bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune‐related long noncoding RNA signature for predicting survival and immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yaqiong , Zhang Liming , Xu Youwen , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhou Yong , Mo Jinggang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) show multiple functions, including immune response. Recently, the immune‐related lncRNAs have been reported in some cancers. We first investigated the immune‐related lncRNA signature as a potential target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival. The training set (n = 368) and the independent external validation cohort (n = 115) were used. Immune genes and lncRNAs coexpression were constructed to identify immune‐related lncRNAs. Cox regression analyses were perfumed to establish the immune‐related lncRNA signature. Regulatory roles of this signature on cancer pathways and the immunologic features were investigated. The correlation between immune checkpoint inhibitors and this signature was examined. In this study, the immune‐related lncRNA signature was identified in HCC, which could stratify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups. This immune‐related lncRNA signature was correlated with disease progression and worse survival and was an independent prognostic biomarker. Our immune‐related lncRNA signature was still a powerful tool in predicting survival in each stratum of age, gender, and tumor stage. This signature mediated cell cycle, glycolysis, DNA repair, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and immunologic characteristics (i.e., natural killer cells vs. Th1 cells down, etc). This signature was associated with immune cell infiltration (i.e., macrophages M0, Tregs, CD4 memory T cells, and macrophages M1, etc.,) and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy‐related molecules (i.e., PD‐L1, PD‐L2, and IDO1). Our findings suggested that the immune‐related lncRNA signature had an important value for survival prediction and may have the potential to measure the response to ICB immunotherapy. This signature may guide the selection of the immunotherapy for HCC.
Prenatal diagnosis of frontal encephalocele
Authors: Marinho Márcia , Lourenço Cátia , Nogueira Rosete , Valente Francisco 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEncephalocele is a rare congenital form of neural tube defect characterized by a protrusion of the meninges and cerebral tissue through a skull defect. These defects are classified according to their location: frontal, parietal and occipital, the last one being the most common form of presentation. The prognosis is related to the anatomical site, the volume of the neural contents and the presence of coexisting abnormalities. Most pregnancies are terminated, since the prognosis is poor. We report a case of an isolated fetal frontal encephalocele diagnosed at 21 weeks of gestation.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus in women living with HIV/AIDS in an area of Northeast Brazil
Authors: da Silva Brenda Evelin Barreto , Santos Victor Santana , Santos Ingrid Emmily Reis , Araújo Edilaine Dória , Alves Melina Vieira , Silva Letícia Alves dos Santos , de Aragão Batista Marcus Vinicius , de Lemos Lígia Mara Dolce 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWomen infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are more likely to manifest oncogenic viral infections including human papillomavirus (HPV). It was investigated the HPV prevalence, genotype distribution and HPV relationship with cervical lesions among women living with HIV in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. A prevalence survey was conducted including 270 HIV‐infected women who attended the reference center for HIV in Sergipe from August 2014 to November 2017. Cervical samples were processed by the polymerase chain reaction for HPV‐DNA detection. Among the 270 HIV‐infected women, 190 (70.4%) were between 26 and 49 years old and 159 (55.6%) were coinfected with HPV. Among the coinfected women, 24 viral types were identified; 113 (72%) subjects had high‐risk HPV types, and the most prevalent was HPV 16 (53/35.3%). Positive HPV status was statistically associated with having 0 to 8 years of schooling compared with ≥9 years of schooling; and have been diagnosed with HIV infection less than 5 years ago compared with more than 10 years. Cytological abnormalities were found in 13.4% (31/231) of women, most with high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (16/51.6%). However, of women who had no cytological lesions or malignancy (200/86.6%), almost half were HPV DNA‐positive (99/49.5%). In conclusion, the prevalence of HPV among women living with HIV in Sergipe was high. There was a high frequency of high‐risk HPV infection, and a wide diversity of genotypes were detected, with HPV 16 being the most frequent.
SARS‐CoV‐2 can be detected in urine, blood, anal swabs, and oropharyngeal swabs specimens
Authors: Peng Liang , Liu Jing , Xu Wenxiong , Luo Qiumin , Chen Dabiao , Lei Ziying , Huang Zhanlian , Li Xuejun , Deng Keji , Lin Bingliang , Gao Zhiliang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) ribonucleic acid (RNA) in urine and blood specimens, and anal and oropharyngeal swabs from patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and correlated positive results with clinical findings.MethodsPatients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infections were included in this study. Patients' demographic and clinical data were recorded. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in urine and blood specimens, and anal and oropharyngeal swabs. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04279782, 19 February, 2020).ResultsSARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was present in all four specimen types, though not all specimen types were positive simultaneously. The presence of viral RNA was not necessarily predictive of clinical symptoms, for example, the presence of viral RNA in the urine did not necessarily predict urinary tract symptoms.ConclusionsSARS‐CoV‐2 can infect multiple systems, including the urinary tract. Testing different specimen types may be useful for monitoring disease changes and progression, and for establishing a prognosis.
Estimating the effects of asymptomatic and imported patients on COVID‐19 epidemic using mathematical modeling
Authors: Sun Tingzhe , Weng Dan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 has been a serious threat to public health worldwide. Data from 23 January to 31 March at Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in China were collected. We developed an adjusted model with two novel features: the asymptomatic population and threshold behavior in recovery. Unbiased parameter estimation identified faithful model fitting. Our model predicted that the epidemic for asymptomatic patients (ASP) was similar in both provinces. The latent periods and outbreak sizes are extremely sensitive to strongly controlled interventions such as isolation and quarantine for both asymptomatic and imported cases. We predicted that ASP serve as a more severe factor with faster outbreaks and larger outbreak sizes compared with imported patients. Therefore, we argued that the currently strict interventions should be continuously implemented, and unraveling the asymptomatic pool is critically important before preventive strategy such as vaccines.
Influence of partial pork meat replacement by pulse flour on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of low‐fat burgers
Authors: Argel Natalia Soledad , Ranalli Natalia , Califano Alicia Noemí , Andrés Silvina Cecilia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDNumerous non‐meat ingredients, such as hydrocolloids, starches, and fibers, have been studied to improve texture characteristics and increase the ability to bind water in low‐fat meat products. In this sense, pulses flours (lentil, chickpea, pea, and bean) were studied at two levels and various water:flour ratios to replace 10–44% pork meat in low‐fat burgers and determine the effect on their sensory and technological properties (cooking yield, expressible liquid, diameter reduction, and color and texture profile).RESULTSAll pork‐meat burgers that included pulse flour showed higher cooking yields, lower diameter reductions, and expressible liquids than all‐meat burgers, which displayed better oil and water retention. Higher water additions resulted in burgers with less hardness. Burgers with 80 g kg−1 lentil flour in all water/flour ratios presented the lowest total color difference (ΔE) compared with the commercial control. Burgers with the higher level of all pulse flour tested and medium water levels showed acceptable sensory scores.CONCLUSIONSPartial pork meat replacement by different legume flour (lentil, chickpea, pea, and bean), at levels of 80 and 150 g kg−1 and water/flour ratios of 1250, 1600, and 2000 g kg−1 resulted in low‐fat burgers with adequate physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, the sensorial evaluation of the formulations with the maximum flour addition and intermediate water/flour ratio showed that they had good sensorial acceptability with no effect of flour type. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Microbiological safety of ready‐to‐eat minimally processed vegetables in Brazil: an overview
Authors: Sant'Anna Pedro B , de Melo Franco Bernadette DG , Maffei Daniele F 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe market of ready‐to‐eat minimally processed vegetables (RTE‐MPV) is increasing in Brazil and many other countries. During processing, these vegetables go through several steps that modify their natural structure while maintaining the same nutritional and sensory attributes as the fresh produce. One of the most important steps is washing‐disinfection, which aims to reduce the microbial load, prevent cross‐contamination and inactivate pathogenic microorganisms that may be present. Nonetheless, the presence of pathogens and occurrence of foodborne illnesses associated with consumption of RTE‐MPV concern consumers, governments and the food industry. This review brings an overview on the microbiological safety of RTE‐MPV, focusing on Brazilian findings. Most of the published data are on detection of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, indicating that their prevalence may range from 0.4% to 12.5% and from 0.6% to 3.1%, respectively. The presence of these pathogens in fresh produce is unacceptable and risky, mainly in RTE‐MPV, because consumers expect them to be clean and sanitized and consequently safe for consumption without any additional care. Therefore, proper control during the production of RTE‐MPV is mandatory to guarantee products with quality and safety to consumers. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Could Ultrasound‐Based Radiomics Noninvasively Predict Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer?
Authors: Qiu Xiaoying , Jiang Yongluo , Zhao Qiyu , Yan Chunhong , Huang Min , Jiang Tian'an 
Published: April 2020

ObjectivesThis work aimed to investigate whether quantitative radiomics imaging features extracted from ultrasound (US) can noninvasively predict breast cancer (BC) metastasis to axillary lymph nodes (ALNs).MethodsPresurgical B‐mode US data of 196 patients with BC were retrospectively studied. The cases were divided into the training and validation cohorts (n = 141 versus 55). The elastic net regression technique was used for selecting features and building a signature in the training cohort. A linear combination of the selected features weighted by their respective coefficients produced a radiomics signature for each individual. A radiomics nomogram was established based on the radiomics signature and US‐reported ALN status. In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, areas under the curves (AUCs) were determined for assessing the accuracy of the prediction model in predicting ALN metastasis in both cohorts. The clinical value was assessed by a decision curve analysis.ResultsIn all, 843 radiomics features per case were obtained from expert‐delineated lesions on US imaging in this study. Through radiomics feature selection, 21 features were selected to constitute the radiomics signature for predicting ALN metastasis. Area under the curve values of 0.778 and 0.725 were obtained in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, indicating moderate predictive ability. The radiomics nomogram comprising the radiomics signature and US‐reported ALN status showed the best performance for ALN detection in the training cohort (AUC, 0.816) but moderate performance in the validation cohort (AUC, 0.759). The decision curve showed that both the radiomics signature and nomogram displayed good clinical utility.ConclusionsThis pilot radiomics study provided a noninvasive method for predicting presurgical ALN metastasis status in BC.
Bioabsorbable Microplates as an External Stent for Suprastomal Collapse: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Jayawardena Asitha D. L. , Burks Ciersten A. , Hartnick Christopher J. 
Published: April 2020

Objective/HypothesisTo assess the long‐term decannulation outcomes of bioresorbable microplates as an external stent for pediatric tracheostomy patients with suprastomal collapse.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsHospital records of all patients who underwent a bioresorbable microplate for suprastomal collapse from 2016 to 2019 were reviewed at a single institution. The primary outcome measure was tracheostomy decannulation.ResultsA total of nine patients underwent placement of bioabsorbable microplates to treat suprastomal collapse. After initial tracheostomy, four patients received a laryngotracheal reconstruction prior to their external stent placement, and one patient received a mandibular distraction. The average age at the time of external stent placement was 32 (±21) months, excluding one patient who received a stent at the age of 29 years. Eight patients (88.9%) were successfully decannulated following the procedure. Decannulated patients were followed for an average of 21 (±12.5) months postoperatively, and all these patients have remained decannulated since their initial procedure. This is a total of 173 months (14.4 years) of observation postprocedure in which these patients have remained decannulated. One patient experienced postoperative crepitus requiring washout but still maintained decannulation.ConclusionBioabsorbable microplates have a reasonable chance of long‐term successful decannulation when an appropriate patient is selected. Decannulation is maintained beyond the 6‐month time frame in which the 85:15 poly(L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) polymer that comprises the external stent takes to bioabsorb. This procedure should be considered for the often difficult problem of pediatric tracheostomy with isolated suprastomal collapse.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E631–E634, 2021
Photobiomodulation Therapy is Able to Modulate PGE2 Levels in Patients With Chronic Non‐Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Tomazoni Shaiane S. , Costa Leonardo O. P. , Joensen Jon , Stausholm Martin B. , Naterstad Ingvill F. , Ernberg Malin , Leal‐Junior Ernesto Cesar P. , Bjordal Jan M. 
Published: April 2020

Background and ObjectivesNon‐specific low back pain (LBP) is responsible for triggering increased biomarkers levels. In this way, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) may be an interesting alternative to treat these patients. One of the possible biological mechanisms of PBMT involved to decrease pain intensity in patients with musculoskeletal disorders is modulation of the inflammatory mediators’ levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PBMT compared with placebo on inflammatory mediators’ levels and pain intensity in patients with chronic non‐specific LBP.Study Design/Materials and MethodsA prospectively registered, randomized triple‐blinded (volunteers, therapists, and assessors), placebo‐controlled trial was performed. Eighteen patients with chronic non‐specific LBP were recruited and treated with a single session of active PBMT or placebo PBMT. The primary outcome of the study was serum prostaglandin E2 levels and the secondary outcomes were tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 levels, and pain intensity. All outcomes were measured before and after 15 minutes of treatment session.ResultsPBMT was able to decrease prostaglandin E2 levels at post‐treatment compared with placebo, with a mean difference of −1470 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval −2906 to −33.67 in patients with LBP. There was no difference between groups in the other measured outcomes. Patients did not report any adverse events.ConclusionOur results suggest that PBMT was able to modulate prostaglandin E2 levels, indicating that this may be one of the mechanisms involved in the analgesic effects of PBMT in patients with LBP. Trial registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT03859505. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Adjustable pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery System Based on Self‐Assembly Polypeptide‐Modified Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Yang Chunbo , Shi Zhengzheng , Feng Cong , Li Rui , Luo Sihao , Li Xiangfeng , Ruan Liping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this study, an adjustable pH‐responsive drug delivery system using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as the host materials and the modified polypeptides as the nanovalves is reported. Since the polypeptide can self‐assemble via electrostatic interaction at pH 7.4 and be disassembled by pH changes, the modified poly(l‐lysine) and poly(l‐glutamate) are utilized for pore blocking and opening in the study. Poly(l‐lysine)‐MSN (PLL‐MSN) and poly(l‐glutamate)‐MSN (PLG‐MSN) are synthesized via the ring opening polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydrides onto the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The successful modification of the polypeptide on MSN is proved by Zeta potential change, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid state NMR, and MALDI‐TOF MS. In vitro simulated dye release studies show that PLL‐MSN and PLG‐MSN can successfully load the dye molecules. The release study shows that the controlled release can be constructed at different pH by adjusting the ratio of PLL‐MSN to PLG‐MSN. Cellular uptake study indicates that the drug is detected in both cytoplasm and nucleus, especially in the nucleus. In vitro cytotoxicity assay indicates that DOX loaded mixture nanoparticles (ratio of PLL‐MSN to PLG‐MSN is 1:1) can be triggered for drug release in HeLa cells, resulting in 88% of cell killing.
The potential underlying mechanism of the leukemia caused by MLL‐fusion and potential treatments
Authors: Liu Haolin , Lee Schuyler , Zhang Qianqian , Chen Zhongzhou , Zhang Gongyi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA majority of infant and pediatric leukemias are caused by the mixed‐lineage leukemia gene (MLL) fused with a variety of candidates. Several underlying mechanisms have been proposed. One currently popular view is that truncated MLL1 fusion and its associated complex constitutively hijacks super elongation complex, including positive transcription elongation factor b, CDK9, and cyclin T1 complex and DOT1L, to enhance the expression of transcription factors that maintain or restore stemness of leukocytes, as well as prevent the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. An alternative emerging view proposes that MLL1‐fusion promotes the recruitment of TATA binding protein and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) initiation complex, so as to increase the expression levels of target genes. The fundamental mechanism of both theories are gain of function for truncated MLL1 fusions, either through Pol II elongation or initiation. Our recent progress in transcription regulation of paused Pol II through JMJD5, JMJD6, and JMJD7, combined with the repressive role of H3K4me3 revealed by others, prompted us to introduce a contrarian hypothesis: the failure to shut down transcribing units by MLL‐fusions triggers the transformation: loss of function of truncated MLL1 fusions coupled with the loss of conversion of H3K4me1 to H3K4me3, leading to the constitutive expression of transcription factors that are in charge of maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells, may trigger the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Following this track, a potential treatment to eliminate these fusion proteins, which may ultimately cure the disease, is proposed.
Cell phone app to optimize irrigation cycles for US crops
Authors: Simonet Daniel , Alnaizy Raafat 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEvaporation losses can be reduced by adapting a scheduled irrigation time and having a precise irrigation cycle, but owing to high costs, water optimization tools have thus far been available only to large firms. The study presents all the required steps to develop a smart phone app that can predict the optimal irrigation times for a future 15 days on a sample of 80 crops at any location in the United States. The app uses a soil water balance approach together with data provided by weather sites via application programming interfaces (API). This low‐cost, portable, water irrigation planner only requires the entry of both crop and sprinkler type in order to enhance greatly small farms' and private households' ability to lower their consumption of water and the associated costs.
Clinical performance of DNA‐based prenatal screening using single‐nucleotide polymorphisms approach in Thai women with singleton pregnancy
Authors: Panchalee Tachjaree , Poungvarin Naravat , Amornrit Warisa , Pooliam Julaporn , Taluengjit Pattarawalai , Wataganara Tuangsit 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo review the performance of noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) using targeted single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) approach in mixed‐risk Thai women.MethodsRetrospective analysis of data for detection of trisomy 21 (T21), 18 (T18), 13 (T13), monosomy X (XO), other sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA), and triploidy/vanishing twins (VT) from a single commercial laboratory.ResultsMean (±SD) gestational age and maternal weight were 13.2 (±2.1) weeks and 125.7 (±22.4) pounds, respectively (n = 8,572). From 462/8,572 (5.4%) no‐calls; 1/462 (0.2%) was uninformative SNPs, and 1/462 chose amniocentesis. Redraw settled 323/460 (70%) samples with low fetal fraction (FF); and 8,434/8,572 (98.4%) were finally reportable, with 131 high risks (1.6%). The median (min‐max) FF of reportable (n = 8,434) and unreportable samples (n = 137) samples were 10.5% (2.6–37.9) and 3.8% (1–14.1), respectively (p < .05). Fetal karyotypes were available in 106/131 (80.9%) and 52/138 (37.7%) high risk and repeated no‐calls, respectively. The positive predictive values (PPVs) for T21 (n = 47), T18 (n = 15), T13 (n = 7), XO (n = 8), other SCA (n = 7), and triploidy/VT were 94%, 100%, 58.3%, 66.7%, 70%, and 57.1%, respectively. None of repeated no‐calls had aneuploidies.ConclusionSNP‐based NIPS has high PPVs for T21 and T18. Although the proprietary SNPs library is not population‐specific, uninformative SNPs are uncommon.
A novel homozygous nonsense ZP1 variant causes human female infertility associated with empty follicle syndrome (EFS)
Authors: Xu Qianhua , Zhu Xiaoli , Maqsood Madiha , Li Wenqing , Tong Xianhong , Kong Shuai , Wang Fengsong , Liu Xiaoman , Wei Zhaolian , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhu Fuxi , Cao Yunxia , Bao Jianqiang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundEmpty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a rare but severe condition in which no oocyte is recovered in female patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) after sufficient ovarian response to hormonal trigger. Accumulating evidence highlights the genetic basis of EFS occurrence.MethodsIn this study, we report a patient with primary infertility showing the characteristics of EFS from a consanguineous family. Under the treatment of assisted reproductive technique (ART), no oocyte was retrieved following the aspiration of mature follicles. Through whole‐exome sequencing (WES), we discovered a novel recessively transmitted mutation in ZP1 (c.769 C>T, p. Q257*).ResultsIn vitro Co‐immunoprecipitation assays showed that mutant ZP1 protein failed to interact with either ZP2 or ZP3, which explains the degenerated oocytes in the patient with EFS.ConclusionTogether, our data further expand the spectrum of ZP1 mutations that are associated with human EFS and thus provide novel insight into the diagnosis of EFS patients.