bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effect of osimertinib plus cranial radiotherapy compared to osimertinib alone in NSCLC patients with EGFR-activating mutations and brain metastases: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhai Xiaoyang , Li Wanhu , Li Ji , Jia Wenxiao , Jing Wang , Tian Yaru , Xu Shuhui , Li Yuying , Zhu Hui , Yu Jinming 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
The study aimed to compare the efficacy of osimertinib plus cranial radiotherapy (RT) with osimertinib alone in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and brain metastases (BMs).

Methods
The clinical data of advanced NSCLC patients with BMs who received osimertinib were retrospectively collected. The patients were assigned to one of the two groups according to the therapeutic modality used: the osimertinib monotherapy group or the osimertinib plus RT group.

Results
This was a retrospective study and 61 patients were included from December 2015 to August 2020. Forty patients received osimertinib monotherapy, and twenty-one patients received osimertinib plus RT. Radiotherapy included whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT, n = 14), WBRT with simultaneous integrated boost (WBRT-SIB, n = 5) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS, n = 2). The median number of prior systemic therapies in the two groups was one. Intracranial and systemic ORR and DCR were not significantly different between the two groups. No difference in iPFS was observed between the two groups (median iPFS: 16.67 vs. 13.50 months, P = 0.836). The median OS was 29.20 months in the osimertinib plus RT group compared with 26.13 months in the osimertinib group (HR = 0.895, P = 0.826). In the L858R mutational subgroup of 31 patients, the osimertinib plus RT group had a longer OS (P = 0.046). In the exon 19 deletion mutational subgroup of 30 patients, OS in the osimertinib alone group was longer than that in the osimertinib plus RT group (P = 0.011). The incidence of any-grade adverse events was not significantly different between the osimertinib plus RT group and the osimertinib alone group (47.6% vs. 32.5%, P = 0.762). However, six patients (28.5%) experienced leukoencephalopathy in the osimertinib plus RT group, and 50% (3/6) of the leukoencephalopathy was greater than or equal to grade 3.

Conclusion
The therapeutic effect of osimertinib with RT was similar to that of osimertinib alone in EGFR-positive NSCLC patients with BM. However, for patients with the L858R mutation, osimertinib plus RT could provide more benefit than osimertinib alone.
Optogenetically controlled human functional motor endplate for testing botulinum neurotoxins
Authors: de Lamotte Juliette Duchesne , Polentes Jérôme , Roussange Florine , Lesueur Léa , Feurgard Pauline , Perrier Anselme , Nicoleau Camille , Martinat Cécile 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
The lack of physiologically relevant and predictive cell-based assays is one of the major obstacles for testing and developing botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) therapeutics. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derivatives now offer the opportunity to improve the relevance of cellular models and thus the translational value of preclinical data.

Methods
We investigated the potential of hiPSC-derived motor neurons (hMNs) optical stimulation combined with calcium imaging in cocultured muscle cells activity to investigate BoNT-sensitivity of an in vitro model of human muscle-nerve system.

Results
Functional muscle-nerve coculture system was developed using hMNs and human immortalized skeletal muscle cells. Our results demonstrated that hMNs can innervate myotubes and induce contractions and calcium transient in muscle cells, generating an in vitro human motor endplate showing dose-dependent sensitivity to BoNTs intoxication. The implementation of optogenetics combined with live calcium imaging allows to monitor the impact of BoNTs intoxication on synaptic transmission in human motor endplate model.

Conclusions
Altogether, our findings demonstrate the promise of optogenetically hiPSC-derived controlled muscle-nerve system for pharmaceutical BoNTs testing and development.
Development of a simple and miniaturized sandwich-like fluorescence polarization assay for rapid screening of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors
Authors: Yan Gangan , Li Dongsheng , Lin Yuan , Fu Zhenghao , Qi Haiyan , Liu Xiaoping , Zhang Jing , Si Shuyi , Chen Yunyu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly transmissible and has caused a pandemic named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has quickly spread worldwide. Although several therapeutic agents have been evaluated or approved for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, efficacious antiviral agents are still lacking. An attractive therapeutic target for SARS-CoV-2 is the main protease (Mpro), as this highly conserved enzyme plays a key role in viral polyprotein processing and genomic RNA replication. Therefore, the identification of efficacious antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro using a rapid, miniaturized and economical high-throughput screening (HTS) assay is of the highest importance at the present.

Results
In this study, we first combined the fluorescence polarization (FP) technique with biotin-avidin system (BAS) to develop a novel and step-by-step sandwich-like FP screening assay to quickly identify SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors from a natural product library. Using this screening assay, dieckol, a natural phlorotannin component extracted from a Chinese traditional medicine Ecklonia cava, was identified as a novel competitive inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in vitro with an IC50 value of 4.5 ± 0.4 µM. Additionally, dieckol exhibited a high affinity with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis and could bind to the catalytic sites of Mpro through hydrogen-bond interactions in the predicted docking model.

Conclusions
This innovative sandwich-like FP screening assay enables the rapid discovery of antiviral agents targeting viral proteases, and dieckol will be an excellent lead compound for generating more potent and selective antiviral agents targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.
A systemic comparative economic approach efficiency of fodder production
Authors: Lukyanova Milyausha , Kovshov Vitaliy , Zalilova Zariya , Lukyanov Vasily , Araslanbaev Irek 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe purpose of the study is to determine the optimal volume of fodder and grain-fodder crops of appropriate quality to meet the needs of the livestock industry using a systemic comparative economic approach. For the economic assessment of crops for fodder purposes, a systemic comparative economic approach to their production efficiency has been developed. Accounting was carried out according to the three most important indicators in fodder units: quantitative indicators—productivity per hectare of sowing, qualitative—the content of vegetable protein and cost—the production cost. Oats were taken as the primary culture. Their comparison made it possible to determine economically interrelated partial indices, which are reduced to the index of the systemic comparative economic approach, which contributes to optimizing the structure of the cultivated areas of these crops. This technique allows to determine each forage crop’s location in each farm or region’s conditions, analyzing the real situation and assessing the prospects for the development of production. The optimal structure of sown areas for grain-fodder and fodder crops, focused on the cultivation of high-protein crops, for the enterprises of the Northern forest-steppe zone of the Republic of Bashkortostan is proposed. Due to a change in sown areas’ structure, the gross harvest increases by 8%, digestible protein by 2%, and reduced production costs by 48%.
Financial inclusion and development in the least developed countries in Asia and Africa
Authors: Cicchiello Antonella Francesca , Kazemikhasragh Amirreza , Monferrá Stefano , Girón Alicia 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the financial inclusion index and development variables in the least developed countries in Asia and Africa by using annual data of 42 countries for the period 2000–2019. The pooled panel regression and panel data analysis technique are used to explore this relationship. The empirical finding indicates that economic growth leads to financial inclusion. Unemployment and literacy rates are among the factors contributing to financial inclusion, and it is observed that women are more vulnerable than men are to lack financial inclusion. In less developed countries, the economy relies heavily on agriculture, and people are less financially inclusive when they live in rural areas of these countries. Also, pay inequality reduces financial inclusion rates and has a negative impact on development. The low financial inclusion rate reduces the levels of development in these countries. The results of this study can lead to the development and empowerment of vulnerable groups in the studied countries. In order to improve the conditions for development, policymakers should consider policies that enhance literacy, eliminate gender inequality and increase pay equality.
The association of genetic polymorphisms in interleukin-1 receptors type 1 and type 2 with sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a Taiwanese population: A case control study
Authors: Chien Chen-Yu , Tai Shu-Yu , Li Kuan-Hui , Yang Hua-Ling , Chan Leong-Perng , Hsi Edward , Wang Ling-Feng , Ho Kuen-Yao , Chang Ning-Chia 
Published: December 2021

Background Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a disease with an unknown etiology; damage to the auditory nerve from inflammation due to viral infection or vascular incidents has been implicated. According to several studies, cytokines, including interleukins, are associated with SSNHL in terms of serum expression and genetic polymorphisms. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a key role in inflammation and may be associated with SSNHL. This study analyzed the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) genes with SSNHL in Taiwan. Methods We conducted a case–control study involving 401 patients with SSNHL and 730 healthy controls. Four SNPs (IL-1R type 1 gene [ IL1R1] [rs3917225 and rs2234650] and IL-1R type 2 gene [ IL1R2] [rs4141134 and rs2071008]) were selected. The genotypes were determined using the TaqMan assay. The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested for each SNP, and genetic effects were evaluated. Results The TT genotype of rs2234650 had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.988 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.27–6.82) ( P = 0.012) compared with the CC genotype in patients with SSNHL. The SNP rs2234650 was associated with SSNHL in the recessive model (TT vs. CC + CT, P = 0.0206, OR = 2.681). The CT genotype of rs4141134 had an adjusted OR of 3.860 (95% CI 2.01–7.44; P < 0.0001) compared with the TT genotype, in patients with SSNHL. The SNP rs4141134 was associated with SSNHL under the dominant model (CC + CT vs. TT, P < 0.0001, OR = 4.087). Conclusion These findings suggest that IL1R1 and IL1R2 gene polymorphisms may contribute to an increased risk of SSNHL in Taiwan.
Does the wind stress always damp an oceanic eddy?
Authors: Teng Fangyuan , Dong Changming , Ji Jinlin , Bethel Brandon J. , Pan Aijun , Xu Chi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUp to now, the literature has shown that the relative wind stress does negative work on ocean mesoscale eddies. In other words, the relative wind stress inhibits the development of the eddies. However, based on a newly derived simplified theoretical model, the present study finds that under the action of a steady and uniform wind field, eddies can rapidly obtain kinetic energy from the wind field following several hours of adaption and adjustment, in which the wind stress transitions from doing negative to positive work. The finding is supported by the fact that the relative wind stress work on oceanic eddies over the northeastern tropical Pacific ocean is positive with the nearly constant gap wind. This implies that energy input from the wind is sensitive to eddy velocity structure, and hence, wind stress is not always a killer of eddies.
Sustainable functional finishing for cotton fabrics using screen-printing process and gallotannin
Authors: Hong Kyung Hwa 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTo seek a more environmentally friendly textile finishing technique, the screen-printing method was adopted to apply functional material to cotton fabrics. In addition, gallotannin was used as a functional material because it is naturally abundant in many plant-derived substances and shows various health-promoting features such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other attractive properties. Therefore, a gallotannin/thickener paste was applied to the surface of cotton fabrics through the screen-printing technique, and the gallotannin-printed cotton fabrics were thoroughly investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and other methods. The gallotannin printed area was substantially brown in appearance, and gallotannin moiety appeared to combine with cotton cellulose through heat treatment. Furthermore, functional properties of the gallotannin-printed cotton fabrics were examined in terms of antibacterial activity, deodorizing property, and ultraviolet-blocking property, of which it demonstrated excellent abilities. However, the antibacterial ability toward Gram-negative bacteria (K. pneumoniae) decreased as the laundry cycle increased.
Dr. Vivian Pinn: a woman pioneer & leader
Authors: Bachmann Gloria , Woods Nancy 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Women’s Health Institute in collaboration with the Journal of Women’s Midlife Health hosted a national roundtable with Dr. Vivian Pinn via Zoom to honor her for her achievements in the areas of women’s health, wellness, and research. The panelists included Gloria A. Bachmann, MD, MMS, Sherri-Ann Burnett-Bowie, MD, MPH, and Sioban D. Harlow, PhD.
Detailed morphology of tentacular apparatus and central nervous system in Owenia borealis (Annelida, Oweniidae)
Authors: Temereva Elena , Rimskaya-Korsakova Nadezhda , Dyachuk Vyacheslav 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Oweniidae are marine annelids with many unusual features of organ system, development, morphology, and ultrastructure. Together with magelonids, oweniids have been placed within the Palaeoannelida, a sister group to all remaining annelids. The study of this group may increase our understanding of the early evolution of annelids (including their radiation and diversification). In the current research, the morphology and ulta-anatomy of the head region ofOwenia borealisis studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3D reconstructions, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and whole-mount immunostaining with confocal laser scanning microscopy. According to SEM, the tentacle apparatus consists of 8–14 branched arms, which are covered by monociliary cells that form a ciliary groove extending along the oral side of the arm base. Each tentacle contains a coelomic cavity with a network of blood capillaries. Monociliary myoepithelial cells of the tentacle coelomic cavity form both the longitudinal and the transverse muscles. The structure of this myoepithelium is intermediate between a simple and pseudo-stratified myoepithelium. Overall, tentacles lack prominent zonality, i.e., co-localization of ciliary zones, neurite bundles, and muscles. This organization, which indicates a non-specialized tentacle crown inO. borealisand other oweniids with tentacles, may be ancestral for annelids. TEM, light, and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the head region contains the anterior nerve center comprising of outer and inner (=circumoral) nerve rings. Both nerve rings are organized as concentrated nerve plexus, which contains perikarya and neurites extending between basal projections of epithelial cells (radial glia). The outer nerve ring gives rise to several thick neurite bundles, which branch and extend along aboral side of each tentacle. Accordingly to their immunoreactivity, both rings of the anterior nerve center could be homologized with the dorsal roots of circumesophageal connectives of the typical annelids. Accordingly to its ultrastructure, the outer nerve ring ofO. borealisand so-called brain of other oweniids can not be regarded as a typical brain, i.e. the most anterior ganglion, because it lacks ganglionic structure.
Early neurovascular retinal changes detected by swept-source OCT in type 2 diabetes and association with diabetic kidney disease
Authors: da Silva Monica Oliveira , do Carmo Chaves Anne Elise Cruz , Gobbato Glauber Corrêa , dos Reis Mateus Augusto , Lavinsky Fabio , Schaan Beatriz D’Agord , Lavinsky Daniel 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate retinal thickness and capillary density in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their association with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with T2D patients with mild or no diabetic retinopathy (DR) and nondiabetic controls. Inner retinal layer thickness was measured with SS-OCT. Retinal capillary density and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were measured with SS-OCT angiography (OCTA). SS-OCT parameters were compared in patients with and without diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and nondiabetic controls.

Results
131 DKD eyes showed decreased ganglion cell layer plus (GCL+) (p = 0.005 TI; p = 0.022 I), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) (p = 0.003), and central retinal thickness (CRT) (p = 0.032), as well as foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement (p = 0.003) and lower capillary density in the superficial vascular plexus (p = 0.016, central quadrant), compared to controls. No statistically significant changes were found between diabetic patients without significant DKD and controls.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest early neurovascular damage in patients with T2D; these changes were more significant in patients with DKD. Larger longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the role of early neurovascular damage in the pathophysiology of severe DR.
A case report of isolated abducens nerve palsy: idiopathic or ophthalmoplegic neuropathy?
Authors: Husain Zainab Irshad , AlSayegh Rawaa , Humaidan Hani 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Abducens nerve is the most common nerve affected among other cranial nerves in terms of isolated ocular palsy. Despite its prevalence and progression made in neuroimaging, incidence of idiopathic cases continues to rise.

Case presentation
We report a young adult male with no previous illnesses, who presented with sudden onset of binocular diplopia and headache and was later diagnosed with an isolated ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy secondary to an unknown cause and treated with steroids. The palsy and diplopia had resolved in 2-month time but the patient still continued to suffer from a migraine, such as headache.

Conclusion
Although, we labelled the patient as idiopathic initially, another plausible cause for this kind of presentation could be recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) owing to the nature of the presentation. Cases labelled as idiopathic could be attributed to a defined pathogenesis with detailed history and follow-up. Follow-up is vital for all patients, especially those labelled as idiopathic as recurrence of the illness have the chance of changing the diagnosis if supported by the detailed history and physical examination findings.
Quality of life after ischaemic stroke—accent on patients with thrombolytic therapy
Authors: Tsalta-Mladenov Mihael Emilov , Andonova Silva Peteva 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Intravenous thrombolysis is a widely approved treatment method for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nevertheless, there is a growing interest in its impact on functional outcomes and Health-related Quality of life (HR-QoL). We aimed to evaluate and compare the HR-QoL in patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and in those without thrombolytic therapy during the first 3-month post-stroke in a defined Bulgarian population.

Results
Patients treated with IVT have simillar functional outcomes and HR-QoL on the third month as the group with conservative treatment, besides their higher NIHSS on admission. Patients with IVT had better self-assessed recovery after the AIS. The higher NIHSS and mRS scores and the lower HR-QoL on discharge are reliable predictors for a poor functional outcome on the third month. A door-to-needle of 60 min or less, and the absence of pathological neuroimaging findings 24-h post IVT predict more beneficial HR-QoL outcome.

Conclusion
There were no significant differences in HR-QoL and functional outcomes between the groups. Nevertheless, IVT is a treatment option with great importance for improving the clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke, which should be performed in well selected patients.
Helicobacter pylori antibodies and multiple sclerosis: a single-center study and a short review of the literature
Authors: Cantero-Fortiz Yahveth , Murrieta-Álvarez Iván , León-Peña Andrés Aurelio , López-Trujillo Miguel Antonio , Córdova-Ramírez Alejandra Carmina , Rivera-Álvarez Montserrat , Elias-de-la-Cruz Gilberto David , Olivares-Gazca Juan Carlos , Ruiz-Delgado Guillermo J. , Ruiz-Argüelles Guillermo J. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease which has been associated to a great variety of mechanisms that could influence its pathogenesis. Numerous reports in the medical literature suggest that Helicobacter pylori may be a mediator of the disease. However, it is unknown if there is any clear association between MS and HP.

Results
We studied 144 persons with multiple sclerosis prospectively enrolled in our hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program. In 144 persons, 14% patients were positive for IgG-HP whereas 86% were negative, 8.3% pwMS were IgM-HP positive while 91.6% pwMS were negative, 18% patients were positive and 82% negative for IgA-HP. Significantly lower concentrations of anti-HP IgG were found in RRMS in comparison with SPMS (− 28.5, 95% CI 4.3–52.7). While concentrations of anti-HP IgA were significantly lower in SPMS in comparison with RRMS (0.54, 95% CI 0.1–0.9). In a multivariate analysis, positivity rate of anti-HP IgG was found to be higher in SPMS patients (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.1–19.6).

Conclusions
There was a negative correlation between the presence of anti-HP antibodies and MS. Further larger studies with specific laboratory testing methods are needed to discard or confirm the potential role of anti-HP antibodies as protective for MS.