bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Correlation Between Collagen Types and Ultrasound Feature Score in Evaluating the Vulnerability of Carotid Artery Plaque
Authors: Han Ruijun , Yan Yanhong , Ding Yafang , Huang Yabo , Zhou Peng , Hui Pinjing 
Published: November 2021

Objectives: To investigate whether ultrasound score has clinical value in identifying carotid artery-vulnerable plaque and the impacts of collagen distribution on the stability of plaque.Materials and Methods: Standard carotid artery ultrasound examinations were performed in 51 patients with carotid artery plaques before carotid endarterectomy. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Sirius red–picric acid staining of plaque sections were performed to analyze the pathological features and collagen distribution. All plaques were classified into vulnerable and stable groups by pathological features. Ultrasound scores, cap thickness, and the ratios of different collagen types were recorded and analyzed between two groups and different parts of plaques.Results: Ultrasound scores of the vulnerable group were higher than those of the stable group (4.35 ± 1.23 vs. 2.09 ± 1.04, P = 0.001). AUC was 0.894 (best cutoff point three) in differentiating vulnerable and stable plaques. Compared with the stable group, the fibrous caps of the vulnerable group were thinner (P = 0.012); the area ratios of collagen type I to all collagen in the vulnerable group were lower (P = 0.033); however, the area ratios of collagen type IV to all collagen were higher (P = 0.026). Compared with downstream shoulders, the ultrasound scores of upstream shoulders of plaque were higher (P = 0.001), the fibrous caps of upstream shoulders were thinner (P = 0.001), and the area ratios of collagen type I to all collagen were lower (P = 0.022).Conclusion: Ultrasound score could have a clinical value in identifying vulnerable carotid artery plaque, and the collagen distribution could impact the stability of plaques, especially collagen type I and type IV. The results also prompted that the upstream shoulders were more vulnerable than the downstream shoulders.
Modulation of Ground Deformation and Earthquakes by Rainfall at Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei (Italy)
Authors: Petrosino Simona , Ricco Ciro , Aquino Ida 
Published: November 2021

Volcanoes are complex systems whose dynamics is the result of the interplay between endogenous and exogenous processes. External forcing on volcanic activity by seasonal hydrological variations can influence the evolution of a volcanic system; yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, we analyse ground tilt, seismicity rates and rainfall amount recorded over 6 years (2015–2021) at Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei, two volcanic areas located in the south of Italy. The results indicate that at both volcanoes the ground deformation reflects the seasonality of the hydrological cycles, whereas seismicity shows a seasonal pattern only at Campi Flegrei. A correlation analysis on shorter time scales (days) indicates that at Vesuvius rain and ground tilt are poorly correlated, whereas rain and earthquakes are almost uncorrelated. Instead, at Campi Flegrei precipitations can affect not only ground deformation but also earthquake rate, through the combined action of water loading and diffusion processes in a fractured medium, likely fostered by the interaction with the shallow hydrothermal fluids. Our observations indicate a different behavior between the two volcanic systems: at Vesuvius, rain-induced hydrological variations poorly affect the normal background activity. On the contrary, such variations play a role in modulating the dynamics of those metastable volcanoes with significant hydrothermal system experiencing unrest, like Campi Flegrei.
Gypsum Precipitating From Volcanic Effluent as an Archive of Volcanic Activity
Authors: van Hinsberg Vincent J. , Berlo Kim , Pinti Daniele L. , Ghaleb Bassam 
Published: November 2021

Records of volcanic activity are a key resource in volcano monitoring and hazard mitigation. The time period for which such records are available and the level of detail vary widely among volcanic centers and there is, therefore, a need for supplementary sources of this information. Here, we use growth-zoned gypsum as a mineral archive of the activity of Kawah Ijen volcano in East-Java, Indonesia. Gypsum precipitates where water seeps from the crater lake and hydrothermal system, and it has formed a 100 m long cascading plateau. A 19 cm plateau cross-section was analysed for minor and trace elements using laser-ablation ICP-MS. Absolute ages were assigned to this transect based on 210Pb dating. This 210Pb age model was corrected for variations in the 210Pb0 resulting from fluctuations in the volcanic radon flux by using 84Kr/36Ar and 132Xe/36Ar. The age model indicates that the transect covers a period from 1919 ± 12 to 2008 ± 0.2. Gypsum-fluid partition coefficients (D) permit the gypsum compositions to be converted to the concentrations in the fluid from which each growth zone grew. The D-values also show the compatibility of the elements in the gypsum structure, and identify the LREE, Sr, Pb, Tl, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Th, and Mo as least susceptible to contamination from rock fragment and mineral inclusions, and therefore as most reliable elements of the gypsum record. Compositional variability in the timeseries correlates with known element behavior in the Kawah Ijen system and shows three element groups: the LREE, Sr, and Pb that represent rock-leaching; Cu, Zn, and Cd, which have previously been linked to immiscible sulfide destabilization in a deep-seated basalt; and Sb, Tl, and As which point to a contribution from the shallow system and evolved magma. Moreover, the gypsum record shows that episodes of unrest and quiescence have a distinct compositional signature in Kawah Ijen seepage fluids, and can be distinguished. Thus, we show that gypsum is a sensitive recorder of volcanic activity and can provide detailed information on the state of the magmatic-hydrothermal system in the past.
Immune Classification and Immune Landscape Analysis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Hu Shaojun , Qu Xiusheng , Jiao Yu , Hu Jiahui , Wang Bo 
Published: November 2021

Background: To classify triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) immunotyping using the public database, analyze the differences between subtypes in terms of clinical characteristics and explore the role and clinical significance of immune subtypes in TNBC immunotherapy.Methods: We downloaded TNBC data from the cBioPortal and GEO databases. The immune genes were grouped to obtain immune gene modules and annotate their biological functions. Log-rank tests and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognosis of immune subtypes (IS). Drug sensitivity analysis was also performed for the differences among immune subtypes in immunotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, dimension reduction analysis based on graph learning was utilized to reveal the internal structure of the immune system and visualize the distribution of patients.Results: Significant differences in prognosis were observed between subtypes (IS1, IS2, and IS3), with the best in IS3 and the worst in IS1. The sensitivity of IS3 to immunotherapy and chemotherapy was better than the other two subtypes. In addition, Immune landscape analysis found the intra-class heterogeneity of immune subtypes and further classified IS3 subtypes (IS3A and IS3B). Immune-related genes were divided into seven functional modules (The turquoise module has the worst prognosis). Five hub genes (RASSF5, CD8A, ICOS, IRF8, and CD247) were screened out as the final characteristic genes related to poor prognosis by low expression.Conclusions: The immune subtypes of TNBC were significantly different in prognosis, gene mutation, immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and heterogeneity. We validated the independent role of immune subtypes in tumor progression and immunotherapy for TNBC. This study provides a new perspective for personalized immunotherapy and the prognosis evaluation of TNBC patients in the future.
Sex Disparities of Genomic Determinants in Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma
Authors: Shi Fuyan , Zhang Wenjing , Yang Yichen , Yang Yitao , Zhao Junyi , Xie Mengqi , Sheng Chao , Wang Suzhen , Wang Qinghua 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundDespite the acknowledged sex-related differences in immune response and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy, little is known about the sex disparities in melanoma of novel genomic determinants for ICI therapies.MethodsPretreatment genomic profiles and clinical characteristics of 631 melanoma patients treated with ICIs (i.e., inhibitors of CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, or both) were comprehensively curated. Genomic factors, i.e., significantly mutated genes (SMGs), mutational signatures, and molecular subtypes were identified, and their associations with ICI treatment efficacy in male and female patients were evaluated.ResultsOf the 15 SMGs identified in this study, three genes (i.e., CFH, DGKG, and PPP6C) were found to exhibit sex differences with respect to ICI efficacy. Among these, CFH mutations exhibited both response rate and survival benefits in male, but not in female patients. A total of four mutational signatures (i.e., signatures 1, 4, 7, and 11) were extracted. Male patients with signature 4 (also known as smoking-related signature) had an inferior ICI response rate and overall survival. However, this association was not significant in females. An immune subtype based on mutational activities was found to be significantly associated with poor ICI survival in female patients.ConclusionWe uncovered several sex-dependent genomic correlates of response to ICI treatment, such as male-biased CFH mutations and signature 4 and the female-biased immune resistance subtype. The findings derived from this research provide clues for exploring different immunotherapeutic approaches in male and female patients with melanoma.
A Nomogram for Predicting Non-Rebound in HBV-Infected Pregnant Women With Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention
Authors: Wang Chun-Rui , Zhong Guo-Chao , Chen Zhi-Wei , Hu Peng 
Published: November 2021

Background: Current guidelines recommend that pregnancies with mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) prevention can cease antiviral treatment after delivery. We aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting non-rebound in HBV-infected pregnant women with MTCT prevention after post-partum nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) withdrawal based on parameters before treatment cessation.Methods: Pregnant women receiving antiviral therapy for MTCT prevention and who withdrew from taking NAs after delivery were included in this study. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistics and a two-way stepwise regression to select prognostic factors for the risk model, and the concordance index (C-index) was used to assess its discrimination. Internal validation was performed through bootstrapping.Results: Of 92 included patients, 16 and 76 experienced non-rebound and virologic rebound within 48 weeks of post-partum NAs cessation, respectively. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at 34 ± 2 weeks of gestation, a reduction in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from baseline to 34 ± 2 weeks of gestation, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA declining from baseline to the end of treatment (EOT) were entered into the final risk model. Its C-index was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82–0.99), and it reached as high as 0.88 after bootstrapping validation. The decision curve and decision tree were further developed to facilitate the application of this model.Conclusions: We developed a nomogram for predicting non-rebound in pregnant women with MTCT prevention after the withdrawal of antiviral agents, which facilitates physicians in making appropriate treatment recommendations.
A Prospective Multicenter Study of the Chinese Scoring System for Hepatitis B Liver Failure
Authors: Zhe-bin Wu , Bing-liang Lin , Liang Peng , Zhi Chen , Xin-xin Zhang , De-ming Tan , Wan-hua Ren , Kai Wang , Xue-bin Yan , Wei-min Ke , Yu-bao Zheng , Zhi-liang Gao 
Published: November 2021

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of a Chinese scoring system for hepatitis B liver failure in a prospective and multicenter study.Methods: Clinical data for 1,143 patients with hepatitis B liver failure who had been followed up for a minimum of 6 months were collected from seven liver disease centers across China. The disease severity and prognosis for the patients were predicted using the Chinese scoring system and compared to those predicted with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, MELD-Na score, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score.Results: The Chinese scoring system was more effective at predicting the outcomes of survival and mortality than the MELD score. In the peak disease stage, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the Chinese scoring system was 0.954, significantly higher than that (0.896) for the MELD scoring system (P &lt; 0.001). The positive prediction at 30, 90, and 180 days with the Chinese scoring system was 0.764 (95% CI: 0.714–0.808), 0.731 (95% CI: 0.694–0.769), and 0.724 (95% CI: 0.679–0.765), also significantly higher than that with the MELD, MELD-Na, and CTP scores (P &lt; 0.001). In addition, the Chinese scoring system was superior to the MELD, MELD-Na, and CTP scores (P &lt; 0.001) at predicting the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B liver failure at both 30 and 180 days.Conclusion: The Chinese scoring system demonstrated superior performance to the three established scoring systems in assessing the severity and outcomes of hepatitis B liver failure in this cohort.
Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Children With Symptomatic Pancreas Divisum
Authors: Pan Guixian , Yang Kaihua , Gong Biao , Deng Zhaohui 
Published: November 2021

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been increasingly performed in children with symptomatic pancreas divisum (PD).Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in the treatment of children with symptomatic PD.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on children with PD who were treated with ERCP at Shanghai Children's Medical Center between June 2015 and May 2020. Pertinent patient, clinical and procedural data were collected to assess the therapeutic effects and identify the risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP).Results: Overall, 114 ERCPs were performed in 46 children with PD. With a median follow-up of 28.5 months (12–71 months), 40 (87.0%) children achieved clinical remission, the median number of acute pancreatitis episodes decreased from four times per year pre-operatively to once per year post-operatively (P &lt; 0.001), and the nutritional score improved post-operatively (P = 0.004). The incidence of PEP was 7.9%, and female sex, stone extraction, and gene mutations were identified as possible risk factors for PEP on univariate analysis. However, there was no statistical significance on multivariate analysis (P &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: Therapeutic ERCP is an effective and safe intervention for children with symptomatic PD.
Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Pterostilbene Against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Suppression of COX-2
Authors: Yan Wenjun , Ren Dongqing , Feng Xiaoxue , Huang Jinwen , Wang Dabin , Li Ting , Zhang Dong 
Published: November 2021

Background: The incidence of cerebral ischemia disease leading cause of death in human population worldwide. Treatment of cerebral ischemia remains a clinical challenge for researchers and mechanisms of cerebral ischemia remain unknown. During the cerebral ischemia, inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress plays an important role. The current investigation scrutinized the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory role of pterostilbene against cerebral ischemia in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rodent model and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods: The rats were divided into following groups viz., normal, sham, MCAO and MCAO + pterostilbene (25 mg/kg) group, respectively. The groups received the oral administration of pterostilbene for 30 days followed by MCAO induction. The neurological score, brain water content, infarct volume and Evan blue leakage were estimated. Hepatic, renal, heart, inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators were estimated.Results: Pterostilbene treatment significantly (p &lt; 0.001) improved the body weight and suppressed the glucose level and brain weight. Pterostilbene significantly (p &lt; 0.001) reduced the hepatic, renal and heart parameters. Pterostilbene significantly (p &lt; 0.001) decreased the level of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased the level of malonaldehyde (MDA), 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Pterostilbene significantly (p &lt; 0.001) inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory parameters such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxidase synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin (PGE2). Pterostilbene significantly (p &lt; 0.001) down-regulated the level of metalloproteinases (MMP) such as MMP-2 and MMP-9. Pterostilbene suppressed the cellular swelling, cellular disintegration, macrophage infiltration, monocyte infiltration and polymorphonuclear leucocyte degranulation in the brain.Conclusion: In conclusion, Pterostilbene exhibited the neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia in rats via anti-inflammatory mechanism.
Over-Time Trends in Incivility on Social Media: Evidence From Political, Non-Political, and Mixed Sub-Reddits Over Eleven Years
Authors: Sun Qiusi , Wojcieszak Magdalena , Davidson Sam 
Published: November 2021

Incivility in social media has become a major concern of the public, who perceive uncivil online interactions to be both widespread and increasing. This study provides a descriptive account of incivility dynamics over the past 11 years by examining the trends of incivility in three main categories of social media interactions: political, mixed, and non-political. Using longitudinal data from Reddit that accounts for 95% of the entire Reddit universe across 11 years and relying on the combination of supervised machine learning models and traditional statistical inference, the study found that incivility consistently represents around 10% of total Reddit comments. Additionally, political groups tend to be more uncivil, and discussions in mixed groups that are not overtly political but nevertheless discuss politics are less uncivil than in political groups. We also found that the fluctuations of incivility correspond to offline events and platform-specific policies.
Case Report: Internal Carotid Artery Thrombosis: A Rare Complication After Fibrin Glue Injection for Cavernous Sinus Hemostasis
Authors: Andrade-Barazarte Hugo , Chen Zhongcan , Feng Chenyi , Srinivasan Visish M. , Furey Charuta G. , Lawton Michael T. , Hernesniemi Juha 
Published: November 2021

Background: Fibrin glue injection within the cavernous sinus (CS) is a demonstrably safe and simple technique to control venous bleeding with a low complication rate. However, this technique does have inherent risks. We illustrate 2 cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis after fibrin glue injection in the CS for hemostasis.Methods: After encountering this complication recently, we conducted a retrospective review of the surgical database of 2 senior neurosurgeons who specialize in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery to identify patients with any complications associated with the use of fibrin glue injection for hemostasis. Approval was given by respective institutional review boards, and patient consent was obtained.Results: Of more than 10,000 microsurgery procedures performed by 2 senior neurosurgeons with a combined experience of 40 years, including procedures for aneurysms and skull base tumors, 2 cases were identified involving ICA thrombosis after fibrin glue injection in the CS for hemostasis. Both cases involved severe ischemic complications as a result of the ICA thrombosis. In this article, we present their clinical presentation, characteristics, management, and outcomes.Conclusion: Direct injection of fibrin glue into the CS for hemostasis can effectively control venous bleeding and facilitate complex dissections. However, it can be associated with ICA thrombosis, with subsequent serious ischemia and poor prognosis. Although this complication appears to be rare, increased awareness of this problem should temper the routine use of fibrin glue in anterior clinoidectomy and transcavernous approaches.
Autophagy in Femoral Head Necrosis of Broilers Bone Metabolism Parameters and Autophagy-Related Gene Expression in Femoral Head Necrosis Induced by Glucocorticoid in Broilers
Authors: Pang Kaiyi , Wang Shujie , Li Meng , Zhou Zhenlei 
Published: November 2021

Objectives: In this study, the influence of methylprednisolone (MP) and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on chondrocyte autophagy and bone quality were determined to investigate the mechanisms of femoral head necrosis in broilers.Methods: Chickens were divided into four groups: control, MP, 3-MA, and 3-MA+MP groups. Blood and bone samples were collected for biochemistry assay and bone quality determination. Cartilage was separated from the femoral head for histopathological analysis and gene expression detection.Results: The results indicated that MP treatment significantly affected blood levels of alkaline phosphatase, high-density lipoprotein, calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin in broilers. Additionally, MP treatment significantly increased blood levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5. MP treatment also significantly decreased the levels of bone parameters compared with these values in controls, inhibited the expression of collagen-2, aggrecan, and mammalian target of rapamycin, and increased the expression of beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, protein kinase B and autophagy-related gene 5 of the femoral head. Furthermore, following co-treatment with 3-MA and MP, 3-MA mitigated the effects of MP.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that autophagy may be involved in the pathogenesis of femoral head necrosis induced by MP in broilers, and this study provides new treatment and prevention ideas for femoral head necrosis caused by glucocorticoids.
Synergistic Effect between Trichoderma virens and Bacillus velezensis on the Control of Tomato Bacterial Wilt Disease
Authors: Zhou You , Yang Laying , Wang Jun , Guo Lijia , Huang Junsheng 
Published: November 2021

(1) Background: Ralstonia solanacearum causes tomato bacterial wilt disease, one of the most serious tomato diseases. As the combination of Trichoderma virens (Tvien6) and Bacillus velezensis (X5) was more effective at controlling tomato bacterial wilt disease than a single agent, we investigated the synergistic effect of Tvien6 and X5 in controlling this disease; (2) Methods: The disease incidence, plant heights and weights, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD values), defensive enzymes (PPO, POD, and SOD) activities, and metabolome were estimated among four treatment groups (BR treatment, X5 + R. solanacearum (RS-15); TR treatment, Tvien6+ RS-15; TBR treatment, Tvien6 + X5 + RS-15; and R treatment, RS-15); (3) Results: The R treatment group had the highest disease incidence and lowest plant heights, plant weights, SPAD values, defensive enzyme activities, and D-fructose and D-glucose contents; the TBR treatment group had the lowest disease incidence and highest plant heights, plant weights, SPAD values, defensive enzyme activities, and D-fructose and D-glucose contents; (4) Conclusions: The results revealed that Tvien6 and X5 can both individually promote tomato plant growth, increase leaf chlorophyll content, enhance defensive enzyme activities, and induce the accumulation of D-fructose and D-glucose; however, they were more effective when combined.