bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-world multicentre analysis of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy in localized or oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (KOMPASSneoOP)
Authors: Faehling Martin , Witte Hanno , Sebastian Martin , Ulmer Matthias , Sätzler Rainer , Steinestel Konrad , Brückl Wolfgang M. , Evers Georg , Büschenfelde Christian Meyer zum , Bleckmann Annalen 
Published: March 2022

Background: Recent clinical trials demonstrate the feasibility of neoadjuvant immuno(chemo)therapy and report high rates of pathological remission, a surrogate marker for overall survival. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective multicentre real-world analysis of patients with locally resectable NSCLC, including oligometastatic disease, who received neoadjuvant immuno(chemo)therapy and resection. Consolidating immunotherapy was applied following multidisciplinary board recommendation. Primary endpoint was the rate of complete pathological response (pCR, no residual vital tumour cells) or major pathological response (MPR, ⩽ 10% residual vital tumour cells). Secondary endpoints included the radiological response and survival. Results: Seven centres contributed 59 patients (56% stage IIB–IIIC, 44% in stage IVA–IVB with up to four oligometastatic sites). MPR was found in 68% including 53% with pCR. There were no radiological progressions. Median follow-up was 24.3 months. At 12 and 24 months, progression-free survival was 82.6% and 68.1%, and overall survival was 89.5% and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study encompassed the largest NSCLC real-world cohort treated with neoadjuvant immuno(chemo)therapy to date. In routine clinical practice, resection after neoadjuvant immuno(chemo)therapy is feasible in patients with locally resectable NSCLC, including oligometastatic disease. In line with clinical trials, we found MPR in more than two-thirds of patients. Early data show encouraging survival.
Associated risk factor of tuberculosis infection among adult patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Diriba Kuma , Awulachew Ephrem 
Published: March 2022

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem causing death among millions of people each year. Even though many of the World Health Organization recommended tuberculosis control strategies were implemented, there is still a major gap in tuberculosis case detection and treatment which resulted in rapid transmission of the cases in high burden countries. This study aimed to provide updated information on the contributing factors for the development of tuberculosis. Methods: A case–control study was carried out in Gedeo Zone from February to July 2021 to assess the risk factors of tuberculosis. Cases were confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients with age ⩾18 years, while controls were participants who were confirmed to be pulmonary tuberculosis negative with the same age. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the associated risk factor. Results: A total of 368 individuals (173 cases and 173 controls) were included in this study. Based on the multivariable logistic regression analysis, we identified six variables as independent risk factors for the development of tuberculosis after controlling possible confounders. Those were patients with income <1500 Ethiopian birr per month (adjusted odds ratio = 2.35; 95% confidence interval: 1.22–3.97), patients with no educational background (illiterate) (adjusted odds ratio = 2.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.17–2.51), patients smoking cigarette (adjusted odds ratio = 2.89; 95% confidence interval: 2.10–3.82), patients chewing khat (adjusted odds ratio = 2.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.28–3.79), patients in close contact with known tuberculosis cases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.63; 95% confidence interval: 2.24–4.46), and patients being positive for HIV (adjusted odds ratio = 3.01; 95% confidence interval: 1.07–3.52) who were found to be significantly associated with tuberculosis development, while Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination had a protective effect against the development of tuberculosis (adjusted odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.88). Conclusion: The priority should be given to the identified contributing factors through application of coordinated efforts on screening of patients suspected for pulmonary tuberculosis and all contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and treatment of known tuberculosis cases, and appropriate control methods to reduce Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases.
Long-term follow-up for the development of subsequent malignancies in patients treated with genetically modified IECs
Authors: Steffin David H. M. , Muhsen Ibrahim N. , Hill LaQuisa C. , Ramos Carlos A. , Ahmed Nabil , Hegde Meenakshi , Wang Tao , Wu Mengfen , Gottschalk Stephen , Whittle Sarah B. , Lulla Premal D. , Mamonkin Maksim , Omer Bilal , Rouce Rayne H. , Heczey Andras , Metelitsa Leonid S. , Grilley Bambi J. , Robertson Catherine , Torrano Virginia , Lapteva Natalia , Gee Adrian P. , Rooney Cliona M. , Brenner Malcolm K. , Heslop Helen E. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Subsequent malignancies are well-documented complications in long-term follow-up of cancer patients. Recently, genetically modified immune effector (IE) cells have shown benefit in hematologic malignancies and are being evaluated in clinical trials for solid tumors. Although the short-term complications of IE cells are well described, there is limited literature summarizing long-term follow-up, including subsequent malignancies. We retrospectively reviewed data from 340 patients treated across 27 investigator-initiated pediatric and adult clinical trials at our center. All patients received IE cells genetically modified with γ-retroviral vectors to treat relapsed and/or refractory hematologic or solid malignancies. In a cumulative 1027 years of long-term follow-up, 13 patients (3.8%) developed another cancer with a total of 16 events (4 hematologic malignancies and 12 solid tumors). The 5-year cumulative incidence of a first subsequent malignancy in the recipients of genetically modified IE cells was 3.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.8% to 6.4%). For 11 of the 16 subsequent tumors, biopsies were available, and no sample was transgene positive by polymerase chain reaction. Replication-competent retrovirus testing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was negative in the 13 patients with subsequent malignancies tested. Rates of subsequent malignancy were low and comparable to standard chemotherapy. These results suggest that the administration of IE cells genetically modified with γ retroviral vectors does not increase the risk for subsequent malignancy.
Effects of subchronic exposure of nonylphenol on the expression of immune-related factors and estrogen receptors in the spleen of rats
Authors: Fu Xiangjun , Xu Jie , Ni Chengyu , Yu Degang , Wang Haibo , Wang Pan , Luo Man , Yu Jie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that EDCs may activate nuclear transcription factor, such as activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor of activated Tcells (NF-AT) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the process of immune damage. At the same time, some experts believed that estrogen may play an important role in this process. As a typical representative of EDCs, nonylphenol (NP) has not been reported. The aim of this work was to explore the relationship between the immune inflammatory damage and the changes in estrogen expression in male rats during the chronic exposure to NP at environmental concentrations. Sixty SPF Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 12 per group): blank control group (corn oil), low-dose NP exposure group (0.4 mg/kg/d), medium-dose NP exposure group (4 mg/kg/d), high-dose NP exposure group (40 mg/kg/d), and estradiol control group (E2: 30 μg/kg/d).ResultsCompared with the control group, rat spleen organ coefficient, number of spleen nodules, relative area of lymph nodes and white pulp were relatively reduced in the L (NP, 0.4 mg/kg) and H (NP, 40 mg/kg) exposure dose groups (P < 0.001). Lymphocytes were rich in cytoplasm, mitochondria were swollen, part of the cristae was reduced, and rough endoplasmic reticulum was expanded. The serum levels of IgG (P < 0.001) and IgM (P = 0.002) showed a downward trend. The percentage of Th cells (CD3+CD4+) was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and the percentage of B lymphocytes shows an opposite trend (P < 0.001). Giemsa staining showed that the number of neutrophils (P < 0.001) was increased. The expressions of estrogen receptor ER-α and ER-β protein in the spleen increased significantly (P < 0.001). The expressions of AP-1 protein and NF-AT protein in the spleen were increased, and the expression of NF-KB protein was decreased (P < 0.001). The expressions of IL-4, ER-α and ER-β (P < 0.001) levels in serum increased. The mRNA-seq bioinformatics detection showed the final differentially expressed immune-inflammatory-related genes between the control and H-NP groups as follow: down-regulated: TLR4, Gata3, IL12, up-regulated: TNF-a, IL10, INOS. The mRNA expressions of ER-α, ER-β, NF-KB, IL4, AP-1, TLR4, Gata3, and NF-AT were consistent with the results of mRNA-seq analysis. NP content was correlated with the expressions of ER-α, ER-β, IL4, AP-1, NF-AT, TLR4, NF-KB, as well as IL-12 proteins in the spleen tissue ([r] < 1,P < 0.05).ConclusionsChronic exposure to NP at environmental concentration could cause immune dysfunction, resulting in immunotoxicity and inflammatory effects, and lead to changes in the activity of transcription factors and differential immune inflammatory factors in rats.Graphical Abstract
Genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of the PYL gene family in eight Rosaceae species and expression analysis of seeds germination in pear
Authors: Wang Guoming , Qi Kaijie , Gao Xin , Guo Lei , Cao Peng , Li Qionghou , Qiao Xin , Gu Chao , Zhang Shaoling 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAbscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone that plays important roles in the regulation of plant growth, seed germination, and stress responses. The pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYR/PYL) protein, an ABA receptor, was involved in the initial step in ABA signal transduction. However, the evolutionary history and characteristics of PYL genes expression remain unclear in Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) or other Rosaceae species. In this study, 67 PYL genes were identified in eight Rosaceae species, and have been classified into three subgroups based on specific motifs and phylogenetic analysis. Intriguingly, we observed that whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed duplication (DSD) have a major contribution to PYL family expansion. Purifying selection was the major force in PYL genes evolution. Expression analysis finds that PYL genes may function in multiple pear tissues. qRT-PCR validation of 11 PbrPYL genes indicates their roles in seed germination and abiotic stress responses. Our study provides a basis for further elucidation of the function of PYL genes and analysis of their expansion, evolution and expression patterns, which helps to understand the molecular mechanism of pear response to seed germination and seedling abiotic stress.
Changes in gene body methylation do not correlate with changes in gene expression in Anthozoa or Hexapoda
Authors: Dixon Groves , Matz Mikhail 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundAs human activity alters the planet, there is a pressing need to understand how organisms adapt to environmental change. Of growing interest in this area is the role of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, in tailoring gene expression to fit novel conditions. Here, we reanalyzed nine invertebrate (Anthozoa and Hexapoda) datasets to validate a key prediction of this hypothesis: changes in DNA methylation in response to some condition correlate with changes in gene expression.ResultsIn accord with previous observations, baseline levels of gene body methylation (GBM) positively correlated with transcription, and negatively correlated with transcriptional variation between conditions. Correlations between changes in GBM and transcription, however, were negligible. There was also no consistent negative correlation between methylation and transcription at the level of gene body methylation class (either highly- or lowly-methylated), anticipated under the previously described “seesaw hypothesis”.ConclusionOur results do not support the direct involvement of GBM in regulating dynamic transcriptional responses in invertebrates. If changes in DNA methylation regulate invertebrate transcription, the mechanism must involve additional factors or regulatory influences.
Strain-based discoordination imaging during exercise in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Feasibility and reproducibility
Authors: Fixsen Louis S. , Wouters Philippe C. , Lopata Richard G. P. , Kemps Hareld M. C. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Various parameters of mechanical dyssynchrony have been proposed to improve patient selection criteria for cardiac resynchronization therapy, but sensitivity and specificity are lacking. However, echocardiographic parameters are consistently investigated at rest, whereas heart failure (HF) symptoms predominately manifest during submaximal exertion. Although strain-based predictors of response are promising, feasibility and reproducibility during exercise has yet to be demonstrated.

Methods
Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed in patients with HF at two separate visits. Echocardiography was performed at rest, during various exercise intensity levels, and during recovery from exercise. Systolic rebound stretch of the septum (SRSsept), systolic shortening, and septal discoordination index (SDI) were calculated.

Results
Echocardiography was feasible in about 70–80% of all examinations performed during exercise. Of these acquired views, 84% of the cine-loops were suitable for analysis of strain-based mechanical dyssynchrony. Test–retest variability and intra- and inter-operator reproducibility at 30% and 60% of the ventilatory threshold (VT) were about 2.5%. SDI improved in the majority of patients at 30% and 60% of the VT, with moderate to good agreement between both intensity levels.

Conclusion
Although various challenges remain, exercise echocardiography with strain analysis appears to be feasible in the majority of patients with dyssynchronous heart failure. Inter- and intra-observer agreement of SRSsept and SDI up to 60% of the VT were comparable to resting values. During exercise, the extent of SDI was variable, suggesting a heterogeneous response to exercise. Further research is warranted to establish its clinical significance.
The clinical applicability of percutaneous splenic vein stent implantation for pancreatic portal hypertension
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Wang Qingbing , Ding Xiaoyi , Liu Qin , Huang Wei , Gu Junwei , Wang Zhongmin , Wu Wei , Wu Zhiyuan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Pancreatic portal hypertension (PPH) is a type of extrahepatic portal hypertension. We compared the clinical efficacy of different treatment methods for PPH caused by splenic vein stenosis in chronic pancreatitis.

Methods
This article retrospectively analyzed the PPH cases that were caused by splenic vein stenosis after chronic pancreatitis. Patients were divided into three groups according to the different treatments: splenic vein stent implantation (stent group), splenectomy, and only medications (conservative group). The treatment effects from each group were compared.

Results
A total of 33 patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study (9, 12, and 12 patients in each group respectively). All the procedures were successful in the stent and splenectomy groups. During the follow-up, no patient had gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence in the stent and splenectomy groups. However, in the conservative group, the incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were 50% and 25%. In the stent group, all the varicose veins at the base of the stomach had shrunk by varying degrees, and the red color signs regressed. The stent patency rate was 100%. No major complication occurred. The average platelet count at 1, 3, 6-months postoperatively were all significantly higher than the preoperative value (P < 0.05). The average postoperative hospital stay duration was significantly shorter than that of the splenectomy group (3.1 ± 1.4 days vs. 16.1 ± 8.1 days; P < 0.05). In the splenectomy group, postoperative fever occurred in 4 patients. Postoperative infection occurred in 2 patients (one with abdominal cavity infection and the other with incision infection). Delayed abdominal bleeding occurred in one patient. Portal vein thrombosis occurred in 2 patients during follow up.

Conclusion
Percutaneous splenic vein stent implantation for PPH treatment reduces the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with minimal invasive. It has a high safety and reliable efficacy and is worthy of further clinical promotion.
Remnant cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is a new powerful tool for identifying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zou Yang , Hu Chong , Kuang Maobin , Chai Yuliang 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Remnant cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (RC/HDL-C) ratio has been shown to be a good predictor of metabolic disease risk, but no studies have further investigated the role of RC/HDL-C ratio in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.

Methods
The participants were 14,251 adults who underwent a physical examination, all of whom underwent abdominal ultrasonography to determine whether they had NAFLD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the RC/HDL-C ratio and the risk of NAFLD.

Results
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after fully adjusting the confounding factors, the higher RC/HDL-C ratio was independently positively correlated with the risk of NAFLD. Interaction tests suggested that the effect of RC/HDL-C ratio on NAFLD was significantly affected by sex. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of RC/HDL-C ratio for identifying NAFLD was 0.82, which was significantly higher than that of other conventional lipid parameters.

Conclusions
This study indicates for the first time that the higher RC/HDL-C ratio in the general population may be closely related to the increased risk of NAFLD.
Sarcopenia and its association with objectively measured life-space mobility and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the oldest-old amid the COVID-19 pandemic when a physical distancing policy is in force
Authors: Kwan Rick Yiu Cho , Liu Justina Yat Wa , Yin Yue-Heng , Lee Paul Hong , Ng Siu Ying , Cheung Daphne Sze Ki , Kor Patrick Pui Kin , Lam Simon Ching , Lo Shirley Ka Lai , Yang Lin , Chan Siu Kay , Chiang Vico Chung Lim 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Introduction
The oldest-old are highly vulnerable to sarcopenia. Physical distancing remains a common and effective infection-control policy to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the pandemic. Sarcopenia is known to be associated with impaired immunity. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and life-space mobility (LSM) are potential strategies for minimizing the risk of sarcopenia. However, a physical distancing policy might jeopardize the practice of MVPA and LSM. The purposes of this study were to identify the prevalence of sarcopenia and examine the association between MVPA and LSM with sarcopenia in the community-dwelling oldest-old during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
This study employed a cross-sectional and observational design. The study was conducted in 10 community centres for older people in Hong Kong during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (September to December 2020). Eligible participants were the oldest-old people aged ≥85 years, who were community-dwelling and had no overt symptoms of cognitive impairment or depression. Key variables included sarcopenia as measured by SARC-F, LSM as measured by a GPS built into smartphones, and MVPA as measured by a wrist-worn ActiGraph GT3X+. Variables were described by mean and frequency. A multiple linear regression was employed to test the hypotheses. The dependent variable was sarcopenia and the independent variables included LSM and MVPA.

Results
This study recruited 151 eligible participants. Their mean age was 89.8 years and the majority of them were female (n = 93/151, 61.6%). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 24.5% (n = 37/151) with a margin of error of 6.86%. MVPA was negatively associated with sarcopenia in older people (β = − 0.002, SE = 0.001, p = 0.029). However, LSM was not associated with sarcopenia.

Conclusion
The prevalence of sarcopenia in the community-dwelling oldest-old population is high. MVPA is negatively associated with sarcopenia. LSM is unrelated to sarcopenia. Sarcopenia should be recognized and the oldest-old with sarcopenia should be accorded priority treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Age-modified factors associated with placental malaria in rural Burkina Faso
Authors: Bihoun Biébo , Zango Serge Henri , Traoré-Coulibaly Maminata , Valea Innocent , Ravinetto Raffaella , Van Geertruyden Jean Pierre , D’Alessandro Umberto , Tinto Halidou , Robert Annie 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Malaria in pregnancy can result in placental infection with fetal implications. This study aimed at assessing placental malaria (PM) prevalence and its associated factors in a cohort of pregnant women with peripheral malaria and their offspring.

Method
The data were collected in the framework of a clinical trial on treatments for malaria in pregnant women . Placental malaria (PM) was diagnosed by histopathological detection of parasites and/or malaria pigment on placenta biopsies taken at delivery. Factors associated with PM were assessed using logistic regression.

Results
Out of 745 biopsies examined, PM was diagnosed in 86.8 % of women. Acute, chronic and past PM were retrieved in 11 (1.5 %), 170 (22.8 %), and 466 (62.6 %) women, respectively. A modifying effect was observed in the association of gravidity or anemia at the study start with pooled PM (presence of parasites and/or malaria pigment). In women under 30, gravidity ≤ 2 was associated with an increased prevalence of pooled PM but in women aged 30 years or more, gravidity was no more associated with pooled PM (OR 6.81, 95 % CI 3.18 – 14.60; and OR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.10 – 2.76, respectively). Anemia was associated with pooled PM in women under 30 (OR 1.96, 95 % CI 1.03 – 3.72) but not in women aged 30 years or more (OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.31 – 1.49). Similarly, the association of gravidity with past-chronic PM depended also on age. A higher prevalence of active PM was observed in women under 30 presenting with symptomatic malaria (OR 3.79, 95 % CI 1.55 – 9.27), while there was no significant increase in the prevalence of active PM (presence of parasites only) in women with symptomatic malaria when aged 30 years or more (OR 0.42, 95 % CI 0.10 – 1.75). In women with chronic PM, the prevalence of low birth weight or prematurity was the highest (31.2 %) as compared with past PM or no PM.

Conclusion
Despite the rapid diagnosis and efficacious treatment of peripheral infection, the prevalence of placental malaria remained high in women with P. falciparum peripheral infection in Nanoro, especially in younger women This underlines the importance of preventive measures in this specific group.