bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shen Haixiang , Liu Jin , Chen Shiming , Ma Xueyou , Ying Yufan , Li Jiangfeng , Wang Weiyu , Wang Xiao , Xie Liping 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the major immune cells in tumor microenvironment. The prognostic significance of TAMs has been confirmed in various tumors. However, whether TAMs can be prognostic factors in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify the prognostic value of TAMs in ccRCC.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science for relevant published studies before December 19, 2020. Evidence from enrolled studies were pooled and analyzed by a meta-analysis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to evaluate the pooled results.ResultsBoth of high CD68+ TAMs and M2-TAMs were risk factors for poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. The pooled HRs indicated that elevated CD68+ TAMs correlated with poor OS and PFS (HR: 3.97, 95% CI 1.39–11.39; HR: 5.73, 95% CI 2.36–13.90, respectively). For M2-TAMs, the pooled results showed ccRCC patients with high M2-TAMs suffered a worse OS and shorter PFS, with HR 1.32 (95% CI 1.16–1.50) and 1.40 (95% CI 1.14–1.72), respectively. Also, high density of TAMs was associated with advanced clinicopathological features in ccRCC.ConclusionsTAMs could be potential biomarkers for prognosis and novel targets for immunotherapy in ccRCC. Further researches are warranted to validate our results.
The circ_0032822 Promotes the Proliferation of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Through miR-141/EF3 Signaling Axis
Authors: Zhang Shuajia , Han Jiahui , Fu Jing 
Published: April 2021

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) refers to an epithelial malignant tumor that originates in the head and neck, and over 600,000 new cases are reported every year, However, the overall prognosis is still poor due to local recurrence and distant metastasis after surgery. The circ_0032822 has been reported upregulated in human oral squamous cell carcinoma; however, the detailed function or mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we confirmed the upregulation of circ_0032822 in HNSCC tumor tissues. Functionally, the overexpression of circ_0032822 significantly promoted the proliferation of HNSCC cell lines along with the S phase arrest and reduced apoptosis, while downregulation of circ_0032822 has the opposite effect in vitro. Mechanistic analysis showed that circ_0032822 acted as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-141 to diminish the repressive effect of miR-141 on its target E2F3. In conclusion, we demonstrated that circ_0032822 functions as a tumor oncogene in HNSCC and that its function is regulated via the miR-141/E2F3 axis.
Optimization of PhysicoChemical Parameters for Production of Cytotoxic Secondary Metabolites and Apoptosis Induction Activities in the Culture Extract of a Marine Algal–Derived Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Authors: Taritla Sidhartha , Kumari Madhuree , Kamat Siya , Bhat Sarita G. , Jayabaskaran C. 
Published: April 2021

The endophytic fungal community in the marine ecosystem has been demonstrated to be relevant source of novel and pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. The current study focused on the evaluation of cytotoxic and apoptosis induction potential in the culture extracts of endophytic fungi associated with Sargassum muticum, a marine brown alga. The cytotoxicity of the four marine endophytes, Aspergillus sp., Nigrospora sphaerica, Talaromyces purpureogenus, and Talaromyces stipitatus, was evaluated by the MTT assay on HeLa cells. Further, several physicochemical parameters, including growth curve, culture media, and organic solvents, were optimized for enhanced cytotoxic activity of the selected extract. The Aspergillus sp. ethyl acetate extract (ASE) showed maximum cytotoxicity on multiple cancer cell lines. Chemical investigation of the metabolites by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) showed the presence of several compounds, including quinoline, indole, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol, and hexadecenoic acid, known to be cytotoxic in ASE. The ASE was then tested for cytotoxicity in vitro on a panel of six human cancer cell lines, namely, HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), Hep G2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), A-549 (lung carcinoma), A-431 (skin/epidermis carcinoma), and LN-229 (glioblastoma). HeLa cells were most vulnerable to ASE treatment with an IC50 value of 24 ± 2 μg/ml. The mechanism of cytotoxicity exhibited by the ASE was further investigated on Hela cells. The results showed that the ASE was capable of inducing apoptosis in HeLa cells through production of reactive oxygen species, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane, and activation of the caspase-3 pathway, which shows a possible activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. It also arrested the HeLa cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, eventually leading to apoptosis. Through this study, we add to the knowledge about the marine algae associated with fungal endophytes and report its potential for purifying specific compounds responsible for cytotoxicity.
Analysis of Time Course and Dose Effect From Metformin on Body Mass Index in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Wang Dong-Dong , Mao Yi-Zhen , He Su-Mei , Chen Xiao 
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the time course and dose effect from metformin on body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents by model-based meta-analysis (MBMA). Searching randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies of metformin on BMI in children and adolescents. The change rates of BMI from baseline values were used as indicator of evaluating metformin efficacy. A total of 18 RCT studies, 1,228 children and adolescents, were included for analysis, including patients with obesity, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, and patients with precocity. In order to achieve better effect of metformin on BMI in children and adolescents, the present study recommended that for patients with obesity, 1,000 mg/day metformin was required for at least 15.2 weeks and 60.8 weeks to achieve the plateau of metformin effect; for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 1,000 mg/day metformin was required for at least 25.2 weeks and 100.8 weeks to achieve the plateau of metformin effect; for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, 1,000 mg/day metformin was required for at least 6.57 weeks and 26.28 weeks to achieve the plateau of metformin effect; for patients with precocity, 425 mg/day metformin was required for at least 12.4 weeks and 49.6 weeks to achieve the plateau of metformin effect. It was the first time to analyze the time course and dose effect from metformin on BMI and to recommend dosage and duration of treatment for metformin in children and adolescents with different disease types.
Novel Murine Biomarkers of Radiation Exposure Using An Aptamer-Based Proteomic Technology
Authors: Sproull Mary , Shankavaram Uma , Camphausen Kevin 
Published: April 2021

Purpose: There is a need to identify new biomarkers of radiation exposure both for use in the development of biodosimetry blood diagnostics for radiation exposure and for clinical use as markers of radiation injury. In the current study, a novel high-throughput proteomics screening approach was used to identify proteomic markers of radiation exposure in the plasma of total body irradiated mice. A subset panel of significantly altered proteins was selected to build predictive models of radiation exposure and received radiation dose useful for population screening in a future radiological or nuclear event.Methods: Female C57BL6 Mice of 8–14 weeks of age received a single total body irradiation (TBI) dose of 2, 3.5, 8 Gy or sham radiation and plasma was collected by cardiac puncture at days 1, 3, and 7 post-exposure. Plasma was then screened using the aptamer-based SOMAscan proteomic assay technology, for changes in expression of 1,310 protein analytes. A subset panel of protein biomarkers which demonstrated significant changes (p &lt; 0.05) in expression following radiation exposure were used to build predictive models of radiation exposure and radiation dose.Results: Detectable values were obtained for all 1,310 proteins included in the SOMAscan assay. For the Control vs. Radiation model, the top predictive proteins were immunoglobulin heavy constant mu (IGHM), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), ectodysplasin A2 receptor (EDA2R) and solute carrier family 25 member 18 (SLC25A18). For the Control vs. Dose model, the top predictive proteins were cyclin dependent kinase 2/cyclin A2 (CDK2. CCNA2), E-selectin (SELE), BCL2 associated agonist of cell death (BAD) and SLC25A18. Following model validation with a training set of samples, both models tested with a new sample cohort had overall predictive accuracies of 85% and 73% for the Control vs. Radiation and Control vs. Dose models respectively.Conclusion: The SOMAscan proteomics platform is a useful screening tool to evaluate changes in biomarker expression. In our study we were able to identify a novel panel of radiation responsive proteins useful for predicting whether an animal had received a radiation exposure and to what dose they had received. Such diagnostic tools are needed for future medical management of radiation exposures.
The Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Clinical Uses of Metagentiana Rhodantha (Franch.) T.N.Ho and S.W.Liu, an Ethnomedicine in Southwest China
Authors: Chang Botao , Tang Songjiang , Chen Rong , Xiao Nan , Zhu Jingsong , Tian Mengxian , Jiang Huizhong , Li Xi , Jian Zhonglu , Han Xu , Gao Ying , Yao Qi 
Published: April 2021

Background:Metagentiana rhodantha (Franch.) T.N.Ho and S.W.Liu (MR) belongs to Gentianales, and it is often called Hong-hua-long-dan in Chinese. Traditionally, it has been used to cure acute icteric hepatitis, sore throat, dysentery, acute gastritis, carbuncle, and furuncle based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts.Aim of Study: This review manages to provide a critical and comprehensive analysis on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical uses of MR and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this plant.Methods: Relevant data mainly literatures on MR were selected from available database. All the papers reviewed provided evidence that the source herbs were reliably identified.Results: The heat-clearing and removing the phlegm, and purging fire and removing toxicity of MR contribute to its dispelling jaundice, and clearing lung heat and cough. The compounds isolated from this plant include iridoids and secoiridoids, phenolic acids, ketones, triterpenoids, flavonoids, benzophenone glycosides, and others. Mangiferin (MAF) is a characteristic substance from this plant. The pharmacological studies show that some extracts and compounds from MR exhibit anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and other effects which are associated with the traditional uses of this plant. The toxicological studies suggest that MAF is less toxic in mice and dogs. Nowadays, Chinese patent drugs such as Feilike Jiaonang and Kangfuling Jiaonang containing MR have been used to cure cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, dysmenorrhea, and appendagitis.Conclusion: Although the current studies provide related research information of MR, it is still necessary to systemically evaluate the chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and safety of the extracts or compounds from this plant before clinical trials in the future. In addition, except for lung infection-related diseases, analgesia, anti-tumor, and hypertriglycemia may be new and prior therapeutic scopes of this ethnomedicine in the future.
Public Knowledge and Practices Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Cross-Sectional Survey From Pakistan
Authors: Saqlain Muhammad , Ahmed Ali , Nabi Ijaz , Gulzar Aqsa , Naz Sahar , Munir Muhammad Muddasir , Ahmed Zaheer , Kamran Sohail 
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Effective mitigation of coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) pandemic requires true adoption of precautionary measures by the masses, that primarily depends upon their knowledge and practices behaviors. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge; practices of Pakistani residents regarding COVID-19 and factors associated with adequate knowledge and positive practices.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 15-April 2020 to 20 May 2020 among 689 Pakistanis by using a validated self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha 0.77). The questionnaire included questions on the assessment of demographics, the source of information, knowledge, and practice of COVID-19 on google forms and shared links with the WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and other online platforms. Regression analysis was applied to find potential predictors of knowledge and practices.Results: Of 689 participants, 431 (62.6%) were male, 64.3% (n = 443) were aged &lt;30 years, and\328 (47.6%) of participants were married. 48.19% (n = 332) had adequate knowledge; 81% (n = 555) had positive practices regarding COVID-19 and majority (66.62%, n = 459) seek knowledge from social media. Knowledge was significantly higher (OR &gt; 1.00, p &lt; 0.05) among educated and higher income participants. Positive practices were significantly (OR &gt; 1.00, p &lt; 0.05) related to the older age (≥50 years), higher education, higher income and good knowledge regarding COVID-19.Conclusion: The study concluded that Pakistani residents had average knowledge and good practices toward COVID-19 yet there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge, and practice that should be focused in future awareness and educational campaigns. The study recommends the ministry of health authorities to promote all precautionary and preventive measures of COVID-19-consisting of a better-organized approach to all strata of society: less privileged people, older ones and less educated people, in order to have equilibrium of knowledge about COVID-19; hence effective implementation of precautionary measures.
A Public Mental Health Study Among Iraqi Refugees in Sweden: Social Determinants, Resilience, Gender, and Cultural Context
Authors: Çetrez Önver A. , DeMarinis Valerie , Sundvall Maria , Fernandez-Gonzalez Manuel , Borisova Liubov , Titelman David 
Published: April 2021

This public mental health study highlights the interactions among social determinants and resilience on mental health, PTSD and acculturation among Iraqi refugees in Sweden 2012-2013.Objectives:The study aims to understand participants' health, resilience and acculturation, paying specific attention to gender differences.Design:The study, using a convenience sampling survey design (N= 4010, 53.2% men), included measures on social determinants, general health, coping, CD-RISC, selected questions from the EMIC, PC-PTSD, and acculturation.Results:Gender differences and reported differences between life experiences in Iraq and Sweden were strong. In Sweden, religious activity was more widespread among women, whereas activity reflecting religion and spirituality as a coping mechanism decreased significantly among men. A sense of belonging both to a Swedish and an Iraqi ethnic identity was frequent. Positive self-evaluation in personal and social areas and goals in life was strong. The strongest perceived source of social support was from parents and siblings, while support from authorities generally was perceived as low. Self-rated health was high and the incidence of PTSD was low. A clear majority identified multiple social determinants contributing to mental health problems. Social or situational and emotional or developmental explanations were the most common. In general, resilience (as measured with CD-RISC) was low, with women's scores lower than that of men.Conclusions:Vulnerability manifested itself in unemployment after a long period in Sweden, weak social networks outside the family, unsupportive authorities, gender differences in acculturation, and women showing more mental health problems. Though low socially determined personal scores of resilience were found, we also identified a strong level of resilience, when using a culture-sensitive approach and appraising resilience as expressed in coping, meaning, and goals in life. Clinicians need to be aware of the risks of poorer mental health among refugees in general and women in particular, although mental health problems should not be presumed in the individual patient. Instead clinicians need to find ways of exploring the cultural and social worlds and needs of refugee patients. Authorities need to address the described post-migration problems and unmet needs of social support, together comprising the well-established area of the social determinants of health.
Predicting infusion pressure during pars plana vitrectomy: a physically based model
Authors: Rossi Tommaso , Querzoli Giorgio , Angelini Giampiero , Rossi Alessandro , Malvasi Carlo , Landi Laura , Telani Serena , Ripandelli Guido 
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Intraocular pressure (IOP) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) decreases as aspiration generates flow, a phenomenon known as head loss. Since direct measurement of the IOP during surgery is impractical, currently, available compensating systems infer IOP by measuring infusion flow rate and estimating corresponding pressure drop. The purpose of the present paper is to propose and validate a physically based algorithm of the infusion pressure drop as a function of flow.
Methods: Complete infusion lines (20G, 23G, 25G and 27G) were set up and primed. The infusion bottle was set at incremental heights and flow rate measured 10 times and recorded as mean Å} SD. Overall head loss (OHL) was defined, according to hydraulics laws, as the sum of frictional head loss (FHL; i.e., pressure drop due to friction along tubing) and exit head loss (EHL). The latter is equal to the kinetic energy of the exiting flow through the trocar (FKE = V2/2g). A 2nd degree polynomial equation (i.e., ΔP = aQ2 + bQ, where ΔP is the pressure drop, or OHL, and Q is the volumetric flow) was derived for each gauge and compared to experimental data 2nd order polynomial best-fit curve.
Results: Ninety-seven percent of the pressure values for all gauges predicted using the derived equation fell within 2 SD of the mean difference yielding a Bland-Altman statistical significance when compared to 91% of best fit curve.
Conclusion: The derived equations accurately predicted the head loss for each given infusion line gauge and can help infer IOP during PPV.
BIOMASSA DAN HASIL LIMA GENOTIPE SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) DI LAHAN KERING TANJUNG BINTANG LAMPUNG SELATAN
Authors: Ristiani Devy Nouva 
Published: April 2021

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh lima genotipe yang berbeda terhadap biomassa dan hasil sorgum, menghitung korelasi antara variabel biomassa dan hasil yang diamati, dan menentukan koefisien pengaruh langsung dan koefisien pengaruh tidak langsung antara biomassa terhadap hasil sorgum yang dihitung menggunakan analisis lintas. Penelitian ini dilakukan di lahan yang berada di Desa Sukanegara, Kecamatan Tanjung Bintang, Kabupaten Lampung Selatan, Provinsi Lampung dari bulan April 2019 sampai dengan November 2019. Penelitian ini menggunakan perlakuan tunggal berupa genotipe sorgum yang disusun menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Lengkap (RAKL) dengan tiga ulangan. Genotipe sorgum yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini antara lain GHP-1, GHP-5, GHP-11, Pahat, dan Numbu. Jumlah seluruh satuan percobaan adalah 15. Pada setiap satu satuan percobaan diambil lima tanaman yang akan digunakan sebagai sampel pengamatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa genotipe GHP-5 (135,2 g) dan Pahat (123,4 g), memiliki bobot biomassa total bagian atas lebih tinggi dibandingkan genotipe GHP-1 (98,0 g) dan Numbu (94,7 g). Kemudian, genotipe Pahat memiliki panjang malai (26,2 cm), jumlah cabang malai (42,4 buah), dan bobot dompolan (head) berbiji (65,1 g) yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan genotipe lainnya. Variabel bobot biji per tanaman yang tinggi ditunjukkan oleh genotipe GHP-5 (37,6 g), Numbu (31,0 g), dan GHP-11(29,6 g). Hasil korelasi menunjukkan bahwa terdapat korelasi positif antara bobot biomassa total bagian atas dan bobot biji per tanaman (r=0,36**). Berdasarkan analisis lintas, terdapat koefisien pengaruh langsung antara bobot biomassa total bagian atas terhadap bobot biji per tanaman (0,035). Kemudian, koefisien pengaruh langsung antara jumlah biji per tanaman terhadap bobot biji per tanaman (0,995) dan bobot 1000 butir terhadap bobot biji per tanaman (0,346). Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa jumlah biji per tanaman dan bobot 1000 butir dalam penelitian ini direkomendasikan sebagai indikator seleksi untuk hasil tinggi pada tanaman sorgum.
Strategi Mfive dalam Meningkatkan Efektifitas dan Kebermaknaan Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh (PJJ) di SMP Negeri 5 Depok
Authors: Kuswandarini Ety 
Published: April 2021

Situasi pandemi COVID 19 ini dan PJJ tentu saja memberikan tantangan yang besar bagi Kepala Sekolah sebagai pemegang pucuk kepemimpinan dan manajemen sekolah Kepala Sekolah dituntut responsif, proaktif dalam menetapkan strategi dan program pembelajaran yang dapat mengakomodasi kesenjangan sosial dan tingkat kemampuan belajar siswa. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mencapai dan mengetahui efektivitas pembelajaran jarak jauh di masa pandemi COVID-19 pada siswa SMP Negeri 5 Depok. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif yang artinya penelitian yang mengacu pada teknik pengumpulan data yang dilakukan dengan wawancara mendalam dengan key informan dan informan. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian implementasi strategi M Five mampu meningkatkan kualitas dan kompetensi serta semangat berkolaborasi antar guru sehingga proses penyelenggaraan pendidikan selama pandemi COVID 19 atau PJJ dapat berjalan dengan efektif dan bermakna. Implementasi strategi M Five dapat terapkan pada sekolah lainnya, karena strategi ini telah dilaksanakan dan dibuktikan tingkat keberhasilannya dari setiap aspek amatan sebesar 19, 5% hingga 35%. Suatu tingkat keberhasilan yang tergolong signifikan.