bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TSPO ligand FGIN‐1‐27 controls priapism in sickle cell mice via endogenous testosterone production
Authors: Musicki Biljana , Karakus Serkan , La Favor Justin D. , Chen Haolin , Silva Fabio H. , Sturny Mikael , Zirkin Barry R. , Burnett Arthur L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPriapism, a prolonged penile erection in the absence of sexual arousal, is common among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Hypogonadism is also common in patients with SCD. While the administration of exogenous testosterone reverses hypogonadism, it is contraceptive. We hypothesized that the stimulation of endogenous testosterone production decreases priapism by normalizing molecular signaling involved in penile erection without decreasing intratesticular testosterone production, which would affect fertility. Treatment of SCD mice with FGIN‐1‐27, a ligand for translocator protein (TSPO) that mobilizes cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane, resulted in eugonadal levels of serum testosterone without decreasing intratesticular testosterone production. Normalized testosterone levels, in turn, decreased priapism. At the molecular level, TSPO restored phosphodiesterase 5 activity and decreased NADPH oxidase‐mediated oxidative stress in the penis, which are major molecular signaling molecules involved in penile erection and are dysregulated in SCD. These results indicate that pharmacologic activation of TSPO could be a novel, targetable pathway for treating hypogonadal men, particularly patients with SCD, without adverse effects on fertility.
Associations of low handgrip strength with cancer mortality: a multicentre observational study
Authors: Zhuang Cheng‐Le , Zhang Feng‐Min , Li Wei , Wang Kun‐Hua , Xu Hong‐Xia , Song Chun‐Hua , Guo Zeng‐Qing , Shi Han‐Ping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundHandgrip strength (HGS) is associated with poor clinical outcomes, including all‐cause, non‐cardiovascular, and cardiovascular mortalities. The published cut‐off points for HGS are mostly based on community populations from Western countries, lacking information on cancer patients from China. The objective of this study was to establish sex‐specific cut‐off points for Chinese cancer patients and investigate the effect of low HGS on cancer mortality.MethodsWe did a retrospective cohort study of patients who were diagnosed with malignant cancer from June 2012 to December 2018. HGS was measured using a hand dynamometer in 8257 cancer patients. Optimal stratification was used to solve threshold points. The hazard ratio (HR) of all cancer mortality and cancer‐specific mortality was calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models.ResultsAmong all participants, there were 3902 (47.3%) women and 4355 (52.7%) men. The median age was 58 years old. The cut‐off points of HGS to best classify patients with respect to time to mortality were <16.1 kg for women and <22 kg for men. Low HGS was associated with overall cancer mortality in both women and men [HR = 1.339, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.170–1.531, P < 0.001; HR = 1.346, 95% CI = 1.176–1.540, P < 0.001, respectively]. For specific cancer types, low HGS was associated with breast cancer (HR = 1.593, 95% CI = 1.230–2.063, P < 0.001) in women, and lung cancer (HR = 1.369, 95% CI = 1.005–1.866, P = 0.047) and colorectal cancer (HR = 1.399, 95% CI = 1.007–1.944, P = 0.045) in men.ConclusionsOn the basis of our sex‐specific cut‐off points, low HGS was strongly associated with cancer mortalities. These results indicate the usefulness of HGS measurement in routine clinical practice for improving patient assessments, cancer prognosis, and intervention.
miR‐211‐5p is down‐regulated and a prognostic marker in bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Weisheng , Liu Zhiming , Zhang Xuegang , Liu Junning , Gui Junqing , Cui Maorong , Li Yong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe micro RNA (miRNA)/histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) signaling axis has been reported to be involved in initiating and developing multiple malignant tumors. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether miR‐211‐5p serves as a post‐transcriptional regulator in bladder cancer (BCa) cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting HDAC9.MethodsmiRNA expression profiling of BCa tissues and para‐carcinoma tissues was screened by miRNA microarray. After transfection with miR‐211‐5p mimics or short hairpin RNA of HDAC9 (sh‐HDAC9), mRNA and protein expression was evaluated using a quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. A bioinformatics algorithm was used, and a dual‐luciferase reporter assay was performed to validate HDAC9 as a direct target of miR‐211‐5p. Cell proliferation was analyzed by the 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazl2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) detection was used to evaluate apoptosis in 5637 and T24 cells. A transwell assay was used to assess migration and invasion.ResultsmiR‐211‐5p is down‐regulated in BCa tumor tissues and cell lines. miR‐211‐5p is identified as an independent biomarker for predicting overall survival. HDAC9 is a direct target of miR‐211‐5p, and overexpression of miR‐211‐5p represses HDAC9 protein expression in vitro. Overexpression of miR‐211‐5p or HDAC9 knockdown significantly inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of 5637 and T24 cells, and also induces cell apoptosis.ConclusionsmiR‐211‐5p may play a role as a tumor suppressor and as a favourable prognostic marker in BCa.
Deep learning analysis for the detection of pancreatic cancer on endosonographic images: a pilot study
Authors: Tonozuka Ryosuke , Itoi Takao , Nagata Naoyoshi , Kojima Hiroyuki , Sofuni Atsushi , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Ishii Kentaro , Tanaka Reina , Nagakawa Yuichi , Mukai Shuntaro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe application of artificial intelligence to clinical diagnostics using deep learning has been developed in recent years. In this study, we developed an original computer‐assisted diagnosis (CAD) system using deep learning analysis of EUS images (EUS‐CAD), and assessed its ability to detect pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC), using control images from patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and those with a normal pancreas (NP).MethodsA total of 920 endosonographic images were used for the training and 10‐fold cross‐validation, and another 470 images were independently tested. The detection abilities in both the validation and test setting were assessed, and independent factors associated with misdetection were identified among participants' characteristics and endosonographic image features.ResultsRegarding the detection ability of EUS‐CAD, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were found to be 0.924 and 0.940 in the validation and test setting, respectively. In the analysis of misdetection, no factors were identified on univariate analysis in PDAC cases. On multivariate analysis of non‐PDAC cases, only mass formation was associated with overdiagnosis of tumors.ConclusionsOur pilot study demonstrated the efficacy of EUS‐CAD for the detection of PDAC.
HIV seronegativity in children, adolescents and young adults living with perinatally acquired HIV: A cross‐sectional study in Thailand
Authors: Wirotpaisankul Praew , Lapphra Keswadee , Maleesatharn Alan , Rungmaitree Supattra , Wittawatmongkol Orasri , Phongsamart Wanatpreeya , Kongstan Nantaka , Khumcha Benjawan , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionEarly initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) with long‐term viral suppression may lead to seronegativity in grown‐up children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV). This study aimed to determine the frequency and associated factors of seronegativity in Thai children, adolescents and young adults with PHIV.MethodsA cross‐sectional HIV serological study was performed in children, adolescents and young adults two years or older who were receiving ART with undetectable HIV‐RNA for at least one year from August 2018 to August 2019. Medical records were extracted for multivariate analysis of independent factors for seronegativity.Results and discussionOf 110 patients, 50 male, median (range) age was 18.4 (4.8 to 26.6) years, 8 (7.3%) were seronegative, and 1 (0.9 %) was inconclusive. The seronegative group had a younger median (range) age at ART initiation: 3.0 (1.0 to 12.0) versus 40.0 (2.0 to 207.0) months, p = 0.045; and shorter median (range) duration from ART initiation to viral suppression: 16.8 (7.2 to 42.0) versus 55.2 (6.0 to 214.8) months, p = 0.036. Multivariate analysis identified younger age at ART initiation (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.98, p = 0.038) and shorter time to viral suppression after ART initiation (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.99, p = 0.019) as independent factors associated with HIV seronegativity. Of the infants who initiated ART < 3 and between three and six months of age, 50% and 26.7% became seronegative respectively.ConclusionsHIV seronegativity was observed in children and adolescents with PHIV who initiated ART early in infancy and had rapid and sustained virological response. Awareness of this phenomenon will help avoid inappropriate treatment interruption on the basis of negative antibody testing.
Academics and Election Administration in Nigeria
Authors: Arowosegbe Jeremiah O. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDemocratization has proceeded in Africa in terms of implementing multiparty democracy. However, there are still major challenges with this process across the continent. By examining the contribution of the intellectual to election administration in Africa vis‐à‐vis the political obligation of the citizen to the state, the knowledge of political science plays a significant role in resolving the challenges mitigating against democratic consolidation in the continent. This article interrogates the responsibilities of university academics in election administration from 1959 to 2019 and recounts the impact of such interventions for democratization and political stability in Nigeria. Our enquiry reveals that many of the problems undermining election administration are clearly beyond the interventions by these academics. The constraints and limitations of university academics in their efforts as instruments of large‐scale political change in Nigeria are connected largely with the fact that no institution or segment of the society is insulated from the power associated with politics in Nigeria. Accordingly, beyond election administration and also beyond the role of the intelligentsia therein, Nigeria's political ecology must undergo significant holistic changes to deliver a credible, fair and transparent electoral process. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immune response against SARS‐CoV‐2 in pediatric patients including young infants
Authors: Kawamura Yoshiki , Higashimoto Yuki , Miura Hiroki , Ihira Masaru , Inaba Masato , Ito Ryota , Kozawa Kei , Yoshikawa Tetsushi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPediatric cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are generally mild or asymptomatic, and are usually detected by virological examination following close contact with COVID‐19 patients, often the children's parents. The detailed clinical features and virological data of pediatric patients with COVID‐19, particularly young infants, remain unclear. Here, the clinical and virological characteristics of four children with COVID‐19 including two young infants were investigated. One‐ and 4‐month‐old boys with COVID‐19 were both asymptomatic, and seroconversion was demonstrated. These findings suggest that even young infants can mount an immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), despite having weaker immune defenses than adolescents and adults. Three‐year‐old boy, who was SARS‐CoV‐2‐negative, was admitted to the same room as his SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive father due to the lack of caregivers. Although he was asymptomatic, he had seroconverted to SARS‐CoV‐2. Eleven‐year‐old boy, who was sibling of the 3‐year‐old boy, was also SARS‐CoV‐2‐negative. He was isolated in his own room and did not seroconvert. If young children are SARS‐CoV‐2 negative, they should be isolated from their SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive parents. This may be difficult in practice, if parents with COVID‐19 are the only available caregivers. In such situations, the most appropriate measures should be taken for each patient.
COVID‐19 in people living with HIV: Clinical implications of dynamics of the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Mondi Annalisa , Cimini Eleonora , Colavita Francesca , Cicalini Stefania , Pinnetti Carmela , Matusali Giulia , Casetti Rita , Maeurer Markus , Vergori Alessandra , Mazzotta Valentina , Gagliardini Roberta , De Zottis Federico , Schininà Vincenzo , Girardi Enrico , Puro Vincenzo , Ippolito Giuseppe , Vaia Francesco , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Castilletti Concetta , Agrati Chiara , Antinori Andrea 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLittle evidence on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in people living with HIV (PLWH) is currently available. We reported clinical and viroimmunological data of all HIV‐positive patients admitted to our center with COVID‐19 from March 1 to May 12, 2020. Overall, five patients were included: all were virologically‐suppressed on antiretroviral therapy and CD4+ count was greater than 350 cell/mm3 in all but two patients. Although all patients had evidence of pneumonia on admission, only one developed respiratory failure. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RNA was never detected from nasopharyngeal swabs in two patients, whereas in the others, viral clearance occurred within a maximum of 43 days. Immunoglobulin G production was elicited in all patients and neutralizing antibodies in all but one patient. Specific‐T‐cell response developed in all patients but was stronger in those with the more severe presentations. Similarly, the highest level of proinflammatory cytokines was found in the only patient experiencing respiratory failure. Despite a mild presentation, patients with more pronounced immunosuppression showed high degrees of both cytokines production and immune activation. Our study did not find an increased risk and severity of COVID‐19 in PLWH. Adaptative cellular immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 appeared to correlate to disease severity. The mild clinical picture showed in advanced HIV patients, despite a significant T‐cell activation and inflammatory profile, suggests a potential role of HIV‐driven immunological dysregulation in avoiding immune‐pathogenetic processes. However, other possible explanations, as a protective role of certain antiretroviral drugs, should be considered. Further larger studies are needed to better clarify the impact of HIV infection on COVID‐19.
The precipitation patterns and atmospheric dynamics of the Serengeti National Park
Authors: Mahony Josephine , Dyer Ellen , Washington Richard 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe unique precipitation patterns over the Serengeti National Park in East Africa form the foundation of an internationally important ecosystem. Quantifying these precipitation patterns, and identifying the causal atmospheric processes, can improve understanding of past and future changes to regional rainfall. Precipitation and reanalysis datasets (CHIRPS v2.0, TRMM 3B42, ERA5) were used to quantify the regional climatic conditions on annual, monthly and hourly timescales. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified regions with distinct annual cycles of precipitation. Annual and monthly precipitation over the wider Serengeti domain (1°–4°S, 33°–37°E) was spatially heterogeneous. Cluster analysis identified five sub‐regions with distinct annual cycles, with differing rainfall totals during January–February and June–September, wet season peak rainfall months, and rainfall peak symmetry. Seasonality was broadly controlled by the biannual passage of the tropical rainfall belt. Low‐level wind, humidity and convergence patterns were impacted by the topography and Lake Victoria. An afternoon convergence zone between tropical easterlies and lake breeze winds always ran through the park and was associated with ascending motion and convection. The spatial progression of diurnal rainfall over the Serengeti followed the direction of 750 hPa tropical easterlies. The majority of the park received a late‐afternoon rainfall peak, but from October to March an early afternoon peak was present between the wind convergence line over the central Serengeti and the rift topography. We propose that interactions between tropical easterlies, lake breeze westerlies and the topography control the spatial distribution of Serengeti precipitation, and that the seasonally changing rainfall gradient over the Serengeti may be generated by storms forming at the lake front and propagating in the direction of tropospheric easterlies. We suggest the early precipitation peak in the eastern Serengeti may be due to variability in the position of the lake front, or small storms generated by localized solar heating.
Laboratory Studies to Determine Suitable Chemicals to Improve Oil Recovery from Garzan Oil Field
Authors: Ercan Can , Safran S. Esra , Türkmenoğlu Artuğ , Karabakal Uğur 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGarzan oil field is located at the south east of Turkey. It is a mature oil field and the reservoir is fractured carbonate reservoir. After producing about 1% original oil in place (OOIP) reservoir pressure started to decline. Waterflooding was started in order to support reservoir pressure and also to enhance oil production in 1960. Waterflooding improved the oil recovery but after years of flooding water breakthrough at the production wells was observed. This increased the water/oil ratio at the production wells. In order to enhance oil recovery again different techniques were investigated. Chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are gaining attention all over the world for oil recovery. Surfactant injection is an effective way for interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and wettability reversal. In this study, 31 different types of chemicals were studied to specify the effects on oil production. This paper presents solubility of surfactants in brine, IFT and contact angle measurements, imbibition tests, and lastly core flooding experiments. Most of the chemicals were incompatible with Garzan formation water, which has high divalent ion concentration. In this case, the usage of 2‐propanol as co‐surfactant yielded successful results for stability of the selected chemical solutions. The results of the wettability test indicated that both tested cationic and anionic surfactants altered the wettability of the carbonate rock from oil‐wet to intermediate‐wet. The maximum oil recovery by imbibition test was reached when core was exposed 1‐ethly ionic liquid after imbibition in formation water. Also, after core flooding test, it is concluded that considerable amount of oil can be recovered from Garzan reservoir by waterflooding alone if adverse effects of natural fractures could be eliminated.
Diagnoses, treatment, and oncologic outcomes in patients with calcaneal malignances: Case series, systematic literature review, and pooled cohort analysis
Authors: Newman Erik T. , van Rein Eveline A. J. , Theyskens Nina , Ferrone Marco L. , Ready John E. , Raskin Kevin A. , Lozano Calderon Santiago A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMalignant tumors of the calcaneus are rare but pose a treatment challenge. Aims: (1) describe the demographics of calcaneal malignancies in a large cohort; (2) describe survival after amputation versus limb‐salvage surgery for high‐grade tumors.MethodsStudy group: a “pooled” cohort of patients with primary calcaneal malignancies treated at two cancer centers (1984−2015) and systematic literature review. Kaplan−Meier analyses described survival across treatment and diagnostic groups; proportional hazards modeling assessed mortality after amputation versus limb salvage.ResultsA total of 131 patients (11 treated at our centers and 120 patients from 53 published studies) with a median 36‐month follow‐up were included. Diagnoses included Ewing sarcoma (41%), osteosarcoma (30%), and chondrosarcoma (17%); 5‐year survival rates were 43%, 73% (70%, high grade only), and 84% (60%, high grade only), respectively. Treatment involved amputation in 52%, limb salvage in 27%, and no surgery in 21%. There was no difference in mortality following limb salvage surgery (vs. amputation) for high‐grade tumors (HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.14−1.05), after adjusting for Ewing sarcoma diagnosis (HR 5.15; 95% CI 1.55−17.14), metastatic disease at diagnosis (HR 3.88; 95% CI 1.29−11.64), and age (per‐year HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02−1.07).ConclusionsLimb salvage is oncologically‐feasible for calcaneal malignancies.
CRAFT for NMR lipidomics: Targeting lipid metabolism in leucine‐supplemented tumor‐bearing mice
Authors: Johnson Hayden , Puppa Melissa , van der Merwe Marie , Tipirneni‐Sajja Aaryani 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLipid profiling by 1H‐NMR has gained increasing utility in many fields because of its intrinsically quantitative, nondestructive nature and the ability to differentiate small molecules based on their spectral location. Most nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for metabolite quantification use frequency domain analysis that involves many user‐dependent steps such as phase and baseline correction and quantification by either manual integration or peak fitting. Recently, Bayesian analysis of time‐domain NMR data has been shown to reduce operator bias and increase automation in NMR spectroscopy. In this study, we demonstrate the use of CRAFT (complete reduction to amplitude–frequency table), a Bayesian‐based approach to automate processing in NMR‐based lipidomics using lipid standards and tissue samples of healthy and tumor‐bearing mice supplemented with leucine. Complex mixtures of lipid standards were prepared and examined using CRAFT to validate it against conventional Fourier transform (FT)‐NMR and derive a fingerprint to be used for analyzing lipid profiles of serum and liver samples. CRAFT and FT‐NMR were comparable in accuracy, with CRAFT achieving higher correlation in quantifying several lipid species. Analysis of the serum lipidome of tumor‐bearing mice revealed hyperlipidemia and no signs of hepatic triglyceride accumulation compared with that of the healthy group demonstrating that the tumor‐bearing mice were in a state of precachexia. Leucine‐supplementation was associated with minimal changes in the lipid profile in both tissues. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the CRAFT method can accurately identify and quantify lipids in complex lipid mixtures and murine tissue samples and, hence, will increase automation and reproducibility in NMR‐based lipidomics.