bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Midterm Prognosis and Surgical Implication of Clival Chordoma after an Extended Transsphenoidal Tumor Removal and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Authors: Ogawa Yoshikazu , Jokura Hidefumi , Tominaga Teiji 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Treatment for chordoma by surgery alone is often ineffective, so surgery and irradiation is often performed with a reported 5-year survival rate of 60-75%. The clinical course varies; however, disease rarity has prevented large number clinical investigations. Methods: Nineteen patients suffering from clival chordomas were retrospectively investigated. They were initially treated with maximal tumor removals by extended transsphenoidal approach. When total removal was achieved prophylactic irradiation was not performed. If tumor remnants or recurrence was confirmed, gamma knife (GK) was performed. Follow-up periods ranged from 9 to 224 months (mean 85.4 months). Results: Total removal was achieved in 10 patients; however, 4 patients suffered recurrence and required GK. Overall progression free intervals were 9 to 151 months (mean 59.9 mzonths). GK was applied for 11 patients with a 50 % isodose of 13 to 18 Gy (mean 15.4 Gy). Eight patients remained progression free, but 3 patients suffered repeated local recurrence and died from tumor related complications. Overall survival was 9 to 224 months (mean 90.9 months). Eighteen patients survived more than 5 years with the exception of one male patient, who died of lung cancer 36 months after the initial treatment (5-year survival rate 94.7 %). The results indicated that sex (males), those given more than 15 Gy of a 50% isodose by GK, and prophylactic brain scanning were significant favorable prognostic factors. Conclusions: The favorable outcomes in this investigation may indicate value for early detection and early treatment. The role of surgery may be adequate conditioning for enough dose of GK.
Study of Al-SiO2 aesthetic composite coating on the orthodontic metal arch wire
Authors: Yang Jie , Zheng Bowen , Yan Yuwen , Wu Haopeng , Liu Fan , Xu Dake , Liu Yi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Nickel-titanium orthodontic wires (NTWs) play enssential roles in orthodontic treatment. However, the corrosion and unaesthetic characteristics limit their applications. To increase to aesthetic effffects of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires, we prepared aluminum-silicon dioxide (Al-SiO2) as biocompatible layer coated onto nickel-titanium orthodontic wires. Al-SiO2 coating were fifirstly fabricated by using physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering. Physicochemical properties and biocompatibility were investigated. Al-SiO2 layer were well coated onto NTWs. A reduced corrosion current density and friction coeffiffifficient were observed in Al-SiO2 coated NTWs. Additionally, favorable biocompatibility was found in Al-SiO2 coated NTWs, indicating Al-SiO2, prepared as novel aesthetic layer, could enhance NTWs Physicochemical properties without cytotoxicity, and had great potential for NTWs surface modifification.
The spectrum of C4d deposition in renal biopsies of lupus nephritis patients
Authors: DING Ying , YU Xiaojuan , WU Lihua , TAN Ying , QU Zhen , YU Feng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objectives

This study aims to determine the prevalence and localization of complement factor C4d in renal biopsies of lupus nephritis (LN) patients, as well as its association with the clinico-pathological features of the disease. Especially, the correlation between arteriolar C4d deposition and renal microvascular lesions (RVL) was further analyzed.
Methods

A total of 325 biopsy-proven lupus nephritis patients were enrolled and their clinico-pathological data were collected. C4d staining in renal biopsies was performed by immunohistochemistry. The association between C4d deposition and the clinico-pathological features was further analyzed.
Results

C4d deposition was present in most of renal specimens (98.8%) in our cohort. They were localized in the glomeruli (98.2%), tubular basement membrane (TBM) (43.7%), arterioles (31.4%) and peritubular capillary (33.8%), respectively. TBM C4d staining was closely related to the disease activity (SLEDAI) and NIH pathological activity and chronicity indices (P < 0.01). Patients with arteriolar C4d deposition were more likely to develop RVL (91.2%) in comparison to those negative (78.0%; P = 0.004), especially with two or more types of RVL (P < 0.001). During an average follow-up of 55.8 months, the presence of arteriolar C4d was related to worse renal outcomes (HR: 2.074, 95% CI 1.056–4.075, P = 0.034). Co-deposition of arteriolar C4d and C3c was an independent risk factor (HR: 2.539, 95% CI 1.130–5.705, P = 0.024) for predicting renal outcomes by the multivariate stepwise Cox hazard analysis
Conclusions

C4d deposition was common in renal tissues of lupus nephritis patients. TBM C4d deposition was related to the disease activity and arteriolar C4d deposition was associated with RVL and worse renal outcomes.
Extracellular vesicle microRNA cargoes from intermittent hypoxia-exposed cardiomyocytes and their effect on endothelium
Authors: Li Yu , Zhang Huina , Du Yunhui , Peng Lu , Qin Yanwen , Liu Huirong , Ma Xinliang , Wei Yongxiang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

Intermittent hypoxia (IH), as the crucial pathophysiological feature of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), is an independent risk factor initiating the progression of cardiovascular complications. However, how IH cause cardiovascular injury and initiate inter-organ communication remains unclear. Extracellular vesicle (EV) are reported to be involved in cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ communications through selectively carrying RNA and protein cargos from donor cells and delivering them to recipient cells. By utilizing an unbiased miRNA microarray approach, current study attempted to determine whether IH may alter miRNA profiles in cardiomyocyte-derived extracellular vesicles and whether EVs from IH-treated cardiomyocytes could affect endothelial function.
Methods

EVs were isolated from culture medium of normoxia- or intermittent hypoxia-treated C57BL/6 mouse primary cardiomyocytes. miRNA array assay was used to identify myocardial EV miRNA. The expression of target miRNAs was validated by qPCR and the enriched function of the target miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics and western blotting analysis. Moreover, vascular functional study validated whether EVs from IH-exposed cardiomyocytes could influence endothelial function.
Results

63 differentially expressed miRNAs, including 32 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated miRNAs were identified in EVs from IH-exposed cardiomyocytes. Among them, 16 miRNAs with homologous sequence in mouse and human were selected and verified by qPCR assay and 11 miRNAs were proved with the same tendency as miRNA array identified. KEGG pathway and western blotting analysis showed the main enriched pathway of differentially expressed miRNA was associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Of note, EVs from IH-exposed cardiomyocytes dramatically impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation and inhibited Akt/eNOS pathway in endothelial cells.
Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence that IH causes significant alteration in myocardial EV miRNA composition, which may contribute to IH or OSAS-triggered cardiovascular injury and organ-to-organ communication.
Integrated transcriptional analysis reveals macrophage heterogeneity and tumor-macrophage interactions in the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Kaidi , Zhao Xiang , Gao Jian 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating metastatic disease for which better therapies are urgently needed. It highlights the need for an improved understanding of the biological features underlying the progression of PDACs. Macrophages significantly enhance tumorigenesis and development of pancreatic cancer. However, cellular reprogramming and phenotypic changes of macrophages during PDAC progression remain poorly understood, as well as the molecular mechanism underlying tumor-macrophage interactions.
Methods

Herein, we performed the computational analysis by combining scRNA-seq and TCGA RNA-seq datasets, through which we identified myeloid lineage and tumor cells as crucial mediators of intercellular communication networks and crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment.
Results

scRNA-seq analyses highlight the heterogeneity of macrophage with diverse phenotype and functionality. The SCENIC analysis indicated different cell states across the sub-clusters of macrophages through a reconstruction of regulatory networks, and cell trajectory analysis identified the tissue-resident macrophage and inflammatory monocyte as potential sources of tumor-associated macrophages. Furthermore, we uncovered several ligand-receptor pairs lining the tumor cells and macrophages. Among them, we found expression level of HBEGF-CD44, HBEGF-EGFR, LGALS9-CD44, LGALS9-MET, and GRN-EGFR correlated with poor outcome of patients.
Conclusion

Together, our findings deciphered the macrophage heterogeneity and detected a tumor environmental-specific gene expression program in macrophages of PDAC, which uncover a potential mechanism laying the tumor-promoting role of TAM. The ligand-receptor interactions identified would be potential biomarkers for anti-cancer targeted therapy.
Stellate Ganglion Block Brain Protection During Ischemic Stroke in Diabetes Rats: TLR4/NF-κB Pathway and Inflammation
Authors: Li Ting-ting , Wan Qiang , Zhang Xin , Xiao Yuan , Liu Xiang-nan , Yang Wan-chao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, and systemic inflammation may be the principal contradiction that aggravates stroke. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect and mechanism of stellate ganglion block on diabetic stroke.Methods: Analyze circadian rhythms and blood glucose changes, detect inflammation related signal pathways, and explore long-term neurological outcomes in rats.Results: Stellate ganglion block is a clinical anesthesia technique that can improve the neurological outcome and prognosis of diabetic rats. Stellate ganglion block improves systemic inflammatory response and inhibits phosphorylation of NF-κB p65. TLR4 agonist abolished the neuroprotective effect of stellate ganglion block, and the neuroprotective effect of TLR4 inhibition was consistent with that of a stellate ganglion block. The effect of stellate ganglion block at night is greatly reduced.Conclusions: These data optimize the perioperative application of stellate ganglion block in stroke patients, including time and mechanism. It also provides protective perioperative support for diabetic stroke patients to reduce their neurological risks in non-dangerous hyperglycemia and improve long-term neurological outcomes.
Influenza Global Scholarly Publications in the Mirror of the Co-word Analysis Technique
Authors: danesh Farshid , Ghavidel Somayeh , Emami Maryam 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background and Aim: Influenza is a global epidemic disease that always causes irreparable damage to individuals and countries' health, and the amount of research in this area is increasing. The primary purpose is to discover the hidden patterns and emerging events of global Influenza publications.Methods: This article is an applied type that has been done with an analytical approach and using the Co-word analysis method. This research's statistical population includes all the keywords of documents indexed with influenza's subject in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) in the last two decades (2000-2019). The number of keywords studied in this article is 26767. MeSH was used to determine the search strategy for document retrieval. SPSS and UCINET software were used for data analysis, and VOSviewer was utilized for drawing the map.Results: The keywords "Avian Influenza" and "Influenza Vaccine" with a frequency of 1302 and 1264 were the most frequent keywords in the subject area of influenza. Findings related to the analysis of clusters by the hierarchical clustering method led to the creation of 21 clusters in the field of influenza. Seventeen clusters with the most keywords were the largest cluster. The strategic diagram indicated that most influenza subject area clusters are located in the third quadrant of the strategic diagram and are considered emerging or declining subjects.Discussion and Conclusion: Discovering the intellectual structure, presenting hidden patterns and emerging events of global publications in the field of influenza can potentially help governments, communities, and research centers in understanding research advances, optimizing and managing future research topics, and effectively monitoring and policy-making activities—new research and allocation of facilities and budget.
Convenient Screening of Antifouling Agents for Direct Recovery of Bioproducts Employing a Fast Microplate Assay
Authors: Yelemane Vikas , Kangwa Martin , Dsouza Roy N , Fernández-Lahore Hector Marcelo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Major limitations in direct recovery of bioproducts from unclarified feedstock are predominantly associated with the presence of suspended whole and lysed biomass in processing systems. Most commonly, biomass interaction with adsorbent beads, synthetic membranes, and other processes surfaces causes fouling. This phenomenon is usually detrimental to bioprocess performance. This study focused on the development of a simple, easy to implement, economical and robust technique to evaluate biomass deposition and screening for chemical agents able to prevent such phenomenon. The results were confirmed by linking biomass deposition with surface energetics according to the extended Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (xDLVO) theory. Assay development involved the modification of the inside surface of microwell polystyrene plates with diethyl-aminoethyl (DEAE) functional groups. The resulting microplate surface mimics commercial chromatographic anion-exchangers matrices that are prone to biomass fouling. Two biomass types, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Chinese hamster ovary (S. cerevisiae and CHO, respectively) cells and twenty-five polyelectrolytes or amphiphilic compounds were employed. Results showed that DEAE-modified surface had the highest cell deposition while agent-coated wells showed varying degrees. Direct experimental observations and calculations performed based on xDLVO approach indicated that polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and poly(vinyl sulfate) could prevent CHO cells and yeast deposition. On the other hand, polysulphonic acid and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) were only effective to prevent yeast deposition. Microscopic visualization of polymer-coated beads in the presence of biomass confirmed the mentioned results.
High-resolution Spectral Information Enables Phenotyping of Leaf Epicuticular Wax in Wheat
Authors: Camarillo-Castillo Fatima , Huggins Trevis D. , Mondal Suchismita , Reynolds Matthew P. , Tilley Michael , Hays Dirk B. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Epicuticular wax (EW) is the first line of defense in plants for protection against biotic and abiotic factors in the environment. In wheat, EW is associated with resilience to heat and drought stress, however, the current limitations on phenotyping EW restrict the integration of this secondary trait into wheat breeding pipelines. In this study we evaluated the use of light reflectance as a proxy for EW load and developed an efficient indirect method for the selection of genotypes with high EW density. Results: Cuticular waxes affect the light that is reflected, absorbed and transmitted by plants. The narrow spectral regions statistically associated with EW overlap with bands linked to photosynthetic radiation (500 nm), carotenoid absorbance (400 nm) and water content (~900 nm) in plants. The narrow spectral indices developed predicted 65% (EWI-13) and 44% (EWI-1) of the variation in this trait utilizing single-leaf reflectance. However, the normalized difference indices EWI-4 and EWI-9 improved the phenotyping efficiency with canopy reflectance across all field experimental trials. Indirect selection for EW with EWI-4 and EWI-9 led to a selection efficiency of 70% compared to phenotyping with the chemical method. The regression model EWM-7 integrated eight narrow wavelengths and accurately predicted 71% of the variation in the EW load (mg·dm-2) with leaf reflectance, but under field conditions, a single-wavelength model consistently estimated EW with an average RMSE of 1.24 mg·dm-2 utilizing ground and aerial canopy reflectance.Conclusions: Overall, the indices EWI-1, EWI-13 and the model EWM-7 are reliable tools for indirect selection for EW based on leaf reflectance, and the indices EWI-4, EWI-9 and the model EWM-1 are reliable for selection based on canopy reflectance. However, further research is needed to define how the background effects and geometry of the canopy impact the accuracy of these phenotyping methods.
Histone Deacetylase-2 Serves as an Independent Prognostic Indicator in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Wang Dawei , Ye Youchen , Qu Tingting , Zhao Zhifang , Gu Zenghui , Zheng Jie , Hu Xugang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of skeleton in adolescence. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), a member of class I histone deacetylase, is putatively involved in tumorigenesis of human malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the expression pattern and prognostic value of HDAC2 in osteosarcoma.Methods Four datasets were obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database to explore the expression and prognostic value of HDAC2. Level 3 mRNA expression profiles and clinical data were obtained in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for validation. Expression pattern of HDAC2 were illustrated in GSE16088, GSE36001 and GSE42352. The prognostic value of HDAC2 was evaluated and validated by Kaplan-Meier analyses, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve in GSE21257 and TCGA. Multivariate Cox regression analysis, nomogram, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were performed to assess the prognosis predictive capability. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were applied to further understand the molecular network and regulatory mechanisms.Results HDAC2 expression was significantly increased in osteosarcoma tissues. High HDAC2 expression was associated with tumor metastasis and chemotherapy efficacy. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that high HDAC2 predicted worse overall survival. The ROC curve showed good performance in survival prediction. Cox regression demonstrated that HDAC2 could be an independent prognostic indicator. GSEA revealed patients with high HDAC2 expression were enriched with multiple ontological signatures.Conclusions Elevated expression of HDAC2 may identify an aggressive subgroup in osteosarcoma and serve as an independent prognostic indicator in these patients.
Weight Change from Early to Middle Adulthood and Incident Asthma Later in Life: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhou Yunping , Kong Nan , Zhang Jianzhong , Cheng Guo , Zheng Yuxin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Data describing the effects of weight change across adulthood on asthma are important for the prevention of asthma. This study aimed to investigate the association between weight change from early to middle adulthood and risk of incident asthma.Methods: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we performed a nationally retrospective cohort study of the U.S. general population. A total of 20 771 people aged 40-74 years with recalled weight at young and middle adulthood were included in the cohort. Hazard ratios relating weight change to incident asthma over 10 years of follow-up were calculated using Cox models adjusting for covariates.Results: Compared with participants with stable non-obesity between young and middle adulthood, the hazard ratios of incident asthma were 1.63 (95% confidence interval 1.29 to 2.07) for weight gain (non-obesity to obesity), 1.41 (0.97 to 2.05) for stable obesity, and 1.21 (0.41 to 3.62) for weight loss (obesity to non-obesity). In addition, participants who gained more than 20 kg had a hazard ratio of 1.53 (1.15 to 2.03), compared with those whose weight had remained stable. When stratified by sex, the association between weight gain and incident asthma was seen only in females. Population attributable fraction calculations estimated that 10.2% of adult-onset asthma could be averted, if all those who were non-obesity at early adulthood could prevent weight gain by midlife. Conclusion: The findings implied that maintaining normal weight across adulthood, especially preventing weight gain in early adulthood, was important for preventing adult-onset asthma.
Pterostilbene Alleviates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating ASIC2
Authors: Peng Yanfang , Zhang Yingwen , Zhang Yabing , Wang Xiuping , Xia Yukun , Ye Taisheng , Wu Zhaoyan , Ke Haoliang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious chronic disease of the respiratory system, and its current treatment have certain shortcomings and adverse effects. In this study, we evaluate the anti-fibrotic activity of pterostilbene (PTE) using an IPF model induced by TGF-β1 in vitro.Methods: A549 and AEC cells were incubated with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 to induce lung fibroblast activation. 30 μmol/L PTE was used to treat the cells. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and autophagy of cells were suggested by western blot. The apoptosis was proved by flow cytometry analysis and western blot. Transcriptome high-throughput sequencing on A549 cells incubated with TGF-β1 alone or TGF-β1 and PTE (TGF-β1+PTE) was performed, and differentially expressed genes caused by PTE were identified. The ASIC2 overexpression plasmid was used to rescue the protein level of ASIC2 in A549 and AEC cells.Results: TGF-β1 caused the EMT and accumulation of ECM, and blocked the autophagy and apoptosis of A549 and AEC cells. Most importantly, 30 μmol/L PTE inhibited the pulmonary fibrosis induced by TGF-β1. Compared with cells treated with TGF-β1, PTE treatment inhibited the EMT and accumulation of ECM, and rescued cell apoptosis and autophagy. The results of transcriptome high-throughput sequencing performed that PTE greatly reduced the protein level of ASIC2. In addition, compared with the TGF-β1+PTE group, the transfection of ASIC2 overexpression plasmid stimulated the EMT and accumulation of ECM, and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting that PTE inhibited pulmonary fibrosis by down-regulating ASIC2. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study suggests that PTE and ASIC2 inhibitors may benefit future IPF treatments.