bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Classic Serum Tumor Markers (CSTMs) Group Benefits to Differential Diagnosis and Disease Assessment of UTUC
Authors: PAN Jun-wei , LUO Fang-xiu / , JIN Xing-wei / , TU Wei-chao , WANG Xian-jin , ZHANG Xiang , LU Guo-liang , HUANG Bao-xing , ZHAO Yang , SHAO Yuan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: To explore the potential relationship of changes in classic serum tumor markers (CSTM) with differential diagnosis and disease assessment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).Methods: 60 UTUC (56 operated), 44 RCCC and 36 NTHN, were included into this retrospective analysis. The initial classic serum tumor markers (CSTMs), including CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA, AFP, SCC and CA724, were compared among the three groups. The preoperative, 1 month postoperative and 1 year postoperative/PD parameters (value and abnormal rate) of CSTMs were compared in UTUC group. A recommend test strategy was given and rechecked. The pathological manifestations of tumoral tissues and paracancerous tissues were analyzed.Results: The value of CA242, CA199 and CEA were higher in UTUC than in RCCC. The value of CEA was higher in UTUC than in NTHN. The value of CA199 and CEA were higher in UTUC than in RCCC+NTHN. The AR of CA199, CEA, SCC and CA724 were higher in UTUC than in RCCC. The AR of CEA and CA724 were higher in UTUC than in NTHN. The AR of CA199, CEA, SCC and CA724 were higher in UTUC than in RCCC+NTHN. The preoperative value of CA242 and CA199 were higher than 1 month postoperative ones in UTUC. The 1 year postop/PD value of CA242 and AFP were higher than 1 month postoperative ones in UTUC. For postop PD patients, the value during PD of CA242, CA199 and AFP were higher than 1 month postop ones. The preoperative AR of CA199 and CEA were higher than 1 month postoperative ones in UTUC. The recommended test strategy was given: CA242+CA199+CEA+AFP+SCC+CA724, and was rechecked. The P values were almost the lowest and the positive results covered all the comparisons. In 56 operated cases, the NAC in CSTMs by the recommended test strategy was statistically related with the tumor load. It appeared positive labelling by Ab of CA199, CA125, CEA, AFP and CA724 in UTUC tissues, while negative in paracancerous tissues.Conclusions: CSTMs may help to make differential diagnosis and disease assessment of UTUC. Group test (CA242+CA199+CEA+AFP+SCC+CA724) was recommended and more valuable.Trial registration: Not applicable
The efficacy of current-used risk factors for metastasis and the effectiveness of additional surgical resection in pT1b esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after endoscopic resection: A multi-institutional retrospective study in China
Authors: Xue Xuemin , Sun Qi , Jiang Dongxian , Wang Xinran , Liu Yong , Guo Changyuan , Liu Linxiu , Cheng Na , Wang Guiqi , Liu Yueping , Hou Yingyong , Fan Xiangshan , xue liyan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose

ER-treated patients with pT1b ESCC were strongly recommended to receive additional treatments, mainly radical surgical resection (SR). In view of high morbidity and mortality of additional SR treatment, this recommendation remained open to debate. Herein, our research aimed to access the efficacy of current risk predictors for metastasis based on the histological findings in ER specimens, and the effectiveness of additional SR.
Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of ER-treated pT1b ESCC patients with (n = 42) and without (n = 124) additional SR from 2007 to 2018 in China. Lymph node metastasis & distant organ metastasis (LNM&DOM) reflecting the overall metastasis risk of ESCC after ER treatment were used. The relationships between clinicopathological parameters and metastasis were assessed. And Overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were also analyzed.
Results

Patients with submucosal invasion depth (SMI) ≥ 200µm didn't demonstrate significant difference in LNM&DOM and survival, as compared with those with SMI < 200µm.In ER alone group, patients with vertical margin(VM) (+) showed worse PFS than those with VM(-) (p = 0.008).More strikingly, for patients in low-risk group who had LVI(-) and VM(-), ER + SR didn't significantly prolong their PFS(p = 0.120) but significantly shorter their OS (p < 0.010) as compared with ER alone treatment.
Conclusions

SMI ≥ 200µm isn’t a sensitive and predictive indicator for both LNM&DOM and survival for patients with ER treatment. More strikingly, additional SR is not an optimal therapeutic selection for ER-treated pT1b ESCC in low-risk group who had LVI(-) and VM(-).
Jiangzhi Ligan Decoction Alleviated Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by High-Fat-Diet in Rats via GSDMD-mediated Canonical/Non-canonical Pyroptosis Pathway
Authors: ZHOU XIAO , Yin Kangkang , Jiang Wei , Dai Ziwei , Tang Biao 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Hepatoprotective effects of Chinese herbal formula Jiangzhi Ligan Decoction (JZLGD) against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been demonstrated, but its mechanism is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of against high-fat diet (HFD) induced NAFLD in rat, and to further explore the potential molecular mechanism.
Methods

SD rats were assigned to five different groups: normal control group, NAFLD model group and JZLGD-treated NAFLD group (3 doses of JZLGD: 2.3, 4.6, 9.2 g/kg of body weight, respectively). All the rats were fed a HFD for 18 weeks except the normal control group(a normal diet). After 12 weeks, rats in JZLGD-treated NAFLD group were administered different doses of JZLGD by oral gavage once daily for another period of 6 weeks, and the rest were given the same dosage of normal saline. After the intervention, blood and liver from each sample were carefully removed and analyzed accordingly.
Results

We found that JZLGD significantly reduced the liver index, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum. Furthermore, pathological examinations showed that JZLGD markedly reduced liver lipid droplets and improved liver lipid accumulation, NAFLD activity score and ballooning pathology scoring were also decreased. The detection of cytokines showed that JZLGD could significantly reduced the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6, protected HFD rats from inflammation. In addition, NAFLD treatment, exhibited significant reduction in serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and free fatty acid (FFA) when compared to NAFLD control rats. JZLGD intervention also reduced the level of serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, caspase-11, GSDMD, GSDMD N-terminus (GSDMD-N), IL-1β, IL-18 in the liver.
Conclusion

These results demonstrate the hepatoprotective effects of JZLGD in NAFLD mice, the effects may be mediated via downregulation of NLRP3 /caspase-1/GSDMD mediated canonical pyroptosis pathway and LPS /caspase-11/GSDMD mediated non-canonical pyroptosis pathway.
Matched comparison of corneal higher order aberrations induced by SMILE to femtosecond assisted LASIK and to PRK in correcting moderate and high myopia: 3.00mm vs. 6.00mm
Authors: Miraftab Mohammad , Hashemi Hassan , Aghamirsalim Mohammadreza , Fayyaz Shiva , Asgari Soheila 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

The refractive surgeries induce corneal higher order aberrations (C-HOAs). In this study, change of C-HOAs after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) compared to femtosecond assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (femto-LASIK), and to photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin-C (PRK) under photopic and mesopic conditions.
Methods

In this prospective study, age, gender, and apical corneal thickness (ACT) matched cases with moderate myopia [spherical equivalent (SE) 3.00 to 6.00D) to high myopia (SE > 6.00D)] were enrolled. In addition to visual acuity and refraction, total C-HOA, coma, spherical aberration (SA), and trefoil in the 3- and 6-mm zones were measured before and 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Results

Overall, 372 moderate myopia cases (124 eyes of 124 individuals in each surgical group) and 171 high myopia cases (57 eyes of 57 individuals in each surgical group) were enrolled. At baseline, the differences in age, gender, ACT, uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, and SE were not statistically significant between subgroups of surgical methods within each myopia group (all P > 0.05). At 12 months, in the moderate myopia group, there was less increase in 6-mm zone total C-HOA, coma, and SA with SMILE compared to the other groups (all P < 0.05). In the high myopia group, there was greater increase in photopic total C-HOA and trefoil and less increase in mesopic SA with SMILE (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion

In correction of moderate myopia, SMILE is preferable to prevent dilated pupil visual problems. In high myopia correction, femto-LASIK and PRK is preferred for normal light activities and SMILE is recommended to avoid dilated pupil visual problems.
Changes in Species Abundances with Short-Term and Long-Term Nitrogen Addition are Mediated by Stoichiometric Homeostasis
Authors: Yang Tian , Long Min , Smith Melinda D. , Gu Qian , Yang Yadong , He Nianpeng , Xu Chong , Vilonen Leena , Zhao Jinling , Yu Qiang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Aims Increasing nitrogen (N) deposition altered plant communities globally, however the changes in species abundances with short-term vs. long-term N enrichment remains unclear. Stoichiometric homeostasis (H) is a key trait predictive of plant species dominance and species responses to short-term global changes. It is unknown whether N enrichment can alter H over time, thereby affecting species responses to long-term N addition. Methods Here we address these two knowledge gaps with three representative species in a long-term N addition experiment and a sand culture experiment. Results The abundance of Leymus chinensis decreased with short-term N addition, and increased with long-term N addition, while Chenopodium glaucum showed opposite pattern. Cleistogenes squarrosa was only favored by 1-year N addition, and depressed by two and more years of N addition. The H values of L. chinensis and C. glaucum decreased significantly with long-term N addition however did not change for C. squarrosa. Conclusion The decrease of H suggested the nutrients use strategy became more progressive, which mediated the responses of species abundances to short- and long-term N addition. We anticipate our research to be a starting point for explaining ecosystems function and process in response to global change from the perspective of species adaptability mediated by H.
EGFL6&nbsp;Regulates the Interaction Between Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in Distraction Osteogenesis
Authors: Shen Junjie , Sun Yi , Liu Xuanzhe , Zhu Yu , Bao Bingbo , Gao Tao , Chai Yimin , Xu Jia , Zheng Xianyou 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Osteogenesis is tightly coupled with angiogenesis during bone repair and regeneration. However, the underlying mechanisms linking these processes remain largely undefined. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein 6 (EGFL6), an angiogenic factor, also functions in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and plays a key role in the interaction between osteogenesis angiogenesis.Methods: We evaluated how EGFL6 affects angiogenic activity of human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via proliferation, transwell migration, wound healing, and tube-formation assays. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (AR-S) were used to assay the osteogenic potential of BMSCs. qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were used to evaluate angio- and osteo-specific markers and pathway-related genes and proteins. In order to determine how EGFL6 affects angiogenesis and osteogenesis in vivo, EGFL6 was injected into fracture gaps in a rat tibia distraction osteogenesis (DO) model. Radiography, histology, and histomorphometry were used to quantitatively evaluate angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Results: EGFL6 stimulated both angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation through Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vitro. Administration of EGFL6 in the rat DO model promoted CD31hiEMCNhi type H-positive capillary formation associated with enhanced bone formation. Type H vessels were the referred subtype involved during DO stimulated by EGFL6.Conclusion: EGFL6 enhanced osteogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs and accelerated bone regeneration by stimulating angiogenesis, thus exerting therapeutic benefit by increasing EGFL6 secretion to promote angiogenesis-coupled bone formation. These results imply that boosting local concentrations of EGFL6 may represent a new strategy for the treatment of compromised fracture healing and bone defect restoration.
A Phase I Study of a PARP1-targeted Topical Fluorophore for the Detection of Oral Cancer
Authors: Franca Paula Demetrio de Souza , Kossatz Susanne , Brand Christian , Zanoni Daniella Karassawa , Roberts Sheryl , Guru Navjot , Adilbay Dauren , Mauguen Audrey , Mayor Cristina Valero , Weber Wolfgang A. , Schöder Heiko , Ghossein Ronald A. , Ganly Ian , Patel Snehal G. , Reiner Thomas 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background. Visual inspection and biopsy is the current standard of care for oral cancer diagnosis, but is subject to misinterpretation and consequently to misdiagnosis. Topically applied PARPi-FL is a molecularly specific, fluorescent contrast-based approach that may fulfil the unmet need for a simple, in vivo, non-invasive, cost-effective, point-of-care method for the early diagnosis of oral cancer. Here, we present results from a phase I safety and feasibility study on fluorescent, topically applied PARPi-FL. Twelve patients with a histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) gargled a PARPi-FL solution for 60 seconds (15 mL, 100 nM, 250 nM, 500 nM, or 1000 nM), followed by gargling a clearing solution for 60 seconds. Fluorescence measurements of the lesion and surrounding oral mucosa were taken before PARPi-FL application, after PARPi-FL application and after clearing. Blood pressure, oxygen levels, clinical chemistry and CBC were obtained before and after tracer administration. Results. PARPi-FL was well-tolerated by all patients without any safety concerns. When analyzing the fluorescence signal, all malignant lesions showed a significant differential in contrast after administration of PARPi-FL, with the highest increase occurring at the highest dose level (1000 nM), where all patients had a tumor-to-margin fluorescence signal ratio of > 3. A clearing step was essential to increase signal specificity, as it clears unbound PARPi-FL trapped in normal anatomical structures. PARPi-FL tumor cell specificity was confirmed by ex vivo tabletop confocal microscopy. We have demonstrated that the fluorescence signal arose from the nuclei of tumor cells, endorsing our macroscopic findings.Conclusions. A PARPi-FL swish & spit solution is a rapid and non-invasive diagnostic tool that preferentially localizes fluorescent contrast to OSCC. This technique holds promise for the early detection of OSCC based on in vivo optical evaluation and targeted biopsy of suspicious lesions in the oral cavity. Clinicaltrials.gov - NCT03085147, registered on March 21st, 2017.
Semi-quantification of Myocardial Uptake of Bone-seeking Agents in Suspected Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: Campi Cristina , Briani Chiara , Gusella Sara , Spimpolo Alessandro , Salvalaggio Alessandro , Cipriani Alberto , Artioli Paolo , Zucchetta Pietro , Vettor Roberto , Cecchin Diego 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction:In recent years, bone scintigraphy has emerged as a key tool for non-invasive etiologic diagnosis of transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The qualitative Perugini scoring system is currently the most widely-used method to evaluate myocardial uptake of bone-seeking agents. A semi-quantitative approach may, however, be more useful in clinical practice for both diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up. In this study we focused on a new semi-quantification method with the aim of improving the diagnostic accuracy of CA. Material and Methods:We retrospectively evaluated 8674 consecutive 99mTc-biphosphonate (HMDP or DPD) scintigraphies performed at the Nuclear Medicine Unit of the Azienda Ospedale-Università Padova between January 2012 and December 2016. The qualitative Perugini scoring system was compared with three recently proposed semi-quantitative indices (ratio of heart to thighs: RHT; ratio of lungs to thighs: RLT; ratio of femur to thighs: RFT) in 68 individuals presenting significant myocardial uptake (mean age 79 ± 7 years, range 62-100 years; female/male ratio 16/52). We took 349 consecutive bone scintigraphies qualitatively absent of any cardiac/pulmonary uptake as healthy controls (HC).Results:The RHT and RLT indices (for both males and females) were significantly higher in patients (visual Perugini scores from 1 to 3) than in HCs (p £0.0001). There were also statistically significant differences for RHT (in both sexes) in HCs vs patients with qualitative scores of 1 or >1 (with p ranging from £0.001 to £0.0001). Analysis of the ROC curves showed that RHT outperformed the other two indices (RLT and RFT) and was more sensitive and specific in both male and female groups. Furthermore, in the male population, RHT very accurately distinguished HCs and patients with scores of 1 (known to be less likely affected by ATTR) from patients with qualitative scores >1 (known to be more likely affected by ATTR) with an AUC of 99% (sensitivity: 95%; specificity: 97%).Conclusion:The proposed semi-quantitative RHT index can accurately distinguish between HCs and subjects with CA (Perugini scores from 1 to 3) in both females and males. Furthermore, RHT is able to predict with very high accuracy subjects in the male population more likely to be affected by ATTR (qualitative scores >1).
Weakly Supervised Underwater Fish Segmentation Using Affinity LCFCN
Authors: Saleh Alzayat , Laradji Issam , Rodriguez Pau , Nowrouzezahrai Derek , Azghadi Mostafa Rahimi , Vazquez David 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Estimating fish body measurements like length, width, and mass has received considerable research due to its potential in boosting productivity in marine and aquaculture applications. Some methods are based on manual collection of these measurements using tools like a ruler which is time consuming and labour intensive. Others rely on fully-supervised segmentation models to automatically acquire these measurements but require collecting per-pixel labels which are also time consuming. It can take up to 2 minutes per fish to acquire accurate segmentation labels. To address this problem, we propose a segmentation model that can efficiently train on images labeled with point-level supervision, where each fish is annotated with a single click. This labeling scheme takes an average of only 1 second per fish. Our model uses a fully convolutional neural network with one branch that outputs per-pixel scores and another that outputs an affinity matrix. These two outputs are aggregated using a random walk to get the final, refined per-pixel output. The whole model is trained end-to-end using the LCFCN loss and thus we call our method Affinity-LCFCN (A-LCFCN). We conduct experiments on the DeepFish dataset, which contains several fish habitats from north-eastern Australia. The results show that A-LCFCN outperforms a fully-supervised segmentation model when the annotation budget is fixed. They also show that A-LCFCN achieves better segmentation results than LCFCN and a standard baseline.
Surveillance and Care for Confirmed and Suspected Patients with COVID-19 in General Practice (CovidCare): Study Protocol for an Observational Trial
Authors: Hoffmann Mariell , Stengel Sandra , Forstner Johanna , Baldauf Annika , Laux Gunter , Aluttis Frank , Qreini Markus , Engeser Peter , Szecsenyi Joachim , Peters-Klimm Frank 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundA SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead from asymptomatic through to critical disease in a dynamic and unpredictable course within a few days. The challenge in outpatient monitoring the highly contagious COVID-19 disease during the ongoing pandemic is to filter severe courses followed by admission to hospital with the aim of preventing an overburdening of clinics. However, little is known of the effect of risk factors on the course of the infection of outpatient patients. To support general practices in managing high risk patients, we designed a COVID-19 surveillance and care tool (CovidCare). It includes an initial assessment of yet known risk factors and symptoms and a continuous telephone monitoring of signs and symptoms. This study aims to investigate the effects of different risk factors on the course of the COVID-19 disease, utilisation of different health care services and to gain insights into the utilisation of CovidCare in general practices. MethodsWe will conduct a multi-centered prospective, longitudinal non-controlled observational trial of COVID-19 patients in general practices. Overall, 700 GPs who participate in general-practice centered care by the AOK Baden-Württemberg (large German sickness fund) are eligible and will be invited for study participation, including adult, outpatient COVID-19 patients (or urgent suspicion and ≥ 50 years) with at least one additional known risk factor, who participate in general-practice centered care. The primary outcome is hospitalisation due to COVID-19. Secondary outcomes are diagnosis of pneumonia, utilisation of palliative care, mortality rate, anxiety and identification of predictive risk factors. Quantitative data analysis will focus on valid descriptive figures and mixed regression models. The accompanying process evaluation is based on interviews and questionnaires from general practice staff and patients. The analysis of the process evaluation is descriptive and explorative. DiscussionThe use of the COVID-19 surveillance and care tool is expected to encourage the provision of structured quality of care during the ongoing pandemic. This trial will provide an understanding of the COVID-19-disease and the effect of several risk factors on the course of the disease and health care utilisation. The results can be used for a better management of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022054; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022054
Usage of Energy Management System in Chemical Process Industry
Authors: MANIVASAGAM R. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Primarily based trendy account energy the board and cycle robotization for a industry with proportion controls is projected. The energy the board is finished by 2 calculations particularly Energy potency rule and cargo Sharing rule. Varied siphons run in no heap or faithfully low burden condition, simply to forestall over-burdening. Utilizing the energy productivity calculation, No heap running of siphons is determined and killed once a amount delay. Every machine has its own restricted running life. In business to possess high dependableness reserve machines area unit likewise introduced nevertheless not used adequately. The heap sharing calculation plans equivalent running hours to order and first siphons. The cycle management is accomplished by mistreatment the inputs of transducers like stream, weight and temperature sensors to the framework, the signs area unit shipped off regulator and therefore the regulator cycle the signs and impel the elemental transfers to figure the cycle. The entire framework is incorporated and controlled through a SCADA framework .