bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No evidence of a synergistic effect of HIV infection and diabetes mellitus type 2 on fat distribution, plasma adiponectin or inflammatory markers.
Authors: Hove-Skovsgaard Malene , Abildgaard Julie , Gelpi Marco , Gaardbo Julie , Kolte Lilian , Ullum Henrik , Trøseid Marius , Lindegaard Birgitte , Nielsen Susanne Dam 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAltered fat distribution and chronic inflammation are found in both persons living with HIV (PLWH) and persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We aimed to investigate if a synergistic effect of HIV infection and DM2 was found on fat distribution and inflammation.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed including PLWH with HIV RNA <200 copies/mL (18 with DM2 (HIV + DM2+), 18 without DM2 (HIV + DM2-)) and controls (19 with DM2 (controls with DM2) and 25 without DM2 (healthy controls). We measured fat distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF- α) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) was measured using snap-frozen plasma.ResultsHIV+DM2+ and HIV+DM2- had comparable trunk/limb fat ratio. In contrast, HIV+DM2+ had a higher trunk/ limb fat ratio than controls with DM2 and healthy controls (p=0.013 and p<0.001, respectively). However, HIV+DM2+ and controls with DM2 had comparable amount of trunk fat mass (kg) (p=0.254). A lower concentration of plasma adiponectin and higher concentration of IL-6 was found in HIV+DM2+ than in HIV+DM2-(p=0.037 and p=0.039) and in healthy controls (p=0.001 and p=0.012). In contrast, plasma adiponectin and IL-6 concentrations were comparable in HIV+DM2+ and controls with DM2 (p=0.345 and p=0.825). Concentration of sCD14 was comparable in HIV+DM2+ and HIV+DM2–(p=0.850), but elevated in HIV+DM2+ compared to controls with DM2 (p<0.001) and healthy controls (p=0.007). No statistical interactions were found between HIV infection and DM2 for any of the depending variables.ConclusionA synergistic effect of HIV and DM2 was not found for any of the outcomes. However, HIV+DM2+ had features related to both HIV infection and DM2 with a high trunk/limb ratio, high trunk fat mass, low concentration of plasma adiponectin and elevated concentrations of IL-6 and sCD14. This could contribute to elevated risk of CVD.
Factors influencing malaria infection in Rwanda 2010: a cross-sectional survey study using generalized structural equation modeling
Authors: Bakar Muhammad Abu , Fiaz Rahma , Musenge Eustasius 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Malaria is one of the primary public health concerns in the world and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria morbidity is associated with poverty and vulnerability as it is not easy for the poor people to access preventive treatment and protective measures. In Rwanda, malaria prevention has become a major problem against the double-barreled burden of an overstretched health system and strained financial resources.Methods This work was a cross-sectional survey study design based on data from Rwanda collected in 2010 through the Malaria Indicator Survey as part of the Demographic and Health Survey. The primary outcome variable was an ordinal variable with three categories; no malaria, probable malaria, and confirmed malaria cases. The outcome variable was formulated by combining rapid malaria test and confirmatory blood smear laboratory test. Statistical analysis was done using survey ordinal logistic regression modelling adjusting for random effects for direct effects and generalised structural equation modelling (G-SEM) to obtain total (direct and indirect) effects of malaria morbidity. Results The 11,865 participants had a mean age of 22 years, and two-thirds of the participants were females (67%). Household related variables (socio-economic status, health insurance, age in years) showed a significant total effect on malaria infection. Socioeconomic status had the greatest total effect which was a sum of the direct and indirect effects influenced indirectly by education, health insurance and the number of rooms for sleeping in isolation. Conclusion Poverty is still the core issue to the morbidity patterns driving the malaria epidemic in Rwanda. Access to health facility and health insurance has a high positive impact on decreasing disease as such a special focus on some regions can be an effective intervention strategy. A better understanding of the drivers of morbidity directly and/or indirectly can better target interventions to be more efficient in those affected areas.
Mössbauer Study of Iron Gall Inks on Historical Documents
Authors: Lerf Anton E. , Wagner Friedrich E. , Dreher Monika , Espejo Teresa , Perez-Rodríguez Jose-Luis 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Iron gall ink was used as a permanent writing material already in late Roman times and throughout the Middle Ages, until it became obsolete in the 20th century. There is much interest in non-destructive experimental methods to determine the state of the ink and its degradation products on historical documents. Mössbauer spectroscopy is such a method, and it has the particular advantage to be sensitive to the chemical bonding of iron, but this method has only rarely been applied to historical documents. In this paper we present Mössbauer data for two damaged documents from a Library in Granada and a handwritten German book from the 18th century. These new results are discussed in the context of previously published Mössbauer data. In one of the investigated documents Fe-(II)-oxalate, FeC2O4·2H2O, was observed. The assignment of the various Fe3+ sites in the different documents is rather difficult and often there is a superposition of various species. These species can be remains of the Fe-tannin complexes of the ink, complexes of Fe3+ with the cellulose of the paper and different iron oxide or hydroxide nanoparticles.
Short-term Impact of the COVID-19 Confinement Measures on Health Behaviours and Weight Gain Among Adults in Belgium
Authors: Drieskens Sabine , Berger Nicolas , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Gisle Lydia , Braekman Elise , Charafeddine Rana , De Ridder Karin , Demarest Stefaan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, these measures may also affect health behaviours of the population. Changes in eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, which increases the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain.Methods: Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano’s website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n=28,665). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR (95% CI)’s calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights.Results: Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR=1.39 (1.16-1.67) and 1.30 (1.05-1.61), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR=3.68 (3.30-4.10)) and food prepared out-of-home (OR=1.23 (1.03-1.48)), among those who became less physically active (OR=1.95 (1.76-2.18)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (1.88 (1.69-2.10)).Conclusions: The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise in short term weight gain and plead to take more action in supporting people to achieve healthier behaviours in order to tackle overweight and obesity.
Adaptation of Cucumber Seedlings to Low Temperature Stress by Reducing Nitrate to Ammonium During It’s Transportation
Authors: Liu Yumei , Bai Longqiang , Wang Jun , Sun Mintao , Li Shuzhen , Miao Li , Yan Yan , He Chaoxing , Yu Xianchang , Yansu Li 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Low temperature seriously depressed the uptake, translocation from root to shoot and metabolism of nitrate and ammonium in thermophilic plants such as cucumber, and the growth of plant was inhibited accordingly. However, there was no breakthrough in the effect of low temperature on nitrogen transport over the years. Results: By using the non-invasive micro-test technology the net NO3- and NH4+ fluxes rate in root hair zone and vascular bundles of main root, stem, petiole, midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip of cucumber seedlings under normal temperature (NT) and low temperature (LT) treatment were tested, respectively. Under LT treatment, the net NO3- flux rate in root hair zone and vascular bundles of cucumber seedlings decreased, while the net NH4+ flux rate in vascular bundles of midribs, lateral veins and shoot tips increased. In accordance with this, the relative expression of CsNRT1.4a in petioles and midribs was down-regulated, while the expressions of CsAMT1.2a~1.2c in midribs were up-regulated. The results of 15N isotope tracing showed that compared with NT treatment, NO3--N and NH4+-N uptake of the seedlings under LT treatment decreased 78.1% and 58.8%, respectively, and the concentration and proportion of both NO3--N and NH4+-N distributed in the shoot decreased. Under LT treatment, the actual nitrate reductase activity (NRAact) in roots didn’t change significantly, while NRAact in stems and petioles of LT treatment increased by 113.2% and 96.2%, respectively.Conclusion: In summary, the higher net NH4+ flux rate in leaves and young tissues may be due to the higher NRact in stems and petioles, which could reduce more NO3- to NH4+ so as to reduce the energy consumption in nitrogen transportation under low temperature.
Serum Bile Acid Profiles Improve Clinical Prediction of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in T2DM patients
Authors: Wu Tao , Yang Ming , Xu Hanchen , Wang Lei , Wei Huafeng , Ji Guang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to assess the ability of serum bile acid profiles to predict the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: Using targeted ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (TQ/MS), we compared serum bile acid levels in T2DM patients with NAFL (n=30) and age-gender matched T2DM patients without NAFL (n=36) at the first time. Second, an independent cohort study of T2DM patients with NAFL (n=17) and age-gender matched T2DM patients without NAFL (n=20) was used to validate the results. The incremental benefits of serum biomarkers, clinical variables alone or with biomarkers were then evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis. Area under the curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to evaluate the biomarker predictive abilities. Results: The serum bile acid profiles in T2DM patients with NAFL were significantly different from T2DM patients without NAFL, as characterized by the significant elevation of LCA, TLCA, TUDCA, CDCA24G and TCDCA, which may be potential biomarkers for identification of NAFL in T2DM. Based on the improvement in AUC, IDI and NRI, addition of 5 bile acids to a model with clinical variables statistically improved its predictive value. Similar results were found in the validation cohort.Conclusions: These results highlight detected biomarkers may contribute to the progression of NAFL in T2DM patients, and these biomarkers particularly in combination may help diagnosis of NAFL and allow earlier intervention in T2DM patients.
Prognostic value of atherogenic index of plasma in patients with type 2 diabetes and acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Wang Le , cong hongliang , Zhang Jingxia , Hu Yuecheng , Wei Ao , Zhang Yingyi , Yang Hua , Ren Libin , Qi Wei , Li Wenyu , Liu Chunwei 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Atherogenic index of plasm (AIP) has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and an independent predictor of mortality. However, it remains unknown whether AIP level may predict mortality in patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: A total of 2531 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent coronary angiography for ACS were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into tertiles according to admission AIP level. The AIP was calculated as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the fating concentration of triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). The primary endpoints were all-cause death and cardiovascular death. Multivariate cox hazard regression analysis were performed to calculate the hazard ratio(HR)and 95％confidence interval(CI)．C-statistics, continuous net reclassification improvement(NRI)，and integrated discrimination improvement(IDI) were calculated to evaluate the added prognostic value of AIP beyond the established mode for prediction of death．Results: During 3-year follow-up, all-cause death events occurred in 142 cases and cardiovascular death events occurred in 120 cases, respectively. The risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death increased with AIP tertiles at a 3-year follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that significant differences in event-free survival rates among AIP tertiles(all-cause mortality: p=0.006; cardiovascular mortality: p=0.003).Multivariate cox hazard regression analysis revealed that AIP was independently associated with all-cause death (HR: 3.859, 95% CI:1.926-7.734; p<0.001) and cardiovascular death (HR:4.723, 95% CI: 2.243-9.946; p<0.001). Addition of AIP to the established mode for mortality prediction was not associated with a significant improvement in the C-statistics value but there were significant improvements in reclassification for all-cause death (NRI: 0.198, p=0.022; IDI: 0.008, p=0.016) and cardiovascular death (NRI: 0.260, p=0.006; IDI: 0.010, p=0.021).Conclusions: Admission AIP was independently correlated with long-term mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and ACS. These findings suggest that AIP may optimize the mortality prediction among patients with diabetes and ACS.
circFAM73A&nbsp;Promotes Cancer Stem Cell-like Properties of Gastric Cancer Through miR-490-3p/HMGA2&nbsp;Positive Feedback and HNRNPK-mediated β-catenin Stabilization.
Authors: Xia Yiwen , Lv Jialun , Jiang Tianlu , Li Bowen , He Zhongyuan , Xuan Zhe , Sun Guangli , Wang Sen , Li Zheng , Wang Weizhi , Wang Linjun , Xu Zekuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as a new subclass of regulatory RNAs that exert critical roles in various cancers. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cancer cells, are believed to possess the capacities to initiate tumorigenesis and promote progression. Although accumulating evidences have suggested that cells with CSC-like properties are crucial for the malignance process of gastric cancer (GC), it remains inexplicit whether circRNAs are interrelated with the acquisition of CSC-like properties in GC.Methods: circFAM73A expression was analyzed by GEO datasets and verified in GC samples. The role of circFAM73A on GC cell proliferation, migration, cisplatin resistance and CSC-like properties were determined by a series of functional experiment both in vitro and in vivo. RNA pull down was used to explore the miRNAs and proteins binding to circFAM73A. Bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification confirmed the downstream of circFAM73A. The regulation of HMGA2 on circFAM73A was verified by ChIP and RIP assays.Results: Elevated circFAM73A expression was confirmed in GC tissues and higher circFAM73A predicts poor prognosis of GC patients. The upregulation of circFAM73A enhanced CSC-like properties in GC, thus, exerting the facilitating role on cell proliferation, migration and cisplatin resistance. Mechanistically, circFAM73A promoted GC malignancy by regulating miR-490-3p/HMGA2 in a positive feedback loop and recruiting HNRNPK to facilitate β-catenin stabilization. Moreover, HMGA2 further enhanced E2F1 and HNRNPL activity, which in turn promotes circFAM73A expression.Conclusions: Our work demonstrates the crucial role of circFAM73A on GC CSC-like properties and uncovers a positive feedback loop on circFAM73A regulation that leads to the progression of gastric cancer, which may provide a new insight for circRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Identification of an Immune Gene-Associated Prognostic Signature and its Association with A Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Guan Xiaoqing , Xu Zhi-Yuan , Chen Runzhe , Qin Jiangjiang , Cheng Xiang-Dong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The immune response plays a critical role in gastric cancer (GC) initiation, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. A better understanding of the tumor-immune system interactions in GC may provide promising diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for patients with this disease. In the present study, we aimed to identify a prognostic signature of GC through a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis on the tumor-immune interactions as well as the molecular characteristics. Methods: We employed the single sample Gene Sets Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) to define immune-related subtypes, used Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) to evaluate the content of tumor and stroma, and utilized Cell type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT) to assess the immune cell type infiltration. We also investigated the complicated biological functions and regulatory networks of these subtypes using Gene Sets Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Next, we developed a risk model using Lasso Cox regression and verified it via the external validation set. Finally, we systematically correlated the immune signature with GC clinicopathologic features and genomic characteristics. Results: We observed two immune subgroups depending on the activity and level of immune cell in GC patients. We also identified a six-immune-gene signature as a promising independent prognostic biomarker for GC. A nomogram was constructed based on the immune signature and clinical characteristics and showed high potential for GC prognosis prediction. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis distinguishing patients with distinct prognosis yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.779 for 5 years.Conclusions: Our work supports the clinical significance of this immune gene-associated signature for predicting the prognosis of GC patients. This study also shed light on the treatment strategies for GC patients from the perspective of immunology.
Altered Glutamine Metabolism Exposes EMT Derived Mesenchymal Cells to PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway Inhibition
Authors: Karvelsson Sigurdur Trausti , Sigurdsson Arnar , Seip Kotryna , Grinde Maria Tunset , Wang Qiong , Johannsson Freyr , Mælandsmo Gunhild Mari , Moestue Siver Andreas , Rolfsson Ottar , Halldorsson Skarphedinn 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental developmental process with strong implications in cancer progression. Understanding the metabolic alterations associated with EMT may open new avenues of treatment and prevention.Methods: We utilize 13C carbon analogs of glucose and glutamine to examine difference in internal flux patterns of metabolites in central carbon and lipid metabolism following EMT in breast epithelial cell lines. Furthermore, an isotopomer spectral analysis, 13C-metabolic flux analysis and weighted correlation network analysis are utilized for investigation of the alterations in metabolic functionality following EMT in breast.Results: There are inherent differences in metabolic profiles before and after EMT. We observed EMT-dependent re-routing of TCA-cycle flux characterized by increased mitochondrial IDH2 -mediated reductive carboxylation of glutamine to lipid biosynthesis with a concomitant lowering of glycolytic rates and glutamine-dependent glutathione (GSH) generation. Our network approach identified specific subtype of cancer drugs that are significantly associated with GSH abundance and we confirmed this in vitro.Conclusions: EMT-linked alterations in GSH synthesis modulate the sensitivity of breast epithelial cells to PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors.
PD-1 Blockade Delays Tumor Growth by Inhibiting an Intrinsic SHP2/Ras/MAPK Signalling in Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: Liotti Federica , Kumar Narender , Prevete Nella , Marotta Maria , Sorriento Daniela , Ieranò Caterina , Ronchi Andrea , Marino Federica Zito , Moretti Sonia , Colella Renato , Puxeddu Efisio , Paladino Simona , Kano Yoshihito , Ohh Michael , Scala Stefania , Melillo Rosa Marina 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 are immune checkpoints that suppress anti-cancer immunity. Typically, cancer cells express the PD-Ls that bind PD-1 on immune cells, inhibiting their activity. Recently, PD-1 expression has also been found in cancer cells. Here, we analysed expression and functions of PD-1 in thyroid cancer (TC).Methods: PD-1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on human TC samples and by RT-PCR; western blot and FACS on TC cell lines. Proliferation and migration of TC cells in culture were assessed by BrdU incorporation and Boyden chamber assays. Biochemical studies were performed by western blot, immunoprecipitation, pull-down and phosphatase assays. TC cell tumorigenicity was assessed by xenotransplants in nude mice.Results: Human TC specimens (47%), but not normal thyroids, displayed PD-1 expression in epithelial cells, which significantly correlated with tumour stage and lymph-node metastasis. PD-1 was also constitutively expressed on TC cell lines. PD-1 overexpression/stimulation promoted TC cell proliferation and migration. Accordingly, PD-1 genetic/pharmacologic inhibition caused the opposite effects. Mechanistically, PD-1 recruited the SHP2 phosphatase to the plasma membrane and potentiated its phosphatase activity. SHP2 enhanced Ras activation by dephosphorylating its inhibitory tyrosine 32, thus triggering the MAPK cascade. SHP2, BRAF and MEK were necessary for PD-1-mediated biologic functions. PD-1 inhibition decreased, while PD-1 enforced expression facilitated, TC cell xenograft growth in mice by affecting tumour cell proliferation.Conclusions: PD-1 circuit blockade in TC, besides restoring anti-cancer immunity, could also directly impair TC cell growth by inhibiting the SHP2/Ras/MAPK signalling pathway.