, and the EVD can be successfully removed after surgery. However, if the hydrocephalus caused by TH with fourth ventricular hematoma, the reoperation rate of ETV is higher, and such patients are more suitable for VPS. Therefore, the choice of surgical methods should be adopted based on the patient's clinical manifestations, hematoma type.
Evolution of moist wound healing: Methods of autologous tissue regeneration
Authors: Yamamoto Kenji , Miwa Senri , Yamada Tomoyuki , Setozaki Shuji , Hamuro Mamoru , Kurokawa Shunji , Enomoto Sakae 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Since the first report of an autologous tissue regeneration technique in 1962, hydrocolloids have been widely used for wound closure. However, complete closure of the wound may result in an infection, which is a major setback. Several dressing types have been unable to circumvent this issue and are not recommended in infected wounds. Wound infection is difficult to determine; in several countries, the wound is often covered with conventional gauze rather than a covering material. The novel ability of irreversible membrane dressings to absorb leachate irreversibly while retaining surface moisture has dramatically improved outcomes in Japan. Our results show that moist wound healing maximizes autologous tissue regeneration, hastens epithelialization, and reduces infection.
Clinical outcome and genotype analysis of 4 Chinese children with pyruvate kinase deficiency
Authors: Xie Fei , Gan Lu , Lei Lei , Cai Tengguang , Gao Yu , Liu Xiaoying , Cai Bin , Zhou Lin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective: To summarize the clinical features and laboratory examinations of 4 Chinese children with pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD)，and analyze genomic mutations. Method: Collected and analyzed the clinical data of all children and their parents, and completed the relevant laboratory examinations of all children. Analyzed the sequences of related genes in children by second-generation sequencing technology, and verified the suspected mutations in children's family by Sanger sequencing method or second-generation sequencing technology. Results: A total of 6 mutations in gene PKLR were detected in 4 cases. Except for c.1510C>T (P1) and c.941T>C(P2 and P4), which had been reported in previous studies, the other 4 novel gene mutations were reported for the first time, including a rare homozygous mutation with large fragment deletion. All those gene mutations cause changes in the amino acids encoded by the gene, as well as subsequent changes in protein structure or loss of function. Conclusion: Compound heterozygous or homozygous mutations in the coding region of PKLR gene are the causes of PKD in these 4 Chinese children. The second-generation sequencing technology is an effective means to diagnose PKD. The mutations of c.457-c.462delATCGCC, c.1297T>C, c.1096C>T and Exon4-10del of PKLR reported in this article have not been included in the Thousand Genome Database, dbSNP(v138) and ExAC Database. The PKLR gene mutations found in these children with PKD can provide references for further research of the genetic characteristics of PKD and subsequent gene therapy.
Implementation of distance learning IMCI training in rural districts of Tanzania
Authors: Isangula Kahabi , Ngadaya Esther , Manu Alexander , Mmweteni Mary , Philbert Doreen , Burengelo Dorica , Kagaruki Gibson , Senkoro Mbazi , Kimaro Godfather , Kahwa Amos , Mazige Fikiri , Bundala Felix , Iriya Nemes , Donard Francis , Kitinya Caritas , Minja Victor , Nyakairo Festo , Gupta Gagan , Pearson Luwei , Kim Minjoon , Mfinanga Sayoki , Baker Ulrika , Hailegebriel Tedbabe Degefie 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The standard face-to-face IMCI training continues to be surrounded by concerns of low coverage of trainees, absenteeism of trainees from health facility for prolonged time and high cost of training. Consequently, distance learning IMCI training model is increasingly promoted to partly address some of these challenges in resource limited settings. This paper examines participants’ accounts of implementation of the paper based IMCI distance learning training programme in the three district councils in Mbeya regionMETHODS: A cross-sectional qualitative design was employed as part of an endline evaluation study of PSBI implementation in Busokelo, Kyela and Mbarali District Councils in Mbeya Region of Tanzania. KII were conducted with purposefully selected policymakers, partners, programme managers and healthcare workers including beneficiaries and training facilitators.RESULTS: About 60 KIIs were conducted of which, 53% of participants were healthcare workers composed of nurses, clinicians, and pharmacists and; 22% were healthcare administrators including DMOs, RCH coordinators and programme officers. The findings indicate that DIMCI was designed to address concerns of standard IMCI by enhancing efficiency, increasing outputs and reducing training costs. DIMCI included a mix of brief face-to-face orientation sessions, several weeks of self-directed learning, group discussions and brief face-to-face review sessions with facilitators. DIMCI course covered topics related to management of sick newborns, referral decisions and reporting with nurses and clinicians as the main beneficiaries of the training. The problems with DIMCI included technological challenges related to limited access to proper learning technology such as computers and unfriendly learning materials, personal challenges including work-study-family demands, and design and coordination challenges including low financial incentives contributing to defaulters and limited mentorship and follow-ups due to limited funding and transport.CONCLUSION: DMICI appears to have been implemented successfully in rural Tanzania, it facilitated training of many HCWs at a low cost and resulted into improved knowledge, competence and confidence among HCWs in management of sick newborns. However, technological, personal, and design and coordination challenges continue to face learners in rural areas that need to be addressed to maximize the success of DIMCI.