bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CORONA (COre ultRasOund of Covid in iNtensive Care & Acute Medicine) Study: National Service Evaluation of Lung and Heart Ultrasound in Intensive Care Patients With Suspected or Proven COVID-19
Authors: Parulekar Prashant , Powys-Lybbe James , Knight Thomas , Smallwood Nicholas , Lasserson Daniel , Rudge Gavin , Miller Ashley , Peck Marcus , Aron Jonathon
Published: August 2021

Background:
Combined Lung Ultrasound (LUS) and Focused UltraSound for Intensive Care heart (FUSIC heart - formerly Focused Intensive Care Echocardiography, FICE) can aid diagnosis, risk stratification and management in COVID-19. However, data on its application and results are limited to small studies in varying countries and hospitals. This United Kingdom (UK) national service evaluation study assessed how combined LUS and FUSIC Heart were used in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients during the first wave of the pandemic.
Method:
12 trusts across the UK registered for this prospective study. LUS and FUSIC Heart data were obtained, using a standardised data set including scoring of abnormalities, between 1st of February 2020 to the 30th July 2020. The scans were performed by intensivists with FUSIC Lung and Heart competency as a minimum standard. Data was anonymised locally prior to transfer to a central database.
Results:
372 studies were performed on 265 patients. There was a small but significant relationship between LUS score > 8 and 30-day mortality (OR 1.8). Progression of score was associated with an increase in 30-day mortality (OR 1.2). 30-day mortality was increased in patients with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (49.4% vs 29.2%). Severity of LUS score correlated with RV dysfunction (p < 0.05). Change in management occurred in 65% of patients following a combined scan.
Conclusions:
In COVID-19 patients there is an association between lung ultrasound score severity, RV dysfunction and mortality identifiable by combined LUS and FUSIC Heart. Our findings suggest that serial combined LUS and FUSIC Heart on COVID-19 ICU patients may aid in clinical decision making and prognostication.
Electrical And Electrochemical Characteristics of Withania Somnifera Leaf Extract Incorporation Sodium Alginate Polymer Film For Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Chinnaiah K. , Theivashanthi T. , Kannan Karthik , Revathy M.S. , Parangusan Hemalatha , Jeyaseelan S. Christopher , Gurushankar K.
Published: August 2021

The current investigation address the Alternating current (AC) electrical properties, electrochemical characteristics on biopolymer as Withania somnifera leaf extract incorporated sodium alginate polymer film prepared by solution casting method. Some crystallinity along with amorphous nature of sodium alginate emerged due to the incorporation of Withania somnifera leaf extract. The more amount of strain occurred in crystallization provides broaden peak in X-ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern. With aid of guluronic and mannuronic acids in sodium alginate making hydroxyl bond formation with leaf extract due to the cross linking process can be analyzed from Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). At room temperature, the prepared 5 ml of leaf extract incorporated sodium alginate film has demonstrated highest ionic conductivity in the typical value of 2.80×10-6 S/Cm. The electrochemical window of the prepared polymer film in the range of -0.4 to 0.4 V suggesting that used as an electrolyte for supercapacitor applications.
Discovery and identification of potential anti-melanogenic active constituents of Bletilla striata by zebrafish model and molecular docking
Authors: Luo Yiyuan , Wang Juan , Li Shuo , Wu Yue , Wang Zhirui , Chen Shaojun , Chen Hongjiang
Published: August 2021

Background
Bletilla striata was the main medicine of many skin whitening classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and was widely used in cosmetic industry recently. However, its active ingredient was still unclear and its fibrous roots were not used effectively. The aim of the present study was to discover and identify its potential anti-melanogenic active constituents by zebrafish model and molecular docking.
Methods
The antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-melanogenic activity was assessed by tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro and melanin inhibitory in zebrafish. The chemical profiles were performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Meanwhile, the potential anti-melanogenic active constituents were temporary identified by molecular docking.
Results
The 95% ethanol extract of B. striata fibrous roots (EFB) possesses the strongest DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and tyrosinase inhibition activity, with IC50 5.94 mg/L, 11.69 mg/L, 6.92 mmol FeSO4/g, and 58.92 mg/L, respectively. In addition, EFB and 95% ethanol extract of B. striata tuber (ETB) can significantly reduce the melanin synthesis of zebrafish embryos in dose-dependent manner. 39 chemical compositions, including 24 stilbenoids were tentatively identified from EFB and ETB. Molecular docking indicated that there were 83 (including 60 stilbenoids) and 85 (including 70 stilbenoids) compounds exhibit stronger binding affinities toward tyrosinase and adenylate cyclase.
Conclusion
The present findings supported the rationale for the use of EFB and ETB as natural skin-whitening agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Immunohistochemical Signatures as Predictors of Postsurgical Prognosis in Pulmonary Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Lin Chengbin , Yu Hongyan , Chen Xiaohan , Shen Weiyu , Xi Yong
Published: August 2021

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages in patients with pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC). MethodsFrom January 2010 to December 2014, aA total of 556 patients with SQCC who underwent radical resection were included. The patients were grouped into a discovery group (n = 334) and a validation group (n = 222). Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model, we extracted IHCs that were associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and then built a classifier. Clinicopathologic variables and the IHC-based classifier were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. A nomogram to predict PFS was constructed and validated using bootstrap resampling.ResultsFollowingUsing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model, four IHC markers associated with progression-free survival (PFS) were identified. Furthermore, we developed a nomogram integrating IHC markers to predict 3- and 5-year PFS. We used the IHC-based classifiers to stratify patients in both groups into high- and low-risk groups. PFS was better in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group in both the discovery and validation groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the IHC-based classifiers were independently prognostic in predicting the PFS of patients with SQCC. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated and proven to be clinically useful. Conclusions﻿We further developed a nomogram integrating the IHC-based classifiers and clinicopathological risk factors to predict PFS. Through combining the IHC-based classification and clinicopathology, we have a better insight into the prognosis assessment of patients with SQCC after surgery, which informs postoperative patient management.
A Practical Method of Optimal RSUs Deployment for Smart Internet of Vehicle
Authors: Zhang Honghan
Published: August 2021

The roadside units (RSUs) are absolutely indispensable elements in sparse highway senario for smart Internet of Vehicle (IoV). Most recent RSU deployment methods consider vehicle mobility, warning message reception probability and time delay respectively, do not mentioned the situation once the accident vehicle cant send the warning message. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis that integrates all these factors above. In particular, we model three kinds of common highway scenarios and give the closed-form expression of RSUs deployment number along the highway. The proposed method has been validated by extensive simulations using Matlab and NS2, its performance has been compared with TAPC method. Results reveal that our proposed method has better performance under the condition of high warning message probability.
Effect of Calcium Dobesilate (CaD) on Diabetic Macular Edema Treated by Intravitreal Ranibizumab
Authors: Wang Dongxuan , Wang Hui , Wu Shuang , Yang Xueqiu , Xu Jiansen
Published: August 2021

Background: Calcium dobesilate (CaD) had been used in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) due to its potential in protecting against retinal vascular damage. However, it did not reduce the risk of development of diabetic macular edema (DME). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CaD plus intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of DME.Methods: This retrospective, observational, consecutive case control study enrolled patients newly diagnosed with DME who received intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) administration with 3-monthly loading dose injection followed by pro re nata (3+PRN) regimen with or without CaD orally daily for at least 12-month follow-up. Medical records and optical coherence tomography (OCT) results were reviewed and compared at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection.Results: A total of 102 eyes from 102 patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty-four patients received IVR combined with CaD orally (IVR+CaD group), while forty-eight patients received IVR solely (IVR group). No statistically significant differences were found in the general condition of patients between the two groups at baseline (P > 0.05). At every follow-up, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved and the central macular thickness (CMT) decreased in both groups when compared with those at baseline (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in BCVA improvement and CMT reduction between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean number of ranibizumab injections in R+C group was significantly lower than that in R group (5.4 ± 1.1 injections versus 6.7 ± 1.6 injections, P<0.05) within 1-year treatment. No adverse events were found in neither groups.Conclusions: Adding oral CaD to intravitreal ranibizumab was demonstrated to have similar effectiveness and safety for improving visual function and restoring the anatomy of the retina in macular with fewer injections in DME patients.
A Satellite-linked Tag for the Long-term Monitoring of Diving Behavior in Large Whales
Authors: Palacios Daniel M. , Irvine Ladd M. , Lagerquist Barbara A. , Fahlbusch James A. , Calambokidis John , Tomkiewicz Stanley M. , Mate Bruce R.
Published: August 2021

Despite spending much of their time on activities underwater, the technology in use to track whales over large geographic ranges via satellite has been largely limited to locational data, with most applications focusing on characterizing their horizontal movements. We describe the development of the RDW tag, a new Argos-based satellite telemetry device that incorporates sensors for monitoring the movements and dive behavior of large whales over several months without requiring recovery. Based on an implantable design, the tag features a saltwater conductivity switch, a tri-axial accelerometer, and an optional pressure transducer, along with onboard software for data processing and detection of behavioral events or activities of interest for transmission. We configured the software to detect dives and create per-dive summaries describing behavioral events associated with feeding activities in rorqual whales. We conducted a validation by proxy of the dive summary and event detection algorithms using data from a medium-duration archival tag. The dive summary algorithm accurately reported dive depth and duration, while the accuracy of the lunge-feeding event detection algorithm was dependent on the precision of the accelerometer data that was used, with a predicted accuracy of 0.74 for correctly classifying feeding dives from 1/64-G precision data and 0.95 from 1-mG precision data. We also present data from field deployments of the tag on seven humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) and one blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus ). The eight tags transmitted over a median tracking period of 17.5 d (range: 3.9-76.4 d) across both species. The median proportion of the tracking period summarized by received dives for the eight tags was 50.4% (range: 11.1-88.7%). The median number of received dives per day was 76.5 (range: 1-191). The results documented diel and longer-term variability in diving and feeding behavior, showing marked differences within and among individuals tracked contemporaneously. By monitoring the per-dive behavior of large whales over multi-month timescales of movement, the RDW tags provided some of the first assessments of previously unobservable behaviors across entire geographic ranges, linking local-scale behavior to broader, ecosystem-scale processes. The RDW tag extends the applications of whale satellite telemetry to new areas of physiology, ecology, and conservation.
Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Heterogeneity and Convergence of the Tumor Microenvironment in CRC
Authors: Xie Siyuan , Cai Yangke , Chen Delong , Xiang Yu , Cai Wen , Yang Bin , Mao Jianshan , Ye Jun
Published: August 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second for mortality and third for morbidity among the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been reported to correlate with CRC outcomes and treatment efficacy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is an indispensable tool for unravelling cellular heterogeneity and deconstructing tissues into cell types, offering enormous potential for new discoveries.Methods: The single-cell RNA-seq profiles included 10,398 cells from 10 human CRC samples (accession number GSE146771), which were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) database. We identified 8 major cell types and 25 subgroups of cells derived from tumors, para-tumors, and peripheral blood to investigate the intratumoral heterogeneity and convergence of CRC.Results: This study established the heterogeneity, convergence, and differentiation trajectory of immune cells and stromal cells within CRC tissues. We also identified the terminal stage of each cell type of metabolism remodeling and immunosuppressive phenotypes. SCENIC analysis revealed the potential targets of transcriptional factors to reverse this process. Based on the cell subgroup fractions calculated by CIBERSORTx and the clinical data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we constructed a new prognosis model of CRC. Conclusions: This study provides a new perspective for understanding the heterogeneity and convergence of the TME and will aid the development of immunotherapies and prognosis of CRC patients.
Estimating Cyclone Vulnerability and Its Linkages With Child Mortality Trajectories Along the Bay of Bengal Coast in India: a Geospatial Approach
Authors: Jana Arup , Shaw Subhojit , Chattopadhyay Aparajita
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe coastal population of Indian subcontinent experience variety of coastal hazards of which cyclone is the most destructive one. Most recently, on 20th May 2020, the super cyclone Amphan lashed with 155 km/h, as tall as a two-story building on the Eastern coast and state of West Bengal in India. In the following year 2021, another cyclonic storm, named Yaas, intensified in the Bay of Bengal in May, and it has ravaged many parts of the apex of the BoB coast. Over the decades, the devastating tropical cyclones of the Bay of Bengal (BoB) have thrashed thousands of lives and properties. MethodsAn empirical study to assess the coastal population's vulnerability and mortality along the east coastal districts of India is the need of the hour. Using a set of data the paper estimates the hazard exposure, sensitivity, and adaptability. Further, to understand the association between vulnerability and neonatal and under-5 mortality, regressions are applied. ResultsA very high coastal vulnerability risk for poor socio-economic status and lack of infrastructure was observed in certain districts of the BoB coast. Women, children, elderly and agrarian population are more sensitive to the cyclone; while lack of accessibility and infrastructure and poor health care system impact the population's adaptive capacity. A strong association of child mortality with coastal vulnerability is observed in the study area. Other factors that also play marked role in child mortality are prevalence of diarrhoea, lack of improved water and sanitation. ConclusionThe study, first of its kind in India, has identified vulnerable districts of the east coast to help policymakers take measures for disaster planning and improving the basic facilities for a resilient society.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils and Extracts of Six Herbals Against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria
Authors: Amin Mansour , Akrami Sousan , Haghparasty Farkhondeh , Hakimi Atiyeh
Published: August 2021

Background: Today, due to the increasing use of chemical drugs and the spread of microbial resistance to synthetic antibiotics, as well as side effects of drugs, the identification and introduction of plant species with medicinal and antimicrobial properties is very important. In this study, the antimicrobial properties of essential oils and extracts of 6 medicinal plants from Ahvaz region, Iran against 12 Gram-positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria were evaluated. Methods: The EOs and extracts were extracted using water distillation with Clevenger apparatus. The antimicrobial properties and determination of the minimum concentration of growth inhibition of herbals were investigated by the modified E-test method. Results: All analyzed extracts and EOs showed antibacterial effects. The antimicrobial activity of Oliveria decumbens was strongest herbals with the least MIC ranges (0.008-0.1 mg/ml for EO, 0.9-20 mg/ml for extract), while the antibacterial effects of Artemisia vulgaris extract and Glycyrrhiza glabra EO with the highest MIC were weaker than the others. According to the effectiveness of plant extracts on bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to all extracts except Oliveria decumbens. In contrast, Bacillus cereus was more sensitive than other strains against analyzed EOs and extracts.Conclusions: It seems that due to the antimicrobial properties of the extracts and essential oils observed in this study, they can be used as an alternative to antimicrobial drugs after more extensive studies.
ATANN3 is involved in extracellular ATP-regulated auxin transport and distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings
Authors: Han Lijuan , Xia Shuyan , Xu Jiawei , Zhu Ruojia , Shang Zhonglin , Kang Erfang
Published: August 2021

Background
Extracellular ATP (eATP) exists in the apoplast of plants and plays multiple roles in growth, development, and stress responses. It has been reported that eATP stimulation suppresses growth rate and alters growth orientation of root and hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings by affecting auxin accumulation and transport in these organs. However, the mechanism of eATP-stimulated vegetative organ growth remains unclear. Annexins are involved in multiple aspects of plant cellular metabolism, while the role of annexins in response to apoplast signal remains unclear. Here, by using loss-of-function mutants, we investigated the role of several annexins in eATP-regulated root and hypocotyl growth. Since mutant of AtANN3 did not respond to eATP sensitively, the role of AtANN3 in eATP regulated auxin transport was intensively investigated.
Results
First, the inhibitory effect of eATP on root or hypocotyl elongation was weakened or impaired in AtANN3 null mutants (atann3). Meanwhile, single-, double- or triple-null mutant of AtANN1, AtANN2 or AtANN4 responded to eATP stimulation in same manner and degree with Col-0. The abundance and distribution of Dr5-GUS and Dr5-GFP indicated that eATP-induced accumulation and asymmetric distribution of auxin in root tip or hypocotyl cells, which appeared in wild type controls, were lacking in atann3 seedlings. Further, eATP-induced accumulation and asymmetric distribution of PIN2-GFP in root tip cells or PIN3-GFP in hypocotyl cells were reduced in atann3 seedlings.
Conclusions
AtANN3 may be involved in eATP-regulated seedling growth through regulating auxin transport and accumulation in vegetative organs.
Comparative Assessment and Novel Strategy on Methods for Imputing Proteomics Data
Authors: Shen Minjie , Chang Yi-Tan , Wu Chiung-Ting , Parker Sarah J. , Saylor Georgia , Wang Yizhi , Yu Guoqiang , Eyk Jennifer E. Van , Clarke Robert , Herrington David M. , Wang Yue
Published: August 2021

Missing values are a major issue in quantitative proteomics analysis. While many methods have been developed for imputing missing values in high-throughput proteomics data, a comparative assessment of imputation accuracy remains inconclusive, mainly because mechanisms contributing to true missing values are complex and existing evaluation methodologies are imperfect. Moreover, few studies have provided an outlook of future methodological development. We first re-evaluate the performance of eight representative methods targeting three typical missing mechanisms. These methods are compared on both simulated and masked missing values embedded within real proteomics datasets, and performance is evaluated using three quantitative measures. We then introduce fused regularization matrix factorization, a low-rank global matrix factorization framework, capable of integrating local similarity derived from additional data types. We also explore a biologically-inspired latent variable modeling strategy - convex analysis of mixtures - for missing value imputation and present preliminary experimental results. While some winners emerged from our comparative assessment, the evaluation is intrinsically imperfect because performance is evaluated indirectly on artificial missing or masked values not authentic missing values. Nevertheless, we show that our fused regularization matrix factorization provides a novel incorporation of external and local information, and the exploratory implementation of convex analysis of mixtures presents a biologically plausible new approach.
ebv-circRPMS1 Promotes the Progression of EBV-Associated Gastric Carcinoma via Sam68 Complex Dependent Activation of METTL3
Authors: Zhang Jing-yue , Du Yu , Gong Li-ping , Shao Yi-ting , Pan Li-jie , Feng Zhi-ying , Pan Yu-hang , Huang Jun-ting , Wen Jing-yun , Sun Li-ping , Chen Gao-feng , Chen Jian-ning , Shao Chun-Kui
Published: August 2021

Background: Emerging studies have showed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators for tumorigenesis by modulating malignant behaviors of tumor cells. However, the functions of EBV-encoded circRNAs in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) remain poorly understood. Methods: The expression of ebv-circRPMS1 in EBVaGC tissues, xenografts and cell lines were analyzed by BaseScope, qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH). The effects of ebv-circRPMS1 on gastric carcinoma (GC) cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were measured by CCK8, EdU, immunofluorescence (IF), FACS and Transwell assays. qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ChIP, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH), luciferase reporter assays, mass spectrum, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and pulldown assays were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Xenograft mouse model was also used to analyze the effect of ebv-circRPMS1 on GC growth and metastasis in vivo.Results: We demonstrated that ebv-circRPMS1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and anti-apoptosis of EBVaGC cells. Mechanistically, ebv-circRPMS1 recruited the Sam68 complex to the promoter of METTL3 and enhanced its transcription. Moreover, overexpression of METTL3 induced transcriptional activation of downstream genes (such as SNAI1, ZMYM1 and SOCS2) via m6A modifications on their mRNAs, which were associated with tumor progression. Besides, RNA binding proteins (RBPs) such as QKI, DHX9 and ILF3, might involve in ebv-circRPMS1 biogenesis. In clinical EBVaGC samples, ebv-circRPMS1 was associated with distant metastasis and poor prognosis. Conclusion: These findings indicated that ebv-circRPMS1 contributed to EBVaGC progression through recruiting the Sam68 complex to activate METTL3 expression and its downstream targets. Ebv-circRPMS1, Sam68 and METTL3 may serve as therapeutic targets for EBVaGC.
WITHDRAWN: Synthesis of CoFe 2 O 4 /BiOI Nanocomposite: Effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Bacillus Cereus
Authors: Gheidari Davood , Mehrdad Morteza , Maleki Saloomeh , Hosseini Samanesadat
Published: August 2021

With the increase of general knowledge and the advancement of science and technology, antibacterial substances were used more than antibiotics. In our current study, the antibacterial virtues of CFO/BiOI nanocomposite were investigated due to its high importance on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. MIC, MBC , Disk Diffusion and IC50 tests Cefalotin (CF), Amoxicillin (AMX), Gentamicin (GM), Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (SXT) and Ceftriaxone (CRO) antibiotics in concentration 30W, 10i, 10t , 25h and 30 were used to find the antibacterial properties of the synthesized nanocomposite, respectively. For the synthesis of nanocomposites polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sulfonic acid was used as a solvent. It is noteworthy that the synthesis was performed by heat dissolution method without the presence of surfactant. Also, various techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction(XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), High resolution mapping and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) have been used to determine the properties of produced nanocomposites. SEM test results showed that the formed nanoparticles were globular and their size was limited area of 22 to 34 nm. The results showed CFO / BiOI nanocomposite exhibits strong significant biological activity against Bacillus cereus. The results of MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) and MIC (Minimum Inhibition Concentration) tests for CFO/BiOI nanocomposites on bacteria were examined in the range of 0.12-0.48 mg/ml and 0.06 to 0.24 mg/ml respectively. According to the results, the minimum IC50 value was determined at a concentration of 0.061 mg/ml. On the other hand, the most resisting and susceptible bacteria in this method were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus, respectively. These findings are identical to those of a prior study on CoFe2O4 nanoparticles antibacterial properties. MBC of the nanocomposites, 50 µl from all the tubes that showed no obvious bacterial growth were distributed on BHI agar plates and incubated for 24 h at 37 ◦C. The MBC endpoint is defined as the lowest concentration which killed 98% of the bacterial population.
Posterior-only Debridement, Internal Fixation, and Interbody Fusion Using Titanium Mesh in the Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis With Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Minimum 5-year Follow-up
Authors: Gao Qile , Han Chaofei , Romani Manini Daudi , Guo Chaofeng , Tang Mingxing , Wang Yuxiang , Deng Ang , Liu Shaohua , Zhang Hongqi
Published: August 2021

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of posterior-only debridement, internal fixation, and interbody fusion using titanium mesh in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB) with spinal epidural abscess.Methods: From January 2008 to January 2014, a total of 45 patients (27 male and 18 female) were reviewed. The patients were diagnosed with thoracolumbar TB with spinal epidural abscess. The patients underwent posterior-only debridement, internal fixation, and interbody fusion using titanium mesh. Hence, we assessed the intraoperative and postoperative complications, disease recurrences, kyphosis deformity correction, and neurological improvement following the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). We used SPSS 22.0 for the statistical analyses. An independent Student’s t-test was used for the analysis of preoperative and postoperative continuous variables. The value of P (P<0.05) was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age of patients was 37.76 ±10.94 years (17–59 years). The mean follow-up time was 82.76 ±12.56 months (60–128 months). The mean kyphosis Cobb angle preoperative was 29.36 ±13.29° (5–55°) and postoperative was 3.58 ±5.44° (–6–13°), given the value of P (P<0.001). According to the neurological score by the ASIA scale, there were 3 cases of grade B, 11 cases of grade C, 16 cases of grade D, and 15 cases of grade E preoperatively. The neurological score improved by 1~2 grades. All patients achieved pain relief and the VAS score significantly reduced at the last follow-up (P＜0.05). While 1 patient had cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 1 had a neurological complication, 1 had delayed surgical wound healing, and 1 had a disease recurrence. No pseudoarthrosis or implant failure occurred in our patients. All patients achieved solid bone graft fusion.Conclusion: For thoracolumbar TB patients with spinal epidural abscess, posterior-only debridement, internal fixation, and interbody fusion using titanium mesh are safe and effective surgical treatments.*As a note, Qile Gao and Chaofei Han are Co-First authors.
Identification of a Novel Prognosis-Associated ceRNA Network in Lung Adenocarcinoma via Bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Yumiao , Yu Xiaoxue , Zhang Yuhao , Wang Xiaofang , Zhao Linshan , Liu Dan , Zhao Guofa , Gao Xiangpeng , Fu Jiejun , Zang Aimin , Jia Youchao
Published: August 2021

Backgroud: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The purpose of this study was to identify novel abnormally regulated lncRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks related to LUAD prognosis.Methods: We programmed an Agilent Microarray Scanner to screen for differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs in 4 paired LUAD samples. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to annotate the DE lncRNAs and mRNAs. R bioinformatics packages, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUAD database and a Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis tools were used to validate the microarray data and construct the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network. Then, quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate the DE lncRNAs in 7 LUAD cell lines.Results: A total of 2819 DE lncRNAs and 2396 DE mRNAs (P-value < 0.05 and fold change ≥2 or ≤0.5) were identified in 4 paired LUAD tissue samples. In total, 255 of these DE lncRNAs were also identified in TCGA. The GO and KEGG analysis results suggested that the DE genes were most enriched in angiogenesis and cell proliferation and closely related to human cancers. Moreover, the differential expression of ENST00000609697, ENST00000602992, and NR_024321 was consistent with the microarray data, as determined by quantitative real-time PCR validation in 7 LUAD cell lines, but only ENST00000609697 was associated with the overall survival of LUAD patients (log-rank P=0.029). Finally, through analysis of ENST00000609697 target genes, we identified the ENST00000609697–hsa-miR-6791-5p–RASL12 ceRNA network, which may play a tumor-suppressive role in LUAD.Conclusion: ENST00000609697 was abnormally expressed in LUAD. Furthermore, downregulation of ENST00000609697 and its target gene RASL12 were associated with poor prognosis in LUAD. The ENST00000609697–hsa-miR-6791-5p–RASL12 axis may play a tumor-suppressive role. These results may suggest new prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for LUAD.
Methylprednisolone, Venous Thromboembolism, and Association with Heparin to 30 Days in Hospital Survival in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Go Ronaldo C. , Nyirenda Themba , Bojarian Maryam , Hosseini Davood , Rahim Mehek , Kim Kevin , Rose Keith M.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUNDMortality in severe COVID-19 pneumonia is associated with thrombo-inflammation. Corticosteroids are given to attenuate the inflammation, but they are associated with thrombosis. The aims of this study were to determine the risk of venous thromboembolism between no methylprednisolone and methylprednisolone (dose versus duration) and to evaluate the synergistic dose-dependent association of heparin and methylprednisolone to 30 days in hospital survival. METHODSThis was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort. Patients included in this study were older than 18 years of age and admitted for severe COVID-19 pneumonia between March to June 2020 in 13 hospitals in New Jersey, United States. A propensity score analysis between administration of methylprednisolone and no methylprednisolone was fitted for 11 variables and Youden Index Method was used to determine cut-off between low dose and high dose methylprednisolone. Multivariate cox regression was performed to assess risk.RESULTSIn 759 patients, the incidence of venous thromboembolism was 9% of patients who received methylprednisolone and 3% of patients who did not receive methylprednisolone with a [RR =2.92 (95% CI 1.54, 5.55 P< 0.0001)]. The was a higher incidence of mechanical ventilation in the methylprednisolone group. The median d-dimer between patients with venous thromboembolism was higher compared to those without (P<0.0003). However, the d-dimer was not statistically significant between those who had venous thromboembolism between methylprednisolone and no methylprednisolone groups. (P 0.40). There was no higher risk in high dose versus low dose[RR=0.524 (95% CI 0.26, 1.06 P 0.4)]; however, the risk for DVT/PE between methylprednisolone for > 7 days and < 7 days was statistically significant. (RR=5.46 95% CI 2.87, 10.34 P < 0.0001). Patients who received low dose and therapeutic heparin had a trend towards higher risk of mortality compared to prophylactic heparin (HR=1.81 95% CI 0.994 to 3.294) (P=0.0522). There was no difference in 30 days in hospital survival between high dose with prophylactic or therapeutic heparin (HR=0.827 95% CI 0.514 to 1.33) (P=0.4335). CONCLUSIONSMethylprednisolone for > 7 days had a higher association of venous thromboembolism. There was no added benefit of therapeutic heparin to methylprednisolone on mechanically ventilated patients.
Cytoplasmic eIF6 Promotes OSCC Malignant Behavior Through AKT Pathway
Authors: Zhao Zechen , Chu Weming , Zheng Yang , Wang Chao , Yang Yuemei , Xu Teng , Yang Xueming , Zhang Wei , Ding Xu , Li Gang , Zhang Hongchuang , Zhou Junbo , Ye Jinhai , Wu Heming , Song Xiaomeng , Wu Yunong
Published: August 2021

Background: Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6), also known as integrin β4 binding protein, is involved in the formation and translation of ribosomes and acts as an anti-association factor. It is also essential for the growth and reproduction of cells, including tumor cells. Yet, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. Methods: The expression characteristics of eIF6 in 233 samples were comprehensively analyzed by immumohistochemical staining (IHC). Effects of eIF6 over-expression and knockdown on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were determined by CCK-8, wound healing and Transwell assays. Western blot, immunofluorescence (IF) and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) were performed for mechanism verification.Results: We found that cytoplasmic eIF6 was abnormally highly expressed in OSCC tissues, and its expression was associated with tumor size and the clinical grade. Amplification of eIF6 promoted the growth, migration, and invasion capabilities of OSCC cell lines in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Through Western blot analysis, we further discovered that eIF6 significantly promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in OSCC cells, while depletion of eIF6 can reverse this process. Mechanistically, eIF6 promotes tumor progression by activating the AKT signaling pathway. By performing co-immunoprecipitation, we discovered a direct interaction between endogenous eIF6 and AKT protein in the cytoplasm. Conclusions: This was the first report on the role and mechanism of eIF6 in OSCC. These results demonstrated that eIF6 could be a new therapeutic target in OSCC, thus providing a new basis for the prognosis of OSCC patients in the future.
LC-MS Peak Assignment Based on Unanimous Selection by Six Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ito Hiroaki , Matsui Takashi , Konno Ryo , Itakura Makoto , Kodera Yoshio
Published: August 2021

Recent Mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques enable deep proteome coverage with relative quantitative analysis, resulting in increased identification of very weak signals accompanied by increased data size of liquid chromatography (LC)–MS/MS spectra. However, the identification of weak signals using an assignment strategy with poorer performance resulted in imperfect quantification with misidentification of peaks and ratio distortions. Manually annotating a large number of signals within a very large dataset is not a realistic approach. In this study, therefore, we utilized machine learning algorithms to successfully extract a higher number of peptide peaks with high accuracy and precision. Our strategy evaluated each peak identified using six different algorithms; peptide peaks identified by all six algorithms (i.e., unanimously selected) were subsequently assigned as true peaks, which resulted in a reduction in the false-positive rate. Hence, exact and highly quantitative peptide peaks were obtained, providing better performance than obtained applying the conventional criteria or using a single machine learning algorithm.
Discrete Element Simulation Analysis of Damage and Failure of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments
Authors: Zhao Mingxin , Liu Huaishan , Ma Qing , Xing Lei , Xia Qiuping , Yang Xilei , Li Fenglin , Li Xuefeng
Published: August 2021

It is of great significance to study the damage and failure law of hydrate-bearing sediments for for exploration and development, as well as for warning secondary disasters such as tsunami and earthquake. The discrete element modeling and simulation method has the advantages of low cost, strong repeatability and accurate response to the microstructure of samples, therefore , the discrete element method is used to simulate and analyze the damage and failure law of hydrate-bearing sediments in this paper. First, a triaxial undrained shear teat model of hydrate-bearing sediments is established. by discrete element simulation software; Then, the effects of different influencing factors on the fracture characteristics of hydrate hydrate-bearing sediments is studied; Finally, the effects of different factors on the initiation stress and damage stress of hydrate sediments are analyzed, and the damage law of hydrate-bearing sediments is obtained. The results show that: (1) The cementation of hydrate particles is greater than its bearing effect, thus the lithology of sediments changes from loose sand body to brittle rock with the increase of hydrate saturation, resulting in the corresponding change of fracture characteristics from loose sand body failure to brittle rock failure. (2) With the increase of hydrate saturation, the initiation stress of sediment shows a step-by-step increase law, and the damage stress is positively correlated with the shear modulus. (3) The heterogeneity of hydrate distribution is closely related to the failure mode of sediments. With the increase of hydrate distribution heterogeneity, the initiation stress displays an increase-decrease-increase pattern while the damage stress shows a law of increasing and then decreasing, which has the high sensitivity to heterogeneity of hydrate distribution. The research results have certain theoretical reference significance for the exploitation practice of natural gas hydrate.
Case Report: A World Trade Center (WTC) responder presenting with moderate stage dementia by age 57, suggesting an extended severity of WTC-associated illness'
Authors: Gandy Sam , Bender H Allison , Luccini Roberto , Ashleigh Theophania , Ciardullo Julie , Clouston Sean A. P. , Bromet Evelyn J , Luft Benjamin , Sano Mary
Published: August 2021

Recent evidence indicates that World Trade Center Responders (WTCRs) are apparently at increased risk for a clinical syndrome that includes PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) and MCI (mild cognitive impairment). The association of these behavioral and cognitive symptoms was first described by Bromet, Luft, Clouston, and colleagues. No autopsy characterization of the syndrome has yet emerged, though biofluid and neuroimaging biomarker data support features of (1) progressive behavioral and cognitive dysfunction, (2) proteinopathy involving the appearance of neurodegeneration-related molecules in the peripheral circulation, and (3) a substantial regional loss of brain volume. Inciting factors such as inhalation of neurotoxins and/or psychological stressors (or a combination of both) have been proposed as contributory to the pathogenesis, but no definitive etiologic agent has been identified. In general, the subpopulation of WTCRs who developed PTSD and MCI were those with documentable extended exposure to the central feature of “Ground Zero” known as “the pile”, and those who developed MCI were primarily a subgroup of those who had developed PTSD. Multiomic studies are underway to determine whether this subgroup might be enriched for genetic, genomic, and/or proteomic features that might have predisposed them to pathological responses to stress, environmental toxins, or both. In 2017, we had occasion to evaluate “E.T.”; at that time, a 57-year-old bilingual (English and Spanish speaking) right-handed WTCR was referred to an urban medical center dementia specialty clinic for assessment of his cognitive and behavioral functioning. While early-onset dementia can occur sporadically, the proximity of E.T. to “the pile” at “Ground Zero”, and the course of E.T.’s illness raise the possibility that WTC-related cognitive-behavioral syndromes may progress well beyond the stage of MCI to that of moderate dementia (and beyond) and that this progression may occur in the absence of full-blown PTSD.
CNA profiling of single CTCs in locally advanced esophageal cancer patients during therapy highlights unexplored molecular pathways.
Authors: Gallerani Giulia , Rossi Tania , Valgiusti Martina , Angeli Davide , Fici Pietro , De Fanti Sara , Bandini Erika , Cocchi Claudia , Frassineti Giovanni Luca , Bonafè Massimiliano , Fabbri Francesco
Published: August 2021

Locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive disease with a dismal prognosis. The role of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the EC metastatic process is still an unaddressed question. Here we monitored the evolution of CTCs spread in 11 patients affected by locally advanced EC who were undergoing neoadjuvant chemo-radio therapy followed by surgery. We developed an ad hoc assay named ‘Grab-all’ assay using DEPArray system. Longitudinal monitoring allowed the identification of CTCs expressing epithelial, mesenchymal or mixed phenotype markers, in at least one time-point per patient. Through single cell copy number aberration (CNA) analysis, we revealed that individual CTCs from relapsed patients displayed higher degree of genomic imbalance compared to disease-free patients' ones. Post-neoadjuvant therapy CTCs show genomic aberrations previously reported in EC, namely 23/23 amplifications and 13/19 deletions. Notably the phenomenon was not restricted to the group of relapsed patients. In-depth analysis showed that networks enrichment in all time-points CTCs were inherent to innate immune system. At variance, transcription/gene regulation, post-transcriptional and epigenetic modifications were uniquely affected in CTCs of relapsed patients. Collectively, our data add clues to the comprehension of the role of CTCs in EC aggressiveness: chromosomal aberrations on genes related to innate immune system behave as relevant to the onset of CTC-status, whilst pathways of transcription / gene regulation, post-transcriptional and epigenetic modifications seem linked to patients’ outcome.
Assessment of Deep Learning Algorithms to Predict Histopathological Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: First Moroccan Prospective Study on a Private Dataset
Authors: AGOURI HAJAR EL , Azizi Mohammed , Attar Hicham El , Khannoussi Mohammed El , Ibrahimi Azeddine , Kabbaj Rachad , Kadiri Habiba , BEKARSABEIN Salma , ECH-CHARIF Soumaya , Mounjid Chaimaa , Khannoussi Basma El
Published: August 2021

Objective: Breast cancer is a critical public health issue and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Its early diagnosis and detection can effectively help in increasing the chances of survival rate. The aim of this work is to develop a computational approach based on deep convolutional neural networks for an efficient classification of breast cancer histopathological images by using our own created dataset. Two models of deep neural network architectures were used combined to gradient boosted trees classifier. Images were classified in three classes, normal tissue-benign lesions, in situ carcinoma and invasive carcinoma. Results: Both Resnet50 and Xception models achieved comparable results, with a small advantage to Xception extracted features. The proposed classification allowed us to obtain high degree of precision, a good generalization performance and avoided an eventual overfitting scenario due to the limited size of the data. In addition, we reported high sensitivity for detection of carcinoma cases, which is important for diagnostic pathology workflow in order to assist pathologists for diagnosing breast cancer with precision.
The trajectory of early disengagement: A longitudinal learning analytics study over a full program
Authors: Saqr Mohammed , López-Pernas Sonsoles
Published: August 2021

Research on online engagement is abundant. However, most of the available studies have focused on a single course. Therefore, little is known about how students’ online engagement evolves over time. Previous research in face-to-face settings has shown that early disengagement has negative consequences on students’ academic achievement and graduation rates. This study examines the longitudinal trajectory of students’ online engagement throughout a complete college degree. The study followed 99 students over 4 years of college education including all their course data (15 courses and 1383 course enrollments). Students’ engagement states for each course enrollment were identified through Latent Class Analysis (LCA). Students who were not engaged at least one course in the first term were labeled as “Early Disengagement”, whereas the remaining students were labeled as “Early Engagement”. The two groups of students were analyzed using sequence pattern mining methods. The stability (persistence of the engagement state), transition (ascending to a higher engagement state or descending to a lower state), and typology of each group trajectory of engagement are described in this study. Our results show that early disengagement is associated with higher rates of dropout, lower scores and lower graduation rates whereas early engagement is relatively stable. Our findings indicate that it is critical to proactively address early disengagement during a program, watch the alarming signs such as presence of disengagement during the first courses, declining engagement along the program or history of frequent disengagement states.