bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of an immune-related signature indicating the dedifferentiation of thyroid cells
Authors: Wang Xuemin , Peng Wen , Li Chunyan , Qin Rujia , Zhong Zhaoming , Sun Chuanzheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Immune cells account for a large proportion of the tumour microenvironment in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs). However, the expression pattern of immune-related genes (IRGs) in ATCs is unclear. Our study aimed to identify an immune-related signature indicating the dedifferentiation of thyroid cells.

Methods
We compared the differences in thyroid differentiation score (TDS), infiltration of immune cells and enriched pathways between ATCs and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) or normal thyroid tissues in the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Univariate and multivariable Cox analyses were used to screen prognosis-associated IRGs in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. After constructing a risk score, we investigated its predictive value for differentiation and survival by applying receiver operating characteristic and Kaplan–Meier curves. We further explored its associations with important immune checkpoint molecules, infiltrating immune cells and response to immunotherapy.

Results
Compared with PTCs or normal thyroid tissues, ATCs exhibited lower TDS values and higher enrichment of immune cells and activation of the inflammatory response. The quantitative analyses and immunohistochemical staining validated that most ATC cell lines and ATC tissues had higher expression of MMP9 and lower expression of SDC2 than normal thyroid samples and PTC. Higher risk scores indicates dedifferentiation and a worse prognosis. Additionally, the risk score was positively correlated with the immune checkpoint molecules PDL1, CTLA4, IDO1, and HAVCR2 and infiltration of multiple immune cells. Importantly, we found that the samples with higher risk scores tended to have a better response to immunotherapy than those with lower scores.

Conclusion
Our findings indicate that the risk score may not only contribute to the determination of differentiation and prognosis of thyroid carcinomas but also help the prediction of immune cells infiltration and immunotherapy response.
A dual-targeting ruthenium nanodrug that inhibits primary tumor growth and lung metastasis via the PARP/ATM pathway
Authors: Lu Yu , Zhu Di , Gui Lin , Li Yuanming , Wang Wenjing , Liu Jiawang , Wang Yuji 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Many studies have found that ruthenium complexes possess unique biochemical characteristics and inhibit tumor growth or metastasis.

Results
Here, we report the novel dual-targeting ruthenium candidate 2b, which has both antitumor and antimetastatic properties and targets tumor sites through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and transferrin/transferrin receptor (TF/TFR) interaction. The candidate 2b is composed of ruthenium-complexed carboline acid and four chloride ions. In vitro, 2b triggered DNA cleavage and thus blocked cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis via the PARP/ATM pathway. In vivo,2b inhibited not only Lewis lung cancer (LLC) tumor growth but also lung metastasis. We detected apoptosis and decreased CD31 expression in tumor tissues, and ruthenium accumulated in the primary tumor tissue of C57BL/6 mice implanted with LLC cells.

Conclusions
Thus, we conclude that 2b targets tumors, inhibits tumor growth and prevents lung metastasis.
Psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in Uganda
Authors: Naamala Allen , Eriksson Lars E. , Orem Jackson , Nalwadda Gorrette K. , Kabir Zarina Nahar , Wettergren Lena 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Self-reported measures play a crucial role in research, clinical practice and health assessment. Instruments used to assess self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) need validation to ensure that they measure what they are intended to, detect true changes over time and differentiate between subjects. A generic instrument measuring HRQoL adapted for use among people living with cancer in Uganda is lacking; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 in patients with cancer in Uganda.

Methods
Adult patients with various types of cancer (n = 385) cared for at the Uganda Cancer Institute answered the EORTC QLQ-C30 in Luganda or English language, the two most spoken languages in the country. The two language versions were evaluated with regard to data quality (floor and ceiling effects and missing responses), reliability (internal consistency) and validity (construct, known-group and criterion). Construct validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Mean scores were compared between groups differing in disease stage to assess known-group validity. Criterion validity was examined according to associations between two QLQ-C30 subscales (Global quality of life and Physical function) and the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS).

Results
Floor and ceiling effects were observed for several scales in the Luganda and English versions. All EORTC scales with the exception of Cognitive function (Luganda α = 0.66, English α = 0.50) had acceptable Cronbach’s alpha values (0.79–0.96). The CFA yielded good fit indices for both versions (RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR = 0.05 and CFI = 0.93). Known-group validity was demonstrated with statistically significant better HRQoL reported by patients with disease stages I–II compared to those in stages III–IV. Criterion validity was supported by positive correlations between KPS and the subscales Physical function (Luganda r = 0.75, English r = 0.76) and Global quality of life (Luganda r = 0.59, English r = 0.72).

Conclusion
The Luganda and English versions of the EORTC QLQ-C30 appear to be valid and reliable measures and can be recommended for use in clinical research to assess HRQoL in adult Ugandans with cancer. However, the cognitive scale did not reach acceptable internal consistency and needs further evaluation.
Equine pericardium: a versatile alternative reconstructive material in congenital cardiac surgery
Authors: Elassal Ahmed Abdelrahman , AL-Radi Osman Osama , Zaher Zaher Faisal , Dohain Ahmed Mohamed , Abdelmohsen Gaser Abdelmohsen , Mohamed Ragab Sayed , Fatani Mazin Adel , Abdelmotaleb Mohamed Esam , Noaman Nada Ahmed , Elmeligy Mahmoud Akl , Eldib Osama Saber 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Pericardial patches are often used for repair of congenital cardiac defects. The aim of this study was to describe our initial experience with the use of equine pericardium and its safety and advantages and disadvantages compared to bovine pericardium.

Methods
We designed a retrospective cohort study of 111 patients who were surgically treated for congenital heart disease between 2017 and 2020. Equine pericardium was used in 58 patients and bovine pericardium was used in 53 patients. Recorded variables included demographic data, preoperative cardiac pathology, site of patch insertion, morbidity and mortality.

Results
The overall survival rate was 94.5% and no deaths were related to patch insertion. None of our patients were reoperated on for patch related complications. Postoperative transcatheter intervention was needed in 2 patients (1.8%): one for dilatation of aortic arch stenosis after repair of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with equine pericardium and one for dilatation of pulmonary artery branches after repair of tetralogy of Fallot using bovine pericardium.

Conclusions
Equine pericardium is a safe patch material for reconstruction in congenital heart surgery. It may be preferable to bovine pericardium in cases requiring a complex shape or a pliable patch as in in arch reconstruction or for valve reconstruction.
Sensitive detection of colorectal cancer in peripheral blood by a novel methylation assay
Authors: Zhang Yunfeng , Wu Qian , Xu Linhao , Wang Hong , Liu Xin , Li Sihui , Hu Tianliang , Liu Yanying , Peng Quanzhou , Chen Zhiwei , Wu Xianrui , Fan Jian-Bing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early detection of CRC can significantly reduce its mortality rate. Current method of CRC diagnosis relies on the invasive endoscopy. Non-invasive assays including fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and fecal immunological test (FIT) are compromised by low sensitivity and specificity, especially at early stages. Thus, a non-invasive and accurate approach for CRC screening would be highly desirable.ResultsA new qPCR-based assay combining the simultaneous detection of the DNA methylation status of ten candidate genes was used to examine plasma samples from 56 normal controls, 6 hyperplastic polys, 9 non-advanced adenomas (NAAs), 22 advanced adenomas (AAs) and 175 CRC patients, using 10 ng of cfDNA. We further built a logistic regression model for CRC diagnosis. We tested ten candidate methylation markers including twist1, vav3-as1, fbn1, c9orf50, sfmbt2, kcnq5, fam72c, itga4, kcnj12 and znf132. All markers showed moderate diagnostic performance with AUCs ranging from 0.726 to 0.815. Moreover, a 4-marker model, comprised of two previously reported markers (c9orf50 and twist1) and two novel ones (kcnj12 and znf132), demonstrated high performance for detecting colorectal cancer in an independent validation set (N = 69) with an overall AUC of 0.911 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.834–0.988], sensitivity of 0.800 [95% CI 0.667–0.933] and specificity of 0.971 [95% CI 0.914–1.000]. The stage-stratified sensitivity of the model was 0.455 [95% CI 0.227–0.682], 0.667 [95% CI 0.289–1.000], 0.800 [95% CI 0.449–1.000], 0.800 [95% CI 0.449–1.000] and 0.842 [95% CI 0.678–1.000] for advanced adenoma and CRC stage I-IV, respectively.Conclusionkcnj12 and znf132 are two novel methylation biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. The 4-marker methylation model provides a new non-invasive choice for CRC screening and interception.
Intestinal helminthic infection and allergic disorders among school children enrolled in mass deworming program, Sululta, Ethiopia
Authors: Abera Dessie , Wordofa Moges , Mesfin Abiyot , Tadesse Gemechu , Wolde Mistire , Desta Kassu , Tsegaye Aster , Taye Bineyam 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal helminths have been proposed to have a protective role against allergic sensitization and atopic diseases. However, consistent data demonstrating this are lacking in Sub-Saharan countries. We aimed to assess the association between intestinal helminths and allergic disorders among school children enrolled in mass deworming program in Sululta, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among 526 school children aged 5 to 14 years old from primary government schools in Sululta district, Ethiopia. An interviewer-led questionnaire administered to parents provided information on demographic and lifestyle variables. Questions on allergic disease symptoms were collected using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire 6 months following deworming treatments. Atopy was defined as a positive skin prick test reaction to one or both dust mite (Dermatophagoides) and German cockroach (Blatella germanica) allergens. Fresh stool samples were collected, processed, and examined by direct wet mount, Kato-Katz technique, and formol-ether concentration technique. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between allergic disorder and helminths infection.ResultsOf the total 526 school children, 58.2% were females. Overall, 24% (126/526) had allergic symptoms, 5.1% (27/526) had atopy, and 16.9% (89/526) had intestinal helminths. There was no association between helminthic infection and self-reported allergic symptoms (P = 0.317), butAscaris lumbricoidesinfection was positively associated with atopy (AOR = 4.307, 95% CI 1.143–16.222, P = 0.031). Atopy was related to increased allergy symptoms (AOR = 2.787, 95% CI 1.253–6.197, P = 0.012), and family history of allergy was associated with increased childhood allergy (AOR = 2.753, 95% CI 1.565–4.841, P = 0.001). Deworming in the past 6 months showed a reduced odd of self-reported allergic symptoms (AOR = 0.581, 95% CI 0.366–0.954, P = 0.034).ConclusionWhile no significant association between self-reported allergy and helminths was found in this study, this may have been due to the low prevalence and intensity of helminthic infection in the sample. There was a positive association betweenAscaris lumbricoidesand atopy. To further examine the underlying mechanism behind this positive association, a longitudinal study is needed.
Osimertinib as neoadjuvant therapy in a patient with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer: a case report
Authors: Chen Caroline Y. , Fares Charlene M. , Shin Daniel Sanghoon 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are approved for use in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Case presentation
Here we present a case of a African American patient with stage IIIA NSCLC treated with osimertinib in the neoadjuvant setting with concurrent radiation, followed by resection. The patient remains disease-free 4 months after surgery.

Conclusion
This case report suggests that osimertinib may be effective as neoadjuvant therapy in resectable stage III disease. Additionally, we provide a summary of previous case reports and ongoing clinical trials for neoadjuvant EGFR inhibition in stage III NSCLC patients.
A Pliocene–Pleistocene continental biota from Venezuela
Authors: Carrillo-Briceño Jorge D. , Sánchez Rodolfo , Scheyer Torsten M. , Carrillo Juan D. , Delfino Massimo , Georgalis Georgios L. , Kerber Leonardo , Ruiz-Ramoni Damián , Birindelli José L. O. , Cadena Edwin-Alberto , Rincón Aldo F. , Chavez-Hoffmeister Martin , Carlini Alfredo A. , Carvalho Mónica R. , Trejos-Tamayo Raúl , Vallejo Felipe , Jaramillo Carlos , Jones Douglas S. , Sánchez-Villagra Marcelo R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Pliocene–Pleistocene transition in the Neotropics is poorly understood despite the major climatic changes that occurred at the onset of the Quaternary. The San Gregorio Formation, the younger unit of the Urumaco Sequence, preserves a fauna that documents this critical transition. We report stingrays, freshwater bony fishes, amphibians, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, aquatic and terrestrial turtles, and mammals. A total of 49 taxa are reported from the Vergel Member (late Pliocene) and nine taxa from the Cocuiza Member (Early Pleistocene), with 28 and 18 taxa reported for the first time in the Urumaco sequence and Venezuela, respectively. Our findings include the first fossil record of the freshwater fishesMegaleporinus,Schizodon,Amblydoras,Scorpiodoras, and the pipesnakeAnilius scytale, all from Pliocene strata. The late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene ages proposed here for the Vergel and Cocuiza members, respectively, are supported by their stratigraphic position, palynology, nannoplankton, and86Sr/88Sr dating. Mammals from the Vergel Member are associated with the first major pulse of the Great American Biotic Interchange. In contrast to the dry conditions prevailing today, the San Gregorio Formation documents mixed open grassland/forest areas surrounding permanent freshwater systems, following the isolation of the northern South American basin from western Amazonia. These findings support the hypothesis that range contraction of many taxa to their current distribution in northern South America occurred rapidly during at least the last 1.5 million years.
Metabolic engineering of Moorella thermoacetica for thermophilic bioconversion of gaseous substrates to a volatile chemical
Authors: Kato Junya , Takemura Kaisei , Kato Setsu , Fujii Tatsuya , Wada Keisuke , Iwasaki Yuki , Aoi Yoshiteru , Matsushika Akinori , Murakami Katsuji , Nakashimada Yutaka 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGas fermentation is one of the promising bioprocesses to convert CO2 or syngas to important chemicals. Thermophilic gas fermentation of volatile chemicals has the potential for the development of consolidated bioprocesses that can simultaneously separate products during fermentation. This study reports the production of acetone from CO2 and H2, CO, or syngas by introducing the acetone production pathway using acetyl–coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) and acetate produced via the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway in Moorella thermoacetica. Reducing the carbon flux from Ac-CoA to acetate through genetic engineering successfully enhanced acetone productivity, which varied on the basis of the gas composition. The highest acetone productivity was obtained with CO–H2, while autotrophic growth collapsed with CO2–H2. By adding H2 to CO, the acetone productivity from the same amount of carbon source increased compared to CO gas only, and the maximum specific acetone production rate also increased from 0.04 to 0.09 g-acetone/g-dry cell/h. Our development of the engineered thermophilic acetogen M. thermoacetica, which grows at a temperature higher than the boiling point of acetone (58 °C), would pave the way for developing a consolidated process with simplified and cost-effective recovery via condensation following gas fermentation.
The existence of nonnegative solutions for a nonlinear fractional q-differential problem via a different numerical approach
Authors: Samei Mohammad Esmael , Ahmadi Ahmad , Hajiseyedazizi Sayyedeh Narges , Mishra Shashi Kant , Ram Bhagwat 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper deals with the existence of nonnegative solutions for a class of boundary value problems of fractional q-differential equation ${}^{c}\mathcal{D}_{q}^{\sigma }[k](t) = w (t, k(t), {}^{c} \mathcal{D}_{q}^{\zeta }[k](t) )$

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Associations between socioprovincial factors and self-reported mental disorders among students from grade 4 to 8 in rural China
Authors: Guan Ming 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The focus on child mental health in developing countries was increasing. However, little was known in China. This study aimed to explore the associations between socioprovincial factors and self-reported mental disorders in rural China.

Methods
Data were from a publicly available survey with 54,498 students from Grade 4 to 8 in rural China. Chi-square test was used for descriptive analysis. Self-reported mental disorders included overall mental disorder, study anxiety, personal anxiety, loneliness, guilt, sensitivity, symptomatic psychosis, phobia, and impulsivity. Multiple logistic regressions and errors-in-variables regression models were employed to explore the associations between socioprovincial factors and mental disorders. Poisson regressions and errors-in-variables regression models were adopted to reveal the associations between socioprovincial factors and number of self-reported mental disorders.

Results
Descriptive statistics showed that mental health was poor in rural adolescents in China. Logistic regression showed that the odds of overall mental disorder and study anxiety were 189% (AOR = 2.89, 95%CI: 2.76, 3.02) and 92% (OR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.84, 2.00) in Gansu more than those in Anhui, while the odds of personal anxiety, guilt, sensitivity, symptomatic psychosis, and phobia were 92% (AOR = 0.08, 95%CI: 0.08, 0.09), 71% (AOR = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.27, 0.30), 88% (AOR = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.13), 69% (AOR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.32), and 78% (AOR = 0.22, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.23) in Gansu less than those in Anhui. Moreover, Gansu (Poisson regression: IRR =1.45, 95%CI: 1.42–1.47; errors-in-variables regression: Coefficient = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.16, 0.36), Ningxia (Poisson regression: IRR =1.63, 95%CI: 1.60–1.67; errors-in-variables regression: Coefficient = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.32, 0.53), Qinghai (Poisson regression: IRR =1.65, 95%CI: 1.60–1.69; errors-in-variables regression: Coefficient = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.55), and Shaanxi (Poisson regression: IRR =1.28, 95%CI: 1.25–1.30; errors-in-variables regression: Coefficient = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.00, 0.21) were significantly associated with the number of self-reported mental disorders.

Conclusion
Class and provincial disparities in self-reported mental disorders were reported among the students from Grade 4 to 8 in rural China. Mental health care supported by governments and schools could be an effective way to reduce the disparities in mental disorders among the adolescents.
Predictive distribution modeling of Swertia bimaculata in Darjeeling-Sikkim Eastern Himalaya using MaxEnt: current and future scenarios
Authors: Boral Debasruti , Moktan Saurav 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
As global temperatures continue to rise, species distribution modeling is a suitable tool for identifying rare and endangered species most at risk of extinction, along with tracking shifting geographical range.

Methods
The present study investigates the potential distribution of Swertia bimaculata in the Darjeeling-Sikkim region of Eastern Himalaya in current and future climate scenarios of GFDL-CM3 (Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory-Climate Model 3) for the year 2050 and year 2070 through MaxEnt presence data modeling. Two sets of variables were used for modeling current scenario. The models were evaluated using AUC (area under the curve) values and TSS (true skill statistic).

Results
Habitat assessment of the species shows low and sporadic distribution within the study area. A significant decrease is observed in the possible range of the species in the future climate scenario with the habitat decreasing from 869.48 to 0 km2. Resultant maps from the modeling process show significant upward shifting of the species range along the altitudinal gradient. Still, results should be taken with caution given the low number of occurrences used in the modeling.

Conclusions
The results thus highlight the vulnerability of the species towards extinction in the near future.