bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macrophage conditioned media promotes adipocyte cancer-association, which in turn stimulates breast cancer proliferation and migration
Authors: Vallega Karin A. , Bosco Dale B. , Ren Yi , Sang Qing-Xiang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of female cancer deaths worldwide. Obesity causes chronic inflammation and is a risk factor for post-menopausal breast cancer and poor prognosis. Obesity is known to trigger increased infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue, yet little research has focused on the effects of macrophages in the early stages of breast tumor development in obese patients. In this study, the effects of pro-inflammatory macrophages on breast cancer-adipocyte crosstalk were investigated.
Methods

An innovative human cell co-culture system was used to model the paracrine interactions among adipocytes, macrophages, and breast cancer cells, and how they can facilitate tumor progression. The effects on human breast cancer cells were examined using cell counts and migration assays. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of several cytokines and proteases to analyze adipocyte cancer-association.
Results

Macrophage conditioned media intensified the effects of breast cancer-adipocyte crosstalk. More specifically, adipocytes became delipidated and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, even in the absence of breast cancer cells, although the expression levels were highest with all three cell components. As a result, co-cultured breast cancer cells became more aggressive, with increased proliferation and migration potential when compared to adipocyte-breast cancer cell co-cultures treated with unconditioned media.
Conclusions

Macrophage conditioned media promotes adipocyte cancer-association and production of pro-inflammatory factors. These macrophage-adipocyte paracrine interactions promote human breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. Thus, macrophages may contribute to adipocyte inflammation and cancer-association and promote breast cancer progression.
Early COVID-19 treatment clinical trials: so much work, so many lost opportunities.
Authors: Mainoli Beatrice , Machado Tiago , Duarte Gonçalo S , Prada Luísa , Gonçalves Nilza , Ferreira Joaquim J , Costa João 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background The Covid-19 pandemic has raged on and heavy clinical research have been promoted worldwide. We aimed to assess the adequacy of treatment clinical trials set forth as early response to COVID-19 pandemic.Methods First, we performed a systematic review of trial registries. The World Health Organization International Trials Registry Platform and national trial registries were searched for COVID-19 trials through April 19th, 2020. For each record, independent researchers extracted interventions, participants, and methodological characteristics. Second, we evaluated on September 14th, 2020 the recruitment status and availability of results of COVID-19 treatment trials previously identified.Results On April 2020, a total of 580 trials evaluating COVID-19 treatment were registered. Reporting quality was poor (core participant information was missing in 24.1% to 92.7%). Between 54.0% to 93.8% of the trials did not plan to include older people and people at higher baseline risk. Most studies were randomised (67.9%), single-centre (58.3%), non-industry funded (81.1%), to be conducted in China (47.6%), with a median duration of 184 days and a median sample size of 100 participants. Core endpoints (mortality, clinical status, and hospitalization length) were planned to be assessed in 5.2% to 13.1% of the trials. Five months later, 66 trials (11.4%) are reported as “Completed”, and only 46 (7.9%) have public results available. 144 of 580 trials (24.8%) are either under the status “Not yet recruiting” or “Suspended”, and 18 (3.1%) trials were prematurely stopped (“Terminated” or “Withdrawn”) The number of completed trials and trials with results are much lower than anticipated, considering the planned follow-up.Conclusions Our results raise concern regarding the success of the initial global research effort on COVID-19 treatment. The clinical and methodological characteristics of early COVID-19 treatment trials limit their capability to produce clear answers to critical questions in the shortest possible time.
The miniaturization ligament performance probe (MLPP) system for the three-dimensional analysis of ligament strain patterns throughout ankle motion&nbsp;
Authors: Takeuchi Yoshitaka , Inokuchi Ryota , Takao Masato , Glazebrook Mark , Oliva Xavier , Yamazaki Takayuki , Kubo Maya , Lowe Danielle , Matsui Kentaro , Katakura Mai , Ozeki Satoru 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMeasuring strain patterns of joint ligaments in various positions informs our understanding their function. However, studies on the biomechanical properties of ankle ligaments are few, and the tensile properties of each ligament during motion have not been described because existing biomechanical sensors are too big to insert within the ankle. This study aimed to verify the validity of a novel miniaturized ligament performance probe (MLPP) system for measuring the strain pattern of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) during ankle motion. MethodsThe system is composed of a strain gauge (force probe), amplifier unit, display unit, and logger, which are widely used industrially. Ten fresh-frozen, through-the-knee, lower extremity, cadaveric specimens were used. The MLPP was sutured into the midsubstance of ATFL fibers. To measure tensile force, a round metal disk (clock; 150 mm in diameter), with a 6-mm-diameter hole every 30°, was fixed on the plantar aspect of the foot. With a 1.2-Nm load applied to the ankle and subtalar joint complex, the ankle was manually moved from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion. The clock was rotated every 30° to measure ATFL strain at each end point detected by the miniature force probe. ResultsThroughout motion required to shift from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion, the ATFL tensed near 20° plantar flexion, and strain increased as the plantar flexion angle increased. The ATFL was maximally tensioned at 3 and 4 o’clock in the inversion position. In the elastic range in which the ATFL is capable of returning to its original shape and length, tensile force was proportional to strain in all cases. ConclusionThe MLPP system could be used to effectively determine the relationship between limb position and small ankle ligament strain patterns.
Tephra deposit inversion by coupling Tephra2 with the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm: algorithm introduction and demonstration with synthetic datasets
Authors: Yang Qingyuan , Pitman E Bruce , Bursik Marcus , Jenkins Susanna F 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In this work we couple the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm with the volcanic ash transport model Tephra2, and present the coupled algorithm as a new method to estimate the Eruption Source Parameters of volcanic eruptions based on mass per unit area or thickness measurements of tephra fall deposits. Outputs of the algorithm are presented as sample posterior distributions for variables of interest. Basic elements in the algorithm and how to implement it are introduced. Experiments are done with synthetic datasets. These experiments are designed to demonstrate that the algorithm works from diﬀerent perspectives, and to show how inputs aﬀect its performance. Advantages of the algorithm are that it has the ability to i) incorporate prior knowledge; ii) quantify the uncertainty; iii) capture correlations between variables of interest in the estimated Eruption Source Parameters; and iv) no simpliﬁcation is assumed in sampling from the posterior probability distribution. A limitation is that some of the inputs need to be speciﬁed subjectively, which is designed intentionally such that the full capacity of the Bayes’ rule can be explored by users. How and why inputs of the algorithm aﬀect its performance and how to specify them properly are explained and listed. Correlation between variables of interest in the posterior distributions exists in many of our experiments. They can be well-explained by the physics of tephra transport. We point out that in tephra deposit inversion, caution is needed in attempting to estimate Eruption Source Parameters and wind direction and speed at each elevation level, because this could be unnecessary or would increase the number of variables to be estimated, and these variables could be highly correlated. The algorithm is applied to a mass per unit area dataset of the tephra deposit from the 2011 Kirishima-Shinmoedake eruption. Simulation results from Tephra2 using posterior means from the algorithm are consistent with ﬁeld observations, suggesting that this approach reliably reconstructs Eruption Source Parameters and wind conditions from deposits.
Empowering Traditional Birth Attendants as Agents of Maternal and Neonatal Immunization Uptake in Nigeria: a repeated measures design.
Authors: IWU Chinedu Anthony , Uwakwe Kenechi , Oluoha Uchechukwu Raphael , Duru Chukwuma , Nwaigbo Ernest 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Adequate immunization coverage in rural communities remain a challenge in Nigeria. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) form an integral part of the social, cultural and religious fabric in most rural communities in Nigeria. Despite their limitations in handling the complications of childbirth, TBAs are widely accepted and patronized, especially in rural areas. The objectives of the project were to empower TBAs and assess the use of a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop intervention to change their knowledge, attitude and willingness to promote immunization uptake. Methods: A repeated-measures design that used a convenience sampling technique to select 90 TBAs from the three geopolitical zones of Imo State, Nigeria. The TBAs were engaged through a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop. Data were collected before and immediately after intervention using a pretested questionnaire. Chi square test was done to determine any significant association with the zone of practice and paired sample t-test analysis to determine any significant pre and post intervention change. Level of significance was set at p ≤ ·05.Results: More than half of the TBAs had at most, a secondary level of education (54·4 %). The average length of time they practiced as TBAs was 16 years with an average of ten birth deliveries per month. After the intervention, all the respondents (100%) reported a willingness to always promote immunization uptake and also, there was a statistically significant increase in Knowledge (p<·000). Similarly, the level of knowledge in the post intervention period appeared to be significantly associated with the zone of practice (p= ·027). Conclusion: The workshop intervention empowered the TBAs irrespective of their zones of residence by successfully improving their knowledge, though at varying levels; and consequently, their willingness to always promote immunization uptake.
Hypoxia-sensitive long noncoding RNA CASC15 promotes lung tumorigenesis by regulating the SOX4/β-catenin axis
Authors: Sun Jianyong , Xiong Yanlu , Jiang Kuo , Xin Bo , Jiang Tongtong , Wei Renji , Zou Yuankang , Tan Hong , Jiang Tao , Yang Angang , Jia Lintao , Wang Lei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the hypoxia-related cancer process and play pivotal roles in enabling malignant cells to survive under hypoxic stress. However, the molecular crosstalk between lncRNAs and hypoxia signaling cascades in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely elusive. Methods: Firstly, we identified differentially expressed lncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 15 (CASC15) as associated with NSCLC based on bioinformatic data. The clinical significance of CASC15 in lung cancer was investigated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Then, we modulated CASC15 expression in NSCLC cell lines by RNAi. CCK-8 and transwell assays were carried out to examine the effects of CASC15 on proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells. Upstream activator and downstream targets of CASC15 were validated by luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Lastly, RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to confirm the genetic relationships between CASC15 and related genes in clinical samples.Results: CASC15 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and closely associated with poor prognosis. Loss-of-function analysis demonstrated that CASC15 was essential for NSCLC cell migration and growth. Mechanistic study revealed that CASC15 was transcriptionally activated by hypoxia signaling in NSCLC cells. Further analysis showed that hypoxia-induced CASC15 transactivation was mainly dependent on hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and hypoxia response elements (HREs) located in CASC15 promoter. CASC15 promotes the expression of its chromosomally nearby gene, SOX4. Then SOX4 functions to stabilize β-catenin protein, thereby enhancing the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells. HIF-1α/CASC15/SOX4/β-catenin pathway was activated in a substantial subset of NSCLC patients.Conclusions: HIF-1α/CASC15/SOX4/β-catenin axis plays an essential role in the development and progression of NSCLC. The present work provides new evidence that lncRNA CASC15 holds great promise to be used as novel biomarkers for NSCLC. Blocking the HIF-1α/CASC15/SOX4/β-catenin axis can serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating NSCLC.
Interleukin (IL)-33 is dispensable for Schistosoma mansoni worm maturation and the maintenance of egg-induced pathology in intestines of infected mice
Authors: Mukendi Jean Pierre Kambala , Nakamura Risa , Uematsu Satoshi , Hamano Shinjiro 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Schistosomes are trematode worms that dwell in their definitive host’s blood vessels, where females lay eggs that need to be discharged into the environment with host excreta to maintain their life cycle. Both worms and eggs require type 2 immunity for their maturation and excretion, respectively. However, immune molecules that orchestrate such immunity remain unclear. IL-33 is one of the epithelium-derived cytokines that induce type 2 immunity in tissues. This study aimed at determining its role in the maturation, reproduction, and excretion of S. mansoni eggs, and in the maintenance of egg-induced pathology in the intestines of mice.Methods: Using S. mansoni-infected IL-33-deficient (IL-33-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice, the morphology of worms and the number of eggs in intestinal tissues were studied at different time points of infection. IL-5 and IL-13 production in spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes were measured. Tissue histology was performed on the terminal ilea of infected and non-infected mice.Results: Morphology-wise, worms from IL-33-/- and WT mice at the fourth and sixth weeks of infection did not differ. The number of eggs in intestinal tissues did not differ much between IL-33-/- and WT mice. In the sixth week of infection, IL-33-/- mice presented impaired type 2 immunity in intestines, characterized by decreased production of IL-5 and IL-13 in mesenteric lymph nodes and fewer inflammatory infiltrates with fewer eosinophils in the ilea. Otherwise there was no difference between IL-33-/- and WT mice in the levels of IL-25 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in intestinal tissues.Conclusions: Despite its ability to initiate type 2 immunity in tissues, IL-33 alone seems dispensable for S. mansoni maturation and its absence may not affect much the accumulation of eggs in intestinal tissues. The transient impairment of type 2 immunity observed in the intestines, but not spleens, highlights the importance of IL-33 over IL-25 and TSLP in initiating, but not maintaining, locally-induced type 2 immunity in intestinal tissues during schistosome infection. Further studies are needed to decipher the role of each of them in schistosomiasis and clarify the possible interactions that might exist between them.
Medication Adherence Support of an In-home Electronic Medication Dispensing System for Individuals living with Chronic Conditions: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Arain Mubashir , Ahmad Armghan , Chiu Venus , Kembel Lorena 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Medication adherence is challenging for older adults due to factors, such as the number of medications, dosing schedule, and the duration of drug therapy. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an in-home electronic medication dispensing system (MDS) on improving medication adherence and health perception in older adults with chronic conditions.Methods: A pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted using a two-arm parallel assignment model. The intervention group used an MDS as their medication management method. The control group continued to use their current methods of medication management. Block randomization was used to assign participants into the intervention or control group. The inclusion criteria included 1) English speaking 2) age 50 and over 3) diagnosed with one or more chronic condition(s) 4) currently taking five or more oral medications 5) City of Calgary resident. Participants were recruited from a primary care clinic in Alberta, Canada. The study was open label where knowledge about group assigned to participants after randomization was not withheld. Medication adherence was captured over a continuous, six-month period and analyzed using Intention-to-Treat (ITT) analysis.Results: A total of 91 participants were assessed for eligibility and 50 were randomized into the two groups. The number of participants analyzed for ITT was 23 and 25 in the intervention and control group, respectively. Most of the demographic characteristics were comparable in the two groups except mean age of the intervention group, which was higher compared to the control group (63.96±7.86 versus 59.52±5.93, p-value=0.03). The average recorded adherence over 26 weeks was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (98.35%±2.15% versus 91.17%±9.76%, p<0.01). The self-rated medication adherence in the intervention group also showed a significant increase from baseline to 6-month (7.63±1.63 versus 9.13±0.81, p<0.01). The control group showed a non-significant increase (7.20±1.74 versus 8.27±2.09, p=0.07).Conclusion: MDS can be an effective, long-term solution to medication non-adherence in older adults experiencing chronic conditions and taking multiple medications. The technology induces better consistency and improvement in medication taking behaviour than simple, non-technological intervention.Trial Registration: Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on April 09, 2020 with identifier NCT04339296.
Influence of flow rate, fluid temperature, and extension line on Hotline and S-line heating capability: an in vitro study
Authors: Kim Hosu , Kim Tae Kyong , Yoo Sukha , Kim Jin-Tae 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background A fluid warmer can prevent hypothermia during the perioperative period. This study evaluated the heating capabilities of Hotline and Barkey S-line under different flow rates and initial fluid temperatures, as well as after the extension line installation. Methods We measured the temperature of a 0.9% sodium chloride solution at the fluid warmer outlet (TProx) and the extension line end (TDistal) with three different initial fluid temperatures (room, warm, and cold) and two flow rates (250 ml/hr and 100 mL/hr). Results At a 250 ml/hr flow rate, the TProx and TDistal values were observed to be higher in Hotline than in S-line when using room-temperature or cold fluid. Administering of the warm fluid at the same flow rate significantly increased the TProx and TDistal values in S-line more than the cold and room-temperature fluids. At flow rates of 100 ml/hr, TDistal values were significantly lower than TProx values in both devices regardless of the initial fluid temperature. Conclusions Hotline outperformed S-line for warming fluids at a high flow rate with cold or room-temperature fluids. Administering warm fluid in S-line prevented a decrease in the fluid temperature at a high flow rate. However, at a low flow rate, the fluid temperature significantly decreased in both devices after passing through an extension line.
Identification of the Neuropeptide Precursor Genes Potentially Involved in the Larval Settlement in the Echiuran Worm Urechis unicinctus
Authors: Hou Xitan , Qin Zhenkui , Wei Maokai , Fu Zhong , Liu Ruonan , Lu Li , Bai Shumiao , Ma Yubin , Zhang Zhifeng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: In marine invertebrate life cycles, which often consist of planktonic larval and benthonic adult stages, settlement of the free-swimming larva to the sea ﬂoor in response to environmental cues is a key life cycle transition. Settlement is regulated by a specialized sensory–neurosecretory system, the larval apical organ. The neuroendocrine mechanisms through which the apical organ transduces environmental cues into behavioral responses during settlement are not fully understood yet.Results: In this study, a total of 54 neuropeptide precursors (pNPs) were identified in the Urechis unicinctus larva and adult transcriptome databases using local BLAST and NpSearch prediction, of which 10 pNPs belonging to the ancient eumetazoa, 24 pNPs belonging to the ancient bilaterian, 3 pNPs belonging to the ancient protostome, 9 pNPs exclusive in lophotrochozoa, 3 pNPs exclusive in annelid, and 5 pNPs only found in U. unicinctus. Furthermore, four pNPs (MIP, FRWamide, FxFamide and FILamide) which may be associated with the settlement and metamorphosis of U. unicinctus larvae were analysed by qRT-PCR. Whole-mount in situ hybridization results showed that all the four pNPs were expressed in the region of the apical organ of the larva, and the positive signals were also detected in the ciliary band and abdomen chaetae. We speculated that these pNPs may regulate the movement of larval cilia and chaeta by sensing external attachment signals.Conclusions: This study represents the ﬁrst comprehensive identiﬁcation of neuropeptides in Echiura, and would contribute to a complete understanding on the roles of various neuropeptides in larval settlement of most marine benthonic invertebrates.