bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moderate Degeneration of the Lumbar Paravertebral Muscle in Patients With Dynamic Sagittal Imbalance,A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ru Nan , Wang Guodong , Li Yang , Cui Xingang , Sun Jianmin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.Background: Sagittal imbalance of the spine is a comprehensive concept and can be caused by many causes. Paravertebral muscle is an important factor in the stabilization of spine.The active subsystem formed by the muscles around the lumbar spine plays an important role in maintaining lumbar spine stability and extendding the spine . Clinically, we found that some patients showed spinal sagittal balance when they were energetic, but hunched or leaning forward after a period of walking or working.Standing full-spine lateral digital radiographs shows increased sagittal vertical axis (SVA)dynamically.We call this symptoms a dynamic sagittal imbalance（DSI. However, the sagittal sequence, paravertebral muscle changes, and the correlation between them in DSI patients have not been clearly explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of spinal-pelvic parameters; paravertebral muscle; and the relationship between the two in DSI patients .Method: The study group comprised 31 patients with DSI and 42 control patients.All subjects underwent radiologic whole spine X-ray examination and lumbar MRI( Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanning. Spinal-pelvic parameters such as sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT) and pelvic incidence (PI) was measured. The cross-sectional areas （CSA）of the erector spinae (ES),multiﬁdus (MF), and vertebral body were measured at L2/L3 and L4/L5. The fat infiltration (FI) and relative cross-sectional area (RCSA)of muscle of these muscles were quantitatively measured though Image J. All subjects were examined for bone mineral density and pulmonary function to test the overall skeletal muscle capacity.Result: Compared with the control group,the DSI group had a smaller lumbar lordosis，more severe fat infiltration and lower Relative functional cross-sectional area(RFCSA) of paravertebral muscle ES(erector spinae)&MF(multifidus). There was no correlation between muscle degeneration and spinal-pelvic parameters in DSI patients.In addition,There were no statistically significant differences in bone mineral density test and pulmonary function test which reflected systemic skeletal muscle capacity of whole body.Conclusion: DSI，along with moderate degeneration of the paravertebral muscles of the lumbar spine.Usually accompanied by a reduction in lumbar lordosis. DSI is regards as the pre-state of PDSI.
The Microbiota Diversity Following Antibiotic Treatment of Clostridium Difficile Infection
Authors: Binyamin Dana , Nitzan Orna , Azrad Maya , Hamo Zohar , Koren Omry , peretz Avi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a major nosocomial pathogen that infects the human gut and can cause diarrheal disease. A dominant risk factor is antibiotic treatment that disrupts the normal gut microbiota. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between antibiotic treatment received prior to C. difficile infection (CDI) onset and patient gut microbiota.Methods: Stool samples were collected from patients with CDI, presenting at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center Poriya, Israel. Demographic and clinical information, including previous antibiotic treatments, was collected from patient charts, and CDI severity score was calculated. Bacteria were isolated from stool samples, and gut microbiome was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform and QIIME2.Results: In total, 84 patients with C. difficile infection were enrolled in the study; all had received antibiotics prior to disease onset. Due to comorbidities, 46 patients (55%) had received more than one class of antibiotics. The most common class of antibiotics used was cephalosporins (n=44 cases). The intestinal microbiota of the patients was not uniform. Differences in intestinal microbiome were influenced by the different combinations of antibiotics that the patients had received (p = 0.022)Conclusions: The number of different antibiotics administered has a major impact on the CDI patients gut microbiome, mainly on bacterial richness.
Level of anxiety caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic among dentists in Poland.
Authors: Rusyan Ewa , Mielczarek Agnieszka , Kapała Agnieszka , Adamczyk Kamil , Piec Robert , Piec Barbara Szykuła- 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The early information on both the speed and high morbidity rate and, above all, mortality, triggered the symptoms of COVID-19-related panic and anxiety. Dentists were listed in the top five professions with the highest risk of transmission of the virus. The paper aimed to assess the level of anxiety among dentists in Poland. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey questionnaire. The study used a tool developed by the team of Ahorsu et al. The COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) translated into the Polish language. The online questionnaire was completed by 356 dentists. Results: In the studied population of dentists, the perceived level of anxiety associated with COVID -19 should be considered relatively low. Both gender and work experience had no significant impact on their level. When the respondents had children, lived with the elderly, or looked after them the observed level of anxiety was higher and physical symptoms such as sweating palms and increased heart rate occurred.Conclusion: Despite the high risk of infection, the tested low level of anxiety among dentists is a positive predictor of the appropriate level of medical services provided by this group of doctors.
Sema4C induces the endothelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor-associated lymphatic endothelial cells in cervical cancer via the ERK pathway
Authors: Peng Jin , Liu Xijiang , Li Chengcheng , Gao Min , Wang Hongyan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process that increases the promigratory abilities of endothelial cells (ECs). Although lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) plays a positive role in tumor lymphatic metastasis, the regulation of LECs undergoing EndMT remains poorly understood. Previous study indicated that Semaphorin 4C (Sema4C) could be a marker of LECs in cervical cancer. Here, we try to understand the mechanism that Sema4C could promote LECs to get mesenchymal characters and enhance lymphatic metastasis in cervical cancer.
Methods: The co-location of Sema4C and lymphatic marker LYVE1 was verified by confocal laser scanning. Primary tumor-associated LECs (TLECs) were distinguished from cervical cancer by flow cytometry from a mouse xenograft cervical tumor model. The promigratory ability was assessed using the Transwell test. Lentivirus infection was used to alter the expression of Sema4C in TLECs and the infection efficiency was tested by confocal laser scanning. The phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) signaling pathway was measured using the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) ,as well as quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis.
Results: Sema4C and LYVE1 co-located on TLECs. Primary TLECs were successfully separated and cultured. Overexpressing Sema4C by lentivirus infection stimulated the invasive capacity of TLECs and downregulated E-cadherin, whereas knocking down Sema4C had the opposite effects. TLECs pro-migratory ability was found to depend on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, as the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) reversed Sema4C-induced E-cadherin expression and migration ability.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the Sema4C-ERK-E-cadherin pathway appears to be critical for the EndMT of TLECs, which might promote lymph node metastasis. Thus, Sema4C could be a promising target for the treatment of cervical cancer with lymphatic metastasis.
Machine Learning to Guide the use of Adjuvant Therapies for Breast Cancer
Authors: Alaa Ahmed , Gurdasani Deepti , Harris Adrian , Rashbass Jem , Schaar Mihaela van der 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Accurate prediction of the individualized survival benefit of adjuvant therapy is key to making informed therapeutic decisions for patients with early invasive breast cancer. Here, we use a state-of the-art automated and interpretable machine learning algorithm to develop a breast cancer prognostication and treatment benefit prediction model — Adjutorium — using data from large-scale cohorts of nearly 1 million women captured in the national cancer registries of the United Kingdom and the United States. We trained and internally validated the Adjutorium model on 395,862 patients from the UK National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS); we then externally validated the model among 571,635 patients from the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Adjutorium exhibited significantly improved accuracy compared to the major prognostic tool in current clinical use (PREDICT v2.1) in both internal and external validation (AUC-ROC for 5-year survival prediction in NCRAS was 0.835, 95% CI: 0.833–0.837 and 0.755, 95% CI: 0.753–0.757 for Adjutorium and PREDICT v2.1. In SEER, the AUC-ROC performance was 0.815, 95% CI: 0.813–0.817 and 0.775, 95% CI: 0.772–0.778 for Adjutorium and PREDICT v2.1, respectively). Importantly, our model substantially improved accuracy in specific subgroups known to be under-served by existing models. Adjutorium is currently implemented as a web-based decision support tool (vanderschaar-lab.com/adjutorium/) to aid decisions on adjuvant therapy in women with early breast cancer, and can be publicly accessed by patients and clinicians worldwide.
Association of The Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 +49G/A Gene Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Malignant Bone Tumors
Authors: Guo Ningfeng , Wu Yaojun , Hu Yueming 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Earlier research works have studied the part that cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) plays in the carcinogenesis of malignant bone tumors, nonetheless, findings had inconsistency. The current investigation aims at clarifying the association between CTLA-4 polymorphism and malignant bone tumor susceptibility through the meta-analysis.Methods We searched pertinent research works in not just PubMed, but also EMBASE, Cochrane library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases in humans published before October 2019. The use of the pooled odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was made for estimating the strengths of the correlation existing between the CTLA-4 genetic polymorphism and malignant bone tumors susceptibility. An aggregate of six research works with 1191 malignant bone tumors patients and 1418 controls were selected eventually. The pooled results shed light on the fact that CTLA-4 +49G/A polymorphism had a significant correlation with an augmented vulnerability to the malignant bone tumors (A vs. G: OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.22-1.54; GA vs. GG: OR=1.20, 95%CI=1.01-1.42; AA vs. GG: OR=2.13, 95%CI=1.63-2.78; GA+AA vs. GG: OR=1.35, 95%CI=1.15-1.59; AA vs. GG+GA: OR=2.02, 95%CI=1.60-2.56). Subgroup analysis indicated that there exists a statistically significant correlation between CTLA-4 +49G/A polymorphism and augmented susceptibility to the malignant bone tumor in the population-based or hospital-based samples, and Ewing’s sarcoma or osteosarcoma. Moreover, there was also not observed any considerable heterogeneity across the research works. Results Our results suggest that the CTLA-4 +49G/A polymorphism may play a pivotal part in the carcinogenesis of malignant bone tumors. Conclusions More research works, on the basis of the large sample sizes as well as homogeneous specimens, are needed in order to verify these results.
Genomic and Histological Analysis of Helicobacter Himalayensis Sp. Nov. Isolated From Marmota Himalayana to Discovery the Potential Human Pathogen
Authors: Hu Shouhui , Niu Lina , Wu Lei , Zhu Xiaoxue , Cai Yu , Jin Dong , Yan Linlin , Zhao Fan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Helicobacter himalayensis was isolated from Marmota himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, and is a new non-H. pylori species, with unclear taxonomy, phylogeny, and pathogenicity. Methods and results: A comparative genomic analysis was performed between the H. himalayensis type strain 80(YS1) and other the genomes of Helicobacter species present in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database to explore the molecular evolution and potential pathogenicity of H. himalayensis. We also compared the lesions of gastrointestinal tissue samples from H. himalayensis-positive Marmota himalayana with H. himalayensis-negative Marmota himalayana using histology. H. himalayensis 80(YS1)T formed a clade with H. cinaedi and H. hepaticus that was phylogenetically distant from H. pylori. The genome of 80(YS1)T comprised 1,829,936 bp, with a 39.9% GC content, a predicted genomic island, and 1,910 predicted proteins. Comparatively, H. himalayensis has more genes for functions in “cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis” and “nucleotide transport and metabolism” sub-branches than the other compared helicobacters, and its genome contained 42 virulence factors genes, including that encoding cytolethal distending toxin (CDT). Histologically, the gastrointestinal mucosa of H. himalayensis-infected Marmota himalayana showed obvious lesions, implying that H. himalayensis is pathogenic to its host. Conclusions: We characterized the H. himalayensis 80(YS1)T genome, its phylogenetic position, and its potential pathogenicity. 80(YS1)T may be pathogenic to animals or humans; however, further understanding of the pathogenesis of this potentially pathogenic bacterium is required, which might help to manage H. himalayensis-induced diseases.
Bioavailable iron produced through benthic cycling in glaciated Arctic fjords (Svalbard)
Authors: Laufer Katja , Michaud Alexander , Maisch Markus , Byrne James , Kappler Andreas , Patterson Molly , Røy Hans , Jørgensen Bo Barker 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The Arctic has the highest warming rates world-wide. Glaciated fjord ecosystems, which are known hotspots of carbon cycling and burial, are predicted to be extremely sensitive to this warming. Glaciers are important sources of iron, an essential nutrient for phytoplankton, to high-latitude marine ecosystems. However, up to 95% of the glacially-sourced iron settles in sediments close to the glacial source. We found that only 0.6-12% of the total glacially-sourced iron is potentially bioavailable. Our results also show that biogeochemical cycling in fjord sediments converts the unreactive glacial iron into more reactive and bioavailable phases, leading to an up to 9-fold increase in the amount of potentially bioavailable iron. Arctic fjord sediments therefore likely are an important source of bioavailable iron. However, once glaciers retreat onto land, the flux of iron from sediments into the water column is reduced, such that glacial retreat could exacerbate iron limitation in polar oceans.
Rationing and triage of scarce, lifesaving therapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic - a cross-sectional, social media-driven, scenario-based online query of societal attitudes
Authors: Muensterer Oliver J. , Gianicolo Emilio A. , Paul Norbert W. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The recent COVID-19 pandemic made us aware that medical resources are limited. When demand for essential resources surpasses availability, difficult triaging decisions are necessary. While algorithms exist, almost nothing is known on societal attitudes regarding triage criteria.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted via social media channels to query a broad sample of society. Participants were asked to make triage decisions in case-based vignettes, exploring a variety of factors. They also were asked to assess how sure they were about their decisions, and how such decisions should be reached.Results The survey was completed in full by 1626 participants in April 2020. Median age was 39 years (range 12-80 years), 984 (61%) were female. Patient prognosis, responsibility towards others, the absence of behavior-induced co-morbidities, and younger age were rated the most important triage criteria, while participants found that insurance status, social status, and nationality should not play a substantial role. Ethics-committees and point systems were regarded potentially helpful for triage decision-making, while decisions based on order of presentation (first-come first-serve) or on a legal basis were viewed critically. Participants were least sure about their decision when dealing with age or behavior-induced co-morbidities. Overall, women were surer about their decisions than men, participants of Christian faith were also more secure about their decision than atheists-agnostics.Conclusions This study uses social media to generate insight into public opinion and attitudes regarding triage criteria and modalities. These findings may be helpful for the development of future medical triage algorithms.
Comparative transcriptome analysis to reveal putative genes responsible for high theacrine content in Kucha (Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang)
Authors: Li Hongjian , Fang Kaixing , Qin Dandan , Jiang Xiaohui , Wang Qiushuang , Pan Chendong , Li Bo , Wang Qing , Wu Hualing 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The purine alkaloid theacrine, synthesized in a high amount in Kucha (Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang), has shown multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-depression, dehydration and hypnotic activities. It is critical to better understand the theacrine metabolism at the molecular level for future breeding programs. Results: In this study, we carried out comparative transcriptome analysis of Kucha (Kucha-6 and Kucha-11) and conventional varieties (Yinghong 9 and Qingxin 1). HPLC showed that Kucha synthesized more than 27-fold theacrine in comparison to conventional varieties. A total of ~ 671.61 million high quality clean reads were yield, and 71.42 ~ 76.87% of these were aligned to the reference genome for each library. Among the 19,095 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified by a pairwise comparison approach, a pool of 1,142 common DEGs between Kucha and conventional varieties were screened. Functional annotation allowed the identified of 20 oxidoreductase (OR) genes and seven methyltransferase (MT) genes with enhanced expression in Kucha, which might be associated with theacrine diversity in the examined materials. Particularly, two N-methyltransferase-encoding genes (TEA010054 and TEA022559) may catalyze the final methylation step during theacrine synthesis in Kucha. Conclusion: The current study focused on screening genes of theacrine formation in tea plant, which contributes to the elucidation of candidate genes and breeding tea plant with high theacrine content.
The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms, Hopelessness, and Perceived Burden on the Association Between Pain Intensity and Late-Life Suicide in Rural China: A Case–Control Psychological Autopsy Study
Authors: Wang Jiali , Ma Zhenyu , Jia Cunxian , Wang Guojun , Zhou Liang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Few studies have investigated the roles of psychosocial factors such as depressive symptoms and hopelessness on the relationship between pain and suicide with inconsistent results. The study aimed to analyze the impact of pain intensity on suicide death and to estimate the degree to which depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and perceived burden may explain the association in Chinese rural elderly. Methods: Using a 1: 1 matched case-control design, data were collected from 242 elderly suicide cases and 242 living community controls by psychological autopsy method in rural China, including demographic characteristics, pain intensity, depression, hopelessness, perceived burden, physical diseases, and social support. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the association between pain intensity and completed suicide. Mediation analysis using the KHB method was applied to explore the mediation effects from depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and perceived burden. Results: The result of multivariable logistic regression showed that unemployment (odds ratio (OR) =5.06, 95% confidential interval (CI): 1.76- 14.49), higher levels of hopelessness (OR=7.72, 95% CI: 3.49- 17.10), depressive symptom (OR=15.82, 95% CI: 4.53- 55.25), and severe pain (OR=3.46, 95% CI: 1.31- 9.13) were significantly associated with elevated suicide risk in older people in rural China. Depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and perceived burden significantly mediated 43.71% of the pain-suicide association ( P = 0.020), with 17.39% due to depressive symptoms, 17.63% due to hopelessness, and 8.69% due to perceived burden. Conclusions: Regular screening of pain, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and perceived burden using simple but sensitive questions or scales for older adults with pain are vital for the prevention and early detection of suicide risk in Chinese rural areas. Moreover, the importance of pain management and psychological interventions targeted on depressive symptoms and hopelessness should be emphasized.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals the relationship between cold-acclimation and vernalization
Authors: Li Fei , Hu Qian , Chen Fadi , Jiang Jiafu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background:

The relationship between cold acclimation and vernalization has been a hanging debate. Cold-acclimation is a cold-responding process that enable plants adapt to cold temperature in a rapid time. While vernalization is that plants flower by quantitative accumulation of cold exposure. 4℃ is both the acclimation temperature and vernalization temperature. We conducted transcriptomic analyses during 42 days 4℃ vernalization process to explore the whole process of transcriptional dynamics during vernalization and responding situation of short-term cold exposure in Arabidopsis
Results:

Brassinosteroid was found as the most sensitive hormone in response to cold shock. Phosphorylation played an important role in long-term temperature drop by time-course analysis. Independency between cold-acclimation and vernalization was confirmed based on time-lag initiation of these two pathways. Cold-acclimation suppress flowering after vernalization initiation by continuously blocking photoperiod and gibberellin (GA) pathway. FLM inhibited flowering in a FLM-β-upregulation and FLM-δ-independent way. Autonomous and aging pathway positively responded but did little contribution to flowering. Alternative splicing mechanism mediated cold responding through the whole vernalization process.
Conclusion

Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Cold-acclimation and vernalization are independent. Cold as winter signal either indirectly suppress flowering through cold-acclimation involved photoperiod and GA pathways or directly suppress flowering through thermosensory pathway. Additionally, alternative splicing mediation worked through the whole vernalization process.
Aberrant Methylation of the 16q22.1 Tumor Suppressor Gene CDH11 Promotes Tumorigenesis and Progression of Renal Cell Carcinoma through NF-kB Pathway
Authors: Xu Ben , Song Hai-feng , Luo Cheng , Liang Lei , Zhang Qian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.