bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic utility of lipoprotein(a) combined with fibrinogen in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a prospective, large cohort study
Authors: Zhang Yan , Jin Jing-Lu , Cao Ye-Xuan , Liu Hui-Hui , Zhang Hui-Wen , Guo Yuan-Lin , Wu Na-Qiong , Gao Ying , Hua Qi , Li Yan-Fang , Xu Rui-Xia , Cui Chuan-Jue , Liu Geng , Dong Qian , Sun Jing , Li Jian-Jun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and fibrinogen (Fib) are both associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The atherogenicity of Lp(a) can be partly due to the potentially antifibrinolytic categories. We hypothesize that patients with higher Lp(a) and Fib may have worse outcomes. Methods: In this prospective study, we consecutively enrolled 8,417 Chinese patients with stable CAD from March 2011 to March 2017. All subjects were divided into 9 groups according to Lp(a) (Lp(a)-Low, Lp(a)-Medium, Lp(a)-High) and Fib levels (Fib-Low, Fib-Medium, Fib-High) and followed up for CVEs, including nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression and C-statistic analyses were performed.Results: During a median of 37.1 months’ follow-up, 395 (4.7%) CVEs occurred. The occurrence of CVEs increased by Lp(a) (3.5% vs. 5.3% vs. 5.6%, p=0.001) and Fib (4.0% vs. 4.4% vs. 6.1%, p<0.001) categories. When further classified into 9 groups by Lp(a) and Fib levels, the CVEs were highest in the 9th (Lp(a)-High and Fib-High) compared with the 1st (Lp(a)-Low and Fib-Low) group (7.2% vs. 3.3%, p<0.001). The highest risk of subsequent CVEs was found in the 9th group (HRadjusted 2.656, 95% CI 1.628-4.333, p<0.001), which was more significant than Lp(a)-High (HRadjusted 1.786, 95% CI 1.315-2.426, p<0.001) or Fib-High (HRadjusted 1.558, 95% CI 1.162-2.089, p=0.003) group. Moreover, adding the combined Lp(a) and Fib increased the C-statistic by 0.013.Conclusion: Combining Fib and Lp(a) enhance the prognostic value for incident CVEs beyond Lp(a) or Fib alone.
Clinical characterization, genetic profiling, and immune infiltration of TOX in diffuse gliomas
Authors: Hao Zhang , Fan Fan , Yuanqiang Yu , Zeyu Wang , Fangkun Liu , Ziyu Dai , Liyang Zhang , Zhixiong Liu , cheng quan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background:
Immunotherapies targeting glioblastoma (GBM) have led to significant improvements in patient outcomes. TOX is closely associated with the immune environment surrounding tumors, but its role in gliomas is not fully understood.

Methods: Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), we analyzed the transcriptomes of 1691 WHO grade I-IV human glioma samples. The R language was used to perform most of the statistical analyses. Somatic mutations and somatic copy number variation (CNV) were analyzed using GISTIC 2.0.

Results: TOX was down-regulated in malignant gliomas compared to low grade gliomas, and upregulated in the proneural and IDH mutant subtypes of GBM. TOXlow tumours are associated with the loss of PTEN and amplification of EGFR, while TOXhigh tumours harbor frequent mutations in IDH1 (91%). TOX was highly expressed in leading edge regions of tumours. Gene ontology and pathway analyses demonstrated that TOX was enriched in multiple immune related processes including lymphocyte migration in GBM. Finally, TOX had a negative association with the infiltration of several immune cell types in the tumour microenvironment.

Conclusion: TOX has the potential to be a new prognostic marker for GBM.
Application of the thermal time model for different Typha domingensis populations
Authors: León Fanny Mabel Carhuancho , Cortijo Pedro Luis Aguado , Izquierdo María del Carmen Morató , Moncho María Teresa Castellanos 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundCattail (Typha domingensis Pers.) is a perennial emergent plant which is used in Green Floating Filters (GFFs), one of the most innovative systems of wastewater treatment to bioremediate eutrophic waters and produce biomass as biofuel feedstocks. The establishment of cattails in GFFs depends on the seed germination and plant responses under conditions of a new habitat. This study analysed the germination response of four different populations of cattails through a thermal time model to determine which population would have the fastest germination for establishment in GFFs.ResultsSeeds from the Badajoz (Ba), Cuenca (Cu), Madrid (Ma), Seville (Se) and Toledo (To) populations were exposed to different thermal regimes (constant, and alternating temperatures between 15 and 30°C) and differents darkness treatments (between 0 and 20 days with 24h dark photoperiod, then exposed to light with 12h light/dark photoperiod) to determine the parameters of the thermal model from germination levels in each treatment. To population was used to validate the thermal time parameters of other populations. Regardless of the other parameters, no germination occurred in total darkness. The mean value of base temperature (Tb) was 16.4±0.2°C in all treatments. Optimum temperature (To) values in Ma and Ba were 25°C, and those in Cu and Se were 22.5°C. The germination response decreased when the temperature approached Tb and increased when it was close to To. In comparison to alternating temperatures, constant temperatures had the highest germination response and lowest thermal time (θT(50)). Darkness treatments had a direct relationship with θT(50). The population origin also affected seed germination; Cu had the highest values of To and germination response but had a lower θT(50), which coincides with the lowest mean ambient temperatures.Conclusion According to these results, the germination response of cattails was high in all populations under optimal conditions but was affected to a greater or lesser extent depending on thermal regimes, darkness treatments, and populations. The thermal time model allowed us to determine that To was between 22.5-25ºC. In comparison to other populations, Cu is the best population for establishment in GFFs due to its high germination response under the conditions tested.
Relationship between the non-HDLc-to-HDLc ratio and carotid plaques in a high stroke risk population: A cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhang Zhenwen , Xia Binlan , Wang Liping , Zhang Hengzhong , Zhu Yan , Liu Chao , Song Bin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Evidence on the association between the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLc)-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) ratio (non-HDLc/HDLc) and carotid plaques is still limited. This study aims to assess the relationship between the non-HDLc/HDLc and carotid plaques in a population with a high risk of stroke.Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the community was conducted in Yangzhou, China. Residents (no younger than 40 years old) underwent questionnaire interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testing during 2013-2014. The subjects with a high risk of stroke were further selected (at least three of eight risk factors including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, smoking, lack of exercise, overweight, and family history of stroke) or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke history. Carotid ultrasonography was then performed on the high stroke risk participants. Carotid plaque was defined as a focal carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) ≥1.5 cm or a discrete structure protruding into the arterial lumen at least 50% of the surrounding cIMT. Logistic regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between the non-HDLc/HDLc and carotid plaques.Results: Overall, 839 subjects with a high risk of stroke were ultimately included in the analysis, and carotid plaques were identified in 341 (40.6%) of them. Participants in the highest non-HDLc/HDLc tertile group presented a higher proportion of carotid plaques than did those in the other two groups. After adjustment for other confounders, each unit increase in the non-HDLc/HDLc was significantly associated with carotid plaques (OR 1.55, 95%CI 1.28-1.88). In the subgroup analysis, the non-HDLc/HDLc was positively and significantly associated with the presence of carotid plaques in most subgroups. Additionally, the non-HDLc/HDLc interacted significantly with three stratification variables, including sex (OR 1.31 for males vs. OR 2.37 for females, P interaction = 0.016), exercise (OR 1.18 for subjects without lack of exercise vs. OR 1.99 for subjects with lack of exercise, P interaction = 0.004) and heart diseases (OR 1.40 for subjects without heart diseases vs. OR 3.12 for subjects with heart diseases, P interaction = 0.033). Conclusion: The non-HDLc/HDLc was positively associated with the presence of carotid plaques in a Chinese high stroke risk population. A prospective study or randomized clinical trial of lipid-lowering therapy in the Chinese population is needed to evaluate their causal relationship.
The WNT5A/ROR2 signaling pathway in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
Authors: Remtisch Lydia , Wiltberger Georg , Schierle Katrin , Yousef Moulla , Thieme René , Jansen-Winkeln Boris , Wittekind Christian , Gockel Ines , Lyros Orestis 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

WNT5A/ROR2 signaling pathway has been shown to be involved in many human cancers. Its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has not been clarified yet. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of WNT5A-expression in conjunction with the ROR2-expression in the same tumor tissues of PDAC patients.
Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the expression of WNT5A and ROR2 in 117 paraffin-embedded PDAC specimens following surgical pancreatic resection by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of WNT5A and ROR2 was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariate COX regression-models.
Results

High ROR2-expression was detected in 65.8% (77/117) of PDAC-tumors, in 28.2% (33/117) in tumor-stroma, and in 71.1% (65/90) of normal pancreatic tissue. High WNT5A-expression was found in 76.9% (90/117) of tumors, in 59.0% (69/117) of tumor-stroma, and in 83.0% (73/88) of normal pancreatic tissue. Spearman's correlation co-efficiency demonstrated weak association between ROR2- and WNT5A-expression in tumor (r = 0.184; p = 0.047), and no association in stroma (r = 0.036; p = 0.699). Multivariate analysis showed that regional lymph node invasion and differentiation were independent prognostic factors of survival, while ROR2- and WNT5A-expression not.
Conclusions

Variable expression patterns for ROR2 and WNT5A were demonstrated in PDAC and normal pancreatic tissues suggesting a role for WNT5A/ROR2 signalling pathway, not only in PDAC but also in the normal pancreatic tissue during inflammation. The lack of prognostic significance for ROR2- and WNT5A-expression in our cohort, either alone or in subgroup analysis, signifies the complexity of their role in PDAC, which is highly dependent on the different molecular receptor-ligand tissue contexts.
Upsurge of caesarean sections in Pakistan: A qualitative study on perceptions of women and gynaecologists
Authors: Amjad Aaisha , Usman Ahmed , Alvi Fauzia Saleem , Farooq Muhammad , Shahram Nabiha , Jalil Aisha , Fischer Florian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The upsurge of caesarean sections in Pakistan has become a matter of concern for public health. The current rate of caesarean sections has reached 19.6% of total childbirths in Pakistan. This study attempts to explore the perceptions of married women and gynaecologists about different social and cultural aspects affecting the upsurge of caesarean sections in Pakistan. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant women, women who already have given birth via caesarean section and gynaecologists in the leading public and private maternity hospitals located in Lahore, Pakistan. Qualitative data collected was analysed using thematic content analysis technique.Results: Major findings of the study revealed that the personal experience of previous caesarean section, experiences shared by other women, caesarean sections as a family trend, caesarean sections as a status symbol, fears related to vaginal childbirth, and lack of awareness about modes of childbirth are the most significant social and cultural aspects contributing to the upsurge of caesarean sections in Pakistan.Conclusion: Caesarean sections as a symbol of higher socio-economic status and the fear of prolonged labour during vaginal childbirth are the two key reasons to prefer caesarean sections. There is a need to create awareness among women about coping skills to deal with the fear and anxiety related to vaginal birth in order to improve the overall maternal health in Pakistan.
Burden of Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy Among Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinic, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Getnet Moges Gashaw , Gedlu Solomon , Janakiraman Balamurugan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a commonly reported maternal morbidity that negatively impacts the well-being of women during pregnancy and extends long term into the post-partum period. The burden of maternal morbidity; including pregnancy-related PGP; has been overlooked in Ethiopia to date. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy in North West Ethiopia.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women visiting the antenatal care clinic in Obstetrics ‘outpatient department at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital in Gondar. Data were collected by interview method using structured questionnaires, patient medical record reviews, and physical measurements. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression model analyses were used to identify factors associated with PGP. Results: A total of 424 participants with gestational ages ranging from 6 to 39 weeks participated in this study. The age of the study participants ranged from 18 to 44 years with a mean age of (27 ±4.6 years). The overall cumulative prevalence of pelvic girdle pain among pregnant women was 103 (24.3%), 95% CI (20.3, 28.8). The major associated factors with pelvic girdle pain were previous history of pelvic girdle pain (AOR 16.08; 95% CI, 8.47-30.51), previous history of back pain (AOR 1.66; 95% CI, 1.5-4.24) and having children (AOR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.29-3.76).Conclusion: One-quarter of pregnant Ethiopian women reported pelvic girdle pain. Many respondents endured pain on multiple occasions and association with the previous history of PGP might be an episode of relapse. PGP must be considered a major pregnancy-related morbidity, and progress in the intervention of PGP is vital to enhance the quality of life in this population.
Stagewise Resolution of Temperature-Dependent Embryonic and Postembryonic Development in the Cowpea Seed Beetle Callosobruchus Maculatus (F.)
Authors: Kutcherov Dmitry 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background The thermal plasticity of life-history traits receives wide attention in the recent biological literature. Of all the temperature-dependent traits studied, developmental rates of ectotherms are especially often addressed, and yet surprisingly little is known about embryonic responses to temperature, including changes in the thermal thresholds and thermal sensitivity during early development. Even postembryonic development of many cryptically living species is understood superficially at best. Results This study is the first to estimate the exact durations of developmental stages in the cowpea seed beetle C. maculatus from oviposition to adult emergence at five nonstressful constant temperatures from 20 to 32°C. Early embryonic development was tracked and documented by means of destructive sampling and subsequent confocal imaging of fluorescently stained specimens. Late embryonic and early larval development was studied with the use of destructive sampling and light microscopy. Well-resolved temporal series based on thousands of embryos allowed precise timing of the following developmental events: formation of the blastoderm; formation, elongation, and retraction of the germ band; dorsal closure; the onset and completion of sclerotization of the cuticle; hatching, and penetration of the first-instar larva into the cowpea seed. Pupation and adult eclosion were observed directly through an incision in the seed coat. The thermal phenotype of C. maculatus was found to vary in the course of ontogeny and different stages scaled disproportionately with temperature, but pitfalls and caveats associated with analyses of relative durations of individual stages are also briefly discussed.Conclusion Disproportionate changes in developmental durations with temperature may have important implications when study design requires a high degree of synchronization among experimental embryos or when the occurrence of particular stages in the field is of interest, as well as in any other cases when development times need to be estimated with precision. This work provides one of the first examples of integration of embryological techniques with ecophysiological concepts and will hopefully motivate similar projects in the future. While experiments with Drosophila remain to be the main source of information on animal development, knowledge on other model species is instrumental to building a broader picture of developmental phenomena.
Olfactory dysfunction quantified by olfactometry in patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection
Authors: Cervilla Maria Teresa , Gutierrez Irene , Romero Maria , Garcia-Gomez Javier 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: To quantify olfactory dysfunction by olfactometry in patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection.Methods: Patients from a particular Spanish health area with SARS-Cov-2 infection were recruited to study the loss of smell. Olfactometry was performed using the Sniffin Sticks test. The following clinical symtoms were studied: ENT symptoms related to infection, duration of sensorineural loss, subjective and objective score of loss of smell, and its temporal relationship with other systemic symptoms.Results: A total of 51 patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection completed the study. A total of 86.3% reported subjective loss of smell capacity. Objective loss of olfactory ability was quantified by olfactometry in 22% of patients. Statistical significance was demonstrated between the group of patients with anosmia/hyposmia and the Sniffin Sticks test (p-value: 0.013). The most frequent ENT symptoms in patients with quantified olfactory loss consisted of nasal obstruction, absence of rhinorrhea, sore throat, and ear pain. The subjective olfactory recovery rate prior to performing olfactometry was 64.3% of the sample. A total of 77% of patients in whom olfactory loss was quantified by olfactometry reported a subjective duration of more than 15 days.Conclusion: Olfactory dysfunction is an objective clinical finding in patients with SARS- Cov-2 infection. Its persistence has been demonstrated beyond the first month after infection. Their quantitative study should be continued to determine the recovery rate and its possible long-term sequelae, as well as treatments to improve the quality of life of these patients.
Evaluation of Effects of Positive Birth Experience on the Perception of Birth of Primiparous Women
Authors: öztürk duygu murat , Aydoğdu Saadet Gonca Mavi , Çakır Esma , Güler Burcu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background:A positive birth experience for women is related to active support systems. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the birth perceptions of primiparous women after having interactions with women who had positive birth experiences.Methods:Of the pregnant women who applied to the non-stress test (NST) service at the XXX Hospital between the dates of June 18 and July 18, 2018, 60 pregnant women who met the criteria voluntarily participated in this study. These women were placed into two groups. The first group was given a sound recording to hear positive birth stories. No intervention was made for the 30 pregnant women in the second group. A questionnaire including the Perception of Birth Scale (POBS) was applied to these 60 puerperant women after birth. The data were analyzed with the SPSS software package. Percentage, frequency values and Mann-Whitney U test values were used to evaluate the data.Results: The average age of the women was 23.51±3.47 years. Of these, 43.3% of the women had received no training before birth, while 56.7% had obtained training. The POBS scores of the control and experimental groups were compared and the total score of the scale, as well as the “delivery experience” and “labor experience” sub-dimensions of the scale were found to be statistically significant (p<0.005).Conclusions:Stories about positive birth experiences have effects on the perception of birth. Thus, positive birth experiences should be given more importance.
The Value of Urinary RBP4 in The Diagnosis of FSGS and other Renal Diseases.
Authors: Marek-Bukowiec Karolina , Konieczny Andrzej , Ratajczyk Krzysztof , Macur Katarzyna , Czaplewska Paulina , Czyżewska-Buczyńska Agnieszka , Kowal Paweł , Witkiewicz Wojciech 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the leading cause of chronic renal failure worldwide. Unequivocal diagnosis of FSGS can only be made with a renal biopsy, which is an invasive, risk-associated medical procedure. The discovery of non-invasive molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of FSGS still remains an important scientific goal. This study examines the urinary proteome profile of FSGS patients and reference groups, in order to identify urinary protein expression alterations indicative of FSGS. Methods Urine samples were collected from subjects representing FSGS, IgA nephropathy (IgAN), clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), and healthy control group, respectively. The samples were pooled and subjected to SWATH-MS proteomics analysis. ELISA was utilized to validate the expression level of Retinol-binding protein 4 (uRBP4) in 130 urine supernatant samples (21 FSGS, 20 IgAN, 31 ccRCC, 21 chRCC, 7 prostate cancer patients and 30 healthy volunteers).ResultsThe MS study identified 194 (FSGS), 179 (IgAN), 271 (ccRCC), 255 (chRCC), and 275 (healthy controls) urinary proteins. The comparative proteomic analysis revealed that Retinol-binding protein 4 clearly discriminates FSGS from the rest of the groups. Increased levels of uRBP4 in FSGS urine specimens were also detected by ELISA (FSGS vs IgAN p=0.0244, FSGS vs ccRCC p=0.004, FSGS vs chRCC p=0.013, FSGS vs prostate cancer p=0.02, FSGS vs healthy controls p<0.00001). Significantly elevated levels of uRBP4 were also observed for IgAN, ccRCC and chRCC versus healthy individuals.ConclusionsUrinary RBP4 protein is significantly upregulated in FSGS in comparison to IgAN, ccRCC, chRCC, prostate cancer patients and healthy subjects. Determining FSGS diagnosis based on uRBP4 expression alone is not possible. Specific uRBP4 concentration cut-off can be applied to accurately distinguish individuals with renal disorder (in general) from healthy subjects. Thus, urinary RBP4 could serve as a screening biomarker identifying people at risk of renal disorders, who should undergo more detailed diagnostics.