bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invasion of an exotic annual forb affects grass‐feeding termites in a semi‐arid woodland
Authors: Val James , Eldridge David J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractInvasive plants are known to have dramatic and generally negative effects on ecosystems. The rapid spread and naturalization ofCarrichtera annua(wards weed) across large areas of southern Australia has been widely reported, but its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functions are poorly known. We examined the effects ofCarrichteraon grass‐feeding termitesDrepanotermesspp. and hypothesized that increasing cover ofCarrichterawould reduce termite abundance, which we assessed using the density of their above‐ground pavements as a proxy for density. Our study was conducted at two spatial scales to explore (i) potential effects ofCarrichterainvasion under variable intensities of grazing and (ii) differences between invaded and uninvaded sites at a long‐ungrazed conservation reserve. Increasing cover ofCarrichterawas associated with a greater density of pavements, both under grazed conditions and within the conservation reserve. However, increasing grazing intensity tended to be associated with reduced pavement density and size, through indirect reductions in plant biomass. Greater cover ofCarrichterawas associated with declines in the cover of native plants and biocrusts, but not native plant richness. Pavement size tended to decline with increasing pavement density. Under conservation,Carrichterasites supported more pavements, but densities declined markedly in drought years. The lower resilience to droughts and the fact that pavements inCarrichtera‐invaded sites tended to be less cemented and contain more ants, suggest that invasion byCarrichteramay have long‐term functional implications for processes mediated by termites. Increasingly, drier climates in southern Australia may exacerbate reductions in ecosystem functions given the pivotal role played by termites in dryland food webs and ecosystem functions.
I am an ordinary citizen: Human rights discourse and the limits of human rights law
Authors: Madson Nathan H. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHong Kong LGBT activists contend with an on‐the‐ground discourse of human rights that constrains their ability to use human rights law as they pursue legal gender recognition that allows trans people to legally change their gender. Mainstream Hongkongers lay claim to an “ordinary” identity in which human rights is central to being a Hongkonger. This use of human rights discourse is not based on human rights law but is used to define “ordinary Hongkongers” in opposition to mainland Chinese people. Thus, some LGBT activists employ humanizing interactions with trans people to reframe ordinariness to include trans Hongkongers, using human rights law only when it is demonstrative of expertise. Other LGBT activists continued use of human rights law in public fora contravenes hegemonic discourses of human rights, and these activists are interpolated as relying on foreign law to force social change in Hong Kong.
Evaluation of the QRS score for diagnosing coronary artery disease in women: A Finnish cardiovascular study
Authors: Beyene Serkalem D. , Nikus Kjell C. , Lehtimäki Terho J. , Kähönen Mika A. P. , Viik Jari J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundExercise electrocardiography is a widely used diagnostic modality for diagnosing coronary artery disease. This method has been used for both sexes; however, its diagnostic accuracy in women is limited.MethodsThe study analyzed 332 women participating in the Finnish Cardiovascular Study. Among 332 women, 125 with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (mean age 62.1 ± 9.5 years), 91 with a low likelihood of coronary artery disease (mean age 47.3 ± 13.5 years), and 116 without angiographically proven coronary artery disease (mean age 56.3 ± 9.9 years) were analyzed. The Q, R, S, and ST‐segment changes and QRS score were determined by subtracting the Q, R, S, and ST‐segment amplitudes immediately after the maximal exercise changes from their rest values (Δ). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the overall diagnostic performance of the parameters for predicting coronary artery disease.ResultsThe areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve between coronary artery disease and low likelihood of coronary artery disease groups for the QRS score and ΔSTV5, ΔQaVF, and ΔRaVF were 0.75, 0.73, 0.71, and 0.71, respectively. These areas were lower (0.62, 0.57, 0.60, and 0.60, respectively) between the groups with and without angiographically proven coronary artery disease. QRS score demonstrated the highest sensitivity at 80% specificity (61.5%) and the highest specificity at 80% sensitivity (57.6%).ConclusionsThis study suggests that the QRS and ST‐segment depression have a moderate diagnostic ability to predict coronary artery disease in women. Q and R waves in lead aVF showed good diagnostic ability.
Sarcopenia ‘made simple’ and outcomes from emergency laparotomy
Authors: Ming Yan Joyce , Howley Peter , Holmes Merran , Gani Jon , Pockney Peter 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundEmergency Laparotomy (EL) is recognized as high‐risk surgery with high mortality. Established surgical risk assessment tools (NELA Risk Prediction Calculator, P‐POSSUM, ACS‐NSQIP) are accurate predictors of morbidity and mortality. However, their multicomponent complexity limits their use in practice. Sarcopenia is associated with poorer surgical outcomes. This study tests for an association between a simple measure of radiological sarcopenia and mortality in EL patients in an Australian cohort.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of 500 patients admitted to four Australian hospitals who underwent EL during 2016–2017. All patients had a contemporaneous abdomino‐pelvic CT scan. Radiological sarcopenia was measured as the ratio of total psoas muscle area (PM) to L3 vertebral body cross sectional area (PM:L3). Patients were followed up to 12 months. Primary outcomes were 30‐, 90‐ and 365‐day mortality.ResultsThe mean 30‐day mortality predictions for NELA, P‐POSSUM and ACS‐NSQIP were 11.36%, 17.28% and 11.30% respectively. PM:L3 ratio was associated with 30‐, 90‐ and 365‐day mortality (P < 0.001) and sex (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with age (r = −0.4612; P < 0.001). Radiological sarcopenia had a weak negative correlation with NELA (r = −0.2737; P < 0.001), P‐POSSUM (r = −0.1880; P < 0.001) and ACS‐NSQIP (r = −0.2351; P < 0.001). The latter three metrics were significantly correlated (r > 0.5696; P < 0.001).ConclusionRadiological sarcopenia (CT‐assessed PM:L3) is a significant predictor of mortality in EL patients in Australia. The results of this study suggest that radiological sarcopenia is equivalent to established risk assessment tools. The more timely and easily accessible CT‐assessed PM:L3 metric is potentially automatable and may have significant utility in clinical practice.
Mechanical and interventional support for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A review
Authors: Gordon Jonathan S. , Blazoski Cameron M. , Wood Chelsey T. , Zuber Charlotte , Massey Howard T. , Throckmorton Amy , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIntroductionRestrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are two disease processes that are known to progress to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Pharmacologic therapies for HFpEF have not improved patient outcomes or reduced mortality in this patient cohort; thus, there continues to be substantial interest in other treatment strategies, including surgical interventions and devices. In this article, we explore and report the current utility of percutaneous therapies and surgically implanted mechanical support in the treatment of patients with HFpEF.ResultsTreatment strategies include percutaneous interventions with interatrial shunts, left atrial assist devices (LAADs), and ventricular assist devices (VADs) in various configurations. Although VADs have been employed to treat patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, their efficacy is limited in those with RCM and HCM. A left atrial‐to‐aortic VAD has been proposed to directly unload the left atrium, but data is limited. Alternatively, a LAAD could be placed in the mitral position and simultaneously unload the left atrium, while filling the left ventricle.ConclusionA left atrial assist device in the mitral position is a promising solution to address the hemodynamic abnormalities in RCM and HCM; these pumps, however, are still under development.
IoT‐based mock oxygenator for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation simulator
Authors: Sayed Aya , Alhomsi Yahya , Alsalemi Abdullah , Bensaali Faycal , Meskin Nader , Hssain Ali Ait 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundTraining is an essential aspect of providing high‐quality treatment and ensuring patient safety in any medical practice. Because extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a complicated operation with various elements, variables, and irregular situations, doctors must be experienced and knowledgeable about all conventional protocols and emergency procedures. The conventional simulation approach has a number of limitations. The approach is intrinsically costly since it relies on disposable medical equipment (i.e., oxygenators, heat exchangers, and pumps) that must be replaced regularly due to the damage caused by the liquid used to simulate blood. The oxygenator, which oxygenates the blood through a tailored membrane in ECMO, acts as a replacement for the patient's natural lung. For the context of simulation‐based training (SBT) oxygenators are often expensive and cannot be recycled owing to contamination issues.MethodsConsequently, it is advised that the training process include a simulated version of oxygenators to optimize reusability and decrease training expenses. Toward this goal, this article demonstrates a mock oxygenator for ECMO SBT, designed to precisely replicate the real machine structure and operation.ResultsThe initial model was reproduced using 3D modeling and printing. Additionally, the mock oxygenator could mimic frequent events such as pump noise and clotting. Furthermore, the oxygenator is integrated with the modular ECMO simulator using cloud‐based communication technology that goes in hand with the internet of things technology to provide remote control via an instructor tablet application.ConclusionsThe final 3D modeled oxygenator body was tested and integrated with the other simulation modules at Hamad Medical Corporation with several participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the training session.
Guideline of guidelines: management of recurrent urinary tract infections in women
Authors: Kwok Michael , McGeorge Stephen , Mayer‐Coverdale Johanna , Graves Bianca , Paterson David L. , Harris Patrick N.A. , Esler Rachel , Dowling Caroline , Britton Sumudu , Roberts Matthew J. 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveTo compare recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) guidelines from major urological and non‐urological organisations internationally and identify areas of consensus and discrepancy.MethodsPubMed, Google Scholar and the official webpages of major urological, gynaecological, infectious diseases and general practice organisations were searched for rUTI guidelines in March 2022. Nine guidelines were included for review: European Association of Urology, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, American Academy of Family Physicians, Mexican College of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Specialists, Swiss Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, German Association of Scientific Medical Societies, and the combined American Urological Association/Canadian Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction.ResultsThe definition and evaluation of rUTIs, and antibiotic prophylaxis strategies, were mostly consistent across guidelines, and emphasised the importance of obtaining urine cultures and limiting cystoscopy and upper tract imaging in women without risk factors. Variable recommendations were noted for symptomatic treatment, self‐initiated antibiotics, and antibiotic‐sparing preventative strategies such as cranberry, vaginal oestrogen, immunoactive prophylaxis with OM‐89, intravesical glycosaminoglycan instillation, and phytotherapeutics. Recent randomised evidence supports the use of methenamine hippurate. Either continuous or post‐coital prophylactic antibiotics were supported by all guidelines. None of the guidelines were tailored to the management recurrent complicated UTI.ConclusionMultiple rUTI guidelines were identified and mostly limited their recommendations to otherwise healthy non‐pregnant women with uncomplicated cystitis. Variation was noted, particularly in antibiotic‐sparing preventative strategies. Some conflicting recommendations are due to more recent guidelines including updated evidence. Future guidelines should consider recommendations to assist management of complex patient groups, such as recurrent complicated UTI.
Feasibility and clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling of hematological malignancies
Authors: Fukuhara Suguru , Oshikawa‐Kumade Yuji , Kogure Yasunori , Shingaki Sumito , Kariyazono Hirokazu , Kikukawa Yoshiya , Koya Junji , Saito Yuki , Tabata Mariko , Yoshifuji Kota , Mizuno Kota , Miyagi‐Maeshima Akiko , Matsushita Hiromichi , Sugiyama Masanaka , Ogawa Chitose , Inamoto Yoshihiro , Fukuda Takahiro , Sugano Masato , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , Minami Yosuke , Hirata Makoto , Yoshida Teruhiko , Kohno Takashi , Kohsaka Shinji , Mano Hiroyuki , Shiraishi Yuichi , Ogawa Seishi , Izutsu Koji , Kataoka Keisuke 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIdentification of genetic alterations through next‐generation sequencing (NGS) can guide treatment decision‐making by providing information on diagnosis, therapy selection, and prognostic stratification in patients with hematological malignancies. Although the utility of NGS‐based genomic profiling assays was investigated in hematological malignancies, no assays sufficiently cover driver mutations, including recently discovered ones, as well as fusions and/or pathogenic germline variants. To address these issues, here we have devised an integrated DNA/RNA profiling assay to detect various types of somatic alterations and germline variants at once. Particularly, our assay can successfully identify copy number alterations and structural variations, including immunoglobulin heavy chain translocations, IKZF1 intragenic deletions, and rare fusions. Using this assay, we conducted a prospective study to investigate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of comprehensive genomic profiling for 452 recurrently altered genes in hematological malignancies. In total, 176 patients (with 188 specimens) were analyzed, in which at least one alteration was detected in 171 (97%) patients, with a median number of total alterations of 7 (0–55). Among them, 145 (82%), 86 (49%), and 102 (58%) patients harbored at least one clinically relevant alteration for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, respectively. The proportion of patients with clinically relevant alterations was the highest in acute myeloid leukemia, whereas this assay was less informative in T/natural killer‐cell lymphoma. These results suggest the clinical utility of NGS‐based genomic profiling, particularly for their diagnosis and prognostic prediction, thereby highlighting the promise of precision medicine in hematological malignancies.
A tumor metastasis‐associated molecule TWIST1 is a favorable target for cancer immunotherapy due to its immunogenicity
Authors: Yajima Yuki , Kosaka Akemi , Ishibashi Kei , Yasuda Shunsuke , Komatsuda Hiroki , Nagato Toshihiro , Oikawa Kensuke , Kitada Masahiro , Takekawa Masanori , Kumai Takumi , Ohara Kenzo , Ohkuri Takayuki , Kobayashi Hiroya 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlthough neoantigens are one of the most favorable targets in cancer immunotherapy, it is less versatile and costly to apply neoantigen‐derived cancer vaccines to patients due to individual variation. It is, therefore, important to find highly immunogenic antigens between tumor‐specific or associated antigens that are shared among patients. Considering the cancer immunoediting theory, immunogenic tumor cells cannot survive in the early phase of tumor progression including two processes: elimination and equilibrium. We hypothesized that highly immunogenic molecules are allowed to be expressed in tumor cells after an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment was established, if these molecules contribute to tumor survival. In the current study, we focused on TWIST1 as a candidate for highly immunogenic antigens because it is upregulated in tumor cells under hypoxia and promotes tumor metastasis, which is observed in the late phase of tumor progression. We demonstrated that TWIST1 had an immunogenic peptide sequence TWIST1140–162, which effectively activated TWIST1‐specific CD4+ T‐cells. In a short‐term culture system, we detected more TWIST1‐specific responses in breast cancer patients compared with in healthy donors. Vaccination with the TWIST1 peptide also showed efficient expansion of TWIST1‐reactive HTLs in humanized mice. These findings indicate that TWIST1 is a highly immunogenic shared antigen and a favorable target for cancer immunotherapy.
RNA binding protein POP7 regulates ILF3 mRNA stability and expression to promote breast cancer progression
Authors: Huang Yanni , Zheng Yizi , Yao Ling , Qiao Feng , Hou Yifeng , Hu Xin , Li Daqiang , Shao Zhiming 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRNA binding proteins (RBPs) play pivotal roles in breast cancer (BC) development. As an RBP, Processing of precursor 7 (POP7) is one of the subunits of RNase P and RNase MRP, however, its exact function and mechanism in BC remain unknown. Here, we showed that expression of POP7 was frequently increased in BC cells and in primary breast tumors. Upregulated POP7 significantly promoted BC cell proliferation in vitro and primary tumor growth in vivo. POP7 also increased cell migration, invasion in vitro, and lung metastasis in vivo. Through RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (RIP‐seq), we found that POP7 bound preferentially to intron regions and POP7‐binding peak associated genes were mainly enriched in cancer‐related pathways. Furthermore, POP7 regulated Interleukin Enhancer Binding Factor 3 (ILF3) expression through influencing its mRNA stability. Knockdown of ILF3 significantly impaired the increased malignant potential of POP7‐overexpressing cells, suggesting that POP7 enhances BC progression through regulating ILF3 expression. Collectively, our findings provide the first evidence for the important role of POP7 and its regulation of ILF3 in promoting BC progression.
Oral histone deacetylase inhibitor tucidinostat (HBI‐8000) in patients with relapsed or refractory adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma: Phase IIb results
Authors: Utsunomiya Atae , Izutsu Koji , Jo Tatsuro , Yoshida Shinichiro , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Ando Kiyoshi , Choi Ilseung , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Kato Koji , Kurosawa Mitsutoshi , Kusumoto Shigeru , Miyagi Takashi , Ohtsuka Eiichi , Sasaki Osamu , Shibayama Hirohiko , Shimoda Kazuya , Takamatsu Yasushi , Takano Kuniko , Yonekura Kentaro , Makita Shinichi , Taguchi Jun , Gillings Mireille , Onogi Hiroshi , Tobinai Kensei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis multicenter, prospective phase IIb trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of tucidinostat (HBI‐8000) in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) was undertaken in Japan. Eligible patients had R/R ATLL and had failed standard of care treatment with chemotherapy and with mogamulizumab. Twenty‐three patients received tucidinostat 40 mg orally twice per week and were included in efficacy and safety analyses. The primary end‐point was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent committee. The ORR was 30.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2, 52.9]. Median progression‐free survival was 1.7 months (95% CI, 0.8, 7.4), median duration of response was 9.2 months (95% CI, 2.6, not reached), and median overall survival was 7.9 months (95% CI, 2.3, 18.0). All patients experienced adverse events (AEs), which were predominantly hematologic and gastrointestinal. Incidence of grade 3 or higher AEs was 78.3%; most were laboratory abnormalities (decreases in platelets, neutrophils, white blood cells, and hemoglobin). Tucidinostat was well tolerated with AEs that could be mostly managed with supportive care and dose modifications. Tucidinostat is a meaningful treatment option for R/R ATLL patients; further investigation is warranted.
A systematic review of micro‐RNAs in aortic stenosis and cardiac fibrosis
Authors: Adewuyi Jemima Osekafore , Patel Roshan , Abbasciano Riccardo , McCann Gerry P. , Murphy Gavin , Woźniak Marcin J. , Singh Anvesha 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAortic stenosis (AS) is the commonest valve lesion requiring surgery in the Western world. The presence of myocardial fibrosis is associated with mortality even after valve replacement. MicroRNAs could serve as biomarkers of fibrosis and risk stratify patients for earlier intervention. This study aimed to systematically review reports of micro‐RNA (miR) associated with fibrosis in AS and identify potential biomarkers. We searched EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science up to May 2020. Studies that reported on the role of miRs in AS and cardiac fibrosis were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Of 4230 reports screened, 25 were included. All studies were of low to moderate quality. MiRs were analyzed in myocardial tissue (n = 10), aortic valve tissue (n = 5), plasma (n = 5), and serum (n = 5). A total of 365 miRs were reported, of which only a few were reported in more than one paper (3 in the myocardium, 5 in the aortic valve, and 1 in plasma). miR‐21 was upregulated in plasma and myocardial tissue. MiR‐19b was downregulated in the myocardium. Papers reporting myocardial miR‐1 contradicted each other, and miR‐133a was associated with increased left ventricular mass regression post‐surgery. In the aortic valve, miRs‐665, 602 and 939 were downregulated, and miRs‐193b and 214 were upregulated. The data on miR in fibrosis in AS is scarce and of low to moderate quality. Further studies are needed to identify novel miRs as biomarkers, especially at an earlier asymptomatic phase of the disease.