bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiomics of apparent diffusion coefficient maps to predict histologic grade in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue and floor of mouth: a preliminary study
Authors: Ren Jiliang , Qi Meng , Yuan Ying , Tao Xiaofeng 
Published: June 2020

Background Histologic grade assessment plays an important part in the clinical decision making and prognostic evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue and floor of mouth (FOM). Purpose To assess the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-based radiomics in discriminating between low- and high-grade SCC of the oral tongue and FOM. Material and Methods We included data from 88 patients (training cohort: n = 59; testing cohort: n = 29) who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner before treatment. A total of 526 radiomics features were extracted from ADC maps to construct a radiomics signature with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic curves and areas under the curve (AUCs) were used to evaluate the performance of radiomic signature. Results Five features were selected to construct the radiomics signature for predicting histologic grade. The ADC-based radiomics signature performed well for discriminating between low- and high-grade tumors, with AUCs of 0.83 in both cohorts. Based on the cut-off value of the training cohort, the radiomics signature achieved accuracies of 0.78 and 0.79, sensitivities of 0.65 and 0.71, and specificities of 0.85 and 0.82 in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. Conclusion ADC-based radiomics can be a useful and promising non-invasive method for predicting histologic grade of SCC of the oral tongue and FOM.
Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI in evaluating inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis: a pilot study
Authors: Podgórska Joanna , Pasicz Katarzyna , Zagórowicz Edyta , Mróz Andrzej , Gołębiewski Bogumił , Kuś Piotr , Jasieniak Jakub , Skrzyński Witold , Wieszczy Paulina , Kukołowicz Paweł , Cieszanowski Andrzej 
Published: June 2020

Background A non-invasive tool for the assessment of ulcerative colitis (UC) activity is needed for treatment control. Purpose To determine the efficacy of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in assessing inflammatory activity in UC. Material and Methods In this prospective study, 20 adult patients underwent 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with 10 b-values (0–900 s/mm2) 0–6 days after biopsies entailing colonoscopy. The inflammatory activity of large bowel segments was graded on endoscopy with Mayo score and on pathology with a six‑grade classification system. IVIM‑derived parameters (f, D, and D*) calculated from regions of interest placed within the bowel wall were correlated with both scores (56 and 34 bowel segments, respectively). Radiologists were blinded to endoscopy and pathology results. A T-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test was used in comparisons and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. Results Statistically significant differences were found between histopathologically inactive or mild activity and moderate to severe activity in f (respectively: mean = 0.19 and mean = 0.28, P = 0.024; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.723, sensitivity 0.82, specificity 0.59, accuracy 0.67 for a 0.185 cut-off value) and D (mean = 1.34 × 10−3mm2/s and mean = 1.07 × 10−3mm2/s, P = 0.0083; AUC = 0.735, sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.54, accuracy 0.66 for cut-off value 1.24 × 10−3mm2/s). No significant difference in D* was noted. No significant correlation between Mayo endoscopic subscore, and f, D, nor D* was found. Conclusion IVIM perfusion fraction correlates with UC activity and might represent emerging tool in assessment of inflammatory activity.
Long-term follow-up of antiphospholipid syndrome: real-life experience from a single center
Authors: Serrano Rosa , Pons-Estel Guillermo J , Espinosa Gerard , Quintana Rosana M. , Reverter Joan C , Tassies Dolors , Monteagudo Joan , Cervera Ricard 
Published: June 2020

Objective The objective of this paper is to assess the prevalence of the main clinical manifestations and laboratory features at disease onset and during the ensuing 10 years of a large cohort of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) from a single center. Methods The study included all consecutive APS patients followed longitudinally in our center from 2003 to 2013. Descriptive statistics for demographics, clinical and laboratory features and mortality were performed. Results A total of 160 patients were included. Most of them, 128 (78.8%), were women and the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 39.1 (14.0) years. The majority of them, 104 (65.0%), had primary APS, 36 (22.5%) had APS associated with systemic lupus erythematous, and 20 (12.5%) had APS associated with other autoimmune disease. During the study period, thrombotic events occurred in 27 (16.9%) patients, the most common being strokes, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis and deep venous thrombosis. Regarding obstetric morbidity, 18 women (14.3%) became pregnant and 90% of pregnancies succeeded in having live births. The most common obstetric complication was early pregnancy loss (15% of pregnancies). Prematurity (11.1% of live births) and intrauterine growth restriction (5.6% of live births) were the most frequent fetal morbidities. Ten (6.3%) patients died and the most frequent causes of death were severe thrombosis, hemorrhage, and cancer. Three (0.9%) cases of catastrophic APS occurred. The survival probability at 10 years was 93.8%. Conclusions Patients with APS develop significant morbidity and mortality despite current treatment. It is imperative to identify prognostic factors and therapeutic measures to prevent these complications.
MicroRNA-892a regulates laryngocarcinoma cell proliferation via Dicer
Authors: Dong Jinhui , Wang Jianxing , Shan Chunguang , Zhang Haizhong , Xu Ou 
Published: June 2020

MicroRNA (miR) plays a critical role in the progression of multiple malignancies. Nevertheless, knowledge of the role it plays in laryngeal cancer is limited. In this study, we explored the role of miR-892a in laryngeal cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. miR-892a expression was increased in 17 laryngeal cancer samples and cells compared with that in healthy tissues, laryngeal cancer normal surrounding tissues, and the NP69 human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line. Conversely, Dicer expression was downregulated in human laryngeal cancer samples as well as in the laryngeal cancer cell lines. CCK-8 assays and colony formation assay confirmed that depleted miR-892a expression damaged the proliferation and growth of TU212 and M4E cells. Annexin V/PI flow cytometry displayed that miR-892a inhibition led to increased apoptosis of TU212 and M4E cells. By conducting bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay, it was revealed that that miR-892a targets Dicer 3′-UTR for silencing. Dicer expression inhibition offsets the effect of miR-892a on the growth and apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells. Dicer overexpression displayed similar phenotype with miR-892a inhibition on the properties of laryngeal cancer cells. Results of in vivo experiments further confirmed that miR-892a silencing suppressed tumor growth in a mouse model. Hence, the results of this study provide new ideas about the biological and molecular mechanisms behind laryngeal cancer progression, thereby obtaining novel laryngeal cancer treatments.Impact statementThis work expanded the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying LC progression by exploring the role of miR-892a in the viability of TU212 and M4E cells. The results showed that miR-892a, which exhibited elevated expression in LC cells and tissue specimens of patients with LC, exerted an inhibitory effect on Dicer expression, whereas silencing of miR-892a in TU212 and M4E cells hindered cell proliferation and growth and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-892a was demonstrated to directly target Dicer 3′-UTR and inhibit its expression. These findings demonstrated that miR-892a acted as an LC oncogene via its action on Dicer, which further confirmed that miR-892a can serve as a diagnostic indicator or promising agent for LC treatment.
House Dust Mite Sublingual Immunotherapy in Children Versus Adults With Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Kim Jin Youp , Rhee Chae-Seo , Cho Seong H. , Choe Goun , Kim Dong-Young , Han Doo Hee 
Published: June 2020

Background There are only a few studies in which the clinical efficacy of SLIT has been compared between children and adults. In addition, there is a lack of research on other factors, associated with the treatment, including immunological parameters and quality of life (QOL). Objective To compare the effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in adults and children on various factors: clinical efficacy, quality of life (QOL), satisfaction, immunological parameters, and adverse events. Methods Subjects who were sensitized to house dust mites and treated with SLIT for at least 2 years were enrolled. Seventy patients who completed questionnaires measuring nasal symptoms and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores and underwent serologic tests for immunological parameters at initial, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up were selected and divided into two groups based on age: a child group (age 4–12 years, n = 44) and an adult group (age 19–59 years, n = 26). Results The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) was significantly decreased after 2 years of SLIT in both the child and adult groups ( p < 0.001, both); however, changes in TNSS from baseline did not significantly differ between the two groups ( p = 0.365). More patients in adult group were satisfied with SLIT than those in child group ( p = 0.050), and changes in RQLQ score from baseline tended to be larger in adult group ( p = 0.089). The levels of immunological parameters at baseline were significantly higher in the child group than in the adult group; however, changes in the levels of these parameters were not significantly different. Conclusion Although more adult patients were satisfied with SLIT, the clinical effects of SLIT on nasal symptoms were comparable between child and adult groups. Despite different immunological values at baseline between the two groups, changing patterns of immunological parameters did not differ.
Return to Sport After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Middle-Aged and Elderly Swimmers
Authors: Shimada Yohei , Sugaya Hiroyuki , Takahashi Norimasa , Matsuki Keisuke , Tokai Morihito , Morioka Takeshi , Ueda Yusuke , Hoshika Shota , Hamada Hiroshige , Inoue Satoshi , Hashimoto Eiko , Ochiai Nobuyasu 
Published: June 2020

Background: No reports have been published on the clinical outcomes, including return to sport, after rotator cuff repair in middle-aged and elderly swimmers with rotator cuff tears. Purpose: To retrospectively investigate clinical outcomes and return to sport after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in middle-aged and elderly swimmers. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and met the following criteria were included: (1) age older than 45 years, (2) rotator cuff tears confirmed during surgery, (3) arthroscopic suture bridge rotator cuff repair, (4) primary surgery, and (5) swam more than once a week before surgery. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) irreparable large and massive tears, (2) shoulder instability, (3) arthritis or rheumatic disorders, or (4) less than 2-year follow-up. We investigated functional outcomes including range of motion; the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score; the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; return to swimming; and the return rates for each style of swimming. In addition, the functional outcomes and findings of magnetic resonance imaging were compared between the group with complete return and the group with incomplete or failed return. Results: A total of 32 shoulders in 31 middle-aged and elderly swimmers (5 males, 26 females) were included. The mean age was 65 years (range, 47-78 years), and the mean follow-up was 47 months (range, 24-86 months). Return to swimming was achieved in 31 (97%) shoulders at a mean of 8 months (range, 3-24 months), and complete return was achieved in 18 (56%) shoulders at a mean of 12 months (range, 3-24 months). The return rate was 97% for freestyle, 83% for breaststroke, 74% for backstroke, and 44% for butterfly stroke. Postoperative UCLA and ASES scores were significantly higher in the group with complete return than in the group with incomplete or failed return ( P = .001 and .01, respectively). Postoperative forward elevation was significantly better in the complete return group ( P = .01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 97% of elderly swimmers who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair could return to swimming. The complete return rate was 56%; however, the group with incomplete or failed return showed poorer active forward elevation. Freestyle had the highest complete return rate, whereas the butterfly stroke had the lowest return rate. It may be important to achieve good active forward elevation postoperatively to return to swimming.
Diagnostic assay to assist clinical decisions for unclassified severe combined immune deficiency
Authors: Bifsha Panojot , Leiding Jennifer W. , Pai Sung-Yun , Colamartino Aurelien B. L. , Hartog Nicholas , Church Joseph A. , Oshrine Benjamin R. , Puck Jennifer M. , Markert M. Louise , Haddad Elie 
Published: June 2020

Key Points
3D organoid T-cell differentiation from a few hundred peripheral blood CD34+ cells was successfully achieved. 3D organoid T-cell differentiation could help physicians distinguish intrinsic from extrinsic defects underlying a clinical SCID phenotype.
Design of a Passive Gait-based Ankle-foot Exoskeleton with Self-adaptive Capability
Authors: Wang Xiangyang , Guo Sheng , Qu Bojian , Song Majun , Qu Haibo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPropulsion during push-off is the key to realizing human locomotion. Humans have evolved a way of walking with high energy utilization, but it can be further improved. Drawing inspiration from the muscle-tendon unit, a passive spring-actuated ankle-foot exoskeleton is designed to assist with human walking and to lengthen walking duration by mechanically enhancing walking efficiency. Detection of the gait events is realized using a smart clutch, which is designed to detect the contact states between the shoe sole and the ground, and automatically switch its working state. The engagement of a suspended spring behind the human calf muscles is hence controlled and is in synchrony with gait. The device is completely passive and contains no external power source. Energy is stored and returned passively using the clutch. In our walking trials, the soleus electromyography activity is reduced by as much as 72.2% when the proposed ankle-foot exoskeleton is worn on the human body. The influence of the exoskeleton on walking habits is also studied. The results show the potential use of the exoskeleton in humans’ daily life.
Potential implications of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: where are we going from now?
Authors: Torti Carlo , Mazzitelli Maria , Trecarichi Enrico Maria , Darius Owachi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2, which emerged from East Asia in December 2019, has rapidly evolved into a global pandemic infecting close to 7 million people. The current uncertainties regarding its impact on Africa calls for critical monitoring of the evolution of the pandemic and correlation of factors that influence the burden of the disease. We herein discuss possible implications of SARS-CoV-2 on the African continent.
Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is associated with the severity of aortic stenosis in patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kopytek Magdalena , Ząbczyk Michał , Mazur Piotr , Undas Anetta , Natorska Joanna 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to chronic glycation of proteins and tissue damage, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to evaluate whether increased accumulation of AGEs in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and concomitant type 2 diabetes (DM) is associated with AS severity.

Methods
We prospectively enrolled 76 patients with severe AS (47.1% males; nonDM), aged 68 [66–72] years, and 50 age-matched DM patients with a median blood glucose level of 7.5 [5.9–9.1] mM and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 6.8 [6.3–7.8]%, scheduled for aortic valve replacement. Valvular expression of AGEs, AGEs receptor (RAGE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction were evaluated ex vivo by immunostaining and calculated as the extent of positive immunoreactive areas/total sample area. Plasma levels of AGEs and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) were assessed by ELISAs.

Results
Subjects with DM had increased valvular expression of both AGEs (6.6-fold higher, 15.53 [9.96–23.28]%) and RAGE (1.8-fold higher, 6.8 [4.9–8.45]%) compared to nonDM patients (2.05 [1.21–2.58]% and 2.4 [1.56–3.02]%, respectively; both p < 0.001). Plasma levels of AGEs (12-fold higher) and sRAGE (1.3-fold higher) were elevated in DM patients, compared to nonDM (both p < 0.0001). The percentage of valvular ROS-positive (2.28 [1.6–3.09] vs. 1.15 [0.94–1.4]%, p < 0.0001) but not IL-6-positive areas was higher within DM, compared to nonDM valves. In DM patients, the percentage of valvular AGEs- and RAGE-positive areas correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.77, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.30, p = 0.034). Similarly, plasma AGEs and sRAGE levels were associated with HbA1c in the DM group (r = 0.32, p = 0.024 and r = 0.33, p = 0.014, respectively). In all DM patients, we found an association between the amount of valvular AGEs and the disease severity measured as aortic valve area (AVA; r = 0.68, p < 0.0001). Additionally, in DM patients with HbA1c > 7% (n = 24, 48%) we found that valvular expression of AGEs correlated with mean transvalvular pressure gradient (PGmean; r = 0.45, p = 0.027). Plasma AGEs levels in the whole DM group correlated with AVA (r = − 0.32, p = 0.02), PGmean (r = 0.31, p = 0.023), and PGmax (r = 0.30, p = 0.03).

Conclusions
Our study suggests that poorly-controlled diabetes leads to increased AGEs and RAGE valvular accumulation, which at least partially, might result in AS progression in DM patients.
Identification and characterization of a moonlighting protein-enolase for surface display in Streptococcus thermophilus
Authors: Mu Yingli , Xin Yongping , Guo Tingting , Kong Jian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Streptococcus thermophilus is an important food starter and receiving more attention to serve as cell factories for production of high-valued metabolites. However, the low yields of intracellular or extracellular expression of biotechnological and biomedical proteins limit its practical applications.

Results
Here, an enolase EnoM was identified from S. thermophilus CGMCC7.179 with about 94% identities to the surface-located enolases from other Streptococcus spp. strains. The EnoM was used as an anchor to achieve surface display in S. thermophilus using GFP as a reporter. After respectively mixing the GFP-EnoM fusion protein or GFP with S. thermophilus cells in vitro, the relative fluorescence units (RFU) of the S. thermophilus cells with GFP-EnoM was 80-folds higher than that with purified GFP. The sharp decrease in the RFU of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) pretreated cells compared to those of non-pretreated cells demonstrated that the membrane proteins were the binding ligand of EnoM. Furthermore, an engineered β-galactosidase (β-Gal) was also successfully displayed on the cell surface of S. thermophilus CGMCC7.179 and the relative activity of the immobilized β-Gal remained up to 64% after reused 8 times. Finally, we also demonstrated that EnoM could be used as an anchor for surface display in L. casei, L. bulgaricus, L. lactis and Leuconostoc lactis.

Conclusion
To our knowledge, EnoM from S. thermophilus was firstly identified as an anchor and successfully achieved surface display in LAB. The EnoM-based surface display system provided a novel strategy for the enzyme immobilization.
Novel flexible cap for application of transcranial electrical stimulation: a usability study
Authors: Hunold Alexander , Ortega Daniela , Schellhorn Klaus , Haueisen Jens 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Advances in transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) are hampered by the conventional rubber electrodes manually attached to the head with rubber bands. This procedure limits montages to a few electrodes, is error prone with respect to electrode configurations and is burdensome for participants and operators. A newly developed flexible cap with integrated textile stimulation electrodes was compared to the conventional setup of rubber electrodes inserted into sponges fixated by rubber bands, with respect to usability and reliability. Two operators applied both setups to 20 healthy volunteers participating in the study. Electrode position and impedance measures as well as subjective evaluations from participants and operators were obtained throughout the stimulation sessions.

Results
Our results demonstrated the superiority of the flexible cap by means of significantly higher electrode configuration reproducibility and a more efficient application. Both, operators and volunteers evaluated the flexible cap as easier to use and more comfortable to wear when compared to the conventional setup.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the new cap improves existing and opens new application scenarios for tES.
An in vitro study on sonodynamic treatment of human colon cancer cells using sinoporphyrin sodium as sonosensitizer
Authors: Shen Yuanyuan , Ou Jianquan , Chen Xin , Zeng Xiaojun , Huang Lanhui , Pi Zhaoke , Hu Yaxin , Chen Siping , Chen Tie 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging cancer therapy, and in contrast to photodynamic therapy, could non-invasively reach deep-seated tissues and locally activates a sonosensitizer preferentially accumulated in the tumor area to produce cytotoxicity effects. In comparison with traditional treatments, SDT may serve as an alternative strategy for human colon cancer treatment. Here, we investigated the sonodynamic effect using sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS) as a novel sonosensitizer on human colon cancer cells in vitro.

Results
The absorption spectra of DVDMS revealed maximum absorption at 363 nm wavelength and emission peak at 635 nm. Confocal microscopy images revealed the DVDMS was primarily localized in the cytoplasm, while no evident signal was detected within the nuclei. Flow cytometry analysis showed rapid intracellular uptake of DVDMS by two types of human colon cancer cells (HCT116 and RKO). Cell viability of HCT116 was tolerant with the concentration of DVDMS up to 20 µg/mL, while the case of RKO was 5 µg/mL. In comparison with the control group, the SDT-treated groups of these two types of human colon cancer cells showed significant increase in cellular apoptosis and necrosis ratio. Increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected, indicating the involvement of ROS in mediating SDT effects.

Conclusion
DVDMS results an effective sonosensitizer for the ultrasound-mediated cancer cell killing, and its anticancer effect seems to rely on its ability to produce ROS under ultrasound exposure.