bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
M6A Classification Combined With Tumor Microenvironment Immune Characteristics Analysis of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Zhu Huili , Jia Xiaocan , Wang Yuping , Song Zhijuan , Wang Nana , Yang Yongli , Shi Xuezhong 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundStudies have shown that N6-methyl adenosine (m6A) plays an important role in cancer progression; however, the underlying mechanism of m6A modification in tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration of bladder cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of m6A modification in TME cell infiltration of bladder cancer.MethodsThe RNA expression profile and clinical data of bladder cancer were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus. We assessed the m6A modification patterns of 664 bladder cancer samples based on 20 m6A regulators through unsupervised clustering analysis and systematically linked m6A modification patterns to TME cell infiltration characteristics. Gene ontology and gene set variation analyses were conducted to analyze the underlying mechanism based on the assessment of m6A methylation regulators. Principal component analysis was used to construct the m6A score to quantify m6A modification patterns of bladder cancer.ResultsThe genetic and expression alterations in m6A regulators were highly heterogeneous between normal and bladder tissues. Three m6A modification patterns were identified. The cell infiltration characteristics were highly consistent with the three immune phenotypes, including immune rejection, immune inflammation, and immune desert. The biological functions of three m6A modification patterns were different. Cox regression analyses revealed that the m6A score was an independent signature with patient prognosis (HR = 1.198, 95% CI: 1.031–1.390). Patients with a low-m6A score were characterized by increased tumor mutation burden, PD-L1 expression, and poorer survival. Patients in the low-m6A score group also showed significant immune responses and clinical benefits in the CTLA-4 immunotherapy cohort (p =0.0069).ConclusionsThe m6A methylation modification was related to the formation of TME heterogeneity and complexity. Assessing the m6A modification pattern of individual bladder cancer will improve the understanding of TME infiltration characteristics.
Focal Prostate Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With Correlative Pathological and Radiographic-Based Treatment Planning
Authors: Fredman Elisha , Traughber Bryan , Kharouta Michael , Podder Tarun , Lo Simon , Ponsky Lee , MacLennan Gregory , Paspulati Raj , Ellis Bradley , Machtay Mitchell , Ellis Rodney 
Published: September 2021

IntroductionAdvances in multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) combining anatomic and functional imaging can accurately identify foci of adenocarcinoma within the prostate, offering the possibility of partial gland therapy. We performed tandem prospective pilot trials to investigate the feasibility of focal prostate SBRT (f-SBRT) based on correlating diagnostic mpMRI and biopsies with confirmatory pathology in treatment planning.Materials and MethodsPatients with pathologic focal Gleason 6–7 disease and a corresponding PIRADS 4–5 lesion on mpMRI underwent targeted and comprehensive biopsies using MRI/ultrasound fusion under electromagnetic sensor navigation. After rigorous analysis for imaging biopsy concordance, five of 18 patients were eligible to proceed to f-SBRT. Chi-squared test was used for differences from expected outcomes, and concordance was estimated with binomial distribution theory and Wilson’s method.ResultsSix patients had Gleason 6 and 12 had Gleason 3 + 4 disease (mean PSA: 5.8 ng/ml, range: 2.2–8.4). Absolute concordance was 43.8% (95% CI: 0.20, 0.64). Patterns of discordance included additional sites of ipsilateral disease, bilateral disease, and negative target. Five were upstaged to a new NCCN risk category necessitating treatment escalation. The five patients with concordant pathology completed three-fraction f-SBRT with sparing of the surrounding normal structures (including contralateral neurovascular bundle), with no reported grade 2+ toxicities and favorable PSA responses (mean: 41% decrease).ConclusionsOn our pilot trials of f-SBRT planning using rigorous imaging and pathology concordance, image-guided confirmatory biopsies frequently revealed additional disease, suggesting the need for caution in partial-gland therapy. For truly focal disease, f-SBRT provided excellent dosimetry, minimal toxicity, and encouraging biochemical response. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02681614; NCT02163317.
Add-On Effect of Honeysuckle in the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Du Xu-Qin , Shi Li-Peng , Cao Wen-Fu , Chen Zhi-Wei , Zuo Biao , Hu Jin-Yuan 
Published: September 2021

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread to become a global emergency since December 2019. Chinese herbal medicine plays an important role in the treatment of COVID-19. Chinese herbal medicine honeysuckle is an extremely used traditional edible and medicinal herb. Many trials suggest that honeysuckle has obtained a good curative effect for COVID-19; however, no systematic evaluation on the clinical efficacy of honeysuckle in the treatment of COVID-19 is reported. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine honeysuckle in the treatment of COVID-19.Methods: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biology Medicine) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of honeysuckle for adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with COVID-19. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of trials. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for data analysis.Results: Overall, nine RCTs involving 1,286 patients were enrolled. Our meta-analyses found that combination therapy of honeysuckle and conventional therapy was more effective than conventional therapy alone in lung computed tomography (CT) [relative risk (RR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) (1.12, 1.37), P &lt; 0.0001], clinical cure rate [RR = 1.21, 95%CI (1.12, 1.31), P &lt; 0.00001], and rate of conversion to severe cases [RR = 0.50, 95%CI (0.33, 0.76), P = 0.001]. Besides, combination therapy can improve the symptom score of fever, cough reduction rate, symptom score of cough, and inflammatory biomarkers (white blood cell (WBC) count; C-reactive protein (CRP)) (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Honeysuckle combined with conventional therapy may be beneficial for the treatment of COVID-19 in improving lung CT, clinical cure rate, clinical symptoms, and laboratory indicators and reducing the rate of conversion to severe cases. Besides, combination therapy did not increase adverse drug events. More high-quality RCTs are needed in the future.
Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities of Abietane Terpenoids from Nepeta bracteata Benth.
Authors: Zhang Manli , Chen Meiying , Hou Yong , Fan Congzhao , Wei Hongyan , Shi Leiling , Ma Guoxu , Zhang Jing 
Published: September 2021

Nepeta bracteata Benth. is used clinically to treat tracheal inflammation, coughs, asthma, colds, fevers, adverse urination, and other symptoms, along with functions in clearing heat and removing dampness. However, there have been few studies characterizing the material basis of its efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen for compounds with anti-inflammatory activities in N. bracteata Benth. Using silica gel, ODS C18, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, as well as semipreparative HPLC, 10 compounds were separated from N. bracteata Benth. extract, including four new diterpenoids (1–4), one amide alkaloid (5), and five known diterpenoids (6–10). The structures of all the isolates were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD analyses. Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 1–10. It is worth noting that all were able to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production with IC50 values < 50 μM and little effect on RAW 264.7 macrophage viability. Compounds 2 and 4 displayed remarkable inhibition with IC50 values of 19.2 and 18.8 μM, respectively. Meanwhile, screening on HCT-8 cells demonstrated that compounds 2 and 4 also had moderate cytotoxic activities with IC50 values of 36.3 and 41.4 μM, respectively, which is related to their anti-inflammatory effects.
Potential Role of Hepatozoon canis in a Fatal Systemic Disease in a Puppy
Authors: De Bonis Andrea , Colombo Mariasole , Terragni Rossella , Bacci Barbara , Morelli Simone , Grillini Marika , Vignoli Massimo 
Published: September 2021

Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is an emerging disease in Europe. Clinical pictures vary from subclinical to life-threatening and non-specific clinical signs are predominantly reported. A 2-month-old female puppy originating from Southern Italy was adopted and moved to Northern Italy. Then, the dog was brought to a local veterinary practice for gastrointestinal signs, migrating lameness and pruritic dermatitis, and then tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. gamonts at the blood smear. After treatment with imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline, the dog showed an initial clinical improvement. However, gastrointestinal signs recurred, and diffuse superficial pyoderma appeared on the thoracolumbar region, along with fever, lethargy, and weight loss. Eight months from the first onset of clinical signs, the dog was referred to a veterinary clinic and subjected to complete blood count, urine and fecal analysis, along with abdominal ultrasonography, whole-body CT and gastroduodenal endoscopy. Skin biopsies and blood samples were subjected to a PCR-coupled sequencing protocol, which scored both positive for H. canis. Alterations were consistent with a pre-existing cholangiohepatitis and multiple acquired extrahepatic shunts secondary to portal hypertension. The dog was euthanatized due to a clinical worsening two months later. The potential role of H. canis in the systemic disease observed, clinic-pathological findings and epizootiological implications are discussed.
All-Opto Plasmonic-Controlled Bulk and Surface Sensitivity Analysis of a Paired Nano-Structured Antenna with a Label-Free Detection Approach
Authors: Verma Sneha , Ghosh Souvik , Rahman B.M.A. 
Published: September 2021

Gold nanoantennas have been used in a variety of biomedical applications due to their attractive electronic and optical properties, which are shape- and size-dependent. Here, a periodic paired gold nanostructure exploiting surface plasmon resonance is proposed, which shows promising results for Refractive Index (RI) detection due to its high electric field confinement and diffraction limit. Here, single and paired gold nanostructured sensors were designed for real-time RI detection. The Full-Width at Half-Maximum (FWHM) and Figure-Of-Merit (FOM) were also calculated, which relate the sensitivity to the sharpness of the peak. The effect of different possible structural shapes and dimensions were studied to optimise the sensitivity response of nanosensing structures and identify an optimised elliptical nanoantenna with the major axis a, minor axis b, gap between the pair g, and heights h being 100 nm, 10 nm, 10 nm, and 40 nm, respectively. In this work, we investigated the bulk sensitivity, which is the spectral shift per refractive index unit due to the change in the surrounding material, and this value was calculated as 526–530 nm/RIU, while the FWHM was calculated around 110 nm with a FOM of 8.1. On the other hand, the surface sensing was related to the spectral shift due to the refractive index variation of the surface layer near the paired nanoantenna surface, and this value for the same antenna pair was calculated as 250 nm/RIU for a surface layer thickness of 4.5 nm.
Estimation of Populuseuphratica Forest Leaf Litterfall and Time Variation of Nutrient in Leaf Litter during Decomposition along the Main Channel of the Tarim River, China
Authors: Yang Yuhai , Zhou Honghua , Ye Zhaoxia , Zhu Chenggang 
Published: September 2021

Accurate determination of annual leaf litter amount constitutes the basis of scientific leaf litter nutrient release assessment. In this study, we tried to establish an equation between leaf litter amount and relevant tree characteristics of Populus euphratica (P. euphratica) tree on an individual scale, and to find the leaf litter nutrient content variation within 760 d incubation experiment in the main channel of the Tarim River, China. Results showed that there was no proper equation between leaf litter amount and tree height or diameter at breast height. There was great difference in leaf litter amount on an individual scale. The mean annual leaf litter amount per tree was 10.2, 14.83 kg/y obtained by field survey and the equation between annual leaf litter amount and canopy area on an individual scale, respectively. Leaf litter mass changed over incubation time and exhibited three main phases: an initial slow decomposition phase (0–173 d) with mass loss; a rapid mass loss phase (173–290 d); and a second rapid mass loss phase (470–560 d). Overall, carbon (C) and potassium (K) content decreased, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content increased in a fluctuating manner over time in the P. euphratica leaf litter.
Synthesis of Formaldehyde Free Amino Resin to Produce Green Eco-Labelled Leather with Improved Retanning Properties
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Naveed , Khan Shahzad Maqsood , Munir Shahid , Saleem Rashid 
Published: September 2021

Formaldehyde has many applications in the chemical industry including synthesis of amino resins which are used in leather processing. After application in leather, these resins are hydrolyzed under certain conditions to release free formaldehyde which has high environmental concerns due to its proven carcinogenic effects. The objective of this work is to develop a formaldehyde free melamine-based resin to produce green leather with improved retanning properties and thermal stability. The optimum melamine resin was synthesized by condensing melamine with glyoxal instead of formaldehyde. Further, the water solubility and improved thermal stability of synthesized melamine resins were achieved by introduction of sulfanilic acid in resin structure. Synthesized resin was used in leather retanning in comparison with commercially available melamine resin as a control. Both leathers were tested for mechanical properties, organoleptic properties, grain surface and fiber structure analysis. Comparative free formaldehyde content was measured in resultant leathers. Effluents of retanning baths were comparatively analyzed. Optimum resin was also characterized by thermo gravimetric analysis and FTIR. The results of this study showed that the experimental resin has imparted significant improvement in mechanical and organoleptic properties of leather as compared to the control resin. Analysis of free formaldehyde content confirmed the absence of free formaldehyde in leather treated with optimum resin while 141 mg/kg formaldehyde was detected in leather treated with control resin. Free formaldehyde was also absent in effluent of experimental resin while 305 mg/kg formaldehyde was detected in effluent of control resin. Moreover, percentage efficiency in COD, TDS and TSS load of effluent was observed as 9.62, 7.2 and 6.31 respectively. Resultant leather was free from formaldehyde making it safe for human along with reduction in pollution load of tannery.
Nonionic Short-Chain Fluorinated Surfactants in the Fatliquoring of Chrome-Tanned Goat Skin
Authors: Shen Yichao , Jin Yong , Lai Shuangquan , Shi Liangjie , Zhou Yutang , Zhou Rong 
Published: September 2021

Surfactants as essential auxiliaries are used in almost all chemical processes in leather production. In this work, a series of nonionic short-chain fluorinated surfactants (Fn-Fn, where n = 2, 4, or 6) were successfully prepared and used as fatliquoring auxiliaries in the fatliquoring process of chrome-tanned goat skin. The chemical structure of these nonionic short-chain fluorinated surfactants was characterized by FTIR and the molecular weight was determined by GPC. The surface tension measurement results revealed that these three fluorinated surfactants showed excellent surface activities. The effect of type and dosage of Fn-Fn as well as fatliquoring temperature on fatliquoring properties of chrome-tanned goat skin were estimated by the softness and physical mechanical properties characteristic of resultant leather. The results revealed that the leather treated with 1 wt% F4-F4 at the fatliquoring temperature of 40oC showed the best overall performance, whose softness and physical mechanical properties were improved significantly. Moreover, the collagen fiber morphology and waterproof performance of leather treated with Fn-Fn were also investigated which showed that the addition of Fn-Fn in the fatliquoring process could promote the loosening of collagen fibers while effectively enhancing the water repellency of the leather surface. Therefore, such types of nonionic short-chain fluorinated surfactants are promising to be as desired fatliquoring auxiliaries in the leather industry.
ANALISIS PELAYANAN DAN HARGA TERHADAP KEPUASAN PELANGGAN PERUSAHAAN DAERAH AIR MINUM
Authors: Suganda Erik Irawan 
Published: September 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pelayanan dan harga serta dampaknya terhadap kepuasan pelanggan Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Cabang Parung Panjang Kabupaten Bogor. Populasi penelitian adalah pelanggan pada instansi tersebut sejumlah 12.524 orang dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 100 orang yang dihitung menggunakan rumus Slovin. Pengumpulan data variabel yang diteliti menggunakan kuesioner dengan skala rating. Teknik analisis data menggunakan statistik deskriptif inferensial. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: (1) Terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan pelayanan terhadap kepuasan pelanggan, (2) Terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan harga terhadap kepuasan pelanggan, dan (3) Terdapat pengaruh positif dan signifikan pelayanan dan harga secara bersama-sama terhadap kepuasan pelanggan
Preliminary Investigation of The Potential of Coconut Sugar Production Using Dwarf Varieties
Authors: Novarianto Hengky , Tulalo Meity A. , Mawardi Sukmawati 
Published: September 2021

Coconut sugar is one of the high economic value products. The production of coconut sugar In Indonesia is about 300,000 tonnes/year. During the last few years, the supply of raw materials for the coconut sugar product has diminished due to stagnant production caused by the lack of coconut climbers collecting coconut sap. The scarcity of labor is caused by several factors, especially young tappers who are less interested in climbing tall coconut palms. To solve this problem, it is necessary to evaluate the potency of dwarf coconuts, with short trunk and fast fruiting. The objective of this study was the evaluation and selection of Dwarf coconut varieties that have high yield potential as a producer of sap and coconut sugar. The research was conducted in North Sulawesi Province by evaluating 9 Dwarf coconut varieties. The results of research on the production of coconut sap and sugar from 9 Dwarf coconut varieties with different plant ages, gave mixed results among coconut varieties. The length of tapping sap varied between 31.42 - 43.21 days/bunch, the volume of sap varied between 1.1 - 3.3 liters/tree/day, the pH of sap ranged between 6.49 - 7.86 and the Brix value varied between 14.01 - 17.64. The most important traits such as the sap yield and sugar production also varied from 14.54 to 18.95% among varieties, and between 0.16 to 0.42 kg/tree/day respectively. The Dwarf coconut varieties with the highest potential yield of sap and sugar are the Waingapu Red Dwarf (WRD), Salak Green Dwarf (SGD), and Nias Yellow Dwarf (NYD), with the potential sugar yield of 2.09 tons, 1.64 tons, and 1.56 tons/month/ha respectively. It is hoped that these Dwarf coconut varieties would be attractive for young tapers and could be introduced to farmers in several Provinces for tapping purposes for the production of coconut sugar.
Resolved Dwarf Galaxy Searches within ∼5 Mpc with the Vera Rubin Observatory and Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam*
Authors: Mutlu-Pakdil Burçin , Sand David J. , Crnojević Denija , Drlica-Wagner Alex , Caldwell Nelson , Guhathakurta Puragra , Seth Anil C. , Simon Joshua D. , Strader Jay , Toloba Elisa 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We present a preview of the faint dwarf galaxy discoveries that will be possible with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam in the next decade. In this work, we combine deep ground-based images from the Panoramic Imaging Survey of Centaurus and Sculptor and extensive image simulations to investigate the recovery of faint, resolved dwarf galaxies in the Local Volume with a matched-filter technique. We adopt three fiducial distances (1.5, 3.5, and 5 Mpc) and quantitatively evaluate the effects on dwarf detection of varied stellar backgrounds, ellipticity, and Milky Way foreground contamination and extinction. We show that our matched-filter method is powerful for identifying both compact and extended systems, and near-future surveys will be able to probe at least ∼4.5 mag below the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) for a distance of up to 1.5 Mpc and ∼2 mag below the TRGB at 5 Mpc. This will push the discovery frontier for resolved dwarf galaxies to fainter magnitudes, lower surface brightnesses, and larger distances. Our simulations show the secure census of dwarf galaxies down to M

V
≈ −5, −7, and −8 will soon be within reach, out to 1.5, 3.5, and 5 Mpc, respectively, allowing us to quantify the statistical fluctuations in satellite abundances around hosts and parse environmental effects as a function of host properties.
Advective Accretion onto a Nonspherical Accretor in White Dwarf and Neutron Star Binaries: A New Scenario of Shock Formation
Authors: Datta Sudeb Ranjan , Dhang Prasun , Mishra Bhupendra 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Numerous studies on hydrodynamics of the Keplerian as well as the sub-Keplerian accretion disk around a compact object (e.g., white dwarf (WD), neutron star (NS), or a black hole) have attempted to explain the observed UV, soft, and hard X-ray spectra. Although, when the compact object (e.g., a WD or an NS) has a finite surface, its rapid rotation, the stellar magnetic field could cause deformation of the spherical symmetry. Earlier studies on the Keplerian disk showed that a deviation from the spherical symmetry of the compact object could affect the observed light curve and spectra at high frequencies. Here, we have explored the effect of the nonspherical nature of a compact object on the hydrodynamics of an optically thin, geometrically thick sub-Keplerian advective flow. We find that due to the nonspherical shape of the central accretor, there is a possibility to trigger Rankine–Hugoniot shock in the sub-Keplerian advective flow close to the accretor without considering any general relativistic effect or presence of the hard surface of the star. Our results are more relevant for accretion onto a WD as hardly any general relativistic effect will come into the picture. We propose that some observational features, e.g., high significance of fitting the spectra with multi-temperature plasma models rather than single-temperature models, and variable efficiency of X-ray emission (X-ray luminosity in comparison with the optical and UV luminosity of the disk) in nonmagnetic cataclysmic variables can be explained by the presence of a shock in the sub-Keplerian advective flow.