bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with Lenvatinib and bevacizumab after hepatic arterial chemoembolization
Authors: Liu Feng-hao , Ma Zhong-guang , Zhou Zhen-zhen , Li Xue-feng
Published: May 2022

Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma is characterized by high morbidity and mortality, poor prognosis and many complications. Hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the main treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. To investigate the effect of Lenvatinib and bevacizumab on hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic arterial chemoembolization.
Method
30 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma treated by hepatic artery chemoembolization were selected. The observation group was injected with bevacizumab (5 mg/ kg) into the blood vessels supplying tumor, Lenvatinib mesylate capsules were given orally. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. χ2 test ,analysis of variance and T test were used.
Results
The levels of AFP, Angiotension Converting Enzyme (ACE), AST and albumin in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group. In the observation group, the number of cases with decreased platelet after treatment was 11, which was significantly higher than that in the control group. The pain relief and clinical efficacy of the observation group after treatment were better than the control group.
Conclusions
After hepatic arterial chemoembolization, Lenvatinib and bevacizumab can effectively improve the serum AFP, ACE, AST, albumin and platelet levels, improve liver pain.
Valvular heart complications in children with osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Izui Masafumi , Harada Daisuke , Ueyama Kaoru , Oriyama Kyoko , Ishiura Yoshihito , Kashiwagi Hiroko , Yamada Hiroyuki , Seino Yoshiki
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the cardiovascular function and prevalence of valvular diseases in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Methods: Twenty-eight OI children (mean age: 9.9±6.0 years) underwent echocardiography. Heart function, heart dimensions, and valvular complications were assessed calculating standard deviation (SD) scores referring to body surface area, and compared retrospectively in clinical types according to Sillence’s classification and with height SD scores. Results: Of the 28 OI children, 17 (61%) were complicated with valvular diseases. The mean height SD scores was lower in more severe clinical types (p<0.01). Tricuspid regurgitation was detected in 54%, mitral regurgitation occurred in 21%, and aortic regurgitation was observed in 4% of the patients. Any valvular disease was detected in 86% (6/7), 46% (5/11), and 60% (6/10) of the patients with OI type 1, 4, and 3, respectively. A negative correlation was detected between aortic root diameters and height SD scores (r=-0.55). Interventricular septum (IVS) thicknesses were within ±2 SD in all cases, but those in 79% of the patients were indicated above the mean value of normal population. The mean IVS SD scores was +0.62±0.72. All measured values, including ventricular diastolic dimensions and ejection fraction, were within normal range and not different between the clinical types. Conclusions: Valvular dysfunction is a frequent complication of OI patients, even in childhood. Aortic root enlargement and hypertrophic IVS appeared to be negatively impacted by the disease. Thus, careful echocardiographic follow-up during childhood, especially for patients with severe short stature, should be performed.
The incidence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease after radical nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Shuai , Liu Zhenghong , Zhang Dahong , Xiang Fei , Zheng Wei
Published: May 2022

Background: Radical nephrectomy (RN) is the standard treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma. The decrease of nephrons by the RN could lead to postoperative chronic kidney disease(CKD). The study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors of CKD in patients who had received RN.Methods: A Total of 1233 patients were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and underwent radical nephrectomy in Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2018. Those who had abnormal renal function before surgery or lost to follow-up were excluded. 500 patients were enrolled in the end. eGFR was calculated using the abbreviated MDRD equation. CKD was defined as eGFR less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2. Incidence of postoperative CKD was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The independent risk factors of the occurrence of CKD was determined through logistic multivariate regression analysis.Results: Patients were followed up for a median of 40 month (3-96 months), with CKD occurred in 189 cases. 5-year cumulative incidence of CKD was 43.4%. There was a significant difference between these 189 patients and the rest patients without post nephrectomy CKD in terms of age, sex, weight, preoperative eGFR(P＜0.05). Multivariate regression analysis shows that age (OR=1.038, 95%CI=1.002-1.076), preoperative eGFR of the contralateral kidney (OR=0.934, 95%CI=0.884-0.988) and postoperative eGFR (OR=0.892, 95%CI=0.854-0.931) were independent risk factors for postoperative CKD.Conclusions: The incidence of CKD after radical nephrectomy was not uncommon. Age, preoperative eGFR of the contralateral kidney and postoperative eGFR are independent risk factors for postoperative CKD.
Elevated admission blood glucose is an independent risk factor for 30-Day major adverse cardiovascular events in STEMI patients, but not in NSTEMI patients
Authors: Li Yanan , Wang Qinshi , Pei Junyu , Wang Xiaopu , Zheng Keyang , Zhang Ping , Yan Jiafu
Published: May 2022

BackgroundElevated admission blood glucose was associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, no further studies investigated the association between admission blood glucose and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACEs) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, respectively.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of admission blood glucose on the risk of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events in AMI patients, and to assess the difference in outcome between STEMI and NSTEM patients.Methods and ResultsThis study was a post hoc analysis of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala (ACS-QUIK) Study, and 13,398 participants were included in the final analysis. Participants were divided according to the admission blood glucose quintiles. Compared with participants with admission blood glucose between 5.4 and 6.3 mmol/L, participants with the highest quintile of admission blood glucose (≥ 10.7 mmol/L) were associated with increased risk of 30-day MACEs in the fully adjusted logistic regression model [adjusted OR (95%CI): 1.86 (1.36, 2.56), P<0.001]. There was a positive linear association between admission blood glucose and the risk of 30-day MACEs in AMI patients [adjusted OR (95%CI): 1.05 (1.03, 1.07), P<0.001]. This trend was more significant in patients with STEMI (P for interaction = 0.016) or patients below 65 years old (P for interaction = 0.025).ConclusionIn patients with AMI, elevated admission blood glucose was associated with the increased risk of 30-day MACEs, and this relationship was found only in STEMI patients, not in NSTEMI patients.
Analysis of Phylogeny of Agrocybe Genus Based on Nucleotide Database in NCBI
Authors: Zhou Ping Qing , Li Li Ling , Shi Hua Guo , WANG Long , Li Yang
Published: May 2022

The study of the phylogeny of species is a basic discipline for the effective protection, development, and utilization of their germplasm resources. Since this century, the fungi of the Agrocybe genus have become the most successful class of medium and high-grade edible and medicinal fungi that have been artificially domesticated and grown on a large scale, and have high commercial value. However, there are few reports on its germplasm resources. To clarify the genetic and developmental relationship at the genus level of the Agrocybe in the world. In this paper, Based on the NCBI Nucleotide database(National Center for Biotechnology Information), taking the single gene ITS sequence as the research object, the T92 (Tamura 3-parameters) parameter model was used to calculate the genetic distance, and the Neighbor-Joining Method was used to construct the genus-level phylogenetic tree of the Agrocybe. The results showed that the phylogenetic tree constructed by 192 ITS single gene sequences of 43 species of the Agrocybe (including 31 known species and 12 undetermined species) in the NCBI Nucleotide database was roughly divided into 6 branches and belonged to different groups, and 17 undetermined species of the Agrocybe sp. was preliminarily identified. This study has a certain reference value for the genetic relationship among different species of Agrocybe all over the world, as well as the selection of the parent bank and the protection of germplasm resources of each species of the genus.
circ_0052184 promote colorectal cancer progression via targeing miR-604/HOXA9 axis
Authors: Huang Yandong , Bai Qinyang , Wang Zhanlong , Yu Hongbo , Li Yanru , Lu Hao , Kang Huimin , Shi Xuewei , Feng Kai
Published: May 2022

Background:Mortality rate colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second. In a variety of diseases CircRNAs are abnormal expression, and their dysregulation is associated with cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that the malignant progression of colorectal cancer cannot be separated from the abnormal expression of circRNAsMethods:First, the circ_0052184 expression in clinical tissue and cell samples was analyzed by database analysis and qRT-PCR. qRT-PCR also assessed Construction of circ_0052184-silenced colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, the proliferation ability of cells was detected by MTT method. Cell migration ability was tested by wound healing assay. Cell migration and invasion ability were detected by transwell method.Results:In cell lines and tissues of colorectal cancer circ_0052184 is significantly overexpressed. Proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cell are inhibited by circ_0052184 silencing. The existence of the circ_0052184/miR-604/HOXA9 regulatory network was verified. Moreover, the existence of this regulatory network has an impact on the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.Conclusions:Our study demonstrated the molecular mechanism by which circ_0052184 regulates the miR-604/HOXA9 axis for the first time. This mechanism promotes the malignant progression of colorectal cancer cells.
Evidence of aerosol transmission of African swine fever virus in piggeries under field conditions: a case report
Authors: Li Xiaowen , Hu Zhiqiang , Fan Mingyu , Wu Weisheng , Gao Wenchao , Bian Lujie , Liu Wenhao , Tian Xiaogang , Jiang Xiaoxue , YAN Zhichun Jason
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a devastating and economically significant infectious disease and has caused huge losses in the commercial pig sector in China since 2018. The major transmission route of African swine fever virus (ASFV), the causative agent of ASF, is direct pig-to-pig contact or indirect contact with virus-contaminated objects. Although aerosol transmission route of ASFV has been reported under experimental conditions previously, whereas no reports described under field conditions.Case presentationIn the three ASFV-positive piggeries, environmental samples, including floors, aerosols, dusts and air outlets, tested positive in the monitoring period. Aerosol and floor samples always tested positive firstly at the same time. ASFV-positive aerosols were associated with live ASFV-positive pigs in piggeries. Dust and air outlet samples remained positive for several days after all positive pigs were eliminated, and the times of positive and persistent positive of dust and air outlet samples were always close.ConclusionsThis is the first report to provide some evidence of airborne transmission route of ASFV in field piggeries, and more research is needed to study aerosol-spread laws of ASFV under field conditions, assess the risk of ASFV aerosol transmission, and develop effective strategies for air disinfection to create low-risk fresh air for pig herds.
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis deciphers key transitional signatures associated with oncogenic evolution in human intramucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Xin-Yang , Liu Yan-Bo , Xu Jia-Cheng , Zhang Yi-Fei , Ruan Yuan-Yuan , Zhao Yi , Wu Lin-Feng , Hu Jian-Wei , Zhang Zhen , He Meng-Jiang , Chen Tian-Yin , Xu Xiao-Yue , Zhang Jing-Wei , Zhang Yi-Qun , Zhou Ping-Hong
Published: May 2022

Background: The early diagnosis and intervention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is particularly important due to poor prognosis and the lack of effective therapies. This study aims to systematically describe the cellular atlas of human intramucosal ESCC.Methods: Five paired samples of intramucosal ESCC, para-ESCC esophageal tissue from endoscopically resected specimen, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were adopted for scRNA-seq analysis. A computational pipeline scMetabolism was applied to quantify the metabolic diversity of single cells.Results: A total of 164,715 cells were profiled. The abundance of CD8+ TEXs , Tregs and PD1+CD4+T cells suggested an exhausted and suppressive immune microenvironment. Several genes in immune cells such as CXCL13 and CXCR5 in PD1+CD4+ T cells and PADI4 in Mono2 cells were identified as new biomarkers for poor prognosis. Epithelial cells exhibited high intra-tumor heterogeneity and two evolutional trajectories during ESCC tumorigenesis initiated from proliferative cells, and then through an intermediate state, to two different terminal states of normal differentiated epithelial cells or malignant cells, respectively. Intercellular interaction analysis based on ligand-receptor pairs revealed malignant cells interacting with CAFs via the MDK-NCL pathway, which is an important hallmark in the change of tumor microenvironment, and serves as a sign of CAF activation to stimulate downstream pathways for facilitating tumor invasion, and therefore suggesting a potential early biomarker of ESCC progression.Conclusions: This study demonstrates the changes of cell subsets and transcriptional levels in human intramucosal ESCC, providing unique insights into the development of novel biomarkers and potential intervention strategies.
CYP4F2 1347C>T and GGCX 12970C>G Polymorphisms as Determinants of Stable Warfarin Dose in Sudanese Patients of Heart Valve Replacement
Authors: Elsadig Ahmed Elhadi , Elamin Elwaleed Mohamed , Muddathir Abdel Rahim Mahmoud , Ali May Mohammed , Sherif NassrEldin M. A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose
This study intended to explore the contribution of CYP4F2 1347C > T and GGCX 12970C > G polymorphisms on warfarin dose requirements among Sudanese subjects.
Methods
A total of 136 Sudanese patients of heart valve replacement receiving stable warfarin dose were recruited for this study. Blood samples were collected; DNA was extracted using phenol chloroform method. Genotyping for CYP4F2 1347C > T and GGCX 12970C > G polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The association of genotype with warfarin dose requirement was measured by Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests. Genotype, age, gender, comorbidity and concurrent medication were tested as predictors of stable warfarin dose using univariate regression analysis. For all tests, p. values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
Frequencies of CYP4F2 1347C > T genotypes were 22.8% CC, 61% CT and 16.2% TT. The frequencies of C, T alleles were 0.533, 0.466 respectively which are deviated from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (p. value = 0.008). Regarding GGCX 12970C > G genotyping, 96.9% were CC and 3% were CG. The frequencies of C, G alleles were 0.984 and 0.015 respectively which are in accordance with Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (p. value = 0.859). Insignificant differences in the mean daily warfarin dose between different genotype groups were observed (all p. values > 0.05). None of the studied variables was significant predictor of stable warfarin dose in this study population (p. values > 0.05).
Conclusion
No significant contribution of CYP4F2 1347C > T and GGCX 12970C > G polymorphisms on warfarin dose requirements was observed in this study population.
Effects of shape factors on biconvex compacts tensile strength measurement and their impact thereof on prediction of dilution potential from polynomial regression models of tensile strength-compaction force data
Authors: Ilyasu Salim , Olowosulu Adeniji Kehinde , Abdulsamad Abdulrahman
Published: May 2022

Purpose
To compare the effects of shape factors on biconvex compacts tensile strength measurement and their impact thereof on prediction of dilution potential from polynomial regression models of tensile strength-compaction force data of coprocessed diluents with similar deformation physics.
Methods
Compact of ibuprofen-diluent blends were produced between 4.98 to 29.89 kN in eccentric hydraulic press. Given the biconvex round compact dimensions (t = axial thickness, w = central cylinder thickness, and d = diameter), tensile strength was computed as \({\sigma }_{biconvex}=\mathcal{ }\mathcal{Q}\frac{F}{\pi {d}^{2}}\) where F, is the breaking force. The shape factors (\(\mathcal{Q}\)) were defined as \({\left[\frac{t}{2d}\right]}^{-1}\), \({\left[\frac{0.14t}{d}+\frac{0.36w}{d}\right]}^{-1}\), \(\left[10/\left[\left(\frac{2.84t}{d}\right) - \left(\frac{0.126t}{w}\right)+\left(\frac{3.15w}{d}\right)+0.01\right]\right]\) for Podczeck, Shang, and Pitt based models, respectively. Area under the curve (AUC) was obtained by second order polynomial fitting of the tensile strength-compaction force data followed by integration of the quadratic regression equation between the limits 4.98 to 29.89 kN. The AUC of each powder system was normalised with the AUC of ibuprofen-free powder to obtain the area ratio. The area ratio was plotted against mass fraction of ibuprofen, and the curvilinear data was fitted by third degree polynomial fitting, whose regression equation was back extrapolated to zero area ratio to yield dilution potential.
Results
The polynomial regression model was of the form: \(Area ratio={B}_{3}{x}^{3}+{B}_{2}{x}^{2}+{B}_{1}x\)+c, where x is ibuprofen mass fraction, and all the x coefficients and c are regression constants. The average predicted ibuprofen mass fractions (of the three independent tensile strength models) at zero area ratio were \(\approx 110.93\pm 1.02\) and \(\approx 116.02\pm 0.62\) for Tablettose100®-Starch-SSG composites and StarLac®, respectively.
Conclusion
From simplistic view point, dilution potential can reliability be computed from the simple Podzeck model relative to comparatively complex Shang and Pitt models.
Factors associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use among older people: a longitudinal study of the Urban Health Centres Europe (UHCE)
Authors: Ye Lizhen , Yang-Huang Junwen , Franse Carmen Betsy , Rukavina Tomislav , Vasiljev Vanja , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Verma Arpana , Borrás Tamara Alhambra , Rentoumis Tasos , Raat Hein
Published: May 2022

Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use among older people is associated with adverse health consequences due to drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, and adverse drug effects. The aim of this study is to assess the factors that are associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use among community-dwelling older people in Europe.Method: This longitudinal study used baseline and follow-up data from 1791 participants of the Urban Health Center European project in five European countries. We studied factors in the domains (a) demographic characteristics, (b) lifestyle and nutrition, and (c) health and health care use, Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate medication.Results: Mean age was 79.6 years (SD±5.6 years); 60.8% were women; 45.2% had polypharmacy, and 41.8% had a high risk of inappropriate medication use. Participants who were women had higher odds of both having polypharmacy (OR=0.55;95%CI:0.42-0.72) and inappropriate medication use (OR=0.50;95%CI:0.39-0.65). Participants with a migration background (OR=1.67;95%CI:1.08-2.59), overweight (OR=1.37; 95%CI:1.04-1.79) and obesity (OR=1.78;95%CI:1.26-2.51) compared to ‘normal weight’, with lower physical HRQoL (OR=0.96, 95%CI:0.95-0.98), multi-morbidity (OR=3.73, 95%CI:2.18-6.37), frailty (OR=1.69, 95%CI:1.24-2.30), visited outpatient services (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.09-2.88) had higher odds of having polypharmacy. The associations with inappropriate medication use were similar.Conclusions: Multiple factors in the domains of demography, lifestyle, nutrition, and health care use are associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use. These provide starting points to improve interventions to reduce polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use. In the meantime, health professionals can apply these insights to identify subgroups of patients are at a high risk of polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use. Trial registration: The intervention of the UHCE project was registered in the ISRCTN registry as ISRCTN52788952. The date of registration is 13/03/2017.
Quantitative imaging of magnetic nanoparticles in an unshielded environment using a large AC susceptibility array
Authors: Soares Guilherme , Pinto Leonardo , Liebl Maik , Biasotti Gabriel , Prospero Andre , Stoppa Erick , Bakuzis Andris , Baffa Oswaldo , Wiekhorst Frank , Miranda José Ricardo Arruda
Published: May 2022

Backgorund: Non-invasive magnetic imaging techniques are necessary to assist assist magnetic nanoparticles biomedical applications, mainly detecting their distribution inside the body. In Alternating Current Biosusceptometry (ACB), the magnetic nanoparticles magnetization response under an oscillating magnetic field, which is applied through an excitation coil, is detected with a balanced detection coil system. Results: We built a Multi-Channel ACB system (MC-ACB) containing nineteen pick-up coils and obtained 2D quantitative images of magnetic nanoparticles distributions by solving an inverse problem. We reconstructed the magnetic nanoparticles spatial distributions in a field of view of 14×14 cm² with a spatial resolution of 2.0 cm and sensitivity in the milligram scale. A correlation coefficient between quantitative reconstructed and nominal magnetic nanoparticles distributions above 0.6 was found for all measurements. Conclusion: Besides other interesting features such as sufficient large field of view dimension for mice and rat studies, portability, and the ability to assess the quantitative magnetic nanoparticles distributions in real-time, the MC-ACB system is a promising tool for quantitative imaging of magnetic nanoparticles distributions in real-time, offering an affordable setup for easy access in clinical or laboratory environments.
Conversion of a monospecific plantation into a mixed plantation: combining the light-demanding Araucaria angustifolia with the shade-tolerant Cabralea canjerana
Authors: Olguin Flavia Yesica , Moretti Ana Paula , Pinazo Martín Alcides , Goya Juan Francisco , Gortari Fermín , Bahima José Vera , Graciano Corina
Published: May 2022

The management of plantations of the critically endangered species Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze can be an opportunity to mitigate the loss of local biodiversity and to contribute to wood production and Atlantic Forest conservation. Timber species that require canopy protection can be interplanted to convert monospecific stands in uneven-aged mixed plantations. We evaluated the establishment of Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart under the canopy of A. angustifolia and initial competition in an uneven-aged mixed stand. In a 14-year-old stand we planted C. canjerana seedlings in three plots and other three were maintained as pure A. angustifolia plantation. We measured growth and competition in both species using competition indices and C. canjerana environmental and physiological traits to evaluate its acclimation during establishment. Five years after planting, seedling establishment was successful: plants reached a 9-meter height and 75% survived. A. angustifolia increment in diameter at breast height (DBH) was higher in mixed plots than in pure plots. The highest C. canjerana growth was observed with up to two A. angustifolia neighbours within a 5m radius. In other three A. angustifolia stands of different ages, C. canjerana establishment was successful. According to this evidence, it is possible to convert A. angustifolia even-aged stands to uneven-aged mixed stands with beneficial results for both species. In this way, a valuable native timber species that requires canopy protection during the first years can be planted outside the rainforest. This is the first report of a mixed plantation of two native Atlantic Forest timber species.
IL-1β/IL-1R1 signaling in the GIT regulates alpha-synuclein pathology and its propagation to the brain.
Authors: Haichen Niu , Muhammad Bilal , Li Haiying , Xue Senlin , Gao Ya , Xu Zhou , Fang Xiaoli , Ding Haohan , Gu Yunlu , Wu Fang , Geng Deqin
Published: May 2022

Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammatory bowel disease and misfolded alpha-synuclein (αsyn) of the gut are often found in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the relationship between gastrointestinal inflammation with α-syn pathology and PD development is unknown. It is hypothesized that the α-syn pathology induced by gastrointestinal inflammation can begin in the enteric neural cells (ENS) of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and then propagate to the brain. To test this hypothesis, oral administration of rotenone (ROT) was used to induce GIT inflammation. PD-like responses were studied by histochemical and behavioral examinations in mice. Results show that the ROT treatments rendered macrophage activation, inflammatory mediator expression, and α-syn pathology in the GIT six weeks after the treatment. Pathological α-syn, namely pS129- α-syn, was found to be localized with IL-1R1 positive neural cells, which were transferred to the dorsal motor vagus (DMV) region via the vagus nerve. In addition, microglial activation and α-syn pathology (pS129- α-syn) in the ENS, DMV, and SN regions were observed in an interleukin-1β (IL-1β)/IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1R1) dependent. These results, therefore, reveal that inflammation of GIT can induce αsyn pathology and that IL-1β/IL-1R1-dependent propagation of α-syn via vagus nerve could lead to PD development.
Associations between serum vitamin D levels and visceral adipose tissue among adolescents: a cross-sectional observational study in NHANES 2011-2015
Authors: Li Yan-feng , Zheng Xiao , Gao Wen-lan , Tao Feng , Chen Yi
Published: May 2022

Backgrounds:
The incidence of obesity and vitamin D deficiency increases among adolescents. Improving our knowledge of the link between vitamin D and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is essential for the health of adolescents. This study aimed to examine the connection between blood vitamin D levels and VAT mass among adolescents participating in the United States.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the 2011 to 2015 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The connection between blood vitamin D levels and VAT was investigated using weighted multiple linear regression models. Potential nonlinear relationships were explored using smooth curve fitting.
Results
An overall number of 3171 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 were recruited to take part in this research. Vitamin D levels were shown to be inversely linked with VAT in the full-adjusted model (β= -0.38, 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.23). When subgroup analysis was stratified by gender, this negative connection remainder in the girls' group (β= -0.44, 95% CI: -0.65 to -0.22), but not in the boys' group (β= -0.07, 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.12). When subgroup analysis was stratified by race, this negative connection remained in the Mexican American group (β= -0.63, 95% CI: -1.04 to -0.21), and the non-Hispanic White group (β= -0.35, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.08), but not in the other groups.
Conclusions
In this investigation, it was shown that serum vitamin D levels negatively correlated with VAT in girls, the Mexican American and non-Hispanic White in adolescents.
Coal Mine Environment Causes Adverse Effects on Workers
Authors: Chen Huihui , Zhang Mengli , Ding Xinping , Wang Tianwei , Ma Zhiyuan , Zhang Wenzhong
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To study the health effects of coal mine environment on workers, to discover early effective biomarkers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 502 in-service workers, and the population was divided into the coal miner and the auxiliary worker. Clinical examinations were carried out by qualified doctors. Peripheral blood was collected to measure blood biochemistry, hemogram and karyotype apoptosis. Results: All workers were healthy and showed no difference in age, height, weight and BMI between groups. The education level and working years of coal miners were significantly lower than that of auxiliary workers (P < 0.05). Compared with auxiliary workers, the concentration and percentage of LYMPH, BASO, EO, RBC and the concentration of HGB of coal miners decreased (P < 0.05). The percentage of NEUT of coal miners increased (P < 0.05). The coal miner presented higher BUN, lower CRE, and higher BUN/CRE (P < 0.05). The proportion of karyotype apoptosis of coal miners was higher (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The coal mine environment impacts immune system, induces adverse effects on renal function and enhances the risk of anemia of coal miners. And karyotype apoptosis, LYMPH, BUN/CRE and HGB can be used as early effective biomarkers for coal miners.
Robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients using the SenhanceTM surgical system – evaluation of the feasibility and safety of a new system
Authors: Haist Thomas , Pauthner Michael , Scheffel Oliver
Published: May 2022

Robotic-assisted surgery is widely integrated into several surgery standards. However, conventional laparoscopy still represents the gold standard in bariatric surgery and robotic-assisted surgery is relatively novel. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the SenhanceTM surgical system for robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients. Twenty obese patients (BMI: 36-57) underwent elective robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy in the Department for bariatric and metabolic surgery at Sana Hospital Offenbach, Germany. Indication for sleeve gastrectomy followed the general German guidelines of obesity surgery. Median docking time was 7.5 min (4–13), mean console time was 33 min (15-75) and median total operating time was 85 min (47–147). Two cases were converted to conventional laparoscopy (10 %) for bleeding or limited working space, none to open surgery. One complication required reoperation (postoperative hematoma). Median hospitalization time was three days (3–5). The study results underline the feasibility and safety of the SenhanceTM surgical system for robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients.
Minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: A prospective, controlled observational study of short-term outcome
Authors: Hartmann Sebastian , Lang Anna , Lener Sara , Grassner Lukas , Abramovic Anto , Thomé Claudius
Published: May 2022

Purpose
Instrumented stabilization with intersomatic fusion can be achieved by open (O-TLIF) or minimally invasive (MIS-TLIF) transforaminal surgical access. While less invasive techniques have been associated with reduced postoperative pain and disability, increased manipulation and insufficient decompression may contradict MIS techniques. In order to detect differences between both techniques in the short-term, a prospective, controlled study was conducted.
Methods
38 patients with isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis or degenerative disc disease were included in this prospective, controlled study (15 MIS-TLIF group vs. 23 O-TLIF group) after failed conservative treatment. Patients were examined preoperatively, on the first, third and sixth postoperative day as well as after 2, 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Outcome parameters included blood loss, duration of surgery, pre- and postoperative pain (numeric rating scale [NRS], visual analogue scale [VAS]), functionality (Timed up and Go test [TUG]), disability (Oswestry Disability index [ODI] and quality of life (EQ-5D).
Results
Intraoperative blood loss (IBL) as well as postoperative blood loss (PBL) was significantly higher in the O-TLIF group ([IBL O-TLIF 528 ml vs. MIS-TLIF 213ml p = 0.001], [PBL O-TLIF 322 ml vs. MIS-TLIF 30 ml p = 0.004]). The O-TLIF cohort showed significantly less leg pain postoperatively compared to the MIS-TLIF group ([NRS-leg 3rd postoperative day p = 0.027], [VAS-leg 12 weeks post-op p = 0.02]).
Conclusion
After 3 months in the short-term follow-up, the MIS procedure tends to have better results. Nevertheless, MIS-TLIF offers perioperative advantages, but seems to carry a risk of increased nerve root manipulation, which may be linked to the procedure’s learning curve.
Effect of frozen-thawed embryo transfer on metabolism of children in early childhood
Authors: Dong Ze-Han , Wu Ting , Feng Tie-Nan , Zhang Chen , Wang Yu , Liu Han , Qin Ning-Xin , Wang Yin-Yu , Xu Jing-Jing , Li Hong , Yu Wen , Jin Li , Ding Yan , Lin Xian-Hua , Chen Lei , Wang Li , Liu Zhi-Wei , Sheng Jian-Zhong , Wu Yan-Ting , Huang He-Feng
Published: May 2022

Background:As a routine procedure in assisted reproductive technology (ART), it is crucial to assess the safety of frozen and thawed embryo transfer (FET). We aimed to investigate the metabolic profile of children conceived through FET between the ages of 1.5 and 4.Method:284 children between the ages of 1.5 and 4 years old, conceived through FET or spontaneously conceived, were recruited. A total of 147 children were included in the biochemical and metabolomics analysis (118 were born following FET and 29 were conceived spontaneously).Results:Children in the FET group had higher plasma ApoE and lower fasting insulin than those in the NC group. There were 11 small molecule metabolities that differed between the FET and NC groups: short chain fatty acid and secondary bile acid were higher in the FET group, whereas medium and long chain fatty acids were lower.Conclusion: We found that the fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR index which related to glycometabolism were decreased in FET group. Increased level of ApoE and decreased level of medium and long chain fatty acids in FET group indicated the abnormal lipid metabolism of children born after FET. Meanwhile, the increase of SCFAs (short chain fatty acids) level and secondary bile acids in FET group may suggeste the active metabolism of intestinal flora of children conceived from FET.
Identification and validation of immune-related lncRNA prognostic signature for lung cancer
Authors: Liu Ya , Mrs Xiuli Xia , Mrs Aiping Xu , Mr Yongfeng Chen , Mr Jianjun Tuo , Mrs Ting Xu , Wang Hongquan , Chen Zhiqiang
Published: May 2022

Background: Since lung cancer (LC) has a poor prognosis worldwide, this study focuses on constructing the immune-related lncRNAs (IRlncRNAs) model for improving survivability among lung cancer patients.Methods: This work identified immune-related differentially expressed genes (IRDEGs) in cancer compared with healthy tissues based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-derived expression profiles. Prognostic genes were later screened by univariate Cox regression, thereafter, multivariate Cox regression was performed to establish a prognostic risk model. After evaluating risk scores of all cases, the risk model was used to perform a clinical correlation analysis.Results: This work established a 6 immune-related genes (IRGs)-based signature. It suggested the poor survival of high-risk patients, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) value being 0.776. Besides, high-risk IRGs like IPO5P1 and AC090559.1 were associated with significant malignant clinical manifestations. Further, IRlncRNAs were related to cell cycle and DNA damage repair through KEGG enrichment analysis.Conclusion: Our as-constructed signature might be the model to effectively predict LC survival. Moreover, tumor immunity analysis helped to develop efficient clinical treatments.
Case Report and Literature Review of the Sequential Treatment Involving Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty, Tissue-engineered Skin Graft and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Dialysis Patients with Diabetic Plantar and Heel Ulcers
Authors: Wang Jinjun , Huang Xianming , Wang Pinyi , Wang Linru , Zhang Juanzi , Liu Qiuxia , Geng Diyu , Li Wenwen , Chen Xiguang
Published: May 2022

This case report is concerned with a female patient aged 62, who was admitted to the hospital due to the “ulceration on her left foot for more than one month and the pain exacerbation for one week”. Three years ago, this patient underwent regular hemodialysis for treating the “renal failure in the stage of uremia”. This time, she was admitted with plantar and heel ulcers on her left foot, which had caused damage to the lower leg. The digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed extensive stenosis and occlusion in the left superficial femoral artery, left peroneal artery and left posterior tibial artery, based on which this patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetic foot ulcers (DFU, TEXAS 4D). After her admission to the hospital, the multidisciplinary team (MDT) concluded from discussion that the flap transposition and transfemoral amputation were not applicable to this case. Therefore, the “straight bloodstream” was opened by endovascular operation towards the affected part on the basis of medical supportive treatment + local debridement. Then, the wound was sequentially repaired by split-thickness skin and tissue-engineered skin grafts combined with negative pressure treatment. Four months later, the wound completely healed, and the patient was able to walk with walking aid. It was the first case in which the ischemic diabetic plantar and heel ulcers were successfully cured by the sequential treatment involving percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), autologous skin and tissue-engineered skin grafts, and negative pressure suction.
Effect of diabetes mellitus on physical activity in patients with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis scheduled for total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fujita Remi , Ota Susumu , Yamamoto Yuri , Kataoka Akito , Warashina Hideki , Inoue Tomoe , Ozeki Shinya , Sugiura Hideshi
Published: May 2022

Background: Studies are now emphasizing on the involvement of risk factors like diabetes mellitus (DM) in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients with knee OA and those with DM have lower physical activity. However, whether patients with knee OA and DM have more decreased physical activity than do patients with only knee OA and whether DM is associated with physical activity in patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA who are scheduled for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in physical activity between patients with and without DM and to determine the association between physical activity and the presence of DM in patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA who are scheduled for TKA.Methods: We evaluated 183 patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA who were scheduled for TKA. We evaluated knee function (i.e., knee flexion/extension range-of-motion, knee-extension strength, knee pain) and performance-based physical function (e.g., Timed Up-and-Go [TUG] test), and objectively measured physical activity using an accelerometer. Physical activity by intensity was compared between knee OA patients with DM and those without DM. The association between physical activity and DM, including knee function and performance-based physical function, was evaluated.Results: The average daily step count was significantly fewer (p<0.001), and light-intensity physical activity (LPA) time (p<0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) time (p=0.006) were significantly shorter in knee OA patients with DM than in those without DM. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, fewer average daily step count and shorter LPA time were significantly correlated with DM (β = -0.200, p=0.006; β = -0.216, p=0.004) and a longer TUG test time (β = -0.196, p=0.014; β = -0.208, p=0.011). Shorter MVPA time was significantly correlated with lower contralateral knee-extension strength (β = 0.187, p=0.032).Conclusions: Knee OA patients with DM had lower physical activity than did knee OA patients without DM. The presence of DM was correlated with step count and LPA time in patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA scheduled for TKA. Our results suggested that the progression of decreased physical activity should be a concern for patients with both moderate-to-severe knee OA and DM.
Hybrid Focusing Metric for Sound Speed Estimation in Photoacoustic Imaging Involving Layered Media
Authors: Yıldırım Ahmet , Mahmutoğlu Aslı Nur , Karaaslan Berkay , Özdemir Özgür
Published: May 2022

In photoacoustic imaging, the speed of sound distribution (SoS) of background is required for image reconstruction, though, in general, it may not be known exactly before reconstruction. The estimation of SoS in a layered media is a difficult task due to the nonlinearity of the wave propagation. In this work, we proposed a novel hybrid focusing metric for accurate image quality assessment in an autofocusing approach to estimate the speed of sound distribution of layered media. In the proposed metric, contrast resolution and spatial resolution information were combined into a novel hybrid focusing metric by exploiting intensity-based focusing metrics and pixel count metrics, thus, enhancing the accuracy of estimation. We have compared the performance of the proposed metric with state of art focusing metrics Brenner, Tennenbaum, and Normalized Variance through numerical simulations which were conducted through k-Wave toolbox. and proved that the proposed focusing metric improved the performance of autofocusing approach significantly in layered media.
A 20-year Trend of Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia in a Single Secondary Care Hospital in Korea
Authors: Song Je Eun , Kim Sollip , Kwak Yee Gyung , Um Tae Hyun , Cho Chong Rae , Chang Jeonghyun
Published: May 2022

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious infection. We aimed to analyse the prevalence and susceptibility rates to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) of S. maltophilia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of S. maltophilia isolates from a university hospital from 2001 to 2020. Clinical information, the numbers of isolates and susceptibility rates were analyzed by year. Susceptibility rates and changes in respiratory and non-respiratory samples were compared. Results: 1,805 S. maltophilia isolates were identified, of which 81.4% (1,469/1,805) were from respiratory samples. There was a male predominance and 52% of the isolates were from general wards. The average susceptibility rate was 87.7% and there was no significant annual trend (p = 0.519). The susceptibility rate was 88.7% in respiratory samples and 84.1% in non-respiratory samples (p = 0.018). Conclusions: Susceptibility analyses using clinical data over long periods can guide the choice of antimicrobials especially for pathogen whose treatment options are limited.
A novel cuproptosis-related gene signature can predict prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Xu Zhenzhen , Ma Hehua , Weng Zuyi , Li Juan
Published: May 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common and lethal acute leukemia in adults with a dismal prognosis. Infiltrating immune significantly affects the progression of AML. Cuproptosis is a copper-dependent programmed cell death. However, the prognostic significance of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated prognostic value of each CRGs and constructed a 3-gene risk model using RNA-sequencing data of AML from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Each AML sample was calculated with a risk score based on the risk model, and then assigned into low- and high-risk groups. Patients with a high risk-score exhibited much worse overall survival. These findings were verified in a Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Functional analysis indicated that immune status differed between low- and high-risk groups, as well as immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity. In summary, the risk model based on the expression of CRGs is a promising prognostic biomarker for AML.
Diagnostic value of cell block technique combined with p16/Ki-67 double staining in cervical cancer screening ≥CIN2 with cytological results of ASC-US/LSIL
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Meng Fanfan , Gu Yiqun
Published: May 2022

Background
Accurate screening for ≥ CIN2 in patients with cytologic results of ASC-US/LSIL is key to cervical cancer screening, which will benefit women by reducing the psychosocial impact of having repeated abnormal smears and undergoing colposcopy.
Methods
To analyze the potential role of the p16/Ki-67 double-stained(DS) on cell block (CB) assay on cytological results of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in a final pathological diagnosis of ≥ cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2 lesion. We screened ASC-US/LSIL cases with complete results of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and DNA ploidy analysis, and based on the principle of informed consent and voluntariness, the patients' remaining Liquid Based Cytology(LBC) specimens were subjected to CB. A total of 222 patients underwent colposcopic biopsy to compare and analyze the diagnostic efficacy of the three screening methods for ≥ CIN2.
Results
The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of p16/Ki-67 DS was significantly higher than that of HR-HPV and DNA ploidy, P < 0.01. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) index results showed that compared with HR-HPV and DNA ploidy, p16/Ki-67 DS on CB increased the percentage of patients correctly classified by 147.0% and 127.8%, respectively, P < 0.01. The results of the integrated discrimination improvement index (IDI) index showed that p16/Ki-67 increased diagnostic ability by 60.9% and 63.3%, P < 0.01.
Conclusion
The p16/Ki-67 DS on CB significantly improved the correct classification of patients with ≥ CIN2, was a good method to triage ASC-US/LSIL patients, and effectively avoided the occurrence of overdiagnosis and treatment.
3D Multi-Physics Uncertainty Quantification using Physics-Based Machine Learning
Authors: Degen Denise , Cacace Mauro , Wellmann Florian
Published: May 2022

Quantitative predictions of the physical state of the Earth’s subsurface are routinely based on numerical solutions of complex coupled partial differential equations together with estimates of the uncertainties in the material parameters. The resulting
high-dimensional problems are computationally prohibitive even for state-of-the-art solver solutions. In this study, we introduce a hybrid physics-based machine learning technique, the non-intrusive reduced basis method, to construct reliable, scalable, and interpretable surrogate models. Our approach, to combine physical process models with data-driven machine learning techniques, allows us to overcome limitations specific to each individual component, and it enables us to carry out probabilistic analyses, such as global sensitivity studies and uncertainty quantification for real-case non-linearly coupled physical problems. It additionally provides orders of magnitude computational gain, while maintaining an accuracy higher than measurement errors. Although in this study we use a thermo-hydro-mechanical reservoir application to illustrate these features, all the theory described is equally valid and applicable to a wider range of geosciences applications.