bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Malaria Incidence and Risk Mapping With and Without Clinical Data in Sussundenga Municipality, Mozambique
Authors: Ferrao Joao Luis , Mendes Robert , Tungadza Alberto , Bernardo Bernado Franque , Searle Kelly M. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMalaria is a parasitic borne disease that affects red blood cells. The disease is preventable, detectable and treatable and more common in poor resource settings. It causes socioeconomic impacts, representing a large burden on the revenue of countries where it is endemic. Malaria is undoubtedly one of the main public health concerns impacting on families and the economy in Mozambique. Although the entire population of Mozambique is at risk of malaria, children and pregnant women have higher risk owing to lower immunity. Age category plays a significant important role in malaria occurrence and can affect the course and progression of the disease and correct treatment. Very few studies in pediatric malaria exists in Mozambique and the existing uses a simplistic and coarse grouping. Malaria risk is rarely uniform, whether considering households in a village, villages in a district or districts in a country. The knowledge of malaria pediatric incidence and, the need to evaluate the local heterogeneity by generating malaria risk maps can improve the understanding of pediatric malaria being the objective of this study. Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using existing malaria positive data from 2018 to 2019 at Rural Sussundenga Hospital (RSH) in Sussundenga municipality. Attributable factor of the disease and incidence were calculated. Proportion of gender, age category and location were tested using G test. For malaria risk mapping, ten malaria factors (anthropic, sociodemographic, climatic and clinic) were used to produce two maps one using malaria incidence and other without. Bioclimatic, Diva GIS 7.4.0 and, Landsat 8 image were used to produce the map.Results and conclusionThe findings revealed that of the, 42,248 patients who visited the local hospital f, 51.2 % tested positive for malaria with an incidence of 45.7 per 100 persons. There is a difference between residential areas in malaria incidence, with both maps showing malaria risk in Nhamazara, Nhamarenza and Unidade communities. This implies that malaria high risk areas seem to be located in high populated areas and areas close to water bodies. Relevant information is provided for effective planning in malaria intervention.
EPHB2 knockdown mitigated MI-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting MAPK signaling
Authors: Wang Hui , Gao Ying , Liu Deyun , Xiao Dong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common disease in the cardiovascular field. The incidence of ventricular remodeling dysplasia and heart failure increases significantly after MI. The objective of this study was to investigate whether EPHB2 could regulate myocardial injury after MI and explore its regulatory pathways.
Methods
RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to verify the expression of EPHB2 in MI mice, and then shRNA knockdown of EPHB2 was used to confirm the relationship between EPHB2 expression and disease progression. The levels of inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis were detected by tissue staining. Related factors were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot or ELISA. Further, the signaling pathway through which EPHB affected MI processes was detected and preliminarily confirmed by Western blot.
Results
EPHB2 was significantly overexpressed in heart tissue of MI mice. Knockdown of EPHB2 gene significantly downregulated immune factors and apoptotic factors, and alleviated mi-induced cardiac tissue damage and functional decline in mice. The MAPK pathway was found to be a downstream pathway in which EPHB2 acted. Knockdown EPHB2 down-regulates phosphorylation of MAPK pathway-related proteins.
Conclusions
In mouse models, knockdown EPHB2 alleviated MI-induced cardiac function decline, inflammation and apoptosis of myocardial tissue, and myocardial fibrosis. This process may be achieved through the MAPK pathway.
Quantum Dots Based in-Vitro Co-Culture Cancer Model for Identification of Rare Cancer Cell Heterogeneity
Authors: Vyshnava Satyanarayana Swamy , Pandluru Gayathri , Kanderi Dileep Kumar , Panjala Shiva Prasad , Banapuram Swathi , Paramasivam Kameshpandian , Kothamunireddy Varalakshmi Devi , Anupalli Roja Rani , Dowlatabad Muralidhara Rao 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Cancer cell heterogeneity (CCH) is a key element in understanding cancer progression and metastasis. CCH is one of the challenges in therapeutics and diagnostics stumbling block in modern medicine. An in-vitro model of co-culture systems of MCF-7, HeLa, HEK-293, with THP-1 cells showed the occurrence of CTCs like cells with EpCAM+ and other cancer cell heterogenetic types with the Quantum Dot antibody conjugates (QDAb). This in-vitro model study could provide insights into the role of rare cancer cells and heterogeneity in metastasis, as well as the severity of infections in these patients. We successfully reported the presence of CCH based on the fluorescence ratios of the co-culture cancer cells. These short-term mimic co-cultures give a compelling and quite associated model for estimating early treatment responses in various types of cancers.
Effectiveness of Intravenous Ibuprofen On Emergence Agitation in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy With Propofol Anesthesia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study
Authors: Gao Zhengzheng , Zhang Jianmin , Nie Xiaolu , Cui Xiaohuan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Emergence agitation (EA) has a negative effect on recovery from general anesthesia in children. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous ibuprofen in reducing the incidence of EA in children.Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study analyzed data from patients aged 3–9 years undergoing tonsillectomy with propofol general anesthesia. These patients were randomly assigned to receive either the ibuprofen or the placebo intraoperatively. The primary endpoint was between-group difference in the incidence of EA after surgery. EA was defined as Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium score ≥ 10. The secondary endpoint included the associated factors of EA.Results: Eighty-nine patients were included in the study. Ibuprofen decreased the incidence of EA (8.9% in the treatment group vs. 34.1% in the control group; odds ratio [OR], 0.261; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.094–0.724; P = 0.004). After the logistic regression analysis, anxiety behavior pre-anesthesia and high pain score after surgery were the risk factors related to EA (OR, 8.07; 95% CI, 1.12–58.07, P = 0.038 and OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.60–4.82, P < 0.001, respectively). Ibuprofen administration was the protective factor related to EA (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01–0.67, P = 0.023).Conclusions: In our studied cohort, intraoperatively infusing ibuprofen and relieving preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of EA after propofol general anesthesia.Trial registration: ChiCTR2100045128 (07/04/2021)
The Prognostic Value of Peripheral Inflammatory Cell Ratios in Patients with Cervical Cancer After Radiotherapy
Authors: Xu Ruizhe , Lu Haiyan , Guo Qi , Qian Jianjun , Fan Qiuhong , Zhao Peifeng , Tian Ye 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to explore the values of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as prognostic biomarkers in patients with cervical cancer.Methods: In total, 172 cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy between January 2014 and December 2017 were retrospectively identified. We calculated the NLR and PLR and determined their cut-off points, known prognostic factors, and the association of these factors with overall survival (OS).Results: The median follow-up period was 59 months (range 1–91 months, 95% confidence interval 53–63 months). The 3- and 5-year OS rates of patients who received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were 86.7% and 79.7%, respectively, while the 3- and 5-year OS rates of patients who received radical radiotherapy were 70.2% and 61.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified that OS was significantly correlated with tumor diameter, pelvic lymph node status, the NLR and PLR before radiotherapy, past diabetes, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, the purpose of radiotherapy, pathology type, and the OS rate (all P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, the PLR before radiotherapy, past diabetes, FIGO stage, and pathology type were independently associated with OS (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The NLR and PLR before radiotherapy are correlated with the prognosis of cervical cancer. Furthermore, the PLR before radiotherapy is an independent risk factor related to OS.
Impact Analysis of the Interobserver Variability in CBCT-Based Soft-Tissue Matching using TCP/NTCP Models for Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Xiangbin , Wang Xin , Li Xiaoyu , Zhou Li , Nie Shihong , Li Changhu , Wang Xuetao , Dai Guyu , Deng Zhonghua , Zhong Renming 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Prostate alignment is subject to interobserver variability in cone-beam CT (CBCT)-based soft-tissue matching. This study aims to analyze the impact of interobserver variability in CBCT-based soft-tissue matching for prostate cancer radiotherapy.Methods: Retrospective data, consisting of 156 CBCT images from twelve patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer were analyzed in this study. To simulate interobserver variability, couch shifts of 2 mm relative to the resulting patient position of prostate alignment were assumed as potential patient positions (27 possibilities). For each CBCT, the doses of the potential patient positions were recalculated using deformable image registration-based synthetic CT. The impact of the simulated interobserver variability was evaluated using tumor control probabilities (TCPs) and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs).Results: No significant differences in TCPs were found between prostate alignment and potential patient positions (0.944 ± 0.003 vs 0.945 ± 0.003, P = 0.117). The average NTCPs of the rectum ranged from 5.16 (%) to 7.29 (%) among the potential patient positions and were highly influenced by the couch shift in anterior-posterior direction. In contrast, the average NTCPs of the bladder ranged from 0.75 (%) to 1.12 (%) among the potential patient positions and were relatively negligible.Conclusions: The NTCPs of the rectum, rather than the TCPs of the target, were highly influenced by the interobserver variability in CBCT-based soft-tissue matching. This study provides a theoretical explanation for daily CBCT-based image guidance and the prostate-rectum interface matching procedure.Trial registration: Not applicable.
Prediction of Uric Acid Component in Nephrolithiasis Using Simple Clinical Information: A Machine Learning-Based model
Authors: Chen Hao-Wei , Chen Yu-Chen , Lee Jung-Ting , Kao Chung-Yao , Chou Yii-Her , Chu Ting-Yin , Juan Yung-Shun , Wu Wen-Jeng 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
There is a great need for a diagnostic tool using simple clinical information collected from patients to diagnose uric acid (UA) stones in nephrolithiasis. We built a predictive model making use of machine learning (ML) methodologies entering simple parameters easily obtained at the initial clinical visit. Socio-demographic, health, and clinical data from two cohorts (A and B), both diagnosed with nephrolithiasis, one between 2012 and 2016 and the other between June and December 2020, were collected before nephrolithiasis treatment. A ML-based model for predicting UA stones in nephrolithiasis was developed using eight simple parameters - sex, age, gout, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, bacteriuria, and urine pH. Data from Cohort A were used for model training and validation (ratio 3:2), while data from Cohort B were used only for validation. One hundred forty-six (13.3%) of 1098 patients Cohort A and three (4.23%) of 71 patients in Cohort B had pure UA stones. For Cohort A, our model achieved validation AUC (area under ROC curve) of 0.842, with 0.8475 sensitivity and 0.748 specificity. For Cohort B, our model achieved 0.936 AUC, with 1.0 sensitivity, and 0.912 specificity. This ML-based model provides a convenient and reliable method for diagnosing urolithiasis. Using only eight readily available clinical parameters, it distinguished pure uric acid stones from other stones before treatment.
Aberrant Expression of The Esophageal Carcinoma Related Gene 4 As A Prognostic Signature For Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: You Yanjie , Hu Shengjuan , Deng Yanghong , Hu Fangrui 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer with increasing incidence, yet the molecular biomarkers that have strong prognostic impact and also hold great therapeutic promise remain elusive. Methods. Data mining approaches with a set of publicly accessible databases and immunohistochemistry were used to provide a novel insight into the expression pattern and prognostic significance of the esophageal cancer-related gene (ECRG) family members in HCC. Results. We found that elevated mRNA expression levels of ECRG factors were correlated with better overall survival, relapse-free survival and progression-free survival rates in patients with HCC. Subgroup analyses showed significant associations between ECRG expression and survival outcome in select HCC patients. In addition, immunohistochemical and multivariate analysis confirmed increased ECRG4 expression as an independent prognostic indicator for survival. Conclusion. Our data suggest that ECRG factors have significant impacts on the survival of HCC patients. The expression of ECRG factors may be involved in HCC progression and could serve as novel biomarkers for predicting more accurate prognosis.
Work Stress in Nurses Returning To Tertiary A General Hospitals in China After The Delivery of Their Second Child: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chen Kai , Wei Lili , Zhang Yan , Jiang Wenbin , Wang Jingyuan , Pan Yueshuai 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective To investigate the current situation of work stress in nurses returning to work in Chinese tertiary A general hospitals after giving birth to their second child and to analyze influencing factors. Methods From January to April 2021, 448 nurses returning to work after the birth of their second child, working in 23 general hospitals in China, were investigated and completed the postpartum work stress scale and self-rating depression scale. Results The total work stress score of returning nurses after giving birth to their second child was 90.40±18.29, and the dimension with the highest score was the role commitment of the mother. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that family monthly income, turnover intention, time since returning to work, age of the first child, and depression were the influencing factors on job stress. Conclusion The work stress of nurses returning to work in China’s tertiary A general hospitals after the birth of their second child is in the upper-middle range. Nursing managers should pay attention to this group of postpartum nurses and formulate targeted measures to reduce their work stress.
Threshold Estimation Based on Local Minima for Nucleus and Cytoplasm Segmentation
Authors: Mayala Simeon , Haugsøen Jonas Bull 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Image segmentation is a process of partitioning the input image into its separate objects or regions. It is an essential step in image processing to segment the regions of interest (ROI) for further processing. We propose a method for segmenting neucleus and cytoplasm from the white blood cells (WBC).Methods: Initially, the method computes an initial value based on the minimum and maximum values of the input image. Then, a histogram of the input image is computed and then approximated to obtain function values. The method searches for the first local maximum and local minimum from the approximated function values. We approximate the required threshold from the first local minimum and the computed initial value based on defined conditions. The threshold is applied to the input image to binarize it and then perform post-processing to obtain the final segmented nucleus. We segment the whole WBC before segmenting the cytoplasm depending on the complexity of the objects in the image. For WBCs which are well separated from the RBCs, n thresholds are generated and then produce n thresholded images. Then, a standard Otsu method is used to binarize the average of the produced images. Morphological operations are applied on the binarized image and then use a single-pixel point from the segmented nucleus to segment the WBCs. For images in which RBCs touch the WBCs, we segment the whole WBC using SLIC and watershed methods. The cytoplasm is obtained by subtracting the segmented nucleus from the segmented WBC. Results: The method is tested on two different public data sets. Performance analysis is done and the results show that the proposed method segments well the nucleus and cytoplasm. Conclusion: We propose a method for nuclei and cytoplasm segmentation based on the local minima of the approximated function values from the histogram of image. The method has demonstrated its utility in segmenting nuclei, WBCs and cytoplasm and the results are reasonable.
A Novel Signature Derived from Metabolism-Related Genes GPT and SMS to Predict Prognosis of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shen Yujie , Huang Qiang , Zhang Yifan , Hsueh Chi-Yao , Zhou Liang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

A growing body of evidence has suggested the involvement of metabolism in the occurrence and development of tumors. But the link between metabolism and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has rarely been reported. This study seeks to understand and explain the role of metabolic biomarkers in predicting the prognosis of LSCC.
Methods

We identified the differentially expressed metabolism-related genes (MRGs) through RNA-seq data of TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GSEA (Gene set enrichment analysis). After the screening of protein-protein interaction (PPI), hub MRGs were analyzed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression analyses to construct a prognostic signature. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was applied to verify the effectiveness of the prognostic signature in four cohorts (TCGA cohort, GSE27020 cohort, TCGA-sub1 cohort and TCGA-sub2 cohort). The expressions of the hub MRGs in cell lines and clinical samples were verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). The immunofluorescence staining of the tissue microarray (TMA) was carried out to further verify the reliability and validity of the prognostic signature. Cox regression analysis was then used to screen for independent prognostic factors of LSCC and a nomogram was constructed based on the results.
Results

Among the 180 differentially expressed MRGs, 14 prognostic MRGs were identified. A prognostic signature based on two MRGs (GPT and SMS) was then constructed and verified via internal and external validation cohorts. Compared to the adjacent normal tissues, SMS expression was higher while GPT expression was lower in LSCC tissues, indicating poorer outcomes. The risk score proved the prognostic signature as an independent risk factor for LSCC in both internal and external validation cohorts. A nomogram based on these results was developed for clinical application.
Conclusions

Differentially expressed MRGs were found and proven to be related to the prognosis of LSCC. We constructed a novel prognostic signature based on MRGs in LSCC for the first time and verified via different cohorts from both databases and clinical samples. A nomogram based on this prognostic signature was developed.
Hex Hox: De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Embryonic Hox Gene Expression in the Burrowing Mayfly Hexagenia Limbata (Ephemeridae)
Authors: Gonzalez Christopher J , Hildebrandt Tobias R , O'Donnell Brigid C 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Hox genes are key regulators of appendage development in the insect body plan. The body plan of Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) nymphs differs due to the presence of evolutionarily significant abdominal appendages called gills. Despite mayflies’ basal phylogenetic position and novel morphology amongst insects, little is known of their developmental genetics. Here we present an annotated transcriptome for the mayfly Hexagenia limbata, with annotated sequences for putative Hox peptides and embryonic expression profiles for the Hox genes Antp and Ubx/abd-A. Results: Transcriptomic sequencing of early instar H. limbata nymphs yielded a high-quality assembly of 83,795 contigs, of which 22,975 were annotated against Folsomia candida, Nilaparvata lugens, Zootermopsis nevadensis and UniRef90 protein databases. Peptide annotations included eight of the ten canonical Hox genes (lab, pb, Dfd, Scr, Antp, Ubx, abd-A and Abd-B), most of which contained all functional domains and motifs conserved in insects. Expression patterns of Antp and Ubx/abd-A in H. limbata were visualized from early to late embryogenesis, and are also highly conserved with patterns reported for other non-holometabolous insects.Conclusions: We present evidence that both H. limbata Hox peptide sequences and embryonic expression patterns for Antp and Ubx/abd-A are extensively conserved with other insects. These findings suggest mayfly Antp and Ubx/abd-A play similar appendage promoting and repressing roles in the thorax and abdomen, respectively. The identified expression of Ubx and abd-A in early instar nymphs further suggests that mayfly gill development is not subject to Ubx or abd-A repression. Previous studies have shown that insect Ubx and abd-A repress appendages by inhibiting their distal structures, which can permit the development of proximal appendage types. In line with past morphology-based work, we propose that mayfly gills are proximal appendage structures, possibly homologous to the proximal appendage structures of crustaceans.