bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding in Ecuador: implications for localized policy applications and promotion of breastfeeding: a pooled analysis
Authors: Freire Wilma B. , Waters William F. , Román Diana , Belmont Philippe , Wilkinson-Salamea Emily , Diaz Adrián , Palacios Ivan , Bucheli Enrique 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Best practices in breastfeeding are often not followed despite appropriate levels of knowledge and positive attitudes regarding the benefits of human milk. For many reasons, some women do not initiate breastfeeding, suspend breastfeeding early, or initiate complementary feeding earlier than recommended. Usual measurement methods use large sample surveys at a national scale, which are not well suited for monitoring sub-national differences.

Methods
In order to understand how local infant feeding practices could influence policy and promotion practices, we apply data pooling methodology to analyse breastfeeding patterns in different Ecuadorian settings: Cumbayá parish, located near Quito, the Ecuadorian capital; the city of Macas and rural surroundings in the Amazon basin province of Morona Santiago; and the province of Galapagos. Surveys were conducted independently between August 2017 and August 2018; while they are representative of each respective setting, sampling designs and survey methods differ, but the same demographic information and data based on standard breastfeeding indicators established by the World Health Organization (WHO) were collected. In order to account for differences in the different settings, the design effect of each survey was considered in the analysis.

Results
Significant differences were found in breastfeeding practices between the suburban Cumbayá parish near Quito and Galapagos on one hand, and urban and rural parts of Morona Santiago, on the other. The rates of early breastfeeding initiation and age-appropriate breastfeeding are significantly higher in urban and rural Morona Santiago then in Cumbayá or Galapagos, while the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is highest in rural parts of Morona Santiago. No significant differences were found in complementary feeding practices between Cumbayá and Galapagos, but there are with urban and rural Morona Santiago. Initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour after birth occurs in only 36.2% of cases in Cumbayá but in 75.4% of cases in urban Morona.

Conclusions
Differences among regions reflect specific opportunities and barriers to practices related to promoting optimal infant health and nutrition. Consequently, regional or local conditions that often are not apparent in national-level data should orient policies and promotion activities in specific populations.
Efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin combined with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a pooled analysis
Authors: Zhang Shu-Ling , Han Cheng-Bo , Sun Li , Huang Le-Tian , Ma Jie-Tao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin in combination with radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC).

Methods
We searched eligible literature in available databases using combinations of the following search terms: lung cancer, endostatin or endostar, radiotherapy or radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy. The inclusion criteria were: prospective or retrospective (including single-arm) studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of endostatin plus radiotherapy (ERT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (ECRT) in patients with LA-NSCLC. Primary outcomes included the following: objective response rate (ORR), local control rates (LCR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events (AEs). Tests of heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were performed.

Results
A total of 271 patients with LA-NSCLC from 7 studies were enrolled, including six prospective trials and one retrospective study. The pooled median PFS was 11.3 months overall, 11.2 months in the ECRT group, and 11.8 months in the ERT group. Pooled median OS and ORR were 18.9 months and 77.2% overall, 18.4 months and 77.5% in the ECRT group, and 19.6 months and 76.1% in the ERT group, respectively. The incidences of major grade ≥ 3 AEs for all patients, subgroups of ECRT and ERT were 10.9% vs 11.9% vs 9.4% for radiation pneumonitis, 11.6% vs 12.2% vs 9.4% for radiation esophagitis, 35.5% vs 43.4% vs 0 for leukopenia, 27.8% vs 40.7% vs 2.1% for neutropenia, and 10.5% vs 12.3% vs 2.1% for anemia.

Conclusions
Combined endostatin with RT or CCRT is effective and well tolerated in treating LA-NSCLC, and less toxicities occur. Further validation through prospective randomized control trials is required.
High-dose carbon-ion based radiotherapy of primary and recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas: long-term clinical results of a single particle therapy center
Authors: Bostel Tilman , Mattke Matthias , Nicolay Nils Henrik , Welzel Thomas , Wollschläger Daniel , Akbaba Sati , Mayer Arnulf , Sprave Tanja , Debus Jürgen , Uhl Matthias 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to analyze the oncological long-term results and late toxicity of carbon ion-based radiotherapy (RT) of patients with sacral chordoma and to identify potential prognostic factors for local control (LC) and overall survival (OS).

Methods
A total of 68 patients with sacral chordoma treated at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center were included in this study. Of these 52 patients (77%) received a primary RT and 16 patients (23%) received a RT in a recurrent situation. All patients were treated with carbon ion RT (CIRT), either in combination with photons (n = 22; 32%) or as a monotherapy (n = 46; 68%), with a median radiation dose of 66 Gy RBE (range 60–74 Gy). In 40 patients (59%), RT was performed in the postoperative situation. Postoperative care included regular MRI scans. Local progression was defined as an enlargement of the maximum tumor diameter by 10% or a new tumor growth within the planning target volume (PTV). LC and OS were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, the relevance of various prognostic factors for LC and OS was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results
The median follow-up period was 60 months (range 1.3–97.4 months). The 5-year rates for LC, progression-free survival, metastasis-free survival and OS were 53, 53, 52 and 74%, respectively. Local recurrence was observed in 31 patients (46%), occurring after a median follow-up time of 25 months (range 2.5–73.1 months). Only 10% of local recurrences occurred later than 5 years after RT. Statistical analysis showed that RT in the relapse situation corresponded to inferior LC rates compared to the primary situation, while other factors such as the GTV, radiation dose (EQD2) and treatment approach (CIRT alone vs. CIRT combined with photons) were insignificant. For OS after RT, patient age and PTV size proved to be significant predictors.
The incidence of late toxicity ≥ III° according to CTCAE v5.0 was 21%. Sacral insufficiency fractures occurred in 49% of patients (maximum III°: 16%) and were thus by far the most frequent late side effect in our analysis. Radiogenic damage to the peripheral nerves, intestinal tract and skin was observed in only 9% (≥ III°: 5%), 3% (all II°) and 9% (all I°) of patients.

Conclusion
Our analysis showed only moderate long-term LC rates after carbon ion-based RT, with sacral chordomas having a particularly poor prognosis in the recurrent situation. Therefore, future studies should evaluate the safety and effectiveness of further dose escalation and hypofractionation of RT in sacral chordoma and weight potential benefits of dose escalation against side effects.
Conservative treatment of 3-part and 4-part proximal humeral fractures: a systematic review
Authors: Soler-Peiro Manuel , García-Martínez Lorena , Aguilella Luis , Perez-Bermejo Marcelino 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough there are numerous publications about surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures (PHFs), few assess conservative treatment, which is the most common approach. The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess criteria for indications, treatment protocols, and outcomes obtained with the conservative treatment of 3-part and 4-part PHF.MethodsWe searched the PubMed and Cochrane databases for clinical studies published between 2000 and 2019 on conservative treatment for 3-part and 4-part PHF that included patients older than 18 years, a minimum follow-up of 1 year, fracture classification, and description of outcomes with assessment scales.ResultsThe search yielded 26,660 records. We reviewed 44 of them in full, and finally 6 studies were included. We obtained a population of 133 patients (79% women), with a mean age of 74.3 years (range 25 to 98) and mean follow-up of 32 months (range 12 to 68.8). According to the Neer classification system, there were 41% (55) three-part fractures and 59% (78) four-part fractures; 5.81% of the patients were lost to follow-up. The mean Constant score was 64.5 for three-part fractures and 54.9 patients with four-part fractures. Consolidation was achieved in 95% of the three-part fractures and 91% of the four-part fractures. Loss of mobility varied according to the type of fracture. Regarding complications, the most frequent was malunion (21%), followed by avascular necrosis (9%).ConclusionsOur data show that most three-part PHFs treated conservatively achieve fracture consolidation even noting a negligible rate of malunion got fair–good functional results with few complications, while the orthopedic four-part PHF treatment presents high rate of consolidation with less rate of malunion than the three-part PHF but achieve poor functional results with few complications.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Systematic Review
HMGB1 in inflammation and cancer
Authors: Wang Shumin , Zhang Yi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHigh mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone chromatin-associated protein widely distributed in eukaryotic cells and is involved in DNA damage repair and genomic stability maintenance. In response to stimulus like bacteria or chemoradiotherapy, HMGB1 can translocate to extracellular context as a danger alarmin, activate the immune response, and participate in the regulation of inflammation and cancer progression.
LINC00669 insulates the JAK/STAT suppressor SOCS1 to promote nasopharyngeal cancer cell proliferation and invasion
Authors: Qing Xiang , Tan Guo-lin , Liu Huo-wang , Li Wei , Ai Jin-gang , Xiong Shan-shan , Yang Meng-qing , Wang Tian-sheng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial cancer emerging from the lining of nasopharyngeal mucosa, with extremely frequent occurrence in east and southeast Asia. For the purpose of exploring roles of the dysregulated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in NPC, we identified a novel lncRNA LINC00669 with an apparent negative correlation to the overall survival from human NPC mRNA expression profiling databases. We further performed RNA pulldown coupled with mass spectrum to find out its target protein, and applied a series of in vitro and in vivo loss-and-gain-of function assays to investigate its oncogenic roles in NPC tumor development and progression. Our results demonstrated that LINC00669 competitively binds to the key JAK/STAT signaling pathway suppressor SOCS1, and insulates it from imposing ubiquitination modification on the pathway component of STAT1, which leads to its abnormal stabilization and activation. The activated STAT1 is then transferred into the nucleus and initiates the transcription of genes related to proliferation and invasion. In summary, our study reveals that the cytoplasmic resident lncRNA LINC00669 confers malignant properties on NPC cancer cells by facilitating a persistent activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Findings in the current study shed lights on prospects for treating NPC using strategies targeting the novel regulator of the JAK/STAT signaling.
The therapeutic efficacy of adjunct therapeutic plasma exchange for septic shock with multiple organ failure: a single-center experience
Authors: Keith Philip D. , Wells Adam H. , Hodges Jeremy , Fast Stephen H. , Adams Amber , Scott L. Keith 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Sepsis remains a common condition with high mortality when multiple organ failure develops. The evidence for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in this setting is promising but inconclusive. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of adjunct TPE for septic shock with multiple organ failure compared to standard therapy alone.

Methods
A retrospective, observational chart review was performed, evaluating outcomes of patients with catecholamine-resistant septic shock and multiple organ failure in intensive care units at a tertiary care hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, from August 2015 to March 2019. Adult patients with catecholamine-resistant septic shock (≥ 2 vasopressors) and evidence of multiple organ failure were included. Patients who received adjunct TPE were identified and compared to patients who received standard care alone. A propensity score using age, gender, chronic co-morbidities (HTN, DM, CKD, COPD), APACHE II score, SOFA score, lactate level, and number of vasopressors was used to match patients, resulting in 40 patients in each arm.

Results
The mean baseline APACHE II and SOFA scores were 32.5 and 14.3 in TPE patients versus 32.7 and 13.8 in control patients, respectively. The 28-day mortality rate was 40% in the TPE group versus 65% in the standard care group (p = 0.043). Improvements in baseline SOFA scores at 48 h were greater in the TPE group compared to standard care alone (p = 0.001), and patients receiving adjunct TPE had a more favorable fluid balance at 48 h (p = 0.01). Patients receiving adjunct TPE had longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively).

Conclusions
Our retrospective, observational study in adult patients with septic shock and multiple organ failure demonstrated improved 28-day survival with adjunct TPE compared to standard care alone. Hemodynamics, organ dysfunction, and fluid balance all improved with adjunct TPE, while lengths of stay were increased in survivors. The study design does not allow for a generalized statement of support for TPE in all cases of sepsis with multiple organ failure but offers valuable information for a prospective, randomized clinical trial.
GBAT: a gene-based association test for robust detection of trans-gene regulation
Authors: Liu Xuanyao , Mefford Joel A. , Dahl Andrew , He Yuan , Subramaniam Meena , Battle Alexis , Price Alkes L. , Zaitlen Noah 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe observation that disease-associated genetic variants typically reside outside of exons has inspired widespread investigation into the genetic basis of transcriptional regulation. While associations between the mRNA abundance of a gene and its proximal SNPs (cis-eQTLs) are now readily identified, identification of high-quality distal associations (trans-eQTLs) has been limited by a heavy multiple testing burden and the proneness to false-positive signals. To address these issues, we develop GBAT, a powerful gene-based pipeline that allows robust detection of high-quality trans-gene regulation signal.
Tuning parameters of dimensionality reduction methods for single-cell RNA-seq analysis
Authors: Raimundo Felix , Vallot Celine , Vert Jean-Philippe 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundMany computational methods have been developed recently to analyze single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data. Several benchmark studies have compared these methods on their ability for dimensionality reduction, clustering, or differential analysis, often relying on default parameters. Yet, given the biological diversity of scRNA-seq datasets, parameter tuning might be essential for the optimal usage of methods, and determining how to tune parameters remains an unmet need.ResultsHere, we propose a benchmark to assess the performance of five methods, systematically varying their tunable parameters, for dimension reduction of scRNA-seq data, a common first step to many downstream applications such as cell type identification or trajectory inference. We run a total of 1.5 million experiments to assess the influence of parameter changes on the performance of each method, and propose two strategies to automatically tune parameters for methods that need it.ConclusionsWe find that principal component analysis (PCA)-based methods like scran and Seurat are competitive with default parameters but do not benefit much from parameter tuning, while more complex models like ZinbWave, DCA, and scVI can reach better performance but after parameter tuning.
Long-read individual-molecule sequencing reveals CRISPR-induced genetic heterogeneity in human ESCs
Authors: Bi Chongwei , Wang Lin , Yuan Baolei , Zhou Xuan , Li Yu , Wang Sheng , Pang Yuhong , Gao Xin , Huang Yanyi , Li Mo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractQuantifying the genetic heterogeneity of a cell population is essential to understanding of biological systems. We develop a universal method to label individual DNA molecules for single-base-resolution haplotype-resolved quantitative characterization of diverse types of rare variants, with frequency as low as 4 × 10−5, using both short- or long-read sequencing platforms. It provides the first quantitative evidence of persistent nonrandom large structural variants and an increase in single-nucleotide variants at the on-target locus following repair of double-strand breaks induced by CRISPR-Cas9 in human embryonic stem cells.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria
Authors: Onyiche ThankGod E. , Răileanu Cristian , Tauchmann Oliver , Fischer Susanne , Vasić Ana , Schäfer Mandy , Biu Abdullahi A. , Ogo Ndudim I. , Thekisoe Oriel , Silaghi Cornelia 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Ticks are hematophagous arthropods responsible for maintenance and transmission of several pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Current knowledge on species diversity and pathogens transmitted by ticks infesting camels in Nigeria is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to unravel the status of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of camels in Nigeria.

Methods
Blood samples (n = 176) and adult ticks (n = 593) were collected from one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of both sexes in three locations (Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states) in north-western Nigeria and screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma spp. and Coxiella-like organisms using molecular techniques. All ticks were identified to species level using a combination of morphological and molecular methods.

Results
Ticks comprised the three genera Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus. Hyalomma dromedarii was the most frequently detected tick species (n = 465; 78.4%) while Amblyomma variegatum (n = 1; 0.2%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (n = 1; 0.2%) were less frequent. Other tick species included H. truncatum (n = 87; 14.7%), H. rufipes (n = 19; 3.2%), H. impeltatum (n = 18; 3.0%) and H. impressum (n = 2; 0.3%). The minimum infection rates of tick-borne pathogens in 231 tick pools included Rickettsia aeschlimannii (n = 51; 8.6%); Babesia species, (n = 4; 0.7%) comprising of B. occultans (n = 2), B. caballi (n = 1) and Babesia sp. (n = 1); Coxiella burnetii (n = 17; 2.9%); and endosymbionts in ticks (n = 62; 10.5%). We detected DNA of “Candidatus Anaplasma camelli” in 40.3% of the blood samples of camels. Other tick-borne pathogens including Anaplasma marginale were not detected. Analysis of risk factors associated with both tick infestation and infection with Anaplasma spp. in the blood indicated that age and body condition scores of the camels were significant (P < 0.05) risk factors while gender was not.

Conclusions
This study reports low to moderate prevalence rates of selected tick-borne pathogens associated with camels and their ticks in north-western Nigeria. The presence of zoonotic R. aeschlimannii emphasizes the need for a concerted tick control programme in Nigeria.
Circular RNA SIPA1L1 promotes osteogenesis via regulating the miR-617/Smad3 axis in dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Ge Xingyun , Li Zehan , Zhou Zhou , Xia Yibo , Bian Minxia , Yu Jinhua 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundBone regeneration is preferred for bone loss caused by tumors, bone defects, fractures, etc. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells are considered as optimistic tools for bone defect therapy. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are a promising candidate for regenerative medicine and bone regeneration. Our previous study showed that upregulated circSIPA1L1 during osteogenesis of DPSCs is of significance. In this paper, the potential role of circSIPA1L1 in osteogenesis of DPSCs and its underlying mechanisms are explored.MethodsThe circular structure of circSIPA1L1 was identified by Sanger sequencing and PCR. Regulatory effects of circSIPA1L1 and miR-617 on mineral deposition in DPSCs were assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red S (ARS) staining and in vivo bone formation assay were conducted to verify the biological influences of circSIPA1L1 on DPSCs. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of Smad3. Localization of circSIPA1L1 and miR-617 was confirmed by FISH. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments were conducted to investigate the role of the circSIPA1L1/miR-617/Smad3 regulatory axis in osteogenesis of DPSCs.ResultsSanger sequencing and back-to-back primer experiments confirmed the closed-loop structure of circSIPA1L1. CircSIPA1L1 could promote the committed differentiation of DPSCs. MiR-617 was predicted to be the target binding circSIPA1L1 through MiRDB, miRTarBase, and TargetScan database analyses, which was further confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. FISH results showed that circSIPA1L1 and miR-617 colocalize in the cytoplasm of DPSCs. MiR-617 exerted an inhibitory effect on the osteogenesis of DPSCs. Knockdown of circSIPA1L1 or upregulation of miR-617 downregulated phosphorylated Smad3. In addition, rescue experiments showed that knockdown of miR-617 reversed the inhibitory effect of circSIPA1L1 on osteogenesis of DPSCs.ConclusionCircRNASIPA1L1 promotes osteogenesis of DPSCs by adsorbing miR-617 and further targeting Smad3.