bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significance of Tumor Infiltrating Immune Cells (TIICs) in Endometrial carcinoma: A Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Hu Qing , Wang Jun , Ge Lina , Wu Ying 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence has revealed that tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) are involved in the development of endometrial carcinoma (EC). In this study, we aimed to reveal the significance of 28 TIIC types in the classification and prognosis of EC. Methods: Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to calculate the abundance of the 28 TIIC types in EC patients from TCGA database. A consensus clustering algorithm was used to group the EC patients. Principal component analysis (PCA) algorithms were performed to calculate an ICI score for each sample to predict the sensitivity to ICIs therapy based on the 28 TIIC types.Results: The EC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were classified into two groups (cluster.A and cluster.B) based on the 28 types of TIIC using a consensus clustering algorithm. The patients in the cluster.B group had increased immune cell infiltration, and higher expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes, immune checkpoint molecules, and immune activation-related genes, suggesting that they may be more sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy. Differential analysis between cluster.A and cluster.B identified 591 immune-related genes. We validated the immune regulation mechanism based on the 591 immune-related genes using another consensus clustering algorithm. The EC patients were divided into two groups (gene.cluster.A and gene.cluster.B) based on the 591 immune-related genes. The patients in the gene.cluster.B group had increased immune cell infiltration, and higher expression of HLA genes, immune checkpoint molecules, and immune activation-related genes. In addition, we also calculated an ICI score for each patient with EC to predict the sensitivity to ICIs therapy based on the 28 TIIC types using principal component analysis algorithms. Conclusions: In summary, the 28 types of TIIC play non-negligible roles in the development of EC. Our investigation of the 28 types of TIIC may help to guide ICIs treatment strategies for patients with EC.
RNA sequencing analysis reveals the competing endogenous RNAs interplay in resected liver cancer patients who received interferon-alpha therapy
Authors: Wu Yibin , Wang Longrong , Wang Xiaoshuang , Zhao Yiming , Mao Anrong , Zhang Ning , Zhou Jiamin , Pan Qi , Zhu Weiping , Wang Lu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is a general therapeutic regimen to be utilized in HCC. However, regulatory mechanisms of IFN-α on competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) level in HCC are rarely understood.
Methods

HCC patients with and without IFN-α treatment were calculated to analyze the expression profile of mRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, and circRNA by RNA sequence, and significant differential expression (DE) of these types of RNAs were screened out for the following analysis. A ceRNA regulatory network was constructed to explore effects of IFN-α intervention on HCC. Furthermore, the potential prognostic factors among these DE RNAs were identified.
Results

In total, 60 (0.37%) mRNAs, 23 (0.08%) circRNAs, 15 (0.11%) lncRNAs, and 23 (0.91%) miRNAs were differentially expressed in patients who received IFN-α treatment. A ceRNA regulatory network including a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network which composed of 4 up- and 10 down-regulated circRNAs, 8 up- and 5 down-regulated miRNAs, 28 up- and 9 down-regulated mRNAs, and a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network which composed of 10 up- and 3 down-regulated lncRNAs, 11 up- and 5 down-regulated miRNAs, 28 up- and 10 down-regulated mRNAs was constructed. Gene enrichment and pathway analysis revealed that the ceRNA network was associated with immune-related pathway and corresponding molecular function in patients who accepted IFN-α treatment. Next, we identified 3 most relevant to IFN-α treatment to HCC among these DE RNAs, namely FAM20A,IGFBP4 and MARCH3, as the prognostic factors of HCC. Furthermore, MARCH3 expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4 + T and CD8 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs) in HCC. MARCH3 expression showed strong correlations with diverse immune marker sets in HCC.
Conclusion

Our data discovered a novel ceRNA network in HCC patients receiving IFN-α therapy, which might lay the foundation for better understand the regulatory mechanism of IFN-α treatment.
Characterization on the P-Associated and Agronomic Traits as Well as Associated Molecular Processes in Wheat Under Pi Deprivation Condition
Authors: Zhao Yingjia , Zhang Yanyang , Lin Ruize , Bai Xinyang , Du Pingping , Xiao Kai 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Phosphorus (P) acts as one of essential macronutrients and plays critical roles in regulating plant growth, development, and the yield formation capacity of crops. Elucidating the physiological and molecular processes underlying plant P deprivation responses benefit the crop cultivation with high P use efficiency (PUE). In this study, the P-associated and agronomic traits as well as the transcriptome profile were investigated under contrasting P levels combined with deficit irrigation, in two wheat cultivars (i.e., high PUE Shixin 828 and P deprivation sensitive Jimai 518). The deficient-P (DP) treatment decreased the P accumulative amounts, photosynthetic function, and biomass of the plants at various growth stages and reduced the yields with respect to sufficient-P (SP) condition. Although the two cultivars were comparable on growth and P-associated traits as well as yields under SP, Shixin 828 was better on above growth traits and P accumulation and higher on yields than Jimai 518 under DP, suggesting that the high PUE cultivars under DP display enhanced P uptake that positively affects photosynthetic function, biomass production, and productivity of plants under P deprivation conditions. A large quantity of genes with differential expression patterns, including 2948 to be upregulated and 1844 downregulated, were identified based on RNA-seq analysis in the Shixin 828 plants treated with P deprivation. The DE genes are associated with biological process (i.e., metabolic process and cellular process etc.), cellular components (cell body and organelle etc.), and molecular function (binding and catalytic activity), and phytohormone signaling pathways. Transgene analysis on TaZFP1, a gene in ZFP transcription factor family exhibited upregulated expression in the P-deprived plants, validated its role in enhancing P accumulation and plant P starvation adaptation. Our results suggested that plant P deprivation response is underlying modulation of various physiological processes via modification of gene transcription at global level.
Optical detection of the susceptibility tensor in two-dimensional crystals
Authors: Xu Zhemi , Ferraro Davide , Zaltron Annamaria , Galvanetto Nicola , Martucci Alessandro , Sun Luzhao , Yang Pengfei , Zhang Yanfeng , Wang Yuechen , Liu Zhongfan , Elliott Joshua , Marsili Margherita , dell’Anna Luca , Umari Paolo , Merano Michele 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The out-of-plane optical constants of two-dimensional materials have proven to be experimentally elusive. Owing to the reduced dimensionality of a monolayer, optical measurements have limited sensitivity to these properties, which are hidden by the optical response of the substrate. Therefore, there remains an absence of scientific consensus on how to correctly model these materials. Theoretical descriptions span from isotropic three-dimensional slabs to two-dimensional surface currents with a null out-of-plane surface susceptibility. Here we perform a smoking gun experiment on the optical response of a single-layer two-dimensional crystal that addresses these problems. We successfully remove the substrate contribution to the optical response of these materials by a step deposition of a monolayer crystal inside a thick polydimethylsiloxane prism. This allows for a reliable determination of both the in-plane and the out-of-plane components of the monolayer surface susceptibility tensor. Our results prescribe one clear theoretical model for these types of material. This work creates opportunities for a precise characterization of the optical properties of two-dimensional crystals in all the optical domains such as the nonlinear response, surface wave phenomena or magneto-optical Kerr effect. Our assay will be relevant to future progresses in photonics and optoelectronics with 2D materials.
TCO and back contact buffer significance to achieve highest open circuit voltage and efficiency of CdTe solar cells
Authors: Ghosh Bablu K. , Saad Ismail , Mahmood Khairul A 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
CdTe thin film (TF) solar cells are most promising in commercial stage photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Cell contacts and interface defects related opto-electrical losses are still vital to limit its further technological benefit. Thin film PV cells voltage and fill factor loss lessening purpose carrier selective back contact selection with band matching interface layers are essential. Beside that buffer and active layer thickness selection is vital for field assisted selective carrier collection. The suitable emitter or buffer layer thickness and band gap matching to the active layer is potential to lessen parasitic absorption and shallow recombination loss. In this purpose SCAPS software based ZnO and SnO2 TCO as well as CdS and CdSe buffer impact are numerically analyzed. The TCO, emitter, back surface field layer and metal contacts effects on electrical performance is studied. In the model, TCO and back contact barrier thickness is shown significant to progress electrical performance. Eventually, open circuit voltage Voc = 0.9757 V and 19.92% efficiency is achieved for 90 nm of ZnTe BSF with ZnO TCO and CdS emitter layer of optimized thickness.
Short-term Outcomes of Herbert Screw Fixation for Isolated Olecranon Fractures in Children: a Single-institution Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Kelai , Sun Dong , Liu Yakun , Liu Jingwei , Wang Zhe , Li Aiwu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Although various fixation methods can be used for the treatment of displaced olecranon fractures, there are no clear indications in the current literature regarding which surgical technique should be adopted. In this study, we evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of closed reduction with percutaneous Herbert screw fixation in children with isolated olecranon fractures.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of children treated at our center for isolated olecranon fractures (Mayo type IIA) with closed reduction and percutaneous Herbert screw fixation between January 2016 and December 2018. Radiographic assessment of fracture healing was performed 6–8 months postoperatively and included assessment for loss of reduction and maximum length of the ulna. Clinical outcomes included elbow flexion and extension, forearm pronation and supination, short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, and complications. The Herbert screws were removed by a second operation.Results: A total of 14 patients with an average age at the time of injury of 11.36 (range, 10–14) years were included. All patients had good radiological and clinical outcomes at 6–8 months postoperatively; all had normal elbow ranges of motion and showed complete bone healing on radiographs. There were no cases of foreign body irritation, implant migration, or osteoarthritis. Premature epiphyseal closure was noted in six patients. The average QuickDASH score was 1.58. Conclusions: Fixation of olecranon fractures with Herbert screws is a safe and easy fixation method in young patients, leading to good functional and radiological results. Nonetheless, determination of the effects of this treatment method on the olecranon ossification center requires long-term follow-up.
Poverty, income inequality, and energy consumption based on EKC hypothesis: Evidence from developed and developing countries
Authors: Akbas Yusuf Ekrem , Lebe Fuat 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, energy consumption, income inequality, and poverty within the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in 14 developed and ten developing countries over the period 2000–2018. We employed the Fourier unit root test and Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression (DSUR) estimator to analyze the relationship between these variables. The results show that in developing countries, income inequality, poverty, and energy consumption positively affect CO2 emission. In contrast, in developed countries, there is no significant relationship between these variables. Moreover, we found out that the EKC hypothesis, which suggests an inverted U-shaped relationship between per capita income and CO2 emissions, is valid in developed countries and invalid in developing countries. We determined that the turning points obtained from regression analysis are outside of the sample period in five developing countries (Argentina, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Panama, and Uruguay). These results show that income inequality and poverty can indirectly affect environmental quality by energy consumption in developing countries.
Prognostic significance of advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) in multiple myeloma patients – a retrospective study
Authors: Huang Junxia , Hu Juanjuan , Gao Yan , Meng Fanjun , Li Tianlan , Mao Chunxia , Liu Shanshan , Shi Xue , Wang Wei , Feng Xianqi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) is known to predict the overall survival of patients having some solid tumors or B-cell lymphoma. The study investigates the predictive value of ALI in multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the correlation between ALI and prognosis.Methods: A database of 269 MM consecutive patients who underwent chemotherapy between December 2011 and June 2019 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University was reviewed. ALI cut-off value calculated before the initial chemotherapy and post 4 courses treatment were identified according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and its association with clinical characteristics, treatment response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed.Results: Patients in the low ALI group (n=147) had higher risk of β2 microglobulin elevation, more advanced ISS (International Classification System stage), and TP53 gene mutation, with significantly lower median overall survival (OS; 36.29 vs. 57.92 months, P = 0.010) and progression-free survival (PFS; 30.94 vs. 35.67 months, P = 0.013). Independent risk factors influencing the OS of MM patients were ALI (P = 0.007), extramedullary infiltration (P = 0.001), TP53 (P = 0.020), Plt (P = 0.005), and bone destruction (P = 0.024). ALI (P = 0.005), extramedullary infiltration (P = 0.004), TP53 (P = <0.001), Plt (P = 0.017), and complex chromosome karyotype (P = 0.010) were independent risk factors influencing the PFS of MM patients.Conclusions: ALI is a potential independent risk factor predicting the prognosis of newly diagnosed MM patients.
Caries-associated Salivary Microbiota of Children at Mixed Dentition from Different Geographic Locations
Authors: Li Shanshan , Huang Shi , Zhang Ying , Zhang Lijuan , Li Fan , Tan Kaixuan , Lu Jie , Guo Yi , Chen Zhenggang , Guo Qingyuan , Tang Yongping , Teng Fei , Yang Fang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The microbial composition of dental caries may depend on age, diet, and geography, yet the effect of geography on these microbiomes is largely underexplored. Here, we profiled and compared saliva microbiota from 130 individuals aged 6 to 8 years old, representing both healthy children (H) and children with severe caries (C) from two geographical regions of China: Qingdao Guangzhou. First, the saliva microbiota exhibited profound differences in diversity and composition between the C and H groups. The caries microbiota featured a lower alpha diversity and more variable community structure than the healthy microbiota. Furthermore, the relative abundance of several genera (e.g., Lactobacillus, Gemella and Cryptobacterium) was significantly higher in the C group than in the H group. Next, geography dominated over disease status in shaping salivary microbiota, and a wide array of salivary bacteria was highly predictive of the individuals’ city of origin. Finally, we built a universal diagnostic model based on 14 bacterial species, which can diagnose caries with 87% and 85% accuracy within each city and 83% accuracy across cities. These findings demonstrated that despite the large effect size of geography, a universal model based on salivary microbiota has the potential to diagnose caries across human populations.
Modulation of Morphology, Water Uptake/retention, and Rheological Properties by in- Situ Modification of Bacterial Cellulose With The Addition of Biopolymers
Authors: KALYANI PEDDAPAPANNAGARI , Khandelwal Mudrika 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In situ modification of bacterial cellulose allows structural and morphological tuning which determines the crucial properties such as water absorption/retention and rheological behaviour. This work reports the effect of in situ modification carried out by adding of two biopolymers - Agar and Chitosan - to the standard culture media for bacterial cellulose synthesis. The agar modified BC (Agar-BC) frames the Bacterial cellulose (BC) network as reduced pore volume, and a much denser network, leading to lesser water absorption and further lower retention time than BC. Agar-BC also demonstrates a higher storage modulus, while the yield point is observed at a lower shear strain. This indicates densely packed behaviour of crosslinked polymer with low strain onset of plasticity. On the other hand, chitosan modified BC (Chitosan-BC) also exhibits a lower pore volume with lower densly packed structure and with lower swellability and water retention reduced to 1 hour (7 hours for BC). Chitosan-BC presents a lower modulus with a yield strain similar to that of unmodified BC. The water absorption-retention behaviour is discussed in details on the basis of relative pore shape-size distribution, fibre dimension and surface area. The mechanism of viscoelatic deformation for each of the cases is explained using a schematic illustrations of the presumed fiber morphologies.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Reveal Genetic Diversity in New Mexican Chile Peppers (Capsicum Spp.)&nbsp;
Authors: Lozada Dennis N. , Bhatta Madhav , Coon Danise , Bosland Paul W. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Chile peppers (Capsicum spp.) are among the most important horticultural crops in the world due to their number of uses. They are considered a major cultural and economic crop in the state of New Mexico in the United States. Evaluating genetic diversity in current New Mexican germplasm would facilitate genetic improvement for different traits. This study assessed genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) among 165 chile pepper genotypes using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Results: A GBS approach identified 66,750 high-quality SNP markers with known map positions distributed across the 12 chromosomes of Capsicum. Principal components analysis revealed four distinct clusters based on species. Neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis among New Mexico State University (NMSU) chile pepper varieties showed two main clusters, where the C. annuum genotypes grouped together based on fruit or pod type. A Bayesian clustering approach for the Capsicum population inferred K= 2 as the optimal number of clusters, where the C. chinense and C. frutescens grouped in a single cluster. Analysis of molecular variance revealed majority of variation to be between the Capsicum species (76.08%). Extensive LD decay (~5.59 Mb) across the whole Capsicum population was observed, demonstrating that a lower number of markers would be required for implementing genomewide association studies for different traits in New Mexican type chile peppers. Tajima’s D values demonstrated positive selection, population bottleneck, and balancing selection for the New Mexico Capsicum population. Genetic diversity for the New Mexican chile peppers was relatively low, indicating the need to introduce new alleles in the breeding program to broaden the genetic base of current germplasm. Conclusions: Analysis of genetic diversity among New Mexican chile peppers were evaluated using GBS-derived SNP markers and genetic relatedness on the species level was observed. Introducing novel alleles from other breeding programs or from wild species could help increase diversity in current germplasm. We present valuable information for future association mapping and genomic selection for different traits for New Mexican chile peppers for genetic improvement through marker-assisted breeding.
Utilization of Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers and Associated Health Risks Among Healthcare Professionals Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: H/mariam Desta Assefa , Gudeta Tadesse 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a crucial and widely used product to avert the rapid spreading of corona-virus disease (COVID-19). However, frequent apply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer mainly at the point-of-care can cause health risks and shortages in and outside the healthcare facilities. The present study was designed to assess the utilization of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and the incidence of associated health risks among health care professionals in COVID-19 pandemic times. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia, between April 01 and June 27, 2020. The collected data were analyzed and described using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 21.Results: Ninety-six health care professionals with 28.69+4.048 years of mean age participated in the study. 95.8% of them practiced alcohol-based hand sanitizers to avert COVID-19 virus transmission in the healthcare setting and community. But they were challenges to practice hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The common problems were alcohol-based hand sanitizers unavailability 66(68.8%), costly 50(52.1%), and skin damage 8(8.3%). Most of them experienced health risks such as skin dryness 60(62.5%), skin irritation 27(28.1%), ocular irritation 11(11.5%), cough 11(11.5%), and others. These health risks resulted in that 9(9.4%) of them did not practice hand hygiene by alcohol-based hand sanitizers (p-value = 0.999). Conclusion: To prevent COVID-19 virus transmission by alcohol-based hand sanitizers, health care professionals faced different challenges, such as access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers and reported health risks. Therefore, the regulatory and public health bodies should promote local production of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with careful follow-up, and its health risks management plan should gain attention.