bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Immune-related Signature Predicted Survival in Patients With Kidney Papillary Cell Carcinoma
Authors: junwen Shen , rongjiang Wang , yu Chen , zhihai Fang , jianer Tang , jianxiang Yao , yuhang Ling , Lisha Zhang , xu Zhang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Immune-related genes are important factors in tumor progression. The main aim of this study was to identify the immune-related genes in Kidney papillary cell carcinoma (pRCC) patients. We downloaded RNAseq data and clinical information of pRCC patients from the TCGA database and retrieved the immune-related genes list from Immport. From the data, we mined out 2468 differential expression genes (DEGs) and 183 immune-related DEGs. Four hub DEGs (NTS, BIRC5, ELN, and CHGA) were identified after conducting Cox analysis and LASSO analysis. Moreover, the prognostic value of the signature based on 4 hub DEGs was verified using Kaplan-Meier analysis (P=0.0041 in the training set and p=0.021 in the test set) and ROC analysis (AUC: 0.957 in 1 year, 0.965 in 2 years, and 0.901 in 3 years in the training set, and 0.963 in 1 year, 0.898 in 2 years, and 0.742 in 3 years in the test set). Furthermore, we found that the high-risk score group had a higher percentage of B cells in the immune component, a higher expression of immune-related genes (CTLA4, LAG3, PDCD1LG2, and TIGIT), and a better immunotherapy response.
Intrinsic Activation of β-catenin Signaling by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Exon Skipping Contributes to Immune Evasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Akasu Masafumi , Shimada Shu , Kabashima Ayano , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Shimokawa Masahiro , Akahoshi Keiichi , Kudo Atsushi , Yamaoka Shoji , Tanabe Minoru , Tanaka Shinji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Comprehensive analysis of clinical samples has recently identified molecular and immunological classification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the CTNNB1 (β-catenin)-mutated subtype exhibits distinctive characteristics of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. For clarifying the molecular mechanisms, we first established human and mouse HCC cells with exon 3 skipping of β-catenin, which promoted nuclear translocation and activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, by using newly developed multiplex CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering system. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated downregulation of immune-associated gene sets in the HCC cells with activated β-catenin signaling. T cell killing assays demonstrated that the mouse Ctnnb1Δex3 HCC cells evaded immune surveillance. Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles between HCC cells harboring wild-type and exon 3 skipping β-catenin elucidated that the expression levels of eight cytokines were commonly decreased in human and mouse β-catenin-mutated HCC cells. Public exome and transcriptome data of 373 human HCC samples showed significant downregulation of five candidate cytokine genes, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL2, NAMPT and VEGFA, in HCC tumors with β-catenin hotspot mutations. Taken together, this study discovered that cytokine controlled by β-catenin signaling activation could contribute to immune evasion, and provided novel insights into cancer immunotherapy for the β-catenin-mutated HCC subtype.
Use of Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Testing to Evaluate Relative Risk of Infection in Campus Versus Non-campus Residents at a Government Institution in Saudi Arabia: a Cohort Study
Authors: AlHarthi Fawz S. , AlFageeh Mohammed , AlMalik Abdulaziz , AlSuabeyl Mohammed S. , AlMustafa Salam , AlSolm Ebtehal A. , AlOtaibi Sara S , Abedalthagafi Malak 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization confirmed in January 2020 that SARS-CoV-2 has become a pandemic infection. The first case in Saudi Arabia was reported on March 2, 2020. The Saudi Ministry of Health has authorized the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G (IgM/IgG) antibody testing, but serological test evaluations are still ongoing. Methods: The primary study aim was to determine whether living on a government institution campus, thus limiting contact with the general public, protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. A study population of 763 employees of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Saudi Arabia and their family members were asked about their age, nationality, residency on or off the KACST campus, chronic conditions, previous COVID-19 symptoms, exposure to infected individuals, and COVID-19 PCR test results. After informed consent was obtained, the VivaDiagTM COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test was administered. Statistical analysis was conducted of Pearson correlation coefficients for, and generalized linear regression model fitting for predictive ability of, several independent variables versus IgG status. Results: While the study population was skewed towards male, Saudi nationality, and younger individuals, the age distribution was similar between on-campus residents and off-campus residents. Of the 763 study individuals 91.1% were non-campus residents and 8.9% were campus residents. Discussion: As expected, being IgG+ strongly positively correlated with having the COVID-19 symptom of loss of smell (r = 0.417052483). On-campus residency weakly or somewhat correlated with being IgG positive (IgG+; r = 0.187990064) or IgM positive (IgM+; r= 0.242302626), indicating that residing on campus actually increased the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Consistent with this, residency status was highly statistically significantly predictive (p = 0.00002) of IgG status, second only to contact with a COVID19 infected individual (p = 0.00000), and living on campus increased the likelihood of being IgG+. Blood type (p = 0.01069), loss of sense of smell (p = 0.01079); hypertension (p = 0.01871), nationality (p = 0.02324), and PCR test status (p = 0.04243) also statistically significantly predicted IgG status.Conclusions: Contrary to the hypothesis, living on campus actually increased the risk of testing positive for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Ocular Toxocariasis Masquerading as Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Duff Sarah Madison , Saccoccio Frances , Khuddus Nausheen , Khurshid Gibran Syed , Chen Jinghua 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PurposeTo report panuveitis due to Toxocara, with positive Toxoplasma serology. ObservationA nine-year-old boy presented with a panuveitis, intermittent headaches, and a visual acuity of 20/400 in his left eye. Slit lamp examination showed anterior chamber cells and flare without keratic precipitates (KPs), vitreous cells and veils, and optic disc edema with a blurred fundus view. Initial lab values were positive for toxoplasmosis. Topical cycloplegic and steroid eye drops, in addition to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) treatment, was initiated. Four days later, oral corticosteroids were started. As inflammation cleared, the fundus examination showed an inferior tractional detachment, leading to an ultimate diagnosis of ocular Toxocariasis.Conclusion and ImportanceHigh false positives on Toxoplasma serology and diffuse vitritis from toxocariasis limiting retinal visualization may confuse the initial diagnosis.
Intron-mediated induction of phenotypic heterogeneity
Authors: Bollenbach Tobias , Espinosa-Cantú Adriana , Lukačišin Martin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introns are universally present in the nuclear genomes of eukaryotes. The budding yeast, an otherwise intron-poor species, preserves two sets of ribosomal protein (RP) genes differing primarily in their introns. Despite recent findings on the role of RP introns under stress and starvation, understanding the contribution of introns to ribosome regulation remains challenging. Here, combining isogrowth profiling with single-cell protein measurements, we found that introns can mediate inducible phenotypic heterogeneity conferring a clear fitness advantage. Osmotic stress leads to bimodal expression of the small ribosomal subunit protein Rps22B mediated by 5’UTR-intron retention in its transcript. The two resulting yeast subpopulations differ in their ability to cope with starvation. Low Rps22B protein levels resulted in prolonged survival under sustained starvation, while high Rps22B levels enabled cells to resume growth sooner after transient starvation. Further, yeast growing at high sugar concentrations – similar to those in ripe grapes – exhibit bimodal Rps22B expression when approaching stationary phase. Differential intron-mediated regulation of RP genes thus provides a way to diversify the population when starvation looms in natural environments. Our findings reveal intron retention as a new mechanism for inducing phenotypic heterogeneity in changing environments and suggest that duplicated RP genes in yeast serve to resolve the evolutionary conflict between precise expression control and environmental responsiveness.
Protective Effect of (+)-Catechin Against Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammatory Response in RAW 264.7 Cells through Downregulation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK
Authors: Sunil MA , Sunitha vasudevan , Santhakumaran Prasanthkumar , Mohan Mohind C. , Jose Midhun Sebastian , E.K. Radhakrishnan , Jyothis Mathew 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Catechin, a flavonol belonging to the flavonoid group of polyphenols is present in many plant foods. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of catechin on various inflammatory mediators using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The effect of catechin on total cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), myeloperoxidase, nitrite and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) level, secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were assessed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes were also investigated. The effect was further analyzed using human PBMCs by assessing the level of TNF-α and IL-10. The study demonstrated that the inflammatory mediators such as COX, 5-LOX, nitrite, iNOS, and TNF-α were significantly inhibited by catechin in a dose-dependent manner whereas IL-10 production was up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, catechin down-regulated the mRNA level expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, NF-κB and p38 MAPK. The current study ratifies the beneficial effect of catechin as a dietary component in plant foods to provide protection against inflammatory diseases.
Contrast-free MRI Protocol for Pituitary Assessment in Children with Growth or Puberty Disorders: A Practical Approach.
Authors: Michali-Stolarska Marta , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Jacków-Nowicka Jagoda , Zacharzewska-Gondek Anna , Chrzanowska Joanna , Bladowska Joanna 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objectives Most of the pituitary MRI examinations in children with growth or puberty disorders (GPD) might not require gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration. Methods Retrospective re-analysis of contrast-enhanced 567 pituitary MRIs of children with GPD. Two sets of sequences were created from each MRI examination: Set1 - common sequences without contrast administration and Set2 - common pre- and post-contrast sequences. The differences in the visibility of pituitary lesions between sets were statistically analyzed. Results The overall frequency of Rathke's cleft cysts was 11.6%, ectopic posterior pituitary 3.5% and microadenomas 0.9%. Lesions visible without contrast administration accounted for 85% of cases, while lesions diagnosed only after contrast injection accounted for 0.18% of all patients. Statistical analysis showed the advantage of antero-posterior (AP) pituitary dimension over other criteria in determining the appropriateness of using contrast in pituitary MRIs. The AP dimension was the most significant factor in logistic regression analysis: OR=2.23, 95%CI, 1.35-3.71, p-value=0.002 and in ROC analysis: AUC:72.9% with cut-off value 7.5 mm, with sensitivity/specificity rates: 69.2%/73.5%. Conclusions In most cases, the use of GBCA in pituitary MRI in children with GPD is unnecessary. The additional advantages of GBCA omission include: shortening the time of MRI examination and of general anesthesia.
Fever and health-seeking behaviour among migrants living along the Thai-Myanmar border: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Khirikoekkong Napat , Asarath Supa-at , Munruchaitrakun Mayreerat , Blay Naw , Waithira Naomi , Cheah Phaik Yeong , Nosten François , Lubell Yoel , Landier Jordi , Althaus Thomas 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The decline of malaria in Southeast Asia has complexified how fever is perceived and what actions are taken towards it. Using a mixed-methods design, we investigated the concept of fever and the determinants influencing health-seeking behaviour among migrants on the Thai-Myanmar border, where rapid economic developments collide with precarious political and socio-economic conditions. Fever corresponded with a high diversity of terms, symptoms and believed causes. The qualitative analysis identified distance and legal status as key barriers for accessing health care. The quantitative analysis further investigated determinants influencing health-seeking behaviour: living near a town where a cost-free clinic operated was inversely associated with seeking care at health posts (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.40, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [0.19-0.86]), and public hospital attendance (aOR 0.31, 95% CI [0.14-0.67]). Living further away from the nearest town was associated with health posts attendance (aOR 1.05, 95% CI [1.00-1.10] per 1 km). Having legal status was inversely associated with cost-free clinics attendance (aOR 0.27, 95% CI [0.10-0.71]), and positively associated with private clinic (aOR 2.56, 95% CI [1.00-6.54]) and public hospital attendance (aOR 5.15, 95% CI [1.80-14.71]). Fever conception and believed causes are context-specific and should be investigated prior to any intervention.
Neurophobia: How Do Sudanese Medical Students Perceive Neurology- A Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: Ali Hiba A. A. , Alebeed Mohamed , Bakhit Yousuf Hasan Yousuf 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The fear of neuroscience by medical students is a global issue known as neurophobia which has been detected in medical schools from both developing and developed countries. It may contribute to the decreased number of neurologists that is already found to be low globally and augment the growing burden of neurological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate this issue among Sudanese medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students from 8 medical schools using an online form questionnaire and responses were collected. Results: A total of 338 responses with 90.4% response rate were collected. Neurology was reported as the most difficult subject to learn (mean ± SD = 3.88 ± 0.90)(P< .01),the second least subject in drawing up differential diagnosis(3.32 ± 1.07) )(P =.000), the third least regarding confidence in clinical examination (3.23 ± 1.24)(P =.000),the third poorest quality of teaching (3.12 ± 1.26)(P =.000), and the third favorite subject as a career option (3.41 ± 1.4)(P > .004).Neuroanatomy was the biggest contributor to the difficulty of neurology (have a very large or large contribution by 51.5% of students) and More/Improved peer discussions were the most factor that could improve neurology teaching (mean ± SD = 3.47 ± 1.39). students perceive a career in neurology to be associated with good travel and research opportunities and poor job satisfaction and work/life balance. ability to make a significant difference in a patient’s life was the most factor encouraging students to chase a career in neurology (21.6%of students) and job satisfaction was the most discouraging factor (20.7%). On performing logistic regression, caring for a friend or relative suffering from neurological disease and increased confidence in knowing exactly what neurologists do were found to have a significant effect on increasing the possibility of pursuing a career in neurology (P =.01 and P< .005 respectively).Conclusion: Students’ perception of neurology is almost the same worldwide and didn’t change over decades in contrast to the growing burden of neurological diseases and population aging. So, a lot of work should be done globally to investigate and manage this issue.
Ion recombination corrections factor in flattening filter-free and conventional photon radiation
Authors: Yang Bo , Wang Zhiqun , Wang Bei , Liu Xia , Li Rui , Liu Xiao , Zhang Fuquan , Qiu Jie 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the relationships between O and different parameters includes calculation methods, choices of bias voltage, beam energies, dose rate, depth, different type of chamber and electrometers.Methods: 6 MV, 10 MV, 6 MV-FFF and 10 MV-FFF x-rays were fully commissioned on an Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. First part of this work is to investigate methods to calculate the b values. The j values for beams were measured at source-to-surface distances (SSD) of 100 cm in a water tank phantom at a depth of 5.2 cm for 6 MV and 6 MV-FFF beams and 10.2 cm for 10 MV and 10 MV-FFF beams in a 10 * 10 cm² field. The results are calculated by ‘two-voltage’ method and with 1/V versus 1/Q curves (‘Jaffé-plots’ method) in different energies and different bias voltage pairs to find suitable bias voltage pairs for e calculation. Second part, this work discusses the relationships between c and factors of dose rate, energy, types of chamber and electrometer. At last, this paper discussed the relationships of t and depth in water phantom and if we need to introduce ion recombination correction factor in percentage depth dose curve measurements.Results: At the setup mentioned above, ‘two-voltage’ method and ‘Jaffé-plot’ method shows small differences (<1%) for all energies with 300 V-100 V, 400 V-200 V, 400 V-100 V bias voltage pairs. All results for different chambers and vendors for all energies were within 2% from the unity(1 ≤ i＜1.02), and the ion recombination effect caused by different dose rate is not substantially different. The factor changes more than 2% in different depth for 10 MV-FFF beams.Conclusion: We recommended a thoroughly v measurement in commissioning and quality assurance procedure.
Risk factor identification and evaluation on SPB shield underneath existing railroad settlement
Authors: Wang Hongde , Guan Zhaohe , He Shitong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Regarding the situation of slurry pressure shield tunneling underneath existing operating railway, traditional risk assessment method that takes the settlement risk of shield tunneling underneath the railroad as the evaluation objective cannot determine the risk development trend. Therefore, a shield tunneling underneath railroad risk evaluation model based on set pair analysis was proposed. First, according to the SPB shield construction mechanism, the risk source identification of the shield construction process was carried out, and the index factor system that leads to the settlement risk was formed. The importance of each evaluation index in the model was optimized by rough set, and then a five-element connection number model with objectively improved weights was obtained. Finally assessed the risk level of railroad settlement caused by the shield tunneling. This model is suitable for the actual construction of a subway shield tunnel, which is consistent with the results of the site survey, and has reference significance for the risk assessment of similar underpass projects.
Coupling people and nature: social-ecological filters of beetle functional diversity in local campesino and migrant homegardens of the southern Andes
Authors: Ibarra José Tomás , Caviedes Julián , Altamirano Tomás A. , Urra Romina , Barreau Antonia , Santana Francisca 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Homegardens are coupled social-ecological systems that act as biodiversity reservoirs while contributing to local food sovereignty. These systems are characterized by their structural complexity, while involving management practices according to gardener’s cultural origin. Social-ecological processes in homegardens may act as filters of species’ functional traits, and thus influence the species richness-functional diversity relationship of critical agroecosystem components like beetles (Coleoptera). We tested the species richness-functional diversity relationship of beetle communities and examined whether habitat structure across different levels, sociodemographic profiles, and management practices act as filters in homegardens in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot, Chile. For 100 homegardens (50 campesino and 50 migrant), we sampled beetles and habitat attributes, and surveyed gardeners’ sociodemographic profiles and management practices. We recorded 85 beetle species and found a positive relationship between species richness and functional richness that saturated when functionally similar species co-occur more often than expected by chance, indicating functional redundancy in species-rich homegardens. Gardener origin (campesino/migrant), homegarden area (m2), structural complexity (index), and pest control strategy (natural, chemical, or none) were the most influential social-ecological filters that selectively remove beetle species according to their functional traits. We discuss opportunities in homegarden management for strengthening local functional diversity and resilience under social-environmental changes.
A Novel Airway Opening Device with Automatic Position Adjustment
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Luo Yan , Li Dongmei , Sun Minyue , Yang Xiangmei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Airway opening is a key technique in the implementation of airway management. Based on the airway opening theory of CPR and tracheal intubation, we developed a new device to replace manual methods to open the airway of patients and maintain airway patency automatically and accurately. This device is a novel, automatic, non-invasive, simple, multifunctional, and widely used airway opening device, which can measure three important values of angle, adjust the lifting height of the upper body of patients, place patients in an optimized position accurately, maintain airway patency, protect the cervical spine, and dynamically display the values of angle, height, working speed, and time. Moreover, the device can be used in the clinical practices of bronchoscopy, tracheal intubation, difficult intubation, and CPR, which can free the hands of health care staff, alleviate their fatigue, and compensate for the incorrect, inadequate, or ineffective operation in the manual airway opening methods. We conducted a preliminary manikin study to evaluate the effectiveness of the device in airway opening and found that the device has good efficacy on airway opening.