bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Membrane-associated Progesterone Receptor Component-2 (MAPRC2) From Trichinella spiralis and Its Interaction With Progesterone and Mifepristone
Authors: Aleem Muhammad Tahir , Jiawen Shi , Yu Zheng Qing , Wen Zhao hai , Yang Zhang , Meng Liang , Lakho Shakeel Ahmed , Haseeb Muhammad , Ali Haider , Hassan Muhammad Waqas , Song Xiao Kai , Xiangrui Li , Xu Li Xin , Yan Ruo Feng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background: Trichinellosis is a food-borne zoonotic disease caused by nematode viz., Trichinella spiralis. Physiologically, the high progesterone (P4) doses cause new borne larvae (NBL) mortality in the parasite, while the low doses maintain pregnancy. In contrast, Mifepristone (RU486) works as an antagonist against the progesterone receptor (PR) and possesses abortifacient activities. Methods: In the present study, T. spiralis membrane-associated progesterone receptor component-2 (Ts-MAPRC2) gene was cloned and characterized by protein sequencing. Furthermore, the expression, purification, immunoblot assay, binding ability with progesterone antibody, and immunofluorescence assay were performed. A direct effect of progesterone (P4) and mifepristone (RU486) on the Ts-MAPRC2 gene was determined using in-vitro cell culture that showed different expression levels at all developmental stages [muscle larvae (ML), female adult worm (F-AL), male adult worm (M-AL) and new borne larvae (NBL)]. Subsequently, the in-vitro phenotypic effect of P4, RU486, and rTs-MAPRC2-Ab on F-AL and ML stages were measured. Later on, the in-vivo phenotypic effect and relative mRNA expression of mifepristone on the F-AL stage were studied. Results: Our results revealed that the Ts-MAPRC2 gene is critical to maintaining pregnancy in the female adult worm (F-AL) of T. spiralis. The P300 ng/mL of P4 and M100 ng/mL of RU486 showed downregulation of the Ts-MAPRC2 gene in F-AL (P ≤ 0.05). This plays an important role in abortion and possibly decreases the worm burden of T. spiralis in the host. Only P30 ng/mL showed significant upregulation in F-AL (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The current study provides new insights regarding the antihormone (P4 & RU486) drug design and vaccine therapy of recombinant (rTs-MAPRC2) protein as well as their combined effects to control T. spiralis infection.
Tumor Cells Talk to Normal Cells Through Exosomes to Rebuild the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Pu Chunwen , Wang Qi , Sun Aijun , Sun Ping , Huang Hui , Zhang Qiqi , Sun Xueying , Wang ZhiDong , Zhang Yong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundExosomes play a key role in the growth of normal cells and various diseases such as cancer. Tumor exosomes regulate the connection between normal cells and cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting the growth and invasion of cancer cells.MethodsWe used HepG2 cells silenced by shRNA targeting GPC3, LO2 and HepG2 cells treated with different concentrations of GPC3. We determined the effects of GPC3 on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion using CCK8, flow cytometry and Transwell, and Western blotting Method to determine the expression of GPC3/WNT3A/β-catenin.HepG2 exosomes (Exo) and HepG2 exosomes treated with shRNA targeting GPC3 (sh-GPC3-Exo) were used to treat LO2 and HepG2 cells separately. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK8 experiment.The cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The cell invasion ability was analyzed by Transwell. The expression of GPC3/WNT3A/β-catenin signal protein was determined by Western blotting.ResultsThis is the first study to prove the bidirectional regulation of GPC3 between normal cells and liver cancer cells. After treatment of LO2 cells and HepG2 cells with GPC3, the LO2 cell cycle was blocked in the G0/G1 phase, while inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis and invasion, but for HepG2 cells it appeared to promote proliferation.Silencing GPC3 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion, and promote cell apoptosis of HepG2. Subsequent experiments found that the expression of GPC3 was found in both LO2 and HepG2 exosomes, and the expression of GPC3 in HepG2 exosomes was significantly higher than that in LO2 exosomes. These suggest that GPC3 in exosomes has the potential to become a biomarker of HCC.In addition, HepG2 exosomes (Exo) can inhibit the proliferation of LO2 cells and promote apoptosis and invasion, which is consistent with the effect of GPC3 treatment. We also found that GPC3 is contained in HepG2 exosomes (shGPC3-Exo) that have silenced GPC3, which has the same effect on LO2 cells as HepG2 exosomes (Exo), but the degree of influence is reduced. shGPC3-Exo showed a promoting effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells, but inhibited cell invasion. Therefore, GPC3 in Exo plays a role in the proliferation of LO2 cells and HepG2 cells. Further studies have shown that GPC3 in liver cancer exosomes regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of LO2 and HepG2 cells through the Wnt /β-catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionGPC3 in the exosomes of liver cancer cells inhibits the proliferation of normal liver cells and promotes apoptosis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promotes the proliferation of liver cancer cells, and assists the occurrence and development of HCC.
Role of Reactive Thrombocytosis After Primary Cytoreductive Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Baek Seung Hun , Kim Myeong-Seon , Noh Joseph J. , Shim Jung In , Kang Jun Hyeok , Jeong Soo Young , Choi Chel Hun , Kim Tae-Joong , Lee Jeong-Won , Lee Yoo-young 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: We investigated the incidence of reactive thrombocytosis after maximal cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and its role on survival. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian/fallopian cancer or peritoneal cancer from January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. In addition to known clinical prognostic factors, we analyzed the correlation serum platelet counts and prognosis at various time points including before surgery, during peri-operative period, and on each cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy.Results: 474 patients were eligible for the analysis. Median age was 54 years (18-88). 401 patients (84.6%) were FIGO stage III and 405 patients (85.4%) were serous adenocarcinoma. 79 patients (22.6%) had splenectomy and optimal cytoreduction (residual < 1 cm) was achieved at 326 patients (68.8%). A week after surgery, thrombocytosis was observed in 229 patients (48.3%) patients in the entire cohort. Especially, higher platelet counts were observed in patients with splenectomy compared with patients without splenectomy at various time points after surgery. Subgroup of patients who had persistent thrombocytosis during adjuvant chemotherapy showed poor survivals. In particular, thrombocytosis on 5th cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy showed most significant impact on overall survival (HR; 1.871, 95%CI; 1.034-3.386, p = 0.038) among various time points in multivariate analysis. In a logistic regression model, splenectomy (p < 0.001) significantly attributed to thrombocytosis on 5th cycle. Conclusion: Reactive thrombocytosis after primary cytoreductive surgery is associated with poor survival in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly when thrombocytosis was observed during adjuvant chemotherapy.
The Italian National Registry for FSHD: An Enhanced Data Integration and an Analytics Framework Towards Smart Health Care and Precision Medicine for a Rare Disease
Authors: Bettio Cinzia , Salsi Valentina , Orsini Mirko , Calanchi Enrico , Magnotta Luca , Gagliardelli Luca , Bergamaschi Sonia , Tupler Rossella 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUNDThe Italian Clinical network for FSHD (ICNF) has established the Italian National Registry for FSHD (INRF), collecting data from patients affected by Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and their relatives. The INRF has gathered data from molecular analysis, clinical evaluation, anamnestic information, and family history from more than 3500 participants. METHODSA data management framework, called MOMIS FSHD Web Platform, has been developed to provide charts, maps and search tools customized for specific needs. Patients’ samples and their clinical information derives from the Italian Clinical network for FSHD (ICNF), a consortium consisting of fourteen neuromuscular clinics distributed across Italy. The tools used to collect, integrate, and visualize clinical, molecular and natural history information about patients affected by FSHD and their relatives are described.RESULTSThe INRF has collected the molecular data of FSHD conducted on 7197 subjects, and identified 3362 individuals carrying a DRA: 1634 are unrelated individuals, 602 isolated cases. In 1032 cases the molecular testing has been extended to 3747 relatives, 1728 carrying a DRA. Since 2009 molecular analysis has been accompanied by clinical evaluation based standardized evaluation protocols. In total 3577 clinical forms have been collected, 2059 follow the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation form (CCEF). The integration of standardized clinical information and molecular data has made possible to demonstrate the wide phenotypic variability of FSHD. The MOMIS (Mediator Environment for Multiple Information Sources) data integration framework allowed performing genotype-phenotype correlation studies, and generated information of medical importance either for clinical practice or genetic counseling.CONCLUSIONThe platform implemented for the FSHD Registry data collection based on OpenClinica meets the requirement to integrate patient/disease information, as well as the need to adapt dynamically to security and privacy concerns. Our results indicate that the quality of data collection in a multi-integrated approach is fundamental for clinical and epidemiological research in a rare disease and allows to redefine diagnostic criteria and disease markers for FSHD.
Factors Associated With Prolonged Hospital Stay: a Retrospective Study for Imported Malaria Cases
Authors: Huang Liang , Jin Hong , Zhang Hong , Liu Yang , Shi Xinxing , Kang Xintong , Zeng Yilan , Wang Lin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundChina had entered post-elimination era for malaria, however, the imported cases are continuously are a public health concern as the increasing number of cases. In this study we studied the potential predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay for imported malaria patients. Material and MethodsWe retrospectively collected patients of imported malaria cases data from 2017-2020 in our hospital. we analyzed the data from clinical, epidemiological, geographical, and seasonal points of view, and used cox proportional hazard model to find the predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay.ResultsWe found most of imported cases were from Democratic Republic of the Congo(23%, 34/150) and most cases 74%(26/34) were infected by P. falciparum. Through Edwards Test, no significant seasonality of imported cases were found(χ2 =2.51 p-value= 0.28). We found bacterial infection(HR=0.58, p-value=0.01) and thrombocytopenia(HR=0.66, p-value=0.02) were protective factors for discharge, that were, the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.ConclusionsThe imported cases are the major risk of malaria in post-elimination era of China. The bacterial infection and thrombocytopenia were the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.
sVAP-1 and Adropin Levels in Male Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Likely Predictions of Endothelial Dysfunction and Severity of Disease
Authors: Liu Yuehong , Kong Zhongyu , Shi Song 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The main purpose of this study was to determine sVAP-1 levels in patients with moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with healthy controls, and further determine the relationship between sVAP-1 concentration and biomarkers of vascular endothelial dysfunction (ED), including adropin and inflammatory factors.Methods: In this study, we included 50 male patients with OSA (25 moderate and 25 severe) and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The OSA patients underwent polysomnography and all subjects underwent fasting sampling of peripheral blood for laboratory analyses.Results: Serum sVAP-1 levels and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, hsCRP) were significantly higher in patients with severe OSA in comparison with the moderate OSA and control groups, whereas plasma adropin levels presented a completely reverse trend. Moreover, sVAP-1 levels were in significant positive correlation with levels of AHI, ODI, TNF-α, IL-6 and hsCRP. However, it was significantly negative correlated with adropin levels. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that AUC for sVAP-1levels in predicting OSA was 0.876 (P <.001,95% CI 0.784−0.968). Serum sVAP-1 cutoff value more than 445.5ng/mL provided 88% sensitivity and 80% specificity for the detection of OSA status. A multivariate regression analysis showed that sVAP-1 remained as a significant positive predictor of severe OSA status.Conclusions: Serum sVAP-1 concentration significantly correlates with indices of OSA severity and biomarkers of ED, suggesting that sVAP-1 plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of ED-related diseases.
Engineering Micro Oxygen Factory to Slow Tumor Progression by Hyperoxia Microenvironment
Authors: Wang Weili , Zheng Huizhen , Jiang Jun , Li Zhi , Gao Meng , Cai Xiaoming , Xia Tian , Li Ruibin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
While hypoxia promotes carcinogenesis, tumor aggressiveness, metastasis, and resistance to oncological treatments, the impacts of hyperoxia on tumors are rarely explored because in vivo long-lasting oxygen supply is a big challenge. Herein, we constructed a micro oxygen factory, namely photosynthesis microcapsules (PMCs) by encapsulation of acquired cyanobacteria and upconversion nanoparticles in alginate microcapsules. This system enabled long-lasting oxygen supply by converting external radiations into red emissions for photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. PMC treatment suppressed NF-kB pathway, HIF-1α production and cancer cell proliferation. Hyperoxia microenvironments created by in vivo PMC implants inhibited hepatocarcinoma growth and metastasis, synergized the effects of anti-PD-1 in breast cancer. The engineered oxygen factory offers potential for tumor biology study in hyperoxia microenvironments and will inspire the exploration of oncological treatments.
Influence of Epstein–Barr virus and Human Papillomavirus Infection On Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Macrophage Polarization in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Feng Guofei , Xu Yifei , Ma Ning , Midorikawa Kaoru , Oikawa Shinji , Kobayashi Hatasu , Nakamura Satoshi , Ishinaga Hajime , Zhang Zhe , Huang Guangwu , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Murata Mariko 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: To assess the effects of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection on the tumor microenvironment, we examined the relationship between viral infection status, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and tumor-associated macrophages in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: A tissue microarray containing 150 cores from 90 patients with NPC and six with chronic inflammation was used. EBV and HPV status were detected using in situ hybridization with commercial EBER1 and HPV16/18 probes. Immunofluorescence double staining of MIF, pan-macrophage marker CD68, M1 macrophage marker CD11c, and M2 macrophage marker CD163 were analyzed using the same tissue microarray. The levels of these markers between NPC and inflammation cases and between tumor nests and stroma were compared. Correlations among these markers were analyzed. Results: We found EBER1(+) cases in 90% of NPC patients, including 10% EBV/HPV co-infection. M1 macrophages mainly infiltrated the tumor nest, while M2 macrophages infiltrated the tumor stroma. We found a significant positive correlation between EBER1 levels and MIF levels in tumor nests and a significant positive correlation between HPV16/18 and CD11c(+) cell levels in NPC tissues.Conclusions: It is suggested that MIF is associated with EBV, and M1 macrophage infiltration is affected by HPV status in NPC.
Refeeding Syndrome in Schizophrenia: a Case Report From an Emerging Economy
Authors: Dordoye Eugene Kobla , Fiagbe Delali , Alalbila Thelma Mpoku , Stiles-Darko Josephine 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies have shown growing concern for refeeding syndrome (RFS) among patients suffering other medical conditions although the exact incidence in this population is unknown. The phenomenon is also present among patients with mental health conditions characterized by poor feeding, poor appetite, catatonic features and poor cognitive functioning. Generally, RFS occurs with the reintroduction of calories to severely malnourished patients which doing so may be intuitive but life-threatening. It becomes critical for clinicians to have a high incidence of suspicion for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to keep them alive if the poor feeding did not take their lives.Case presentationWe report a case of a 53-year-old man with an 8-year history of schizophrenia and a 3-month history of poor feeding. He was admitted on account of refusal to feed or drink for two weeks prior to presentation. He was severely malnourished and feeding was started while dealing with his psychotic symptoms. He gained about 2kg within a week of admission but that was fraught with metabolic derangements which included, but not limited to, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia. We revised his diagnosis to RFS in schizophrenia and managed as such.ConclusionThere are no agreed biomarkers for the diagnosis of Refeeding Syndrome and diagnosis is still based on a constellation of electrolyte deficiencies and clinical presentation. Unfortunately, one of the cardinal electrolyte deficiencies, hypophosphatemia, does not have readily available formulations for its correction and this can lead to neurological, cardiovascular and other complications including sudden death. Delay in diagnosis worsens the prognosis and the intuitive desire to zealously feed a starved patient rather leads them to their death.
Distributed Data Hiding in A Single Cloud Storage Environment
Authors: MOSSEBO Stéphane Willy , METCHEKA Leonel MOYOU , NDOUNDAM Rene 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Information has always constituted a prized commodity over time, with the strong globalization of exchanges and communications. The provenance, acquisition, protection and integrity of information has always asked major questions, with the strong growth of security needs in many areas around the world. Numerous approaches have been proposed with a view mainly to increase information security. One of them is steganography, where the goal is to conceal the very presence of secret information in a media during a communication. However, this one generally modifies the properties of the cover media used to conceal secret information. Thus, this modification constitutes a vulnerability during the detection and extraction of information concealed in the media, by various steganography attacks. To overcome this problem, Moyou and Ndoundam have proposed a distributed method of data hiding in a multi-cloud storage environment that preserves the property of the cover media, by using different types of media as an index of a part of the secret. However, a security problem is revealed when sharing key between the participating entities in the communication, and the process of managing cloud storage environments between the participating entities can turns to be tedious, depending on the number of cloud accounts used in the method. In order to solve these problems, in this paper we propose a new approach of the method that uses a single cloud storage environment, and strengthens the security of key sharing between the participating entities.
How can the landscape ecological security pattern be quantitatively optimized and effectively evaluated? An integrated analysis with the granularity inverse method and landscape indicators
Authors: Guan Dongjie , Jiang Yanan , Cheng Lidan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The optimization of the landscape ecological security pattern aims to construct a suitable ecological environment and promote the harmonious development between humans and nature. The optimization model of the ecological security pattern for the main urban area of Chongqing was constructed with the granularity inverse method, minimum cumulative resistance model, and spatial network analysis method. We used ecological nodes to optimize the landscape ecological security pattern by organically combining the landscape quantity and spatial structure. The results were as follows: (1) The optimal granularity for selecting the ecological source in the study area was 500 m. There were 220 ecological sources with a total area of 188691.03 hm2 and a minimum area of 75.15 hm2. (2) The ecological buffer zone, protection and utilization zone, key development zone, coordinated control zone, and restricted development zone accounted for 57.78%, 20.87%, 12.36%, 6.48% and 2.50%, respectively, of the total area. (3) The constructed of the landscape ecological security pattern contained 70 ecological corridors with a total length of 415.89 km. The longest and shortest ecological corridors had lengths of 20.33 km and 1153.23 m, respectively. There were 17 ecological nodes of corridor-resistance and 27 ecological nodes of corridor-corridor. (4) 41 ecological node service areas were constructed, with a total area of approximately 236.0723 hm2, accounting for 0.04% of the total study area, and the largest and smallest ecological node areas were 6.0744 hm2 and 0.0057 hm2, respectively. (5) The optimized result of the landscape ecological security pattern converted 209.1384 hm2 of nonecological land into ecological land.
Respond to the COVID-19 pandemic: strategies comparison in six countries
Authors: Chen Haiqian , Shi Leiyu , Zhang Yuyao , Wang Xiaohan , Jiao Jun , Yang Manfei , Sun Gang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the containment strategy and mitigation strategy taken by six countries.Methods We extracted publicly available data from various official websites, summarized the strategies implemented in these six countries, and assessed the effectiveness of the prevention and control measures adopted by these countries.Results Responding to an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, China, South Korea, and Singapore adopted containment strategies, and China and Singapore had a similar epidemic curve and the new daily cases. As of December 31, 2020, the new daily cases of China and Singapore were below less than 100 with the mortality rates per 100,000 population 0.3% and 0.5% respectively. But the new daily cases of South Korea as high as 1029 with the mortality rates per 100,000 1.8%. In contrast, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France responded with mitigation strategies, and had similar epidemic curves and mortality rates per 100,000 population. The United States had up to 234,133 new confirmed cases per day and a mortality rate per 100,000 population was 107%, while the UK had 56,029 new confirmed cases per day and a mortality rate per 100,000 population was 108%, and France had 20,042 new cases per day, with a mortality rate per 100,000 population of 99%.Conclusions In response to the COVID-19 outbreak that is still spreading globally, countries can consider policy alternatives and novel solutions developed by other countries and adapt them base on their domestic circumstances and resources.