bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PKD1 alleviates oxidative stress‐inhibited osteogenesis of rat bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells through TAZ activation
Authors: Chen Tongtong , Wang Hanqi , Jiang Chaoyin , Lu Yong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOxidative stress is known to inhibit osteogenesis and PKD1 is implicated in bone remodeling and skeletogenesis. In the present study, we explored the role of PKD1 in osteogenesis under oxidative stress. H2O2 was used to induce oxidative stress in rat bone marrow (BM)‐mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during osteoblast differentiation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposits, and the RUNX2 marker were assayed to determine osteogenic differentiation. The correlation of PKD1, Sirt1, c‐MYC, and TAZ was further confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual‐luciferase reporter assay. We found that H2O2 induced the downregulation of PKD1 expression and the upregulation of c‐MYC, and Sirt1 was accompanied by decreasing cell viability in BM‐MSCs. During osteogenic differentiation, the expression of PKD1 was upregulated significantly whereas Sirt1 tended to be upregulated mildly under normal conditions. Both PKD1 and Sirt1 were upregulated upon oxidative stress. The positive correlation of PKD1 expression with osteogenic differentiation under normal conditions might be hindered by oxidative stress and PKD1 could interact with TAZ under oxidative stress to regulate osteogenic differentiation. Our results suggest that PKD1 may alleviate oxidative stress‐inhibited osteogenesis of rat BM‐MSCs through TAZ activation.
The diagnostic value of the combination of hemoglobin, CA199, CA125, and HE4 in endometriosis
Authors: Chen Ting , Wei Jia‐Ling , Leng Ting , Gao Fei , Hou Shun‐yu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to analyze the differences in the peripheral blood cells and tumor biomarkers between the patients with endometriosis and healthy people, and establish a more efficient combined diagnostic model.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the differences in the peripheral blood cells and tumor biomarkers between the patients with endometriosis and healthy people. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to establish a combined diagnostic model. We plotted the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of different diagnostic indexes.ResultsCompared with patients in the control group, patients in the endometriosis group had significantly lower eosinophil% (p = 0.045), neutrophil (p = 0.001), lymphocyte (p < 0.001), red blood cells (RBCs) (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin (HGB) (p < 0.001), and had significantly higher monocyte% (p = 0.008), monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (p = 0.001), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p < 0.001), carbohydrate antigen (CA)‐199 (p < 0.001), CA125 (p < 0.001), human epididymis protein (HE)‐4 (p < 0.001), and the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) (p < 0.001). The combined diagnostic model of HGB, CA199, CA125, and HE4 was established by binary logistic regression analysis. The ROC curve showed that the combined diagnostic model reached a sensitivity of 85.4%, a specificity of 78.83%, and an area under the curve of 0.900, which was significantly higher than that of the individual index in endometriosis diagnosis.ConclusionThe combined diagnostic model of HGB, CA199, CA125, and HE4 may provide a new approach for the early non‐invasive diagnosis of endometriosis.
The “Dark Side” of autophagy on the maintenance of genome stability: Does it really exist during excessive activation?
Authors: Cheng Siao Muk , Shieh Min‐Chieh , Lin Tzu‐Yu , Cheung Chun Hei Antonio 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDysregulation of DNA damage response/repair and genomic instability promote tumorigenesis and the development of various neurological diseases. Autophagy is a dynamic catabolic process used for removing unnecessary or dysfunctional proteins and organelles in cells. Despite the consensus in the field that upregulation of autophagy promotes the initiation of the DNA damage response and assists the process of homologous recombination upon genotoxic stress, a few studies showed that upregulation of autophagy (or excessive autophagy), under certain circumstances, triggers caspase/apoptosis‐independent DNA damage and promotes genomic instability in cells. As the cytoprotective and the DNA repairing roles of autophagy have been discussed extensively in different reviews, here, we mainly focus on describing the latest studies which reported the “opposite” roles of autophagy (or excessive autophagy). We will discuss whether the “dark side” (i.e., the opposite/unconventional effect) of autophagy on the maintenance of DNA integrity and genomic stability really does exist in cells and if it does, will it be one of the yet‐to‐be‐identified causes of cancer, in this review.
Chromatic number is Ramsey distinguishing
Authors: Savery Michael 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA graph is Ramsey for a graph if every colouring of the edges of in two colours contains a monochromatic copy of . Two graphs and are Ramsey equivalent if any graph is Ramsey for if and only if it is Ramsey for . A graph parameter is Ramsey distinguishing if implies that and are not Ramsey equivalent. In this paper we show that the chromatic number is a Ramsey distinguishing parameter. We also extend this to the multicolour case and use a similar idea to find another graph parameter which is Ramsey distinguishing.
Role of IL-6 in dendritic cell functions
Authors: Xu Yu-Dong , Cheng Mi , Shang Pan-Pan , Yang Yong-Qing 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) are efficient antigen-presenting cells that serve as a link between the innate and adaptive immune systems. These cells are broadly involved in cellular and humoral immune responses by presenting antigens to initiate T cell reactions, cytokine and chemokine secretion, T cell differentiation and expansion, B cell activation and regulation, and the mediation of immune tolerance. The functions of DCs depend on their activation status, which is defined by the stages of maturation, phenotype differentiation, and migration ability, among other factors. IL-6 is a soluble mediator mainly produced by a variety of immune cells, including DCs, that exerts pleiotropic effects on immune and inflammatory responses through interaction with specific receptors expressed on the surface of target cells. Here, we review the role of IL-6, when generated in an inflammatory context or as derived from DCs, in modulating the biologic function and activation status of DCs and emphasize the importance of searching for novel strategies to target the IL-6/IL-6 signaling pathway as a means to diminish the inflammatory activity of DCs in immune response or to prime the immunogenic activity of DCs in immunosuppressive conditions.
Multiple epitopes of hepatitis B virus surface antigen targeted by human plasma‐derived immunoglobulins coincide with clinically observed escape mutations
Authors: Tarafdar Sreya , Virata Maria Luisa , Yan Hailing , Zhong Lilin , Deng Lu , Xu Yanqun , He Yong , Struble Evi , Zhang Pei 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is a human plasma‐derived immunoglobulin G concentrate that contains a high titer of neutralizing antibodies (anti‐HBs) to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg). HBIG is known to be highly effective in treating HBV infections, however, a more systematic characterization of the antibody binding sites on HBsAg and their correlation with emerging “escape” mutations in HBsAg was lacking. By using anti‐HBs antibodies from HBIG lots to screen random peptide phage display libraries, we identified five clusters of peptides that corresponded to five distinct anti‐HBs binding sites on the HBsAg. Three sites, Site II (C121‐C124), Site III (M133‐P135), and Site IV (T140‐G145), were mapped within the “a” determinant, while the two other sites, Site I (Q101‐M103) and Site V (I152‐S154), were outside the “a” determinant. We then tested in binding assays HBsAg peptides containing clinically relevant mutations previously reported within these sites, such as Y134S, P142S, and G145R, and observed a significant reduction in anti‐HBs binding activity to the mutated sites, suggesting a mechanism the virus may use to avoid HBIG‐mediated neutralization. The current HBIG treatment could be improved by supplementing it with site‐specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that target these mutations for control of HBV infections.
Impacts of cocoa pod maturity at harvest and bean fermentation period on the production of chocolate with potential health benefits
Authors: Tee Yei‐Kheng , Bariah Khairul , Hisyam Zainudin Badrul , Samuel Yap Kian‐Chee , Ong Ning‐Geng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDCacao beans are rich sources of polyphenols with an abundance of flavonoids and methylxanthines that have positive influences on human health. The main factors affecting the formation of flavor as well as the chemical and bioactive composition of cacao beans are cacao pod maturity and post‐harvest fermentation. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of pod harvest maturity (mature and ripe) and post‐fermentation period (1, 3, and 5 days in a controlled temperature environment) measured by pre‐harvest maturity indices, post‐harvest quality tests, chemical measurements, and organoleptic evaluation.RESULTSAs pods developed, flavonol accumulated while nitrogen content degraded. Mature pods produced beans with a higher flavonol, catechin, and total phenolic content (TPC). As fermentation progressed, the beans' fat, TPC, antioxidant activity, and catechin content increased, regardless of pod maturity at harvest. Free fatty acid (FFA) levels were highest in 5 day fermented beans. The 3 day fermented beans contained significantly higher epicatechin, with lower FFA content. Chocolate made from mature beans with 3 day fermentation was more pleasant as it scored the highest in flavor intensity and complexity and the lowest in acidity and astringency.CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that cacao pods harvested at the mature stage with further fermentation for 3 days under controlled temperatures produce specialty beans with potential health benefits. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Surgical resection of high‐grade nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma is associated with improved survival
Authors: Jiang Jerry , Park Joon , Kim Stephanie , Daan Amanda , Donahue Timothy , Girgis Mark D. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackground and objectivesThe role of surgery in the treatment of nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (PNEC) is not well defined. This study investigated the effect of surgical resection on cause‐specific survival compared with nonoperative management.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database was utilized to identify patients with nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosed between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2015. Survival was modeled using Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsOf the 488 patients identified, 137 (29%) underwent surgical resection of the primary site. Patients who underwent surgery had a median CSS of 31 months compared with 5 months in those who did not (p < 0.01). A survival benefit was observed when the cohort was stratified into local, nodal, and metastatic disease.ConclusionResection of the primary site in the cohort of PNEC patients compiled by SEER is associated with improved survival. Further consideration be placed on primary surgical resection for PNEC while additional studies that can select specifically for high‐grade, poorly differentiated carcinomas need to be undertaken.
Evaluation of multiple hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns and surrogate matrix for arginine quantification in saliva by high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Yu , Hao Zhigang , Pan Long 
Published: August 2021

AbstractArginine, a pivotal ingredient in many biochemical synthetic pathways, can be used as a biomarker for many oral care clinical applications. It is still a challenge to develop a sensitive and reliable chromatographic method to quantify arginine as a biomarker in saliva, with or without arginine product pretreatment. The current method solved two critical issues for arginine quantitation in human saliva. The first issue was how to optimize arginine peak shape. A hydrophilic interaction chromatography method based on the column selection, pH and pKa relationship, mobile phase ionic strength, organic solvent consideration, and temperature effects was developed. An optimized chromatographic condition for arginine quantitation in the saliva matrix was obtained. The second issue was how to build confidence in the use of a simple surrogate matrix methodology to replace the more complex traditional standard addition methodology. The surrogate matrix methodology we developed is applicable to the measurement of arginine as a potential non‐invasive biomarker in human saliva. The method detection and quantification limit reached 2 and 6 ng/mL. The tailing factor was within the 0.9–1.1 range even though arginine had three pKa values at 2.18, 9.09, and 13.2.
Graft Survival and Segment Discards Among Split‐Liver and Reduced‐Size Transplantations in the United States From 2008 to 2018
Authors: Montgomery John R. , Highet Alexandra , Brown Craig S. , Waits Seth A. , Englesbe Michael J. , Sonnenday Christopher J. 
Published: August 2021

Split‐liver transplantation has allocation advantages over reduced‐size transplantation because of its ability to benefit 2 recipients. However, prioritization of split‐liver transplantation relies on the following 3 major assumptions that have never been tested in the United States: similar long‐term transplant recipient outcomes, lower incidence of segment discard among split‐liver procurements, and discard of segments among reduced‐size procurements that would be otherwise “transplantable.” We used United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research data to identify all split‐liver (n = 1831) and reduced‐size (n = 578) transplantation episodes in the United States between 2008 and 2018. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to compare 7‐year all‐cause graft loss between cohorts. Secondary analyses included etiology of 30‐day all‐cause graft loss events as well as the incidence and anatomy of discarded segments. We found no difference in 7‐year all‐cause graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8‐1.5) or 30‐day all‐cause graft loss (aHR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7‐1.8) between split‐liver and reduced‐size cohorts. Vascular thrombosis was the most common etiology of 30‐day all‐cause graft loss for both cohorts (56.4% versus 61.8% of 30‐day graft losses; P = 0.85). Finally, reduced‐size transplantation was associated with a significantly higher incidence of segment discard (50.0% versus 8.7%) that were overwhelmingly right‐sided liver segments (93.6% versus 30.3%). Our results support the prioritization of split‐liver over reduced‐size transplantation whenever technically feasible.
Multitarget Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Freezing of Gait: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Manor Brad , Dagan Moria , Herman Talia , Gouskova Natalia A. , Vanderhorst Veronique G. , Giladi Nir , Travison Thomas G. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Hausdorff Jeffrey M. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundTreatments of freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease are suboptimal.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex (M1) on FOG.MethodsSeventy‐seven individuals with Parkinson's disease and FOG were enrolled in a double‐blinded randomized trial. tDCS and sham interventions comprised 10 sessions over 2 weeks followed by five once‐weekly sessions. FOG‐provoking test performance (primary outcome), functional outcomes, and self‐reported FOG severity were assessed.ResultsPrimary analyses demonstrated no advantage for tDCS in the FOG‐provoking test. In secondary analyses, tDCS, compared with sham, decreased self‐reported FOG severity and increased daily living step counts. Among individuals with mild‐to‐moderate FOG severity, tDCS improved FOG‐provoking test time and self‐report of FOG.ConclusionsMultisession tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and M1 did not improve laboratory‐based FOG‐provoking test performance. Improvements observed in participants with mild‐to‐moderate FOG severity warrant further investigation. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Case report of the first molecular diagnosis of Stickler syndrome with a pathogenic COL2A1 variant in a Mongolia family
Authors: Wu Hong , Che Songtian , Li Shuchun , Cheng Yan , Xiao Jun , Liu Zaoxia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundStickler syndrome is a group of connective tissue disorders that can affect eye (myopia, cataract, and retinal detachment), skeleton (spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia and precocious arthritis), craniofacies (midfacial under development and cleft palate), and inner ear (conductive and sensorineural); with the degree of symptoms varying among patients. Mutations in the COL2A1, COL11A1, COL11A2, COL9A1, COL9A2, and COL9A3 procollagen genes cause Stickler syndrome.Case presentationA 16‐year‐old Mongolian girl approached our clinics with retinal detachment. The proband had vitreous degeneration in both eyes, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in her right eye, a large area of retina degeneration in her left eye, and coupled with severe myopia. No obvious hearing disorder was found, no abnormalities in bones and joints, and her communication and learning capability were also normal. Further clinical examination showed that the patient's other five family members across three generations had vitreous and retina degenerations. Exome sequencing showed a heterozygous splicing variant in COL2A1 in all patients.ConclusionsIn this case report, a pathogenic splicing variant in the COL2A1 gene was identified in a Mongolian family affected with Stickler syndrome type I by exome sequencing. This heterozygous splicing variant in COL2A1 (NM_001844.4:C.2518‐1G>A) that may impair splicing, which was suggested by in silico prediction. Next‐generation sequencing is helpful for the differential diagnosis of this clinically variable and genetically heterogeneous disorder.
Model studies of the role of oxygen in the FLASH effect
Authors: Favaudon Vincent , Labarbe Rudi , Limoli Charles L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCurrent radiotherapy facilities are standardized to deliver dose rates around 0.1–0.4 Gy/s in 2 Gy daily fractions, designed to deliver total accumulated doses to reach the tolerance limit of normal tissues undergoing irradiation. FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH‐RT), on the other hand, relies on facilities capable of delivering ultrahigh dose rates in large doses in a single microsecond pulse, or in a few pulses given over a very short time sequence. For example, most studies to date have implemented 4–6 MeV electrons with intra‐pulse dose rates in the range 106–107 Gy/s. The proposed dependence of the FLASH effect on oxygen tension has stimulated several theoretical models based on three different hypotheses: (i) Radiation‐induced transient oxygen depletion; (ii) cell‐specific differences in the ability to detoxify and/or recover from injury caused by reactive oxygen species; (iii) self‐annihilation of radicals by bimolecular recombination. This article focuses on the observations supporting or refuting these models in the frame of the chemical‐biological bases of the impact of oxygen on the radiation response of cell free, in vitro and in vivo model systems.
The impact on lesion detection via a multi‐vendor study: A phantom‐based comparison of digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and synthetic mammography
Authors: Vancoillie Liesbeth , Cockmartin Lesley , Marshall Nicholas , Bosmans Hilde 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study is to perform a test object‐based comparison of the imaging performance of digital mammography (DM), digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), and synthetic mammography (SM).MethodsTwo test objects were used, the CDMAM and the L1‐structured phantom. Small‐detail detectability was assessed using CDMAM and the microcalcification simulating specks in the L1‐structured background. Detection of spiculated and non‐spiculated mass‐like objects was assessed using the L1 phantom. Six different systems were included: Amulet Innovality (Fujifilm), Senographe Pristina (GEHC), 3Dimensions (Hologic), Giotto Class (IMS), Clarity 2D/3D (Planmed), and Mammomat Revelation (Siemens). Images were acquired under automatic exposure control (AEC) and at adjusted levels of AEC/2 and 2 × AEC level. Threshold gold thickness (Ttr) was established for the 0.13‐mm‐diameter CDMAM discs. Threshold diameters for the calcifications (dtr_c), the spiculated masses (dtr_sm), and for the non‐spiculated masses (dtr_nsm) were established. The threshold condition was defined as the thickness or diameter for a 62.5% correct score.ResultsTtr for DM was generally superior to DBT, which in turn was superior to SM, but for most systems, these differences between modes were not significant. For L1, no significant differences in dtr_c were found between DM and DBT. The increase in dtr_c from DM to SM at AEC dose was 1%, 19%, 11%, 14%, 46%, and 27% for the Fujifilm, GEHC, Hologic, IMS, Planmed, and Siemens, respectively, indicating significantly poorer performance for all vendors except for Fujifilm, Hologic, and IMS. For both mass types, DBT performed better than SM, while SM showed no significant difference with DM (except for Fujifilm spiculated masses). The dose had an impact on small‐detail detectability for both phantoms but did not influence the detection of either mass type.ConclusionsBoth phantoms indicated potentially reduced small‐detail detectability for SM versus DM and DBT and should therefore not be used in stand‐alone mode. The L1 phantom demonstrated no significant difference in microcalcification detection between DM and DBT and also demonstrated the superiority of DBT, compared to DM for mass detection, for all six systems.