bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remarkable metabolic reorganization and altered metabolic requirements in frog metamorphic climax
Authors: Zhu Wei , Chang Liming , Zhao Tian , Wang Bin , Jiang Jianping 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMetamorphic climax is the crucial stage of amphibian metamorphosis responsible for the morphological and functional changes for landing. This developmental period is most sensitive to environmental changes and pollution. Understanding its metabolic basis and requirements has great significance to ecological and toxicological researches. Rana omeimontis tadpoles are unique model for investigating this issue, as their liver has the dual role of metabolic regulation and fat storage.ResultsUsing a combined approach of transcriptomics and metabolomics, we revealed the metabolic reorganization during natural and T3-driven metamorphic climax by reconstructing the metabolic networks in the liver and tail of Rana omeimontis tadpoles. In metamorphic tadpoles, the metabolic flux from the apoptotic tail replaced hepatic fat storage as metabolic fuel, resulting in increased hepatic amino acid and fat level. In the liver, amino acid catabolism (transamination and urea cycle) was upregulated along with energy metabolism (TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation), while the carbohydrate and lipid catabolism (glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway/PPP and β-oxidation) were decreased. Meanwhile, the hepatic glycogen phosphorylation and gluconeogenesis were upregulated, and the carbohydrate flux likely flowed into the synthesis of glycan units (e.g., UDP-glucuronate). In the tail, glycolysis, β-oxidation, and transamination were all downregulated, accompanied by synchronous downregulation of energy production and consumption. The glycogenolysis was maintained in the tail, and the carbohydrate flux likely flowed into both PPP and the synthesis of glycan units (e.g., UDP-glucuronate and UDP-glucosamine). Interestingly, the fatty acid elongation and desaturation, as well as the synthesis of bioactive lipid (e.g., prostaglandins) were encouraged in the tail during metamorphic climax. Protein synthesis was downregulated in both the liver and tail. The significance of these metabolic adjustments and their potential regulation mechanism were discussed.ConclusionThe energic strategy and anabolic requirements during metamorphic climax were revealed at molecular level. Amino acid has increased contribution to energy metabolism during metamorphic climax. Carbohydrate anabolism is more intensively required than protein synthesis for the body construction of the froglet. The tail plays a critical role in anabolism and even metabolic regulation. These findings would deepen our understanding on the requirement and proceeding of amphibian metamorphosis.
Aberrant White Matter Microstructure as a Potential Diagnostic Marker in Alzheimer’s Disease by Automated Fiber Quantification
Authors: Chen Haifeng , Qin Ruomeng , Luo Caimei , Li Mengchun , Liu Renyuan , Zhang Bing , Xu Yun , Zhao Hui , Bai Feng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been primarily considered a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of gray matter. Neuroimaging evidence has suggested white matter microstructure are also heavily affected in AD. However, whether white matter dysfunction are localized at the specific regions of fiber tracts and whether they would be a potential biomarker for AD remain unclear.Methods：By automated fiber quantification (AFQ), we applied diffusion tensor images from 25 healthy controls (HC), 24 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients and 18 AD patients to create tract profiles along 16 major white matter fibers. We compared diffusion metrics [Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (DA) and radial diffusivity (DR)] at the global and local level of fiber tracts between groups. Partial correlation analyses were used to explore the associations between white matter changes and cognitive performance. To assess the diagnostic value, we enrolled the significantly altered diffusion metrics into a random forest (RF) classifier, a type of machine learning method.Results: In the global tract level, we found that aMCI and AD patients showed higher MD, DA and DR values in some fiber tracts mostly in the left hemisphere compared to HC. In the point-wise level, widespread disruption were distributed on specific locations of different tracts. The point-wise MD measurements presented the best classification performance with respect to differentiating AD from HC. The two most important variables were localized in the prefrontal potion of left uncinate fasciculus and anterior thalamic radiation. In addition, the point-wise DA in the posterior component of the left cingulum cingulate displayed the most robust discriminative ability to identify AD from aMCI. Conclusion：Our findings provide evidence that the left-sided microstructural integrity was vulnerable in white matter fiber tracts in AD. Furthermore, the frontal lobe portion of left uncinate fasciculus and anterior thalamic radiation and the posterior component of the left cingulum cingulate played the important role in the diagnosis and surveillance of AD. These results demonstrated the potential of white matter abnormalities as a diagnostic biomarker in AD.
ceRNA Network Development and Tumour-infiltrating Immune Cell Analysis in Metastatic Breast Cancer of Bone
Authors: Liu Shuzhong , Song An , Zhou Xi , Huo Zhen , Yao Siyuan , Liu Yong , Wang Yipeng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Advanced breast cancer commonly metastasises to the bone and the molecular mechanism explaining the bone affinity of breast cancer cells is unclear. Thus, we developed nomograms based on a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and analysed tumour-infiltrating immunecells to elucidate the molecular pathways that may predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients.Methods: We obtained the RNA expression profile of 1091 primary breast cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, 58 of which had bone metastasis. We analysed differential RNA expression patterns between breast cancer with and without bone metastasis and developed a ceRNA network. Cibersort was employed to differentiate between immune cell types based on tumour transcripts. Nomograms were then established using the ceRNA network and immune cell analysis. The value of prognostic factors was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional risk model.Results: There were significant differences in lncRNAs, 18 miRNAs, and 20mRNAs between breast cancer with and without bone metastasis, which were used to construct a ceRNA network. We found that the protein-coding genes gjb3, cammv, ptprz1,and fbn3 were significant in our Kaplan-Meier analysis. We also observed significant differences in plasma cell and follicular helper T cell populations between the two groups. In addition, the proportions of mast cells, gamma delta T cells, and plasma cells differed depending on disease location and stage. Our analysis revealed that a high proportion of follicular helper T cells and a low proportion of eosinophils promoted survival and that dlx6-as1, wnt6,and gabbr2expression may be related to bone metastasis of breast cancer.Conclusions: We provided a bioinformatic basis for exploring the molecular mechanism of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients and identified factors that may predict this.
Dynamic variability of Chinese medicine diseases and constitutions and syndromes on peritoneal cancer patients before and after cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Liangdeng , Jiang Ming , Pan Guofeng , Yin Xianghua 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Peritoneal cancer is advanced stage of abdominal cancer. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) that is the main surgical regimen for peritoneal cancer patients to delay the illness. However, postoperative recovery is a long process due to extensive removal of abdominal and pelvic organs by CRS. Meanwhile, integrated Chinese and western medicine could improve life quality of cancers. Methods: Investigating on change of disease symptoms indicators and constitution and syndrome types of peritoneal cancer patients through cross-sectional study that included three stage, before CRS plus HIPEC, within 1 week and within 3 months after CRS plus HIPEC. Results: Total 100 patients through CRS plus HIPEC included analysis. Within 1 week after CRS plus HIPEC, both blood albumin (ALB) and haemoglobin (HGB) decreased apparently comparing to before; within 3 months after CRS plus HIPEC, ALB and HGB elevated apparently comparing to within 1 week; all the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The differences of blood carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), D-dimer (D-D), troponin I (TnI) , n-terminal precursor of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), were statistically significant (P<0.01) between before and within 1 week and 3 months after CRS plus HIPEC. The differences of both constitution and syndrome types were statistically significant (P<0.01) between before and within 1 week and 3 months after CRS plus HIPEC. Conclusions: Peritoneal cancer patients’ diseases and symptoms changed apparently between before and after CRS plus HIPEC. Although, the symptomatic treatment methods by western medicine could apparently improve ALB, HGB, CA125, CEA, D-D, TnI, BNP, as well as cardiorespiratory function in a short term. Constitution groups and syndrome types of peritoneal cancer patients occurred dynamic variability between before and after CRS plus HIPEC. Generally, the primary tendency was healthy energy deficiency gradually, while pathogen excess through CRS plus HIPEC treatment. Constitutions and syndromes were mixed and complicated. Thus, to improve life quality and survival status of peritoneal cancer patients after CRS plus HIPEC, suggesting treatment integrating with Chinese medicine through the whole stage that considers diseases, symptoms, constitutions, syndromes, and the whole person.
Study on the mechanism of Indigo naturalis and its two main compounds (indigo and indirubin) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis based on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and intestinal microorganisms
Authors: Yang Qi-yue , He Ya-nan , Ma Le-le , Xu Run-chun , Li Nan , Han Li , Yang Xiang-bo , Wang Fang , Zhang Dingkun 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Indigo naturalis is a natural dye extracted from plants and has a good anti-inflammatory effect. Clinical studies have shown that it can improve ulcerative colitis (UC), but the active constituents and the mechanism are unclear. Methods: The anti-UC activity of Indigo naturalis and its two main compounds (indigo and indirubin) were investigated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice. Indigo naturalis, indigo and indirubin were administrated to DSS-induced UC rats by oral gavage for 1 weeks. The anti-UC effect was evaluated by pathological section, inflammatory cytokine production, western blotting, and gut microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Indigo naturalis, indigo and indirubin can improve the UC induced by DSS. Their effect intensity is Indigo naturalis > indirubin > indigo based on disease activity index, body weight, colon length and pathological section. Indigo naturalis, indigo and indirubin also decrease the expression of NF-κB，TLR4 and MYD88 proteins, thus reducing the level of related inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) both in serum and tissue. In addition, Indigo naturalis and indigo improved symptoms of gut microbial disturbance, and decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the significantly increased probiotics such as Lactobacillus. Indirubin has little effect on the regulation of gut microbial. Conclusions: Indigo naturalis could attenuate the DSS-induced UC in mice, by means of ameliorating intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal mucosa, and regulating the disturbed gut microbiota. Indigo and indirubin could also attenuate the DSS-induced UC in mice, but their comprehensive effect is not as good as Indigo naturalis.
Development of the child’s ego strength scale: An observation-based assessment of the board game behaviors in play therapy in Korea
Authors: Lee Ji Yoen , Lee Young-ae , Yoo Mee Sook 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to develop a scale for assessing children’s ego strength through the observation of children playing board games in a therapeutic setting. To assess the ego strength of children in this developmental stage, it is necessary to observe their attitudes during game play therapy, which is the most comfortable psychotherapy technique for children at this developmental stageMethodData were collected from 127 play therapists and play therapist-supervisors, who observed 55 children aged 7–9 who received play therapy in Korea. The scale was created through factor analysis and verification of criterion-related validity.ResultsWe generated a Child’s Ego Strength Scale (CESS) consisting of five sub-factors (Coping Strategy, Cognitive Strategy, Ego Restriction, Interpersonal Functioning, Frustration Tolerance) through exploratory factor analysis. The scale met the goodness of fit criteria in a confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis of therapy sessions of children with strong and weak ego strength, as identified by play therapists, showed a significant difference between the two groups in all five sub-variables. There was a significant correlation between the CESS scores and scores of ego strength-related variables of the Rorschach scale, indicating good criterion-related validity.ConclusionThe CESS appears to be a practical method for the assessment of ego strength in the field of child counseling.
Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Spinal Metastasis - A Single Center 10-year Retrospective Study
Authors: Liu Shuzhong , Zhou Xi , Song An , Huo Zhen , Yao Siyuan , Wang Yipeng , Liu Yong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective:Our research aims to discuss the clinical characteristics, treatment methods, and prognostic characteristics of patients with esophageal cancer spinal metastasis. It is one of the largest clinical studies on the disease to date. The purpose is to improve clinicians’ understanding of the clinical features and prognosis of esophageal spine metastases and share our experience in dealing with this entity.Methods: Six patients with spinal metastasis due to esophageal cancer who had received surgical treatment at the bone tumor center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2010 to January 2020 were selected. The clinical data, surgical records, imaging examinations, pathological reports, and immunohistochemical results of all patients were reviewed by the team. In the study, we applied two surgical treatments, namely open surgery and percutaneous vertebroplasty. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy were used as adjuvant treatments. Retrospective analysis of the patient’s basic clinical data was done.Results:All six patients with metastatic spinal esophageal cancer (MSEC) were male with an average age of 58.0 ± 5.3 years. The average duration between the esophageal cancer resection and diagnosis of spinal metastases was 24.8 (2-72) months. Of the six patients, four had spinal metastases located in the thoracic spine and two had metastases located in the lumbar spine. We referred to the revised Tokuhashi score and Tomita score to recommend individualized surgical treatment plans for patients, and fully respected the patients’ wishes. All six patients underwent surgical treatment, a total of six operations, including four percutaneous vertebroplasty and two open surgery. After the operations, the symptoms of the patients improved significantly. During the follow-up, all six patients died of the disease with the average time from spinal surgery to death being 8.8 ± 3.7 months.Conclusions: In general, patients with esophageal cancer spine metastases have a poor prognosis, and the average survival time of these patients often does not exceed 12 months. The combination of surgical treatment and postoperative adjuvant therapy can control symptoms effectively and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Who suffers from pharmaceutical poverty and what are their needs? Evidence from a Spanish region.
Authors: Rubio-Valera Maria , Marqués-Ercilla Silvia , Peñarrubia-María Maria Teresa , Urbanos-Garrido Rosa María , Borrell Carme , Bosch Jordi , Sánchez-Viñas Alba , Aznar-Lou Ignacio 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Pharmaceutical poverty occurs when a patient cannot afford the cost of prescribed medication and/or medical products. Non-profit organisations are covering the cost of medication to those patients in some contexts. The aim of the study was to describe the population of beneficiaries of the PB, a non-governmental organization which provides free of charge access to medicines, and their utilization pattern of medicines and healthcare products.
Methods

This was an observational study using PB beneficiary data collected between November 2017 and December 2018 in Catalonia. The Catalan Health Service provided information from the general population. A descriptive analysis of the beneficiaries’ characteristics was conducted and compared to general population.
Results

The beneficiaries (N = 1206) were mainly adults with a low level of education, unemployed, with functional disability and with ≥ 1 children. Compared with the general population, the beneficiaries were older, had a lower level of education, showed a higher prevalence of functional disability, were less likely to be Spanish, and more likely to be divorced and unemployed. The beneficiaries were polymedicated and most were using medication related to the nervous (79%), musculo-skeletal (68%) and cardiovascular system (56%) and alimentary tract and metabolism (68%). Almost 19% of beneficiaries used healthcare products. Female beneficiaries were older and more likely to be divorced or widowed, employed and with children. Compared to men, women were more likely to use medicines for pain and mental disorders. The paediatric group used medications for severe, chronic conditions (heart diseases, autoimmune diseases, conduct disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Conclusions

Patients with severe, chronic and disabling conditions are affected by pharmaceutical poverty. While the system of co-payment remains unchanged, physicians and paediatricians should explore economic barriers to treatment and direct their patients to resources that help to cover the cost of treatment.
First Case Of SAR-Coronavirus-2 Sequencing In The Cerebrospinal Fluid Of A Patient With Suspected CNS Demyelinating Disease
Authors: Domingues Renan , Mendes-Correa Maria Cássia , Leite Fernando Brunale Vilela de Moura , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Claro Ingra M , Ferreira Noely Evangelista , Romano Camila Malta , Jesus Jaqueline Goes de , Santos Daniel Wagner de Castro Lima , Salarini Diego Zanotti , Senne Carlos 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The association between coronaviruses and central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating lesions has been previously shown. However, no case has been described of an association between the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) and CNS demyelinating disease so far. SARS-COV-2 was previously detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample of a patient with encephalitis. However, the virus identity was not confirmed by deep sequencing of SARS-COV-2 detected in the CSF. Here, we report a case of a patient with mild respiratory symptoms and neurological manifestations compatible with Clinically Isolated Syndrome. The viral genome of SARS-COV-2 was detected and sequenced in CSF with 99.74 to 100% similarity between the patient virus and worldwide sequences. This report suggests a possible association of SARS COV-2 infection with neurological symptoms of demyelinating disease, even in the absence of relevant upper respiratory tract infection signs.
Drug-utilisation Profiles and COVID-19: Retrospective Cohort Study in Italy
Authors: Orlando Valentina , Coscioni Enrico , Guarino Ilaria , Mucherino Sara , Perrella Alessandro , Trama Ugo , Limongelli Giuseppe , Menditto Enrica 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wrought havoc on healthcare systems worldwide. Age, chronic diseases, use of drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), male sex and genetic predisposition have been postulated as risk factors for adverse outcomes in COVID-19 cases. A retrospective drug-utilisation study was carried out using information collected routinely in a healthcare database (CaReDB) in Campania (Southern Italy). We wished to discover the prevalence of drug utilisation (monotherapy and polytherapy) in COVID-19 vs. non-COVID-19 patients in Campania (~6 million inhabitants). The study cohort was 1,532 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. Drugs were grouped according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. We noted a higher prevalence of use of drugs in the ATC category C01, B01 and M04, and this was probably linked to related comorbidities (i.e., cardiovascular, metabolic). Nevertheless, the prevalence of use of drugs acting on the RAS, such as antihypertensive drugs, was not higher among COVID-19 patients compared with that in non-COVID-19 patients. These results highlight the need for further case–control studies to define the effect of medications and comorbidities on susceptibility to, and associated mortality from, COVID-19.
Non-destructive, non-invasive, in-line real-time phase-based reflectance for quality monitoring of fruit
Authors: Assaad M. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Food quality monitoring in the production process is essential. The control of food quality and freshness is of growing interest for both consumer and food industry. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is popular as it does not need any sample preparation. However, NIR spectroscopy is costly and needs reliable calibration. A non-contact, non-destructive optical process is proposed in this work to monitor the quality of the food. It is shown that the reflected phase information can be used to detect the quality of the fruits. The color and the spectral reflectance change with storage. The changes in the spectral feature due to ripening or decay of apples are used to non-destructively monitor the quality of the fruit. A closed relationship between the reflected phase information and degradation is obtained. The developed model is simple, low cost, and does not need extensive calibration as compared to conventional technologies currently used like NIR besides being robust to skin color or appearances of the fruit. The phase-based reflectance spectroscopy could revolutionize the on/inline quality monitoring of the fruits.