bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selected Physical and Flowability Properties of Evolving Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (DDGS)
Authors: Rosentrater Kurt A , Zhang Weitao 
Published: August 2021

With the rapid development of the ethanol industry over the past few decades, research on distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), its main coproduct, has increased in recent years. However, research about the basic properties of DDGS lacks comprehensiveness. This study examined 16 DDGS samples from 10 ethanol plants in the Midwest U.S., and used standard laboratory methods to measure a series of physical and flowability properties. Results showed an average moisture content of 8.69% (w. b.), water activity of 0.55, angle of repose of 48.04°, shear strength of 0.0324 kg/cm2, geometric mean diameter (dgw) of 0.74 mm, geometric standard deviation (Sgw) of 1.72 mm, loose bulk density of 483.9 kg/m3, packed bulk density of 568.5 kg/m3, Hunter L of 56.71, Hunter a of 13.85, and Hunter b of 46.51. This study represents a step toward a more complete understanding of DDGS, and how various properties change as production practices evolve in the ethanol industry.
Identification and Validation of a PPP1R12A-Related Five-Gene Signature Associated With Metabolism to Predict the Prognosis of Patients With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zou Zhihao , Liu Ren , Liang Yingke , Zhou Rui , Dai Qishan , Han Zhaodong , Jiang Minyao , Zhuo Yangjia , Zhang Yixun , Feng Yuanfa , Zhu Xuejin , Cai Shanghua , Lin Jundong , Tang Zhenfeng , Zhong Weide , Liang Yuxiang 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant male neoplasm in the American male population. Our prior studies have demonstrated that protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 12A (PPP1R12A) could be an efficient prognostic factor in patients with PCa, promoting further investigation. The present study attempted to construct a gene signature based on PPP1R12A and metabolism-related genes to predict the prognosis of PCa patients.MethodsThe mRNA expression profiles of 499 tumor and 52 normal tissues were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We selected differentially expressed PPP1R12A-related genes among these mRNAs. Tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry was used to identify the proteins that directly interact with PPP1R12A. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to extract metabolism-related genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis and a random survival forest algorithm were used to confirm optimal genes to build a prognostic risk model.ResultsWe identified a five-gene signature (PPP1R12A, PTGS2, GGCT, AOX1, and NT5E) that was associated with PPP1R12A and metabolism in PCa, which effectively predicted disease-free survival (DFS) and biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS). Moreover, the signature was validated by two internal datasets from TCGA and one external dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).ConclusionThe five-gene signature is an effective potential factor to predict the prognosis of PCa, classifying PCa patients into high- and low-risk groups, which might provide potential novel treatment strategies for these patients.
Analysis of the Expression and Prognostic Value of Annexin Family Proteins in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Wu WenBo , Jia GaoZhen , Chen Lei , Liu HaiTao , Xia ShuJie 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundBladder cancer (BC) is the most common tumor of the urinary system. Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has a high recurrence rate after surgery, and patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) have poor quality of life after radical surgery. Understanding the molecular mechanism of bladder cancer is helpful for providing a more appropriate treatment approach. Annexins are calcium-binding proteins and play an important role in different tumor cells. However, the role of the annexin family in bladder cancer has not been studied in detail.MethodsONCOMINE, UALCAN, TIMER2.0, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, cBioPortal, and WebGestalt were utilized in this study.ResultsANXA2, ANXA3, ANXA4, ANXA8, and ANXA9 were significantly increased in bladder tumor tissues, while ANXA6, ANXA7, and ANXA11 were significantly decreased. ANXA1, ANXA2, ANXA3, ANXA5, ANXA6, ANXA7, and ANXA9 had prognostic value in bladder cancer. In addition, specific annexins were specifically expressed in different subtypes of MIBC and were related to the histological morphology of bladder tumors. ANXA1, ANXA2, ANXA3, ANXA5, ANXA6, ANXA7, and ANXA8 were highly expressed in basal-subtype MIBC, while ANXA4, ANXA9, ANXA10, and ANXA11 were mainly expressed in luminal-subtype MIBC. Finally, we analyzed the possible mechanisms of ANXAs in different subtypes of bladder cancer through GO and KEGG analyses and the correlation between ANXAs and immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.ConclusionTaken together, our results indicate that annexins might play important roles in BC and have the potential to be used as markers for subtype classification.
Terahertz Transmission Characteristics of Double-Layer Plasmonic Metamaterial and LC-Based Structure
Authors: Yang Jun , Xu Junjie , Mao Rongxin , Li Ying , Yin Zhiping , Deng Guangsheng , Cai Fei 
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we present a novel design of an electrically tunable metamaterial device in the terahertz frequency range of 325–500 GHz. The device is analyzed and optimized using an equivalent circuit and numerical simulation. The experimental and simulation results are almost identical in the entire design frequency range. A maximum modulation depth of 90.87% is achieved in the transmission window. The bandpass width decreases from 102.55 to 28.7 GHz as the bias voltage increases from 0 to 30 V. This structure provides new insights into the potential of electrically tunable terahertz devices for a wide range of applications.
The Risk of Tuberculosis Infection in Non-dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Li Chia-Hsiang , Chen Hung-Jen , Chen Wei-Chun , Tu Chih-Yen , Hsia Te-Chun , Hsu Wu-Huei , Chang Chiz-Tzung , Huang Chiu-Ching , Bau Da-Tian , Chou Che-Yi 
Published: August 2021

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving maintenance renal replacement therapy are at higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection. The risk of TB infection in CKD patients not receiving dialysis is unknown.Aim: We conduct this study to test the hypothesis that TB infection is negatively correlated to renal function.Design: Non-dialysis CKD stage 1–5 patients, admitted in China Medical University Hospital from January of 2003 to May of 2014, were enrolled in this study and were prospectively followed up to the diagnosis of TB, death, loss to follow-up, or December 2014. The risk factors of TB infection were analyzed using competing-risks regression analysis with time-varying covariates. The initiation of dialysis and patients' death were considered as competing events. Patients' estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and body mass index (BMI) were recorded at enrollment.Results: They were followed-up for a median duration of 1.4 years. Of the 7221 patients, TB infection was identified in 114 patients. Higher eGFR was associated with lower risk of TB infection (P &lt; 0.01). The adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (aSHR) was 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72 to 0.94] for every 5 ml/min/1.73 m2 increase in eGFR. In addition, higher BMI (p = 0.01) was associated with a lower risk of TB infection and the aSHR was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.98) for every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI.Conclusion: Renal function and body mass index are independently associated with the risk of tuberculosis infection in patients with chronic kidney disease not receiving dialysis.
Frailty Status Among the Elderly of Different Genders and the Death Risk: A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Shi Jing , Tao Yongkang , Meng Li , Zhou Baiyu , Duan Chunbo , Xi Huan , Yu Pulin 
Published: August 2021

Background: Frailty in the elderly population is currently a frontier and focus in the field of health and aging. The goal of this study was to explore the frailty status among the elderly of different genders and its influence on the risk of death during 11 years.Methods: Frailty index (FI) was used to evaluate the frailty status in the elderly based on the baseline data conducted in 2009; and death as outcome variables collected in 2020 were analyzed. The difference of the frailty level and mortality of different genders was compared. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier curves were applied to evaluate the influence on the risk of death and the 11-year survival of the elderly at different level of frailty, respectively.Results: Totally, 1,246 elderly people were recruited. The mortality in men (43.7%, 227/519) was statistically higher than that in women (34.3%, 249/727) (x2 = 11.546, P = 0.001). Deficits accumulated exponentially with age, and at all ages, women accumulated more deficits than do men on average (B = 0.030 vs. 0.028, t = 4.137, P = 0.023). For any given level of frailty, the mortality rate is higher in men than in women, and the difference in mortality between genders reached the peak when FI value was 0.26. Cox regression analysis showed that FI value had a greater impact on the risk of death in older men (HR = 1.171, 95%CI: 1.139~1.249)than that in older women (HR = 1.119, 95%CI: 1.039~1.137). Survival analysis showed that the median 11-year survival time in women was longer than that in men (95.26 vs. 89.52 months, Log rank = 9.249, P = 0.002). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the survival rate decreased with the increase of frailty, and at the same level of frailty, survival time in older women was longer than that in older men, except for severe frailty (FI ≥ 0.5).Conclusion: The frailty status and its influence on mortality are different among the older people of different genders; therefore, specific interventions for frailty should be conducted in the elderly population of different genders, as well as of different degrees of frailty.
The Association Between Mycobacteria-Specific Antigen-Induced Cytokines and Host Response to Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment in a Chinese Population
Authors: Cao Xuefang , Xin Henan , Zhang Haoran , Liu Jianmin , Pan Shouguo , Du Ying , Feng Boxuan , Quan Zhusheng , Guan Ling , Shen Fei , Liu Zisen , Wang Dakuan , Zhang Bin , Guan Xueling , Yan Jiaoxia , Jin Qi , Gao Lei 
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesExploring biomarkers monitoring latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment effectiveness would benefit optimizing the therapeutic regimen. This study aims to identify potential mycobacteria-specific antigen-induced cytokines associated with host responses to preventive treatment.MethodsBased on a randomized controlled trial on LTBI treatment among individuals with chest radiography abnormalities suggestive of prior tuberculosis (TB), the dynamically changed cytokine levels in QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) supernatants were estimated during the treatment by bead-based multiplex assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsIn total, 63 treated participants and 32 untreated controls were included in the study. The levels of 13 background-corrected mycobacteria-specific antigen-stimulated cytokines [basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), growth-regulated oncogene (GRO)-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1ra, IL-12 (p70), stem cell factor (SCF), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), IL-8, interferon (IFN)-α2, IL-5, IL-12 (p40), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and IL-17A] were found to be statistically different between before and after treatment in treated participants, while no statistically differences were observed in untreated controls. Among these 13 cytokines, the level of IL-8 was significantly lower in the QFT reversed group than that in the non-reversed group (p= 0.028) among treated participants, while such a difference was not found for untreated controls (p= 0.292).ConclusionOur results suggested that the lower level of mycobacteria-specific antigen-induced IL-8 might be associated with the host’s positive response to LTBI treatment.
The Use of Micro Retractor in Endoscopic Endonasal Posterior Pseudocapsule Resection of Pituitary Macroadenoma. Technical Note
Authors: Xie Tao , Zhang Xiaobiao , Qu Chenghui , Li Chen 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe endoscopic endonasal approach and extra-pseudocapsule resection may be the main progress in modern pituitary surgery. However, for pituitary macroadenomas, discerning the pseudocapsule in the posterior plane of the tumor may be difficult. When the anterior-inferior debulking is performed, the early subsidence of the thinning normal pituitary gland and enlarged diaphragm may obstruct the surgical dissection view.MethodWe describe the technique of using a micro retractor for the endoscopic endonasal posterior pseudocapsule resection of pituitary macroadenomas. This micro retractor that was 2 mm in width was placed at the 12 o’clock position on the nostrils, and the end was fixed in the flexible arms of the self-retaining retractor system. The head of the micro retractor elevated the herniated diaphragm sellae in order to continue the posterior pseudocapsule resection of the pituitary macroadenoma.ResultThe technique was performed very easily and no complication was observed.ConclusionThe use of this micro retractor can increase the view of the posterior margin of the adenomas to facilitate the pseudocapsule dissection.
Ivermectin has New Application in Inhibiting Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth
Authors: Zhou Shican , Wu Hang , Ning Wenjuan , Wu Xiao , Xu Xiaoxiao , Ma Yuanqiao , Li Xingwang , Hu Junhong , Wang Chenyu , Wang Junpeng 
Published: August 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and still lacks effective therapy. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, has been shown to possess anti-inflammation, anti-virus, and antitumor properties. However, whether ivermectin affects CRC is still unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of ivermectin on CRC using CRC cell lines SW480 and SW1116. We used CCK-8 assay to determine the cell viability, used an optical microscope to measure cell morphology, used Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD kit to determine cell apoptosis, used Caspase 3/7 Activity Apoptosis Assay Kit to evaluate Caspase 3/7 activity, used Western blot to determine apoptosis-associated protein expression, and used flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope to determine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell cycle. The results demonstrated that ivermectin dose-dependently inhibited colorectal cancer SW480 and SW1116 cell growth, followed by promoting cell apoptosis and increasing Caspase-3/7 activity. Besides, ivermectin upregulated the expression of proapoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved PARP and downregulated antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Mechanism analysis showed that ivermectin promoted both total and mitochondrial ROS production in a dose-dependent manner, which could be eliminated by administering N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) in CRC cells. Following NAC treatment, the inhibition of cell growth induced by ivermectin was reversed. Finally, ivermectin at low doses (2.5 and 5 µM) induced CRC cell arrest. Overall, ivermectin suppressed cell proliferation by promoting ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and inducing S phase arrest in CRC cells, suggesting that ivermectin might be a new potential anticancer drug therapy for human colorectal cancer and other cancers.
Distribution Evaluation of Tenofovir in the Breast Milk of Mothers With HBeAg-Positive Chronic HBV Infection After Treatment With Tenofovir Alafenamide and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate by a Sensitive UPLC-MS/MS Method
Authors: Yang Na , Zhou Guanlun , Cheng Xiaoliang , He Jun , Chen Yan , Chen Chao , Li Meijuan , Ge Jiajia , Wang Min , Zhang Tianqi , Ge Weihong , Zhu Huaijun , Han Guorong 
Published: August 2021

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a novel prodrug of tenofovir (TFV) that has been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It has greater plasma stability and more favorable renal safety than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), the first approved oral prodrug of TFV. However, the distribution of TFV in the breast milk of mothers treated with TAF is still unclear. In this study, sixteen participants with chronic HBV infection were enrolled and received antiretroviral therapy with 25 mg of TAF or 300 mg of TDF daily from 24 to 28 weeks of gestation until the 4th week postpartum. For the first time, the distribution of TFV in the breast milk of mothers with chronic HBV infection treated with TAF and its difference from TDF were evaluated by using a sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 µm 2.1 × 100 mm). Mass spectrometry analysis was performed in positive electrospray ionization mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) conditions of transitions m/z 288.1→176.2 for TFV. This method was linear from 0.5 to 500 ng/ml. Surprisingly, on the third postpartum day, the median Cmax of TFV in the breast milk was much higher in the mothers treated with TAF (101.2 ng/ml) than TDF (21.6 ng/ml) at a similar Tmax of 4 h. Accordingly, the median AUC0-8 value was 755.6 ng h/mL in the mothers taking TAF, which was at a 5-fold higher level than TDF. The concentration of TFV in the breast milk of mothers in both groups decreased with increasing lactation time. These data indicated that there was a relatively higher exposure of TFV in the breast milk of mothers taking TAF, despite the lower dosage compared to TDF. This study provides support for further evaluating the safety of breastfeeding after the administration of TAF and TDF.
Correlation Between Soluble Klotho and Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Liu QiFeng , Yu LiXia , Yin XiaoYa , Ye JianMing , Li ShaSha 
Published: August 2021

Background: The correlation between soluble Klotho (sKlotho) level and vascular calcification (VC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. Using meta-analysis, we aimed to address this controversy and assess the feasibility of applying sKlotho as a biomarker for VC.Methods: Medical electronic databases were thoroughly searched for eligible publications on the association between sKlotho level and VC in CKD patients. Effectors, including correlation coefficients (r), odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratio (HR) or β-values, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and combined according to study design or effector calculation method. Pooled effectors were generated using both random-effects models and fixed-effects models according to I2-value. Origin of heterogeneity was explored by sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis.Results: Ten studies with 1,204 participants from a total of 1,199 publications were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. The combined correlation coefficient (r) was [−0.33 (−0.62, −0.04)] with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 89%, p &lt; 0.001) based on Spearman correlation analysis, and this significant association was also demonstrated in subgroups. There was no evidence of publication bias. The combined OR was [3.27 (1.70, 6.30)] with no evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = 0.48) when sKlotho was treated as a categorical variable or [1.05 (1.01, 1.09)] with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 63%, p = 0.10) when sKlotho was treated as a continuous variable based on multivariate logistic regression. No significant association was observed and the pooled OR was [0.29 (0.01, 11.15)] with high heterogeneity (I2 = 96%, p &lt; 0.001) according to multivariate linear regression analysis. There was an inverse association between sKlotho and parathyroid hormone levels. The combined coefficient (r) was [−0.20 (−0.40, −0.01)] with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 86%, p &lt; 0.001), and without obvious publication bias. No significant association was found between sKlotho and calcium or phosphate levels.Conclusion: There exists a significant association between decreased sKlotho level and increased risk of VC in CKD patients. This raises the possibility of applying sKlotho as a biomarker for VC in CKD populations. Large, prospective, well-designed studies or interventional clinical trials are required to validate our findings.
Interventional Planning for Endovascular Revision of a Lateral Tunnel Fontan: A Patient-Specific Computational Analysis
Authors: Ahmed Yunus , Tossas-Betancourt Christopher , van Bakel Pieter A. J. , Primeaux Jonathan M. , Weadock William J. , Lu Jimmy C. , Zampi Jeffrey D. , Salavitabar Arash , Figueroa C. Alberto 
Published: August 2021

IntroductionA 2-year-old female with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)-variant, a complex congenital heart defect (CHD) characterized by the underdevelopment of the left ventricle, presented with complications following single ventricle palliation. Diagnostic work-up revealed elevated Fontan pathway pressures, as well as significant dilation of the inferior Fontan pathway with inefficient swirling flow and hepatic venous reflux. Due to the frail condition of the patient, the clinical team considered an endovascular revision of the Fontan pathway. In this work, we performed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis informed by data on anatomy, flow, and pressure to investigate the hemodynamic effect of the endovascular Fontan revision.MethodsA patient-specific anatomical model of the Fontan pathway was constructed from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data using the cardiovascular modeling software CardiovasculaR Integrated Modeling and SimulatiON (CRIMSON). We first created and calibrated a pre-intervention 3D-0D multi-scale model of the patient’s circulation using fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analyses and custom lumped parameter models (LPMs), including the Fontan pathway, the single ventricle, arterial and venous systemic, and pulmonary circulations. Model parameters were iteratively tuned until simulation results matched clinical data on flow and pressure. Following calibration of the pre-intervention model, a custom bifurcated endograft was introduced into the anatomical model to virtually assess post-intervention hemodynamics.ResultsThe pre-intervention model successfully reproduced the clinical hemodynamic data on regional flow splits, pressures, and hepatic venous reflux. The proposed endovascular repair model revealed increases of mean and pulse pressure at the inferior vena cava (IVC) of 6 and 29%, respectively. Inflows at the superior vena cava (SVC) and IVC were each reduced by 5%, whereas outflows at the left pulmonary artery (LPA) and right pulmonary artery (RPA) increased by 4%. Hepatic venous reflux increased by 6%.ConclusionOur computational analysis indicated that the proposed endovascular revision would lead to unfavorable hemodynamic conditions. For these reasons, the clinical team decided to forgo the proposed endovascular repair and to reassess the management of this patient. This study confirms the relevance of CFD modeling as a beneficial tool in surgical planning for single ventricle CHD patients.