bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysregulation of circulating CDC42 and its correlation with demographic characteristics, comorbidities, tumor features, chemotherapeutic regimen and survival profile in non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Yan Jie , Wan Daihong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveCell division control protein 42 (CDC42) induces the immune escape, represses the CD8+ T‐cell activation, and further leads to the tumor metastasis in various neoplasms, whereas the correlation of circulating CDC42 with clinical features and prognosis of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains elusive. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate this topic.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells from 263 NSCLC patients before treatment and 50 health controls (HC) were used for CDC42 determination by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) assay.ResultsCDC42 expression was higher in NSCLC patients than HCs (p < 0.001). Besides, elevated CDC42 expression was correlated with the occurrence of lymph node (LYN) metastasis (p = 0.003) and advanced TNM stage (p = 0.007), but not related to other tumor features, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, nor neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy (all p > 0.05). Additionally, elevated CDC42 expression was correlated with unfavorable accumulating disease‐free survival (DFS) (p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.025). More importantly, multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that elevated CDC42 expression (hazard ratio (HR): 1.284, p < 0.001) and higher TNM stage (HR: 1.428, p = 0.003) were independently associated with shorter DFS, meanwhile elevated CDC42 expression (HR: 1.193, p = 0.035), higher pathological grade (HR: 1.558, p = 0.003), higher TNM stage (HR: 1.703, p = 0.001) and higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) score (HR: 1.538, p = 0.038) were independently correlated with unsatisfying OS.ConclusionCirculating CDC42 is highly expressed with its overexpression linked with LYN metastasis, poor DFS, and OS in NSCLC patients.
Identification of a novel mutation in the BMPR2 gene in a pulmonary arterial hypertension patient using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Xu Xiao , Wang Xin , Yang Guo‐Can , Liu Qi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a hemodynamic state that is characterized by pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, leading to a continuous increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and eventually right heart failure. Mutations of the bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR2) gene are the most common genetic cause of PAH.MethodsA 52‐year‐old woman was admitted to Shaoxing People's Hospital after suffering from a cough for 2 months. In our hospital, the proband got a thorough medical examination and was diagnosed with PAH following genetic testing.ResultsGenetic test showed that the proband carried a novel heterozygous c.1481C>T (p.Ala494Val) mutation in the BMPR2 gene. The new mutation was initially discovered as a potential pathogenic variant by bioinformatics research, but it needed to be functionally verified.ConclusionsThe novel mutation may be related to the development of the PAH. In addition to general examinations, clinicians must thoroughly examine molecular genetics to provide an accurate diagnosis in the clinic, particularly for rare disorders.
Regulatory and other rheumatoid factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients with active disease or in remission
Authors: Beduleva Liubov , Sidorov Alexandr , Semenova Kseniya , Khokhlova Zhanna , Menshikova Daria , Khramova Tatyana , Menshikov Igor 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPreviously, we identified a regulatory rheumatoid factor (regRF), the production of which provides rats with resistance to collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Immunization with conformers of IgG Fc fragments carrying epitopes specific to regRF reduces symptoms of CIA. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a link between regRF levels and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity in humans in order to assess the potential of regRF as a therapeutic biotarget in RA. The variability of rheumatoid factor (RF) specificities present in the blood of RA patients was also studied.MethodsThe regRF were studied in RA patients with active disease and in remission. Variability in the specificities of RF associated with RA was studied by concurrent inhibition of RF latex fixation by variants of modified IgG.ResultsPatients in remission had regRF levels higher than in healthy subjects. The regRF in remission was characterized by tight binding to its antigen, as in healthy subjects. The regRF levels in patients with active RA varied dramatically, and regRF binding to its antigen was weak. The exacerbation of Still's disease coincided with low regRF levels and affinity, while an improvement in patient condition was associated with an increase in regRF levels and affinity. The RF specific to RA, which was detected by the RF latex‐fixation method, was a nonhomogeneous population of antibodies that included RF to lyophilized IgG, to IgG immobilized on polystyrene, and to rabbit IgG.ConclusionStimulating regRF production might enable improved RA therapy.
Identification and validation of PGLS as a metabolic target for early screening and prognostic monitoring of gastric cancer
Authors: Yuan Xiaoxia , Xiao Yang , Luo Yaomin , Wei Chen , Wang Jiaxin , Huang Jinglin , Liao Weiliang , Song Shenjie , Jiang Zhen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundGastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer‐related death in the world. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of 6‐phosphogluconolactonase (PGLS) in gastric cancer.MethodsThe protein extracted from a panel of four pairs of gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, labeled with iTRAQ (8‐plex) reagents, and followed by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS. The expressions of proteins were further validated by immunohistochemistry analysis. The expression levels of mRNA were analyzed and validated in the Oncomine database. The correlations of PGLS with prognostic outcomes were evaluated with Kaplan‐Meier plotter database.ResultsThe present study found that PGLS was significantly up‐regulated in gastric cancer by using iTRAQ‐based proteomics and immunohistochemistry analysis. The sensitivity of PGLS in gastric cancer was 72.9%. The high expression of PGLS was significantly correlated with TNM staging in gastric cancer (p = 0.02). The overexpression of PGLS predicts worse overall survival (OS) and post‐progression survival (PPS) for gastric cancer (OS, HR = 1.48, p = 2.1e‐05; PPS, HR = 1.35, p = 0.015). Specifically, the high PGLS expression predicts poor OS, PPS in male gastric cancer patients, in patients with lymph node metastasis and in patients with Her‐2 (‐).ConclusionsThese findings suggested that PGLS was aberrantly expressed in gastric cancer and predicts poor overall survival, post‐progression survival for gastric cancer patients. The present study collectively supported that PGLS is an important target for early determining and follow‐up monitoring for gastric cancer.
Association between ABO blood group and risk of Crohn’s disease: A case‐control study in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Chen Jintong , Chen Huaning , Lin Yi , Zheng Weiwei , Wang Chengdang 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundBlood group O has been reported to be a potentially protective factor for Crohn's disease (CD) susceptibility in Caucasian and Korean populations, but a similar conclusion was not found in a Chinese study. The present study investigated the potential association in the Chinese Han population.MethodsWe included 275 CD patients, 132 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 1201 healthy individuals in this case‐control study. The demographic characteristics and ABO blood group were compared among the three groups. The clinical characteristics and treatment of CD were further investigated according to the blood group distribution.ResultsThe blood group distribution in CD patients was significantly different from healthy controls, and the frequency of O blood in CD patients was significantly lower compared to healthy controls. After adjusting for age and gender, the non‐O blood groups remained significantly associated with CD susceptibility in propensity score‐adjusted and propensity score‐matched analyses. Compared to CD patients with non‐O blood groups, patients with O blood were at a lower risk of developing penetrating disease, more likely to receive immunosuppressant treatment and less likely to receive biological treatment.ConclusionOur results confirmed that non‐O blood groups were significantly associated with an increased risk of CD in the Chinese Han population.
MicroRNA‐146a and microRNA‐146b deficiency correlates with exacerbated disease activity, and their longitude increment relates to etanercept response in psoriasis patients
Authors: Shen Hui , Wang Dan , Zhan Mengyun , Ding Hanping , Zhao Hongbo 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNA (miR)‐146a and miR‐146b regulate autoimmunity, inflammation, and keratinocytes proliferation to engage in psoriasis pathology. The current study aimed to investigate their correlation with disease risk and clinical features, and the linkage of their longitudinal changes with clinical response to etanercept in psoriasis patients.MethodsPlasma samples were collected from 84 moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis patients who underwent etanercept treatment (at baseline (M0), 1 month (M1), 3 months (M3), and 6 months (M6)), 80 disease controls and 80 health controls (both after enrollment); afterward, miR‐146a and miR‐146b expressions were detected by RT‐qPCR. Furthermore, PASI75 and PASI90 responses were assessed in psoriasis patients.ResultsBoth miR‐146a and miR‐146b were decreased in psoriasis patients compared with disease controls and health controls (all p < 0.001), which also distinguished psoriasis patients from disease controls and health controls by receiver‐operating characteristic analyses. Furthermore, miR‐146a positively correlated with miR‐146b in psoriasis patients (p < 0.001) and disease controls (p = 0.005) but not in healthy controls (p = 0.062). In psoriasis patients, miR‐146a negatively related to psoriatic body surface area (p = 0.011) and PASI score (p = 0.003); miR‐146b negatively linked with PASI score (p = 0.020). At M1, M3, and M6 after etanercept treatment, PASI75 response rate was 14.3%, 32.1%, and 69.0%, respectively; PASI90 response rate was 1.2%, 17.9%, and 36.9%, respectively. During etanercept treatment, both miR‐146a and miR‐146b elevated gradually over time and their longitude increments were associated with PASI75 response (all p < 0.001).ConclusionMiR‐146a and miR‐146b might serve as indicators for optimizing etanercept application and improving treatment outcomes in psoriasis patients.
Absolute and relative grip strength as predictors of cancer: prospective cohort study of 445 552 participants in UK Biobank
Authors: Parra‐Soto Solange , Pell Jill P. , Celis‐Morales Carlos , Ho Frederick K. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundReduced muscular strength, as measured by absolute grip strength, has been associated with increased risk of some site‐specific cancers. The ability of grip strength to predict other diseases may be affected by whether it is expressed in absolute or relative terms, but the evidence for cancer is scarce. This study compared the associations of absolute and relative grip strength with all‐cause and 15 site‐specific cancers.MethodsA prospective cohort study was undertaken using data from the UK Biobank. The exposure variable was grip strength, in absolute form (kilogrammes) and relative to weight, body mass index (BMI), height. and body fat mass. The outcome was incident cancer, at 15 sites and overall. Cox proportional hazard models were performed to study the associations.ResultsThis study included 445 552 participants, where 53.8% of the participants were women, with a mean (SD) age of 56.3 (8.11) years. During a median of 8.8 years follow‐up period, 48 886 (11.0%) patients were diagnosed with cancer. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, as well as multiple testing, absolute grip strength was inversely and linearly associated with endometrial [hazard ratio (HR): 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69; 0.79, P value <0.001], gallbladder (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.72; 0.92, P value = 0.001), liver (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79; 0.93, P value <0.001), kidney (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88; 0.99), and breast (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91; 0.96, P value = 0.031), as well as all‐cause cancer (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95; 0.98, P value <0.001). Eight cancer sites were inversely associated with HGS relative to weight and BMI: endometrium, liver, gallbladder, kidney, oesophagus, pancreas, colorectal, breast, and all‐cause cancer. Compared with absolute grip strength, grip strength relative to body fat mass had better discriminatory power for head and neck and breast cancer. Grip strength relative to BMI was marginally better than absolute grip strength in predicting stomach cancer.ConclusionsGrip strength was associated with risk of several site‐specific cancers and all‐cause cancer. Head and neck and breast cancers might be better predicted by relative grip strength.
Palyno‐anatomical microscopic characterization of selected species of Boraginaceae and Fabaceae
Authors: Yousaf Zainab , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sultana Shazia , Rozina  , Ozdemir Fethi Ahmet , Abidin Sheikh Zain Ul 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPalyno‐anatomical characterization of some selected species of Boraginaceae and Fabaceae using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted. Six species of them belongs to four genera of family Boraginaceae and other six species belongs to four genera of Fabaceae. The current study aimed to investigate palyno‐anatomical features for correct identification and taxonomic significance. Pollen grains were acetolyzed and observed both qualitatively and quantitatively through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Statistical data was analyzed through cluster analysis which categorized plants into clusters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to illustrate morphological variation among selected plant species. Studied plant species showed variation in shape, size, aperture type, exine ornamentation of pollen, size and shape of epidermal cells, types of stomata, guard cells, subsidiary cells and trichome types. Exine thickness was recorded maximum 2.30 ± 0.1 μm in Lablab purpureus and minimum 1.05 ± 0.2 in Gastrocotyle hispida. PCA summarized 73.78% of accumulative variance. Trichome index was observed highest 62% on the adaxial surface of Heliotropium europaeum and lowest 21% on adaxial surface of L. purpureus. These findings reinforce the importance of palyno‐anatomical features in the characterization and identification of taxa. It was concluded that description of palyno‐anatomical characteristics presented in this study, highly contribute to our knowledge for correct identification of plant species.
An algorithm selection methodology for automated focusing in optical microscopy
Authors: Bonet Sanz Marina , Machado Sánchez Felipe , Borromeo Susana 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAutofocus systems are essential in optical microscopy. These systems typically sweep the sample through the focal range and apply an algorithm to determine the contrast value of each image, where the highest value indicates the optimal focus position. As the optimal algorithm may vary according to the images' content, we evaluate the 15 most used algorithms in the field using 150 stacks of images from four different kinds of tissue. We use four measuring criteria and two types of analysis and propose a general methodology to apply to select the best fitting algorithm for any given application. In this paper, we present the results of this evaluation and a detailed discussion of different features: the threshold used for the algorithms, the criteria parameters, the analysis used, the bit depth of the images, their magnification, and the type of tissue, reaching the conclusion that some of these parameters are more relevant to the study than others, and the implementation of the proposed methodology can lead to a fast and reliable autofocus system capable of performing an analysis and selection of algorithms with no supervision required.
Adhatoda vasica and Calotropis procera as a resource of novel chemical compounds, their biological bioluminescence assay, and investigation of morphological features of bacterial growth through advanced technologies
Authors: Ahmed Waseem , Azmat Rafia , Chendouh‐Brahmi Nabila , Hussain Ijaz , Ahmed Rasheed , Ahmad Zahoor , Qayyum Abdul , Moin Sumeira , Bibi Yamin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis article reports the three principal groups of compounds for the first time from Adhatoda vasica and Calotropis procera plants species using nuclear magnetic resonance methods in which aliphatic, oxy heterocyclic, and tannins compounds were detected from these plants. The leaves of both species were subjected to testing tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidant activities. ATP bioluminescence use for indirect measurement of the amount of organic residue on the surface of the leaves that provide support to microbial growth. The distinguishing characteristics and intraoperative findings of bacterial diseases involved in treatments were conducted against the positive and negative microbial strains using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The methanolic extracts of leaves of both species were applied to bacterial strains through broth microdilution method to determine the minimum inhabitation concentrations (MICs) for both species. It was concluded that both plants are a rich resource of bioactive compounds. Their extract may also be used to treat various bacterial diseases and in drug manufacturing.Highlights
New chemical compounds of oxy‐heterocyclic, aliphatic, and tannins derivatives are isolated from herbal plants as a source of various drugs.
1H NMR spectrum and 13C NMR spectrum of each new derivate were calculated.
NMR‐spectral analysis of new compound of chemistry class was studied and further applied in various bacterial strains.
Tyrosinase inhibition property of bacteria strains by application of active compounds on these strains.
Agar overlay bioassays were used to evaluate intercellular morphological features of strains applied on extracts by electron microscope (SEM).
a‐Glucosidase inhibition assay determined with antioxidants activity through FRAP assay methods.
Lusutrombopag has slightly stronger effects on patients with mild thrombocytopenia compared with those with severe thrombocytopenia: A multicenter propensity score matching study
Authors: Furuichi Yoshihiro , Takeuchi Hirohito , Uojima Haruki , Atsukawa Masanori , Arai Taeang , Arase Yoshitaka , Kako Makoto , Hidaka Hisashi , Itoi Takao 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundLusutrombopag effectively increases platelet count in patients with severe thrombocytopenia. However, no multicenter studies analyzing the effects of Lusutrombopag on patients with mild thrombocytopenia (platelet count > 50 000/µL) have been performed. In this study, we aimed to clarify the efficacy of Lusutrombopag on these patients by unifying background factors by propensity score matching.MethodsA total of 139 patients with thrombocytopenia were enrolled, and matched for age, sex, etiology, disease, treatment, liver function, renal function, peripheral blood count, and spleen index. The primary endpoint was to compare the increase in platelet count from baseline between the high‐platelet group (>50 000/µL) and the low‐platelet group (<50 000/µL) after Lusutrombopag treatment, using propensity score matching. The secondary endpoint was to clarify platelet transfusion avoidance rate and adverse events, moreover, to identify independent predictors associated with the increase in platelet count.ResultsThe mean increase in platelet count was 67 000/μL vs 48 000/μL in all patients (high‐ vs low‐platelet group, P = .024), and 64 000/μL vs 48 000/μL (P = .12) after propensity score matching. The increase in platelet count and the platelet transfusion avoidance rate tended to be higher in the high‐platelet group. There was no significant difference between adverse events. Predictors associated with an increase in platelet count were sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and spleen index by multivariate analysis.ConclusionLusutrombopag has a little stronger effect in patients with mild thrombocytopenia than those with severe thrombocytopenia and showed a more substantial effect in patients with impaired renal function and small spleen.
The Combination of MR Elastography and Proton Density Fat Fraction Improves Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Alsaqal Salem , Hockings Paul , Ahlström Håkan , Gummesson Anders , Hedström Anders , Hulthe Johannes , Johansson Lars , Niessen Heiko G. , Schoelch Corinna , Schultheis Christian , Vessby Johan , Wanders Alkwin , Rorsman Fredrik , Ebeling Barbier Charlotte 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide. It is subdivided into nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and the more aggressive form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which carries a higher risk of developing fibrosis and cirrhosis. There is currently no reliable non‐invasive method for differentiating NASH from NAFL.PurposeTo investigate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based imaging biomarkers to diagnose NASH and moderate fibrosis as well as assess their repeatability.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsSixty‐eight participants (41% women) with biopsy‐proven NAFLD (53 NASH and 15 NAFL). Thirty participants underwent a second MRI in order to assess repeatability.Field Strength/Sequence3.0 T; MR elastography (MRE) (a spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging [SE‐EPI] sequence with motion‐encoding gradients), MR proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and R2* mapping (a multi‐echo three‐dimensional gradient‐echo sequence), T1 mapping (a single‐point saturation‐recovery technique), and diffusion‐weighted imaging (SE‐EPI sequence).AssessmentQuantitative MRI measurements were obtained and assessed alone and in combination with biochemical markers (cytokeratin‐18 [CK18] M30, alanine transaminase [ALT], and aspartate transaminase [AST]) using logistic regression models. Models that could differentiate between NASH and NAFL and between moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2–4) and no or mild fibrosis (F0–1), based on the histopathological results, were identified.Statistical TestsIndependent samples t‐test, Pearson's chi‐squared test, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), Spearman's correlation, intra‐individual coefficient of variation, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the NASH and NAFL groups with liver stiffness assessed with MRE, CK18 M30, and ALT, with an AUROC of 0.74, 0.76, and 0.70, respectively. Both MRE and PDFF contributed significantly to a bivariate model for diagnosing NASH (AUROC = 0.84). MRE could significantly differentiate between F2–4 and F0–1 (AUROC = 0.74). A model combining MRE with AST improved the diagnosis of F2–4 (AUROC = 0.83). The ICC for repeatability was 0.94 and 0.99 for MRE and PDFF, respectively.Data ConclusionMRE can potentially diagnose NASH and differentiate between fibrosis stages. Combining MRE with PDFF improves the diagnosis of NASH.Level of Evidence2Technical EfficacyStage 2