bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Study on the Intervention of Coptis Root and Ginseng on gut microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes: a study protocol for a randomized controlled and double-blinding trial
Authors: Jiang Li , Fu Qiang , Huang Weijun , Chen Yu , Li Jiayue , Xiao Yonghua , Sun Ruixi , Shen Esther Aijia , Wang Junheng , Zhang Yaofu , Li Zhuang , Liu Jiangteng , Fu Xiaozhe , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhao Yu , Su Guanxun , Wang Shidong , Zhao Jinxi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease caused by complicated factors, the pathogenesis of which has not been determined. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) could effectively regulate blood sugar and influence gut microbiota in T2DM patients. Preliminary studies showed that the coptis root and ginseng (RG) formula could relieve insulin resistance and regulate the progression of diabetes in mice. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of RG formula in the treatment of adult patients with T2DM, as well as observing its effects on gut microbiota.Methods and analysis: This trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 60 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into an experiment group (RG formula) and a control group (placebo). Patients in both groups will be given diabetes education and basic blood glucose control. Glucose-lowering drugs with significant influence on gut microbiota will be avoided. This trial will last 25 weeks including 1 week run-in, 12 weeks intervention and 12 weeks follow-up visit. The primary outcome is the change in the HbA1c. The secondary outcomes comprise the change in the fasting blood glucose(FBG), postprandial blood glucose(PBG) fasting insulin(FIL), fasting C-peptide(C-P), insulin resistance index(IRI), inflammatory factors and species abundance of gut microbiota between the two groups. Safety in medication will also be evaluated. The correlation analysis will be explored between the glycemic indicators,inflammatory factors and abundance of gut microbiota.Discussion: This study will provide the clinical evidence for the efficacy of RG formula in regulating blood sugar and influencing gut microbiota, which will be beneficial to form the integrated therapeutic regimen in T2DM with TCM.Trial registration: “Clinical Study on the Intervention of Coptis Root and Ginseng”, Chinese Clinical Trials Registry ChiCTR 2100042126. Registered on 14 January, 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=42669&htm=4
Successful Conversion Surgery for Massive Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus in Main Portal Vein after Treatment with Lenvatinib Combined with Toripalimab: A Case Report
Authors: OuYang JingZhong , Zhou Yanzhao , Wang Zhengzheng , Li Qingjun , Zhou Jinxue 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background:Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with Portal vein invasion has an extremely dismal prognosis. We report a rare case of advanced HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). First, Lenvatinib(Len) combined with Toripalimab(Tor) was treated. The patient was successfully treated with radical surgical resection after the tumor thrombus shrank. Postoperative pathology showed complete response (CR).Case presentation:A 52-year-old male patient had a massive liver cancer in his right liver, and the tumor thrombus grew to the main portal vein. He passed 4 cycles of Len combined with Tor, the tumor shrank rapidly, the level of tumor markers dropped rapidly, The tumor thrombus was successfully confined from the main portal vein to the right branch of the portal vein. Therefore, the patient underwent a right hepatectomy and successfully removed a complete PVTT. Histopathological results showed that the primary tumor and tumor thrombus were only infiltrated by inflammatory cells, and there were no viable tumor cells.Conclusions:Len combined with Tor can be used as a preoperative neoadjuvant regimen for the treatment of advanced HCC with massive macrovascular invasion.
Diagnosis of Parapneumonia Pleural Effusion With Serum and Pleural Effusion Activin A
Authors: Zhou Guanghui , Shan Yi , Tang Zhiwei , Chen Ruhua , Fen Yan , Ji XiuHai , Ding Hui 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of Activin A levels in serum and pleural effusion on parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE).
Methods

We collected serum and pleural effusion from 86 PPE and 37 non-PPE (NPPE) patients. Including Activin A, levels of biomarkers as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. All factors were calculated for association with days after admission. The diagnostic potential of biomarkers on PPE was considered by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Results

Levels of Activin A in serum and pleural effusion of PPE patients were significantly higher than those of the NPPE patients. Moreover, concentrations of Activin A in pleural effusion showed a more obvious relevant days after admission. ROC curve analysis found that Activin A in pleural effusion had AUCs of 0.899 with 93% sensitivity and 84% specificity for PPE diagnosis.
Conclusion

Activin A in pleural effusion correlated with disease severity could act to diagnosis PPE.
Effect of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) on Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Fused Silica Ceramic Composites
Authors: Madhukar Pagidi , Kandi Kishore Kumar , Punugupati Gurabvaiah , Rao C.S.P. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Fused silica ceramics composites were widely using for the fabrication of radomes which is the vital component of a missile. The required properties were attained by the addition of small amounts of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) to the fused silica for enhancing flexural strength and without disturbing the dielectric properties. In the present work, porous fused silica ceramic composites were fabricated using gelcasting process, a near net shaping technique. The experiments were conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) central composite with face centered design with six centre points approach. The process parameters of gelcasting process such as solid loading, monomer ratio, monomer content and additive (Si3N4) were considered as input parameters and flexural strength, porosity and dielectric constant as response parameters. Single parameter and interaction parameter effect on responses were studied. The effectiveness of derived models was compared with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence level. Statistical analysis proven that input parameters have critical effect on responses. The derived RSM mathematical models have a higher R2 values (Flexural strength 97.62%, Porosity 95.12% and dielectric constant 95.93%) which shows the critical relation between actual and predicted values. The optimal responses obtained were flexural strength 86.173 MPa, porosity 39.767% and dielectric constant 6.949 corresponding parameters process parameters solid loading 47.95%, additive (Si3N4) 10.43 wt%, monomer content 15 wt% and monomer ratio 3.
Experimental Evidence and Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis Revealing the Effects and Mechanism of Branches of Sophora Japonica (L.) in Anti-Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Zhang Mei , Liao Hailang , Xu Feng , Yang Ye , Ding Qin , Qin Ping , Wu Hongmei , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Xiangpei 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Huai-Zhi (HZ), the fresh or dried branches of Sophora japonica (L.) are commonly used to treat several diseases such as heartache, red eyes, and metrorrhagia. The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms effects of HZ anti-myocardial ischemia by experiment and integrating network pharmacology. Methods: Isoproterenol was used in this study to establish the myocardial ischemia model in mice. Different extraction processes were used to obtain different HZ extracts with a screening of their anti-myocardial ischemia activities. Furthermore, the network pharmacology methods together with molecular docking were utilized to explore the active components, targets, and mechanism of anti-myocardial ischemia of HZ. Results: The ethyl acetate extract of HZ (HZ-EtOAc) significantly reduced the ST-segment elevation of mice in the preliminary test. The 95% ethanol fraction of the ethyl acetate extract of HZ (HZ-EtOAc-95) significantly reduced the ST-segment elevation, reduced the creatine kinase (CK) activity, reduced the levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in serum, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the myocardial tissues. Moreover, these results indicated that HZ-EtOAc extract in mice ameliorates myocardial tissue injury. Additionally, network pharmacology demonstrated that nine active components and 177 protein targets are related to the anti-myocardial ischemic effects of HZ. Its underlying mechanism might be involved in multiple signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, Toll-like receptor, and PI3K-Akt. Conclusion: This study used pharmacological experiments to determine the active site of HZ, and explored its potential mechanism in conjunction with network pharmacology.
Curcumin relieves CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors through PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway
Authors: Wu Yanqin , Sun Fusheng , Guo Yujin , Zhang Yumao , Li Li , Dang Ruili , Jiang Pei 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

Curcumin (CUR), a primary component extracted from the Chinese medicine Curcuma longa, has been suggested to be effective in treating symptoms of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders including depression. However, the underlying mechanism of CUR’s antidepressant properties remains largely unknown. In this study, the antidepressant effect and its mechanism of CUR were investigated.
Methods

In this study, the chronic unpredictable mild stress- (CUMS-) induced depression model was employed to investigate the antidepressant effect of CUR. The depressive-like state was evaluated by the behavioral tests. On the day of the sacrifice, blood samples and the hippocampus of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were collected for the following analysis. The proteins were investigated by Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence analysis. The mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell proliferation and apoptosis was determined with Brdu cell proliferation assay and Nissl staining assay.
Results

After stress exposure for six weeks, the CUMS rats showed depressive-like behaviors, and the administration of CUR successfully attenuated the depressive-like behaviors in CUMS-treated rats. Additionally, CUR effectively increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FNDC5), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The CUR also stimulated the transcription of PGC-1α and estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), enhanced PGC-1α and ERRα translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus, thus activating the PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway. Furthermore, we found the supplementation of CUR effectively promoted neurocyte proliferation and suppressed neural apoptosis induced by CUMS.
Conclusions

Collectively, the study revealed that CUR exerts antidepressant-like effect through the activation of the PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway.
Ideal Stage of Embryo Transfer to Improve Outcomes for Women of Advanced Maternal Age
Authors: Wang Xue , Xiao Yaling , Sun Zhengyi , Zhen Jingran , Yu Qi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

The purpose of this retrospective study was to optimise the transplantation strategy for women of advanced maternal age to achieve live births within the shortest time.
Methods

Data were collected from patients older than 40 years who underwent assisted reproductive therapy at our centre from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2019. A total of 1233 cases of fresh cleavage embryo transfer cycles, 280 cases of frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles, and 26 cases of frozen-thawed cleavage embryo transfer cycles were included. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounding factors.
Results

The main outcome was the live birth rate. The secondary outcomes were the clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate, and neonatal outcomes. We found that the blastocyst formation rate of patients older than 40 years was 23.5%, the freezing cycle rate was 19.8%, and the fresh embryo transfer rate was 83.0%.
Conclusions

Cleavage embryo transfer should be performed first to reduce the cycle cancellation rate. If the number of retrieved oocytes is more than eight, then blastocyst transplantation can be considered after fully discussing the advantages and disadvantages of blastocyst culture with patients. Alternatively, cleavage embryo transfer can be performed first, and frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer can be performed next if cleavage embryo transfer is unsuccessful.
Effect of Periosteum Preservation On The Bone Healing Rate After in Situ Replantation of Autogenous Skull Grafts Preserved In Vivo
Authors: Sun Guoqing , Zhuang Xuwei , Bai Mingtao , Wang Shanshi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of the periosteum-preserving method on the bone healing rate after in situ replantation of autologous cranial bone flaps preserved in vivo. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 99 patients who underwent autologous skull repair from January 2011 to December 2014. The 49 patients treated from January 2011 to December 2012 were divided into the nonperiosteum group, and the 51 patients treated from January 2013 to December 2014 were divided into the periosteum group. The autogenous cranial flaps of the two groups were preserved subcutaneously in vivo. Early in situ replantation was performed within 4-8 weeks after the operation. CT was performed regularly within 1, 6, 12, 24 and 60 months after the operation to observe the healing rate and bone resorption of the autogenous cranial flaps. Results: At 1, 6, 12, 24 and 60 months after the operation, the skull healing rate in the periosteum group (0%, 41.176%, 74.510%, 100%, and 100%, respectively) was significantly higher than that in the nonperiosteum group (0%, 14.286%, 36.735%, 59.184%, and 75.510%, respectively). At 60 months after the operation, the bone resorption rate of 0% in the periosteum group was significantly lower than the 14.286% in the nonperiosteum group. The infection rate of 0% in the periosteum group was significantly lower than the 10.204% in the nonperiosteum group. The re-repair rate of 0% in the periosteum group was significantly lower than the 12.245% in the nonperiosteum group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of subcutaneous effusion between the periosteum group (5.882%) and the nonperiosteum group (6.122%). Conclusion: Preservation of the periosteum and early in situ replantation of skull bone flaps preserved in vivo can increase the bone healing rate of the skull, reduce the infection rate, and reduce the probability of postoperative autogenous bone resorption.
SubMo-GNN: Property- and Structure-Aware Diverse Molecular Selection with Representation Learning and Mathematical Diverse-Selection Framework
Authors: Nakamura Tomohiro , Sakaue Shinsaku , Fujii Kaito , Harabuchi Yu , Maeda Satoshi , Iwata Satoru 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Selecting diverse molecules from unexplored areas of chemical space is one of the most important tasks for discovering novel molecules and reactions. This paper develops a new method for selecting a diverse subset of molecules from a given molecular list by utilizing two techniques studied in machine learning and mathematical optimization: graph neural networks (GNNs) for learning vector representation of molecules and a diverse-selection framework called submodular function maximization. Our method first trains a GNN with property prediction tasks, and then the trained GNN transforms molecular graphs into molecular vectors, which capture both properties and structures of molecules. Finally, to obtain a diverse subset of molecules, we define a submodular function, which quantifies the diversity of molecular vectors, and find a subset of molecular vectors with a large submodular function value. This can be done efficiently by using the greedy algorithm, and the diversity of selected molecules measured by the submodular function value is mathematically guaranteed to be at least 63 % of that of an optimal selection. We also introduce a new evaluation criterion to measure the diversity of selected molecules based on molecular properties. Computational experiments confirm that our method successfully selects diverse molecules from the QM9 dataset regarding the property-based criterion, while performing comparably to existing methods regarding a standard structure-based criterion. The proposed method enables researchers to obtain diverse sets of molecules for discovering new molecules and novel chemical reactions, and the proposed diversity criterion is useful for discussing the diversity of molecular libraries from a new property-based perspective.
3q27.1 Microdeletion Causes a Clinically Recognizable Syndrome Characterized by Severe Prenatal and Postnatal Growth Restriction and Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities
Authors: Barua Subit , Pereira Elaine , Jobanputra Vaidehi , Anyane-Yeboa Kwame , Levy Brynn , Liao Jun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
BackgroundConstitutional deletions/rearrangements involving chromosome 3q are uncommon and overlapping microdeletions of chromosome 3q26-3q28 have only been reported in eight individuals. The common phenotype observed in these individuals include severe intrauterine growth restriction and postnatal growth impairment, feeding difficulties, characteristic facial features, feet abnormalities and developmental delay. The most striking clinical features shared among all reported cases is severe prenatal and postnatal growth restriction and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Case presentationWe identified two additional individuals with overlapping deletions and shared clinical features by high-resolution SNP oligonucleotide microarray, and refined the smallest region of overlap (SRO) to a 1.2 Mb genomic location in chromosome 3q27.1 by reviewing and comparing all published cases. We evaluated the SRO using ACMG/ClinGen current recommendations for classifying copy number variants (CNVs), and discussed the contribution of the genes deleted in the SRO to the abnormal phenotype observed in these individuals. ConclusionsThis study provides further evidence supporting the existence of a novel 3q26q28 microdeletion syndrome and suggests that haploinsufficiency of potential candidate genes, DVL3, AP2M1, and PARL in the SRO in 3q27.1 is responsible for the phenotype. It also demonstrates the clinical utility of the newly released ACMG/Clingen standards for CNV interpretation.
Sub-Specialization Among Nigerian Ophthalmologists: Status, Disposition and Barriers.
Authors: Musa Kareem Olatunbosun , Idowu Oluwatobi Olalekan , Aribaba Olufisayo Temitayo , Salami Monsurah Olabimpe , Onakoya Adeola Olukorede , Akinsola Folasade Bolanle 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To determine the status of sub-specialization among Nigerian ophthalmologists as well as their dispositions and barriers against sub-specialization with a view to providing valuable information for the purpose of human resources for eye care planning thereby providing useful insight into the future of ophthalmic practice in Nigeria. Methods: This was a web-based, cross-sectional study conducted among Ophthalmologists in Nigeria. An online questionnaire was distributed through e-mails using Qualtrics software (Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA). Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, type of practice, location of practice, years of practice, status and disposition to sub-specialization as well as barriers to sub-specialization were obtained through the questionnaire.Results: two hundred and four Nigerian Ophthalmologists participated in the study out of which 118 (57.8%) were females. One hundred and ten (54.0%) respondents had undergone sub-specialty training. The sub-specialties with the highest number of patronage was Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (14.2%). Respondents older than 46 years were three times more likely to have undergone subspecialty training compared to respondents who were aged 46 years and below [odds ratio (OR) = 3.01, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.33 – 6.83, p = 0.01]. The main barriers to the availability and uptake of sub-specialty services as well as the challenges of sub-specialty services at the centres with established sub-specialty practice were non-availability/inadequate trained specialist and inadequate equipment. Conclusion: Nigerian Ophthalmologists are well disposed to sub-specialization although the extent of sub-specialization among them was a little above average. The main barriers to the availability and uptake of sub-specialty services as well as the challenges of sub-specialty services at the centres with established sub-specialty practice in this study were non-availability/inadequate trained specialist and inadequate equipment.
An Ultrasound-Based Radiomics Nomogram for Differentiation of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer From Fibroadenoma
Authors: Du Yu , Zha Hai-Ling , Wang Hui , Liu Xin-Pei , Pan Jia-Zhen , Du Li-Wen , Zong Min , LI CUI-YING 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: To develop a radiomics nomogram that incorporates the radiomics features and ultrasound (US) conventional features and clinical findings to differentiate triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) from fibroadenoma.Methods: A total of 182 pathology-proven fibroadenomas and 178 pathology-proven TNBCs which underwent preoperative US examination were involved and randomly divided into training (n = 253) and validation cohorts (n = 107). The regions of interest (ROIs) of all lesions were delineated based on preoperative US examination subsequently radiomics features extracted. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model and the maximum relevance minimum redundancy algorithm were established for the selection of tumor status-related features and construction of radiomics signature (Rad-score). Then, multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to develop a radiomics model by incorporating the radiomics signature and clinical findings. Finally, the usefulness of the combined nomogram was assessed by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).Results: The radiomics signature, composing of twelve selected features, achieved good diagnostic performance. The nomogram incorporated with radiomics signature and clinical data showed favorable diagnostic efficacy in the training cohort (AUC 0.986, 95% CI, 0.975-0.997) and validation cohort (AUC 0.977, 95% CI, 0.953-1.000). The radiomics nomogram outperformed the Rad-score and clinical models alone (p < 0.05). The calibration curve and decision curve analysis demonstrated the better clinical utility of the combined radiomics nomogram.Conclusions: The radiomics signature is a potential predictive indicator for differentiating TNBC and fibroadenoma. The radiomics nomogram associated with Rad-score, US conventional features, and clinical data outperformed the Rad-score and clinical models alone.Advances in knowledge: Recent advances in radiomics-based US identified increasingly gaining ground in oncology to improve diagnosis, assessment of therapeutic response, and disease prediction. We revealed that the Rad-score is an independent predictive indicator for differentiating TNBC and fibroadenoma. The radiomics nomogram associated with Rad-score, US conventional features, and clinical data outperformed the Rad-score and clinical models alone.