bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulatory T cells promote glioma cell stemness through TGF-β–NF-κB–IL6–STAT3 signaling
Authors: Liu Shasha , Zhang Chaoqi , Wang Boqiao , Zhang Huanyu , Li Congcong , Qin Guohui , Cao Ling , Gao Qun , Ping Yu , Zhang Kai , Lian Jingyao , Zhao Qitai , Wang Dan , Zhang Zhen , Zhao Xuan , Yang Li , Huang Lan , Yang Bo , Zhang Yi 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to the malignant growth of glioma, but little is known about the interaction between GSCs and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The aim of this study was to examine how regulatory T cells (Tregs) increase the stemness and tumorigenic potential of glioma cells.Methods: Tumor and peripheral blood samples were collected during surgery from 86 patients with glioma, and 75 samples of adjacent noncancerous tissue were collected, and Regulatory T cells (Tregs) were extracted from blood. Cytological and histochemical analyses were conducted to examine the mechanisms of Treg action on cancer cells. A mouse glioma model was used.Results: Intense infiltration by Tregs facilitated the qualities of GSCs through TGF-β secretion, which helped to coordinate tumor growth. Mechanistic investigations indicated that TGF-b acted on cancer cells to induce expression of the core cancer stem cell-related genes ( CD133, SOX2, NESTIN, MUSASHI1, and ALDH1A ) and to induce sphere formation via the NF-κB–IL6–STAT3 signaling pathway, resulting in increased cancer stemness and tumorigenic potential. Tregs promoted glioma tumor growth, and this effect was abrogated by blockade of the IL6 receptor by tocilizumab, which also demonstrated some therapeutic efficacy in a xenograft model. Expression levels of CD133, IL6 and TGF-β were found to serve as prognostic markers for glioma.Conclusions: Our findings reveal a new immune-associated mechanism underlying Treg-induced GSCs. Efforts to target this network may provide an effective strategy for treating glioma.
Optimal Timing of Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy after the Initial Drainage Treatment and Risk Factors for Postoperative Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Patients with Obstructive Pyelonephritis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Itami Yoshitaka , Miyake Makito , Owari Takuya , Iwamoto Takashi , Gotoh Daisuke , Momose Hitoshi , Fujimoto Kiyohide , Hirao Shuya 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: A history of preoperative obstructive pyelonephritis has been reported as a risk factor for febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL). But there is no clear evidence of risk factors for developing fUTI including the optimal timing of URSL after obstructive pyelonephritis treatment.Methods: Of the 1361 patients, who underwent URSL at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2017, 239 patients had a history of pre-URSL obstructive pyelonephritis. The risk factors were analyzed by comparing the patients’ backgrounds with the presence or absence of fUTI after URSL. The factors examined were age, gender, body mass index, comorbidity, presence or absence of preoperative ureteral stent, stone position, stone laterality, stone size, Hounsfield unit (HU) value on computed tomography scan, history of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) during obstructive pyelonephritis, period from antipyresis to URSL, ureteral stenting period, operation time, and presence or absence of access sheath at URSL. In addition, the stone components and renal pelvic urinary culture bacterial species during pre-URSL pyelonephritis were also examined.Results: Post-URSL fUTI developed in 32 of 239 patients (13.4%), and 11 of these 32 cases led to SIRS (34.4%). Univariate analysis showed that stone position, stone maximum HU value, presence of SIRS during obstructive pyelonephritis, period from antipyresis to URSL, pre-URSL ureteral stent placement, operation time were risk factors of fUTI. Stone components and urinary cultures during pyelonephritis were not associated with risk of fUTI. Multivariate analysis showed that renal stone position, pre-URSL ureteral stent placement > 21 days, and operation time > 75 minutes were independent risk factors of fUTI following the URSL.Conclusions: F-UTI following the URSL could be avoided by ureteral stent placement period 21 days or less and operation time 75 minutes or less in patients with obstructive pyelonephritis.
Endoscopic and clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal T/NK cell lymphoma
Authors: Ishibashi Hideki , Nimura Satoshi , Hirai Fumihito , Harada Naohiko , Iwasaki Hiromi , Kawauchi Shigeto , Oshiro Yumi , Matsuyama Atuji , Nakamura Shotaro , Takamatsu Yasushi , Yonemasu Hirotoshi , Shimokama Taturo , Takeshita Morishige 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Colorectal T/NK cell lymphomas (TNKCL) were very rare. Endoscopic and clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal TNKCL have not been clearly demonstrated. In this study, we demonstrated the clinical characteristics of colorectal TNKCL.Methods Endoscopic and clinicopathological characteristics were investigated in 27 patients with colorectal monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), and other types of TNKCL.Results Nine TNKCL patients (33%) were classified as MEITL, 11 (41%) as ATLL, and seven (26%) as other. Four Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) + TNKCL patients were categorized as other. Endoscopically, six MEITL (67%) and five ATLL (46%) showed diffuse-infiltrating type, in which the main endoscopic lesion was edematous mucosa in MEITL, while aphthoid erosion and edematous mucosa were typical in ATLL. Ulcerative type was identified in four other group patients (57%), including two EBV + TNKCL. More than two colorectal lymphomatous lesions were found in seven MEITL (78%) compared with one other group patient (14%) (P < 0.05). An increase in atypical T-intraepithelial lymphocytes (T-IELs) was noted in seven MEITL (88%) and six ATLL (60%) patients, but no other group (0%) patients. Five MEITL patients (56%) showed features of lymphocytic proctocolitis with increased CD8 + T-IELs.Conclusions MEITL and ATLL occasionally invaded the colorectum, and primary involving MEITL was observed. Diffuse infiltrating type was the characteristic endoscopic finding in colorectal MEITL and ATLL, and ulcerative type was observed in the other group. Features of lymphocytic proctocolitis may be prodromal findings of MEITL.
Mediastinal lymph node enlargement in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: relationships with disease progression and pulmonary function trends
Authors: Sgalla Giacomo , Larici Anna Rita , Golfi Nicoletta , Calvello Mariarosaria , Farchione Alessandra , Ciello Annemilia Del , Varone Francesco , Iovene Bruno , Manfredi Riccardo , Richeldi Luca 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background and objectives: Evidence of mediastinal Lymph Node Enlargement (LNE) on CT scan is a common finding in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We sought to investigate whether the involvement of mediastinal lymph nodes is associated with accelerated disease progression, and explored the changes occurring in mediastinal lymph nodes during the radiological follow up of these patients. Methods: This retrospective study included IPF patients referred to a single ILD centre in Italy. A consensus-based assessment of mediastinal LNE on chest CT scan was performed by two thoracic radiologists. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to assess hazard ratios for mortality and disease progression (defined as categorical FVC decline ≥10%). The annualized rates of change in functional parameters for each patient were calculated using mixed linear models. Results: 152 IPF patients were included in the analysis, of whom 135 (89%) received antifibrotic treatment for IPF during the study follow up. Patients having evidence of 3 or more enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on baseline CT scan showed increased rates of mortality (HR 5.03, 95% CI 1.86-13.62, p≤0.001) and significant disease progression (HR 2.99, 95% CI 1.22-7.33, p=0.17) as compared to patients without LNE, after adjusting for GAP stage. Among 62 patients with LNE who underwent a follow up CT scan of the chest and received antifibrotic treatment, 57 (92%) maintained evidence mediastinal LNE over time. Conclusions: Diffuse mediastinal lymph node involvement predicts clinically meaningful functional deterioration in patients with IPF.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) Amongst Adolescents in Malaysian Secondary Schools: A cross-Sectional Study
Authors: TENG NUR ISLAMI MOHD FAHMI , Nordin Norsham Juliana , Rodi Nur Liyana Izlin Mohamad , Semaon Nur Zulaikha 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aims to examine the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of adolescents towards sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) together with the associated factors that determines their KAP. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires that consisted of sociodemographic, the KAP for the SSB questionnaire, and the BEVQ questionnaire. The respondents’ height, weight, waist circumference and body fat percentage were measured. This study involved 439 adolescents (with a 97.6% response rate), aged between 13 to 17 years old, in public secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia. Results: The results reveal that 35% of the adolescents were overweight, 26% had a high waist circumference, and 45% had a high body fat percentage. Caffeinated drinks and full cream milk were the most frequently consumed SSBs. The KAP score revealed a high attitude (88.4%), a moderate knowledge (51.8%) and a low practice (40.5%). Those with a higher body fat percentage showed significantly higher attitude scores (p<0.05). Low household income groups (adjusted OR=0.51; 95% CI=0.26-0.99), females (adjusted OR=0.41, 95% CI=0.27-0.62), adolescents aged 16-17 years old (adjusted OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.22-0.85), and urban areas (adjusted OR=1.78, 95% CI=1.16-2.72) demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) positive determinant towards the KAP score. Conclusion: This study revealed that high awareness of negative health outcomes associated with SSBs among adolescents was not in accord with the level of their lifestyle choices. Future interventions must consider this critical situation so that any knowledge being transferred to the adolescents can be translated into their own practices.
The Association Between Sarcopenia and Cognitive Performance : Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999 to 2002
Authors: Geng Jiwen , Deng Linghui , Qiu Shi , Bian Haiyang , Cai Boyu , Li Yupei , Li Jiameng , Qin Zheng , Yang Qinbo , Dong Birong , Su Baihai 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia and cognitive impairment are both age-related diseases. And they have many risk factors in common. However, the association between them has been controversial in recent years.Objective: To investigate the association between sarcopenia and cognitive performance in the U.S. adults through the use of the NHANES data from 1999 to 2002.Methods: A total of 2550 participants were identified in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys Data Base (1999–2002). The independent variable was sarcopenia and the dependent variables was cognitive performance. Men were classified as sarcopenia if appendicular lean mass (ALM) adjusted for BMI (ALMBMI) <0.789, and women<0.512. The cognitive performance was assessed by Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Higher scores on the DSST indicated better cognitive performance. The covariates included gender, age, race, poverty income ratio, comorbidity index, educational level, physical activity and smoking status.Results: For the primary outcome, our multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that sarcopenia negatively correlated with cognitive performance in the model I (crude OR = 5.18; 95% CI: [3.49–6.87]). The negative association remained significant in the adjusted model II and model III (OR=3.40; 95% CI: [1.91–4.90]; OR=1.50; 95% CI: [0.12–2.89]). The subgroup analysis results indicated that participants without sarcopenia were associated with better cognitive performance was similar in different gender, age, race, poverty income ratio, comorbidity index, educational level, physical activity and smoking status.Conclusions: Participants without sarcopenia were associated with better cognitive performance in a representative sample of older adults in the U.S. We might be able to try to improve cognitive performance by dealing with sarcopenia and provide opportunity for intervention at a younger age and better physical performance.
Effective inactivation of nipah virus in serum samples for safe processing in low-containment laboratories
Authors: Watanabe Shumpei , Fukushi Shuetsu , Harada Toshihiko , Shimojima Masayuki , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Kurosu Takeshi , Kaku Yoshihiro , Morikawa Shigeru , Saijo Masayuki 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes severe encephalitis and respiratory disease with a high mortality rate in humans. During large outbreaks of the viral disease, serological testing of serum samples could be a useful diagnostic tool, which could provide information on not only the diagnosis of NiV disease but also the history of an individual with previous exposure to the virus, thereby supporting disease control. Therefore, an efficient method for the inactivation of NiV in serum samples is required for serological diagnosis.
Methods
We determined the optimal conditions for the inactivation of NiV infectivity in human serum using heating and UV treatment. The inactivation method comprised UV irradiation with a cover of aluminum foil for 30 min and heating at 56 °C for 30 min.
Results
With an optimized protocol for virus inactivation, NiV infectivity in serum samples (containing 6.4 × 105 TCID50) was completely inactivated.
Conclusions
We developed a recommended protocol for the effective inactivation of NiV. This protocol would enable a regional or local laboratory to safely transport or process samples, including NiV, for serological testing in its biosafety level-2 facility.
Growth factors improve the proliferation of Jeju black pig muscle cells by regulating MyoD and growth-related genes
Authors: Park Jinryong , Lee Jeongeun , Song Ki-Duk , Kim Sung-Jo , Choi Hyun Woo , Shim Kwan Seob 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Jeju black pig (JBP), one of Korean native pig breeds, has excellent meat quality but grow slowly. The growth rate of pigs is related to differentiation and proliferation of muscle cells regulated by growth factors and expression of growth-related genes. However, few studies have determined the effect of growth factors on the proliferation of porcine muscle cells. Thus, the objective of this study was to establish optimal culture conditions of JBP muscle cells and determine the relationship of various factors involved in muscle growth with the proliferation of JBP muscle cells.
Results

We established a muscle cell line from JBP embryos and optimized its culture conditions. These muscle cells were positive for MyoD, but not Pax7. The proliferation rate of these muscle cells was significantly higher in a culture medium containing bFGF and EGF + bFGF than that without a growth factor or containing EGF alone. Treatment with EGF and bFGF significantly induced the expression of MyoD protein, an important transcription factor in muscle cells. Moreover, we checked changes of the expression of growth-related genes in JBP muscle cells by presence or absence of growth factors. Expression level of COL21A1 gene was changed only when EGF and bFGF were both added to culture media for JBP muscle cells.
Conclusions

Concurrent use of EGF and bFGF increased the expression of MyoD protein, thus regulating the proliferation of JBP muscle cells and the expression of growth-related genes.
Replicative Verification of Susceptibility Genes Previously Identified from Families with Segregating Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Wang Binbin , Chen Yufan , Zhou Weizheng , Li Lianyong 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a complex hip joint deformity with effects ranging from acetabulum malformation to irreversible hip dislocation. Previous studies suggest a significant association of four variations, Teneurin transmembrane protein 3 (TENM3) (chr4:183721398), Heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) (chr1:22201470), ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 4 (ATP2B4) (chr1:203682345), and Prostaglandin F receptor (PTGFR) (chr1:79002214), with DDH susceptibility in families with segregating DDH. However, the association was not validated in sporadic cases and remains controversial. To confirm the association of the reported variations in these four genes with DDH, we conducted replicative verification in 250 sporadic samples with DDH from a Chinese Han population. Methods: We conducted Sanger sequencing after amplifying the variation sites. The results were compared with the reference sequence from the GRCh37 assembly in UCSC (http://genome.ucsc.edu). Results: Replication analysis of 250 sporadic samples by Sanger sequencing indicated that the four variations, TENM3 (chr4:183721398), HSPG2 (chr1:22201470), ATP2B4 (chr1:203682345), and PTGFR (chr1:79002214), were not associated with the susceptibility to DDH in the Chinese Han population.Conclusions: Further studies should be performed to identify other variations of these four genes that are potentially associated with DDH by whole-exome sequencing and the results should be verified in different populations.
Identifying of a Novel miR-98-5p/IGF1 Axis Contributes the Pathogenesis of Breast Cancer Using Comprehensive Bioinformatic Analyses Methods and Experiments Validation
Authors: Sun Dapeng , Luo Xigang , Ma Lingling , Wang Yi , Zhang Fengxiang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a huge threat for the health of women worldwide. Although the numerous microRNAs (miRNA) have been identified to be aberrantly expressed in BC, the construction of a comprehensive miRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA) network is still needed. This study was aimed to identify BC-associated miRNAs through analyzing microarray datasets obtained from GEO database and to construct a miRNA-mRNA network for BC. Methods: Limma package was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in microarray datasets. Genes targeted by DEMs were analyzed with mirTarBase. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analysis for the predicted target genes were performed at DAVID. Correlation of DEMs and target genes was analyzed at ENCORI. Based on these results, a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed. Results: A total of 17 overlapping DEMs were identified at these two microarray datasets. Expression of DEMs in BC were further validated by ENCORI. By utilizing miRTarBase, a total of 167 target genes for DEMs were obtained. 10 hub genes (AKT1, MYC, VEGFA, CCND1, PTEN, IL6, CASP3, KRAS, IGF1, ESR1) were identified after network analysis at STRING and CytoScape. Through analyzing the effects of hub genes on overall survival of BC patients and correlation of DEMs and hub genes, we found hsa-miR-98-5p/IGF1 axis may play a crucial role in BC progression. The connections of hsa-miR-98-5p and IGF1 were further validated by luciferase activity reporter assay and functional assays. Conclusion: In this work, a miRNA-mRNA network related to BC progression was built, and identified one important miRNA-mRNA axis in BC.
Nectar Microbial Diversity and Changes Associated with Environmental Exposure
Authors: Lamb Claire E , Marden Caroline L , Ebeling Alexandra , Perez-Barrales Rocio , Watts Joy E.M. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Plants are critical to global environmental health and food production strategies; most plants utilise flowers as part of their reproduction cycle. Flowers attract pollinators using a range of complex strategies and floral nectar is an essential component of this attraction profile. Nectar is a nutrient rich liquid, containing a range of sugars, organic acids, amino acids, lipids and vitamins, found to be a suitable habitat for a wide range of fungi, but so far, limited bacterial diversity has been detected. Several antimicrobial properties and adverse environmental conditions, such as high osmotic pressure present in the nectar were thought to reduce bacterial numbers.Results: This study reports the next generation sequencing analysis of the bacterial and fungal diversity in flower nectar. This was achieved in four floral species native to the United Kingdom (Lamium album, white dead nettle; Narcissus pseudonarcissus, daffodil, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, English bluebell and Digitalis purpurea, the common foxglove). All flower species examined had a diverse bacterial and fungal populations present with a core microbiome detected, dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes phyla, while Basidomycota were the most persistent fungal phyla in all of the floral nectar types sampled. However, many unique bacterial and fungal species were detected at lower abundances. Furthermore, in N. pseudonarcissus and D. purpurea floral nectar, the microbial diversity detected in the nectar between flowers exposed to the environment versus non-environment exposed flowers, was different.Conclusions: These results suggest that floral nectars in different plant species do contain a distinct microbiome and the individual flower microbial community diversity may be affected by floral nectar composition, insect visitation and other environmental factors.