bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Intraoperative Radiotherapy on Breast Cancer: Focus on the Levels of Angiogenic Factors
Authors: Nafisi Nahid , Mohammadlou Maryam , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil , Mahdavi Seyed Rabie , Sheikh Maryam , Borji Mohammad , Baharlou Rasoul 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective: Angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancers that is involved in tumor progression. Angiogenic factors induce the formation of new blood vessels and tumor extension, and finally reduce the survival of patients. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), in which radiation is delivered to the tumor bed can kill cells and change tumor microenvironment. Here, we compared the impact of IORT on the levels of angiogenic factors in the blood and surgical wound fluids (SWF) of the breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Blood and drained wound fluid (WF) samples were collected from the breast cancer patients before and after surgery, followed by quantification of the amounts of TGF-β, EGF, FGF, VEGF and DLL4 in the patients using ELISA.Results: Our results were indicative of significant differences between the pre-surgery and post-surgery serum levels of EGF, DLL4 and VEGF. In addition, linear regression analysis showed the significant impact of IORT, vascular invasion and lymph node (LN) involvement on the difference between TGF-β levels in the blood before and after surgery-IORT. According to the outcomes of multivariate analysis, IORT changed the levels of EGF and FGF in the blood and WF. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses showed that TGF-β and EGF can be used as predictor markers of the late-stage and LN involvement of the disease. Interestingly, IORT was able to reduce the risk of death and the recurrence rate of disease. Conclusions: In summary, IORT is a safe and effective treatment that can affect angiogenesis and improve the survival of breast cancer patients.
Identification of Potential Diagnostic Genes for Bladder Cancer by Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Peng Yongxing , Mao Minqin , Li Zhonglai , Xia Qipeng , Tong Honghua 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Cytology and transurethral cystoscopy constitute the gold standard for the diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC). However, some minor lesions cannot be detected in time with these techniques, resulting in a high rate of missed diagnosis. Finding biomarkers that are economical, convenient, sensitive, and specific has become an urgent priority.Methods: Gene expression profile data from BC and normal bladder tissue were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and used as a training set to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The bladder gene expression and related clinical data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases were used as a validation set. The effectiveness of the DEGs as diagnostic criteria was verified in terms of gene expression, gene mutation and diagnostic efficiency.Results: Two upregulated and eight downregulated hub genes were identified by screening. In terms of gene expression, the expression levels of these genes were significantly different between bladder cancer tissues and normal tissues. In terms of clinical diagnostic efficacy, TOP2A had the highest single diagnostic value, while the combinations of TOP2A/CNN1, TOP2A/ISG15/CNN1 and TOP2AISG15/ACTG2 had the largest area under the curve (AUC) among two- or three-indicator combinations.Conclusion: TOP2A, either alone or as part of a combination, has notable diagnostic advantages. However, this still needs to be confirmed in a larger sample with further biological experiments.
Overexpression of Galactinol Synthase 1 From Solanum Commersonii (ScGolS1) Confers Freezing Tolerance In Transgenic Potato
Authors: He Feiyan , Xu Jianfei , Jian Yinqiao , Duan Shaoguang , Hu Jun , Jin Liping , Li Guangcun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth largest food crop in the world. Low temperature causes serious damage to potato plants every year, and freezing tolerance has become a hot spot in potato research. Galactinol synthase (GolS) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), and plays an important role in the response of plants to abiotic stress. In this study, the ScGolS1 gene from S. commersonii was cloned and introduced into the S. tuberosum cultivars ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Desiree’ via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Phenotyping assay showed that overexpression of the ScGolS1 could significantly improve freezing tolerance in transgenic potato plants. Further physiological and biochemical results showed that the relative conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining of the transgenic lines decreased, and the plant survival rate increased compared with wild type (WT). Moreover, CBF1, CBF2, CBF3, CBF downstream cold responsive genes COR413, COR47 and ERF transcription factor genes ERF3, ERF4, ERF6 in the ethylene signaling pathway were all induced by freezing treatment, while higher levels were observed in ScGolS1 overexpression lines compared with WT. In addition, other genes such as MIPS, STS and RS genes from RFO metabolic pathway and some sugars content were altered in response to freezing treatment. This indicates that overexpression of the ScGolS1 gene induced both the regulation of the ethylene signaling pathway and the metabolism of raffinose series oligosaccharides, regulating the balance of sugar composition and improved anti-peroxidation capacity, and thereby improved freezing tolerance in potato. These results provide theoretical support and genetic resources for freezing tolerance breeding in potato.
The Associations of Gut Microbiota Metabolites with Blood Lipids and the Effect of Rosuvastatin Therapy on Them
Authors: Xiong Xiaowei , Zhou Jian , Fu Qiang , Xu Xiaowei , Wei Shaobin , Yang Shenghua , Chen Buxing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Gut microbiota is contributed to the variations of blood lipids, and statins are found to affect the gut microbiota compositions. The aims of this study were to evaluate the associations of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and related precursors with blood lipids and the effect of rosuvastatin therapy on them.Methods: Totally 112 patients with suspected cardiovascular disease and received regular rosuvastatin therapy were enrolled in this study previously. The TMAO, choline, carnitine, betaine and γ-butyrobetaine (γBB) levels of the patients were analyzed by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), and the associations between them and blood lipids were analyzed by statistical methods.Results: Plasma TMAO was correlated with triglyceride positively (r=0.303, p<0.05) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) negatively (r=-0.405, p<0.001). Plasma betaine was correlated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol negatively (r=-0.308, p<0.01). After adjustment of sex, age, body mass index, blood lipids and concomitant diseases, the association between TMAO and HDL-c was still significant (p<0.05). Besides, the correlation between TMAO and HDL-c still existed after rosuvastatin therapy (r=-0.253, p<0.01). Rosuvastatin therapy could decrease TMAO levels and increase carnitine, betaine and γBB levels significantly when it lowering the blood lipids.Conclusions: These results indicated that TMAO and related precursors were associated with blood lipids significantly, especially HDL-c. Rosuvastatin therapy not only affects the blood lipids, but also influences the levels of TMAO and related precursors.Trail registration: This study was retrospectively registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT02305862).
The role of agroforestry intensification in biodiversity conservation in western Ethiopia
Authors: Likassa Ebisa , Bekele Tamrat , Nemomissa Sileshi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

Human mismanagement of natural habitats caused the great loss of biodiversity and ecosystem because of their conversion into modified landscapes. On the other hand, agroecosystems are playing vital role in terms of retaining and conserving certain overstorey trees and associated perennial crops in addition to the small fauna. The main objective of this study was to assess the diversity of woody species and vegetation structure in three coffee systems across an increasing farmers’ management intensity in selected research areas of western Wollega, Ethiopia. A total of 72 samples (24 per each management systems) were purposively selected from three districts based on the dominant coffee production system and the level of coffee production, which supposed to affect the diversity of tree species for collecting data on woody species. Plant specimens were collected following standard herbarium technique and identified in the field and at national herbarium.
Results

A total of 50 woody species were identified. The most abundant shade tree in coffee agroecosystems was Cordia africana. The nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination and Sorensen distance-based ordination demonstrated that plots of the same coffee system were almost maintained similar species composition and abundance. However, no similar pattern was observed between the coffee systems, except the small overlap in species composition between plantation coffee and garden coffee systems. Diversity of woody species was significantly different among the coffee management systems (P <.0001). Similarly, some of the structural parameters like density, basal area, and shade significantly reduced along the increased coffee management intensity.
Conclusions

The study found evidence that the intensification of coffee management was not always the source of biodiversity loss; rather, it is an opportunity for conservation of the locally threatened higher plants. Incorporation of coffee shrubs in the degraded lands or remnant forest patches, integrating coffee in the massive afforestation/tree planting programs, and using multipurpose trees in afforestation can be used as an alternative strategy for overstorey plant conservation
A Finite Element Analysis of the Effects of Different Internal Fixation Strategies and Cage Implantation Methods on the Biomechanics of the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Han zhenchuan , Ren Bowen , Mao Keya , Tang Peifu , Zhang Long , Ma Chao , Liu Jianheng 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective: Providing the biomechanical evidences to the surgeons on the internal fixation strategy and Cage implantation method in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) by the finite element analysis (FEA).Methods: Firstly, based on the common MIS-TLIF surgical methods, three surgical models with different internal fixation strategies and Cage implantation methods were established. The surgical models simulated the physiological activities of the lumbar spine to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of lumbar spine, the peak stress and the overall stress of the internal fixation system and Cage.Results: The results of the study show that the ROM of the surgical model has decreased significantly under all working conditions, and the decrease range is between 71.07-97.53%. The peak stress of the internal fixation system range was 48.56 to 100.09 MPa in Model-A, 58.10 to 136.05 MPa in Model-B, and 83.26 to 189.81 MPa in Model-C. Especially in the three working conditions of left lateral bending (LLB), left rotation (LR), and right rotation (RR), the peak stress of the internal fixation system of Model-C is 1.80 , 2.07, 1.79 times of Model-A and 2.05 , 1.64, 2.28 times of Model-B. The peak stress of Model-C Cage is significantly lower than Model-A and Model-B under all working conditions.Conclusion: Although the strategy of unilateral pedicle screw + lamina articular process screw + Cage horizontal implantation has the least Cage stress, there is a higher risk of internal fixation fail. Comprehensive evaluation, the surgical strategy of bilateral pedicle screw + Cage horizontal implantation has the best performance, and has the potential to become the standard implantation strategy of MIS-TLIF.
Nutrition Supplementation Practices of Recreational Gym Users in Uganda’s Capital City: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Muwonge Haruna , Makubuya Timothy , Lubega Samuel K. , Zavuga Robert , Mukana Roland S. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: This study focused on investigating the prevalence of nutritional supplement (NS) usage, establishing their source and the motivating factors for the usage of NS among Gym users in Kampala city, Uganda.Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional research design. Multistage random sampling techniques were used to select 45 gym users among the 5 divisions that constitute Kampala city. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 26, where means, SD, frequencies and percentages were obtained. Chi-square tests were used for categorical comparisons between variables. Results: The results showed that there were more male participants (62.2%) than female participants (37.8%). The majority (76.9%) of gym users obtained NS from retail stores such as pharmacies, (10.2%) from their sports coaches, (7.7%) nutritionists/dieticians, and (5.1%) from team mates. Non-professional gym users (62.3%) reported higher levels of energy drink consumption than professional gym users (26.7%). The consumption of vitamins, herbal products and proteins was also considerably high. We also identified coaches/trainers (30.8%) as the main source of information, followed by nutritionists/dieticians (23.1%) and online websites (20.5%). Most gym users strongly agreed that supplements increase endurance training, increase strength, and make one healthier.Conclusions: The prevalence of nutritional supplement usage among gym users was high, with energy drinks and herbal products being the most preferred supplements.
Co-evolutions of terrestrial temperature and seasonal precipitation from the latest Pleistocene to the mid-Holocene in Japan: carbonate clumped isotope record of a stalagmite
Authors: Kato Hirokazu , Mori Taiki , Amekawa Shota , Wu Chung-Che , Shen Chuan-Chou , Kano Akihiro 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Quantitative paleotemperature reconstruction is a challenging and important issue in terrestrial paleoenvironmental studies, for which carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) thermometry is a promising approach. Here we analyzed Δ47 values from 68 layers of OT02 stalagmite from Ohtaki Cave in central Japan, covering two separate time intervals (2.6–8.8 and 34.8–63.5 ka) to reconstruct temperature and meteoric d18O records. The average Δ47 temperature of the Holocene portion of this stalagmite was 16.3℃ ± 5.6℃, 6.6℃ ± 7.2℃ higher than the average of the latest Pleistocene portion, which was 9.7℃ ± 4.6℃. Δ47 thermometry also revealed that the coldest intervals (5℃–10℃) correspond to the Heinrich cooling events H4–6, and the warmest interval (up to 19.9℃ ± 6.0℃) in middle Holocene (approximately 6–5 ka) accompanied by the Hypsithermal climate optimum. We also reconstructed past meteoric δ18O by subtracting the temperature effect from stalagmite δ18O. Average meteoric δ18O was less negative in the Holocene (8.22‰ ± 0.99‰ VSMOW) than in the latest Pleistocene (8.81‰ ± 0.84‰). Over centennial timescales, meteoric δ18O was more negative during colder periods, such as Heinrich cooling events and the cooling event around 7 ka, and less negative in warmer periods, such as Hypsithermal warming. These relations indicated co-evolution of terrestrial paleotemperature and paleoprecipitation. A temperature dependency of 18O fractionation from water to vapor is a likely reason for the negative correlation between temperature and meteoric δ18O. Additionally, it is possible that increasing lower δ18O precipitation from East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) has decreased the averaged meteoric δ18O in colder periods. These temperature effects on meteoric δ18O occur in opposite directions to fractionation between water and the stalagmite δ18O, explaining the small amplitudes of changes observed in the δ18O of Japanese stalagmites.
A Pyroptosis-Associated Signature Plays a Role in Prognosis Prediction And Indicating Infiltration in Immune Microenvironment in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Xia Zhinan , Yu Yipeng , Cai Licheng , Jian Wengang , Wang Tengda , Xue Wei , Wang Xingyuan , Wang Bowen , Zhang Peng , Yao Wenhao , Zhang Cheng , Wang Chunyang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: About 90% renal malignancies are RCCs (renal cell carcinomas) and the main subtype in histology is ccRCC (clear cell RCC). In recent years, pyroptosis was considered as a kind of inflammation-related programmed cell death, which played a part in the invasion, metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells, thereby influencing tumor prognosis. Nonetheless, the expression level of pyroptosis-associated genes in RCCs and its relationship with prognosis are still not clear. Results: In our research, 44 regulators for pyroptosis were identified which were expressed differentially between normal kidney and ccRCC tissues. ccRCC cases were categorized into 2 subgroups with a significant difference between them in OS (overall survival) according to the DEGs (differentially expressed genes). The prognostic value of pyroptosis-associated genes was assessed as a signature based on the cohort of TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas). Following Cox regression with DEGs and LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator), a 6-gene signature had been set up and all the ccRCC cases in the cohort of TCGA were categorized into LR (low-risk) group or HR (high-risk) group (P < 0.001). In combination with clinical features, risk scores were considered as a predicting factor of OS in ccRCC cases. KEGG (Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes) and GO (Gene ontology) analyses implied increased immunity and enrichment of genes related to immunity in the HR group. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the genes related to pyroptosis had an important role in tumor immunity, which were potentially used to predict the prognosis of ccRCCs.
Study On Coronary Dissection Complication Caused by Uneven Rotational Atherectomy Due To Guidewire Bias for Severe Calcified Lesions
Authors: Ye Fei , You Wei , Zhang Hong-li , Xu Tian , Meng Pei-na , Zhou Yu-he , Guo Ya-jie , Nong Jia-cong , Zhao Yan-fang , Wu Xiang-qi , Wu Zhi-ming , Yin De-lu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUND
In the treatment of coronary calcification by rotational atherectomy (ROTA), guidewire bias is often considered to lead to procedure associated coronary dissections or perforations. However, the actual meaning of guidewire bias is unclear, though it usually refers to the cross-section location of the intravascular imaging (IVI) catheter in the coronary artery.
OBJECTIVES
This study tentatively explores the quantitative criteria in optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of guidewire bias which may cause ROTA induced coronary dissection.
METHODS
A total of twenty-one patients with severe calcified coronary lesions who has undergone ROTA treatment were enrolled in our study. These patients were detected by OCT successfully pre- and post-ROTA. All the observational coronary segments were analyzed cross-sectionally at every mm interval after manual coregistration of OCT imaging pre- and post-ROTA. ROTA related coronary dissection was the primary endpoint.
RESULTS
A total of 388 OCT cross-sectional images were effectively measured and analyzed for distribution and characteristics of plaque and OCT catheter location pre-ROTA, and the presence or absence of coronary dissections post-ROTA after manual coregistration. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, distance from the center of OCT catheter to media at the bias direction (Dcmb) (area under the curve (AUC): 1.000, p<0.001, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.999 to 1.000) and touch angle (AUC: 0.988, p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.968 to 1.000) had a higher correlation with ROTA-related coronary dissection with the corresponding cutoff value of 0.720mm and 98.2º significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
Dcmb and touch angle detected by OCT are two very valuable and convenient independent predictors of ROTA-related coronary intimal dissections caused by guidewire bias.
Lettuce Entertain You: Floral Agency in Ralph Knevet's <i>Rhodon and Iris</i>
Authors: Howard Ashley 
Published: November 2021

This essay investigates the performativity of plants in Ralph Knevet’s Rhodon and Iris, a play that was written and performed for a feast held by the Norwich Society of Florists in 1631. The play explores at least two forms of performativity: the first is the act of staging plants for a theatrical performance, where vegetables present their virtues through floral allegories that are enacted by human players. The second form is the way plants affect and are affected by their environments, particularly as theorized by Michael Marder and Mel Y. Chen. In Rhodon and Iris, these two dimensions work together to produce a form of floral agency that decenters the human. The essay explores how floral agency collaborates with literary narratives when beings perform for plants (within a history of floral celebrations), as plants (embodying plants as allegorical figures), and with plants (floral characters using plants as ingredients in cosmetics, poisons, and antidotes). Knevet uses literature to articulate a unique plant philosophy that challenges divisions between art and nature and among literature, philosophy, and science. Rhodon and Iris thus illustrates the many ways that theatrical performances and printed playbooks, and even printed herbals and herbaria, responded to and shaped the performativity of plants.
Efficacy and safety of regimen containing bedaquiline in children with drug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Aksenova V. A. , Klevno N. I. , Kazakov A. V. , Kudlay D. A. , Pakhlavonova A. D. , Sokolskaya E. A. , Nakonechnaya S. L. 
Published: November 2021

Introduction. The treatment of children with multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR / XDR-TB) is a difficult task due to many factors: the duration of treatment, the lack of drugs with children’s dosages, age restrictions (according to the drug instructions).Purpose of the study. To assess the efficacy and safety of regimen with the inclusion of bedaquiline in children and adolescent with respiratory tuberculosis with drug-resistant tuberculosis.Materials and methods. The study is prospective, cohort, non-comparative from the period 2017–2019. We included 24 patients aged 5 to 17 years with MDR-TB (established or suspected) began regimen containing bedaquiline for 24 weeks. The duration of observation of patients included in the study was 24 months.Results. We can state a sufficient level of safety of using the latter for 24 weeks: adverse events presumably associated directly with the intake of bedaquiline were noted in only 1 patient out of 24 (4.2%; 95% CI 0.7-20.3). The efficacy of a regimen containing bedaquiline in combination with other anti-tuberculosis reserve drugs is beyond doubt: positive clinical and radiological dynamics and cessation of bacterial excretion by the end of the 24-week course of treatment were noted in all patients included in the study. In the course of 2-year follow-up, no exacerbation of the tuberculous process was observed in any case. All patients achieved clinical cure of tuberculosis.Conclusion. Regimen containing bedaquiline for children aged 5–17 years with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is effective and safe.