bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The corticosteroid treatment and response of patients with COVID-19 in Hubei, China: a retrospective, cohort study
Authors: Shang Jin , Du Ronghui , Lu Qiaofa , Wu Jianhong , Xu Shabei , Ke Zhenghua , Cai Zhifang , Gu Yiya , Huang Qian , Zhan Yuan , Yang Jie , Liu Yumei , Hu Yi , Zhang Haiying , Huang Huxiang , Xie Zhibin , Li Xin , Hu Weihua , Gong Jianhua , Ke Wenbing , Shao Zhilin , Liu Zheng , Xie Jungang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Since December 2019, COVID-19 has emerged in Wuhan, China and spread globally. As of now, there is still no explicit therapeutic regimen and the use of corticosteroid is also controversial. We aimed to explore the effectiveness of corticosteroid and provide evidence for the rational use of corticosteroid in different patients with COVID-19.Methods In this multi-centered, retrospective study, we extracted the clinical data of 649 cases with COVID-19 with definite outcome (discharged or dead) from 14 hospitals in Hubei province, and evaluated the clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and their association with outcomes.Results Ninety-five of 649 patients had died. Older male patients with comorbidities had an increased risk of death and more obvious abnormalities in clinical indicators. Corticosteroid, γ-globulin treatment and invasive ventilation were more frequently used in non-survivors. Survivors with corticosteroid treatment had a prolonged hospitalization. The median time duration for temperature restore for non-survivors after corticosteroid treatment was longer than that of both survivors. The lymphocyte count on admission was lower in the patients treated with corticosteroids compared to those without corticosteroid treatment. Lymphocyte count recovered significantly after corticosteroid treatment in survivors, but not in non-survivors.Conclusions The responses to corticosteroid treatment were different in COVID-19 patients with different outcomes. The surviving patients with relatively lower lymphocyte count were more likely to be given corticosteroids. For non-survivors, the lymphocyte count was too low and the effect of corticosteroids was poor. Survivors under corticosteroid treatment had a prolonged hospitalization, but had a recovery of lymphocytes. The recovery of lymphocyte count and temperature after corticosteroid treatment may be used as predictors of prognosis of patients with COVID-19.
Morbidity, mortality, and risk factors of emergency colorectal surgery among older patients in the Acute Care Surgery service.
Authors: Krutsri Chonlada , Sumpritpradit Preeda , Singhatas Pongsasit , Thampongsa Tharin , Phuwapraisirisan Samart , Gesprasert Goragoch , Jirasiritham Jakrapan , Choikrua Pattawia 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Acute Care Surgery (ACS) is a rapid response system in emergency surgical conditions. Older patients have numerous factors associated with high mortality and morbidity in emergency colorectal surgery. We aimed to identify potentially preventable risk factors, to improve older patients’ outcomes.Methods: A retrospective review of patients over 60 years old undergoing emergency colorectal surgery in the ACS service from 1 August 2017 through 30 November 2019.Results: Data of 92 patients were analyzed, average age 72.41 years. The most common diagnosis was colorectal cancer (76, 83.52%) with locations on the left (37, 41.51%), right (35,39.33%), and rectum (17, 19.10%). Clinical presentations were obstruction without perforation (61, 67.03%), perforation (25, 27.17%), and ischemia (2, 2.17%). Overall mortality was 6.52%. Cause of death included septic shock (3, 50%); respiratory failure (3, 50%); and pulmonary embolism (1, 16.67%). Morbidity from surgical and medical complications were 41.30% and 26.08%, respectively. For all causes, operations included resection with primary anastomosis (62, 71.26%); Hartman procedure (11, 12.64%); loop colostomy (12, 13.79%); and percutaneous drainage with antibiotics (2, 2.3%). Average operative time 159.86 minutes. In emergency colorectal surgery, preexisting heart disease, clinical perforation, and ventilator dependency increased risk of death 7.6-, 16.5-, and 0.08-fold, respectively. Conclusion: Preexisting heart disease and clinical perforation were unmodifiable risk factors for mortality among older patients undergoing emergency colorectal surgery; ventilator dependency is potentially modifiable with advanced surgical critical care. Early, rapid, protocol-driven processes might help reduce mortality in patients with clinical presentation of perforation.
A glycolysis-related gene expression signature in predicting recurrence of breast cancer
Authors: Tang Jianing , Wu Gaosong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Metabolic change is the hallmark of cancer. Even in the presence of oxygen, cancer cells reprogram their glucose metabolism to enhance glycolysis and reduce oxidative phosphorylation. In the present study, we aimed to develop a glycolysis-related gene signature to predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients.Methods Gene expression profiles and clinical data of breast cancer patients were obtained from the GEO database. Univariate, Lasso-penalized, and multivariate Cox analysis were performed to construct the glycolysis-related gene signature.Results A four-gene based signature (ALDH2, PRKACB, STMN1 and ZNF292) was developed to separate patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients in low-risk group had significantly better prognosis than those in the high-risk group. Time-dependent ROC analysis demonstrated that the glycolysis-related gene signature had excellent prognostic accuracy. We further confirmed the expression of the four prognostic genes in breast cancer and paracancerous tissues samples using qRT-PCR analysis. Expression level of PRKACB was higher in paracancerous tissues, while STMN1 and ZNF292 were overexpressed in tumor samples. No difference was found in ALDH2 expression. The same results were observed in the IHC data from the human protein atlas. Global proteome data of 105 TCGA breast cancer samples obtained from the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium were used to evaluate the prognostic value of their protein levels. Consistently, high expression of PRKACB protein level was associated with better prognosis, while high ZNF292 and STMN1 protein expression levels indicated poor prognosis.Conclusions The glycolysis-related gene signature might provide an effective prognostic predictor and a new view for individual treatment of breast cancer patients.
An optimised Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) method for starchy leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana to study histone modifications of an allotetraploid plant
Authors: Ranawaka Buddhini , Tanurdzic Milos , Waterhouse Peter , Naim Fatima 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
All flowering plants have evolved through multiple rounds of polyploidy throughout the evolutionary process. Intergenomic interactions between subgenomes in polyploid plants are predicted to induce chromatin modifications such as histone modifications to regulate expression of gene homoeologs. Nicotiana benthamiana is an ancient allotetraploid plant with ecotypes collected from climatically diverse regions of Australia. Studying the differences in chromatin landscape of this unique collection will shed light on the importance of chromatin modifications in gene regulation in polyploids as well its implications in adaptation of plants in environmentally diverse conditions. N.benthamiana is also an important biotechnological tool and it is widely used in virological research and functional genomics. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and high throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) is well established technique used to study histone modifications. However, due to the starchy nature of mature N.benthamiana leaves, previously published protocols were unsuitable. The aim of this study was to optimise ChIP protocol for N.benthamiana leaves to facilitate comparison of chromatin modifications in two closely related ecotypes.
Results
Several steps of ChIP were optimised including tissue harvesting, nuclei isolation, nuclei storage, DNA shearing and DNA recovery. The higher amounts of starch in mature N.benthamiana leaves that co-precipitated with nuclei using previously published protocols, hindered chromatin shearing and resulted in low recovery of ChIP DNA. The optimised method reduced starch contamination and resulted in isolation of high quality nuclei suitable for next generation sequencing. Commonly available antibodies targeting histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) histone modifications were used and success of ChIP was confirmed by PCR and next generation sequencing.
Conclusions
An optimised ChIP method for mature leaves of N.benthamiana is described. It is relatively less laborious than previously published protocols and allows extraction of high quality nuclear genomic DNA from N.benthamiana. It is also the first comprehensive ChIP method for starchy leaves of N.benthamiana suitable for preparation of ChIP libraries for next generation sequencing.
Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Zhang Ren-Chao , Ma Jun , mou yiping , Zhou Yu-Cheng , Jin Wei-Wei , Lu Chao 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are rare neoplasm with long life expectancy. In this setting, patients may benefit from laparoscopic organ-sparing resection. There are few reports of laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for PNENs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for PNENs. Methods A retrospective study was performed for patients with PNENs who underwent laparoscopic organ-sparing pancreatectomy between March 2005 and May 2018. The patients’ demographic data, operative results, pathological reports, hospital courses, morbidity and mortality, and follow-up data (including pancreatic function, till August 2018) was analyzed. Results Thirty-five patients were identified. There were 9 male and 26 female patients, with a median age of 46 years (range, 25-75 years). The mean BMI was 24.6±3.3kg/m 2 . Nine patients received laparoscopic enucleation, 20 received laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, and 6 received laparoscopic central pancreatectomy. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate, postoperative hospital stay were 186.4±60.2min, 165±73.0ml, 0, 9d(range, 5-23d), respectively. The morbidity rate, ≥Grade III complication rate and ≥grade B pancreatic fistula rate were 34.2%, 11.4%, 8.7%, respectively, with no mortality. The rate of follow-up was 94.3%, and the median follow-up time was 55 months (range, 3-158months). One patients had diabetes after laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, no patient had symptom of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. One patient developed recurrence 36 months after laparoscopic enucleation and was managed with surgical resection. The other patients survived without metastases or recurrence during the follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for selected cases of PNENs is safe and feasible, and have favorable short- and long-term outcome.
Nucleic Acids in Inclusion Bodies obtained from E. coli Cells Expressing Human Interferon-Gamma
Authors: Krachmarova Elena , Ivanov Ivan , Nacheva Genoveva 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Inclusion bodies (IBs) are protein aggregates in recombinant bacterial cells containing mainly the target recombinant protein. Although it has been shown that IBs contain functional proteins along with protein aggregates, their direct application as pharmaceuticals is hindered by their heterogeneity and hazardous contaminants with bacterial origin. Therefore, together with the production of soluble species, IBs remain the main source for manufacture of recombinant proteins with medical application. The quality and composition of the IBs affect the refolding yield and further purification of the recombinant protein. The knowledge whether nucleic acids are genuine components or concomitant impurities of the IBs is a prerequisite for the understanding of the IBs formation and for development of optimized protocols for recombinant protein refolding and purification. IBs isolated from Escherichia coli overexpressing human interferon-gamma (hIFNγ), a protein with therapeutic application, were used as a model. Results IBs were isolated from Escherichia coli LE392 cells transformed with a hIFNγ expressing plasmid under standard conditions and further purified by centrifugation on a sucrose cushion, followed by several steps of sonication and washings with non-denaturing concentrations of urea. The efficiency of the purification was estimated by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and parallel microbiological testing for the presence of residual intact bacteria. Phenol/chloroform extraction showed that the highly purified IBs contain both DNA and RNA. The latter were studied by UV spectroscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis combined with enzymatic treatment and hybridization. DNA was observed as a diffuse fraction mainly in the range of 250 to 1000 bp. RNA isolated by TRIzol® also demonstrated a substantial molecular heterogeneity. Hybridization with 32 P-labelled oligonucleotides showed that the IBs contain rRNA and are enriched of hIFNγ mRNA. Conclusions The results presented in this study indicate that the nucleic acids are intrinsic components rather than co-precipitated impurities in the IBs. We assume that the nucleic acids are active participants in the aggregation of recombinant proteins and formation of the IBs that originate from the transcription and translation machinery of the microbial cell factory.
Topical application of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) reduced cerebral edema in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI)- a preliminary study
Authors: MA Hui , Cui Lian Xu , Lam Ping Kuen , Tong Cindy SW , Lo Kin KY , Wong George KC , Poon Wai Sang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Our previous studies showed that topical application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved functional recovery in rat traumatic brain injury (TBI) model, and hypoxic precondition further enhanced the therapeutic effects of MSCs. There was no previous study on the attenuation of cerebral edema by MSCs. Objective: We investigated whether topical application of normoxic and hypoxic MSCs could reduce cerebral edema in an experimental TBI model. Methods: 2 million normoxic (N=24) and hypoxic (N=24) MSCs were applied topically to exposed cerebral cortex in a controlled cortical impact (CCI) model. The MSCs were fixed in position with fibrin glue. No treatment was given to control animals (TBI only: n=24). After surgery, four animals in each group were sacrificed daily (day 1 to day 6) for edema evaluation. Normal animals without TBI were used as reference (n=4). The expressions of GFAP, AQP4 and MMP9 were also investigated by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR at day 3. Results: The edema peaked within 3 days after TBI. Compared with the control, hypoxic MSCs reduced brain water content significantly (p<0.05). Both hypoxic and normoxic MSCs downregulated the expression of MMP9 and normalized AQP4 distribution to astrocytes end feet. Conclusion: Our preliminary study showed that topical application of hypoxic MSCs suppressed both vasogenic and cytotoxic edema formation. Keywords: topical, MSCs, cerebral edema, TBI
Modeling analysis reveals the transmission trend of COVID-19 and control efficiency of human intervention
Authors: Cheng Chaoyuan , Wan Xinru , Zhang Zhibin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused huge damage to public health around the world. Revealing the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and control efficiency is important for containing the spread of the virus.Methods: By using a logistic growth model, we estimated the transmission parameters of COVID-19 in China and six other countries (Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany). The transmission parameters represent the maximum daily increase rate in the early stages of the epidemic and the control efficiency under human intervention. The control efficiency was determined by the significant decrease of the daily increase rate in time and cumulative cases. Results: We found the daily increase rate of cumulative cases of COVID-19 decreased significantly in both time and cumulative cases in all countries, but the decreasing trend was not further reduced in other countries except for China and Republic of Korea. The response of the daily increase rate to control measures was much earlier than the number of new cases.Conclusions: Our results suggested that lockdown at the epicenter and social distancing effectively reduced the spread of COVID-19 in the early stage, but identification and isolation of patients, suspected cases and people with close contact at a community level is essential in further reduction of the daily increase rate of COVID-19.
The chlorine-isotopic composition of lunar KREEP from magnesian-suite troctolite 76535
Authors: McCubbin Francis M. , Barnes Jessica J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe conducted in situ Cl isotopic measurements of apatite within intercumulus regions and within a holocrystalline olivine-hosted melt inclusion in magnesian-suite troctolite 76535 from Apollo 17. These data were collected to place constraints on the Cl-isotopic composition of the last liquid to crystallize from the lunar magma ocean (i.e., urKREEP, named after its enrichments in incompatible lithophile trace elements like potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus). The apatite in the olivine-hosted melt inclusion and within the intercumulus regions of the sample yielded Cl-isotopic compositions of 28.3 ± 0.9‰ (2σ) and 30.3 ± 1.1‰ (2σ), respectively. The concordance of these values from both textural regimes we analyzed indicates that the Cl-isotopic composition of apatites in 76535 likely represents the Cl-isotopic composition of the KREEP-rich magnesian-suite magmas. Based on the age of 76535, these results imply that the KREEP reservoir attained a Cl-isotopic composition of 28–30‰ by at least 4.31 Ga, consistent with the onset of Cl-isotopic fractionation at the time of lunar magma ocean crystallization or shortly thereafter. Moreover, lunar samples that yield Cl-isotopic compositions higher than the value for KREEP are likely affected by secondary processes such as impacts and/or magmatic degassing. The presence of KREEP-rich olivine-hosted melt inclusions within one of the most pristine and ancient KREEP-rich rocks from the Moon provides a new opportunity to characterize the geochemistry of KREEP. In particular, a broader analysis of stable isotopic compositions of highly and moderately volatile elements could provide an unprecedented advancement in our characterization of the geochemical composition of the KREEP reservoir and of volatile-depletion processes during magma ocean crystallization, more broadly.
Genomic and Molecular Perspectives of Host-pathogen Interaction and Resistance Strategies against White Rust in Oilseed Mustard
Authors: Anupriya Chatterjee , Shradha Nirwan , Prasun Bandyopadhyay , Abha Agnihotri , Pankaj Sharma , Abdin Malik Zainul , Neeraj Shrivastava 
Published: May 2020

:
Oilseed brassicas stand as the second most valuable source of vegetable oil and the third
most traded one across the globe. However, the yield can be severely affected by infections caused by
phytopathogens. White rust is a major oomycete disease of oilseed brassicas resulting in up to 60%
yield loss globally. So far, success in the development of oomycete resistant Brassicas through conventional
breeding has been limited. Hence, there is an imperative need to blend conventional and
frontier biotechnological means to breed for improved crop protection and yield.

:
This review provides a deep insight into the white rust disease and explains the oomycete-plant molecular
events with special reference to Albugo candida describing the role of effector molecules, A.
candida secretome, and disease response mechanism along with nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat
receptor (NLR) signaling. Based on these facts, we further discussed the recent progress and future
scopes of genomic approaches to transfer white rust resistance in the susceptible varieties of
oilseed brassicas, while elucidating the role of resistance and susceptibility genes. Novel genomic
technologies have been widely used in crop sustainability by deploying resistance in the host. Enrichment
of NLR repertoire, over-expression of R genes, silencing of avirulent and disease susceptibility
genes through RNA interference and CRSPR-Cas are technologies which have been successfully applied
against pathogen-resistance mechanism. The article provides new insight into Albugo and Brassica
genomics which could be useful for producing high yielding and WR resistant oilseed cultivars
across the globe.
Infantile Hemangioma: An Updated Review
Authors: Leung Alexander K.C. , Lam Joseph M. , Leong Kin F. , Hon Kam L. 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Infantile hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors of infancy,
affecting up to 12% of infants by the first year of life.

Objective:
To familiarize physicians with the natural history, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and
management of infantile hemangiomas.

Methods:
A Pubmed search was conducted in November 2019 in Clinical Queries using the key
term "infantile hemangioma". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled
trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews published within the past 20 years. Only
papers published in the English literature were included in this review. The information retrieved
from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article.

Results:
The majority of infantile hemangiomas are not present at birth. They often appear in the
first few weeks of life as areas of pallor, followed by telangiectatic or faint red patches. Then, they
grow rapidly in the first 3 to 6 months of life. Superficial lesions are bright red, protuberant, bosselated,
or with a smooth surface, and sharply demarcated. Deep lesions are bluish and dome-shaped.
Infantile hemangiomas continue to grow until 9 to 12 months of age, at which time the growth rate
slows down to parallel the growth of the child. Involution typically begins by the time the child is a
year old. Approximately 50% of infantile hemangiomas will show complete involution by the time
a child reaches age 5; 70% will have disappeared by age 7; and 95% will have regressed by 10 to
12 years of age. The majority of infantile hemangiomas require no treatment. Treatment options
include oral propranolol, topical timolol, and oral corticosteroids. Indications for active intervention
include hemorrhage unresponsive to treatment, impending ulceration in areas where serious
complications might ensue, interference with vital structures, life- or function-threatening complications,
and significant disfigurement.

Conclusion:
Treatment should be individualized, depending upon the size, rate of growth, morphology,
number, and location of the lesion (s), existing or potential complications, benefits and
adverse events associated with the treatment, age of the patient, level of parental concern, and the
physician's comfort level with the various treatment options. Currently, oral propranolol is the
treatment of choice for high-risk and complicated infantile hemangiomas. Topical timolol may be
considered for superficial infantile hemangiomas that need to be treated and for complicated infantile
hemangiomas in patients at risk for severe adverse events from oral administration of propranolol.