bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Ipsilateral and Bilateral Central Neck Dissection in Occult Contralateral Central Lymph Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With Unilateral Lateral Neck Metastasis Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Back Kyorim , Song Ra-Yeong , Kim Jee Soo , Choe Jun-Ho , Choi Yoo Shin , Kim Jung-Han 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate long-term prognosis of contralateral central neck dissection in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with ipsilateral lateral neck metastasis. We aimed to produce clinical evidence to help determine the extent of central neck dissection (CND) focusing on the separation between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides. A total of 708 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and concomitant ipsilateral or bilateral CND with ipsilateral lateral neck dissection (LND) were retrospectively included between January 1997 and December 2015 at a single institution. The median follow-up time was 89.7 months, the mean age was 44.7 years and the mean tumor size was 1.5 cm. Among the study population, 507 were female (71.5%) and 201 (28.5%) were male. Locoregional recurrence (LRR) was observed in 26 (7.9%) patients and 30 (7.9%) patients in the ipsilateral and bilateral CND groups, respectively. There were 6 (1.8%) contralateral recurrence cases in the ipsilateral CND group and 5 (1.3%) cases in the bilateral CND group. Male sex (adjusted HR = 1.857, p = 0.034), larger tumor size (adjusted HR = 4.298, p = 0.006), and more metastatic ipsilateral central lymph nodes (adjusted HR = 1.078, p = 0.014) significantly increased the risk of LRR. Ipsilateral CND only did not significantly increase the risk of LRR (adjusted HR = 1.110, p = 0.712). There were no significant differences in recurrence according to contralateral central neck dissection status after propensity score matching (p = 0.424), either. The incidence of hypocalcemia (p = 0.007) was higher in the bilateral CND group compared to the ipsilateral CND group. Surgeons may consider performing contralateral CND only for therapeutic purposes to reduce unnecessary complications.
Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio predict the vascular invasion and outcome in hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Zhifeng , Lin Jiayun , Ni Xiaochun , Li Hongjie , Zheng Lei , Zhang Chihao , Qi Xiaoliang , Huo Haizhong , Lou Xiaolou , Fan Qiang , Bao Yongyang , Luo Meng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds: The ratio of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a predictive biomarker for hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, the relationship between GGT/ALT ratio and vascular invasion was explored in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC and tumor prognosis. Methods: Totally 558 patients were involved in this study. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to evaluate GGT/ALT as the risk factor of vascular invasion. Prognostic value of GGT/ALT was investigated by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis combined with Kaplan Meier curves. In order to reduce confounding bias, subgroup analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed. Results: Patients were divided into high and low GGT/ALT groups with an optimal cut-off value of 2.95 in predicting vascular invasion. In univariate and multivariate logistic regression, high GGT/ALT group was listed as the independent risk factors for vascular invasion(P=0.03), the other risk factors included age (P=0.001), α-fetoprotein (AFP) (P=0.026), tumor size (P<0.001), tumor capsule (P=0.018), pathological differentiation (P<0.001) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification (P<0.001). In survival analysis, high GGT/ALT ratio was associated with decreased overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.87; P<0.0001) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.87; P<0.0001). In sensitivity analysis, comparable results were furtherly confirmed by subgroup analysis. In PSM analysis, GGT/ALT was still associated with vascular invasion independently (OR, 186; 95% CI, 1.23, 3.33). Conclusion: Preoperative GGT/ALT has good predictive value for vascular invasion, tumor severity and outcome in HBV-related HCC patients.
Network-Based Analysis of Virulence Factors for Uncovering Aeromonas Veronii Pathogenesis
Authors: Li Hong , Ma Xiang , Tang Yanqiong , Wang Dan , Zhang Ziding , Liu Zhu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Aeromonas veronii is a pathogen that causes serious harm to aquaculture. Virulence factors are its pathogenic basis, which could promote pathogens to colonize the host, evade host defense and so on. But because experimental verification of virulence factors is time-consuming and laborious, the number of known virulence factors is limited. In this past, most studies only focused on single virulence factor, resulting the biased interpretation for pathogenesis.Results: In this study, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network at genome-wide scale for A. veronii was first constructed. Then, virulence factors were predicted and mapped on the network. Topological characteristics of the virulence factors were analyzed. The results showed that the virulence factors had higher degree and betweenness centrality than the other proteins in the network. In particular, the virulence factors tended to interact with each other and were enriched in two network modules. One of the modules mainly consisted of histidine kinases, response regulators, diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases, which played important roles in two-component regulatory systems and the synthesis and degradation of cyclic-diGMP. Furthermore, an interspecies PPI network between A. veronii and its host Oreochromis niloticus was also constructed. The structures and interacting sites of the virulence factors and host proteins were added to the interspecies PPI network. By analyzing the interspecies PPI network, we found that the virulence factors could competitively bind host proteins and some of the interacting sites of the virulence factors were shared by different host proteins. Drugs could be designed to target these sites and further prevent pathogen to interfere with host pathways.Conclusions: Our results indicated that the virulence factors regulated the virulence of A. veronii by involving in signal transduction pathway and manipulate host biological processes by mimicking and competitively binding host proteins. Our results deepened the understanding for pathogenesis and had important theoretical significance for designing targeted antibacterial drugs.
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Heating and Cooling Degree-Days Over Iran
Authors: Sadeqi Amin , Tabari Hossein , Dinpashoh Yagob 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Climate change affects the energy demand in different sectors of the society. To investigate this possible impact, in this research, temporal trends and change points in heating degree-days (HDD), cooling degree-days (CDD), and their simultaneous combination (HDD+CDD) were analysed for a 60-year period (1960-2019) in Iran. The results show that less than 20% of the study stations had significant trends (either upward or downward) in HDD time series, while more than 80% of the stations had significant increasing trends in CDD and HDD+CDD time series. Abrupt changes in HDD time series mostly occurred in the early 1980s, but those in CDD time series were mostly observed in the 1990s. The cooling energy demand in Iran has dramatically increased as CDD values have raised up from 690 ºC-days to 1010 ºC-days in the last 60 years. HDD, however, almost remained constant in the same period. The results suggest that if global warming continues with the current pace, cooling energy demand in the residential sector will considerably increase in the future, calling for a change in residential energy consumption policies.
Trend and predictors of change of unmet need for family planning among reproductive age women in Ethiopia, based on Ethiopian demographic and health survey from 2005-2016: Multivariate decomposition analysis
Authors: Tareke Abiyu Abadi , Bekele Ermias 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Family planning is a key method for reducing population growth and improving maternal and child health by spacing births and preventing unwanted pregnancies. have an unmet need for family planning is defined as women believed to be sexually involved but are not using some form of contraception, either do not want to have more children (Limiting) or want to delay their next birth for at least two years, (Spacing).Methods: The data for this study arrived from the Ethiopia Demographic Health Surveys in 2005, 2011, and 2016 to investigate trends and Predictors of change of unmet need for family planning among reproductive age women in Ethiopia. A pooled weighted sample of 26,230 (7761 in 2005, 9136 in 2011 and 9,333 in 2016 Ethiopian demographic health surveys) reproductive-age women used for this study. For the overall trend (2005-2016) multivariate decomposition analysis for non-linear response outcome was calibrated to identify the factors contributed to the change of unmet need for family planning. The Logit based multivariate decomposition analysis utilizes the output from the logistic regression model to assign the observed change in in unmet need for family planning over time into two components. Stata version 16.0 was used to analysis the data.Result: among reproductive age women in Ethiopia the magnitude of unmet need for family planning decreased from 39.6% in 2005 to 23.6% in 2016. From the decomposition analysis change of unmet need for family planning was due to change in characteristics and coefficients. About nine in ten changes in unmet need for family planning was attributable to the difference in coefficients. Factors that associated with the change of unmet need for family planning over the last 11 years were educational status, birth order, and desired number of children.Conclusion: Remarkable change in unmet need for FP was observed between the period of 2005 and 2016. Both change in characteristics and coefficient were the contributing to observed change. Majority of the change in unmet need for FP was due to difference in coefficient over the study period. Mainly the change of unmet need for FP was due to change in women having birth order of five and above, having secondary education and women who desired number of children below five.
Effects of Epinephrine on Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Brain Glioblastoma Cancer Cells
Authors: Shafaroudi Majid Malekzadeh , Rezaei Nourollah , Noori Abbas , Zarei Hooman , Akhtari Javad , kenari Saeed Abedian , Shafaroudi Ali Malekzadeh 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Gastric cancer is the third cause of death in all malignancies and the fifth most common neoplasm resulting from a combination of specific genetic alteration and environmental factors. Chronic stress can also promote brain tumor cell proliferation and leads to brain metastasis highly resistant to chemotherapy. Catecholamines, norepinephrine, and epinephrine impact neurochemistry and endocrine and immune system functions. The present study investigated the effect of different epinephrine concentrations and β-adrenergic receptor antagonists (propranolol) on proliferation, viability, and adhesion of gastric adenocarcinoma and brain glioblastoma cells.Material and methods: The human gastric cancer AGS cells and glioblastoma, U87 cell lines were obtained from the Iranian Biological Resource Center (Tehran, Iran) and cultured in RPMI-1640 culture medium supplements. The studied cells were categorized into the nine groups following treatment with epinephrine and propranolol. Wound healing assay (proliferation), Adhesion assay, and cell viability were performed on each group. Graph Pad Prism 6 was used for the statistical analysis. Results: Proliferation, Viability, cytotoxicity, and adhesion of both cell lines changed under epinephrine agonism in the presence and absence of propranolol (P value<0.001). Epinephrine enhanced the proliferation of both AGS and U87 cells in physiological concentrations, decreased adhesion and viability, and increased cytotoxicity in pharmacological concentrations.Conclusion: Using a combination of epinephrine and chemotherapy agents in the right stage of developing tumors may have more substantial effects on destroying cancer cells, obtaining the patient's recovery with less repetition of chemotherapy sessions, and curing high-grade cancer tumors.
Effect of Letrozole on hippocampal let-7 microRNAs and their correlation with working memory and phosphorylated Tau protein level in an Alzheimer's disease rat model
Authors: Moustafa Nada Alaa , El-Sayed Mohammed Abdelhamed , Abdallah Somia Hassan , Hazem Noha M. , Abdelmoety Doaa Attia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Let-7 microRNAs may contribute to neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), but, they were not investigated in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD. Letrozole increases the expression of Let-7 in cell lines, with conflicting evidence regarding its effects on memory. This study examined Let-7 microRNAs in STZ-induced AD, their correlation with memory and hyperphosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) and the effects of Letrozole on them. Seven groups of adult Sprague Dawley rats were used: Intact, Letrozole, Letrozole Vehicle, STZ (with AD induced by intracerebroventricular injection of STZ in artificial CSF), CSF Control, STZ + Letrozole (STZ-L), and CSF + Letrozole Vehicle. Alternation percentage in T-maze was used as a measure of working memory. Let-7a, b and e and p-Tau levels in the hippocampus were estimated using qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. There were significant decreases in alternation percentage and increase in p-Tau in the STZ, Letrozole and STZ-L groups. Expression levels of all studied microRNAs were significantly elevated in the Letrozole and the STZ + L groups, with no difference between the two, suggesting that this elevation was due to Letrozole. Negative correlations were found between alternation percentage and the levels of all studied microRNAs, while positive ones were found between p-Tau concentration and the levels of studied microRNAs. These findings support the theory that Letrozole aggravates pre-existing lesions and add to the evidence of Let-7 neurotoxicity.
Premature differentiation of nephron progenitors and dysregulation of gene pathways critical to kidney development in a model of preterm birth
Authors: Cwiek Aleksandra , Suzuki Masako , deRonde Kimberly , Conaway Mark , Bennett Kevin , Dahr Samir El , Reidy Kimberly , Charlton Jennifer 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity. Survivors have a greater risk for kidney dysfunction and hypertension. Little is known about the molecular changes that occur in the kidney of individuals born preterm. Here, we demonstrate that mice delivered two days prior to full term gestation undergo premature cessation of nephrogenesis, resulting in a lower glomerular density. Kidneys from preterm and term groups exhibited differences in gene expression profiles at 20- and 27-days post-conception, including significant differences in expression of fat-soluble vitamin-related genes. Kidneys of the preterm mice exhibited decreased proportions of endothelial cells and a lower expression of genes promoting angiogenesis compared to the term group. Kidneys from the preterm mice also had altered nephron progenitor subpopulations, early Six2 depletion, and altered Jag1 expression in the nephrogenic zone, consistent with premature differentiation of nephron progenitor cells. In conclusion, preterm birth alone was sufficient to shorten the duration of nephrogenesis and cause premature differentiation of nephron progenitor cells. These candidate genes and pathways may provide targets to improve kidney health in preterm infants.
Novel Paenibacillus sp. Strains From the Perennial Ryegrass Seed Microbiome Reveal Bioprotectant and Biofertiliser Activity - Differentiating Similar Strains via Genomics and Transcriptomics
Authors: Li Tongda , Mann Ross , Kaur Jatinder , Spangenberg German , Sawbridge Timothy 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Paenibacillus species are Gram-positive bacteria that have been isolated from a diverse array of plant species and soils, with some species exhibiting plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. Here we report a novel Paenibacillus sp. (strains S02 and S25) that was isolated from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) seeds. Comparative genomics analyses showed this novel species was closely related to P. polymyxa. Genomic analyses revealed that strains S02 and S25 possess PGP genes associated with biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation and assimilation, as well as auxin production and transportation. Moreover, secondary metabolite gene cluster analyses identified 13 clusters that are shared by both strains and three clusters unique to S25. In vitro assays demonstrated strong bioprotection activity against phytopathogens (Colletotrichum graminicola and Fusarium verticillioides), particularly for strain S02. A transcriptomics analysis evaluating nitrogen fixation activity showed both strains carry an expressed nif operon, but strain S02 was more active than strain S25 in nitrogen-free media. Another transcriptomics analysis evaluating the interaction of strains with F. verticillioides showed strain S02 had increased expression of core genes of secondary metabolite clusters (fusaricidin, paenilan, tridecaptin and polymyxin) when F. verticillioides was present and absent, compared to S25. Such bioactivities make strain S02 a promising candidate to be developed as a combined biofertiliser/bioprotectant.
Cannabidiol confers neuroprotection in rats in a model of transient global cerebral ischemia: impact of hippocampal synaptic neuroplasticity
Authors: Meyer Erika , Bonato Jéssica Mendes , Mori Marco Aurélio , Mattos Bianca Andretto , Guimarães Francisco Silveira , Milani Humberto , de Campos Alline Cristina , Oliveira Rubia M W 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Evidence for the clinical use of neuroprotective drugs for the treatment of cerebral ischemia (CI) is still greatly limited. Spatial/temporal disorientation and cognitive dysfunction are among the most prominent long-term sequelae of CI. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa that exerts neuroprotective effects against experimental CI. The present study investigated possible neuroprotective mechanisms of action of CBD on spatial memory impairments that are caused by transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) in rats. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity is a fundamental mechanism of learning and memory. Thus, we also evaluated the impact of CBD on neuroplastic changes in the hippocampus after TGCI. Wistar rats were trained to learn an eight-arm aversive radial maze (AvRM) task and underwent either sham or TGCI surgery. The animals received vehicle or 10 mg/kg CBD (i.p.) 30 min before surgery, 3 h after surgery, and then once daily for 14 days. On days 7 and 14, we performed a retention memory test. Another group of rats that received the same pharmacological treatment was tested in the object location test (OLT). Brains were removed and processed to assess neuronal degeneration, synaptic protein levels, and dendritic remodeling in the hippocampus. Cannabidiol treatment attenuated ischemia-induced memory deficits. In rats that were subjected to TGCI, CBD attenuated hippocampal CA1 neurodegeneration and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Additionally, CBD protected neurons against the deleterious effects of TGCI on dendritic spine number and the length of dendritic arborization. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of CBD against TGCI-induced memory impairments involve changes in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
Prevalence and Outcome of Abdominal Vascular Injury in Severe Trauma Patients – An International Registry Analysis
Authors: Barbati Mohammad Esmaeil , Hildebrand Frank , Andruszkow Hagen , Lefering Rolf , Jacobs Michael , Jalaie Houman , Gombert Alexander 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAbdominal vascular injuries and the resulting hemorrhagic shock are still one of the main causes of death in trauma patients. This study details the etiology, frequency and effect of major vessel lesions of the abdomen in patients after polytrauma.Patients and methodsAll patients of TraumaRegister DGU® who met the following criteria were included: online documentation of European trauma centers, age 16-85 years, presence of abdominal vascular injury, and AIS ≥ 3. Patients were divided in three groups based on the type of vessel injuries: arterial injury only, venous injury only, mixed arterial and venous injuries.ResultsA total of 2949 patients met the inclusion criteria. A blunt mechanism of abdominal vascular injuries was more frequent in all three groups. All types of vessel injuries were more prevalent in patients with relevant abdominal trauma followed by relevant thoracic trauma. On admission to hospital the rate of patients with shock were the same in patients with arterial injury alone (n= 606, 33%) and venous injury alone (n=95, 32%). Patients with venous injury alone or together with arterial injuries had higher early (within first 24h) mortality rates (isolated arterial injury OR: 1.31; 95%, CI 1.14-1.50, p<0.001; isolated venous injury OR: 1.48; 95%, CI 1.10-1.98, p=0.010) and also in-hospital mortality.ConclusionAbdominal arterial injury and venous injury were equally responsible for the rate of hemodynamic instability at the time of admission. However, the proportion of adverse outcome during hospital stay was significantly higher in patients with venous injury. Stable patients suspected of abdominal vascular injuries should be further investigated to exclude or localize the possible retroperitoneal hematoma caused by subtle venous injury.
Genetic association tests in family samples for multi-category phenotypes
Authors: Wang Shuai , Meigs James , Dupuis Josee 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Advancements in statistical methods and sequencing technology have led to numerous novel discoveries in human genetics in the past two decades. Among phenotypes of interest, most attention has been given to studying genetic associations with continuous or binary traits. Efficient statistical methods have been proposed and are available for both type of traits under different study designs. However, for multinomial categorical traits in related samples, there is a lack of widely used efficient statistical methods and software.
Results
We propose an efficient score test to analyze a multinomial trait in family samples, in the context of genome-wide association/sequencing studies. An alternative Wald statistic is also proposed. We also extend the methodology to be applicable to ordinal traits. We performed extensive simulation studies to evaluate the type-I error of the score test, Wald test compared to the multinomial logistic regression for unrelated samples, under different allele frequency and study designs. We also evaluate the power of these methods. Results show that both the score and Wald tests have well-controlled type-I error rate, but the multinomial logistic regression has inflated type-I error rate when applied to family samples. We illustrated the application of the score test with an application to the Framingham Heart Study to uncover genetic variants associated with diabesity, a multi-category phenotype.
Conclusion
Both proposed tests have correct type-I error rate and similar power rate. However, because the Wald statistics rely on computer intensive estimation, it is less efficient than the score test in terms of applications to large-scale genetic association studies. We provide computer implementation for both multinomial and ordinal traits.