bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of circulating microRNAs for the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma with low alpha-fetoprotein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Cheng , Li Zhuonan , Xie Zishan , Wang Zhanpeng , Ye Yanshuo , Li Bo , Li Wei 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been widely used for many years as a serum marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, AFP has been recognized as having poor sensitivity. More and more studies have concluded that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) might be a promising biomarker that could complement AFP. However, the diagnostic ability of circulating miRNAs has varied among the studies. Therefore, we performed the present meta-analysis to appraise the diagnostic performance of circulating miRNAs as a biomarker for hepatitis B virus-associated HCC (HBV-HCC) patients with low AFP levels.Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to assess the diagnostic accuracy of circulating miRNAs in differentiating HBV-HCC patients with low AFP levels from non-HCC controls.Results: Circulating miRNAs showed promising potential in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC patients with low AFP levels. In the low-AFP HBV-HCC patients, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84–0.90). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78–0.88) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69–0.83), respectively.Conclusions: The detection of circulating miRNAs provides a valuable method for the diagnosis of HBV-HCC in patients with low AFP levels.
Exosomes deep sequencing identifies miR-363-5p as a non-invasive biomarker of axillary lymph node metastasis and prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Wang Xin , Qian Tianyi , Bao Siqi , Zhao Hengqiang , Chen Hongyan , Xing Zeyu , Li Yalun , Zhang Menglu , Meng Xiangzhi , Wang Changchang , Wang Jie , Gao Hongxia , Liu Jiaqi , Zhou Meng , Wang Xiang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in females. Axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis is an independent risk factor of prognosis and correlates with distant metastasis. However, the false-negative rate and complications of the standard procedure are not neglectable hitherto. It is necessary to develop an accurate non-invasive approach for lymph node staging.Methods: In this study, circulating exosomal miRNA profiles in peripheral blood from 10 patients with breast cancer and 10 age-matched healthy women were obtained and analyzed using small RNA deep sequencing. Integrative profiles analysis and multiple cross-validation using in-house and external independent datasets were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Functional assays were used to analyze cellular phenotypes and downstream targets of miR-363-5p.Results: We found that the aberrant expression of exosomal miR-363-5p is significantly associated with tumorigenesis (p=0.047) and ALN metastasis (p=0.019). Serum exosomal miR-363-5p demonstrated the consistent down-regulated expression pattern in LN positive patients compared with LN negative patients across multiple independent datasets, which achieved high diagnostic performance in predicting lymph node metastasis (AUC=0.621-0.958). Furthermore, patients with a high expression level of miR-363-5p had significantly improved overall survival (HR=0.63, ±95% CI=0.45-0.89, p=0.0075). Functional experiments discovered that miR-363-5p acts by inhibiting the migration ability of breast cancer cells. Here we further identified Platelet Derived Growth Factor Subunit B (PDGFB) as a downstream target of miR-363-5p.Conclusions: The miR-363-5p deficiency promoted metastasis via facilitating PDGFB expression, leading to overactivity of PDGF signaling in cancer cells. These results demonstrated that tumor metastasis is mediated by tumor-derived exosomes that affect cell growth signal regulation. Therefore, exosomal miR-363-5p may serve as a marker for ALN metastasis diagnosis in a non-invasive manner.
Development and validation of a robust immune-related risk signature for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Zaoqu , Jiao Dechao , Zhou Xueliang , Yao Yuan , Li Zhaonan , Li Jing , Chen Jianjian , Lei Qinyu , Han Xinwei 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: A growing amount of evidence has suggested immune-related genes (IRGs) play a key role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there have been no investigations proposing a reliable prognostic signature in terms of tumor immunology. This study aimed to develop a robust signature based on IRGs in HCC.Methods: A total of 597 HCC patients were enrolled. The TCGA database was utilized for discovery, and the ICGC database was utilized for validation. Multiple algorithms (including univariate Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression) were performed to identify key prognostic IRGs and establish an immune-related risk signature. Bioinformatics analysis and R soft tools were utilized to annotate underlying biological functions. Results: A total of 1416 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were screened in the TCGA cohort, of which 90 were differentially expressed IRGs (DEIRGs). Using univariate Cox regression analysis, we identified 33 prognostically relevant DEIRGs. Using LASSO regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis, we extracted 8 optimal DEIRGs (APLN, CDK4, CXCL2, ESR1, IL1RN, PSMD2, SEMA3F, and SPP1) to construct a risk signature with the ability to distinguish cases as having a high or low risk of unfavorable prognosis in the TCGA cohort, and the signature was verified in the ICGC cohort. The signature was prognostically significant in all stratified cohorts and was deemed an independent prognostic factor for HCC. We also built a nomogram with good performance by combining the signature with clinicopathological factors to increase the accuracy of predicting HCC prognosis. By investigating the relationship of the risk score and 8 risk genes from our signature with clinical traits, we found that the aberrant expression of the immune-related risk genes is correlated with the development of HCC. Moreover, the high-risk group was higher than the low-risk group in terms of tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune cell infiltration, and the expression of immune checkpoints (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4), and functional enrichment analysis indicated the signature enriched an intensive immune phenotype.Conclusions: This study developed a robust immune-related risk signature and built a predictive nomogram that reliably predict overall survival in HCC, which may be helpful for clinical management and personalized immunotherapy decisions.
Pathological significance of C3aR signaling in the tumor cells of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a clinical observation
Authors: Zheng Jing-Min , Tian Xiong , Gan Mei-Fu , Yu Hong-Yuan , Mo Li-Cai 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Increasing evidences suggest that anaphylotoxin-induced signaling is involved in tumor pathogenesis, but the exact role of C3a/C3aR signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) still remains to be investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the pathological significance of C3a/C3aR signaling in ccRCC. Methods The expression of C3aR and C3 mRNA in the tumor tissues of ccRCC patients were analyzed by using the data from TCGA database. The expression of C3aR and C3c protein in the tumor tissues of another 129 ccRCC patients were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the normal controls, both C3aR and C3 mRNA increased in the tumor tissues. Patients with higher C3 mRNA had shorter survival time. Immunostaining for C3aR and C3c also increased in the tumor tissues when compared with the adjacent normal renal tissues. Higher level of C3aR in the tumor cells and C3c in the tumor tissues were found to be associated with indices reflecting poor prognosis including higher tumor grade, the presence of necrosis in tumor tissues and shorter survival time. Besides, the level of C3aR in the tumor cells and C3c in the tumor tissues were found to correlate with the level of Vimentin, E-Cadherin and the ratio of Ki-67 positive tumor cells. Conclusions These results support the idea that C3aR signaling is over-activated in the tumor cells and may contribute to the progression of ccRCC. Inducing EMT and promoting the proliferation of tumor cells might be among the mechanisms underlying the role of C3aR signaling in ccRCC.
Analysis of the mental health status and risk factors of the general population in Beijing, China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: XIE YUJIN , Shi Lei , Ying Liu , Liu Di , Yang Jiao , Hong Yu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: This study sought to understand the mental health status of Beijing’s general population, analyze the risk factors that affect it, and provide a scientific basis for promoting the physical and mental health of the general population.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Overall sampling was used to select 6,364 people who had undergone a physical examination from January to December 2018 and volunteered to participate in an assessment of their mental health. We used the SCL-90 to establish the current normal mental health model of the general population in Beijing. After using the PEM System to export and automatically generate Excel files, SPSS 19.00 was utilized for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the mental health status of the respondents and the mean and standard deviation of each factor. A t-test was used to compare the mental health of the general population in Beijing with the Chinese norm in 1986. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of the mental health of the general population in Beijing.Results: The average score of each factor of the SCL-90 in Beijing's general population was between 1.28 and 1.75, with no significant peaks. The scores of various factors in the general population in Beijing were relatively close, and their mental health remained stable. The analysis of the demographic variables of gender, education, age, marital status, and monthly income showed that monthly income (β=-0.027, p<0.05) and gender (β=-0.026, p<0.05) had significant effects on the SCL-90 score of the general population.Conclusion: The mental health level of Beijing’s general population was lower than the Chinese norm in 1986. Male mental health problems were prominent and low-income people were prone to psychological problems. It is imperative to strengthen the construction of a mental health service system and standardized management among the Chinese population. Strengthening the popularization of mental health knowledge, guiding the Chinese population to cultivate a positive attitude, preventing bad attitudes, encouraging the use of scientific methods to deal with psychological behavioral problems, and early targeted measures can reduce the occurrence of serious psychological problems.
Modelling community structure and temporal spreading on complex networks
Authors: Kuikka Vesa 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
We present methods for analysing hierarchical and overlapping community structure and spreading phenomena on complex networks. Different models can be developed for describing static connectivity or dynamical processes on a network topology. In this study, classical network connectivity and influence spreading models are used as examples for network models. Analysis of results is based on a probability matrix describing interactions between all pairs of nodes in the network. One popular research area has been detecting communities and their structure in complex networks. The community detection method of this study is based on optimising a quality function calculated from the probability matrix. The same method is proposed for detecting underlying groups of nodes that are building blocks of different sub-communities in network structure. We present different quantitative measures for comparing and ranking solutions of the community detection algorithm. These measures describe properties of sub-communities: strength of a community, probability of formation and robustness of composition. We illustrate the community detection methods with two small network topologies. In case of network spreading models, time development of spreading in the network can be studied. Two different temporal spreading distributions demonstrate the methods with three real-world social networks of different sizes. The Poisson distribution describes a random response time and the e-mail forwarding distribution describes a process of receiving and forwarding messages.
Quantifying flight aptitude variation in wild A. gambiae s.l. in order to identify long-distance migrants
Authors: Faiman Roy , YARO Alpha Seydou , Diallo Moussa , Dao Adama , Samake Djibril , Sanoga Zana Lamissa , Sullivan Margery , Krishna Asha , Krajacich Benjamin J , Lehmann Tovi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background In the West African Sahel, during the 5-7 month-long dry season mosquito reproduction is halted due to the absence of surface waters required for larval development. Recent studies have suggested that both Anopheles gambiae s.s and A. arabiensis persist in this region by migration from distant locations where larval sites are perennial, and A. coluzzii engages in long-distance migration, presumably within the Sahel, following shifting resources due to the ever-changing patterns of Sahelian rainfall. Understanding mosquito migration is key to malaria control, a disease that still kills >400,000 people, mostly children in Africa. Methods We used a new tethered-flight assay to characterize flight in the three primary malaria vectors mentioned above and evaluated seasonal differences in their flight activity. The flight of tethered wild mosquitoes was audio-recorded from 21:00h to 05:00h in the following morning and three flight aptitude indices were examined: total flight duration, longest flight bout, and the number of flight bouts during the assay. Based on recent studies, we predicted that (i) the distribution of the flight aptitude indices would exhibit bi-modality and/or marked skewness, indicating a subpopulation of high flight activity (HFA) associated with long-distance migrants, in contrast to low flight activity (LFA) in appetitive flyers. Additionally, flight aptitude would (ii) increase in the wet season, (iii) increase in gravid females, and (iv) vary among the vector species. ResultsThe distributions of all flight indices departed sharply from a normal curve, and were strongly skewed to the right, consistent with the division of the population into a majority of LFAs and a minority of HFAs, e.g., the median total flight was 586 seconds, and its maximum value was 16,110 seconds (~4.5 h). As predicted, flight aptitude peaked in the wet season and was higher in gravid females than in non-bloodfed females. Flight aptitude was higher in A. coluzzii than in A. arabiensis, but A. gambiae s.s. was not statistically different from either. We evaluated differences in wing size and shape between LFAs and HFAs. During the wet season, wing size of HFA A. coluzzii was larger than that of LFAs; it was wider than predicted by its length, indicating a shape change. However, no statistically significant differences were found in wings of A. gambiae s.s. or A. arabiensis. ConclusionsThe partial agreement between the assay results and predictions suggest a degree of discrimination between appetitive flyers and long-distance migrants. Wing size and shape seems to indicate higher flight activity in A. coluzzii during the wet season.
Mediastinal Tumor Resection in a Patient with Spinocerebellar Degeneration
Authors: Tsuboi Eiyu , Azuma Yoko , Makino Takashi , Terada Takashi , Otsuka Hajime , Sano Atsushi , Koezuka Satoshi , Sakai Takashi , Tochigi Naobumi , Iyoda Akira 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: In spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) patients, general and regional anesthesia may cause postoperative dysfunction of respiratory, nerve and muscle systems. We present the surgical case of thymoma developed in patient with SCD.Case presentation: A 47-year-old woman with spinocerebellar degeneration was admitted because of a well-defined mass measuring 48 x 31 mm in anterior mediastinum. She showed limb, truncal, ocular, and speech ataxia; hypotonia; areflexia; sensory disturbances; and muscle weakness. Her eastern cooperative oncology group performance status was 4. Surgical resection was performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery and under general anesthesia only without epidural analgesia. The mass was diagnosed as type B1 thymoma without capsular invasion (Masaoka stage I). The patients got a good postoperative course by cooperation with anesthesiologists and neurologists in perioperative managements. She has been well over 3 years of follow-up.Conclusions: In conclusion, careful surgical and anesthesia management is essential for providing an uneventful postoperative course in patients with SCD. Especially, selection of minimal invasive approach and avoid diaphragmatic nerve damage are the most important points in surgical procedures.
Intraoperative Ultrasonography assistance for minimally invasive repair of the acute Achilles Tendon Rupture
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Jia Honglei , Zhang Wupeng , Xu Shihong , Wang Fu , Wang Bomin , Li Qinghu , Wang Yonghui , Han Shumei 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Minimally invasive repair is a better option for Achilles tendon rupture with low re-rupture and wound-related complications than conservative treatment or traditional open repair. The major problem is sural nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and advantage of the intraoperative ultrasonography assistance for minimally invasive repair of the acute Achilles tendon rupture.Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 36 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with minimally invasive repair assisted with intraoperative ultrasonography from January 2015 to December 2017. The relationship of the sural nerve and small saphenous vein was confirmed on the preoperative MRI. The course of the small saphenous vein and sural nerve were identified and marked by intraoperative ultrasonography. The ruptured Achilles tendon was repaired with minimally invasive Bunnell suture on the medial side of the SSV.Results: All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. No sural nerve injury or other complications was found intraoperatively and postoperatively. All the patients returned to work and light sporting activities at a mean of 12.78±1.40 weeks and 17.28±2.34 weeks, respectively. The Mean AOFAS scores improved from 59.17±5.31 preoperatively to 98.92±1.63 at the time of 12 months follow-up. There was statistically significant difference (P<0.001). No patient complained a negative effect on their life.Conclusions: The minimally invasive repair assisted with intraoperative ultrasonography can yield good clinical outcomes, less surgical time and less complications, especially sural nerve injury. It is an efficient, reliable and safe method for acute AT rupture.
The microbiota diversity following antibiotic treatment in Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Binyamin Dana , Nitzan Orna , Azrad Maya , Hamo Zohar , Koren Omry , peretz avi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ) is a major nosocomial pathogen that infect the human gut and can cause C. difficile infection (CDI), a diarrheal disease. A dominant risk factor is antibiotic treatment that disrupts the normal gut microbiota. The aim of the study is to examine the correlation between antibiotic treatment received prior to C. difficile infection (CDI) onset and patient gut microbiota Methods Stool samples were collected from patients with CDI, presenting at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center Poriya, Israel. Demographic and clinical information, including previous antibiotic treatments, was collected from patient charts, and CDI severity score was calculated. Bacteria were isolated from stool samples, and gut microbiome was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform and QIIME2. Results In total, 84 patients with C. difficile infection were enrolled in the study; all had received antibiotics prior to disease onset. Due to comorbidities, 46 patients (55%) received more than one class of antibiotics. The most common class of antibiotics used was cephalosporins (n=44 cases). The intestinal microbiota of the patients was not uniform. Differences in intestinal microbiome were influenced by the different combinations of antibiotics that the patients received ( p = 0.022) Conclusions The number of different antibiotics combinations has a major impact on the CDI patients gut microbiome, mainly on bacterial richness.
IRPact: An Actor-centered framework for Innovation Diffusion in Integrated Resource Planning
Authors: Johanning Simon , Scheller Fabian , Bruckner Thomas 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Insights into the diffusion process can help decision makers to detect weak points of potential business models. Yet, due to the multitude of factors to consider, modeling the diffusion of innovations is a very challenging task. In the literature, various models and methodologies to address this problem can be found. Among these, empirically grounded agent-based modeling turns out to be one of the most promising approaches. However, the current culture is dominated by papers that fail to document critical methodological details. Thus, existing agent-based models for real-world analysis differ extensively in their design and grounding and therefore also in their predictions and conclusions. Being aware of this, this research paper seeks to identify requirements as building blocks in order to design and develop a versatile, but robust model to assess innovation diffusion processes. Subsequently, a formal approach is developed based on the derived model entities, dynamics and foundations. The main objective of this modeling approach is to achieve modularity and flexibility, as well as clarity through an explicit description of the concepts used. This is achieved by a three-layer approach, with a super agent layer, an agent layer and a sub-agent layer. Building on this, an object-oriented code base, organized in 24 packages and 273 classes is created. This empirically grounded agent-based modeling framework can be utilized by innovation diffusion researchers in order to build upon existing frameworks and concepts and to model a diverse range of domains in innovation diffusion.