julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Unleashing the potential of eHealth in outpatient cancer care for patients undergoing immunotherapy—a quantitative study considering patients’ needs and current healthcare challenges
2024-10-21

Background The use of online information and communication is globally increasing in the healthcare sector. In addition to known benefits in other medical fields, possible specific potentials of eHealth lie in the monitoring of oncological patients undergoing outpatient therapy. Specifically, the treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) requires intensive monitoring due to various possible negative side effects. The present study explores cancer patients’ perspectives on eHealth and demonstrates how eHealth applications, from the patients’ point of view, can contribute to further improving outpatient immunotherapy. Methods and findings Our multicenter study was executed at the university hospitals in Bonn and Aachen. A structured questionnaire was distributed to patients receiving outpatient immunotherapy. Contents addressed were (1) the patients’ attitude towards eHealth applications, (2) the use of modern information and communications technologies (ICT) in (2a) everyday life and (2b) health-related information search including eHealth literacy, (3) the use of internet-enabled devices as well as (4) socio-demographic data. 164 patients were included in the study, of whom 39.0% were female and 61.0% male and the average age was 62.8 years. Overall, there was a high distribution of internet-enabled devices for everyday use and a great interest in integrating eHealth applications into outpatient immunotherapy. The assessment of eHealth potentials significantly depended on age. The younger participants demonstrated a broader use of modern ICT and a higher affinity for its use in outpatient immunotherapy. In some aspects, level of education and gender were also relevant factors influencing the patients’ view on eHealth. Conclusion This study demonstrates the potential for further integration of eHealth applications into outpatient immunotherapy from the patients’ perspective. It indicates a dependency on age and educational level for the further integration of eHealth into patient care in oncology. Due to particular patient needs regarding age, level of education, gender and other subgroups, specific education and training as well as target-group specific digital health interventions are necessary to fully utilize the potentials of eHealth for outpatient immunotherapy. Future studies are required to specifically address target-group specific usability of eHealth applications and eHealth literacy, as well as to address information security and data protection.
Inferring ancestry with the hierarchical soft clustering approach tangleGen
2024-10-21

Understanding the genetic ancestry of populations is central to numerous scientific and societal fields. It contributes to a better understanding of human evolutionary history, advances personalized medicine, aids in forensic identification, and allows individuals to connect to their genealogical roots. Existing methods, such as ADMIXTURE, have significantly improved our ability to infer ancestries. However, these methods typically work with a fixed number of independent ancestral populations. As a result, they provide insight into genetic admixture, but do not include a hierarchical interpretation. In particular, the intricate ancestral population structures remain difficult to unravel. Alternative methods with a consistent inheritance structure, such as hierarchical clustering, may offer benefits in terms of interpreting the inferred ancestries. Here, we present tangleGen, a soft clustering tool that transfers the hierarchical machine learning framework Tangles, which leverages graph theoretical concepts, to the field of population genetics. The hierarchical perspective of tangleGen on the composition and structure of populations improves the interpretability of the inferred ancestral relationships. Moreover, tangleGen adds a new layer of explainability, as it allows identifying the single-nucleotide polymorphisms that are responsible for the clustering structure. We demonstrate the capabilities and benefits of tangleGen for the inference of ancestral relationships, using both simulated data and data from the 1000 Genomes Project.
Ag108(PEt3)24Cl6: A Hexagonal Prismatic Metalloid Cluster
2024-10-21

Abstract The ligands used for the protection of metalloid clusters heavily influence the resulting structure and shape. For silver, thiolate and alkynyl ligands are commonly used, while phosphines usually play a minor role as co‐ligands. Herein, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of Ag 108 (PEt 3 ) 24 Cl 6 ( 1 ), the largest structurally characterized metalloid silver cluster with phosphines and halides as sole ligands. Instead of the frequently observed spherical shape of metalloid clusters, 1 ’s structure resembles a hexagonal prism. The highly light and temperature sensitive compound features many similarities to its smaller congener Ag 64 (P n Bu 3 ) 16 Cl 6 , though there are distinct structural and electronic differences present. Within 1 , a Ag 64 subunit can be found, which identifies these clusters as molecular seeds for the formation of faceted nanoparticles.
Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified reveals a novel RAB27A variant in Griscelli syndrome type 2
2024-10-21

Griscelli syndrome type 2 (GS2) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder that typically emerges during childhood. It manifests with partial albinism, silvery hair, immunodeficiency and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis predisposition (HLH). Our findings suggest that lymphoproliferative disorders, including cutaneous lymphomas, should be considered part of the dermatological spectrum of GS2. While GS2 has previously been diagnosed in adults presenting with HLH, our observations indicate that HLH is not an inevitable outcome, even in patients who survive into their fifth decade of life.
Validation of a software‐based torsional measurement method of the lower limb: A retrospective study
2024-10-21

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate a software‐based measurement tool of computed tomography imaging to assess torsional alignment of the lower limb—usually used for patients with posttraumatic deformities and patellofemoral issues—and compare these measurements with manual measurements of two experienced raters. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of 58 lower limbs (47 patients, 20 men and 27 women) aged between 19 and 97 years. Inclusion criteria were the clinical indication for torsion measurement of the lower limb. Legs with incomplete imaging and age less than 18 years were excluded. Femoral and tibial torsion were measured separately. Torsional alignment was assessed software‐based at two time points by two raters. Rater one additionally assessed manual‐based measurement at two time points. The software used was mediCAD 3D Knee Version 2.5.33 (Hectec). Subsequently, intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity testing was performed by means of precision, concordance correlation coefficient according to Lin (ccc) and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results High intra‐rater reliability for software‐based as well as manual‐based evaluation of torsional alignment was found for the tibia as well as the femur (ICC ranging between 0.870 and 0.993). Inter‐rater reliability also showed highly significant results of both manual and software‐based measurements (ICC ranging between 0.851 and 0.993). For almost all comparisons (except the tibia left), software‐based measurements showed higher ICC scores above 0.9, and, therefore, classified as ‘excellent reliability’. For validity testing, correlation coefficients and precision showed very good correspondence of the measurements (all values &gt; 0.9), without systematic deviations. Conclusions Software‐based measurement of torsional alignment according to the measurement method developed by H.‐A. Waidelich proved to be a reliable and valid technique. Especially for inexperienced surgeons, software‐based measurement, therefore, might improve confidence in reliable medical decisions in diagnostics and treatment. Level of Evidence Level III.
Innovative mobile app solution for facial nerve rehabilitation: a usability analysis
2024-10-21

Background Facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery is temporary in many cases but can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. Physical training—initially guided and subsequently performed by the patient—is of paramount importance for recovery of facial nerve function. The introduction of medical application software (apps) might improve therapy by maintaining motivation for daily home-based training and surveilling patients’ rehabilitation progress. Methods We developed a mobile app, “FACEsemper”, for home-based facial nerve rehabilitation. This app guides patients through a daily training program comprising six variable exercises, each performed in three repetitions. The app allows the user to customize the exercise intensity for different facial areas and includes a reminder function for daily training. Additional features include photo documentation, a calendar function, training report generation, and the possibility of direct communication with the attending physician. The app's usability was prospectively investigated with 27 subjects, including 8 physicians, 9 patients with facial palsy and 10 healthy subjects, over a two-week period. Usability was assessed using various self-rating questionnaires (i.e., mHealth App Usability Questionnaire, MAUQ; System Usability Scale, SUS; Visual Aesthetics of Apps Inventory, VisAAI) and scores were compared across the groups. Results The participants reported an average smartphone use of 12.19 years and completed a mean number of 290 ± 163 facial exercises during the study period. Patients used the app significantly more frequently than the other two groups ( p = 0.017). The average total scores of the questionnaires were: MAUQ 5.67/7, SUS 89.6/100, VisAAI 5.88/7 and specific rating 6.13/7. In particular, the simplicity of use and craftsmanship of the app were rated very highly. Usability scores did not significantly differ between groups. A primary limitation identified was malfunction of the daily reminder feature in some Android versions. Conclusion This usability study demonstrated a positive user experience and excellent usability of the FACEsemper app. However, some limitations and areas for improvement were identified. As a next step, the app should be evaluated in a large patient cohort with facial palsy to determine its potential medical benefits for facial rehabilitation compared to traditional training methods.
Acceptability, engagement, and efficacy of cognitive remediation for cognitive outcomes in young adults with first-episode psychosis and social anxiety: A randomized-controlled trial
2024-10-21

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a frequent comorbidity in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and may increase cognitive impairments. Cognitive remediation (CR) is an effective treatment for cognition, particularly in a group format. This study aims to assess the efficacy, acceptability and engagement of group CR on cognitive outcomes in FEP+SAD compared to group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Participants with FEP+SAD were randomized to group CR (n = 45) or CBT-SAD (n = 51). They were assessed for cognition at baseline, post-therapy and 3- and 6-month follow-up. The CR group additionally completed scale to assess perceived competency and enjoyment in CR. Linear mixed models for repeated measures were used for cognitive scores. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to summarize acceptability, perceived competency, and enjoyment, for CR completers and non-completers. The CR group performed significantly better than CBT on executive functions and visual memory at post-therapy compared to baseline. Twenty participants completed CR (44 %; mean 5.5 sessions). At week 1, CR non-completers presented higher levels of perceived competency. Completers reported higher enjoyment scores at the last session compared to the first session. Group CR is effective for cognitive outcomes in FEP+SAD, but acceptability and engagement present a challenge. Future studies are necessary to explore approaches promoting engagement.
Assessing the impact of deep‐learning assistance on the histopathological diagnosis of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) in fallopian tubes
2024-10-22

Abstract In recent years, it has become clear that artificial intelligence (AI) models can achieve high accuracy in specific pathology‐related tasks. An example is our deep‐learning model, designed to automatically detect serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), the precursor lesion to high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma, found in the fallopian tube. However, the standalone performance of a model is insufficient to determine its value in the diagnostic setting. To evaluate the impact of the use of this model on pathologists' performance, we set up a fully crossed multireader, multicase study, in which 26 participants, from 11 countries, reviewed 100 digitalized H&amp;E‐stained slides of fallopian tubes (30 cases/70 controls) with and without AI assistance, with a washout period between the sessions. We evaluated the effect of the deep‐learning model on accuracy, slide review time and (subjectively perceived) diagnostic certainty, using mixed‐models analysis. With AI assistance, we found a significant increase in accuracy ( p &lt; 0.01) whereby the average sensitivity increased from 82% to 93%. Further, there was a significant 44 s (32%) reduction in slide review time ( p &lt; 0.01). The level of certainty that the participants felt versus their own assessment also significantly increased, by 0.24 on a 10‐point scale ( p &lt; 0.01). In conclusion, we found that, in a diverse group of pathologists and pathology residents, AI support resulted in a significant improvement in the accuracy of STIC diagnosis and was coupled with a substantial reduction in slide review time. This model has the potential to provide meaningful support to pathologists in the diagnosis of STIC, ultimately streamlining and optimizing the overall diagnostic process.
CuBe: a geminivirus‐based copper‐regulated expression system suitable for post‐harvest activation
2024-10-22

Summary The growing demand for sustainable platforms for biomolecule manufacturing has fuelled the development of plant‐based production systems. Agroinfiltration, the current industry standard, offers several advantages but faces limitations for large‐scale production due to high operational costs and batch‐to‐batch variability. Alternatively, here, we describe the CuBe system, a novel bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV)‐derived conditional replicative expression platform stably transformed in Nicotiana benthamiana and activated by copper sulphate (CuSO 4 ), an inexpensive and widely used agricultural input. The CuBe system utilizes a synthetic circuit of four genetic modules integrated into the plant genome: (i) a replicative vector harbouring the gene of interest (GOI) flanked by cis‐acting elements for geminiviral replication and novelly arranged to enable transgene transcription exclusively upon formation of the circular replicon, (ii) copper‐inducible Rep/RepA proteins essential for replicon formation, (iii) the yeast‐derived CUP2‐Gal4 copper‐responsive transcriptional activator for Rep/RepA expression, and (iv) a copper‐inducible Flp recombinase to minimize basal Rep/RepA expression. CuSO 4 application triggers the activation of the system, leading to the formation of extrachromosomal replicons, expression of the GOI, and accumulation of the desired recombinant protein. We demonstrate the functionality of the CuBe system in N. benthamiana plants expressing high levels of eGFP and an anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody upon copper treatment. Notably, the system is functional in post‐harvest applications, a strategy with high potential impact for large‐scale biomanufacturing. This work presents the CuBe system as a promising alternative to agroinfiltration for cost‐effective and scalable production of recombinant proteins in plants.
Emotion regulation use in daily-life and its association with success of emotion-regulation, self-efficacy, stress, and state rumination
2024-10-22

Introduction Investigations on emotion regulation strategies (ERS) primarily focus on the influence of instructed emotion regulation (ER) on outcomes. However, recent work has shown that selection of ERS is dependent on, e.g., situational demands and personal resources. Methods In this current investigation, we used an online diary to investigate ERS used by free choice and their association with ER-success, stress and rumination. We identified four factors of ERS: cognitive perspective change, cognitive-behavioral problem-solving, suppression-distraction and body-social ERS. Associations of ERS with stress, state-rumination and ER-success were investigated using multilevel-mixed-models, allowing to separate within- and between-subject effects. Results Our results show that, on a within-subject level, all adaptive ERS were positively associated with ER-success, while maladaptive ERS as well as higher stress and state rumination were negatively associated with ER-success. On the other hand, only within-subject cognitive ERS were associated with higher self-efficacy. Maladaptive ERS-use was consequently positively associated with stress and state rumination. Surprisingly, only cognitive perspective change ERS were negatively associated with state rumination. Cognitive-behavioral problem-solving was positively associated with stress and success of emotion regulation. Discussion We interpret these results in the light of situational constraints of ERS-use and the importance of the assessment of these in future studies.
Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium in Pigs and Wild Boars in Central and Southern Vietnam: Implications for Zoonotic Risks and Surveillance
2024-10-22

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Parasites of <i>Entamoeba</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> genera, prevalent among various vertebrates such as humans and pigs, pose a zoonotic threat as common protozoan pathogens. This study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of <i>Entamoeba</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species in pigs and wild boars across central and southern Vietnam, to ascertain parasite transmission dynamics. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 113 independent stool samples from 77 pigs and 36 wild boars were analyzed using PCR-based molecular methodologies to detect the presence of <i>Entamoeba</i> spp. and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. The identified species were further characterized through Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study revealed a high prevalence of <i>Entamoeba</i> spp. (62%, <i>n</i> = 70/113) and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. (31%, <i>n</i> = 35/113). <i>Entamoeba suis</i> (57%, <i>n</i> = 40) was predominant, followed by <i>Entamoeba polecki</i> (40%, <i>n</i> = 40) and <i>Entamoeba hartmanni</i> (3%, <i>n</i> = 2). Among <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species, <i>Cryptosporidium scrofarum</i> (89%, <i>n</i> = 31) was the most common, followed by <i>Cryptosporidium suis</i> (11%, <i>n</i> = 4). Wild boars exhibited a higher prevalence of <i>Entamoeba</i> infection compared with domestic pigs (<i>p</i> = 0.019). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The study highlights a high prevalence of <i>Entamoeba</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium,</i> suggesting a potential for zoonotic transmission in Vietnam. Further investigations are necessary to determine the extent to which these parasites in pigs and wild boars contribute to the burden in the human population.
Operando Investigation of Al Plating Regimes on HOPG in [EMImCl]:AlCl3 by Electrochemical Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy
2024-10-22

Abstract Rechargeable aluminium batteries show promise as next‐generation systems with a more abundant material base than lithium technology. However, the stable native oxide on top of aluminium metal electrodes leads to poor cell performance. Graphite, on the other hand, is a so far rarely investigated alternative that can be used as both the anode and cathode. Here, metallic aluminium is deposited at the anode, while AlCl 4 − is intercalated at the cathode. For both cases, understanding the electrode–electrolyte interface is crucial for improving the performance of the battery. In this work, we use reflection anisotropy spectroscopy to study the evolution of the interface under applied potentials. We find that the cathode exhibits an irreversible swelling of the topmost graphite layer due to AlCl 4 − intercalation as well as the formation of an SEI during the first voltammetry cycle. On the anode, the electrodeposition of aluminium is initially well‐ordered. However, the evolution of the surface morphology depends on the applied potential, with island‐like growth at less cathodic potentials, and layer‐by‐layer growth at more anodic potentials. With the optical operando spectroscopy, we can follow these qualitatively different plating and stripping regimes in a time‐resolved manner.
Enhanced Experimental Setup and Methodology for the Investigation of Corrosion Fatigue in Metallic Biodegradable Implant Materials
2024-10-22

Biodegradable implants as bone fixations may present a safe alternative to traditional permanent implants, reducing the risk of infections, promoting bone healing, and eliminating the need for removal surgeries. Structural integrity is an important consideration when choosing an implant material. As a biodegradable implant is being resorbed, until the natural bone has regrown, the implant material needs to provide mechanical stability. However, the corrosive environment of the human body may affect the fatigue life of the material. Conversely, mechanical stress can have an effect on electrochemical corrosion processes. This is known as corrosion fatigue. In the presented work, an experimental setup and methodology was established to analyze the corrosion fatigue of experimental bioresorbable materials while simultaneously monitoring the electrochemical processes. A double-walled measurement cell was constructed for a three-point bending test in Dulbecco‘s Phosphate-Buffered Saline (DPBS− −), which was used as simulated body fluid (SBF), at 37 ± 1 °C. The setup was combined with a three-electrode setup for corrosion measurements. Rod-shaped zinc samples were used to validate the setup’s functionality. Preliminary static and dynamic bending tests were carried out as per the outlined methodology to determine the test parameters. Open-circuit as well as potentiostatic polarization measurements were performed with and without mechanical loading. For the control, fatigue tests were performed in an air environment. The tested zinc samples were inspected via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the measured mechanical and electrochemical values as well as the SEM images, the effects of the different environments were investigated, and the setup’s functionality was verified. An analysis of the data showed that a comprehensive investigation of corrosion fatigue characteristics is feasible with the outlined approach. Therefore, this novel methodology shows great potential for furthering our understanding of the effects of corrosion on the fatigue of biodegradable implant materials.