bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dysfunction of Apoptosis and Autophagy Correlates with Local Recurrence in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Definitive Chemoradiation
Authors: Qiu Hu , Song Haixia , Luo Man , Ke Shaobo , Shi Wei , Chen Jiamei , Zhao Wensi , Luo Hesheng , Chen Yongshun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is one of the standard treatments for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but local recurrence is the main cause of treatment failure. The changes in apoptosis and autophagy in recurrent tumors of patients with ESCC following dCRT have been poorly estimated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the expressions of key regulators of apoptosis and autophagy in matched paired samples of primary and recurrent ESCC. Methods: The medical records of patients with locally advanced ESCC who developed local recurrence after dCRT were reviewed, and the expression profiling of apoptosis-related genes, cell apoptosis, autophagy and autophagy-related proteins were detected in normal esophageal squamous epithelium and paired samples of primary and recurrent ESCC.Results: A total of 126 patients were enrolled, and 52.4% of them had stage III disease. The 1-, 3- and 5-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rates were 54.8, 19.8 and 14.3%, respectively, with a median LRFS of 13.0 months. Patients with T2 tumor or stage II disease showed a significantly prolonged LRFS compared with that of patients with T3-4 tumor or stage III disease. The Apoptotic Machinery key genes expression profiling identified 5 upregulated and 7 downregulated apoptosis-related genes in recurrent tumors compared with their expression levels in the matched primary ESCC tumors. High expression of CD40, TRAF4 and BCL2A1, and low expression of CARD6 and TNFRSF21 were associated with increased risk of early local recurrence after dCRT. No differences in apoptotic index between primary and recurrent samples were detected. However, typical morphological features of autophagosomes and elevated LC3-II protein expression were detected in recurrent tumor samples, and positive LC3-II expression was correlated with increased risk of early local recurrence.Conclussion: Our findings indicated that apoptosis and autophagy dysfunction correlated with early local recurrence in patients with locally advanced ESCC receiving dCRT. Further studies are necessary to understand the biology of tumor recurrence in esophageal cancer.
East Asian Summer Monsoon Precipitation Response to Variations in Upstream Westerly Wind
Authors: Son Jun-Hyeok , Seo Kyong-Hwan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
From spring to summer, the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) rainband migrates northwestward. During summer, East Asian countries experience extensive precipitation due to the EASM rainband, but the springtime monsoon rainband lies over the Pacific. The seasonal evolution of the EASM rainband is influenced by the mechanical effect of the Tibetan Plateau, and seasonal changes in the westerly wind speeds impinging on the Tibetan Plateau are a key driver of this process. In this study, using interannual variability of the upstream zonal wind speed, the dynamical mechanism for the interannual variations of the EASM precipitation is revealed based on the topographically forced stationary Rossby wave theory. The dynamical mechanism regulating interannual variability in the EASM rainband is essentially the same mechanism that drives the seasonal evolution of the climatological EASM rainband. If the westerly winds impinging on the Tibetan Plateau are stronger (weaker) than average, then the EASM rainband shifts eastward (westward). Large variations in the upstream westerly wind during May induced considerable interannual variation in the zonal location of the rainband (up to a 20–30º shift). The westerly wind speed exhibited less variations in June and July, resulting in a smaller zonal shift of approximately 10º.
The Study of Key Tongue Features for Prediabetes Risk and Diabetes Risk using Principal Component Analysis and Logistic Regression
Authors: Li Jun , Li Jiacai , Hu Xiaojuan , Tu Liping , Shi Yulin , Bi Zijuan , Zhou Changle , Cui Ji , Xu Jiatuo 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Carrying out routine diabetes risk assessment and prediction is conducive to controlling the incidence of diabetes. Previous studies have confirmed that tongue features can reflect changes in glucose metabolism. We want to find the key tongue features related to glucose metabolism for early warning of prediabetes and diabetes. This will benefit the prevention and control of diabetes.Methods: We investigated 719 subjects in Shuguang Hospital affiliated with Shanghai University of TCM in Shanghai, China, during the August 2018 – December 2019 period. We used PCA to reconstruct 25 new features on the basis of the original features, and used logistic regression to analyze these new features. Based on the factor loading method, we associate the new features with the original features. Finally, we determined the key tongue features and change patterns related to prediabetes risk and diabetes risk.Results: For the prediabetes, TB-ASM, TC-ASM and TB-Cr are protective factors. TB-CON, TC-CON, TB-MEAN, TC-MEAN, TB-ENT and TC-ENT are risk factors. For the diabetes, TB-a, TB-S, TB-Cr, TB-b and TC-b are protective factors, and Per-all and TB-Cb are risk factors. Conclusion: The PCA eliminates the redundancy of original features and refines the original features. The PCA combined with logistic regression found the key tongue features reflecting glucose metabolism, and clarified the significance of the changes in these tongue features in the prediabetes and diabetes population. This study provides a research foundation for using tongue features to implement early warning of diabetes risk.
Factors Influencing the Degree of Physician-pharmacists Collaboration within governmental Hospitals of Jigjiga Town, Ethiopia
Authors: Gemmechu Workineh Diriba , Eticha Endalkachew Mekonnen 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Inter-professional collaboration can improve medication safety, patient outcome and minimize healthcare costs. This study aimed to explore the degree of collaboration and factors influencing collaboration between the physicians and pharmacists within the public hospitals of Jigjiga town, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 149 participants in the two governmental hospitals of the Jigjiga town with a response rate of 79.87%. The collaborative working relationship model and the physician-pharmacist collaborative instrument with three main exchange domains (trustworthiness, role specification, and relationship initiation) and collaborative care items were used. An independent sample t-test was used to compute the differences of the mean scores of physician-pharmacist collaborative instrument domains and collaborative care. Separate multiple regression was employed to assess factors influencing collaborative care for pharmacists and physicians. Results: This study showed that pharmacists reported higher mean of collaborative care (10.66 ± 4.75) than physicians (9.17 ± 3.92). The multiple regression indicated that area of practice influence both professionals’ collaborative practice. A significant association between collaborative care and the two PPCI domains (trustworthiness and relationship initiation for the physicians; role specification and relationship initiation for pharmacists) was established. Conclusion: The study showed that the collaboration between the physicians and pharmacists was sub-optimal and the exchange variables had a significant influence on their collaboration.
Performance Evaluation of a PET Insert for Preclinical MRI in Standalone PET and Simultaneous PET-MRI Modes
Authors: Emvalomenos Gaelle , Trajanovska Sofie , Pham Binh T.T. , Doughty Peter , Burnet Jerome , Smith Isabelle , Garipov Ruslan , Gregoire Marie-Claude , Sunn Nana , McGrath John , Meikle Steven Richard 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a preclinical PET insert in three configurations: as a standalone unit outside the MRI bore, inside the bore of a cryogen-free 3T MRI and, finally, while performing simultaneous PET/MRI studies.Methods: The PET insert consists of 2 rings of 6 detectors, each detector comprising 8x12 SiPMs reading out dual offset layers of pixelated LYSO crystals with a 1.4mm pitch. The inner diameter is 60mm, transaxial Field of View (FoV) 40mm and axial FoV 98mm. Evaluation was based on NEMA NU 4-2008 guidelines with appropriate modifications. Spatial resolution and sensitivity were measured inside and outside the MR bore. Image quality, count rate and quantitative performance were measured in all three configurations. The effect of temperature stability on PET sensitivity during fast spin echo sequences was also evaluated. B0 field homogeneity, T1 and T2 relaxation times were measured using a water-filled phantom, with and without simultaneous PET operation. Finally, PET and MRI scans of a mouse injected with 10 MBq [18F]NaF and a mouse injected with 16 MBq [18F]FDG were performed in sequential and simultaneous modes. Results: Peak absolute sensitivity was 10.15% with an energy window of 250-750 keV. Absolute sensitivity values outside and inside the MR bore with MR idle agreed to within 0.1%. Outside the MR bore spatial resolution was 1.21/1.59 mm FWHM (radial/tangential) 5mm from the centre of the FoV which compared well with 1.19/1.26mm FWHM inside the MR bore. There were no substantial differences between all three scan configurations in terms of peak NEC rate (175 kcps at 17MBq), scatter or random fractions. Uniformity and recovery coefficients were also consistent between scanning modes. B0 field homogeneity and T1 and T2 relaxation times were unaltered by the presence of the PET insert. No significant differences were observed between sequential and simultaneous scans of the animals.Conclusion: We conclude that performance of the PET insert and MRI system are not significantly affected by scanning mode.
Water Quality, Soil Characteristics and Vegetation Diversity Along Effluent-dominated Rivers in Western Rajasthan, India
Authors: Singh Genda , Nagora P.R. , Haksar Parul , Mishra Deepak 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This study aimed at analysing water quality of effluent-dominated seasonal rivers and its impacts on soil and vegetation. Effluent-inflicted, river-edge and non-polluted areas were selected at 5 places along Luni, Bandi and Jojari rivers in western Rajasthan. Water of rivers exhibited high pH (7.6-8.6), electrical conductivity (EC 2.45-38.3 dSm-1), total dissolved and suspended solids, alkalinity and Na (1.50-30.00 gL-1), K, Ca and Mn (25.2-2439.3 µgL-1) concentrations and low NH4-N (1.08-20.69 mgL-1), NO3-N (0.44-9.10 mgL-1) and PO4-P (3.10-13.40 mgL-1). Most variables were highest for Luni and lowest for Bandi River. Cu, Co, Se, Cd and Pb concentrations were <180 µgL-1. Soil pH, EC and PO4-P were highest along Bandi, whereas NH4-N, NO3-N and K were highest along Jojari River in both 0-30 and 30-60 cm soil layers. Effluent-inflicted soils exhibited high pH, EC and PO4-P, whereas non-polluted soils showed high NH4-N, NO3-N and K availability. These soil variables decreased downstream. Plant species number ranged between 34 along Luni and 20 along Jojari (total 10 trees, 10 shrubs and 29 herbaceous). Species richness (R) and diversity (H’) of trees were highest along Bandi. Shrubs and herbaceous R, H’ and evenness (e’) were high along Luni. Least diverse vegetation was along Jojari. Non-polluted area exhibited high tree R and H’, whereas river-edge showed high herbaceous R and H’. Effluent-inflicted area showed high salts and low diversity, but dominated by Aeluropus lagopoides, Paspalum virgatum, Phragmites karka, Tamarix ericoides, etc., which can be used in restoring such degraded urban areas.
Case Report: A 46-Year-Old Man With Giant Pseudoaneurysm of the Left Superficial Femoral Artery
Authors: Deng Jianying , Du Junjie 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Pseudoaneurysm is a complication caused by vascular injury, which is more common in firearm injuries, stab wounds, iatrogenic injuries, etc. Clinically, femoral pseudo-artery caused by intravenous drug abuse is not uncommon, but giant pseudoaneurysms are relatively rare. Case presentation: A 46-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of a pulsating mass in the left groin, which was aggravated with pain for 3 days. The patient has a history of intravenous drug use for more than half a year. Six months ago, the patient found a lump in the left groin, and no special treatment was given.Three days ago, the mass in the patient's left groin suddenly enlarged with severe pain. The patient then came to our hospital for treatment, and ultrasound revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the left femoral artery.CTA of the lower extremity arteries suggested a huge pseudoaneurysm in the left femoral artery. To avoid the rupture of the huge pseudoaneurysm of the left superficial femoral artery, we implemented emergency interventional surgery. The operation was successful and the patient recovered well after the operation.Conclusions: In order to avoid the rupture of a huge pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery, emergency interventional surgery is an option. However, considering that pseudoaneurysms caused by intravenous drug abuse are often associated with fungal infections, surgery is still the best choice.
Investigation on Granular Medium Forming Formability of TA1 Titanium Alloy Cylinder-Shaped Parts
Authors: Hu Biao , Cai Gaoshen , Fu Jubo , Xin Yanxi , Liu Kangning , Lang Lihui 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In order to investigate the formability of the granular medium forming (GMF), based on the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model with the tri-axial compression test of granular medium and the true stress-strain curves of TA1 titanium alloy from uniaxial tensile tests, the numerical simulation of TA1 titanium alloy sheet deep drawing with finite element method was performed, and the deep drawing tests were also carried out. Simulation analysis and test results show that the GMF process is suitable for titanium alloy sheets, and can effectively improve the uniformity of the wall thickness of the formed parts, reduce the tendency of wrinkles and improve the forming quality.
Oryeongsan (Wulingsan) Ameliorates Impaired ANP Secretion of Atria from Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Kim Hye Yoom , Ahn You Mee , Na Se Won , Jang Youn Jae , Kang Dae Gill , Lee Ho Sub , Cho Kyung Woo 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Oryeongsan (ORS), a herbal medicine formula, has long been used for the treatment of impaired body water balance in Asian countries. Recently, it was shown that ORS modulates the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Purpose of the present study was to determine characteristics of atrial ANP secretion and effects of ORS on the secretion in the atria from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: WKY-V treated with vehicle, SHR groups treated with vehicle (SHR-V), ORS (SHR-ORS), and losartan as a positive control (SHR-LOS). Experiments were performed in perfused beating atria (1.3 Hz) allowing atrial distension, acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation, and serial collection of atrial perfusates. The secreted ANP concentration was measured using radioimmunoassay. Interstitial fluid (ISF) translocation was measured using [3H]inulin clearance. Results: Stepwise increase in atrial distension by 1.1, 2.0, and 2.7 cmH2O above basal distension further increased ANP secretion proportionally in the atria from WKY-V, but the response was significantly suppressed in the atria from SHR-V. Cardiomyocyte ANP release, the first step of atrial ANP secretion, was suppressed in the atria from SHR-V compared to those from WKY-V (-8.02 ± 2.86, -15.86 ± 2.27, and -20.09 ± 3.62%; n = 8, vs. 8.59 ± 2.81, 15.65 ± 7.14, and 38.12 ± 8.28%; n = 8; p < 0.001 for all stepwise distension, respectively). Subacute treatment with ORS reversed the suppressed ANP release in atria from SHR-ORS (6.76 ± 3.92, 9.12 ± 2.85, and 28.79 ± 1.79% for SHR-ORS; n = 5 vs. SHR-V; n = 8; p = 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The effects of ORS were comparable to those of losartan. ISF translocation was not significantly different between groups except SHR-V. ACh-induced ANP secretion and cardiomyocyte ANP release were also suppressed in the atria from SHR-V and ORS reversed the suppression. These findings were accompanied with accentuation of the AT1 receptor expression and suppression of the AT2/Mas receptor, M2 mACh receptor and GIRK4 expression in the atria from SHR-V. Further, treatment with ORS or losartan reversed the expressions. Conclusions: These results show that ANP secretion is suppressed in the atria from SHR in association with accentuation of AT1 receptor and suppression of AT2/Mas receptor and KACh channel expression. ORS ameliorates impaired ANP secretion through improving cardiomyocyte ANP release with modulation of the cardiac RAS and muscarinic signaling. These findings provide experimental evidence which supports the role of ORS in the regulation of atrial ANP secretion in the atria from SHR.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Rubella in Beijing Haidian District of China, 2005 - 2020
Authors: Yu Susu , Peng Xinyue , Wu Fan , Yang Jiani , Zhou Cheng , Zhang Luyun , Lin Hui , Wei Zhisheng , Zhang Wenjuan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of rubella in Beijing Haidian District of China, from 2005 to 2020, providing scientific basis for controlling the prevalence of rubella and the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Methods: Data were collected via the legal infectious disease report cards from medical institutions in Beijing Haidian District during 2005 to 2020. The descriptive epidemiological methods plus statistic analysis were used to analyze the distribution of rubella in terms of population, time and region. Results: In total, there were 994 cases of rubella in Beijing Haidian District, with an average annual incidence of 1.81/100,000 population. The majority of patients were at the age from 15 to 29 years old, accounting for 63.4%. And the sex ratio of male-to-female was 1.45:1. The rubella had a feature of spatial aggregation and appeared in all the regions in Haidian District. In 2007, Haidian District was hitted by rubella with the highest incidence up to 8.37/100,000, in the past 16 years. The peak incident of rubella was in May of that year, accounting for 74.8%. The majority of rubella patients were students and employees (70.1%) mainly due to the gathering. According to Joinpoint regression model, rubella would still exist in the next three years with 2-5 new cases per year. Conclusions: The number of rubella in Haidian District showed a downshift trend from 2008 to 2014 and then a sporadic distribution till 2020. Yet this disease was not completely eliminated, it is quite impending to improve the awareness of rubella and their health literacy mentally and physically in the whole population by means of the policy issuing from government.
Somatostatin Analogs in Patients with Zollinger Ellison Syndrome (ZES): An Observational Study
Authors: Massironi Sara , Cavalcoli Federica , Peracchi Maddalena , Elvevi Alessandra , Quatrini Maurizio , Invernizzi Pietro 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
PURPOSE: Zollinger Ellison syndrome (ZES) is a rare syndrome caused by gastrin hypersecretion from a gastrinoma. Gastrinoma treatment has two goals: the control of the gastrin-excess state and the control of tumor growth. While therapy for the syndrome is univocally based on proton pump inhibitors, the one for disease control is still debated. We here aimed at evaluating the role of SSAs in the control of tumor progression in a series of ZES patients.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of ZES patients, followed and managed from 1990 to 2019, was performed. The patients' clinical, pathological, treatment, and follow-up data were analyzed. Data regarding SSAs therapy start, dosage, duration, and side effects were collected.RESULTS: 33 patients with ZES were diagnosed. Fourteen patients (42%) had a G1 NEN, five had G2 (15%), none had G3. Fifteen patients (45%) had metastatic disease. Overall, 12 (36%) underwent SSAs therapy. The median treatment duration was 36 months. Eight patients (67%) had a sustained response to SSA, four (33%) showed an early progression, with a significant difference in terms of PFS between the two groups (84 vs 2 months, p=0.004). No differences in terms of OS and PFS were observed between the two groups, despite the proportion of metastatic patients was greater in the SSA-treated group (75% vs 29% in the non-treated group, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Present data support the use of SSAs in ZES, considering that gastrinoma is mainly a well-differentiated low-grade tumor (G1 or G2), with a high expression of somatostatin receptors.
MCMV based vaccine vectors expressing full-length viral proteins provide long-term humoral immune protection upon a single-shot vaccination
Authors: Cicin-Sain Luka , Kim Yeonsu , Zheng Xiaoyan , Eschke Kathrin , Chaudhry M. Zeeshan , Bertoglio Federico , Tomic Adriana , Hoffmann Markus , Bar-On Yotam , Boehme Julia , Bruder Dunja , Ebensen Thomas , Brunotte Linda , Ludwig Stephan , Messerle Martin , Guzmán Carlos , Mandelboim Ofer , Hust Michael , Pöhlmann Stefan , Jonjic Stipan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Global pandemics by influenza or coronaviruses cause severe disruptions to the public health and lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Vaccines against these pathogens remain a medical need. CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a β-herpesvirus that induces uniquely robust immune responses, where outstandingly large populations of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells are maintained for a lifetime. Hence, CMV has been proposed and investigated as a novel vaccine vector expressing antigenic peptides or proteins to elicit protective cellular immune responses against numerous pathogens. We generated two recombinant murine CMV (MCMV) vaccine vectors expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus (MCMVHA) or the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (MCMVS). A single shot of MCMVs expressing either viral protein induced potent neutralizing antibody responses, which strengthened over time. Importantly, MCMVHA vaccinated mice were protected from illness following challenge with the influenza virus, and we excluded that this protection was due to effects of memory T cells. Conclusively, we show here that MCMV vectors do not only induce long-term cellular immunity, but also humoral responses that provide long-term immune protection against clinically relevant respiratory pathogens.