bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Minimally Invasive Surgery Preferred? Peri-operative Outcomes of Varying Esophagectomy Approaches in the Treatment of Esophageal Malignancy
Authors: Morse Ryan , Mouw Tyler , Moreno Matthew , Erwin Jace , DiPasco Peter , Al-Kasspooles Mazin , Hoover Andrew 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Minimally invasive surgery is becoming widely adopted to decrease surgical morbidity and mortality, however data is still evolving and the optimal approach remains an area of controversy. We compared our unique single-institution experience with transhiatal, transthoracic, and minimally invasive approaches to examine survival and toxicity outcomes among patients treated for esophageal cancer.
Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer at a single institution between 2008 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were stratified by surgical approach. The Kaplan-Meier method was performed using the log-rank test to calculate two-year overall survival (OS) and two-year progression-free survival (PFS).
Results

A total of 198 consecutive patients were identified: 118 transhiatal esophagectomy (THE), 34 Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (ILE), and 46 minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with a median follow-up of 30.0 months (range, 0.5-136.9 months). Most tumors were adenocarcinoma (89.9%) located in the distal esophagus and GEJ (94%). Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was received by 75.8% of patients. Length of hospitalization, readmission rate, perioperative adverse events, reoperation rates, tracheoesophageal fistula, anastomotic leak, anastomotic stenosis, and 30-day mortality were comparable. Two-year overall survival rates for MIE, THE, and ILE were 71.7%, 67.8%, and 58.8%, respectively (p = 0.003). Progression-free survival at 2 years for MIE, THE, and ILE were 69.6%, 58.5%, and 35.3%, respectively (p = 0.002).
Conclusion

Minimally invasive esophagectomy is an effective approach which results in comparable perioperative complications and long-term survival outcomes to a transhiatal approach. Minimally invasive esophagectomy can safely be performed and should continue to be studied prospectively.
Identification of a Vascular Invasion-Related miRNA Signature For Predicting the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Qiu Xinze , Wu Jiangni , Huang Zichen , Luo Shibo , Huang Jiean , Liu Shiquan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Vascular invasion is closely related to the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs can serve as biomarks to predict prognosis in various tumors. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a novel, vascular invasion-related miRNA signature for prediction of HCC prognosis.Methods: Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between HCC samples with vascular invasion and without vascular invasion were obtained from GSE67140. MiRNAs expression profiles and clinical information for 344 patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and the patients were randomized (1:1) to training set and validation set. LASSO regression model was employed to identify survival-associated DEMs and establish risk score in the training set. Moreover, risk score was verified in the validation set. And nomogram based on risk score and clinical information was constructed to improve the prediction of prognosis. Meanwhile, four online tools were used to predict target genes and enrichment analysis was utilized to explore the biological pathway of the miRNAs.Results: A novel three-miRNA signature was screened including hsa-mir-210, hsa-mir-149 and hsa-mir-99a, and risk score was established for HCC prognosis prediction. Patients were divided into the low-risk group and high-risk group according to risk score. High-risk group both have higher hazard of death compared with low-risk group in training set and validation set. And the 5-year AUC of risk score were 0.718, 0.674 and 0.697 in training set, validation set and the total set, respectively. The C-index of nomogram was 0.724, and calibration curves showed nomogram had high concordance to predict 1- ,3- , and 5-year survival rates among HCC patients. Furthermore, enrichment analysis identified several tumor-associated pathways including Ras signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway and so on, which may contribute to explain the potential molecular mechanisms of above miRNAs.Conclusion: This study developed a risk assessment model based on three miRNAs, which could accurately predict the prognosis of HCC.
An Improved Adaptive hp Mesh Refinement Method in Solving Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Luo Changxin , Li Jiong , Zhou Chijun , Lei Humin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The adaptive hp pseudospectral method is an effective choice in solving the optimal control problem. In order to improve the computing efficiency of the adaptive hp method, an improved adaptive hp mesh refinement method is proposed in this paper. There are two main cores in this method. The first is to refine the mesh in advance based on the change rate of the control, so that the algorithm can more efficiently deal with the optimal control problem with discontinuous control. And the second is to based on the accumulation of curvature values to ensure that those positions that need to be refined more can be quickly allocated to more mesh points. These two are combined with each other to improve the solving efficiency of the algorithm proposed in this paper, which shortens the required computing time. In addition, the convergence of the algorithm is proved in this paper. The simulation results show the effectiveness and superiority of the algorithm proposed in this paper.
Pepsinogen C expression–related lncRNA/circRNA/mRNA profile and its co-mediated ceRNA network in gastric cancer
Authors: Yan Li-rong , Ding Han-xi , Shen Shi-xuan , Lu Xiao-dong , Yuan Yuan , Xu Qian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

The expression of pepsinogen C (PGC) is considered an ideal negative biomarker of gastric cancer, but its pathological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to analyze competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks related to PGC expression at a post-transcriptional level and build an experimental basis for studying the role of PGC in the progression of gastric cancer.
Materials and methods

RNA sequencing technology was used to detect the differential expression profiles of PGC-related long non-coding (lnc)RNAs, circular (circ)RNAs, and mRNAs. The online database, STRING, was used to construct protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs. A ggcorrplot R package and online database were used to construct DElncRNAs/DEcircRNAs co-mediated PGC expression–related ceRNA networks. In vivo and in vitro validations were performed using quantitative reverse transcription–PCR.
Results

RNA sequencing found 637 DEmRNAs, 698 DElncRNAs, and 38 DEcircRNAs. The PPI network of PGC expression–related mRNAs consisted of 503 nodes and 1179 edges. CFH, PPARG, and MUC6 directly interacted with PGC. Enrichment analysis suggested that DEmRNAs were mainly enriched in cancer-related pathways. Eleven DElncRNAs, 13 circRNAs, and 35 miRNA–mRNA pairs were used to construct ceRNA networks co-mediated by DElncRNAs and DEcircRNAs that were PGC expression–related. The network directly related to PGC was as follows: SNHG16/hsa_circ_0008197–hsa-mir-98-5p/hsa-let-7f-5p/hsa-let-7c-5p–PGC. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR validation results showed that PGC, PPARG, SNHG16, and hsa_circ_0008197 were differentially expressed in gastric cancer cells and tissues: PGC positively correlated with PPARG (r = 0.276, P = 0.009), SNHG16 (r = 0.35, P = 0.002), and hsa_circ_0008197 (r = 0.346, P = 0.005).
Conclusion

PGC-related DElncRNAs and DEcircRNAs co-mediated complicated ceRNA networks to regulate PGC expression, thus affecting the occurrence and development of gastric cancer at a post-transcriptional level. Of these, the network directly associated with PGC expression was a SNHG16/hsa_circ_0008197–mir-98-5p/hsa-let-7f-5p/hsa-let-7c-5p – PGC axis. This study may form a foundation for the subsequent exploration of the possible regulatory mechanisms of PGC in gastric cancer.
Research on Ultrasonic-Assisted Multi-Point Stretch Bending Process of Aluminum Profile
Authors: Li Yi , Hu Zhiheng , Liang Jicai , Liang Ce 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The tensile and bending process of asymmetric L-shaped aluminum alloy profile is studied by the Abaqus software using the finite element numerical simulation method. The geometric parameters of the ultrasonic-assisted vibration multi-point die (UMPD), and the law of influence on the stress-strain and spring-back of the L-section profile after bending are studied. The results show that the UMPD can reduce the forming stress of the profile during plastic deformation, and the stress-strain distribution of the aluminum profile is more uniform. The changes in the ultrasonic vibration frequency and amplitude of the mold are beneficial to reduce the spring-back of aluminum profiles. The ultrasonic process parameters with a vibration frequency of 20 kHz and an amplitude of 0.02 mm have the best effect on suppressing spring-back, which is reduced by 20.6% compared to the case of no ultrasonic application. Finally, it is verified by experiments that the experimental results are basically consistent with the simulation results, and the changing trend of spring-back deformation is consistent.
Distress and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic as Revealed through Helpline Calls
Authors: Brülhart Marius , Klotzbücher Valentin , Lalive Rafael , Reich Stephanie 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis affects mental health. We use helpline calls to quantify this effect. Helpline calls offer a real-time measure of ‘revealed’ anxiety across a range of topics. We have collected data on 7 million calls from from 19 countries. We find that calls peaked at 35% above pre-pandemic levels, six weeks after the initial outbreak. The increase was mainly driven by fear (including fear of infection), loneliness, and, later in the pandemic, physical-health concerns. Relationship issues, economic problems, violence, and suicidal ideation, however, were less prevalent than before the pandemic. This pattern is apparent both during the first wave and during subsequent waves of the pandemic. Issues directly tied to COVID-19 therefore seem to have substituted rather than exacerbated underlying anxieties. Conditional on infection rates, suicide-related calls increased when containment policies became more stringent and decreased when income support was extended. This implies that financial relief can allay the distress triggered by lockdown measures.
Modelling and Optimization of the Manufacturing Parameters of a Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite PxGyEz
Authors: Samuel Bassey Okon , Sumaila Malachy , Dan-Asabe Bashar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this study, a Pineapple Leaf fiber (PALF)/Glass fiber Epoxy hybrid composite PxGyEz (with x, y, and z representing the volume fraction of pineapple leaf fiber (P), volume fraction of glass fiber (G) and fiber length respectively in Epoxy (E) matrix) was developed and its tensile properties modelled and optimized with regards to the variable parameters of x, y, and z respectively. For the quality characteristics (high tensile strength) investigated, the Minitab®19 software was used to analyze the Taguchi robust experiment design technique on the higher the better basis. The optimum combination of the control factors was found at x=10%, y=20% and z = 15mm. The optimized composite P10G20E15 possessed a tensile strength of 95.3144MPa which was only a 5.9% deviation from the predicted optimum tensile strength. Analysis of variance showed that the glass fiber had the highest contribution of 50.64% to the tensile strength of PxGyEz, PALF 15.53% and fiber length 28.84%. SEM Images of the PALF, glass fiber and fractured surface of the optimized material P10G20E15 revealed the surface structure which explained their different contribution to the tensile strength of the materials. An equation for the prediction of the tensile properties of PxGyEz was derived from the regression model.
Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein and LDL Particle Subfractions and Their Association With Incident Type 2 Diabetes: The PREVEND Study.
Authors: Oskooei Sara Sokooti , Flores-Guerrero Jose L , Heerspink Hiddo J.L , Connelly Margery A , Bakker Stephan J.L , Dullaart Robin P.F 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins particles (TRLP) and low density lipoprotein particles (LDLP) vary in size. Their association with β-cell function is not well described. We determined associations of TRLP and LDLP subfractions with β-cell function, and evaluated their associations with incident T2D in the general population.Methods: We included 4818 subjects of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) study without T2D at baseline. TRLP and LDLP subfraction concentrations and their average sizes were measured using the LP4 algorithm of the Vantera nuclear magnetic resonance platform. HOMA-IR was used as measure of insulin resistance. HOMA-β was used as a proxy of β-cell function.Results: In subjects without T2D at baseline, very large TRLP, large LDLP and LDL size were inversely associated with HOMA-β, whereas large TRLP, medium TRLP and TRL size were positively associated with HOMA-β taking account of HOMA-IR. During a median follow-up of 7.3 years, 263 individuals developed T2D. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, higher concentrations of total, very large, large, and very small TRLP and TRL size were associated with an increased T2D risk after adjustment for relevant covariates, including age, sex, BMI, HDL-C, HOMA-β, and HOMA-IR. On the contrary, higher concentrations of large LDLP and LDL size were associated with a lower risk of developing T2D.Conclusions: Specific TRL and LDL particle characteristics are associated with β-cell function taking account of HOMA-IR. Moreover, TRL and LDL particle characteristics are differently associated with incident T2D, even when taking account of HOMA-β and HOMA-IR.
Automated Measurements of Salivary Cortisol Levels Within Circadian Rhythms Detect Differences in Exercise-induced Stress Response Between Two Altitude Training Camps
Authors: Tsunekawa Katsuhiko , Ushiki Kazumi , Martha Larasati , Nakazawa Asuka , Hasegawa Rika , Simizu Risa , Shimoda Nozomi , Murata Mai , Yoshida Akihiro , Nakajima Kiyomi , Kimura Takao , Murakami Masami 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: There are conflicting reports with regard to the superiority of cortisol as a stress marker in high-altitude training due to the influence of the circadian rhythm. This study aimed to determine if the automated measurement of salivary cortisol concentration via sequential sampling could detect the differences in acclimatization and exercise stress between two altitude camps. Methods: A total of 12 elite female long-distance runners living near sea levels were enrolled in this study. For the first camp simulating higher altitude, the runners lived at 1800 m and trained at 1700 m for 7 days. For the second camp simulating lower altitude, they lived at 1550 m and trained at 1300 m for 7 days. Their saliva was sequentially collected on the last 2 days during each camp involving different intensity exercise in the morning and afternoon. The salivary cortisol concentrations were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: The sequential saliva collection and automated measurement were able to detect the basal levels and exercise-induced changes in the salivary cortisol within the runners' circadian rhythms in each altitude camp. Before dinner, the basal salivary cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in the higher-altitude camp. The rate of change in the salivary cortisol concentration after the afternoon exercise on day 2 of the higher-altitude camp with higher exercise intensity was significantly higher than that in the lower-altitude camp (p = 0.003). The rate of change in the salivary cortisol concentration during the morning exercise on day 2 was significantly higher in the higher-altitude camp than in lower-altitude camp (p = 0.028) despite the same exercise programs and intensities. Conclusions: Measurement of the salivary cortisol levels during the circadian rhythms could detect the differences in acclimatization and exercise stress between two altitude camps. Automated measurements of salivary cortisol concentrations via sequential saliva sampling may be useful for assessing adaptation disorders and excessive exercise stress and also help develop adequate high-altitude training programs for athletes.
State-of-the-art of FAPI-PET Imaging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sollini Martina , Kirienko Margarita , Gelardi Fabrizia , Fiz Francesco , Gozzi Noemi , Chiti Arturo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Introduction Fibroblast Activation Protein-α (FAPα) is overexpressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts in approximately 90% of epithelial neoplasms, representing an appealing target for therapeutic and molecular imaging applications. [68Ga]Ga-labelled radiopharmaceuticals-FAP-inhibitors (FAPI) - have been developed for PET. We systematically reviewed and meta-analysed published literature to provide an overview of its clinical role.Materials and Methods The search, limited to January 1st, 2018 - March 31st 2021, was performed on MedLine and Embase databases using all the possible combinations of terms "FAP", FAPI", "PET/CT", "positron emission tomography", "fibroblast", “cancer-associated fibroblasts”, “CAF”, “molecular imaging”, and “fibroblast imaging”. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 criteria. Patient-based and lesion-based pooled sensitivities/specificities of FAPI PET were computed using a random-effects model directly from the STATA “metaprop” command. Between-study statistical heterogeneity was tested (I2-statistics).Results Twenty-three studies were selected for systematic review. Investigations on staging or restaging head and neck cancer (n=2, 29 patients), abdominal malignancies (n=6, 171 patients), various cancers (n=2, 143 patients), and radiation treatment planning (n=4, 56 patients) were included in the metanalysis. On patient-based analysis, pooled sensitivity was 0.99 (95% CI 0.97-1.00) with negligible heterogeneity; pooled specificity was 0.87 (95% CI 0.62-1.00), with negligible heterogeneity. On lesion-based analysis, sensitivity and specificity had high heterogeneity (I2=88.56% and I2=97.20%, respectively). Pooled sensitivity for the primary tumour was 1.00 (95% CI 0.98-1.00) with negligible heterogeneity. Pooled sensitivity/specificity of nodal metastases had high heterogeneity (I2=89.18% and I2=95.74%, respectively). Pooled sensitivity in distant metastases was good (0.93 with 95% CI 0.88-0.97) with negligible heterogeneity.Conclusions FAPI-PET appears promising, especially in imaging cancers unsuitable for [18F]FDG imaging, particularly primary lesions and distant metastases. However, high-level evidence is needed to define its’ role, specifically to identify cancer types, non-oncological diseases and clinical settings for its’ applications.
Cloning and Characterization of SpcrtR and Its Expression in Escherichia Coli for Zeaxanthin Production
Authors: Ma Jun , Yin Yuxi , Qian Chenqiang , Chen Jiaxin , Ren Di-Feng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Zeaxanthin is produced by a series of enzyme catalytic reactions. β-carotene hydroxylase is a key rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of β-carotene to zeaxanthin. The purpose of this study was to clone and express the Spirulina platensis β-carotene hydroxylase gene (SpcrtR) in E. coli. SpcrtR was amplified using specific primers and cloned in vector pGEX-6p-1, the SpcrtR protein (35kDa) was expressed from pGEX-6p-1-SpcrtR in E. coli. Gene expression was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The accumulation of carotenoids was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). SDS-PAGE and western blotting analysis confirmed that SpcrtR protein (35kDa) was expressed in E. coli expression system. Further, the HPLC results demonstrated that SpcrtR can partially catalyze β-carotene to produce zeaxanthin in E. coli. Zeaxanthin and β-carotene yields in recombinant E.coli were 85.71% (±0.4%) and 14.7% (±0.6%), respectively. The results in our study verified that SpCRTR enzyme partially catalyzes the substrate β-carotene to form zeaxanthin. Overall, SpCRTR provides a new choice for enzymatic zeaxanthin production.
Immunopreventable Diseases: Differences Between Genders in Brazil
Authors: Costa Elide Sbardellotto M , Hyeda Adriano , Maluf Eliane Mara Cesario Pereira 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Immunopreventable diseases are a public health reality in Brazil and worldwide. The international literature defined that there is difference between sexes at the answer to the infectious diseases. Methods: A population, observational, descriptive, retrospective study was conducted with secondary information from DATASUS to discriminate the hospitalizations associated with immunopreventable diseases in Brazil and their care costs, within the scope of the SUS, between 2008 and 2018, differentiating the data by gender. Results: A total of 457,479 hospitalizations were evaluated, totaling a direct cost of R$389,243,264.85, 53.17% in males and 46.83% in the female group (p-value 0.036). The trend analysis showed 6 diseases in decreasing situation (with statistical significance) and 4 in stationary tendency in the number of hospitalizations in the analyzed period. The direct costs of these hospitalizations were predominantly stationary for both sexes.Conclusions: the number of hospitalizations varied during the period analyzed, however the care costs of immunopreventable diseases hospitalizations remained high, regardless of gender.
The Potential Role of Wedololactone in Treating Particle-induced Osteolysis _A Mouse Calvarial Model
Authors: Lu Yung-Chang , Chang Ting-Kuo , Lin Tzu-Chiao , Yeh Shu-Ting , Fang Hsu-Wei , Huang Chun-Hsiung , Huang Chang-Hung 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Osteolysis is one of the most prevalent clinical complications of total joint replacement (TJR). Wedelolactone (WDL) is a coumestan compound derived from the Wedelia chinensis plant and has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the use of WDL as a potential treatment for reducing the risk of particle-induced osteolysis using a well-established particle-induced mice calvarial disease model. Methods: Thirty-two C57BL/6J mice were randomized into four groups: sham, polystyrene particles (PS), PS particles with WDL treatment for 4 weeks (WDL 4w) and PS particles with WDL treatment for 8 weeks (WDL 8w). Micro-CT was used to quantitatively analyze the bone mass. Osteoclast numbers were also measured from histological analysis. Results: The results showed that bone mineral density was significantly higher in the WDL 8w group than in the PS group (p < 0.05), and both the WDL 4 and WDL 8w groups had lower osteoclast numbers (p < 0.05). No significant difference in osteoclast number was found between the WDL 4w and WDL 8w groups. Conclusions: These results support the use of WDL as a herbal medicine for reducing the severity of particle-induced osteolysis after TJR.