bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The negative effect of antibiotics on RCC patients with immunotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Luo Zhiqiang , Hao Siyuan , Li Yuxuan , Cheng Lei , Zhou Xuedong , Gunes Emine Gulsen , Liu Shiyu , Chen Jing 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundMicrobiome dysbiosis is considered a predictive biomarker of clinical response in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which can be regulated by antibiotics (ATB). Multiple studies have shown that concomitant ATB administration has inhibitory effects on immunotherapy in RCC. This review aimed to assess the impact of ATB on patient survival and tumor response in RCC with immunotherapy.MethodsLiterature evaluating the effect of ATB on immunotherapy in RCC from Cochrane Library®, PubMed®, Embase®, Scopus®, and Web of Science® were systematically searched. Hazard ratios (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), odds ratio (OR) for objective response rate (ORR) and primary progressive disease (PD) were pooled as effect sizes for clinical outcomes. Subgroup analysis was conducted to reveal the determinants of the effect of ATB on immunotherapy, including time windows of ATB exposure to immunotherapy initiation, ICIs treatment and study location. The leave-one-out approach was adopted to analyze the heterogeneity formulated. Cumulative meta-analysis adding by time was used to observe dynamic changes of the results.ResultsTen studies were included in the systematic review and six studies (with n=1,104 patients) were included in the meta-analysis, four studies were excluded for overlapping patients with subsequent larger studies and lack of unique patient-level data. ATB administration was significantly correlated with shorter PFS (HR=2.10, 95%CI [1.54; 2.85], I2 = 2% after omitting study Derosa et al, 2021 detected by leave-one-out approach), shorter OS (HR=1.69, 95%CI [1.34; 2.12], I2 = 25%) and worse ORR (OR=0.58, 95%CI [0.41; 0.84]), but no difference was observed in risk of PD (OR=1.18, 95%CI [0.97; 1.44]). No significant differences existed among the subgroups for determining the determinants of ATB inhibition.ConclusionsConcomitant ATB with immunotherapy was associated with worse PFS, OS and ORR in RCC. No publication bias was observed in this study.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=349577, identifier CRD42022349577.
Deep learning classification of early normal-tension glaucoma and glaucoma suspect eyes using Bruch’s membrane opening-based disc photography
Authors: Seo Sat Byul , Cho Hyun-kyung 
Published: November 2022

PurposeWe aimed to investigate the performance of a deep learning model to discriminate early normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) from glaucoma suspect (GS) eyes using Bruch’s membrane opening (BMO)-based optic disc photography.Methods501 subjects in total were included in this cross-sectional study, including 255 GS eyes and 246 eyes of early NTG patients. BMO-based optic disc photography (BMO overview) was obtained from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The convolutional neural networks (CNN) model built from scratch was used to classify between early NTG and GS. For diagnostic performances of the model, the accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were evaluated in the test set.ResultsThe baseline demographics were age, 48.01 ± 13.03 years in GS, 54.48 ± 11.28 years in NTG (p = 0.000); mean deviation, −0.73 ± 2.10 dB in GS, −2.80 ± 2.40 dB in NTG (p = 0.000); and intraocular pressure, 14.92 ± 2.62 mmHg in GS, 14.79 ± 2.61 mmHg in NTG (p = 0.624). Our CNN model showed the mean AUC of 0.94 (0.83–1.00) and the mean accuracy of 0.91 (0.82–0.98) with 10-fold cross validation for discriminating between early NTG and GS.ConclusionThe performance of the CNN model using BMO-based optic disc photography was considerably good in classifying early NTG from GS. This new disc photography of BMO overview can aid in the diagnosis of early glaucoma.
Electronic logbooks (e-logbooks) for the continuous assessment of medical licentiates and their medical skill development in the low-resource context of Zambia: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Barteit Sandra , Schmidt Jelena , Kakusa Mwanja , Syakantu Gardner , Shanzi Aubrey , Ahmed Yusuf , Malunga Gregory , Blass Klaus , Nieder Jessica , Andreadis Petros , Neuhann Florian 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundCountries in sub-Saharan Africa continue to face insufficient health education resources and facilities, as well as a severe shortage of health care professionals. In 2019, the Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU) in Lusaka was launched to address the shortage of healthcare professionals implementing a decentralized training model utilizing selected regional and district hospitals in Zambia as training sites for various cadres. Decentralization makes it more challenging to monitor the learning process as part of continuous assessment; consequently, adequate approaches are necessary to ensure the quality and quantity of medical skills training. Electronic logbooks (e-logbooks) provide a promising tool for monitoring and evaluation of the medical training process.ObjectiveWe designed and implemented an e-logbook for Medical Licentiate students based on an existing software system. We evaluated the feasibility of this e-logbook, its acceptability among a cohort of Medical Licentiate students and their mentors, as well as its facilitators and barriers.Materials and methodsDuring the course of a five-week-long clinical rotation in a training site in Kabwe, Zambia, two mentors and ten students participated in the pilot study and its evaluation. A mixed-methods approach utilized log-based usage data from the e-logbook web platform and conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews.ResultsOverall, both students and mentors accepted e-logbooks as a means to monitor skills development in this context, indicating that e-logbooks are a feasible tool in this decentralized setting. Feedback pointed out that the design and software-induced terminology of the e-logbook posed usability issues. The complexity and greater time commitment (mentors used a web-based platform instead of an app) limited the e-logbook’s potential.ConclusionWe conclude that there is acceptability of monitoring medical skill development through a tablet-based e-logbook. However, the e-logbook in its current form (based on an existing software system, with limited adaptation possibilities to the local context) was insufficient for the LMMU environment. Given that this was attributable to design flaws rather than technology issues or rejection of the e-logbook as a quality assessment tool in and of itself, we propose that the e-logbook be implemented in a co-design approach to better reflect the needs of students and mentors.
Social relationship modulates advisor’s brain response to advice-giving outcome evaluation: Evidence from an event-related potential study
Authors: Zhang Can , Tao Ruiwen , Zhao Hanxuan , Zheng Kexin , Dai Mengge , Xu Sihua 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionAdvice-giving is a double-edged sword in social interaction, which could bring benefits or considerable losses for the advisee. However, whether the social relationship affects the time course of advisor’s brain response to outcome evaluation after the advice-giving remains unclear.MethodsIn the present study, we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the modulation of social relationships on advisor’s outcome feedback processing after the advice-giving and related neural activities.ResultsThe results showed larger feedback-related negativity (FRN) to a loss than to a gain both when the friends accepted and rejected the advice, whereas this effect only existed when the strangers rejected the advice, but not when they accepted it. In contrast, the P3 results demonstrated the enhanced neural sensitivity when the strangers accepted the advice than rejected it despite leading to a loss, while a larger P3 amplitude was found when the friends accepted the advice than rejected it and brought a gain. The theta oscillation results in the friend group revealed stronger theta power to loss when the advisee accepted the advice than rejected it. However, this effect was absent in the stranger group.DiscussionThese results suggested that outcome evaluation in advice-giving was not only influenced by feedback valence and social reward, but also modulated by social relationships. Our findings contributed to the understanding of the neural mechanisms of advice-giving outcome evaluation in a social context.
Low dietary vitamin E intake is associated with high risk of incident dementia among older adults: The Shanghai Aging Study
Authors: Liu Su , Luo Jianfeng , Xiao Zhenxu , Wu Wanqing , Liang Xiaoniu , Ding Saineng , Zhao Qianhua , Zhao Xianfeng , Wang Yi , Ding Ding 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundGrowing evidence has shown the association between vitamin E intake and the risk of cognitive decline, but the conclusions were inconsistent. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that vitamin E intake is associated with incident dementia and deterioration of global cognition.Materials and methodsWe followed 1,550 non-demented community residents aged ≥60 years for an average of 5.2 years in the Shanghai Aging Study. Baseline vitamin E intake were measured by the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Cognitive function was evaluated by a battery of neuropsychological tests. Consensus diagnosis of incident dementia was made based on the DSM-IV criteria.ResultsDuring the follow-up, 135 cases (8.7%) of incident dementia were identified. The incidence rates of dementia in low, low-medium, medium-high, and high vitamin E intake groups were 2.8, 1.5, 1.6, and 0.7 per 100 person-years, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Participants with low vitamin E intake had a significantly higher risk of incident dementia than those with higher intake [compared with the highest intake group: hazard ratio (HR) 2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–4.57] after adjusting for confounders. Vitamin E intake was negatively correlated to the rate of annual decline of Mini-Mental State Examination score with the adjustment of confounders (β = 0.019, p = 0.001).ConclusionVitamin E intake is negatively correlated with the risk of dementia in older adults. An appropriate high amount of vitamin E intake from the diet might be helpful to prevent future cognitive decline.
Incidence of retinoblastoma in children and adolescents in Brazil: A population-based study
Authors: Barbosa Annamaria Ciminelli , de Magalhães-Barbosa Maria Clara , Moreira Jessica Pronestino de Lima , Colombini Giovanni Nicola Umberto Italiano , Prata-Barbosa Arnaldo 
Published: November 2022

ObjectiveTo estimate the incidence of retinoblastoma in children and adolescents in Brazil based on Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR), describing temporal trends and some quality indicators of this registry.MethodsBased on secondary data from the PBCR of the National Institute of Cancer (INCA) (2000–2018), by selecting the morphological code of retinoblastoma, the annual incidences per million (0–19 years of age) in each local PBCR were estimated by sex and age group, global combined and by region, in addition to the percentage of diagnosis only by death certificate (DC) or not informed (NI), and the male/female ratio (M/F). An annual incidence trend in the five Brazilian geographic regions was also analyzed using the inflection point regression technique.Results675 patients were identified in 28 PBCR, 91% between 0 and 4 years of age. The overall combined incidence per million by age group was: 7.02 (0–4 years old), ranging from 5.25 in the Midwest to 11.26 in the Northeast; 0.46 (5–9 years old); 0.05 (10–14 years old) and 0.03 (15–19 years old). The combined incidence per million, adjusted for the world population, was 2.23 (0–14 years old) and 2.24 (0–19 years old). The DC and NI percentages were 13% and 18%, respectively; the M/F ratio was 1.3. The incidence remained stable throughout the study period, except for the city of São Paulo, where there was a significant reduction of 3.4% per year.ConclusionsIn Brazil, except for the Northeast region, the incidences of retinoblastoma were lower than those reported in several countries worldwide, suggesting possible underreporting, and the time series analysis showed a stable trend. Although this pioneering study brings a recent panel of available data on retinoblastoma in Brazil, more precise estimates are needed and welcome for better planning of onco-ophthalmologic care in the country.
Effectiveness of unilateral sequential video-assisted sympathetic chain blockage for primary palmar hyperidrosis in children and adolescents
Authors: Adorisio Ottavio , Davoli Enrico , Ceriati Emanuela , Battaglia Sonia , Camanni Daniela , De Peppo Francesco 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionPrimary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is a severely debilitating condition that can affect patients of any age. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy provides a definitive treatment for PPH. Aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of unilateral sequential video-assisted thoracic sympathetic chain clamping (VATSCC) by clips application in pediatric population.MethodsThe surgical procedure was done in the semi-sitting position, under general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation. Mean operation time was 23 ± 6 min (range 12–45). Two 5 mm ports were inserted at the level of the middle axillary line in the second and fourth intercostal space respectively. The sympathetic chain was identified, and two clips were applied, the first one at the level of the third and the second one, at the level of the fourth rib. No chest tube was used. Resolution of symptoms, complications, recurrence rate, onset and duration of compensatory hyperhidrosis were analyzed.ResultsFrom August 2017 to September 2021, 58 patients (male:female ratio 32:26), mean age 16.5 years (range 14–19), with PPH underwent unilateral sequential VATSCC by clips application, starting on the dominant hand. The contralateral side was operated 2 months after. All patients except one (transient pneumothorax) were discharged on the first post-op day. No immediate or late complications have been recorded. Mean follow-up was 32 months (range 6–41). All patients except one (1,7%), affected by Raynaud's disease, showed a complete resolution of the symptom. Seven patients (12%) developed transient moderate compensative hyperhidrosis (CH) that spontaneously disappeared in the postoperative period.ConclusionsUnilateral sequential thoracoscopic sympathetic chain clamping for PPH in pediatric patients is a safe and very effective procedure with a low complication rate and low incidence of postoperative CH that, in our experience, resolved spontaneously in the postoperative period, after the second surgery leading to an improvement in the quality of life.
Fuzheng Nizeng Decoction regulated ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions: A mechanistic study based on metabolomics coupled with transcriptomics
Authors: Chu Ying-Ming , Wang Ting-Xin , Jia Xiao-Fen , Yang Yao , Shi Zong-Ming , Cui Guang-Hui , Huang Qiu-Yue , Ye Hui , Zhang Xue-Zhi 
Published: November 2022

Background: Fuzheng Nizeng Decoction (FZNZ) has a history of decades in gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) treatment, which has shown clear clinical efficacy. Blocking GPL is a key measure to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, we aim to investigate the mechanism of FZNZ-induced ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in MNNG-induced gastric precancerous lesion (MC) cells, which has been rarely studied in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).Methods: First, CCK8 and lactate dehydrogenase assays were conducted to study the potential effect of FZNZ on MC cells. Second, combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis were used to explore the effect and mechanism of FZNZ. Functionally, the occurrence of ferroptosis was assessed by transmission electron microscopy morphological observation and measurement of ferrous iron levels, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione levels. Finally, the expression levels of mRNAs or proteins related to ferroptosis and ER stress were determined by qPCR or western blot assays, respectively.Results: FZNZ inhibited MC cells viability and induced cell death. By metabolomics coupled with transcriptomics analysis, we found that the mechanism of FZNZ treatment induced ferroptosis and was related to glutathione metabolism and ER stress. We then, for the first time, found that FZNZ induced ferroptosis, which contributed to an increase in intracellular ferrous iron, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde and a decrease in glutathione. Meanwhile, the protein level of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was decreased. The mRNA levels of ATF3/CHOP/CHAC1, which are related to ferroptosis and ER stress, were also upregulated.Conclusion: Our results elaborate that FZNZ could induce ferroptosis and ER stress in MC cells, and reduce GPX4/GSH. ATF3/CHOP/CHAC1 may play a crosstalk role, which provides a new molecular mechanism for the treatment of GPL.
Learning behavior, digital platforms for learning and its impact on university student’s motivations and knowledge development
Authors: Noor Uzma , Younas Muhammad , Saleh Aldayel Hessah , Menhas Rashid , Qingyu Xu 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundLearning digital technologies in higher education is a process of knowledge generation, and the rapid growth of technology in education has a significant impact on students’ learning behaviors, motivation, and knowledge development. Pakistan’s remarkable technological breakthrough has increased in the education field.Study objectivesThe study focuses on estimating students’ learning behaviors, identifying the positive influence of educational apps on digital learning platforms, and analyzing their impact on students’ motivation and knowledge development.Materials and methodsAccording to the study’s objectives, a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather the primary data. The participants were students of universities in Lahore city of Pakistan. For this study, the sample size was N = 300, carefully chosen using the purposive sampling technique. Of the respondents, there were 146 male and 154 female students, and the sample consisted of individuals aged 25–35 years. Smart-PLS-Bootstrapping, T-Values (PLS) 3.2.9 and the structural equation model (SEM) were applied to get the appropriate outcomes from the proposed study framework.ResultsSEM analysis results shows that all proposed hypotheses [Animated Movies (AM) –&gt; Student Motivation (SM), Educational Apps (EA) –&gt; Knowledge Development (KD), Learning Behavior (LB) –&gt; Animated Movies, Learning Behavior –&gt; Educational Apps, Learning Behavior –&gt; Knowledge Development, Learning Behavior –&gt; Virtual Classrooms (VCr), Virtual Classrooms –&gt; Knowledge Development, Virtual Classrooms –&gt; Student Motivation] are confirmed while Learning Behavior –&gt; Student Motivation is not confirmed.ConclusionThis study found that digital learning platforms significantly impact students’ learning and what motivates them to learn. The study also found that using educational apps and virtual classrooms more often helps students learn more and be more motivated to learn.
Muons, mutations, and planetary shielding
Authors: de Groen Piet C. 
Published: November 2022

Life on earth is protected from astrophysical cosmic rays by the heliospheric magnetic and slowly varying geomagnetic fields, and by collisions with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere. The collisions generate showers of particles of lesser energy; only muons, a charged particle with a mass between that of an electron and a proton, can reach earth’s surface in substantial quantities. Muons are easily detected, used to image interior spaces of pyramids, and known to limit the stability of qubits in quantum computing; yet, despite their charge, average energy of 4 GeV and ionizing properties, muons are not considered to affect chemical reactions or biology. In this Perspective the potential damaging effects of muons on DNA, and hence the repercussions for evolution and disease, are examined. It is argued here that the effect of muons on life through DNA mutations should be considered when investigating the protection provided by the magnetic environment and atmosphere from cosmic rays on earth and exoplanets.
Genome-wide association study reveals novel candidate genes for litter size in Markhoz goats
Authors: Mahmoudi Peyman , Rashidi Amir , Nazari-Ghadikolaei Anahit , Rostamzadeh Jalal , Razmkabir Mohammad , Huson Heather Jay 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionThe Markhoz goat is the only breed that can produce high-quality fiber called mohair in Iran; however, the size of its population has faced a dramatic decline during the last decades, mainly due to the reluctance of farmers to rear Markhoz goats caused by a reduction in goat production income. Litter size at birth (LSB) and weaning (LSW) are two economically important reproductive traits for local goat breeders and have the potential of increasing the population growth rate. The present study was aimed to identify possible genomic regions that are associated with LSB and LSW in Markhoz goats using a genome-wide association study (GWAS).MethodsTo this end, 136 Markhoz goats with record(s) of kidding were selected for GWAS using the Illumina Caprine 50K bead chip. The individual breeding values (BV) of available LSB and LSW records estimated under an animal mixed model were used as the dependent variable in the GWAS, thereby incorporating repeated categorical variables of litter size.ResultsFour SNPs on chromosomes 2, 20 and 21 were identified to be significantly associated (FDR p &lt; 0.05) with LSB after multiple testing correction under a Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK) model. Least-square analysis was performed to investigate the effects of detected genotypes on LSB. Ultimately, the GWAS results introduced six candidate genes, including GABRA5, AKAP13, SV2B, PPP1R1C, SSFA2 and TRNAS-GCU in a 100 kb adjacent region of the identified SNPs. Previous studies proposed functional roles of GABRA5 and AKAP13 genes in reproductive processes; however, the role of other candidate genes in reproduction is not clear.ConclusionThese findings warrant further investigation for use in marker-assisted selection programs in Markhoz goats.