bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of High-risk HPV DNA PCR, p16INK4a Immunohistochemistry or the Combination of Both to Diagnose HPV-driven Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Simoens Cindy , Gheit Tarik , Ridder Ruediger , Gorbaslieva Ivana , Holzinger Dana , Lucas Eric , Rehm Susanne , Vermeulen Peter , Lammens Martin , Vanderveken Olivier M. , Kumar Rekha Vijay , Gangane Nitin , Caniglia Alessandro , Maffini Fausto , Rubio Maria Belén Lloveras , Anantharaman Devasena , Chiocca Susanna , Brennan Paul , Pillai Madhavan Radhakrishna , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Bogers Johannes , Pawlita Michael , Tommasino Massimo , Arbyn Marc
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUNDThe incidence of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-driven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, in particular oropharyngeal cancers (OPC), is increasing in high-resource countries. Patients with HPV-induced cancer respond better to treatment and consequently have lower case-fatality rates than patients with HPV-unrelated OPC. These considerations highlight the importance of reliable and accurate markers to diagnose truly HPV-induced OPC. METHODSThe accuracy of three possible test strategies, i.e. a) hrHPV DNA PCR (DNA), b) p16INK4a immunohistochemistry (IHC) (p16), and c) the combination of both tests (considering joint DNA and p16 positivity as positivity criterion), was analysed in tissue samples from 99 Belgian OPC patients enrolled in the HPV-AHEAD study. Presence of HPV E6*I mRNA (mRNA) was considered as the reference, indicating HPV etiology. RESULTSNinety-nine OPC patients were included, for which the positivity rates were 36.4%, 34.0% and 28.9% for DNA, p16 and mRNA, respectively. Ninety-five OPC patients had valid test results for all three tests (DNA, p16 and mRNA). Using mRNA status as the reference, DNA testing showed 100% (28/28) sensitivity, and 92.5% (62/67) specificity for the detection of HPV-driven cancer. p16 was 96.4% (27/28) sensitive and equally specific (92.5%; 62/67). The sensitivity and specificity of combined p16+DNA testing was 96.4% (27/28) and 97.0% (65/67), respectively. In this series, p16 alone and combined p16+DNA missed 1 in 28 HPV driven cancers, but p16 alone misclassified 5 in 67 non-HPV driven as positive, whereas combined testing would misclassify only 2 in 67. CONCLUSIONSSingle hrHPV DNA PCR and p16INK4a IHC are highly sensitive but less specific than using combined testing to diagnose HPV-driven OPC patients. Since HPV-driven OPC cancer can be treated less aggressively, combined testing can reduce treatment sequelae at the expense of a small number of patients that may receive less effective therapy.
Temporal Changes In Cyclin D-CDK4/CDK6 And Cyclin E-CDK2 Pathways: Implications For The Mechanism of Deficient Decidualization In An Immune-Based Mouse Model of Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Chang Zhuo , Kuang Hai-xue , Zhou Xueming , Zhu Hui , Zhang Yang , Fu Yin , Fu Qiang , Jiang Bei , Wang Wei , Jiang Sha , Ren Li , Ma Lei , Pan Xue , Feng Xiao-ling
Published: November 2021

Deficient endometrial decidualization has been associated with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). However, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the temporal cytokine changes and the involvement of the cyclin D-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/CDK6 and cyclin E-CDK2 pathways in the regulation of the G1 phase of the cell cycle during decidualization in a murine model of URSA. Serum and decidual tissues of URSA group and normal pregnant (NP) group mice were collected from gestation day 4 (GD4) to GD8. The embryo resorption and abortion rates were observed on GD8 and the decidual tissue status was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokine levels in decidual tissues were analyzed using western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found that the embryo resorption rate was significantly increased in the URSA group compared to that in the NP group on GD8. The expression of the decidualization marker prolactin in the serum and decidual lysate of the URSA group was significantly decreased on GD6-8 compared to that of the NP group. Cyclin D, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin E, CDK2 and pRb levels in the URSA group mice were significantly lower compared to those in the NP group mice on GD6-8. Our results suggest that the hyperactivated cyclin D-CDK4/CDK6 and cyclin E CDK2 pathways inhibit the decidualization process on GD4, leading to deficient decidualization on GD8. Moreover, they clarify the role of cytokines in the cyclin D-CDK4/6 and cyclin E-CDK2 pathways during decidualization and provide new insight into URSA pathogenesis.
Th1/Th2 Cytokine Profiles Differentiating Tuberculous from Malignant Pleural Effusions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zeng Yulin , Wang Liwei , Zhou Hai , Qi Yu
Published: November 2021

To clarify which one has a different predominance of Th1 and Th2 immune responses in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions. We did a meta-analysis of the results published previously to assess the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in two types of pleural effusion, and evaluated its ability to distinguish TPE from MPE. We queried the PubMed and Embase databases for studies indexed from 2000 up to March 2021. We included studies that (a) diagnosis of TPE and MPE by on culture, or pleural biopsy tissue provided; (b) compared levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in pleural effusion between TPE and MPE. Pooled data by using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model, standardized mean differences (SMD) across studies comparing TPE and MPE. We also performed Egger test to assess of publication bias. Of 917 identified studies, a total of 42 studies were selected in the meta-analysis. Compared with malignant subjects, tuberculous subjects had a significant higher level of TNF-α [2.22, (1.60–2.84)], an elevated level of IFN-γ [3.30, (2.57–4.40)] in pleural effusion, a situation where the Th1 immune response dominates. Conversely, Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 (Th2 cytokines) levels were higher in MPE than TPE. Besides, they were shown to be statistically insignificant tiny effects were [-0.15, (-0.94–0.63)], [-0.04, (-0.21–0.12)] respectively. We confirmed that pleural effusions caused by tuberculosis, a situation in which the Th1 cytokines are predominant. The slight preponderance of Th2 cytokines in malignant pleural effusions, which are not convincing enough to prove.
Fabrication of Covalently Linked Ruthenium Complex Onto Carbon Nitride Nanotubes For The Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Antibiotic
Authors: Nejad Mohaddeseh Shahabi , Vakily Zahra , Mostafavi Ali , Sheibani Hassan
Published: November 2021

Due to the problem of direct disposal of effluents contains antibiotics to the environment and the emergence of resistant bacterial pathogens, the wastewater treatment of pharmaceutical industry has known as an importance research background. In this study, the refinement and photodegradation ability of one of the most widely used antibiotics, “tetracycline” was investigated by ruthenium complex immobilized on the modified graphitic carbon nitride nanotubes. For this purpose, graphitic carbon nitride nanotubes (g-C3N4 NTs) were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method and functionalized with 1,10-Phenantroline-5,6-dione ligand during another step. Then, the functionalized g-C3N4 NTs were reinforced with immobilization of dichloro(p-cymene)ruthenium(II) dimer. The structure and morphology of the prepared photocatalyst was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning, and transmission electron microscopy (SEM & TEM) analyses. In the following, the photocatalyst's ability to optically degrade the tetracycline antibiotics was performed in a suspension reactor equipped with a LED lamp (60 W) and effective parameters such as the amount of catalyst, irradiation time, temperature, and pH were optimized. The results showed that the immobilization of Ru complex onto functionalized g-C3N4 NTs improved the photocatalytic activity and increased the degradation efficiencies to amount 43%. Furthermore, COD analysis was used for the determination of the amount of mineralization and results showed that the mineralization of 10 mg/L tetracycline solution of about 90% can be performed using 20 mg of Ru (II) complex/ g-C3N4 NTs at pH=7 after 480 min without any additive oxidant.
Association of Perioperative Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) Concentrations with Risk of Recurrence in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Hassan Fara , Wang Jiang Huai , Cullinane Carolyn , Ita Michael , Corrigan Mark , O'Leary Donal Peter , Redmond Henry Paul
Published: November 2021

Background: Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a potential biomarker of disease status in cancer patients and provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information in breast cancer. In this study, we sought to quantify the cfDNA concentrations in the perioperative period and to investigate its prognostic relevance in breast cancer patients.Methods: Sixty-three (n=63) breast cancer patients undergoing curative surgery were screened for inclusion. Blood samples were collected: pre-operatively (Pre-op), post-operatively (POD) within weeks 1-2, weeks 3-4 and weeks 5-12 following surgery. cfDNA was extracted and quantified using nanodrop spectrophotometer. All patients were followed up for 5 years.Results: The median age was 52(26-84) years. During the perioperative period, patients with high cfDNA concentrations(cutoff:480ng/ml) had inferior recurrence free survival (RFS) than those with lower cfDNA concentrations (pre-operative period: median RFS: 30(3-60) months versus 60(6-60) months (p<0.0001), post-operative period: median RFS: 24(3-60) months versus 60(6-60) months (p<0.0001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that post op cfDNA concentration (p=0.017), subtypes (p=0.011) and tumour size (p=0.006) were negative prognostic factor for RFS in the pre-operative period and post-operative period.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the prognostic ability of perioperative cfDNA concentrations in breast cancer patients. Further, prospective studies are warranted to validate its clinical utility in breast cancer.
Feature-Level Fusion of Infrared Image and Visible Light Image Based on Two-Dimensional Discrete Wavelet Transform and High-Pass Filtering
Authors: Ren Zhigang , Ren Guoquan
Published: November 2021

Visible light images and infrared images can effectively complement each other in visual information. Effective fusion of infrared images and visible light images can not only provide better visual effects, but also provide more visual information. In this paper, the discrete cosine wavelet transform is used to obtain the basic information of the image, and the high-pass filter is used to obtain the characteristic information of the image, and the basic information and the characteristic information are effectively fused. In this paper, two-level discrete cosine wavelet transform is performed on the image, which can effectively extract features without distorting the image; secondly, use image quantization to encode, compress and decode the image, reduce the amount of image data, increase the computing speed, and be effective Perform fusion operations on color images. A representative image evaluation method is used to evaluate the fusion image, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is discussed. Experiments have proved that this method is more effective than other methods, and the effect is more obvious in the fusion of color images and infrared images.
Research on Brain Tumors in Mexico: A Bibliometric Analysis from the Latin America
Authors: Rubio Carmen , Tena Martha , Rojas Daniel , Sotelo Julio , Lee Angle
Published: November 2021

Background: Bibliometrics is a completive method of research and analyses useful to understand the collective contributions of a given scientific community. The detail of the quantity (productivity) and impact as a surrogate marker of quality can shed light on what we have done (number of articles) and how we impact others (citations). It also shows the direction the community can take for further research, guided by its shortcomings and successes. The publications of Latin American medical institutions on brain neoplasms have never been studied.Objective: Analyze a clinical and experimental approach, identifying core journals, type of article, increase of published material with time, number of citations. Additionally, we identified the most researched topics involved in brain tumor literature.Material and methods: We harvested the articles published by at least one author form the Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía form Mexico since its inception in 1964 to 2020. Key bibliometric parameters, as journal of publication, type of paper, number of articles and citations were recorded. Results: In cerebral neoplasms, our institution produced 291 articles (clinical versus experimental: 227 vs. 64). With a modest productivity before 2000, the production had increased 8-fold by 2019. The main topic is glioblastoma, also with the highest number of citations. Researchers prefer to conduct original investigations rather than to subject reviews. Most papers were published in Archivos de Neurociencias (institutional journal produced in Spanish), most papers published in English were in Journal of Neuro-Oncology. Discussion: Productivity had an encouraging growth in the last decade, but more emphasis should be given to target international journals, which offer a high number of readers and citations. Strategies to reach these goals have to be found and should be implemented.Conclusion: Research on brain tumors in Mexico has recently showed buoyancy and we should profit from this inertia to give a definitive boost to it, which might benefit authors and institutional prestige. But mainly, with a more robust research, we could find better solutions for our patients, applicable in the national and international context.
The impact of linkage disequilibrium and epistasis in the studies of inheritance based on Hayman’s diallel and generation mean analysis
Authors: Viana José Marcelo Soriano
Published: November 2021

This simulation-based study assessed the impact of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and epistasis on Hayman’s diallel and generation mean analysis, assuming hundreds of genes, variable degree of dominance, and seven types of digenic epistasis. The diallel parents were 15 doubled-haploid lines from a high LD population. The generation mean analysis was based on seven generations, assuming association. Under low LD and no epistasis, the diallel analysis provided confident results about the inheritance of the quantitative trait and high correlation between number of recessive genes and Wr + Vr, but biased estimates of the dominance components and genetic parameters. The additional consequences of high LD under no epistasis were rejection of the additive-dominance model assuming high heritability and lower correlation. Assuming 100% of epistatic genes, for four epistasis types there was evidence of inadequacy of the additive-dominance model. Assuming 30% of epistatic genes, there was a tendency for accepting the additive-dominance model for low heritability traits and for rejecting for high heritability traits. Linkage and epistasis affects the estimates of the genetic components of the generation means. Even assuming 100% of interacting genes, for most epistasis types there was no statistical evidence of epistasis. Assuming positive partial dominance, the signs of the epistatic components do not allow discriminate complementary, recessive, dominant and recessive, duplicate genes with cumulative effects, and non-epistatic genic interaction. Negative epistatic components evidence dominant epistasis. When the additive x additive and dominance x dominance components are positive and the additive x dominance component is negative, there is duplicate epistasis.
Conductometric assisted ZnO and polypyrole composite based NH3 gas sensor
Authors: GAHLOT AJAY PRATAP SINGH , Paliwal Ayushi , Kapoor Avinashi
Published: November 2021

Metal oxides are excellent choices as base materials in emerging technologies in the field of Gas Sensors. In this work, an effort is made to prepare the ZnO and polypyrrole composite thin film using sol-gel technique. Nanocomposite thins film was prepared using spin coating on glass substrates for ammonia gas sensing. ZnO and polypyrrole sols were prepared using sol-gel technique and thin films were prepared by using spin coater. The nanocomposite thin films were prepared by varying the percentage composition of ZnO and Polypyrrole. Structural, optical and morphological properties of the prepared films were done using XRD, UV-Visible and SEM studies. The films were separately prepared on Inter-Digital Transducers for gas sensing applications. Gas sensing response characteristics of the prepared sensor were performed using laboratory. The sensing response of the prepared films is observed and found to be maximum (~33) for the 70%PPy+30%ZnO film at a relatively low operating temperature of about 150°C.
Day 3 Embryo Fragmentation Is Associated With Singleton Birthweight Following Fresh Single Blastocyst Transfer：A Retrospective Study
Authors: Cai jiali , Liu Lanlan , Chen Jinghua , Liu Zhenfang , Wang Wenjie , Jiang Xiaoming , Chen Haixiao , Ren Jianzhi
Published: November 2021

Background

Previous studies arguably associated poor embryo morphology with low birthweight in singletons following single embryo transfer. However, the association between specific morphological features on the cleavage stage and birthweight is still less known. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether embryo morphological features at the cleavage stage affect birthweight following blastocyst transfer
Methods

The single-center, retrospective cohort study included 4226 singletons derived from fresh single cleavage stage embryo transfer (ET, n=1185), fresh single blastocyst transfer (BT, n=787), or frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer (FBT, n=2254) between 2016 and 2019. The morphological parameters including early cleavage, day 3 fragmentation, symmetry, blastomere number, and blastocyst morphology were associated with neonatal birthweight and z-score in multivariate regression models. Models were adjusted for maternal age, BMI, parity, peak estradiol level, endometrial thickness, insemination protocol, female etiologies, order of transfer, mode of delivery, and year of treatment.
Results

Adjusted for confounders, fragmentation was the only morphology feature associated with birthweight and z-score, while early cleavage, symmetry, blastomere number and blastocyst morphology were not. Fragmentation increased the birthweight in both ET group (115.4g, 95% CI: 26.6 to 204.2) and BT group (168.8g, 95%CI: 48.8 to 288.8), but not in FBT group (7.47g, 95%CI: -46.4 to 61.3). The associations of birthweight and morphological parameters were confirmed in analyses for z-score. Adjusted odds of large for gestational age and high birthweight were also significantly greater in singletons following the transfer of fragmented embryos in BT group (OR 3, 95% CI: 1.2 to 7.51, OR 3.65, 95% CI: 1.33 to 10, respectively). The presence of fragmentation at the cleavage stage also affected the association between blastocyst morphology and birthweight. Inner cell mass grades were negatively associated with birthweight in blastocysts with day 3 fragmentation but not in blastocysts without.
Conclusions

Birthweight following blastocyst transfer is positively associated with fragmentation at the cleavage stage. The data did not support the argument that transferring a poor-looking embryo may increase the risks of low birthweight. However, concerns for LGA infants still remain.
Pregnancy Risk Perception and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Health Centers in Jabitehnan District, Amhara, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Alemu Demeke Andebet , Zegeye Ambaye Minayehu Minayehu , Dessie Wale Kumlachew , Zeleke Liknaw Bewket , Belay Dawit Misganaw
Published: November 2021

Background: Pregnancy risk perception affects a pregnant woman’s decision about health care services use such as prenatal care, place of birth, choices about medical interventions, adherence to medical procedures, and recommendations. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 mothers attending ANC at health centers in the Jabitenhan district from April 1 to 30, 2021. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire which was developed according to the health belief model. The logistic regression model was used using adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI and p value <0.05Result: 424 pregnant women were interviewed of which nearly half of the respondents (48%) had good pregnancy risk perception. Women who had a history of obstetric complication (AOR:95%CI = 3.44:1.73,6.83), those who know at least one pregnancy danger sign (AOR:95%CI =5.22;2.46,11.07), pregnant women who had a bad obstetric history (AOR:95%CI = 2.23:1.13,4.41) and knowing women who died due to pregnancy-related complications (AOR:95%CI =2.85:1.45,5.60) were more likely to have good perception towards pregnancy risk as compared to their counterparts.Conclusion: Obstetric complications, awareness of pregnancy danger signs, bad obstetric history, and knowing women who died due to pregnancy-related complications were found to be significantly associated with pregnancy risk perception.
High-Speed Optical Resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy With a MEMS Scanner: Novel and Simple Distortion Correction Method
Authors: Shintate Ryo , Ishii Takuro , Ahn Joongho , Kim Jin Young , Kim Chulhong , Saijo Yoshifumi
Published: November 2021

Optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) is a remarkable biomedical imaging tool that can selectively visualize microtissues with optical-dependent high resolution. However, traditional OR-PAM using mechanical stages provides slow imaging speed, making biological interpretation of in-vivo tissue difficult. Here, we developed a high-speed OR-PAM using a recently commercialized MEMS mirror. This system (MEMS-OR-PAM) consisted of a 1-axis MEMS mirror and a mechanical stage. Furthermore, this study proposed a novel calibration method that quickly removes the spatial distortion caused by fast MEMS scanning. The proposed calibration method needs to run imaging sequence only once using a ruler target and it can easily correct distortions caused by both the scan geometry of the MEMS mirror and its nonlinear motion. The combination of the MEMS-OR-PAM and the distortion correction method was verified by three experiments.; 1) Leaf skeleton phantom imaging to test the distortion correction efficacy.; 2) Spatial resolution and depth of focus (DOF) measurement for the system performance.; 3) In-Vivo finger capillaries imaging to verify their biomedical use. The results showed that the combination could achieve a high-speed (32 sec in 2 mm×4 mm) and high-lateral resolution (~6 µm) imaging capability and precisely visualize the circulating structure of the finger capillaries.
Viral infection switches the balance between bacterial and eukaryotic recyclers of organic matter during algal blooms
Authors: VINCENT Flora , Gralka Matti , Schleyer Guy , Schatz Daniella , Cabrera-Brufau Miguel , Kuhlisch Constanze , Sichert Andreas , Vidal-Melgosa Silvia , Mayers Kyle , Barak-Gavish Noa , Flores J. Michel , Masdeu-Navarro Marta , Egge Jorun , Larsen Aud , Heheman Jan-Hendrick , Marrase Celia , Simo Rafel , Cordero Otto , Vardi Assaf
Published: November 2021

Algal blooms are hotspots of marine primary production and play central roles in microbial ecology and global nutrient cycling. When blooms collapse, organic carbon is transferred to higher trophic levels, microbial respiration or sinking in proportions that depend on the dominant mortality agent. Viral infection can lead to bloom termination, but its impact on the fate of carbon remains an open question. Here, we characterized the consequences of viral infection on the microbiome composition and biogeochemical landscape of marine ecosystems by conducting a large-scale mesocosm experiment. Moniroting of seven induced coccolithophore blooms, which showed different degrees of viral infection, revealed that only high levels of viral infection caused significant shifts in the composition of free-living bacterial and eukaryotic assemblages. Intriguingly, viral infection favored the growth of eukaryotic heterotrophs (thraustochytrids) over bacteria as potential recyclers of organic matter. By combining modeling and quantification of active viral infection at a single-cell resolution, we estimate that viral infection can increase per-cell rates of extracellular carbon release by 2-4.5 fold. This happened via production of acidic polysaccharides and particulate inorganic carbon, two major contributors to carbon sinking into the deep ocean. These results reveal the impact of viral infection on the fate of carbon through microbial recyclers of organic matter in large-scale coccolithophore blooms.
Identification of Candidate Genes Associated with Bacterial and Viral Infections in Wild Boars Hunted in Tuscany (Italy)
Authors: Fabbri Maria Chiara , Crovetti Alessandro , Tinacci Lara , Bertelloni Fabrizio , Armani Andrea , Mazzei Maurizio , Fratini Filippo , Bozzi Riccardo , Cecchi Francesca
Published: November 2021

Wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) is one of the large mammals most spread worldwide, highly adaptable, and its population has rapidly increased in many areas in Europe. Central Italy, as well as Tuscany, is an area particularly suitable for wild boar. Wild boars are potential hosts for different etiological agents, such as Brucella spp., Leptospira spp. and Pseudorabies virus and can contribute to maintain and/or to disseminate some bacterial or viral pathogens to humans and domestic animals, above all-in free-range farms. In order to identify hypothetical genomic regions associated with these infection diseases, 96 samples of wild boars hunted in Tuscany during the 2018–2019 and 2019-2020 hunting seasons were considered. Diagnosis was achieved by serological tests and 42 Pseudorabies, 31 Leptospira and 15 Brucella positive animals were identified. All animals were genotyped with Geneseek Genomic Profiler Porcine HD (70k) and a genome-wide scan was then performed. Significant markers were highlighted for Pseudorabies (two SNPs), Brucella (seven SNPs), and Leptospira (four SNPs) and they were located within, or nearby, 29 annotated genes on chromosome 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 18. Eight genes are implicated in viral (SEC14L1, JMJD6, SRSF2, TMPRSS2, MX1, MX2) or bacterial (COL8A1, SPIRE1) infections, seven genes (MFSD11, METTL23, CTTNBP2, BACE2, IMPA2, MPPE1 and GNAL) are involved in mental disorders and one gene (MGAT5B) is related to the Golgi complex. Results presented here provide interesting starting points for future research, validation studies and fine mapping of candidate genes involved in bacterial and viral infections in wild boar.
Histopathological and Cytogenetic Analysis of Epidural Adipose Tissue in Symptomatic Lumbar Epidural Lipomatosis
Authors: Yasuda Taketoshi , Suzuki Kayo , Seki Shoji , Watanabe Kenta , Makino Hiroto , Kanamori Masahiko , Kawaguchi Yoshiharu
Published: November 2021

Lumbar epidural lipomatosis (LEL) is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of unencapsulated adipose tissue in the spinal epidural space. Symptomatic LEL occurs in middle aged and elderly patients, and it is most often seen in males. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the histopathological and cytogenetic characteristics of the epidural lipomatosis in patients with symptomatic LEL. Six patients undergoing decompressive spinal surgery (mean age, 69.4 years) were enrolled between 2013 and 2017. Three cases were steroid-induced and 3 cases were diagnosed as idiopathic LEL. We compared the differences in histological morphology between the subcutaneous fat tissue and epidural fat tissue in each patient. We also analyzed the karyotype of resected epidural lipomatous tissue using the G-band method. The epidural adipocytes were histologically more irregular and smaller compared with the subcutaneous adipocytes in all cases. The mean size of subcutaneous adipocytes and epidural adipocytes was 5,485.6 ± 2,584.1 µm2 and 2,705.4 ± 1,069.1 µm2, respectively. In cytogenetic analysis of the epidural adipocytes, loss of the Y chromosome (LOY) was found in all 6 cases. The mechanisms related to the development of LEL are not well understood. In this study, the size of the lipid component of epidural adipocytes was significantly smaller than that of subcutaneous adipocytes in LEL. Cytogenetically, LOY was frequently recognized. Although this may be an effect rather than a cause, LOY may be related to morphologic changes in and proliferation of adipocytes in LEL. LOY might partially contribute to the pathological mechanism or expression of LEL.
Transcriptome Analysis of EnJSRV-Env on the Inhibition of Cell Proliferation
Authors: Wang Xiaojuan , Zhang Liang , Liu Shuying
Published: November 2021

Background

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) exert important biological roles, such as mammalian placental development and suppression of the infection of exogenous retrovirus. In addition, ERVs could also inhibit the proliferation of cell. The envelope-protein (Env) of endogenous Jaagsiekte sheep retroviruses (enJSRVs) possesses fusogenic activity, which promoted the formation of nonproliferative multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts.
Methods

The proliferation of HeLa cells was detected by MTT. Six samples were extracted for RNA-seq transcriptome analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were employed for the validation of interested target.
Results

enJSRV-Env transfection inhibited the proliferation ability of Hela cells and 170 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by RNA-seq analysis. Among these, 5 DEGs (BHLHE41, CCN1, DLX2, DUSP6 and SH2D5) were validated by qRT-PCR, which closely related with proliferation. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of DUSP6 and p-ERK1/2 was decreased, which suggested that ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be involved in enJSRV-Env transfection.
Conclusions

enJSRV-Env transfection inhibited the proliferation of Hela cells, probably via DUSP6 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Endothelial Cells Immune-Related Genes Risk Signature Correlated With Tumor Immune Microenvironment Predicts Therapeutic Response and Prognosis in Glioblastoma
Authors: Xie Qijun , Zhang Yuwei , Huang Wu , Wang Haoran , Liu Fang
Published: November 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system with high recurrence and extremely poor prognosis. Multiple recent studies have indicated a pivotal correlation between GBM prognosis and immune-related risk signature. Nevertheless, the potential value of endothelial cells (ECs) immune-related genes (EIRGs) in prognosis, immune infiltration, and their correlation with therapeutic response to immunotherapy and TMZ chemotherapy remain obscure, especially in GBM. Here, we screened out 11 EIRGs after intersecting the identified 59 GBM ECs related prognostic genes and the identified 438 immune-related prognostic genes. A prognostic-related 6-EIRGs signature was established through univariate Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis, and patients in the high-risk group were significantly worse overall survival (OS) compared to those in the low-risk group. Additionally, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that risk score was an independent predictor of OS in patients with GBM. The nomogram which comprised age, gender, IDH mutation status, radiation therapy, and risk score yielded a strong predictive ability of 0.5-, 1-, and 2-year OS for GBM patients. Our results demonstrate that the EIRGs signature, which is associated with immune cell infiltration, may play a regulatory role in the immunobiological process of TIME. Prognostic-related 6-EIRGs signature is a promising classification index for predicting the drug sensitivity to immunotherapy and TMZ chemotherapy, suggesting that EIRGs signature may serve as a biomarker to stratify patients who will benefit from immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Dysregulation of Transcription Factor EB Contributes to Cell Proliferation, Metastasis and Stemness in Breast Cancer
Authors: Fu Ningwei , Fan Ning , Luo Wenchao , Lv Lijia , Li Jing , Mao Jun , Li Feifei , Wang Xujiao , Zhang Xin , Xu Fei , Li Yan , Ma Wei
Published: November 2021

Purpose: TFEB is a key regulator of autophagy-lysosomal biogenesis pathways, while its dysregulation is highly prevalent in various human cancers, but the specific contribution to breast cancer remains poorly understood. The main purpose of this study is to explore the role of TFEB in breast cancer proliferation, metastasis and maintaining breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) traits, thus uncovering its underlying mechanism.Methods: Bioinformatics, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were applied to analyze the expression of TFEB in breast cancer. Stable down-regulation TFEB cells were established in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. MTT, clone formation, wound healing, transwell and 3D tumor invasion assays were used to evaluate the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells. Mammosphere formation, immunocytochemical (ICC) staining were used to detect the effect of down-regulating TFEB on breast cancer stem cells. Results: we demonstrated that higher expression of TFEB was found in breast cancer. TFEB depletion had inhibitory effects on cellular proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Moreover, knockdown TFEB decreased mammosphere formation ability of BCSCs and expression of cancer stem cell markers. Autophagy-lysosomal related proteins were decreased by down regulation of TFEB. Conclusion: we uncovered a critical role of TFEB in breast cancer proliferation and metastasis, and BCSCs self-renewal and stemness. The underlying mechanisms involve in maintaining BCSCs traits, and dysregulating lysosome functions.
The Ten-Year Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease Among Public Health Workers In North-Central Nigeria Using Framingham And Atherogenic Index of Plasma Risk Scores
Authors: Olubiyi Olubunmi Abiola , Rotimi Bosede Folashade , Afolayan Munirat Ayoola , Alatishe-Muhammed Bilqis Wuraola , Olubiyi Olufemi Mubo , Balami Ahmed Dahiru
Published: November 2021

Background: Estimation of total cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with the use of risk prediction charts such as the Framingham risk score and Atherogenic index of plasma score is a huge improvement on the practice of identifying and treating each of the risk factors such as high blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol. The estimation of the total risk highlights that CVD risk factors occur together and thereby predicts who should be treated. There is scarcity of data on the risk scoring of adults in Nigeria including health workers. Therefore, this study was done to estimate the cardiovascular risks of health workers in public health services in north-central NigeriaMethods: A cross-sectional survey was performed using validated Framingham risk score calculator and calculation of risk based on the lipid profile of 301 randomly selected health workers in North-central Nigeria. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency counts and percentages while inferential statistics were done using chi square and correlation analyses using statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The confidence level was 95% and the level of significance was set at 0.05.Results: The 10-year risk of developing CVD was generally low in the health workers. Using Framingham risk score, 98.3% of health workers have low risk, 1.0% have moderate risk and 0.7% have high risk. Among the cadres of health workers, 1.5% of the nurses have moderate risk while 2.5% of the doctors and 3.3% of the CHEWs have high risk of developing CVD in 10 years. Using Atherogenic index of plasma scoring, only 2% of the health workers have high risk, 4.7% have intermediate risk while 93.4% have low risk. Across the cadres, 6.3% of the nurses and 3.3% of the CHEWs have intermediate risk while 2.4% of the nurses and 3.3% of the CHEWs have high risk. These findings were however not statistically significant.Conclusions: the 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease was low in the health workers in this study using both Framingham’s risk score and atherogenic index of plasma scores
Comprehensive Spatial Distribution of Tropical Fish Assemblages from Multifrequency Acoustics and Video Fulfils the Island Mass Effect Framework
Authors: Salvetat Julie , Bez Nicolas , Habasque Jeremie , Lebourges-Dhaussy Anne , Lopez Cristiano , Roudaut Gildas , Simier Monique , Travassos Paulo , Vargas Gary , Bertrand Arnaud
Published: November 2021

Tropical marine ecosystems are highly biodiverse and provide resources for small-scale fisheries and tourism. However, precise information on fish spatial distribution is lacking, which limits our ability to reconcile exploitation and conservation. We combined acoustics to video observations to provide a comprehensive description of fish distribution in a typical tropical environment, the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA) off Northeast Brazil. We identified and classified all acoustic echoes into ten fish assemblage and two triggerfish species. This opened up the possibility to relate the spatial different spatial patterns to a series of environmental factors and the level of protection. We provide the first biomass estimation of the black triggerfish Melichthys niger, a key tropical player. By comparing the effects of euphotic and mesophotic reefs we show that more than the depth, the most important feature is the topography with the shelf break as the most important hotspot. We also complete the portrait of the island mass effect revealing a clear asymmetry. While primary productivity is higher downstream, fish concentrate upstream. The comprehensive fish distribution provided by our approach is directly usable to implement scientific-grounded Marine Spatial Planning.
Dental Implants with Electrochemical Nanopattern Formation to Increase Osseointegration.
Authors: KIM WONHYEON , Shin Yong Cheol , Lee Sung-Ho , Kang Moon Sung , Lee Jong Ho , Wie Jinhong , Lee Min-Sun , Lee Jong-Ho , Han Dong-Wook , Kim Bongju
Published: November 2021

Nowadays, The coming acceleration of global population ageing. When people get older, the importance of implants is emphasized. Dental implants have a crucial effect on life satisfaction. Many techniques have already been developed it. However, those still required many procedures. Shin et al suggested the new model based on MA. The electrochemical nanopattern formation (ENF) model takes out lots of steps when it is made. It is very simple because it only removes TiO2 NT layers. Interestingly, we investigated many studies, this simple model did not distinguish the other commercial models. Surface modification by ENF process improved the osteogenic differentiation in cells. It did not limit the cells. In vivo study, ENF also promoted the bone to implant connectivity. The ENF technique used for the new substitute.
Myofunctional Device Use in Oral Care and Swallowing: Protocol for a Pilot Study in an Aged Care Population
Authors: Shortland Hollie-Ann Lee , Hewat Sally , Webb Gwendalyn , Vertigan Anne E.
Published: November 2021

BackgroundPoor oral health is a known predictor of aspiration pneumonia in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and chronically ill and has been linked to systemic disease, morbidity, and mortality. Reduced oral health not only places individuals at a greater risk of aspiration pneumonia but may result in pain or poorer dentition which can impact on mastication and swallowing. Consequences of this may include reduced oral intake, malnutrition, poorer health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Few evidence-based protocols exist to manage oral care in aged care populations, and maintenance of good oral hygiene is difficult for nursing and care staff to facilitate. However, myofunctional devices reportedly improve oral hygiene, oral behaviours, and swallowing, along with breathing and speech. The primary aims of this study are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a using a myofunctional device to improve oral care and swallowing function in an aged care population. Methods/DesignThis project is a pilot study that involves a five-week intervention for oral hygiene and dysphagia for residents >65 years old in an aged care setting. Feasibility will be measured by number of consenting participants, trial completion rates, and treatment adherence. Acceptability will be measured through verbal surveys of aged care residents and a questionnaire of care staff assisting with the intervention. Secondary outcome measures will record changes in oral hygiene and dysphagia pre and post intervention. DiscussionThe results of this trial will provide important information regarding the acceptability and feasibility of utilising a myofunctional device to improve oral care and dysphagia in elderly patients in an aged care facility. This knowledge will further guide and inform design of a larger trial or future research. Trial registrationThis trial was registered 8/10/2021 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and allocated the ACTRN: ACTRN12621001359820. Web address for trial: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621001359820.aspx
Integrated microRNA Analysis Identifies miR-512-3p as a Potential Biomarker of Poor Outcome in Pediatric Medulloblastoma
Authors: Correia Carolina Alves Pereira , Chagas Pablo Ferreira , Baroni Mirella , Andrade Augusto Faria , Queiróz Rosane Gomes de Paula , Suazo Veridiana Kill , Cruzeiro Gustavo Alencastro Veiga , Fedatto Paola Fernada , Antonio David Santos Marco , Brandalise Silvia Regina , Yunes Jose Andres , Panepucci Rodrigo Alexandre , Carlotti Carlos Gilberto , Valera Elvis Terci , Tone Luiz Gonzaga , Scrideli Carlos Alberto
Published: November 2021

Background: Medulloblastoma, a genetically heterogeneous tumor, is the most frequent malignant brain tumor in children. Although several studies have been carried out, the molecular mechanism underlying medulloblastoma tumorigenesis is not completely known. microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles have been associated with development, progression, and prognosis of human cancers, including medulloblastoma. However, the role of miRNAs in pediatric medulloblastoma has been poorly explored.Methods: Global miRNA expression in 24 microdissected medulloblastoma specimens (19 pediatric and 5 adult specimens) was evaluated by microarray assay. miR-512-3p, the most differentially expressed miRNA in these two groups, was analyzed by qRT-PCR in a cohort of 51 consecutive pediatric medulloblastoma samples and 7 pediatric non-neoplastic cerebellum control samples, and its clinical significance was assessed. Further in silico miRNA prediction of target genes was performed with bioinformatics tools.Results: Compared to the controls, miR-512-3p was significantly downregulated in the pediatric medulloblastoma samples. Higher miR-512-3p was associated with incomplete degree of resection, high risk group classification, and poor overall survival. In silico analysis in an independent cohort of medulloblastoma identified that some of the miR-512-3p target genes (SMAD9, SSX2IP, MAPK10, PTCH1, CCDC6, and BMPR2) were statistically correlated with overall survival, metastasis, and death.Conclusions: For the first time, our results have shown that miR-512-3p is significantly associated with poor clinical outcome in pediatric medulloblastoma, suggesting that miR-512-3p is a potential biomarker of prognosis.
Health care utilization and costs following nonfatal firearm injuries for children and youth
Authors: de Oliveira Claire , Macpherson Alison , Hepburn Charlotte Moore , Huang Anjie , Strauss Rachel , Liu Ning , Fiksenbaum Lisa , Pageau Paul , Gomez Davud , Saunders Natasha
Published: November 2021

Little is known about the health care and economic burdens of nonfatal firearm injuries for children/youth beyond the initial admission. This study sought to estimate health care utilization and total direct health care costs of nonfatal firearm injuries one-year post-injury. Using administrative data from 2003 to 2018 on all children/youth 0-24 years old in Ontario, Canada, a matched 1:2 cohort study was conducted to compare children/youth who experienced a firearm injury with those who did not. Mean and median number of health care encounters and costs, and respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and interquartile ranges (IQR), were estimated for both groups as well as costs by weapon type and intent. This study found that children/youth who experienced a firearm injury had a higher number of health care encounters per year than those who did not, particularly for medical hospitalizations (0.25 [95% CI 0.23-0.27] versus 0.01 [95% CI 0.01-0.02]) and emergency department visits (1.74 [95% CI 1.69-1.80] versus 0.38 [95% CI 0.36-0.40]). Mean and median one-year costs for those with a firearm injury were $5,442 (95% CI $5,022-$5,863) and $1,464 (IQR = $600-$4,720), and $781 (95% CI $638-$925) and $137 (IQR = $24-$401) for those without. One-year costs were highest for handgun firearm injuries ($12,875 [95% CI $9,941-$15,808]), for intentional assault-related injuries ($11,035 [95% CI $9,722-$12,348]) and intentional self-injuries ($9,658 [95% CI $5,509-$13,808]). Conclusion: Firearm injuries have substantial health care and economic burdens beyond the initial injury-related admission; this should be accounted for when examining the overall impact of firearm injuries.
USP13 Regulates the Breast Tumor Proliferation and Migration through the Stabilization of PDCD4 Protein
Authors: Tian Jun , Li Bei , Qiao Jing , Pang Xinfeng , Yue Xiaojing
Published: November 2021

Background: Programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), which serves as a tumor suppressor protein, plays a important role in cell proliferation,apoptosis, cell migration and DNA-damage response.However, the exact mechanism for the deubiquitination of PDCD4 remain unclear.Methods: Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PDCD4 in the breast cancer tissues and BC cell lines. We identified the potential PDCD4 associated deubiquitinase by RNAi screening. GST-Pull down and domain-mapping analysis were used to reveal that USP13 and PDCD4 directly interact with each other.Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of G1 to S phase. Soft agar assay was used to measure the changes of the cell proliferation efficiency.Results: The expression of PDCD4 was decreased in the breast cancer tissues and BC cell lines. USP13 as a potential PDCD4 associated deubiquitinase. USP13 physically interacted with PDCD4 and greatly increased the steady state of PDCD4 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.Importantly, silencing of the USP13 facilitated cell cycle from G1 to Sphase, promoted breast tumor cells proliferation and migration through downregulation of PDCD4. Conclusions: Together, these results suggest that USP13 plays an important role in the breast tumor proliferation and migration through modulating PDCD4 stability.
The effect of postmortem pH decline rate on mitochondrial apoptosis and tenderness of bovine skeletal muscle during aging
Authors: Ma Jibing , Yu Qunli , Han Mingshan , Han Ling
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effect of postmortem pH decline rate on mitochondrial dysfunction-induced apoptosis and bovine muscle tenderness during aging. Protein denaturation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial apoptosis factors, and shear force were assessed in bovine muscles with different pH decline rates. The results showed that compared to the slow group, fast pH decline in bovine muscle significantly increased sarcoplasmic protein denaturation at 6–12 h and mitochondrial ROS levels at 6–24 h (P<0.05), and in turn significantly accentuated mitochondrial dysfunction and cytochrome c oxidation levels (P<0.05), resulting in caspase-3 activation, apoptosis, and reduced muscle shear force (P<0.05). These results demonstrated that the fast postmortem pH decline enhanced mitochondrial apoptosis and bovine muscle tenderization by inducing ROS accumulation during aging.