bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating LncRNAs Landscape as Potential Biomarkers in Breast Cancer
Authors: Pourramezan Zahra , Attar Fatemeh Akhavan , Yusefpour Maryam , Azizi Masoumeh , Oloomi Mana 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The delay in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer results in low survival rates and high mortality. Thus, it is essential to characterize new therapeutic targets and prognostic breast cancer biomarkers. The rising evidence suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression levels are deregulated in human cancers and can use as biomarkers for the rapid diagnosis of breast cancer. In the present study, a Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique was used to measure twenty oncogenic and tumor suppressor lncRNAs expression levels in whole blood samples of breast cancer patients and normal controls. Blood samples from 30 healthy women and 30 female breast cancer patients were collected. Then cDNA was synthesized from the extracted RNA blood. The expression level of lncRNAs measured and analyzed by LinReg PCR and REST software and the correla­tion between lncRNAs dysregulation and clinical characteristics and prognosis were also analyzed by SPSS software. The comparison between the expression levels of lncRNAs in the blood samples of breast cancer patients compared with healthy individuals revealed that some lncRNAs (MEG3, NBAT1, NKILA, GAS5, EPB41L4A-AS2, ZFAS1, MVIH, Z38, and BC040587) were down regulated. In contrast, other lncRNAs (H19, SPRY4-IT1, UCA1, AC026904.1, CCAT1) were up-regulated, significantly. It was shown that the expression levels of NKILA, NBAT1, and ZFAS1 lncRNAs were related to tumor size, and BC040587expression level related to age, node metastasis, tumor size, and grade (P<0.05). The association between H19 and SPRY4-IT1 lncRNAs with HER-2 was confirmed statistically (P<0.05). Our data highlighted the correlation of BC040587, H19, and SPRY4-IT1 lncRNAs with clinicopathological traits in breast cancer patients suggesting their future applications as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in breast cancer. In conclusion, circulating lncRNAs could consider as the prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer.
Expression of Spred2 in the Urothelial Tumorigenesis of the Urinary Bladder
Authors: Oda Shinsuke , Fujisawa Masayoshi , Chunning Li , Ito Toshihiro , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Yoshimura Teizo , Matsukawa Akihiro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Ras/Raf/ERK-MAPK pathway is involved in the progression of cancer, including urothelial carcinoma; but the negative regulation remains unclear. Here, we investigated pathological expression of Spred2 (Sprouty-related EVH1 domain-containing protein 2), a negative regulator of the Ras/Raf/ERK-MAPK pathway, and the relation to ERK activation and a cell proliferation marker Ki67 index in various categories of 275 urothelial tumors obtained from clinical patients. In situ hybridization demonstrated that Spred2 mRNA was highly expressed in high-grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma (HGPUC) and carcinoma in situ (CIS), and the expression was decreased in invasive urothelial carcinoma (IUC). Immunohistochemically, membranous Spred2 expression, important to interact with Ras/Raf, was preferentially found in HGPUC. Interestingly, membranous Spred2 expression was decreased in CIS and IUC relative to HGPUC, while ERK activation and Ki67 index were increased. HGPUC with membranous Spred2 expression correlated significantly with lower levels of ERK activation and Ki67 index as compared to those with negative Spred2 expression. Thus, our pathological findings suggest that Spred2 negatively regulates cancer progression in non-invasive papillary carcinoma possibly through inhibiting Ras/Raf/ERK-MAPK pathway, but this regulatory mechanism is lost in CIS and IUC. Spred2 appears to be a key regulator in the progression of non-invasive bladder carcinoma.
Assessment of water quality status of hemodialysis treatment plants in Baghdad, Iraq
Authors: Raad Yasamen , Al-Naseri Saadi , Imran Natheer , Jaafar Mahdi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The chemical quality of the water used for dialysis fluid is a crucial factor for patients receiving dialysis. Therefore, strict monitoring of the quality of water is necessary in order to prevent complications and to guarantee the safety and health of patients. The current study aimed to determine the chemical water quality used in hemodialysis treatment plants and compare it to standards of the Association for advancement of medical instrumentation (AAMI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in four hospitals in Baghdad. This cross-sectional study is performed in four seasons in 2019. This research was conducted on samples of dialysis water. Samples were tested by the spectrometry system (AA-7000, Shimadzu, Japan) and colorimeters DR890 for free chlorine. Microsoft 2010 was used for statistical analyses. Based on the results of the research, all concentrations of chemical compounds were within accepted international standards except free chlorine. Also, there were no significant differences between the measured parameters in the dialysis water at four treatment plants during the study period at (P < 0.05). The assessment of water quality hemodialysis showed that these hemodialysis treatment plants were not significantly contaminated and that the quality of the water met the AAMI and ISO standards.
The relationship between the visceral adiposity index and carotid atherosclerosis in different genders and age groups
Authors: Cao Jing , Liu Shengpeng , Yang Q. , Zhang Y. , Huang J. , Zeng Y. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective: We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS) in different genders and age groups in China. Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional study and included 1996 participants who were health examination population .From January 2018 to June 2019, people over 18 years old who had physical examinations were included in the study. Each participant completed a standard questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, ultrasonic examination ,and provided blood samples for biochemical measurements. Regression models were utilized to evaluate the correlation between VAI and the CAS risk. An ROC curve was utilized to predict VAI diagnostic efficacy for carotid atherosclerosis. Result: After adjusting for potential risks, high-VAI subjects had an increased OR of having CAS in women aged>44 years[OR= 3.09,95% Confdence interval (95%CI)=1.64⑶5.82, p <0.001]. In females, the AUC and sensitivity specificity were [(0.595, 76.68% and 39.85%, all females), (0.575, 78.51% and 30.37%, age ≤44), (0.609, 84.71% and 40.46%, age >44). When compared with traditional obesity indices(BMI, WC, and HC) , the predictive ability of VAI was stronger in females >44.The same relationships in males were not signifcant. Conclusions: The VAI were associated with an increased risk of CAS,and it could be selected as new and simple predictors of CAS for middle-aged and elderly women(age >44)in China .
Quantum Phases of Time Order in Many-Body Ground States
Authors: Guo Tie-Cheng , You Li 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Understanding phases of matter is of both fundamental and practical importance. Prior to the widespread appreciation and acceptance of topological order, the paradigm of spontaneous symmetry breaking, formulated along the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson (LGW) dogma, is central to understanding phases associated with order parameters of distinct symmetries and transitions between phases. This work proposes to identify ground state phases of quantum many-body system in terms of time order, which is operationally defined by the appearance of nontrivial temporal structure in the two-time auto-correlation function of a symmetry operator (order parameter). As a special case, the (symmetry protected) time crystalline order phase detects continuous time crystal (CTC). Time order phase diagrams for spin-1 atomic Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) and quantum Rabi model are fully worked out. Besides time crystalline order, the intriguing phase of time functional order is discussed in two non-Hermitian interacting spin models.
MIR31 May Mediate Multiple Biology Processes To Promote Vocal Fold Wound Healing
Authors: Wang Haizhou , Xu Wen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the role of MIR31 in vocal fold wound healing (VFWH) and its possible mechanism. MIR31 expression was studied in rat vocal fold tissue at multiple time points (1, 4, and 8 weeks) after vocal fold injury. Co-expression analysis, pathway analysis, and literature-based network analysis were conducted to explore the possible mechanism underlying the relationship between MIR31 and VFWH. MIR31 expression was significantly elevated after vocal fold injury (p<5.65e-5), which also presented decreased expression in the late stage of VFWH process compared to the early and middle stages (p<5.40e-3). MIR31 also presented strong co-expression with 17 VFWH-significant genes (absolute value of ROH∈(0.63, 0.83)), which were mainly involved in collagen production. Literature-based network analysis showed that MIR31 could suppress two inhibitors (gene SMAD1 and HDAC2) of wound healing and activate one promoter (adenosine triphosphate). MIR31 could also mediate multiple biology processes that were associated with wound healing, including keratinocyte proliferation, collagen production, and inflammation. This study supports a strong association between MIR31 and the process of vocal fold wound healing, which may be related to collagen synthesis and other biological processes that need further study.
Lack of social touch increases anxiety and alters social behaviors in mice
Authors: Ma Yu-Kai , Zeng Pei-Yun , Chu Yu-Hsin , Lee Chih-Lin , Cheng Ching-Chuan , Chen Chen-Hung , Su Yu-Shan , Lin Kai-Ti , Kuo Tsung-Han 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The importance of social interactions has been reported in different animal species. During the pandemic, although people can communicate through other sensory cues, social touch is mostly prohibited under different levels of social distance policies, which inspired us to explore the necessity of physical contact in mouse social interaction. In this study, we first conducted a long-term observation showing that pair-housed mice in a standard laboratory cage spent nearly half the day in direct physical contact with each other. Furthermore, isolation experiments demonstrated that, even with access to other sensations, prevention of social touch for one month significantly induced anxiety levels, changed social behaviors and increased interleukin-6 cytokine in the hippocampus and the serum of mice. Our study demonstrated the necessity of social touch for the maintenance of mental health in mice. This information could have important implications for human social interactions, especially the social policies during a pandemic crisis.
Components of perinatal palliative care: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Dombrecht Laure , Chambaere Kenneth , Beernaert Kim , Roets Ellen , De Keyser Mona De Vilder , De Smet Gaëlle , Roelens Kristien , Cools Filip 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background When a severe diagnosis is made before or shortly after birth, perinatal palliative care can be provided to support the infant, parents and involved healthcare providers. However, since this is a relatively new and evolving field of study, a large variation exists amongst perinatal palliative care initiatives internationally. The field currently lacks a systematic overview of effectiveness and working components of such initiatives.Methods A systematic search will be conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Web of Science. We will include quantitative and qualitative study designs examining the effect of perinatal palliative care compared to regular care provided on pain and/or symptom relief, quality of care for, and quality of life of fetuses/infants, parents, family members and involved healthcare providers; and quantitative and qualitative study designs describing the components of care included in existing perinatal palliative care initiatives. Three independent authors will review titles and abstracts and screen full texts against eligibility criteria. Two standardized scales will be used to assess the quality of included studies: one for quantitative research from the NHS Centre of Reviews and Dissemination guidelines for observational studies and for quantitative research, and one for qualitative research from Hawker critical appraisal tool for evaluating qualitative and mixed research. One reviewer will carry out full data extraction and quality assessment, and a 20% random sample will be extracted and assessed by two independent reviewers. An overview table of all identified perinatal palliative care initiatives, including their components and their (preliminary) effectiveness and measured outcome variables when applicable, will be construed. Our protocol adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) checklist for study protocols.Discussion This systematic review will provide a comprehensive overview of palliative care programs in the perinatal period and their working components. This will aid the construction of a reliable and valid perinatal palliative care intervention with the aim of developing and piloting a Perinatal Palliative Care program within the existing perinatal healthcare setting, in order to provide the best possible care for fetuses and neonates with a life-limiting diagnosis, their families, and involved healthcare providers.
The Management And Outcome of Hyponatraemia Following Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Hussein Ziad , Tzoulis Ploutarchos , Marcus Hani J , Grieve Joan , Dorward Neil , Bouloux Pierre Marc , Baldeweg Stephanie E 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose:Hyponatraemia is a common complication following transsphenoidal surgery. However, there is sparse data on its optimal management and impact on clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management and outcome of hyponatraemia following transsphenoidal surgery.Methods:A prospectively maintained database was searched over a 4-year period between January 2016 and December 2019, to identify all patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery. A retrospective case-note review was performed to extract data on hyponatraemia management and outcome. Results: Hyponatraemia occurred in 162 patients (162/670; 24.2%) with a median age of 56 years. Female gender and younger age were associated with hyponatraemia, with mean nadir sodium being 128.6 mmol/L on postoperative day 7. Hyponatraemic patients had longer hospital stay than normonatraemic group with nadir sodium being inversely associated with length of stay (p <0.001). In patients with serum sodium ≤132 mmol/L, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) was the commonest cause (80/111; 72%). Among 76 patients treated with fluid restriction as a monotherapy, 25 patients (25/76; 32.9%) did not achieve a rise in sodium after three days of treatment. Readmission with hyponatraemia occurred in 11 cases (11/162; 6.8%) at a median interval of 9 days after operation.Conclusion:Hyponatraemia is a relatively common occurrence following transsphenoidal surgery, is associated with longer hospital stay and risk of readmission, and the effectiveness of fluid restriction is limited. These findings highlight the need for further studies to better identify and treat high-risk patients, including the use of AVP receptor antagonists.
Environmental Risk Assessment of Drugs in Tropical Freshwaters Using Ceriodaphnia Silvestrii as Test Organism
Authors: Caldas Lucas Lopes , Espíndola Evaldo , Moreira Raquel , Novelli Andrea 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The identification of drugs in aquatic environments, particularly in surface waters, has generated concerns about their potential toxic effects on the aquatic biota. In this study we evaluated the acute (immobility) and chronic (survival and reproduction) effects of the drugs caffeine, diclofenac sodium salt, ketoprofen, paracetamol and salicylic acid on the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia silvestrii. The environmental risks of these substances for tropical freshwaters were estimated from the risk quotient MEC/PNEC. Sensitivity in acute exposures varied up on the drug as follows: salicylic acid (EC50 = 69.15 mg L− 1) < caffeine (EC50 = 45.94 mg L− 1) < paracetamol (EC50 = 34.49 mg L− 1) < ketoprofen (EC50 = 24.84 mg L− 1) < diclofenac sodium salt (EC50 = 14.59 mg L− 1). Chronic toxicity data showed negative effects of the drugs on reproduction. Paracetamol and salicylic acid caused reduction in fecundity in concentrations starting from 10 mg L− 1 and 35 mg L− 1, respectively. Ketoprofen caused total inhibition at 5 mg L− 1. MEC/PNEC values were relatively low for all drugs. The risk was estimated as low or insignificant, except for caffeine, whose MEC/PNEC value was greater than 1 (moderate risk). Although the concentrations of the drugs that showed a toxic effect on C. silvestrii are still above the detected in the aquatic environment, long-term exposures and the evaluation of other endpoints, may result in potential environmental risks, therefore, they need to be studied. This knowledge is important, as up to now there are neither established limit values or guidelines to control the elimination of drugs in freshwater in Brazil and other countries in tropical regions.
Inducible 70kDa Heat Shock Protein and Autophagy-related Protein P62 Levels in Women With Breast Cancer: an Exploratory Investigation
Authors: Orfanelli Theofano , Giannopoulos Spyridon , Zografos Eleni , Athanasiou Aikaterini , Bongiovanni Ann Marie , Doulaveris Georgios , Moo Tracy-Ann , LaPolla Dayle , Bakoyiannis Chris , Theodoropoulos Georgios , Zografos Georgios , Andreopoulou Eleni , Witkin Steven 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) respond to altered physiological conditions to alleviate the threat. The inducible 70kDa heat shock protein (HSPA1A) protects proteins from degradation. Autophagy is an intracellular process that removes damaged proteins and recycles their components to the cytoplasm. Sequestosome-1 (p62) is a protein consumed during autophagy. We hypothesized that the PBMC response to a malignant breast mass involves elevated production of HSPA1A and a decrease in intracellular p62.Methods: In this study 46 women had their breast mass excised. PBMCs were isolated and intracellular levels of HSPA1A and p62 were quantitated by ELISA. Differences between women with a benign or malignant breast mass were determined. Results: A breast malignancy was diagnosed in 38 women (82.6%) while 8 had a benign lesion. Mean intracellular HSPA1A levels were 79.3 ng/ml in PBMCs from women with a malignant lesion and 44.2 ng/ml in controls (p=0.04). The mean PBMC p62 level was 2.3 ng/ml in women with a benign breast lesion as opposed to 0.6 ng/ml in those with breast cancer (p<0.001). Mean p62 levels were also lower in women with invasive carcinoma and a positive lymph node biopsy when compared to those with in-situ carcinoma or absence of lymphadenopathy, respectively. Conclusion: Intracellular HSPA1A and p62 levels in PBMCs differ between women with a malignant or benign breast lesion. These measurements may be of value in the preoperative triage of women with a breast mass.
Meningitis, Meningoencephalitis and Encephalitis in Bern: an observational study of 258 patients
Authors: Ungureanu Anamaria , Meer Julia Van der , Bicvic Antonela , Abbuehl Lena S , Chiffi Gabriele , Jaques Léonore , Suter-Riniker Franziska , Leib Stephen L , Bassetti Claudio LA , Dietmann Anelia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Depending on geographic location causes of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and meningitis vary substantially. We aimed to identify most frequent causes, clinical presentation as well as long-term outcome of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis and meningitis cases treated in the Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
Methods
In this monocentric, observational retro- and prospective cohort study, we performed a retrospective review of clinical patient records for all patients treated during 3 years. Patients were contacted prospectively for a telephone follow-up interview and to fill out questionnaires, especially related disturbances of sleep and wakefulness.
Results
We included 258 patients: encephalitis (18%), non-bacterial meningoencephalitis (42%), non-bacterial meningitis (27%) and bacterial meningoencephalitis/meningitis (13%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was the most frequent cause of encephalitis (18%), tick borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) of non-bacterial meningoencephalitis (46%), enterovirus of non-bacterial meningitis (21%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae of bacterial meningoencephalitis/meningitis (49%). Overall, 35% patients remained without known cause. After a median time of 16 months, 162 patients participated in the follow-up interview, thereof 56% indicated to suffer from neurological long-term sequels such as fatigue and/or excessive daytime sleepiness (34%), cognitive impairment and memory deficits (22%), headache (14%) and epileptic seizures (11%).
Conclusions
In the largest tertiary care University hospital in Switzerland TBEV was the overall most frequently detected infectious cause, with a clinical manifestation of meningoencephalitis in the majority of cases. Long-term neurological sequels, most importantly cognitive impairment, fatigue and headache were frequently self-reported not only in encephalitis and meningoencephalitis but also viral meningitis survivors up to 40 months after the acute infection.
MicroRNAs as biomarkers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a scoping review
Authors: Visacri Marília Berlofa , Nicoletti Aline de Souza , Pincinato Eder de Carvalho , Moriel Patricia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus which was identified as the infectious agent responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can be potential biomarkers of several diseases. The aim of this scoping review was to identify which miRNAs could be biomarkers of COVID-19 and their roles. Methods. A literature search was performed based on PubMed, PubMed Central, BVS/BIREME, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published until January 28th, 2021. Animal and human studies that described miRNAs as biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 infection/COVID-19 were included. Studies with a purely computational approach were excluded. Results. A total of 1,797 records were identified, seven of which met the eligibility criteria. Six studies were conducted in humans (samples derived from blood) and one was performed in an animal model (lung tissue). The most important miRNAs identified were miR-195-5p, miR-618, miR-146a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-155, miR-208a, miR-499, miR-103a-2-5p, miR-200c-3p, miR-2115-3p, and members of the let-7 family. Among these miRNAs, miR-146a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-15b-5p, and members of the let-7 family may be important as they were deregulated in more than one study. Dysregulated miRNAs appear to play key roles in viral replication, proliferation of infected cells, immune response, inflammation, or cardiovascular dysfunction. Conclusion. MiRNAs may be used as potential diagnostic or severity biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, biomarkers of T-cell immune response, and as therapeutic targets of COVID-19. Further studies are required to investigate and validate the role of miRNAs as biomarkers of COVID-19.