bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphism rs368234815 of Interferon Lambda 4 Gene and Spontaneous Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus in Haemodialysis Patients: A Case Control Study
Authors: Grzegorzewska Alicja , Mostowska Adrianna , Świderska Monika , Marcinkowski Wojciech , Stolarek Ireneusz , Figlerowicz Marek , Jagodziński Paweł P. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
BackgroundIn non-uremic subjects, IFNL4 rs368234815 predicts the HCV clearance. We investigated whether rs368234815 is associated with spontaneous HCV clearance in haemodialysis patients and whether it is a stronger predictor of HCV resolution than the IFNL polymorphisms already associated with HCV clearance in haemodialysis subjects. An association of rs368234815 with survival and alterations in transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) caused by IFNL polymorphisms were also evaluated. MethodsAmong 161 haemodialysis patients with positive anti-HCV antibodies, 68 (42.2%) spontaneously resolved HCV infection, whereas 93 remained HCV RNA positive. Patients were tested for near IFNL3 rs12980275, IFNL3 rs4803217, IFNL4 rs12979860, IFNL4 rs368234815, and near IFNL4 rs8099917. IFNL4 rs368234815 polymorphism (TT/TT, ΔG/TT, ΔG/ΔG) was genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis; other IFNL polymorphisms - by high resolution melting curve analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test was used for survival analysis. In silico analysis included the use of ENCODE TFBS ChIP-seq data, HOCOMOCO, JASPAR CORE, and CIS-BP databases, and FIMO software. Results: The probability (OR, 95%CI, P) of spontaneous HCV clearance for rs368234815 TT/TT patients was higher than for the ΔG allele carriers (2.63, 1.38–5.04, 0.003). This probability for other major homozygotes varied between 2.80, 1.45–5.43, 0.002 for rs12980275 and 2.44, 1.27–4.69, 0.007 for rs12979860. In the additive model, rs368234815 TT/TT was the strongest predictor of HCV clearance (6.38, 1.69–24.2, 0.003). Survival analysis suggested an association of the ΔG allele with mortality due to neoplasms (log-rank P = 0.005). The rs368234815 ∆G allele caused TFBS removal for PLAGL1. ConclusionsIn haemodialysis patients, the association of rs368234815 with the spontaneous HCV clearance is better than that documented for other IFNL3/IFNL4 polymorphisms only in the additive mode of inheritance. However, an identification of the homozygosity in the variant ∆G allele of rs368234815 means a more potent prediction of persistent HCV infection in haemodialysis subjects that it is observed in the case of the variant homozygosity of other tested IFNL3/IFNL4 polymorphisms. Removal of PLAGL1 TFBS in subjects harboring the rs368234815 ∆G allele may contribute to cancer susceptibility. The association of rs368234815 with cancer-related mortality needs further studies in HCV-exposed subjects.
The relationship between collagen proportionate area and Hepatitis B surface antigen levels in e antigen positive hepatitis B cirrhosis
Authors: Yu Rui , Shi Qiangwei , Sun Qian , Wang Chunfeng , Yao Jianning , Zhang Lianfeng 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Quantitative serum HBsAg has been widely used as a biomarker for treatment response and prognosis in chronic hepatitis B, and recently been found associated with liver histology in HBeAg positive patients. Collagen proportionate area (CPA) as a continuous variable is a appropriate histological measurement to assess the degree of fibrosis and substages cirrhosis. We aimed to explore the association of serum HBsAg level with CPA in e antigen positive hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods: Liver fibrosis staging was evaluated semiquantitatively according to the Metavir scoring system, only patients with METAVIR stage 4 were included. All liver biopsies were restained with picroSirius red for collagen quantification and determination of CPA by digital image analysis.Results: Mean collagen proportionate area value was 23.46%. The percentage of patients with different classification of CPA (< 20%, 20%-30%, >30%) were 25.8%, 57.8%, and 16.4%, respectively. A modest correlation was observed between CPA and serum HBsAg (r = -0.306, p = 0.001). HBsAg level is independently associated with collagen proportionate area in multivariable linear regression analyses.Conclusion: Serum HBsAg levels can predict liver fibrosis determined by CPA in e antigen positive hepatitis B cirrhosis.
CCL18-NIR1/GPR3 promotes oral cancer cell growth and metastasis by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Guodong , Jiang Xiao , Sun Xiang , Huang Zhijie , Zheng Xianghuai , Liu Jingpeng , Shen Jun , Jia Bo , Luo Haiyun , Mai Zhaoyi , Zhao Jianjiang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) affects the malignant progression of varying cancers by activating chemokine receptors. Our previous study have shown that CCL18 promotes hyperplasia and invasiveness of oral cancer cells; however, the cognate receptors of CCL18 involved in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not yet been identified. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms through which CCL18 promotes OSCC progression by binding to specific functional receptors.Methods The properties of CCL18 receptors (i.e., NIR1, CCR6, CCR8, and GPR3) in OSCC were detected by conducting western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry assays. The binding between CCL18 and its receptors was verified by performing coimmunoprecipitation (CO-IP) assays. The χ2 test was applied to analyze the relationship between CCL18 receptor expression patterns and clinicopathological factors. Recombinant CCL18 (rCCL18) and receptor siRNA were used to confirm the effects of CCL18 receptor axis on the morphology of cancer cells (i.e., proliferation, and metastasis), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.Results NIR1 and GPR3 as specific receptors of CCL18 in OSCC were found to be significantly increased and positively related to the TNM stage of OSCC patients. rCCL18 induced phenotype alterations of oral cancer cells including cell growth, metastasis, and EMT. Knockdown of NIR1 and/or GPR3 expression could block the effects of rCCL18-induced OSCC. Furthermore, JAK2/STAT3 signalling was confirmed to be a downstream pathway of the CCL18-NIR1/GPR3 axis.Conclusion CCL18 can promote the progression of OSCC by binding specific receptors (NIR1 and GPR3), and the CCL18-receptor signalling can activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The identification of the mechanisms of CCL18 promoting OSCC progression could implicate potential therapeutic targets for treating oral cancer.
Abnormal Expression of NOS3 and Association with Clinical Outcome are Highly Cancer Dependent as Revealed through Pan-Cancer Analysis
Authors: Zou Dan , Lv Fei , Yang Yi , Yang Chunjiao , Chen Yang , Jin Zi , Zhou Jinpeng , Jiang Yang , Jing Zhitao , Zhang Ye 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: NOS3 (endothelial NOS, eNOS) is a member of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme family, mainly participating in nitric oxide (NO) generation. NOS3 has been reported to inhibit apoptosis and promote angiogenesis, proliferation, and invasiveness. However, the expression pattern of NOS3 and its diagnostic and prognostic potential has not been investigated in a pan-cancer perspective. Methods: In this research, data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal (CTRP) were employed and NOS3 expression was comprehensively analysed in normal tissues, cancer tissues and cell lines. Its relationship with clinical phenotypes and drug responses was also analysed. Results: In normal tissues, NOS3 was expressed at the highest levels in the spleen and the lowest levels in the blood. Compared with the corresponding normal tissues, its expression in tumour was significantly increased in seven tumour types but decreased in eight tumour types. And NOS3 expression was positively or negatively related to tumour stage and overall survival of patients depending on the tumour types. The expression of NOS3 was related to the response to ‘SR8278’. Conclusions: NOS3 was differentially expressed in tumour tissues, and had prognosis value in some tumour types. And its correlation to drug response warrants further investigation.
Image processing approach for grading tobacco leaf based on color and quality
Authors: Harjoko Agus , Prahara Adhi , Supardi Tri Wahyu , Candradewi Ika , Pulungan Reza , Hartati Sri 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Implementation of automation technology for grading tobacco leaf was very promising. In Indonesia, grading tobacco leaf was done manually and relied on the skill and experience of tobacco leaf graders. Large tobacco plantation needed many graders, and the workers needed to be trained, to become a skilled grader. It would take a long time and substantial cost to prepare sufficient graders. Even if the plantation had enough graders, monotonous and long duration of work would raise the human error. Therefore, we proposed a method for grading tobacco leaf based on color and quality using image processing techniques. This work covered quality inspection of tobacco leaf, namely leaf defect detection and classification of tobacco leaf based on color. Image processing techniques such as image thresholding, morphological operation, blob detection, and color analysis of tobacco leaf were employed to determine the grade of tobacco leaf. From the experiment, the proposed method was able to detect a leaf defect and able to classify tobacco leaf with 91.667% accuracy.
MODELLING LANGUAGE EXTINCTION USING SUSCEPTIBLE-INFECTIOUS-REMOVED (SIR) MODEL
Authors: Ikoba N. A. , Jolayemi E. T. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The study presents a stochastic epidemic model applied to the model of indigenous language extinction. The Susceptible-Infectious-Removed (SIR) categorization of an endemic disease has been reformulated to capture the dynamics of indigenous language decline, based on the assumption of non-homogeneous mixing. The time in which an indigenous language is expected to be extinct was derived using a modified SIR model with the population segmented into several sub-communities of small sizes representing family units. The data obtained from the 2016 indigenous language survey conducted in several parts of Nigeria and from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) were used to estimate the key parameters of the model for Nigeria’s several indigenous languages. The parameters of interest included the basic reproduction number, the threshold of endemicity, and the time in which a language is expected to be extinct, starting from the endemic level. On the basis of the time in which a language is expected to be extinct, several of the surveyed languages appeared to be in a precarious condition, while others seemed virile, thanks to a high language transfer quotient within families.
Natural Products: Experimental Efficient Agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy
Authors: Cao Fan , Liu Jie , Sha Bing-Xian , Pan Hai-Feng 
Published: December 2019

:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, elusive disorder resulting in relapsing inflammation of
intestine with incompletely elucidated etiology, whose two representative forms are ulcerative colitis (UC) and
Crohn’s disease (CD). Accumulating researches have revealed that the individual genetic susceptibility, environmental
risk elements, intestinal microbial flora, as well as innate and adaptive immune system are implicated in
the pathogenesis and development of IBD. Despite remarkable progression of IBD therapy has been achieved by
chemical drugs and biological therapies such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, antibiotics, anti-tumor necrosis
factor (TNF)-α, anti-integrin agents, etc., healing outcome still cannot be obtained, along with inevitable side
effects. Consequently, a variety of researches have focused on exploring new therapies, and found that natural
products (NPs) isolated from herbs or plants may serve as promising therapeutic agents for IBD through antiinflammatory,
anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects, which implicates the modulation on nucleotide-
binding domain (NOD) like receptor protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome, gut microbiota, intestinal microvascular
endothelial cells, intestinal epithelia, immune system, etc. In the present review, we will summarize the research
development of IBD pathogenesis and current mainstream therapy, as well as the therapeutic potential and
intrinsic mechanisms of NPs in IBD.
Organocatalytic Combinatorial Synthesis of Quinazoline, Quinoxaline and Bis(indolyl)methanes
Authors: Malamiri Fatemeh , Khaksar Samad , Badri Rashid , Tahanpesar Elham 
Published: December 2019

Aim and Objective:
An efficient and practical procedure for the synthesis of
heterocyclic compounds such as quinazolines, quinoxalines and bis(indolyl)methanes was
developed using 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl ammonium hexafluorophosphate (BFPHP) as a
novel organocatalyst.

Material and Method:
All of the obtained products are known compounds and identified by IR,
1HNMR, 13CNMR and melting points.

Results:
Various products were obtained in good to excellent yields under reaction conditions.

Conclusion:
The BFPHP organocatalyst demonstrates a novel class of non-asymmetric
organocatalysts, which has gained much attention in green chemistry.
A Survey of Deep Learning Based Methods in Medical Image Processing
Authors: Song Yinglei , Rana Mohammad N.A. , Qu Junfeng , Liu Chunmei 
Published: December 2019

Introduction:
Recently, deep learning based methods have become an important approach
to the accurate analysis of medical images.

Methods and Materials:
This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the most important deep
learning based methods that have been developed for medical image processing. A number of important
contributions made in the last five years are summarized and surveyed.

Results:
Specifically, deep learning-based algorithms developed for image segmentation, image
classification, registration, object detection and other important problems are reviewed.

Conclusion:
In addition, an overview of challenges that currently exist in the field and potential
directions for future research is provided at the end of the survey.
Brief Web-Based Intervention for Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial on Behavioral Activation
Authors: Jelinek Lena , Arlt Sönke , Moritz Steffen , Schröder Johanna , Westermann Stefan , Cludius Barbara 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundWeb-based interventions have been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression. However, interventions are often complex and include a variety of elements, making it difficult to identify the most effective component(s).ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot study was to shed light on mechanisms in the online treatment of depression by comparing a single-module, fully automated intervention for depression (internet-based behavioral activation [iBA]) to a nonoverlapping active control intervention and a nonactive control group.MethodsWe assessed 104 people with at least mild depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, >4) via the internet at baseline (t0) and 2 weeks (t1) and 4 weeks (t2) later. After the t0 assessment, participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) iBA (n=37), (2) active control using a brief internet-based mindfulness intervention (iMBI, n=32), or (3) care as usual (CAU, n=35). The primary outcome was improvement in depressive symptoms, as measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Secondary parameters included changes in activity, dysfunctional attitudes, and quality of lifeResultsWhile groups did not differ regarding the change in depression from t0 to t1 (ηp2=.007, P=.746) or t0 to t2 (ηp2=.008, P=.735), iBA was associated with a larger decrease in dysfunctional attitudes from t0 to t2 in comparison to CAU (ηp2=.053, P=.04) and a larger increase in activity from t0 to t1 than the pooled control groups (ηp2=.060, P=.02). A change in depression from t0 to t2 was mediated by a change in activity from t0 to t1. At t1, 22% (6/27) of the participants in the iBA group and 12% (3/25) of the participants in the iMBI group indicated that they did not use the intervention.ConclusionsAlthough we did not find support for the short-term efficacy of the single-module iBA regarding depression, long-term effects are still conceivable, potentially initiated by changes in secondary outcomes. Future studies should use a longer intervention and follow-up interval.Trial RegistrationDKRS (#DRKS00011562)
A Mobile App Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Healthy Nutrition in Women Before and During Early Pregnancy: Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: van Dijk Matthijs R , Koster Maria P H , Oostingh Elsje C , Willemsen Sten P , Steegers Eric A P , Steegers-Theunissen Régine P M 
Published: December 2019

Background
Unhealthy nutrition contributes to the worldwide rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. As most adverse reproductive outcomes originate during the periconception period, effective interventions targeting this period are needed. Therefore, we developed the lifestyle intervention Smarter Pregnancy to empower women to adapt a healthy diet prior to conception and during early pregnancy and performed a randomized controlled trial.

Objective
The objectives of this trial were to investigate compliance and effectiveness in women using the Smarter Pregnancy program.

Methods
Women aged between 18 and 45 years who were contemplating pregnancy or <13 weeks pregnant and their male partners living in the urban area of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were eligible for participation. After baseline screening, the intervention group received personal online coaching based on identified inadequate intakes of vegetables, fruits, and folic acid supplements. The sum of these risk factors was used as a dietary risk score (DRS), ranging from 0 (healthy) to 9 (unhealthy). The control group did not receive coaching. We applied an intention-to-treat principle and used a multivariable linear regression model to evaluate the change in DRS after 24 weeks. Compliance was defined as the percentage of women who completed the screening questionnaire at 24 weeks.

Results
Of women recruited, 81.2% (177/218) completed the program (intervention: 91/218, 83.5%; control: 86/218, 78.9%; P=.95). After 24 weeks, the reduction in DRS of women in the intervention group was significantly larger than in the control group (β=.75, 95% CI 0.18-1.34). This reduction was mainly due to increased vegetable intake (β=.55, 95% CI 0.25-0.86).

Conclusions
The high compliance and the larger improvements in nutritional behaviors, especially vegetable intake, in women in the intervention group emphasizes the effectiveness of empowering women by using the lifestyle change intervention Smarter Pregnancy.

Trial Registration
Netherlands Trial Register: NL3927; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/3927

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
RR2-10.1186/s12884-017-1228-5
Closing the Digital Divide in Speech, Language, and Cognitive Therapy: Cohort Study of the Factors Associated With Technology Usage for Rehabilitation
Authors: Munsell Michael , De Oliveira Emily , Saxena Sadhvi , Godlove Jason , Kiran Swathi 
Published: December 2019

Background
For stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other neurologic conditions associated with speech-language disorders, speech and language therapy is the standard of care for promoting recovery. However, barriers such as clinician time constraints and insurance reimbursement can inhibit a patient’s ability to receive the support needed to optimize functional gain. Although digital rehabilitation has the potential to increase access to therapy by allowing patients to practice at home, the clinical and demographic characteristics that impact a patient’s level of engagement with technology-based therapy are currently unknown.

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate whether the level of engagement with digital therapy differs by various patient characteristics, including age, gender, diagnosis, time from disease onset, and geographic location (urban vs rural).

Methods
Data for patients with stroke or TBI that initiated the use of Constant Therapy, a remotely delivered, cloud-based rehabilitation program for patients with speech-language disorders, were retrospectively analyzed. Only data from therapeutic sessions completed at home were included. The following three activity metrics were evaluated: (1) the number of active weeks of therapy, (2) the average number of active therapy days per week, and (3) the total number of therapeutic sessions completed during the first 20 weeks of program access. An active day or week was defined as having at least one completed therapeutic session. Separate multiple linear regression models were performed with each activity measure as the dependent variable and all available patient demographics as model covariates.

Results
Data for 2850 patients with stroke or TBI were analyzed, with the average patient completing 8.6 weeks of therapy at a frequency of 1.5 days per week. Contrary to known barriers to technological adoption, older patients were more active during their first 20 weeks of program access, with those aged 51 to 70 years completing 5.01 more sessions than patients aged 50 years or younger (P=.04). Similarly, patients living in a rural area, who face greater barriers to clinic access, were more digitally engaged than their urban counterparts, with rural patients completing 11.54 more (P=.001) sessions during their first 20 weeks of access, after controlling for other model covariates.

Conclusions
An evaluation of real-world data demonstrated that patients with stroke and TBI use digital therapy frequently for cognitive and language rehabilitation at home. Usage was higher in areas with limited access to clinical services and was unaffected by typical barriers to technological adoption, such as age. These findings will help guide the direction of future research in digital rehabilitation therapy, including the impact of demographics on recovery outcomes and the design of large, randomized controlled trials.