bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glioma-associated microglia/macrophages augment tumorigenicity in canine astrocytoma, a naturally occurring model of human glioma
Authors: Toedebusch Ryan , Grodzki Ana Cristina , Dickinson Peter J , Woolard Kevin , Vinson Nicole , Sturges Beverly , Snyder John , Li Chai-Fei , Nagasaka Ori , Consales Blaire , Vernau Karen , Knipe Marguerite , Murthy Vishal , Lein Pamela J , Toedebusch Christine M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
Glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) markedly influence glioma progression. Under the influence of transforming growth factor beta (TGFB), GAMs are polarized toward a tumor-supportive phenotype. However, neither therapeutic targeting of GAM recruitment nor TGFB signaling demonstrated efficacy in glioma patients despite efficacy in preclinical models, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the TGFB/GAM axis. Spontaneously occurring canine gliomas share many features with human glioma and provide a complementary translational animal model for further study. Given the importance of GAM and TGFB in human glioma, the aims of this study were to further define the GAM-associated molecular profile and the relevance of TGFB signaling in canine glioma that may serve as the basis for future translational studies.

Methods
GAM morphometry, levels of GAM-associated molecules, and the canonical TGFB signaling axis were compared in archived samples of canine astrocytomas versus normal canine brain. Furthermore, the effect of TGFB on the malignant phenotype of canine astrocytoma cells was evaluated.

Results
GAMs diffusely infiltrated canine astrocytomas. GAM density was increased in high-grade tumors that correlated with a pro-tumorigenic molecular signature and upregulation of the canonical TGFB signaling axis. Moreover, TGFB1 enhanced the migration of canine astrocytoma cells in vitro.

Conclusions
Canine astrocytomas share a similar GAM-associated immune landscape with human adult glioma. Our data also support a contributing role for TGFB1 signaling in the malignant phenotype of canine astrocytoma. These data further support naturally occurring canine glioma as a valid model for the investigation of GAM-associated therapeutic strategies for human malignant glioma.
Rejuvenation remodels transcriptional network to improve rhizogenesis in mature Juglans tree
Authors: Song Xiaobo , Liu Hao , Bu Dechao , Xu Huzhi , Ma Qingguo , Pei Dong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Adventitious rooting of walnut species (Juglans L.) is known to be rather difficult, especially for mature trees. The adventitious root formation (ARF) capacities of mature trees can be significantly improved by rejuvenation. However, the underlying gene regulatory networks (GRNs) of rejuvenation remain largely unknown. To characterize such regulatory networks, we carried out the transcriptomic study using RNA samples of the cambia and peripheral tissues on the bottom of rejuvenated and mature walnut (Juglans hindsii × J. regia) cuttings during the ARF. The RNA sequencing data suggested that zeatin biosynthesis, energy metabolism and substance metabolism were activated by rejuvenation, whereas photosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis and the synthesis pathways for secondary metabolites were inhibited. The inter- and intra-module GRNs were constructed using differentially expressed genes. We identified 35 hub genes involved in five modules associated with ARF. Among these hub genes, particularly, beta-glucosidase-like (BGLs) family members involved in auxin metabolism were overexpressed at the early stage of the ARF. Furthermore, BGL12 from the cuttings of Juglans was overexpressed in Populus alba × P. glandulosa. Accelerated ARF and increased number of ARs were observed in the transgenic poplars. These results provide a high-resolution atlas of gene activity during ARF and help to uncover the regulatory modules associated with the ARF promoted by rejuvenation.
Cranial skeletogenesis of one of the largest amphibians, Andrias japonicus, provides insight into ontogenetic adaptations for feeding in salamanders
Authors: Ishikawa Kaoru , Taguchi Yuki , Kobayashi Ryomei , Anzai Wataru , Hayashi Toshinori , Tokita Masayoshi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Skeletal development in salamanders is greatly influenced by their complex life history. Although the relationship between skull development and life history has been investigated in a variety of salamander species, few studies have compared skull development among lineages. Here, we describe the cranial skeletogenesis of the Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus (family Cryptobranchidae), for the first time. To conduct interspecific comparisons, we also describe the cranial skeletogenesis of Hynobius nebulosus (Hynobiidae), Pleurodeles waltl (Salamandridae) and Ambystoma mexicanum (Ambystomatidae). Our comparative analyses reveal interspecific differences in cranial skeletogenesis, particularly in the timing of the onset of ossification, the direction of ossification (e.g. from anterior to posterior) and the ossification pattern of the hyobranchial skeleton. The early onset of jaw ossification, posterior extension of the maxilla and posterolateral inclination of the squamosal in An. japonicus might be adaptations that allow An. japonicus to gulp feed, primarily using the suction force generated by opening the mouth wide, while also supplementing that force by depressing the hyobranchial skeleton. Multivariate regression of skull shape on log10-transformed centroid size revealed that the unique skull shape of adult and subadult An. japonicus forms through hypermorphosis.
Central pain modulatory mechanisms of attentional analgesia are preserved in fibromyalgia
Authors: Oliva Valeria , Gregory Robert , Brooks Jonathan C.W. , Pickering Anthony E. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a prevalent pain condition that is associated with cognitive impairments including in attention, memory, and executive processing. It has been proposed that fibromyalgia may be caused by altered central pain processing characterised by a loss of endogenous pain modulation. We tested whether attentional analgesia, where cognitive engagement diminishes pain percept, was attenuated in patients with fibromyalgia (n = 20) compared with matched healthy controls (n = 20). An individually calibrated, attentional analgesia paradigm with a 2 × 2 factorial design was used with brain and brainstem-focussed functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with fibromyalgia had both lower heat pain thresholds and speeds in a visual attention task. When this was taken into account for both attentional task and thermal stimulation, both groups exhibited an equivalent degree of attentional analgesia. Functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis showed similar patterns of activation in the main effects of pain and attention in the brain and brainstem (with the sole exceptions of increased activation in the control group in the frontopolar cortex and the ipsilateral locus coeruleus). The attentional analgesic effect correlated with activity in the periaqueductal gray and rostral ventromedial medulla. These findings indicate that patients with fibromyalgia can engage the descending pain modulatory system if the attentional task and noxious stimulus intensity are appropriately titrated.
Implementation of an educational program for pancreaticoduodenectomy in a university hospital: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Satoi Sohei , Yamamoto Tomohisa , Yamaki So , Hirooka Satoshi , Hashimoto Daisuke , Sakaguchi Tatsuma , Ryota Hironori , Yui Rintaro , Sakuramoto Kazuto , Matsushima Hideyuki , Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Toyokawa Hideyoshi , Michiura Taku , Inoue Kentaro , Sekimoto Mitsugu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objective:
No ideal training system exists for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We developed an educational system that uses an objective structured assessment of technical skills.

Methods:
This retrospective observational study was conducted using the data of consecutive trainees and patients who underwent PD from 2007 to 2013 in Kansai Medical University Hospital. The total score on the task checklist (21 parameters) for measuring technical performance during PD by self assessment and instructor assessment was compared between junior (JN) and hepatobiliary pancreatic (HBP) trainees at a university hospital. Surgical outcomes of 303 PDs (2007–2013) were also compared among JN trainees, HBP trainees, and instructors, and the present position of the trainees was investigated. This study was approved by the institutional review board of Kansai Medical University on May 26, 2020.

Results:
The self-assessment score on the task checklist was significantly higher for the HBP trainees than for the JN trainees on all parts of PD (P < .001). The discrepancy between self-assessment and instructor assessment improved in 3 JN trainees after experience with the first 5 PDs. Although total score curves rose to the right in the JN group, scores in the HBP group were stable, at 70 or higher, which correlated with the instructor assessment. The 90-day and 30-day mortality rates were 1.6% and 0.3%, respectively. Mortality and morbidity after PD did not differ between the JN and HBP trainees or between the instructors and the trainees. Four of 10 trainees became board-certified expert surgeons of the Japanese Society of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery.

Conclusion:
These results indicated good construct validity of the task checklist system. This program was safely and effectively implemented in terms of surgical outcomes and final outcomes of trainees becoming board-certified expert surgeons.
Clinical Diagnosis of Central Vertigo in Patients With Dizziness in Emergency Practice
Authors: Umibe Akiko , Kitahara Tadashi , Aoki Satoshi , Suzuki Yumi , Tochigi Kosuke , Miyashita Keisuke , Ihara Kanako , Inoue Yukari , Anazawa Utaro , Akiyoshi Ryohei , Nishijima Yoshikata , Omura Kazuhiro , Tanaka Yasuhiro 
Published: May 2021

Background:
Life-threatening diseases should be promptly identified to provide appropriate medical care for emergency outpatients experiencing dizziness. However, dizziness is associated with various medical conditions; thus, a definitive diagnosis is challenging. To accurately diagnose vertigo in an emergency outpatient, we conducted a survey on the need to identify vertigo patients in the current outpatient departments.

Materials and Methods:
The participants included 509 patients who visited the outpatient department at our hospital from February 2014 to May 2017. Overall, 12 characteristics were retrospectively extracted from the patients’ medical records: age, sex, visit method, medical history (diabetes, hypertension, cardiac, or cerebrovascular disease), dizziness history, vertigo characteristics, concomitant symptoms, systolic blood pressure, nystagmus, imaging history, diagnosis, and hospitalization department. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors related to central vertigo.

Results:
The diagnosis of central vertigo was confirmed when intracranial lesions were detected through imaging. In multivariate analysis, the presence/absence of a history of headache and cardiovascular disease were significantly correlated with central vertigo (P=0.002 and 0.006, respectively), with odds ratios of 5.18 and 4.38, respectively.

Conclusions:
To avoid missing central dizziness in a patient, diagnostic abilities should be improved by including careful interviews and confirmation of the presence/absence of accompanying symptoms. Furthermore, collaboration with neurology and neurosurgery departments is important for improving the diagnosis in suspected cases.
Changes in English NHS outpatient activity during the early Covid-19 period
Authors: Morris Jessica , Georghiou Theo , Appleby John 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo describe changes in NHS outpatient activity connected to the Covid-19 pandemicDesignNationwide population-based retrospective studySettingEngland, UK, 31 December 2018 to 25 October 2020Data sourceOutpatient Hospital Episode Statistics dataResultsBetween early March and late October 2020, there was a total reduction of 16.6 million outpatient attendances compared to the same period in 2019, equivalent to a 27% decline. The largest weekly drop of 48% relative to 2019 occurred the week beginning 30 March. Activity recovered more slowly than it fell, and by the end of the study period remained 16% lower than the equivalent week in 2019. Changes in patterns of attendances were broadly similar across most patient characteristic groups. There was a substantial increase in the proportion of attendances taking place remotely, peaking at more than one in three during April and May 2020. Differences were observed in trends of remote consultations between age and sex categories, ethnic groups, and proxy deprivation levels. There was also substantial variation in overall activity and use of remote consultations by clinical specialty.ConclusionsThe large increase in remote outpatient consultations during the early Covid-19 period, variations in remote care use by specialty as well as proxy deprivation and ethnic groups all suggest a need to evaluate the impact of these changes particularly in light of national policy to encourage greater use of remote consultations.SUMMARY BOXWhat is already known on this topicNumbers of outpatient attendances in England have increased substantially over recent years.Historically, the vast majority of attendances have been face-to-face, with remote consultations accounting for ∼4% of all attendances.The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 had a large impact on outpatient services in English hospitals, and on health services more generally in England and around the world.What this study addsThere were significant differences by clinical specialty in changes to patterns of attendances and remote consultations.Changes in the volume of outpatient attendances as a result of responses to the pandemic were broadly similar across patient groups.However, there were marked differences across patient groups in trends in remote consultations.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and gender-related haematological features in asymptomatic blood donors
Authors: Martín M Carmen , González M Isabel , Holgado Nuria , Jimenez Ana I , Ortega Nuria , Page Isabel , Parrado Alba , Pérez María , Blanco-Peris Lydia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and objectivesCOVID-19 can either cause death or go unnoticed but antibodies will remain protecting us of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection for an uncertain time and to an uncertain extent. Our aim was to describe seroprevalence evolution from summer 2019 to autumn 2020 in Spain and to describe its relationship with age, blood group and haematological parameters.Materials and methodsSera and plasma from historical donation archives excluding convalescent were randomized and a total of 12,313 donations tested by a Chemiluminiscent analysis for anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein total immunoglobulins. Blood donors were 60.9% males, average age 46+/-13. Sex, age, blood group, blood cell counts and percentages and immunoglobulin concentrations were extracted from electronic recordings.ResultsA seroprevalence of 6.7% in blood donors was found by the end of the first wave. No differences by sex, age or blood group were found regarding antibodies. Leukocyte count (p=0.026), haematocrit (p<0.001) and haemoglobin (p<0.001) were lower in positive donations than in negative ones. Sex differences were present in neutrophils, leukocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit as related to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.ConclusionsSeroprevalence due to asymptomatic cases would resemble that of global population. Sex and age would not affect COVID-19 susceptibility but its severity. Gender differences related to COVID-19 in leukocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit would be present in asymptomatic individuals. Further studies are needed to confirm these gender differences as they can help better understand the immune response to COVID-19, its pathogenesis and prognosis.
Examining the Factor Structure of the DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure
Authors: Gibbons Alison , Farmer Cristan , Shaw Jacob S , Chung Joyce Y 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure (DSM-XC) is a transdiagnostic mental health symptom measure that has shown promise in informing clinical diagnostic evaluations and as a screening tool for research. However, few studies have assessed the latent dimensionality of the DSM-XC. We examined the factor structure of the DSM-XC in a large convenience sample of participants with varying degrees of psychological health.MethodsParticipants (n=3533) enrolled in a protocol conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health (NCT04339790). We used a factor analytic framework to evaluate an existing two-factor solution (Lace & Merz, 2020) and two additional candidate solutions.ResultsThe Lace and Merz solution had acceptable fit. Exploratory factor analysis yielded two candidate solutions: a six-factor (characterized as mood, worry, activation, somatic, thoughts, and substance use) and a bifactor (general factor of non-specific psychopathology, residual factors characterized as internalizing and thought disorder), which both had good fit and full measurement invariance across age, sex, and enrollment date.ConclusionsOur findings confirm that the DSM-XC may be conceptualized as a multidimensional instrument and provide a scoring solution for researchers who wish to measure distinct constructs. Future research on the psychometric profile of the DSM-XC is needed, focused on the validity of these candidate solutions and their performance across research populations and settings.
Reduced Pediatric Urgent Asthma Utilization and Exacerbations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hurst Jillian H. , Zhao Congwen , Fitzpatrick Nicholas S. , Goldstein Benjamin A. , Lang Jason E. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTBackground and ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare access and utilization, which could have important implications for children with chronic diseases, including asthma. We sought to evaluate changes in healthcare utilization and outcomes in children with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe used electronic health records data to evaluate healthcare use and asthma outcomes in 3,959 children and adolescents, 5-17 years of age, with a prior diagnosis of asthma who had a history of well child visits and encounters within the healthcare system. We assessed all-cause healthcare encounters and asthma exacerbations in the 12-months preceding the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2019 – February 29, 2020) and the first 12-months of the pandemic (March 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021).ResultsAll-cause healthcare encounters decreased significantly during the pandemic compared to the preceding year, including well child visits (48.1% during the pandemic vs. 66.6% in the prior year; p < 0.01), emergency department visits (9.7% vs. 21.0%; p < 0.01), and inpatient admissions (1.6% vs. 2.5%; p < 0.01), though there was over a 100-fold increase in telehealth encounters. Asthma exacerbations that required treatment with systemic steroids also decreased (127 vs. 504 exacerbations; p < 0.01). Race/ethnicity was not associated with changes in healthcare utilization or asthma outcomes.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic corresponded to dramatic shifts in healthcare utilization, including increased telehealth use and improved outcomes among children with asthma. Social distancing measures may have also reduced asthma trigger exposure.
Subchondral bone length in knee osteoarthritis: A deep learning derived imaging measure and its association with radiographic and clinical outcomes
Authors: Chang Gary H. , Park Lisa K. , Le Nina A. , Jhun Ray S. , Surendran Tejus , Lai Joseph , Seo Hojoon , Promchotichai Nuwapa , Yoon Grace , Scalera Jonathan , Capellini Terence D. , Felson David T. , Kolachalama Vijaya B. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveDevelop a bone shape measure that reflects the extent of cartilage loss and bone flattening in knee osteoarthritis (OA) and test it against estimates of disease severity.MethodsA fast region-based convolutional neural network was trained to crop the knee joints in sagittal dual-echo steady state MRI sequences obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). Publicly available annotations of the cartilage and menisci were used as references to annotate the tibia and the femur in 61 knees. Another deep neural network (U-Net) was developed to learn these annotations. Model predictions were compared with radiologist-driven annotations on an independent test set (27 knees). The U-Net was applied to automatically extract the knee joint structures on the larger OAI dataset (9,434 knees). We defined subchondral bone length (SBL), a novel shape measure characterizing the extent of overlying cartilage and bone flattening, and examined its relationship with radiographic joint space narrowing (JSN), concurrent WOMAC pain and disability as well as subsequent partial or total knee replacement (KR). Odds ratios for each outcome were estimated using relative changes in SBL on the OAI dataset into quartiles.ResultMean SBL values for knees with JSN were consistently different from knees without JSN. Greater changes of SBL from baseline were associated with greater pain and disability. For knees with medial or lateral JSN, the odds ratios between lowest and highest quartiles corresponding to SBL changes for future KR were 5.68 (95% CI:[3.90,8.27]) and 7.19 (95% CI:[3.71,13.95]), respectively.ConclusionSBL quantified OA status based on JSN severity. It has promise as an imaging marker in predicting clinical and structural OA outcomes.
The comparison of vaccine hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccination in China and the United States
Authors: Liu Taoran , He Zonglin , Huang Jian , Yan Ni , Chen Qian , Huang Fengqiu , Zhang Yuejia , Akinwunmi Omolola M , Akinwunmi Babatunde , Zhang Casper J.P , Wu Yibo , Ming Wai-Kit 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the differences in vaccine hesitancy and preference of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines between two countries, viz. China and the United States (US).MethodA cross-national survey was conducted in both China and the US, and discrete choice experiments as well as Likert scales were utilized to assess vaccine preference and the underlying factors contributing to the vaccination acceptance. A propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to enable a direct comparison between the two countries.ResultsA total of 9,077 (5,375 and 3,702, respectively, from China and the US) respondents have completed the survey. After propensity score matching, over 82.0% respondents from China positively accept the COVID-19 vaccination, while 72.2% respondents form the US positively accept it. Specifically, only 31.9% of Chinese respondents were recommended by a doctor to have COVID-19 vaccination, while more than half of the US respondents were recommended by a doctor (50.2%), local health board (59.4%), or friends and families (64.8%). The discrete choice experiments revealed that respondents from the US attached the greatest importance to the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines (44.41%), followed by the cost of vaccination (29.57%), whereas those from China held a different viewpoint that the cost of vaccination covers the largest proportion in their trade-off (30.66%), and efficacy ranked as the second most important attribute (26.34%). Also, respondents from China tend to concerned much more about the adverse effect of vaccination (19.68% vs 6.12%) and have lower perceived severity of being infected with COVID-19.ConclusionWhile the overall acceptance and hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccination in both countries are high, underpinned distinctions between countries are observed. Owing to the differences in COVID-19 incidence rates, cultural backgrounds, and the availability of specific COVID-19 vaccines in two countries, the vaccine rollout strategies should be nation-dependent.