bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Down-regulation of DLG2 predicts an unfavorable prognosis and promotes the proliferation and migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Authors: Gu Jiawei , Hong Runqi , Niu Gengming , Hu Zhiqing , Song Tao , Wang Xin , Han Shanliang , Chen Liang , Ren Jun , Xia Jie , Hong Liang , Ke Chongwei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Discs large MAGUK scaffold protein 2 (DLG2), a member of the MAGUK family, has been associated with certain tumor suppressing processes. In this study, we aim to identify the prognosis value and specific function of DLG2 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods Expression of DLG2 in HCCs and adjacent normal tissues (NTs) was analyzed with transcriptomic datasets from the Integrative Molecular Database of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCCDB) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of a tissue microarray (TMA). Prognostic roles of DLG2 in HCCs were investigated in the TMA cohort and validated in two cohorts from HCCDB. The in vitro activities of DLG2 were investigated in cultured HCC cells with lentiviruses. The underlying mechanism was explored using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and gene-gene correlation analyses with The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) dataset. Results The expression of DLG2 was significantly decreased in HCCs compared to that in NTs. Down-regulation of DLG2 in HCCs was associated with unfavorable prognosis. Overexpression of DLG2 inhibited, while knockdown of DLG2 prompted proliferation and migration of cultured HCCs. Mechanistically, DLG2 may inhibited cell growth of HCCs by interacting with key molecules that regulate cell cycles. Conclusion DLG2 inhibited HCC progression and may be a novel prognosis biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
The accelerator, the brake, and the terrain: associations of reward-related eating, self-control, and the home food environment with diet quality assessed by 24-hour recalls during pregnancy and postpartum in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study (PEAS) cohort
Authors: Nansel Tonja R. , Lipsky Leah M. , Faith Myles , Liu Aiyi , Siega-Riz Anna Maria 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background. Neurobehavioral factors, including reward-related eating and self-control, in conjunction with the food environment, may influence dietary behaviors. However, these constructs have not been examined in pregnancy and postpartum, a time of changing appetite and eating behaviors, and when dietary intake has implications for maternal and child health. This study examined associations of reward-related eating, self-control, and the home food environment with pregnancy and postpartum diet quality. Methods. Participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study observational cohort were enrolled at ≤12 weeks gestation and followed through one-year postpartum. Pregnancy and postpartum Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI) was calculated by pooling 24-hour diet recalls during each trimester and during 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Participants completed four measures of reward-related eating – Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS), Power of Food Scale (PFS), Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP), and Food Reinforcement Questionnaire (FRQ); two measures of self-control – Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and Delay of Gratification Inventory; and a Home Food Inventory (HFI), yielding obesogenic (OBES) and fruit/vegetables (FV) scores. Linear regression analyses estimated associations of reward-related eating, self-control, and home food environment with diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results. Pregnancy, HEI was inversely associated with PFS, mYFAS, MCP, and 2 of the 5 FRQ indices, but most associations of postpartum HEI with reward-related eating measures were not statistically significant. Associations of HEI with general self-control measures were not statistically significant. Pregnancy and postpartum HEI were associated inversely with HFI-OBES and positively with HFI-FV. Conclusions. Associations of diet quality with greater reward-related eating during pregnancy but not postpartum suggests the need to better understand differences in the determinants of eating behaviors and approaches to circumvent or moderate reward-related eating to facilitate more optimal diet quality across this critical period.
Dietary Pattern and Nutrient Intakes in Association with Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors among Filipino Adults
Authors: Agdeppa Imelda Angeles , Sun Ye , Tanda Keith V 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: This study evaluated the relationship between dietary quality and food patterns of Filipino adults and the rising prevalence of selected cardiometabolic non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. Methods: Using data collected in the 2013 National Nutrition Survey, a total of 19,914 adults aged 20 years and above were included in the analyses. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010) was used to characterize the dietary quality, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify dietary patterns specific to the study population. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between the dietary pattern scores and selected cardiometabolic NCD indices including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and overweight and obesity with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: The mean AHEI-2010 score was 19.7 for women and 18.9 for men out of a total possible score of 100. Three major dietary patterns were identified through PCA: 1) meat and sweetened beverages (MSB); 2) rice and fish (RF) and 3) fruit, vegetables and snack (FVS). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the AHEI pattern was associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity [extreme-tertile odds ratio (OR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.21]. Subjects in the highest tertile of the MSB pattern had greater odds for overweight/obesity, diabetes, high total cholesterol, low HDL-cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol, and high triglycerides (OR ranging 1.20 to 1.70, all p-value <0.001). The RF pattern was associated with higher probability of overweight/obesity (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08-1.32) high LDL-cholesterol (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.37), and less likelihood of diabetes (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.98). The FVS pattern was associated with lower probability of overweight/obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and hypertension (OR ranging 0.85 to 0.90, all p-value <0.05). Conclusions: Diet quality of Filipino adults is extremely poor. MSB and RF patterns were associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic NCD indices, while FVS pattern was a better option to lower the risks. Identifying healthy and detrimental dietary patterns in the local diet could be informative for future local-based dietary recommendation and area-specific intervention programs. Keywords: Dietary pattern; AHEI; NCD; Adult
STAT3 regulates miR93-mediated apoptosis through inhibiting DAPK1 in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Du Yang , Kong Chuize 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, STAT3, is an essential member of the STAT family. STAT3 regulates diverse genes mediating inflammatory reaction, cell survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis, and it is aberrantly upregulated and activated in various types of malignancies. Meanwhile, STAT3 signaling is involved in multiple feedback loops and pathways. In this study, we demonstrate that in renal cell carcinoma, miR-93-3p act an oncogenesis role in renal cell carcinoma. It enhanced RCC cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. Besides, STAT3 could regulate the transcription of miR-93 by directly binding with its promoter region. miR-93 can inhibit the protein level of death-associated protein kinase 1, DAPK1. What’s more, STAT3 could block the expression of DAPK1 on the level of RNA. Importantly, we verify that, through over-expression, DAPK1 might, in return, suppress the activated-STAT3 entering cell nucleus. Thus, the study uncovers a potential signaling transduction pathway, STAT3-miR93-DAPK1, which is continuously activated, and may provide a novel clinical therapeutic approach for RCC.
Utilising Benefit-Risk Assessments within Clinical Trials – A Protocol for the BRAINS project
Authors: Totton Nikki , Julious Steven , Hughes Dyfrig , Cook Jonathan , Biggs Katie , Coates Lizzie , Cook Andrew , Hewitt Catherine , Day Simon 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background

Depending on the treatment to be investigated, a clinical trial could be designed to assess objectives of: superiority; equivalence or non-inferiority. The design of the study is affected by many different elements including: the control treatment, the primary outcome and associated relationships.

In some studies, there could be more than one outcome of interest. In these situations, benefit-risk methodologies could be used to assess the outcomes simultaneously and consider the trade-off of the benefits against the risks of a treatment.

Benefit-risk is used within the regulatory industry but seldom included within publicly funded clinical trials within the UK. This project aims to gain an expert consensus on how to select the appropriate trial design (e.g. superiority) and when to consider including benefit-risk methods.

Methods

The project will consist of four work packages:

1. A web-based survey to elicit current experiences and opinions,

2. A rapid literature review to assess any current recommendations,

3. A two-day consensus workshop to gain agreement on the recommendations,

4. Production of a guidance document.

Discussion

The aim of the project is to provide a guideline for clinical researchers, grant funding bodies and reviewers for grant bodies for how to select the most appropriate trial design and when it is appropriate to consider using benefit-risk methods. The focus of the guideline will be on publicly funded trials, however, the vision is the work will be applicable across research settings and we will connect with other organisations and committees as appropriate.
Predictors and clinical features of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Yu , Gan Lu , Liu Xiao-ying , Du Shan-ping 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Ectopic pregnancy is a major life- and fertility-threatening concern in women’s health. As a result of advances in examination technology, an increasing number of ectopic pregnancies can be diagnosed early and treated with medical methods instead of surgery. The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical features and identify the predictors of success of methotrexate (MTX) treatment of ectopic pregnancy.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 238 ectopic pregnancies treated with MTX in the Department of Gynecology of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2017.Results: Patients were divided into two groups: the successful treatment group (n=166) and the failed treatment group (n=72). The overall success rate of MTX therapy for ectopic pregnancy was 69.75%. The mean initial β-hCG level was significantly lower in the successful treatment group than in the failed treatment group (2538.08 IU/L versus 3533.17 IU/L, P=0.000). The treatment success rate of the group with an initial β-hCG concentration less than 4000 IU/L was significantly higher than that of the group with an initial β-hCG concentration greater than 4000 IU/L. However, the success rate of the group with an initial β-hCG concentration greater than 4000 IU/L was still relatively high (54.55%). β-hCG levels were significantly increased on the 4th day in the failed treatment group (P=0.000). Compared to the initial β-hCG level, the day-4 β-hCG level increased by more than 8.21%, indicating that the treatment was effective. The diagnostic sensitivity was 88.6%, the specificity was 74.5%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.863 (95% CI: 0.805-0.920).Conclusions: MTX therapy as a treatment option is safe and effective for asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable patients with ectopic pregnancies who are interested in conservative treatment, regardless of the serum β-hCG level or adnexal mass size. The change in the β-hCG level between the initial day and the 4th day is an effective and early predictive tool for the success of MTX therapy of ectopic pregnancy.
The epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Gansu Province, China — a Big Data analysis of the National Health Information Platform
Authors: Yan Xuanchen , Wang Jianjian , Yao Jingwen , Estill Janne , Wu Shouyuan , Lu Jie , Liang Baoping , Li Hongmin , Tao Shengxin , Bai Huanli , Liu Hongliang , Chen Yaolong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objective This study is to explore the patient characteristics and transmission chains of COVID-19 in the population of Gansu province, and support decision-making. Methods We collected data from Gansu National Health Information Platform. We conducted a case-control study, including patients with COVID-19 confirmed between January 23 and February 6, 2020 as cases, and all inpatients, outpatients and emergency patients except those with COVID-19 during the same period as the control group. We compared the gender and age between two groups. We also described the incubation period, consultation time and sources of infection in the cases, and calculated the secondary cases that occurred within Gansu for each imported case. Results We found no differences in gender (P=0.107). COVID-19 cases were more likely to occur among the middle-aged people (P=0.038). Twenty-eight (41.8%) of the 67 cases had a history of direct exposure in Wuhan. Twenty-five (52.2%) cases came from ten families, and we found no clear reports of modes of transmission other than family clusters. The largest number of secondary cases linked to a single source was nine. Conclusion There is no difference in gender between the cases and controls. However, COVID-19 patients were slightly younger than those attending for other reasons. The most common suspected mode of transmission was through family cluster. Gansu and other settings worldwide should continue to strengthen the utilization of big data in epidemic control.
Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the treatment of deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery
Authors: Song Feng , Liu Zhenzhong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objectives: The median sternotomy is the most common surgical approach for cardiac surgery. Deep sternal wound infection is a fatal complication after median sternotomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy on rehabilitation for the treatment of deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.Methods: Between January 2016 to January 2018, 21 patients (10 males, 11 females) with deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery underwent Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy. These patients were followed-up 12 months postoperative. The patient characteristics, duration of vacuum-assisted closure therapy, the mean hospital stay, postoperative complications, long-term survival of patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Most patients undergone 1–3 times vacuum-assisted closure treatment sessions before closure. All patients were cured to discharge, the mean hospital stay was 21.1 days. Most patients’ healing wounds were first-stage healing, only one patient’s wound was second-stage healing, none was third-stage healing. One patient developed pulmonary infection and respiratory failure during the 12-month follow-up. None of the patients died during follow-up.Conclusions: Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the treatment of deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery can shorten the hospital stays and few complications. However, this is a retrospective case series presentation with no comparison group, the number of inferences is limited, so further large-scale controlled studies are needed.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio may Replace Chest Computed Tomography to Reflect the Degree of Lung Injury in Patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wu Wenjing , Du Mingshan , Luo Wei , Hou Wenjing , Shi Yanshu , Cheng Lin , Ji Bing , Mei Jingling , Chen Fengxi , Li Xiang , Xiang Hongnian , Cao Yang , Xu Ming , Chen Wei , Wang Jian 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objectives To investigated the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the severity of lung injury in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.Methods The clinical data, laboratory examination, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings of 167 patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to 5 hospitals in Chongqing, China from January 2020 to February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. According to the diagnostic criteria sixth edition of the “Diagnosis and Treatment of New Coronavirus Pneumonitis” published by the China National Health Commission, the patients were stratified by the severity of their illness to 3 groups: mild (n = 17), moderate (n = 119), or severe (n = 31).Results Differences of the NLR among the three groups and between each of the groups were significant (all p < 0.001). The NLR and CT severity score were positively correlated (r = 0.823, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found that NLR had diagnostic and prognostic value in COVID-19 patients with either negative or positive CT results. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.819 (95% CI: 0.729-0.910, p < 0.001), the sensitivity was 61.3%, specificity was 94.1%, and the optimal NLR cutoff value was 3.634.Conclusion NLR reflected the degree of lung injury and predicted the progression of COVID-19. NLR is a low-cost, convenient, bedside alternative to chest CT scanning to indicate the severity of lung injury in patients with COVID-19, especially in relatively underdeveloped areas.
Coronavirus disease 2019 complicated with Bell’s palsy: a case report
Authors: Wan Yue , Cao Shugang , Fang Qi , Wang Mingfu , Huang Yi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease, mainly causing respiratory symptoms. However, a few patients may also have neurological symptoms. Herein, we report a case of COVID-19 infection complicated with Bell’s palsy.Case presentation: A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to left facial drooping. Physical examination showed left peripheral facial paralysis. Brain MRI showed no abnormality. However, the chest CT revealed the ground-glass shadows in the right lower lung. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA were positive through throat swabs, while the common influenza virus antigens were tested negative. The symptoms of left facial paralysis relieved after antiviral treatment. She patient was discharged in the context of 3 consecutively negative RT-PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and complete absorption of the right lung lesions. Conclusion: This case suggests that COVID-19 may be presented with Bell’s palsy and may be a potential cause of facial paralysis.
Nematicide influence on cotton yield and plant-parasitic nematodes in conventional and sod-based crop rotation
Authors: Schumacher Lesley A. , Grabau Zane J. , Wright David L. , Small Ian M. , Liao Hui-Ling 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform, RN), Helicotylenchus dihystera (spiral), and Mesocriconema ornatum (ring)) and yield were investigated in cotton phases of conventional (peanut–cotton–cotton) and sod-based (bahiagrass–bahiagrass–peanut–cotton) rotations with or without irrigation and fluopyram nematicide at a long-term research site, established in 2000, in Quincy, Florida, USA. Objectives were to determine impacts of nematicide application on cotton yield and evaluate effects of nematicide on plant-parasitic nematodes in these rotations in 2017 and 2018. Reniform nematode population densities were greater in conventional cotton than sod-based cotton. Ring and spiral nematode population densities were greater in sod-based cotton than conventional cotton. Plots receiving nematicide had increased RN population densities in preplant 2018 soil samples and spiral nematode population densities in preplant 2017, harvest 2017, preplant 2018, and harvest 2018 soil samples compared to untreated plots. Cotton seed yield in conventional rotation was increased by 18% following nematicide application in 2017 but decreased by 10% in sod-based rotation in 2018, relative to the untreated control. Sod-based rotation had greater cotton yield than conventional rotation in 2017 and 2018. Nematicide application did not improve cotton yield in sod-based rotation and was inconsistent in conventional rotation.
De novo transcriptome sequencing and analysis of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) third-stage and fourth stage larvae
Authors: Nam U-Hwa , Kim Jong-Oh , Kim Jeong-Ho 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Anisakis pegreffii is known as one of the causes of a fish-borne zoonosis, anisakidosis. Despite its significant public health and food hygiene impacts, little is known of the pathogenesis, genetic background of this parasite, at least partly due to the lack of genome and transcriptome information. In this study, RNA-seq and de novo assembly were conducted to obtain transcriptome profiles of the A. pegreffii third and fourth larvae. The third stage larvae (APL3) were collected from chub mackerel and the fourth stage larvae (APL4) were obtained by in vitro culture. In total, 47,243 and 43,660 unigenes were expressed in APL3 and APL4 transcriptomes. Of them, 18,753 were known and 28,490 were novel for APL3, while 18,996 were known and 24,664 were novel for APL4. The most abundantly expressed genes in APL3 were mitochondrial enzymes (COI, COII, COIII) and polyubiquitins (UBB, UBIQP_XENLA). Collagen-related genes (col-145, col-34, col-138, Bm1_54705, col-40) were the most abundantly expressed in APL4. Mitochondrial enzyme genes (COIII, COI) were also highly expressed in APL4. Among the transcripts, 614 were up-regulated in APL3, while 1,309 were up-regulated in APL4. Several protease and protein biosynthesis-related genes were highly expressed in APL3, all of which are thought to be crucial for invading host tissues. Collagen synthesis-related genes were highly expressed in APL4, reflecting active biosynthesis of collagens occurs during moulting process of APL4. Of these differentially expressed genes, several genes (SI, nas-13, EF-TSMT, SFXN2, dhs-27) were validated to highly transcribed in APL3, while other genes (col-40, F09E10.7, pept-1, col-34, VIT) in APL4. The biological roles of these genes in vivo will be deciphered when the reference genome sequences are available, together with in vitro experiments.