bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LKB1 Loss Upregulates ALKBH5 and Contributes to Aggressive Phenotypes of KRAS Mutated Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Donghong , Ning Jinfeng , Okon Imoh , Zheng Xiaoxu , Satyanarayana Ganesh , Song Ping , Xu Shidong , Zou Ming-Hui 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Oncogenic KRAS mutations combined with loss of the LKB1 tumor-suppressor gene (KL) are strongly associated with aggressive forms of lung cancer. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in mRNA is a crucial epigenetic modification that controls cancer self-renewal and progression. However, the function, regulation and mechanism of m6A in this aggressive phenotypes remain largely unclear.Methods: The clinic-pathological role of m6A was evaluated in a cohort of lung cancer tissues and further validated by public databases and integrating bioinformatics analyses. We examined the upstream and downstream regulation of ALKBH5 (AlkB family member 5, an m6A demethylase) using quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, bisulfite genome sequencing, luciferase reporter assay, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation, m6A-RNA Immunoprecipitation (m6A-RIP) and m6A-seq data analysis. Results: We found that LKB1 loss decreased m6A levels and correlated with disease progression and poor survival for KRAS mutant lung cancer patients. The effect on m6A levels and the disease progression and survival was mediated by increasing levels of ALKBH5. LKB1 inactivation increased ALKBH5 transcription in multiple KRAS mutated tumor types, including colon, pancreas, and lung. Conversely, LKB1 overexpression decreased DNA methylation of the CTCF-binding motif on the ALKBH5 promoter, which enhanced CTCF binding and inhibited histone modifications, including H3K4me3, H3K9ac, and H3K27ac. ALKBH5 demethylation of m6A stabilized oncogenic drivers, such as SOX2, SMAD7, and MYC, through a pathway dependent on YTHDF2, an m6A reader protein. Conclusions: Loss of LKB1 in KRAS mutated cancers promoted ALKBH5 transcription, decreased m6A levels, and increased the stability of m6A target oncogenes, thus contributing to aggressive phenotypes of KRAS mutated lung cancer.
Effects of Autistic Trait-Related Joint Attention on Visual Working Memory
Authors: Wang Zhiyun , Xuan Bin , Li Shuo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Social attention deficits have been found in individuals with high autistic traits in the non-clinical population However, the eye movement patterns triggered by gaze direction still need to be explored in individuals with different levels of autistic traits, and it remains unknown whether autistic traits can modulate the relationship between joint attention and visual working memory. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of autistic traits on joint attention and whether autistic traits could further influence visual working memory performance through joint attention. Methods: A total of 46 participants who scored in the top and bottom 20% on the Chinese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) were divided into high- and low-AQ groups. We used a combination of the cueing paradigm, change detection task, and eye-tracking technique to explore behavioral performance and eye movement patterns. The 50% validity gaze and dot cues were set as social and nonsocial cues, respectively. Results: The low-AQ group showed shorter reaction times for the gaze-cued location but not for the dot condition and not for the high-AQ group. The low-AQ group had a higher fixation proportion, more fixation counts both in the gaze-cued and dot-cued locations, and shorter entry time into the target ROI under the valid gaze condition. The high-AQ group only showed a dot cueing effect with a higher fixation proportion and more fixation counts in dot-cued location.Limitations: The small number of memory items may have led participants to encode polygons into long-term memory, which limits the only interpretation of results on visual working memory. In addition, participants in this study were all undergraduates or graduate students, which may limit the generalizability of our findings to a broader population.Conclusions: This finding suggest that autistic traits influence the pattern of attention triggered by gaze and dot cues. Individuals with low-AQ were more adept at using gaze cues to direct attention, while high-AQ individuals were less sensitive to gaze cues and preferred non-social cues. The difference in joint attention further affected the speed of visual working memory.
Multisite Controlled Blinded Field Studies to Evaluate the Effect of an Oral Live Escherichia Coli Bivalent F4/F18 Vaccine in Pig Nurseries with Mild Cases of Post-Weaning Diarrhea or Subclinical ETEC Infections.
Authors: Nadeau Eric , Tremblay Danielle , Naderer Anna Magdalena , Hellmann Klaus 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) caused by Escherichia coli is a worldwide economically important disease in pigs, linked with increased mortality and weight loss. F4- and F18-enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) are the most diagnosed causes of PWD. The efficacy of live oral E. coli vaccines has been previously demonstrated on farms with confirmed clinical cases of PWD. However, the impact of vaccination in subclinical cases with mild or not noticeable clinical manifestations needed to be assessed. This study evaluated the effect of an oral dose of a live E. coli bivalent F4/F18 vaccine in nurseries without ongoing clinical PWD outbreaks but with a history of pathogenic E. coli circulating within the herd. Two controlled blinded studies were performed under commercial conditions in a total of 6 European sites. Overall, 1941 vaccinated piglets and 1976 control piglets were enrolled and were monitored for health, growth, and feed conversion rate. Results: No clinical outbreak of ETEC PWD has been observed in the tested farms. Two farms faced episodes of non-ETEC enteric diseases that required treatments. Nursery weight gain was not statistically different between groups in these two farms. However, the nursery weight gain of the vaccinated pigs was significantly higher by 0.80, 0.87 and 1.24 kg than of the control pigs in three of the four farms without non-ETEC enteric diseases (p<0.05) and by 0.69 kg (p=0.051) in the fourth one, leading to numerically heavier pigs at the exit of the four nurseries. No statistically difference was observed for the feed conversion rate, though it was numerically lower for vaccinated pigs of the two tested farms. Conclusions: Recent European legislations aimed at reducing the use of antibiotics and banning therapeutic use of zinc oxide in feed are leading to a search for alternatives to compensate animal health impacts and economic losses due to PWD. These studies demonstrate that, even in the absence of convincing clinical signs of PWD, ETEC infections limit nursery pig optimal growth performance that can be mitigated by vaccination with an oral live E. coli bivalent F4/F18 vaccine. These findings corroborate previous studies showing the effect of vaccination in clinical outbreaks of PWD.
Impact of Investigator Initiated Trials and Industry Sponsored Trials on Medical Practice (Impact): Results of a Cohort Study
Authors: Blümle Anette , Wollmann Katharina , Bischoff Karin , Lohner Szimonetta , Nury Edris , Nitschke Kai , Rücker Gerta , Schumacher Martin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundDecisions in healthcare are ideally made on basis of the results of clinical trials, published in study registries, as primary journal articles or summarized in secondary research articles. It is still unclear, whether and to what extent public and commercial expenses invested in clinical trials pays out in a way that their findings have an impact on publication output and medical practice.MethodsThe aim of this project was to examine the lifecycle of clinical trials from their registration to their publication and citation in secondary research articles by determining the proportion of trials that were published and were included in systematic review and clinical guidelines. We set-up a cohort of randomized controlled trials (n=691). We created and compared four sub-cohorts of investigator initiated trials (IITs) and industry sponsor trials (ISTs) with and without German contribution. For each trial, we searched for corresponding publications and citing systematic reviews and clinical guidelines.Additionally, we investigated what study characteristics are associated with publication and impact by using multivariable logistic regressions. ResultsOf the 691 trials, 576 (83%) were published as method article or result article in a medical journal and/or the trial results were made available in study registries; results were available for 555 (80%) of the trials. More than half (52%) of the trials were cited by a systematic review and about a quarter (26%) reached impact in a clinical guideline. Drug trials and larger trials are associated with a higher probability to be published and to have an impact than non-drug trials and smaller trials. Results of IITs were more often published as journal article, results of ISTs more often in study registries. International ISTs gain less often impact by inclusion in systematic reviews or guidelines than publicly sponsored trials.ConclusionA considerable proportion of clinical trials investigated was published and had an impact on clinical practice, whereas the proportions depend on specific study characteristic. Study registries are an important alternative or complement to journal articles for publishing study results. There is still a need to improve the transfer of knowledge generated in clinical research into practice.
Identification of Gene Variants Related to Malignant Hyperthermia in Han Chinese People by Next-Generation Sequencing.
Authors: Zhang Jianxiong , Fu Lina , Li Dandan , Cheng Xuewei , Hu Mengmeng , Wang Hong , Wang Chunyan , Qiu Zewu , Dong Ruihua 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disease triggered by anesthesia. In recent years, next generation sequencing(NGS) technology, targeted sequencing approaches have been used to identify regions related to MH and can not only detect known MH variant sites but also allow the exploration of novel MH-related variants.Methods: Twenty-four volunteer’s blood samples were collected, genomic DNA was then extracted, target regions were amplified, and through targeted sequencing of these target regions, both known and novel variants were identified, and analysis of these variants identified some that may damage protein function. Online prediction tools were also used to determine the possibility of variants that may cause MH.Results: We performed next-generation sequencing of 53 positions on 4 genes, in which 36 variants of the RYR1 gene were found. Three of these caused a change in the amino acid sequence. Additionally, 11 variants of the CACNA1S gene were found, of which 3 led to amino acid sequence changes. Five variants of the JSRP1 gene were found, and four variants caused the amino acid sequence to change.Conclusions: In healthy volunteers, variants in RYR1 and CACNA1S were more common, and variants in JSRP1 more commonly had amino acid sequence changes. Whether a variant is pathogenic can be predicted using a prediction website, but the sensitivity and specificity still need to be improved.
Effects of aprepitant /dexamethasone versus mirtazapine/dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ashoor Tarek , Kassim Dina Y. , Hasseb Ahmed M. , Esmat Ibrahim M. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background

Co-administration of different antiemetics proved to decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The investigators compared the combination of aprepitant and dexamethasone (A/D) with the combination of mirtazapine and dexamethasone (M/D) for prevention of PONV in morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG.
Methods

Ninety patients scheduled for LSG were assigned to receive a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone 8 mg IVI (D group), and in addition to oral aprepitant 80 mg (A/D group) or oral mirtazapine 30 mg (M/D group) in a randomized, double-blind trial. Assessment of PONV was done 0–2 h (early) and 2–24 hours (late). Patients’ level of sedation, satisfaction and postoperative pain were also assessed.
Results

A/D and M/D groups were superior to D group for complete response 0–24 h after surgery (79.3% for A/D group, 78.6% for M/D group and 20.7% for D group). D group was inferior to A/D and M/D groups regarding collective PONV and use of rescue antiemetics (P < 0.001) 0–24 h after surgery. The peak nausea scores 2–24 h were significantly lower in both A/D and M/D groups vs. D group (P = 0.005). Patients in the M/D group showed higher sedation scores while those in A/D groups showed lower pain scores and less analgesic requirements. A/D and M/D groups were superior to D group regarding the patient’s satisfaction score.
Conclusion

A/D and M/D combinations were superior to D alone regarding the proportion of patients exhibiting a complete response in preventing PONV associated with LSG.
Trial Registration:

Clinical Trials. gov Identifier: NCT04013386/ prospectively registered: 09/07/2019, http://www.Clinical Trial.gov
A Python script to merge Sanger sequences
Authors: Chen Cen , Huang Xiaofang , Lu Bingguo , Bi Chuyun , Zhao Lili , Hu Yunzhuo , Chen Xuanyang , Lin Shiqiang , Huang Kai 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Merging Sanger sequences is frequently needed during the gene cloning process. In this study, we provide a Python script that is able to merge multiple overlapping Sanger sequences. Our results demonstrate that the script can produce the merged sequence from the input Sanger sequences in a single run. The script offers a simple and free method for merging Sanger sequences and is useful for gene cloning.
Interpretation Bias Featured in Military Personnel with High Trait Anxiety Measured by a Novel Paradigm
Authors: Yin Qianlan , Cai Wenpeng , Zhang Xiaoming , Chen Aibin , Song Xiangrui , Deng Guanghui 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Anxiety has become one of the most common psychological problems affecting the combat effectiveness of soldiers. As the generation, maintenance, and recurrence of anxiety have an important interaction with interpretation bias, yet none proof was for the existence of interpretation bias in military personnel.Methods: 112 military officers and soldiers were recruited. Based on scores of the Trait-anxiety Inventory, participants were divided into the high trait anxiety group and the low trait anxiety group. the Picture Sentence Association Paradigm comprised of military-simulated ambiguous scenarios and emotional facial expressions was used to test the differences of the interpretation bias between the two groups.Results: Military personnel with high trait anxiety showed interpretation bias by endorsing more negative valence to the ambiguous scenarios and reject the positive valence. Especially in a self-related scenario, the interpretation bias was more remarkable.Conclusion: This study revealed the existed interpretation bias in military personnel with high trait anxiety using a new paradigm and highlighted the need for further researches to improve the measurement of interpretation bias. Moreover, the picture sentence association paradigm could provide plausible methods for cognitive bias modification to decrease the soldiers’ anxiety.
Sex Differences in Healthcare Utilization and Costs among Individuals with Elevated Blood Pressure: The LARK Study from Western Kenya
Authors: Sikka Neha , DeLong Allison , Kamano Jemima , Kimaiyo Sylvester , Orango Vitalis , Fuster Valentin , Hogan Joseph , Vedanthan Rajesh 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Elevated blood pressure is the leading risk factor for global mortality. While it is known that there exist differences between men and women with respect to socioeconomic status, self-reported health, and healthcare utilization, there are few published studies from Africa. This study therefore aims to characterize differences in healthcare utilization and costs between men and women with elevated blood pressure in Kenya.Methods: Data from 1447 participants enrolled in the LARK Hypertension study in western Kenya were analyzed. Latent class analysis based on nine dependent variables was performed to describe patterns of healthcare utilization and costs in the study population. Regression analysis was then performed to describe the relationship between different demographics and each outcome. Results: Women in our study had higher rates of unemployment (28% vs 12%), were more likely to report lower monthly earnings (72% vs 51%), and had more outpatient visits (39% vs 28%) and pharmacy prescriptions (42% vs 30%). Three patterns of healthcare utilization were described: (1) individuals with low healthcare utilization, (2) individuals who utilized care but paid low out-of-pocket costs, and (3) individuals who utilized care but had higher out-of-pocket costs. Women and those with health insurance were more likely to be in the high-cost utilizer group. Women were also more likely to report lower quality-of-life and functional health status, including pain, mobility, self-care, and ability to perform usual activities. Conclusions: Men and women with elevated blood pressure in Kenya have different health care utilization behaviors, cost and economic burdens, and health outcomes. Awareness of these sex differences can help inform targeted interventions in these populations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01844596, Date of registration: May 1, 2013. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01844596
Machine Learning to Assess Language Impairments in Older Adults
Authors: Parsa Mah , Alam Muhammad Raisul , Mihailidis Alex 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to propose a methodology based on machine learning classifiers for assessing language impairments associated with dementia in older adults. To do so, we compare the impact of different types of language tasks, features, and recording media on our ML-based methodology’s efficiency. Methodology: The methodology encompasses the following steps: 1) Extracting linguistic and acoustic features from subjects’ speeches which have been collected from subjects with dementia ( N =9) and subjects without dementia ( N =13); 2) Employing feature selection methods to rank informative features; 3) Training ML classifiers using extracted features to recognize subjects with dementia from subjects without dementia; 4) Evaluating the classifiers; 5) Selecting the most accurate classifiers to develop the languages assessment tools. Results: Our results indicate that 1) we can find more predictive linguistic markers to distinguish language impairment associated with dementia from participants’ speech produced during the picture description language task than the story recall task. 2) a phone-based recording interface provides a more high-quality language dataset than the web-based recording systems; 3) classifiers trained with selected features from acoustic features or linguistic features show higher performance than the classifiers trained with pure features. Conclusion: Our results show that the tree-based classifiers that have been trained using the PD dataset can be used to develop an ML-based language assessment tool that can detect language impairment associated with dementia as quickly as possible.
Serum free amino acid profiling in differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors – a case control study with review of the literature
Authors: Horala Agnieszka , Plewa Szymon , Derezinski Pawel , Klupczynska Agnieszak , Matysiak Jan , Nowak-Markwitz Ewa , Kokot Zenon J 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Due to lack of effective early diagnostic methods, ovarian cancer (OC) remains a disease with a very unfavorable prognosis and correct differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian tumors is often difficult. Metabolomic profiling has recently been widely used in the search for non-invasive cancer diagnostic methods. In this research the serum free amino acid profiles were investigated to identify potential novel biomarkers of OC and assess their performance in ovarian tumor differential diagnosis. Results Serum samples from patients diagnosed with ovarian tumors were divided based on the histopathological result: epithelial OC (n=38), borderline ovarian tumors (n=6) and benign ovarian tumors (BOTs) (n=62). Serum free amino acid profiles were evaluated using aTRAQ methodology based on high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. In the performed analyses, the levels of eleven amino acids significantly differed between OC + borderline and BOTs. The highest AUC (0.787) was obtained for histidine. Cystine and histidine were identified as best single markers for early stage OC/BOT and type I OC. For advanced stage OC, seven amino acids differed significantly between the groups and citrulline obtained the best AUC of 0.807. Between type II OC and BOTs eight amino acids differed significantly and the highest AUC of 0.798 was achieved by histidine and citrulline (AUC of 0.778). Conclusions Serum free amino acid profiles are significantly altered in OC patients as compared to those with BOTs. Histidine emerges as a potential new biomarker in differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Adding histidine to a multimarker panel together with CA125 and HE4 improved the differential diagnosis between OC and BOTs.
WITHDRAWN: Pride Camp: Pilot Study of an Intervention to Develop Resilience and Self-Esteem Among LGBTQ Youth
Authors: Weinhardt Lance S. , Wesp Linda M. , Xie Hui , Murray Jennifer A. , Martín Jeanette , DeGeorge Sarah , Weinhardt Caleb B. , Hawkins Maren M , Stevens Patricia 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Many LGBTQ youth experience rejection and discrimination in their families and schools, and the range of interventions for improving their resilience and well-being is limited. We developed and piloted an LGBT-youth-focused intervention to build resilience, called Pride Camp. Methods: Using a mixed-method approach we examined the impact of Pride Camp on resilience and other measures of well-being among LGBTQ high school students who attended camp on a college campus in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Camp attendees and the research sample included a majority proportion of transgender and gender nonbinary (TGN) youth. Results: Pre- and post-test data from our quantitative surveys (n=28), indicated significant increases in resilience, self-esteem, and quality of life in LGBTQ youth who attended camp. Similar results were found among the TGN participants (n=19). Qualitative data from focus groups indicated that specifically for TGN youth, the affirming environment at the camp provided social opportunities that they had not found elsewhere. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the Pride Camp intervention provides a platform for LGBTQ youth to meet peers and engage in LGBTQ communities, improving their resilience and outlook on the future. A larger controlled study of the Pride Camp intervention is warranted.