bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective study of orthodontic patients with pre-treatment gingival recessions
Authors: Antanaviciene Guoste , Smailiene Dalia , Baseviciene Nomeda , Zasciurinskiene Egle 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: The occurrence of gingival recessions (GR) after orthodontic treatment (OT) is well described in the literature. However, there is a lack of information about changes to pre-existing GR during OT.
Methods: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the change of GR before and after OT. Intraoral photographs of 993 patients treated with fixed appliances between 2005 and 2017 were evaluated. Patients who had at least one GR on the vestibular surface of maxillary/mandibular teeth mesial to first molars were included. GR was measured on good quality plaster models before and after OT. The change of GR (T0-T1) was categorised into the three groups: worsened, did not change and improved (this group consisted of GR, which became better but did not disappear, and fully healed, which disappeared after OT)). The change of GR by ≥0.5 mm was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics (Version 22.0. Armonk, NY).
Results: Fifty-one (5.1%) patient had ≥1 GR before OT. Of them, 37 (72.5%) patients were included in the final analysis according to the inclusion criteria. GR before OT was found on 114 buccal/labial surfaces. The mean GR improvement was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.63) mm (p<0.001). GR improved in 71 teeth (62.3%), did not change in 37 (32.4%), and worsened in 6 (5.3%). Of the 71 GR, which improved, full healing was observed in 15 (21.1%) teeth. GR had a greater chance of improvement in cases with a thick/normal gingival biotype compared with the thin biotype (OR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.07; 5.28) (p=0.03). There was a lower chance for GR improvement in cases with pre-treatment open bite (OR 3.29; 95% CI: 1.10; 9.81) (p=0.03) and Class III patients (OR 2.79; 95% CI: 1.14; 6.83) (p=0.03).
Conclusions: Based on the results of this retrospective study, we conclude that orthodontic treatment may change and even influence the healing of GR.
Albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio serves as a prognostic indicator in unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Zhang Ke , Dong Shu , Jing Yan-Hua , Gao Hui-Feng , Chen Lian-Yu , Hua Yong-Qiang , Chen Hao , Chen Zhen 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Recent evidence suggests that albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio (AAPR) functions as a novel prognostic marker in several malignancies. However, whether it can predict the prognosis of unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. Herein, we seek to explore this possibility by a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Methods This was a retrospective design in which 419 patients diagnosed with unresectable PDAC and receiving chemotherapy were recruited. Patients were stratified based on the cutoff value of AAPR. The PSM analysis was used to identify 156 well-balanced patients in each group for overall survival (OS) comparison and subgroup analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to examine the potential of AAPR to indicate the prognosis of unresectable PDAC. Results We identified an AAPR of 0.4 to be the optimal cutoff for OS prediction. Patients with AAPR≤0.4 had significantly shorter OS compared with patients with AAPR>0.4 (6.4 versus 9.3 months; P<0.001). Based on the PSM cohort and entire cohort, multivariate Cox analysis revealed that high pretreatment for AAPR was an independent marker predicting favorable survival in unresectable PDAC (hazard ratio, 0.556; 95% confidence interval, 0.408 to 0.757; P<0.001). Significant differences in OS were observed in all subgroups except for the group of patients age≤60. Conclusions Pretreatment AAPR is an effective marker that predicts outcomes of patients with unresectable PDAC, potentially helping clinicians to identify patients at high risk and guide individualized treatment.
Phaeomelanin matters: redness associates with inter-individual differences in behaviour and hormone profiles in male Scops owls (Otus scops)
Authors: MIRALLES ANGEL CRUZ , Avilés Jesús M. , Chastel Olivier , Expósito-Granados Mónica , Parejo Deseada 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Individuals within populations often show consistent variation in behavioural and physiological traits, which are frequently inter-correlated, potentially leading to phenotypic integration. Understanding the mechanisms behind such integration is a key task in evolutionary ecology, and melanism has been suggested to play a pivotal role. In birds, most of plumage colour variation is determined by two types of melanin, eumelanin and phaeomelanin, but the role of melanin in avian phenotype integration has mostly been analysed in relation to eumelanin. Here we test for covariation between phaeo-melanin-based coloration, behavioural traits (i.e. nest territoriality, response against researchers, breath rate and parental behaviour) and corticosterone profiles in the polymorphic scops owl Otus scops , a bird species in which more phaeomelanic individuals display reddish colorations. Results: In males, we observed differences between red and grey individuals in latency to return to the nest after being disturbed and in feather CORT. Reddish males took longer to return to their nests and showed higher levels of feather CORT than grey ones. Behaviour and CORT profiles did not differ between red and grey females. Conclusions: The found associations between redness, behaviour and CORT in males, but not in females, might suggest the existence of a sex-specific integrated phaeomelanic phenotype, likely due to pleiotropy, in scops owls.
Circular RNAs Serve as Prognostic, Diagnostic and Clinicopathological Markers in Lung Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liang Zhuozheng , Chen Cui , Guo Cheng , Meng Ping , Zou Manman , Zhang Liyi , Liu Hui , Zhang Tiantuo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
In recent years, the roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the biogenesis and clinical application have gradually garnered much interest in the field of cancer research. However, high-quality studies evaluating the roles of circRNAs in clinicopathological feature and clinical application of lung cancer are still unrevealed. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the functions of circRNAs in the association with prognosis, diagnosis and clinicopathology in lung cancer. Comprehensive and reasonable search strategies were used in four databases up to Nov. 24th 2019. A total of 50 studies with 3815 patients were incorporated into our meta-analysis, in which 42 focused on clinical characteristics, 10 related with diagnosis (16 items were eligible), and 31 were aimed at prognosis. In terms of clinical characteristics, both odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were shown that circRNAs were significantly associated with TNM, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, distal metastasis and tumor size in lung cancer. For diagnosis, both upregulated and downregulated circRNAs distinguished patients with lung cancer from healthy people with pooled sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe) and area under curve (AUC), of which the values were 0.78, 0.76 and 0.81 respectively. In the section of prognosis, circRNAs can better predict the survival time of patients with lung cancer (overall survival, OS: HR=0.46, 95%Cl: 0.33–0.65 in downregulated circRNAs; HR=2.23, 95%CI :1.97-2.53 in upregulated circRNAs). In summary, the results presented here suggested that circRNAs were the potent cancer biomarkers in clinicopathology, diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer patients, which deserve further application in clinical practice.
mTORC1/NF-κB axis controls amino acid catabolism by regulating the expression of the key enzymes in human hepatocytes
Authors: Zhang Meng , Fu Yuting , Chen Yuhao , Ma Yuze , Guo Zhixin , Wang Yanfeng , Hao Huifang , Fu Quan , Wang Zhigang 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background

In addition to serving as building blocks for protein synthesis, amino acids also provide energy and precursors that are used by cells through catabolism. Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a central coordinator of cellular metabolism. However, little is known regarding the function of mTORC1 in amino acid catabolism. The aims of this study were to explore the mechanism by which mTORC1 controls the conversion of glutamate to α-ketoglutarate and ornithine to putrescine, and mTORC1 regulates the expression amino acid catabolism-related genes in hepatocyte.

Methods

HL-7702 hepatocytes were treated with glutamate, ornithine, rapamycin or SC75741, alone or in combination; the plasmids pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-shRaptor and pIRES2-EGFP-Rheb were transfected into HL-7702 cells to silencing Raptor or overexpressing Rheb . The intracellular content of glutamate, oxaloacetate, α-ketoglutaric acid, and aspartic acid, and the intracellular level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) were measured by ELISA. The concentrations of intracellular ornithine and putrescine were measured by HPLC. The mRNA level of amino acid catabolism-related genes was detected by qRT-PCR, and the protein level of mTORC1 and NF-κB was investigated by western blot.

Results

Our data showed that rapamycin inhibits the utilization of glutamate and ornithine in HL-7702 hepatocytes. mTORC1 regulates the expression of AST and ODC through the transcription factor NF-κB in response to glutamate or ornithine. Further, inactivated mTORC1 by Raptor silencing downregulated the expression of AST , ODC , GDH and GAD , while enhanced mTORC1 by Rheb overexpression upregulated NF-κB activation and the indicated genes expression in hepatocytes. Inhibited NF-κB by inhibitor SC75741 decreased the AST , ODC , GDH , and GAD expression.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that mTORC1 regulates amino acid catabolism by inducing the expression of AST , ODC , GDH , and GAD , which is mediated by NF-κB. This finding constitutes a novel mechanism by which amino acid catabolism is regulated in hepatocytes.
Amorphous calcium phosphate NPs-mediated macrophage response and modulate BMSCs osteogenesis
Authors: Chen Liangjiao , Qiao Pengyan , Liu Hongcheng , Shao Longquan 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Objective:To evaluate macrophage responses to ACP nanoparticles and the effect of ACP nanoparticle/macrophage-modulated environments on the osteogenic ability of BMSCs.Materials and methods:Macrophage polarization and cytokine expression were determined by SEM, cytoskeletal staining, RT-PCR and ELISA. ROS and autophagy expression were evaluated. TMT™ quantitative protein analysis was used to evaluate protein expression. BMSC osteogenic differentiation was detected by ALP staining, Alizarin Red solution staining and RT-PCR.ResultsACP nanoparticles changed macrophage morphology and polarized into M1 type. ACP nanoparticles promoted autophagy and induced the production of ROS at high concentrations. ACP nanoparticle/macrophage-modulated environments weakened the osteogenic ability of BMSCs.ConclusionACP nanoparticles polarize macrophages into the M1 phenotype. ACP nanoparticle/macrophage-modulated environments weaken the osteogenic ability of BMSCs.
Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis of the Knee Joint Requiring Synovectomy and Arthrotomy
Authors: Patel Kavina , Ahmad Farhan , Leon J.C. De , Buttacavoli Frank 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThis article presents a case of an immunocompetent patient from an endemic area diagnosed with disseminated coccidioidomycosis of the knee joint, which was unusually severe and required operative management.Case presentationA 49-year-old patient with a history of pulmonary coccidiomyocosis presented with right knee pain and multiple symptomatic abscesses beneath the suprapatellar and infrapatellar fat pads. Arthocentesis and culture confirmed the infection, and open synovectomy, arthrotomy and drainage of the infection was performed without complication.ConclusionsDisseminated coccidioidomycosis is an uncommon fungal infection that may involve joints and become refractory to pharmacotherapy. Management may require surgical intervention along with infectious disease consultation and close follow-up. Patients from endemic regions should be evaluated with a comprehensive history for this disease.
Testing the Restrictiveness and Generalizability of Randomized Controlled Trial Population Sampling using a Failed Perioperative Beta-Blocker Trial
Authors: Titz Markus , Schwameis Michael , Kienbacher Calvin , Buchtele Nina , Roth Dominik , Duma Andreas , Nagele Peter , Schörgenhofer Christian , Herkner Harald 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe limited applicability of evidence from randomized controlled trials in real word practice is considered a potential bottleneck for evidence-based practice but rarely systematically assessed. Using our failure to recruit patients into a perioperative beta-blocker trial, we set out to analyse the restrictiveness and generalizability of trial eligibility criteria in a real-world cohort.MethodsWe included adult patients scheduled for elective major non-cardiac surgery at an academic tertiary care facility who were screened for inclusion in a planned perioperative beta-blocker RCT, which was terminated due to recruitment failure. Primary outcome was the proportion of screened patients who matched the eligibility criteria of 36 published RCTs included in a large Cochrane meta-analysis on perioperative beta-blocker therapy. The PRECIS-2 tool was used to assess the pragmatism/explanatory level of each RCT. ResultsA total of 2,241 patients were included for the assessment of trial-eligibility. Overall, eligibility proportions were low and ranged from 53% to 0%. The average proportion of patients who did match the eligibility criteria of all 36 RCTs was 6.5% (n=145, 95% confidence interval 6.3 to 6.6). There was no major criterion causing trial-ineligibility of study patients. A higher PRECIS-2 score was associated with a higher proportion of matching patients (p<0.001).ConclusionsTrial eligibility criteria in perioperative beta-blocker therapy trials are overly restrictive and not generalizable to a real-world population.
Alarming rate of transmitted drug resistance mutations and genetic diversity in newly HIV-1-infected patients in Benin
Authors: Tchiakpe Edmond , Keke Rene K , Vidal Nicole , Ahoussinou Clément , Sekpe Olga , Dagba Hermione G , Gbaguidi Eric , Tonoukouen Conrad , Afangnihoun Aldric , Bachabi Moussa , Gangbo Armande F , Harrigan Richard , Diop-Ndiaye Halimatou , Toure-Kane Coumba 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSeventeen years after the start of the IBAARV (Beninese initiative for access to antiretrovirals), transmitted drug resistance mutations in ARV naïve patients and HIV-1 genetic diversity were investigated in Benin.Methods353 plasma samples were collected between October and December 2017 in nineteen facilities care in Benin from HIV-1 positive and ARV naive individuals. Pol (protease + partial RT) region was amplified and sequenced in 248 samples.ResultsDrug resistance mutations were detected in (27/248; 10.9%) according to the WHO SDRM 2009 list, with predominance of mutations directed to NNRTIs drugs (24/248; 10%).Phylogenetic and recombination analyses showed a predominance of CRF02_AG strains (165/248; 66.5%) and a high genetic diversity with five other variants and 39 URFs (15.7%) which contained portions of strains that co-circulate in Benin. Eight recent transmission chains revealed active ongoing transmission of HIV-1 strains among ARV naïve patients.ConclusionsOur study showed a high primary drug resistance rate and a complex genetic diversity. Regular monitoring of primary drug resistance is required to adapt HIV-1 treatment strategies and adoption of new WHO recommendations in Benin.
Influence of physical activity on serum vitamin D levels in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bauer Angelika , Lechner Ivan , Auer Michael , Berger Thomas , Bsteh Gabriel , Pauli Franziska Di , Hegen Harald , Wurth Sebastian , Zinganell Anne , Deisenhammer Florian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: In most cases, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients reduce physical activity with disease progression and many patients are found to be vitamin D deficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily physical activity in everyday life on 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 (25(OH)D3) serum levels in mildly disabled patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 4.Methods: We analyzed serum 25(OH)D3 levels and recorded daily physical activity (activity duration, number of steps, distance, total calorie consumption) using an activity tracker for 14-days in 25 women and 15 men. Participants recorded their daily sun exposure time by diary during the study period.Results: We found a positive correlation between physical activity and 25(OH)D3 levels in both, Pearson correlation (r = 0.221) and multivariate regression analysis (B = 0.308, β = 0.236), which was stronger than correlation with sunlight exposure (B = -0.044, β = -0.081). EDSS and physical activity were weakly correlated (r = -0.228), but no correlation between EDSS and 25(OH)D3 levels was found (r = -0.077). There were no relevant differences in physical activity (p = 0.803) and 25(OH)D3 concentrations (p = 0.385) between the EDSS groups 0 – 1.5 and 2.0 – 4.0.Conclusion: Physical activity has an independent effect on vitamin D levels in MS patients with low-grade disability.
The influence of prior arthroscopy on subsequent total knee arthroplasty: the comparison in the same patient
Authors: shen rui , HU Chuan , Wang Cai-lin , XU Kui-shuai , Wang Yuan-he , SUN Kang , TIAN Shao-qi , Rao huili , Ye jianjun , Ye lin 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore whether prior arthroscopic knee surgery affects future total knee arthroplasty or not Methods : A total of 36 patients with prior arthroscopy who underwent total knee arthroplasty in the department of orthopedics, affiliated hospital of Qingdao University from September 2013 to July 2017 were collected. We defined the knee with a prior arthroscopy history as group A, and the other side as group B. Using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to test normality of continuous variables, and the chi-square test was applied to compare the rate of reoperation and complication between two groups. For all statistical comparisons, P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no statistical significance in postoperative Knee Society clinical score and functional score between group A and group B, as well as ROM, FJS, VAS scores and local complications Conclusion : There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative functional recovery and complications in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty with prior knee arthroscopy.
Different airway smooth muscle cells phenotypes are involved in intrinsic and extrinsic obstruction in guinea pig asthma model
Authors: Alvarez-Santos Mayra D , Marisol Álvarez-González , Elizabeth Eslava-De Jesus , González-López Angel , Ivonne Pacheco-Alba , Yazmín Pérez-Del Valle , Rodrigo Rojas-Madrid , Bazan-Perkins Blanca 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Airway obstruction in asthma is driven by airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction. Airway obstruction can be induced extrinsically by direct stimulation of ASM with contractile agonists or by indirect provocation with antigens, while the airway baseline tone is dependent on intrinsic obstruction. The ASM phenotypes involved in all types of obstruction seem to be related.Methods: To determination the associations of the ASM phenotypes involved in different types of airway obstruction, guinea pigs were sensitized to ovalbumin and repetitively challenged with antigen. At the third challenge, histamine provocation was used to evaluate airway responsiveness (AR), and lung samples were obtained to calculate the airway wall area. ASM cells from the trachea were disaggregated to determine 1) the percentage of cells that expressed transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-13 (IL-13) and sarco-endoplasmic Ca2+ ATPase-2b (SERCA2b) by flow cytometry; 2) SERCA2B gene expression by RT-PCR; 3) the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) by ELISA; and 4) the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ refilling rate by microfluorometry. The control guinea pig group received only saline instead of ovalbumin. Comparisons were made using t-tests, and the associations were determined using Spearman correlation coefficient analysis.Results: Antigenic challenges induced airway obstruction and progressive incremental changes in airway baseline tone. The AR to histamine and the expression of TGF-β1 in ASM cells was increased in the asthma model. The airway wall mass and expression of IL-13 and SERCA2b in ASM cells were similar between groups. SERCA2B gene expression and GSH levels were reduced in the asthma group. The extent of antigen-induced airway obstruction was directly associated with ASM cell TGF-β1 expression and the degree of AR. The magnitude of AR and antigen-induced airway obstruction showed an inverse correlation with GSH levels. The airway baseline tone showed an inverse association with SERCA2b expression. No relationship was observed between direct or indirect airway obstruction and the airway tone. After caffeine withdrawal, the rate of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ refilling was similar in both groups.Conclusions: Each type of airway obstruction depends on different ASM phenotypes: 1) direct and indirect airway obstruction seems to be sensitive to the level of ASM oxidative stress; 2) indirect obstruction induced by antigen appears to be influenced by the expression of TGF-β1 in ASM; and 3) the SERCA2b expression level in ASM cells plays a role in the intrinsic airway tone.
Impact of physical activity on recurrence dynamics in early breast cancer patients
Authors: Biganzoli Elia Mario , Desmedt Christine , Demicheli Romano 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Several studies have suggested that pre and/or postdiagnosis physical activity can reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients, however its effect according to follow-up time has not yet been investigated. Methods We analyzed recurrence and mortality dynamics in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from Australia and Canada. The combined Australian RCTs evaluated, at median follow-up of 8.3 years, an 8-month pragmatic exercise intervention in 337 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, while the Canadian RCT evaluated, at median follow-up of 7.4 years, supervised aerobic or resistance exercise during chemotherapy in 242 patients. For each RCT, the control arm consisted of patients undergoing usual care. We estimated the event dynamics by the discrete hazard function, through flexible regression of yearly conditional event probabilities with generalized additive models. Results In the considered RCTs, the recurrence and mortality risk of patients enrolled in the physical activity arm was stably reduced at medium/long term after five year of follow-up. In the Australian RCTs where patients were recruited by urban versus rural area, the latter group did not display benefit from physical activity. Estimated Odds Ratios (95% Confidence Intervals) for Disease Free Survival (DFS) in urban women were 0.63 (0.22-1.85); 0.27 (0.079-0.90); 0.11 (0.013-0.96) at the 3rd, 5th and 7th year of follow-up, respectively. For rural women, DFS patterns were overlapping with ORs approximating 1 at the different years of follow-up. Although not reaching statistical evidence, the estimates in the Canadian trial were in line with the results from the Australian urban women with ORs (95% CI) forDFS of 0.70 (0.33-1.50); 0.47 (0.19-1.18); 0.32 (0.077-1.29) at 3rd, 5th, 7th follow-up year, respectively. Conclusions While we acknowledge that the analyzed RCTs were not designed for investigating disease recurrence over time, these results support the evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of developing medium/long-term metastases. Additional translational research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these observations.