bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic stem cell-derived fibrocytes as targets and tools for cancer therapy: mechanisms and therapeutic implications
Authors: Zhang Liyi , Qiu Haibo , Zhang Xu , Qi Jiali , Zhang Jiangwen , Tong Yin , Li Lei , Fu Li , Qin Yan-Ru , Guan Xinyuan
Published: April 2022

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) is an ideal target for cancer treatment. Recent studies have focused on eliminating CAFs and their effects by targeting their markers or blocking individual CAF-secreted factors. However, these strategies have been limited by their specificity for targeting CAFs and effectiveness in blocking widespread influence of CAFs. Here, we aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms of CAF generation and optimize CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies.Methods: Using FGFR2 as a tracing marker, we identified a novel origin of CAFs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Furthermore, we successfully isolated CAF precursors from peripheral blood of ESCC patients and explored the mechanisms underlying their expansion, recruitment and differentiation via RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.Results: We found that FGFR2+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-derived fibrocytes could be induced by ESCC cells, homing into tumor xenografts, and differentiate into functional CAFs. They could be mobilized by cancer-secreted FGF2 and recruited into tumor sites via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Moreover, they differentiate into CAFs through the activation of YAP-TEAD complex which is trigger by directly contract with tumor cells. FGF2 and CXCR4 neutralizing antibodies could effectively block the mobilization and recruitment process of FGFR2+ CAFs. The YAP-TEAD complex-based mechanism can be used to locally activate the production of genetically encoded therapeutic payloads in tumor sites.Conclusion: We identified a novel CAF origin and systematically studied the process of mobilization, recruitment, and maturation of CAFs in ESCC under the guidance of tumor cells. These findings give rise to new approaches that target CAFs before their incorporation into tumor stroma and use CAF- precursors as cellular vehicles to target cancer cells.
Can green credit policy promote green total factor productivity? Evidence from China
Authors: Li Boyang , Zhang Jiawang , Shen Yue , Du Qiang
Published: April 2022

Green credit, a market-driven environmental policy instrument and an essential component of the green financial system, has piqued academic and policymakers' interest in whether it has successfully improved Chinese green total factor productivity (GTFP). Utilizing Chinese province panel data from 2006 to 2019, this study assesses GTFP using the Slack-Based Model with the Global-Malmquist-Luenberger technique and investigates the influence of green credit on GTFP as well as its mechanism. The findings suggest green credit has a favorable influence on China's GTFP. Green credit can boost GTFP through three mechanisms: upgrading industrial structure, stimulating green innovation, and optimizing energy consumption structures. Furthermore, green credit improves GTFP in eastern regions but has little impact elsewhere; the promotion impact is more effective in financial developed regions than in financial underdeveloped regions. As a result, the Chinese government should encourage regionally differentiated green credit policy implementation.
Observational study on the assessment of prognostic factors for mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia
Authors: Spuntarelli Valerio , Taranto Aldo , Beumo Brice Ndongmo , Tartarone Emanuele , Bentivegna Enrico , Luciani Michelangelo , Morsa Alessandra , Bonfini Rita , Martelletti Paolo
Published: April 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Infection can range from asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic to more severe forms with pneumonia and multiorgan dysfunction. Understanding the prognostic factors that influence the course of hospitalization and the onset of more severe forms of the disease has been one of the most important challenges of this pandemic. The main objective of this observational study is to establish some clinical and laboratory parameters useful for defining the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. The secondary end point is to understand how glycaemic changes affect the days of hospitalization. We observed how hypernatremia, hypocaliamia, newly diagnosed renal insufficiency and altered glycemic values were the main complications that arose during hospitalization, especially in patients staying in high-intensity units. Interestingly, we also noted how the altered glycemic values correlated with a longer length of hospital stay. We hope this study will help to better understand what the most important factors to be aware of for COVID-19 patients.
Tinea pedis epidemiology and importance from the lens of homelessness and low-resource settings.
Authors: Rasul Taha Faiz , Rafie Christine Isabelle , Anderson Jackson , Mathew Megan , Bergholz Daniel Richard , Henderson Armen
Published: April 2022

Patients experiencing homelessness (PEH) are a patient group with high levels of morbidity and mortality. PEH have high rates of dermatophyte infections, although the exact incidence and prevalence compared to the general population has not been determined. This study characterizes tinea pedis in homeless individuals across geographic locations and offers recommendations for treatment in low-resource settings. A total of 58 PubMed articles were analyzed with inclusion criteria containing ‘tinea pedis’ and ‘homeless’. Cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and case-control studies published from 1979–2022 were evaluated. In North America, among sheltered homeless individuals the prevalence of tinea pedis ranged from 3.2–13.5% whereas it occurs at roughly a 10% frequency in the general population. European studies showed a tinea pedis frequency of 4.4–34.9% in the general population compared to 3.2% in a homeless patient cohort. There is incomplete data on tinea pedis infections in homeless populations in Africa, Asia, and South America. There are statistically significant differences in disease burden and healthcare utilization between sheltered and unsheltered homeless patients. This study raises questions about the status of dermatophytosis among homeless populations in high-risk areas such as the Southern United States. Pre-emptive treatment of tinea pedis is vital for PEH due to the potential for severe complications such as cellulitis and osteomyelitis. Longitudinal treatment in low-resource settings with simple interventions such as antifungal powder, socks, and hygiene supplies, can potentially prevent the progression of tinea pedis and improve disease burden.
A Novel Fungal Negative-strand RNA Virus Related to Mymonaviruses in Auricularia heimuer
Authors: Fu Yongping , Li Xufei , Liu Qingcheng , Li Shiyu , Sossah Frederick Leo , Han Xuerong , Zhu Guosheng , Li Yu , Li Changtian
Published: April 2022

We reported a novel (-)ssRNA mycovirus isolated from Auricularia heimuer CCMJ1222, using a combination of RNA-seq sequencing, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and Sanger sequencing. Combining database searches, sequence alignment, and phylogenetic analysis, we designated the virus as Auricularia heimuer negative-stranded RNA virus 1 (AhNsRV1). The virus had a monopartite RNA genome related to mymonaviruses (Mononegavirales). The AhNsRV1 genome consists of 11,441 nucleotides and six linear open reading frames (ORFs). The largest ORF encodes a large protein; the second ORF encodes a hypothetical protein, while other ORF functions were unknown. AhNsRV1 was the first (-)ssRNA virus known to infect fungi and was the third virus to be discovered from A. heimuer.
IL36G genetic variant is independently associated with susceptibility, severity and joint involvement in psoriasis
Authors: Moreira Cássio Rafael , Alcântara Camila Cataldi , Flauzino Tamires , Martin Ligia Marcia Mario , Lozovoy Marcell Alysson Batisti , Reiche Edna Maria Vissoci , Simão Andrea Name Colado
Published: April 2022

Objective/Design: A case-control study aims to evaluate the frequency of the IL36G C>T (rs13392494) and the IL36G A>G (rs7584409) variants and their association with susceptibility, joint involvement and severity of psoriasis (PsO). Subjects and Methods: The study included 154 patients with PsO and 154 controls from Brazilian population. The IL36G (rs13392494 and rs7584409) variants were genotyped by allelic discrimination assay using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The severity of PsO was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Results: Plaque PsO, PsA, and PASI > 10 were observed among 95.8%, 16.1%, and 27.9% of patients, respectively. The IL36G rs7584409 variant showed a protective effect in PsO whereas the IL36G rs13392494 variant was not associated with susceptibility to PsO. The G allele of the IL36G rs7584409 in heterozygosis and homozygosis (dominant model) was positively associated with PASI >10 and the GG genotype of this variant was associated with the presence of PsA. Conclusion: The presence of the G allele of the IL36G rs7584409 variant was associated with protection to PsO, higher PASI and the presence of PsA than the A allele suggesting that this variant may be used as a potential genetic biomarker to predict severity and joint involvement of the PsO.
The Relationship Among Adolescents’ Self-esteem, Emotional Intelligence and Friendship Quality
Authors: Ye WEI
Published: April 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship among self-esteem, emotional intelligence and friendship quality of adolescents. Methods: A total of 333 adolescents were investigated with the help of a questionnaire and the qualitative data of interviews were used to demonstrate the results. The data were analyzed by exploratory analysis and typical correlation analysis. Results: Self-esteem can explain 21.3% of the variance of friendship quality. All levels of self-esteem are positively correlated with company help, intimate communication, positive value, trust and respect in friendship quality, but negatively correlated with conflict and betrayal in friendship quality. Emotional intelligence can explain 36.4% of the variance of friendship quality, and all levels of emotional intelligence are positively related to the level of companionship, intimate communication, positive value, trust and respect in friendship quality, but negatively related to the level of conflict and betrayal in friendship quality. Conclusion: There is a typical relationship among self-esteem, emotional intelligence and friendship quality, and interpersonal self-esteem, trust and respect, companionship and help, and intimate communication are the main explanatory factors. Emotional adjustment, cognitive reappraisal, emotional control and company help, trust and respect, positive value, intimate communication are the main explanatory factors.
Design of a radio sensing device for open farmland environmental data collection
Authors: Lai Chien-Hung , Lai Kuan-Ting , Hwang Yuh-Shyan
Published: April 2022

This paper introduces a radio sensing device that is easy to manufacture and maintain, easy to install and relocate, can store solar energy, resistant to typhoon and heavy rains, and has low power consumption. With the radio sensing devices constantly collecting information on environmental changes and sending data back to the backend system designated by the customer, our system can assist the farmers predicting the production period of crops in the area, which allow farmers to plan the different field operations. In this paper, we propose an unified sensor framework and compare our design with various hardware, software and mechanism of sensing devices in the literature. The height of our device is 275mm, the bottom circle radius is 63.3mm, the weight is less than 2kg, the minimum power consumption during radio transmission is only 0.58W, and the end point transmission distance can reach 16 kilometers. Our devices are highly integrated and low power, and have been commercialized and sold worldwide.
Mechanistic modeling-guided optimization of microneedle-based skin patch for rapid transdermal delivery of naloxone for opioid overdose treatment
Authors: Puri Ashana , Tijani Akeemat , Dogra Prashant , Peláez Maria , Wang Zhihui , Cristini Vittorio
Published: April 2022

Naloxone, an FDA approved opioid inhibitor, used to reverse opioid overdose complications has up till date faced challenges associated with its delivery. Limitations include the use of invasive delivery forms and the need for frequent redosing due to its short half-life. Further, the use of the non-invasive commercially available intranasal form is faced with limitations such as nasal epistaxis and inability to use the intranasal channel due to nasal trauma common in addicts from frequent drug snorting. The goal of the current study was to design a rapidly dissolving polymeric microneedle (MN) patch with delivery and pharmacokinetic properties comparable to that seen with the commercially available NAL products, eliminating their highlighted limitations. Factors such as drug loading and polymer strength influenced the fabrication of the MNs. Compared to passive permeation, a reduced lag time of about 5-15 min was observed with a significant drug flux of 15.09 ± 7.68 g/cm 2 /h seen in the first 1 h (p<0.05) with an array of 100 needles (500 µm long). Increasing the MN length and density (no. of needles/unit area) made a significant difference in the amount permeated and flux (p<0.05), with latter being more influential. Further, through a mechanistic model of drug release from the patch, integrated with pharmacokinetic modeling, we optimized the design of the patch to reproduce in-silico the clinical pharmacokinetics of NAL obtained through commercial intramuscular and intranasal devices. Model simulations and analyses revealed the significance of needle base diameter and needle count in improving systemic pharmacokinetics of NAL.
Occurrence of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mullet (Liza aurata) from Bizerte and Ghar El Melh Lagoons (Tunisia) and associated human health risk assessment
Authors: Ameur Walid Ben , Annabi Ali , Mhadhbi Takoua , Hassine Sihem Ben , Safouen Ghanmi , Megdihe Yassine El , Khadija Maaned , Ennaceur Soukaina , Hammami Bechir , Touil Soufiane , Driss Mohamed Ridha
Published: April 2022

There is a scarcity of information on the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biota from Tunisian coastal ecosystems. To our knowledge, this is the first work to report these chemicals in the biota of Ghar El Melh Lagoon. In Liza aurata muscle from the Bizerte and Ghar El Melh Lagoons (Tunisia), levels of 15 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured. Total PAH levels in mullet from the Bizerte and Ghar El Melh Lagoons were comparable to or lower than those found in other fish specimens from around the globe. The nature of the detected chemicals reveals petrogenic and pyrolytic anthropogenic contamination in both studied lagoons. The human health threat caused by mullet consumption was assessed, and it was observed that PAH intakes pose no threat to the local population's health.
NILS: An Artificial Neural Network Tool for Personalized Noninvasive Lymph Node Staging in Breast Cancer
Authors: Dihge Looket , Bendahl Pär-Ola , Skarping Ida , Hjärtström Malin , Ohlsson Mattias , Ryden Lisa
Published: April 2022

While breast cancer commonly presents at an early stage without axillary lymphatic spread, surgical axillary staging by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is routinely performed in all patients with clinically node-negative disease. This study presents the development and implementation of a personalized prediction tool for noninvasive lymph node staging (NILS) using artificial neural network algorithms. Routinely available clinical and tumor-related variables in the preoperative setting from a consecutive cohort of 800 breast cancer cases were included in model training and internal validation. The model was trained to handle missing data for the ten input variables, and the performance to distinguish benign/metastatic lymph nodes ranged from AUCs 0.72 to 0.74, with good calibration. The potential to abstain from axillary surgery was observed in 26% of patients using NILS for the prediction of nodal status and acknowledged a false negative rate of 10%, which is clinically accepted for the standard SLNB technique.
Music festival drug checking: Evaluation of an Australian pilot program
Authors: Olsen Anna , Wong Gabriel , McDonald David
Published: April 2022

Background: This paper explores the feasibility of delivering a music festival based drug checking service in Australia, evaluating service design and stakeholder acceptability. Methods: Questionnaire and interview data were collected from adult service users and key stakeholders. A mixed methods approach was used to analyse the data on implementation, impact and acceptability. Results: The trial service tested 170 substances with more than 230 patrons. Adult service users had an average age of 21 years. Among adult patrons who participated in the pre- and post-drug checking questionnaires, 88 per cent of the test results were the drug expected. Evaluation results show that the experience of testing and the accompanying harm reduction brief interventions positively impacted on patrons' self-reported drug harm reduction knowledge, trust of health providers and stated drug use intentions. The service was received positively by service users.Conclusion: This is the first independent evaluation of a pilot drug checking service in Australia. Consideration of operational feasibility and self-reported behavioural change suggests that the program was successful, although communication about the interpretation of drug checking results could be improved. Future studies should develop strategies for follow-up and consider the applicability of behavioural change theory.
Relationship Between Screen Time and Body Mass Index in Young Adults
Authors: Rafique Nazish , Alkaltham Gaeda Khaled I , Almulhim Latifah Abdullah A , Al-Asoom Lubna Ibrahim , AlSunni Ahmed A , AlSheikh Mona , Ghamdi Kholoud S. Al , Yar Talay , Alabdulhadi Aseel Salah , Nadeem Farhat
Published: April 2022

Background: This study aimed to find the association between screen time (ST) and body mass index in young adults.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted on 1876 students (aged 18-22yrs) from multiple Colleges of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, from January 2021 till June 2021. The main tools of the study were: 1) Body mass index (BMI) and an online questionnaire. The subjects were categorized into 3 main groups based on their ST: 1) Low ST< 2Hours/day, 2) Medium ST= 3 to 5Hours/day, 3) Excessive ST > 6Hours /day. Based on BMI, subjects were categorized into three main groups: Normal and underweight (BMI ≤24.9), over weight (BMI >25-29.9) and obese (BMI > 30).Results: The mean age (±SD) of participants was 20 ± 2.8 years. Average BMI was 23.5 kg/m2 . The % of students falling into the categories of normal weight, overweight and obesity was 69.2, 19.05 and 11.7% respectively . Average screen time in study participants was 8.2 ± 3.45 hrs /24 hours. 71.15% participants indicated a ST of ≥ 6 hrs/24 hours and 23.71% reported ST of 3 - 5 hrs/24 hours. Only 3.15 % of students reported ST of ≤ 2 hrs/24 hours. Although a rise in the mean BMI was observed with an increase in the ST, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.156). Pair wise comparison also failed to demonstrate any difference in BMI between different categorize of ST. Furthermore no significant positive correlation was found between increased BMI and excessive ST (P=0.37).Conclusion: A high percentage of young adults (31.2%) were overweight or obese, but excessive ST was not significantly associated with increased BMI in this study population. Further studies are recommended to identify the effects of other factors in causing increased BMI in young adults.
The resting-state topological organization damage of language-related brain regions in post-stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Wang Sirui , Rao Bo , Miao Guofu , Zhang Xin , Zheng Jun , Lin Junbin , Yu Minhua , Zhou Xiaoli , Xu Haibo , Liao Weijing
Published: April 2022

Background: The topology of brain networks is the foundation of cognition. We hypothesized that stroke damaged topological organization resulting in cognitive impairment. The aim was to explore the damage pattern of the resting-state topology in post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) patients.Methods: Thirty-seven patients with PSCI and thirty-seven gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. The structural and functional data were collected from all subjects. The degree centrality (DC), betweenness centrality (BC), and global properties of brain networks were analyzed between groups. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between topological properties that changed significantly and clinical cognitive function scale scores.Results: Compared with HC, the PSCI patients had significantly reduced DC in language-related brain regions and significantly higher DC in the right frontal lobe, hippocampus, and paracentral lobule. The decreased BC was located in the left caudate, thalamus, temporal and frontal lobes. The increased BC was detected in the left cuneus and right precuneus. In addition, PSCI exhibited increased characteristic path length and decreased small-worldness. DC and BC in the left superior temporal gyrus were positively correlated with scale scores.Conclusions: PSCI patients had impaired functional topology of the language-related brain regions, mainly in the left hemisphere. The enhanced processing and relaying information of some right high-order cognitive brain regions may be a compensatory mechanism. However, the whole brain's function integration was reduced, and there was an imbalance between efficiency and consumption. The decreased DC and BC of the left superior temporal gyrus may be the biomarker of overall cognitive function.
A case of dyskeratosis congenita with prominent splenomegaly, portal hypertension, and hypoxemia
Authors: Liu Li-Juan , Niu Qiong , Cheng Xian-yong , Gao Yu , Liu Cheng-xia
Published: April 2022

Background: Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare hereditary disease. A correct diagnosis of this disease might be delayed due to its rarity. Therefore, a deep understanding of the characteristics of this condition is necessary to assist in early diagnosis.Case presentation: A 16-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with the complaint of abdominal pain. The patient was examined to consider the diagnosis of acute portal vein thrombosis. In the previously-consulted hospital, the patient was diagnosed with "splenomegaly, portal hypertension, and hypoxemia" and treated with splenic resection. After surgery, he began developing portal vein thrombosis. Since the patient had the classic triad of reticulate hyperpigmentation, nail dystrophy, and leukoplakia, these observations in combination with the patient's genetic testing report for hereditary diseases prepared outside our hospital led to the diagnosis of congenital dyskeratosis in our hospital. Conclusion: In the absence of any other evident reasons, when the patient presents with changes in the skin, nails, leukoplakia, etc., and multiple organ functions are affected at the same time, a diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita should be suspected. A better understanding of the genetics underlying this rare disease condition would assist in improving its diagnosis and better monitoring disease progression and treatment.
A Four-Year Survey of Error Reports in a Radiotherapy Department
Authors: Esmati Ebrahim , Hasoomi Nafise , Khodadadi Asma , Andish Neda Maal , Ghalehtaki Reza , Kazemian Ali
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Patient safety is a fundamental concept in radiotherapy due to the delivery of large radiation doses in a single fraction. Radiotherapy is a highly complex procedure with many steps, which confers a high risk of errors. This study aimed to investigate radiotherapy errors and their effects on patients to provide a framework for increasing our knowledge of radiotherapy, quality of treatment and patient safety .Materials and Methods: The total number of error reports was 648 during four years of this survey (2017-2020), 51% of which were attributed to near-misses, and the patients were not affected by the errors. Also, 40% of the errors were incident errors, while the rest were non-conformity errors. Meanwhile, the number of treatment courses was 12,755, 32,118, 34,052, and 39,784 throughout the survey during 2017-2020, respectively.Results: The annual error ratio was 2.2 in 100 treatment courses. Use of a collaborative interprofessional approach led to a decrease in the incident errors by 20% and an increase in near-misses by 24% during the survey(P=.002).Conclusion: Our outcomes indicated that analyzing radiotherapy errors and their effects on patients can help radiotherapy teams, including radiation oncologists, physicists, and radiation therapists, to provide the best services for the patients; it also improves teamwork and increases the quality of treatment
A detailed limited-area energy cycle for climate and weather studies: application over the West African climate during three contrasting summers 1997 (dry), 1999 (wet) and 2006 (normal).
Authors: Ngueto Yves Franklin , Laprise René , Nikiéma Oumarou
Published: April 2022

The West African Monsoon (WAM) is an atmospheric circulation that involves a complex chain of interacting physical processes ranging from small to large temporal and spatial scales. In this work, a detailed atmospheric energy cycle is formulated for limited-area domains in order to understand the WAM intra-seasonal and interannual variability. The energy cycle is cast in terms of available enthalpy and kinetic energy reservoirs. According to the employed definition, the time-averaged (climate) energy reservoirs are decomposed in a component associated with the time-averaged atmospheric state and a component due to the time-averaged statistics of transient. With this approach, a storm energy is defined as the deviation of instantaneous energy from its climate value. The application of energy cycle on the simulated WAM climatology reveals that the available enthalpy of the time-averaged state (AM) is the largest energy reservoir, while the transient-eddy component (AE) is the smallest. On the other hand, the time-averaged and the time-variability kinetic energy reservoirs (KM and KE) are the same order of magnitude, confirming previous studies linking the African Easterly Waves with a mixed barotropic/baroclinic mechanism. A detailed analysis reveals that, in the time-mean state, there is a huge loss of energy flux due to time-averaged pressure work in boundary fluxes, with the result that only a little fraction of AM associated with the ageostrophic circulation contributes to the generation of KM. On the other hand, the loss of AE contributes almost entirely to the gain in KE, indicating negligible loss due to transient-eddy pressure work.
A Pandemic Crossing the Border: The Impact of Covid-19 in the US on the Mexican Labor Market
Authors: Rojas Irvin , Yu Jisang
Published: April 2022

The labor markets in the US and Mexico are closely linked through migrant workers and remittances. In this paper, we investigate how the prevalence of the Covid-19 epidemic in the US affected the Mexican labor market. We construct a Mexican municipality-level measure of the exposure to Covid-19 in the US using migration data. We find a positive effect of the Covid-19 exposure in the US on work hours among workers in Mexico. We also find that the effect varies across subgroups which indicates that the responses in worked hours depend on the household dynamics, employment opportunities, and the nature of the occupation-specific tasks.
A prospective analysis of two studies that used the 5-mm interval slices and 5-mm margin-free method for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy
Authors: Ohsumi Shozo , Nishimura Reiki , Masuda Norikazu , Akashi-Tanaka Sadako , Suemasu Kimito , Yamauchi Hideko , Tokunaga Eriko , Ikeda Tadashi , Nishi Tsunehiro , Hayashi Hiroto , Iino Yuichi , Takatsuka Yuichi , Ohashi Yasuo , Inaji Hideo
Published: April 2022

Background: Breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy is one of standard treatments for early breast cancer. However, it is regarded as an option to treat elderly patients with small hormone receptor-positive breast cancer with breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy without radiotherapy. We conducted two sequential prospective studies to examine the feasibility of breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy since 2002 and present the results. Patients and Methods: The primary female breast cancer patients who fulfilled the strict eligibility criteria were prospectively enrolled in two sequential studies named WORTH 1 and 2. The surgical materials were sliced in 5-mm intervals and all slices were examined microscopically. Postoperative radiotherapy was not allowed, but tamoxifen or anastrozole was administered for 5 years. Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR)-free survival was the primary outcome.Results: The data of the two studies were combined (N = 321). The median follow-up period for IBTR was 94 months (4 – 192 months). Only 3 patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The 5- and 10-year IBTR-free rates were 97.0% and 90.5%, respectively. The age at operation and PR status affected IBTR rates independently. When we calculated IBTR-free rates of patients who were 65 years of age or older at the time of surgery and had PR-positive tumors, the 5- and 10-year IBTR rates were both 98.4%.Conclusions: Our “5-mm-thick slice and 5-mm free-margin” method may be effective to select patients who can be treated by breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy without radiotherapy.
Transcriptome analysis of the lncRNAs and their mRNA networks associated with multiple myeloma
Authors: Yan Yan , wang Jiehao , Hu Yuhan , Du Jianwei , Gao Xue , Lyv Xiaodong , Zuo Wenli , Li Yufu , Song Yongping , Lin Quande
Published: April 2022

BackgroundTo study the lncRNA-mRNA interaction network structure and analyze the possible target mRNAs among the differentially expressed lncRNAs between healthy adults, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, and refractory relapsed multiple myeloma patients.MethodsPublic sequence data files were downloaded from the Sequence Read Archive (SRA). Totally 23 RNA-seq samples (GSE110486) related to myeloma published in 2018 (including transcriptome data of bone marrow plasma cells from healthy adults, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and recurrent patients) were acquired, further analyses of differential lncRNAs, lncRNAs-mRNA co-expression, and WGCNA expression module and cis regulatory gene were performed. In addition, we performed differential expression analysis of lncRNAs and enrichment analysis of target mRNA regulated by lncRNAs from multiple myeloma patients and healthy controls which in order to verify the functions of these lncRNAs and their target mRNAs.ResultsFrom the transcriptional samples in this study,1006 new lncRNAs were identified, which including 707 lncRNAs specifically up-regulated and 283 specifically down-regulated in relapsed myeloma. The mRNA genes co-expressed with specific lncRNAs in relapsed multiple myeloma were mainly enriched in the extracellular matrix organization, platelet activation, cell adhesion, inflammation response, T cell co-stimulation and immune response pathways. Target mRNA regulated by DE lncRNAs including IL23R, ELF3, IL32, TMIGD2, CD28, CD5, TNF, CX3CR1, ADAMTS20 etc, by GO analysis, these target genes were enriched into many biological processes, such as innate immunity, apoptosis and positive regulation of apoptosis. The cis-regulated lncRNA of these target mRNAs include U62631.5, XLOC_062939 and XLOC_027240, and their cis-regulatory targets include CD22, SSX1 and DCC. lncRNAs and enrichment analysis of target mRNA regulated by lncRNAs from multiple myeloma patients and healthy controls was consistent with the previous analysis.ConclusionTarget mRNAs regulated by DE lncRNAs and their cis-regulatory targets are involved in the immune cells remodeling of gene expression patterns during multiple myeloma relapse, and may have an important function in this pathological process, it deserves further study as a potential target for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Development and validation of novel SSR markers using transcriptome data in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)- A genetically orphan crop
Authors: V Puneeth P. , Yadav Ramesh Kumar , Lata Suman , Iquebal Mir Asif , Tomar B. S. , Choudhary H. , Tomer Avinash , Sharma Parva Kumar , Jaiswal Sarika
Published: April 2022

Background Okra is an important vegetable crop of the Malvaceae family grown for its tender pods. Unknown genome size, polyploidy and lack of sufficient molecular markers hindering the genetic improvement of okra. Molecular markers are imperative for marker assisted breeding programs. Genic SSR markers are the best DNA markers because of codominant inheritance and transferability across the species. Genomic tools like RNA- seq. for transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool to identify novel transcript or gene sequences in non-model plants like okra. In the present investigation, we have performed transcriptome sequencing of the okra leaf samples and identified EST-SSR markers.Methods and results In this study, EST-SSRs from okra transcriptome were mined and characterized to validate their use as genic microsatellite markers in diversity analysis. Out of the total (106224) EST-SSRs, 6913 were in compound formation and were not used for validation. Mononucleotide repeats were dominant with a frequency of 72.20% (71699) followed by trinucleotide 15% (14897) and dinucleotide 10.68%, (10604) repeats. In total, 183 primer pairs (156 di and 27 trinucleotides) were selected randomly for PCR using 12 Abelomoschus genotypes comprising of wild and cultivated species. Overall, 163 pairs produced expected PCR amplicons and the amplification efficiency was 89%. 23 pairs showed polymorphism accounting for 14.1% with an average value of 0.32 polymorphic information content. The identified markers were highly polymorphic for 12 genotypes. The UPGMA dendrogram analysis separated the okra genotypes into two main clusters.Conclusions This study provided insight into the distribution and frequency of EST-SSRs in the okra transcriptome. It demonstrated the successful employment of genic SSRs in okra diversity analysis. The markers developed in this study has potential application in the marker assisted breeding programs and genetic diversity analysis of okra germplasm. We expect the potential markers validated here will enrich the DNA markers repertoire for breeding and genetic studies in Abelomoschus sp.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oral health among college students in Eastern China
Authors: Li Wenhao , Yin Nan , Zhang Yanyong , Zhou Haoyun , Ge Hui , Ding Wei , Zhang Wei , Zhang Shunhua , Liao Shengkai
Published: April 2022

Background: People are increasingly concerned about the impact of oral health on the whole. College students represent the future trend of oral health in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status, influencing factors and differences in oral health knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) between dental and non-dental students in Anhui Province, Eastern China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1,822 college students in Anhui Province. The Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to test for differences in oral health KAP scores by different demographic factors and lifestyle habits. The Spearman test was used to determine the association between oral health knowledge, attitude and practice. The Person chi-square test was used to analyse the differences in oral health KAP between dental students and non-dental students. Results: The oral health KAP scores of dental, medical, and non-medical college students in Anhui Province decreased in the order. Gender, age, major, grade, place of birth, parents’ education, annual household income, and smoking status all had a difference on oral health KAP scores among college students. Positive correlations existed between oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice. Dental students had a better overall oral health KAP than non-dental students. Conclusions: The oral health knowledge and attitude of college students in Anhui Province were generally good. However, oral health practice was unsatisfactory. Our study has implications for targeted improvement of factors influencing oral health KAP.
Frontline therapy CLL without 17p del/p53 aberrations: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Caridà Giulio , Pelaia Giulia , Ciliberto Domenico , Staropoli Nicoletta , Siciliano Maria Anna , Calandruccio Natale Daniele , Caracciolo Daniele , Riillo Caterina , Toscano Rosa , Tagliaferri Pierosandro , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Rossi Marco
Published: April 2022

Background. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia. IgVh unmutated CLL without 17p del/p53 aberrations (UN-only CLL) still carry a poorer prognosis as compared to IgVh mutated (MU-only) cases. The best front line and sequencing treatment stratified by efficacy and tolerability for UN/MU-only CLL remains to be defined.Methods. A systematic review of frontline therapies was performed to conduct a Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) and rank multiple treatments for PFS, ORR, MRD and Tolerability. Results. We built four different NMAs for the prespecified outcomes. Treatments included immunochemotherapy regimens, target agents [Acalabrutinib (ACA), Ibrutinib (IBR), Lenalidomide, Venetoclax (VEN)] w/without Rituximab (R)/Obinotuzumab (O). ACA-O scored the best result in PFS in unselected and UN/MU-only (SUCRA 100%). VEN-O ranked first for ORR (SUCRA value 100%) and MRD (SUCRA 90.4%), followed by VEN-O-IBR (SUCRA 84.0%) with no statistical difference between them (Odds Ratio 1.44, CrI 0.00,563.57). ACA monotherapy was the most tolerated therapy (SUCRA value 100%), IBR-O the most toxic treatment (SUCRA value 0%). IBR monotherapy ranked the 9th position in the network. Combination regimens including Obinotuzumab were weighted by high risk of toxicity.Conclusions. We compared PFS, tolerability, ORR and MRD in a consistent number of RCTs. ACA-O was the best treatment for PFS in MU/UN-only. ACA was equally efficacious in UN-only and the most tolerated regimen. VEN-O/BTKis-O regimens achieved the best positions, but with a higher toxicity profile. ACA-O turned to be the best treatment for prolonging the PFS in untreated, UN/MU-only CLL patients.
Composition tunability of semiconductor radiosensitizers for low-dose X-ray induced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Chen Lei , Zhang Jinghui , Zhu Luchao , Xu Lihua , Jing Jinpeng , Feng Yushuo , Wang Zongzhang , Liu Peifei , Sun Wenjing , Liu Xiangmei , Li Yimin , Chen Hongmin
Published: April 2022

Radiation therapy is one of the most commonly used methods in clinical cancer treatment, and radiosensitizers could achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy by incorporating heavy elements into structures. However, the secondary excitation of these high-Z elements-doped nanosensitizers still imply intrinsic defects of low efficiency. Herein, we designed Bi-doped titanium dioxide nanosensitizers in which high-Z Bi ions with adjustable valence state (Bi3+ or Bi4+) replaced some positions of Ti4+ of anatase TiO2, increasing both X-rays absorption and oxygen vacancies. The as-prepared TiO2:Bi nanosensitizers indicated high ionizing radiation energy-transfer efficiency and photocatalytic activity, resulting in efficient electron-hole pair separation and reactive oxygen species production. After further modification with cancer cell targeting peptide, the obtained nanoplatform demonstrated good performance in U87MG cell uptakes and intracellular radicals-generation, severely damaging the vital subcellular organs of U87MG cells, such as mitochondrion, membrane lipid, and nuclei etc. These combined therapeutic actions mediated by the composition-tunable nanosensitizers significantly inhibited the U87MG tumor growth, providing a refreshing strategy for X-ray induced dynamic therapy of malignant tumors.
Effects of separated and combined amaranth, quinoa and chia flours on the characteristics of gluten-free bread with different concentrations of hydrocolloids
Authors: Alsaiqali Ahmed , Dizlek Halef , Özer Mehmet Sertaç
Published: April 2022

Rice and corn flour/starch are frequently used in producing gluten-free products which are usually characterized with high starch and low fiber content, poor texture, insufficient volume, short shelf life, fast staling, and easy crumbling. The objective of this study was to use amaranth, quinoa, chia flours by separately or as a mixture and corn starch with different ratios as an alternative to wheat/rice flour using several hydrocolloids at different levels to improve the technological properties of dough and bread, to enhance the nutritive value of gluten-free breads, and to avoid the negative effects caused by ingestion of gluten for coeliacs. The increasing of moisture content, specific volume, L values of crumb color, and hardness of the crumb texture of all breads was associated with the increase in the level of hydrocolloids. Increasing the ratio of pseudocereal flours showed a dark dough, also, resulted in a reduction in specific volume, L values of bread color, and an increase in the moisture content and hardness of the crumb texture in all bread formulations. The formulations prepared with the lowest ratio of pseudocereal flours (10%) at the high hydrocolloid concentration (4%) produced bread with good quality better than that of the control bread in the acceptability. Amaranth, quinoa, and chia flours can be successfully incorporated into gluten-free formulation with hydrocolloids to produce gluten-free breads without negatively affecting the sensory properties of the loaves. Present study suggests that pseudocereals can represent a good-healthy alternative to ingredients used in the manufacture of gluten-free breads.
Multi-omics characterization of the Canada goose fecal microbiome reveals selective efficacy of simulated metagenomes
Authors: Gil Joshua C. , Hird Sarah M.
Published: April 2022

BackgroundUnderstanding the composition and function of the microbiome is essential to understanding vertebrates. The taxonomic composition of a microbiome is often identified using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, but as a single marker, it cannot identify functions (genes). Metagenome and metatranscriptome sequencing can determine microbiome function but can be cost prohibitive. Therefore, computational methods have been developed to generate simulated metagenomes derived from 16S rRNA sequences and full-length genomes. Simulated metagenomes can be an effective alternative to empirical sequencing, but accuracy depends on the genomic database used and whether the database contains organisms closely related to the 16S sequences. The effectiveness of simulated metagenomes in non-model systems is poorly known. We sought to determine the accuracy of simulated metagenomes in a non-model organism, the Canada goose (Branta canadensis), by comparing metagenomes and metatranscriptomes to simulated metagenomes derived from 16S amplicon sequencing of the same samples. ResultsThe Canada goose fecal microbiome is rich in microbial taxa and functions, including those involved in fermentation. There were significant differences between the metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, and simulated metagenomes when comparing enzymes (ECs), KEGG orthologies (KOs), and metabolic pathways. The simulated metagenomes, when compared to the metagenomes, accurately identified the majority of the total ECs, KOs and pathways. The simulated metagenomes accurately identified the majority of the short-chain fatty acid metabolic pathways crucial to organisms with a nutrient poor diet. When narrowed in scope to specific groups of genes, the simulated metagenomes overestimated the number antimicrobial resistance genes and underestimated the number of genes relating to digestion in folivores.ConclusionsOur data show simulated metagenomes may be a useful tool when studying the functional potential of a non-model organism’s microbiome, depending on the question being asked. Simulated metagenomes were selectively accurate when identifying certain characteristics of the microbiome, like metabolic pathways, but not when compared to the entire sequenced metagenome. While simulated metagenomes are an important tool for inferring function, the lack of whole microbial genomes from understudied systems provides an impetus for continued study and sequencing of whole genomes and metagenomes from non-model systems.
TGF-β1 regulates the abnormal migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells through affecting the expression of EMT related genes
Authors: Zhang Jing , Deng Yifan , Xu Xiaoting , Dai Chengye , Liu Juan , Zhu Mixue , He Shenghu , Zhou Wei
Published: April 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on the migration capacity of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and its potential mechanism.Methods: Different concentrations of TGF-β1 were used to treat rat VSMCs. The migration capacity of cells was observed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Western Blotting and Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were performed to examine the expression of EMT related gene.Results: In a certain concentration range, the migration ability of rat VSMCs was enhanced with the increase of TGF-β1 concentration. Meanwhile, TGF-β1 increased the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin (mesenchymal markers), and decreased the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin (epithelial markers) at both protein and mRNA levels. Conclusion: TGF-β1 promoted abnormal migration of rat VSMCs by regulating the expression of EMT related genes. This may be one of the mechanisms of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in coronary arteries.