bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CILP2 overexpression predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Huang Feng , Peng Yuanfei , Ye Qing , Chen Jinhu , Li Yangming , Liu Shengyuan , Xu Yangmei , Huang Lijie 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Cartilage Intermediate Layer Protein 2 (CILP2), a glycoprotein with mutations associated with abnormal blood lipid concentrations in normal and cardiovascular diseases patients, was barely reported with clinical features of tumors. We evaluated the role of CILP2 among all stages and histology in colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Cancer Genome Altas (TCGA), and furtherly verified using immunohistochemistry assay within human CRC tissues.
Materials and methods
Clinical information and RNA-seq data were derived from TCGA colorectal carcinoma cohort. CILP2 expression at mRNA level was estimated by bioinformatical analysis of TCGA cases. Tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed containing paraffin-embedded 64 pairs of CRC and matched adjacent normal tissues. The expression at protein level was detected in 64 pairs of CRC and matched adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemical analysis. CILP2 expression level and its clinical value were estimated by bioinformatical analysis with linear and logistic regression. Survival analysis was performed between high and low groups of CILP2 expression by Cox regression analysis, and P value was calculated by log-rank test. Kaplan-Meier curves were tested by log-rank test.
Results
CILP2 was significantly higher expressed in the colorectal cancer tissues when compared with paired adjacent normal tissues in TCGA cohort (P < 0.001) and in TMA cohort (P = 0.001). In addition, CILP2 high-expression was strongly correlated with T3/4 stage (P = 0.001), N1/2/3 stage (P = 0.005), M1 stage (P = 0.048), and higher clinical stage (UICC 2010 stage) (P < 0.001) in TCGA cohort, and also positively associated with T3/4 stage (P = 0.022) and higher clinical stage (UICC 2010 stage) (P = 0.03) in TMA cohort. Furthermore, CILP2 overexpression predicted poor prognosis and could be as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.003).
Conclusion
We revealed that CILP2 is associated with advanced stages and could play a role as an independent predictor of poor survival in colorectal cancer.
Natural disease progression and novel survival prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma with spinal metastases: a 10-year single-center study
Authors: Phinyo Phichayut , Boonyanaruthee Chonmavadh , Paholpak Permsak , Pruksakorn Dumnoensun , Phanphaisarn Areerak , Sangsin Apiruk 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Individual prediction of life expectancy in patients with spinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is key for optimal treatment selection, especially when identifying potential candidates for surgery. Most reported prognostic tools provide categorical predictions, and only a few include HCC-related factors. This study aimed to investigate the natural progression of the disease and develop a prognostic tool that is capable of providing individualized predictions.
Methods
Patients with HCC-derived metastatic spinal disease were identified from a retrospective cohort of patients with spinal metastases who were diagnosed at Chiang Mai University Hospital between 2006 and 2015. Kaplain–Meier methods and log-rank tests were used to statistically evaluate potential factors. Significant predictors from univariable analysis were included in the flexible parametric survival regression for the development of a prognostic prediction model.
Results
Of the 1,143 patients diagnosed with HCC, 69 (6%) had spinal metastases. The median survival time of patients with HCC after spinal metastases was 79 days. In the multivariable analysis, a total of 11 potential clinical predictors were included. After backward elimination, four final predictors remained: patients aged > 60 years, Karnofsky Performance Status, total bilirubin level, and multifocality of HCC. The model showed acceptable discrimination at C-statistics 0.73 (95% Confidence interval 0.68–0.79) and fair calibration.
Conclusion
Four clinical parameters were used in the development of the individual survival prediction model for patients with HCC-derived spinal metastases of Chiang Mai University or HCC-SM CMU model. Prospective external validation studies in a larger population are required prior to the clinical implication of the model.
The Impact of Gravidity, Symptomatology and Timing of Infection on Placental Malaria
Authors: Tran Erin E , Cheeks Morgan , Kakuru Abel , Muhindo Mary K , Natureeba Paul , Nakalembe Miriam , Ategeka John , Nayebare Patience , Kamya Moses , Havlir Diane , Feeney Margaret E , Dorsey Grant , Gaw Stephanie L 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : Placental malaria is associated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. While primigravidity has been reported as a risk factor for placental malaria, little is known regarding the relationship between gravidity, symptomatology and timing of Plasmodium falciparum infection and the development of placental malaria. Methods : Our aim was to investigate the relationship between the development of placental malaria and gravidity, timing of infection, and presence of symptoms. This is a secondary analysis of data from a double-blind randomized control trial of intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy in Uganda. Women were enrolled from 12 to 20 weeks gestation and followed through delivery. Exposure to malaria parasites was defined as symptomatic (fever with positive blood smear) or asymptomatic (based on molecular detection of parasitemia done routinely every 4 weeks). The primary outcome was placental malaria diagnosed by histopathology, placental blood smear, and/or placental blood loop-mediated isothermal amplification. We performed subgroup analysis based on the presence of symptomatic malaria, gravidity, and timing of infection. Results : Of the 228 patients with documented maternal infection with malaria parasites during pregnancy, 101 (44.3%) had placental malaria. Primigravidity was strongly associated with placental malaria (aOR 8.90, 95% CI 4.34-18.2, p<0.001), and each episode of malaria was associated with over a 2-fold increase in placental malaria (aOR 2.35, 95% CI 1.69-3.26, p<0.001). Among multigravid women, the odds of placental malaria increased by 14% with each advancing week of gestation at first documented infection (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27, p=0.02). When stratified by the presence of symptoms, primigravidity was only associated with placental malaria in asymptomatic women, who had a 12-fold increase in the odds of placental malaria (aOR 12.19, 95% CI 5.23-28.43, p<0.001). Conclusions : Total number of Plasmodium falciparum infections in pregnancy is a significant predictor of placental malaria. The importance of timing of infection on the development of placental malaria varies based on gravidity. In primigravidas, earlier asymptomatic infections were associated with placental malaria, whereas in multigravidas, parasitemias detected later in gestation were associated with placental malaria. Earlier initiation of an effective intermittent preventive therapy may help to prevent placental malaria and improve birth outcomes, particularly in primigravid women.
ELF1 upregulates MEIS1 to accelerate proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells through the GFI1/FBW7 axis
Authors: Cheng Meixiong , Zeng Yi , Zhang Tian , Xu Min , Wu Yaqiu , Li Zhili 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore whether the transcription factor ELF1 affects the GFI1-FBW7 through MEIS1, thus participating in the occurrence and development of glioma. In this study, key transcription factors were identified by differential analysis of GEO database, and downstream regulatory pathways were predicted by available literature.Methods and results: Based on bioinformatics analysis and existing studies, we speculate that the transcription factor ELF1 may regulate FBW7 through MEIS1-mediated GFI1 and thus affect the occurrence of glioma. The expressions of transcription factors ELF1, MEIS1 and GFI1 were up-regulated in glioma tissues, and the prognosis of glioma patients with high expression of ELF1 was worse.We found that interfering with ELF1 expression in glioma cells can reduce the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells and induce cell apoptosis. The results of Western-blot showed that the expressions of PCNA and MMP9 were decreased, while the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated. ChIP experiments showed that ELF1 binds to the MEIS1 promoter region, and MEIS1 can activate the enhancer of GFI1. In vivo experiments were carried out in nude mice, the results showed that interfering ELF1 could inhibit tumor growth in nude mice through the MEIS1-GFI1/FBW7.Conclusion: Therefore, interference of ELF1 in glioma can reduce its ability to recruit the transcription factor MEIS1, and further impair the activation ability of MEIS1 to GFI1 enhancer, which resulting in suppression of proliferation, migration and invasion and induction of cell apoptosis in glioma cells.
Cerebrovascular complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: Case series
Authors: Morassi Mauro , Bagatto Daniele , Cobelli Milena , D’Agostini Serena , Gigli Gian Luigi , Bnà Claudio , Vogrig Alberto 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Italy is one of the most affected countries by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The responsible pathogen is named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia leading to intensive care unit admission. Evidence of cerebrovascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 is limited. We herein report 6 patients who developed acute stroke during COVID-19 infection. Methods: Retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 using reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs, who developed clinical and neuroimaging evidence of acute stroke during SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results: Six patients were identified (5 men); median age was 69 years (range: 57-82). Stroke subtypes were ischemic (4, 67%) and hemorrhagic (2, 33%). All patients but 1 had pre-existing vascular risk factors. One patient developed encephalopathy prior to stroke, characterized by focal seizures and behavioral abnormalities. COVID-19-related pneumonia was severe (i.e. requiring critical care support) in 5/6 cases (83%). Liver enzyme alteration and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevation was registered in all cases. Four patients (67%) manifested acute kidney failure prior to stroke. Four patients (67%) had abnormal coagulation tests. Outcome was poor in the majority of the patients: 4 died (67%), 1 is still in coma (20%) and the remaining 1 remains severely neurologically affected (mRS: 4).Conclusions: Acute stroke can complicate the course of COVI-19 infection. In our series, stroke developed mostly in patients with severe pneumonia and multi organ failure, liver enzymes and LDH were markedly increased in all cases, and the outcome was poor.
Lay perspectives on social distancing and other official recommendations and regulations in the time of COVID-19: a qualitative study of social media posts
Authors: Ölcer Sabahat , Yilmaz-Aslan Yüce , Brzoska Patrick 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by a new form of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in China end of 2019 and quickly spread to all counties of the world. To slow down the spread of the virus and to limit the pressure on the health care systems, different regulations and recommendations have been implemented by authorities, comprising amongst others the closure of all entertainment venues and social distancing. These measures have received mixed reactions, particularly from young individuals, with many not following available advice. Drawing on the information in social media discussion forums, the present study explores the reasons why people ignore the orders and recommendations of the authorities and why the authorities are unable to produce a shared sense of inclusion concerning protective measures against the coronavirus outbreak.
Methods
Three open-access social media forums (Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube comments) were systematically searched with respect to coronavirus/COVID-19-related beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of individuals. The data was retrieved in the first three weeks of March 2020. Qualitative document analysis and qualitative content analysis were used as the methodical approach. The data was reviewed by all authors and jointly interpreted to minimise inconsistencies.
Results
In the analysis, 22 threads were used from the aforementioned websites. Six main themes were identified: information pollution on social media, the need to know the unusual threat that spreads rapidly, the impacts of the social environment, the role of government’s representatives and politicians, aids without concrete economic steps to satisfy them, and self-criticism by parents related to the behaviours and attitudes of their children.
Conclusion
In uncertain crises, transparency in the presentation of information and government policies emerge as influential determinants in creating social susceptibility and solidarity. The results further reveal the potential advantages and opportunities of using social media data in scientific investigations.
Variables Associated with Low Muscle Mass Among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Submitted to Hemodialysis: A cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Santos Paulo Roberto , Grun Patrícia Narguis , Oliveira Karine da Silva , Santos Victor Lavinas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: We aimed to compare lean tissue index between patients with low and normal muscle strength in order to determine a cutoff to classify low muscle mass and find variables associated with low muscle mass among end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: We studied 245 end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis in the only two dialysis centers located in the north region of Ceará state, Brazil, in October 2019. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and anthropometric measurements were collected. Patients’ functional ability was assessed by the Brazilian version of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index. Bioimpedance analysis and handgrip testing were used, respectively, to evaluate lean tissue index and muscle strength. We classified low muscle mass according to muscle strength, and compared variables between patients with normal and low muscle mass. Variables that differed in the comparison were analyzed with a logistic regression model to detect independent predictors of low muscle mass. Results: According to a cutoff of less than or equal to 15 kg/m 2 of lean tissue index to classify low muscle mass, we found a prevalence of 41.2% of low muscle mass. Patients with low muscle mass presented higher prevalence of functional disability. In multivariate logistic regression (considering low muscle mass as a dependent variable), age (older), female gender, creatinine level, fat tissue index and abnormal waist-to-hip ratio were found to be independent predictors of low muscle mass. Conclusions: Older patients, women, patients with low creatinine, with high fat tissue index and with abnormal waist-to-hip ratio should be classified as at risk of low muscle mass. Dietary improvements, encouragement of resistance exercise and the use of androgens should be tried in this group of patients. Keywords: End-stage renal disease, Hemodialysis, Sarcopenia, Muscle mass, Muscle strength, Bioimpedance, Handgrip test
Infantile Prognosis of Neonates Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Techniques: A prospective Study
Authors: khoei Ellieh , Afjeh Seyyed Abolfazl , tajalli saleheh , Fallahi Minoo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Outcomes of neonates of infertile couples that are golden babies and care of them is an issue of importance. But it is not yet clear if the prognosis is different between them and neonates from fertile couples. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of neonates conceived by assisted reproductive techniques.Methods: In this cohort study, a total of 165 newborn who were conceived by ART and 165 naturally concieved newborns were enrolled. The study was prospective from April 2016 to October 2017. All newborns were examined by neonatologist after birth and their outcome were followed up to one year. The outcomes were compared with neonates from fertile couple using appropriate statistical tests.Results: The preterm neonates (60% vs. 38%) were higher in ART cases (P<0.001). The mean gravid and parity were lower in ART group (P<0.001) and the nulliparity was higher in them. Multiple pregnancies were higher in ART cases (45% vs. 10%; P<0. 001). C/S rate was higher (91% vs 67%) in ART cases (P<0.001). Pre-eclampsia rate was higher in ART cases (16 % vs. 6%; P=0.004). Female sex was higher in ART group (P=0.035). Birth weight was significantly lower in ART group (P=0.002) and the Apgar was also lower (P=0.002; P=0.012). IUGR was significantly higher (17% vs. 7%) in ART group (P=0.006). NEC and RDS were more common in ART group (P<0.001). Hospital stay was longer in ART group (P<0.001). Re-admission, and weight less than 5th percentile were more common after one year in ART group (P=0.021).Conclusion: According to the obtained results, pregnancy after ART has more side effects before and after birth and also in infancy; not only because of multigestation but also due to manipulations in ART.
CT features and clinical manifestations of ordinary pneumonia with COVID-19 infection: A multi-center study
Authors: Yi Kun-ming , Yu Liu , Tong Hai-peng , Tian Yun , Li Xiao-hui , Li Ran , Fang Jing-qin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Investigate clinical and CT manifestations of ordinary coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia.Materials and methods: Patients with ordinary COVID-19 pneumonia (confirmed by RT-PCR) and performed initial chest CT were retrospectively enrolled. Fifty-eight patients were assigned to group 1 (<50 years, n=33) and group 2 (50≥years, n=25) on the basis of age. The clinical data, laboratory results, and imaging findings were evaluated. Imaging features were analyzed and compared across the two groups.Results: On chest CT imaging, 44 (75.9%) patients showed bilateral lung involvement, 14(24.1%) showed unilateral lung involvement, with predominant peripheral distribution (26/58, 44.8%) and mixed distribution (30/58, 51.7%). 445(445/634, 70.2%) lesions occurred in the lung periphery, 189 (29.8%) in the center. There were more lobes involved in group 2(median 4, IQR 3-5) than group 1(median 3, IQR 1.5-4) (P=0.024). Ground glass opacity (GGO) (451/634, 71.1%) and consolidation (157/634, 24.8%) were the main CT findings. Lesions with a maximum diameter greater than 5cm were more common in group 2 (19/25, 76%) than group 1 (12/33, 36.4%) (P=0.003). The CT score of bilateral lungs, right lung, left lung and each lobe in group 2 was significantly higher than those of group 1 (all P < 0.05), except for the middle lobe of the right lung (P=0.979). Conclusions: Ordinary COVID-19 pneumonia on chest CT generally manifested as multiple GGO and consolidation in the bilateral lung, with predominant peripheral or mixed distribution. Older age might be a risk factor for progression in ordinary COVID-19 pneumonia.
Investigation into public anxiety symptoms and preventive measures during the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan
Authors: Wong Li Ping , Hung Chia-Chun , Alias Haridah , Lee Tony Szu-Hsien 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to investigate anxiety symptoms and preventive measures being taken against COVID-19. The study also aimed to compare the association between preventive measures and anxiety symptoms during the week immediately preceding the study and those symptoms and measures at the beginning of the outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional population survey using an online questionnaire commenced on 14 February 2020. The study participants were residents of Taiwan and were aged between 20 and 70 years. The 6-item state version of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6) was used to assess anxiety symptoms. The questions about preventive measures asked participants about their personal protection, cough etiquette, contact precautions, voluntary quarantine, and prompt reporting.Results: Of a total of 3,555 completed responses, a total of 52.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 50.4–53.7) of the respondents reported having moderate to severe levels of anxiety symptoms in the past week, whereas 48.8% (95%CI 47.2–50.5) reported that they had had moderate to severe levels of anxiety symptoms at the beginning of the outbreak. The median scores for anxiety symptoms in the past week and at the beginning of the outbreak were 46.7 (IQR [Interquartile Range] 36.7-53.3) and 43.3 (IQR 36.7-53.3), respectively. The median scores for the preventive measures taken in the past week and at the beginning of the outbreak were 26.0 (IQR 21.0–30.0) and 24.0 (IQR 19.0–28.0), respectively, out of a maximum score of 36. In the multivariate analysis, having an increased anxiety symptom score from the beginning of the outbreak to the past week (adjusted OR = 7.38, 95%CI 6.28–8.66) was a strongly significant determinant of having an increased preventive measures score in the past week compared with score at the beginning of the outbreak. Conclusions: The study reveals the need to reduce levels of public anxiety and to maintain appropriate levels of infection prevention against COVID-19. The psychological effects and psychobehavioural responses to the outbreak found in this study provide important information about developing and implementing effective preventive and emotional regulation control strategies.
COVID-Predictor: RNA Sequence based Prediction of Coronavirus
Authors: Sarkar Jnanendra Prasad , Saha Indrajit , Seal Arijit , Maity Debasree 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The problem of virus classification is always a subject of concern for virology or epidemiology over the decades. Moreover, the detection of highly divergent or yet unknown viruses is a major challenge despite of its clinical importance. In this situati on, the outbreak of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its susceptibility in different epidemic condition around the world clearly suggest that the virus is mutating to create divergent variants and making the task of virus prediction more challenging. On the other hand, despite of novel coronavirus, two more coronaviruses such as MERS and SARS-CoV-1 are already present. Therefore, the use of machine learning technique is highly required at this moment to predict the coronaviruses by considering their divergent genetic functional characteristics. Thus, we are proposing machine learning based coronavirus prediction technique, called COVID- Predictor, where 1000 of RNA sequences of SARS-CoV-1, MERS, SARS-CoV-2 and other virus are used to train a Na¨ıve Bayes classifier so that it can predict any unknown sequence of these viruses. In order to develop the COVID-Predictor, the feature vector is constructed by the motifs of the sequence generated by k-mer and n-gram techniques. The model has been validated using 10 fold cross validation in comparison with other classification techniques. The results show the superiority of our predictor by achieving average 97% accuracy on unseen validation set. The same pre-trained model has been used to design a web based application where RNA sequences of unknown viruses can be uploaded to predict class of coronavirus. The predictor, code and datasets are available here: http://www.nitttrkol.ac.in/indrajit/projects/COVID-Predictor/