bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Landscape on Functional and Spatial Connectivity in Magnolia Cubensis (Magnoliaceae) in Two Mountain Massifs of Cuba
Authors: Rodríguez Majela Hernández , Lozano Ernesto Testé , Veltjen Emily , Delgado Jhonny Quintana , Bejerano Alejandro Palmarola , Cruz Marlyn Valdés de la , Asselman Pieter , Larridon Isabel , Samain Marie-Stéphanie , Torres Luis Roberto González 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Landscape features impact gene flow and the spatial patterns of genetic variation between populations of a species. Because many Magnoliaceae species occur in fragmented and highly disturbed landscapes, the family is an excellent model for landscape genetic studies. This research focuses on the subspecies and localities of Magnolia cubensis and aims to: (1) compare the genetic diversity, (2) search for genetic patterns, (3) describe the functional connectivity and (4) access the structural connectivity of the landscape. This study employs 21 microsatellite markers on two subspecies, complemented with landscape characteristics of the Guamuhaya and Sierra Maestra massifs in Cuba. Magnolia cubensis subsp. acunae does not have a well-defined spatial genetic pattern: there is no evidence of isolation by distance or spatial autocorrelation and the little genetic differentiation between the two localities does not reflect the characteristics of the landscape that separates them or the cost values to cross it. Magnolia cubensis subsp. cubensis presents evidence of isolation by distance and the autocorrelation analyses indicate that the approximate scale of the genetic neighborhood is between 35 and 40 km. There is a marked genetic structure with probability values that indicate the existence of three genetic groups. Large genetic differentiation was only found between Gran Piedra and the other localities, which reflects low gene flow. Our results support the recognition of these subspecies at the species level. We define one evolutionary significant unit in Magnolia cubensis subsp. acunae and two evolutionary significant units in Magnolia cubensis subsp. cubensis. These results must be combined with ecological, social and distribution data, in order to obtain a more accurate and realistic perspective of the conservation management strategies for these taxa.
ceRNA network development and tumor-infiltrating immune cell analysis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Li , Zou Weijie , Zhang Lei , Shi Huijuan , Li Zhi , Ni Caifang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is among the primary causes of cancer deaths globally. Despite efforts to understand liver cancer, its high morbidity and mortality remain high. Herein, we constructed two nomograms based on ceRNA networks and invading immune cells to describe the molecular mechanisms along with the clinical prognosis of HCC patients.Methods: RNA maps of tumors and normal samples were downloaded from TCGA. HTseq counts and fragments per megapons per thousand bases were read from 421 samples, including 371 tumor samples and 50 normal samples. We established a ceRNA network based on differential gene expression in normal versus tumor subjects. CIBERSORT was employed to differentiate 22 immune cell types according to tumor transcriptomes. Kaplan-Meier along with Cox proportional hazard analyses were employed to determine the prognosis-linked factors. Nomograms were constructed based on prognostic immune cells and ceRNAs. We employed ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) and calibration curve analyses to estimate these nomogram. Results: The difference analysis found 2028 mRNAs, 128 miRNAs, and 136 lncRNAs to be significantly differentially expressed in tumor samples relative to normal samples. We set up a ceRNA network containing 21 protein-coding mRNAs, 12 miRNAs, and 3 lncRNAs. In kaplan-Meier analysis, 21 of the 36 ceRNAs were considered significant. Of the 22 cell types, resting dendritic cell levels were markedly different in tumor samples versus normal controls. Calibration and ROC curve analysis of the ceRNA network, as well as immune-infiltration of tumor showed resultful accuracy (three-year survival AUC: 0.691, five-year survival AUC: 0.700; three-years survival AUC: 0.674, five-year survival AUC: 0.694). Our data suggest that Tregs, CD4 T-cells, mast cells, SNHG1, HMMR and hsa-miR-421 are associated with HCC based on ceRNA-immune cells co-expression patterns. Conclusion: On the basis of ceRNA network modeling and immune cell infiltration analysis, our study offers an effective bioinformatics strategy for studying HCC molecular mechanisms and prognosis.
Identification and Verification of Cdk5 Phosphorylated Deubiquitinating Enzyme BRCC3
Authors: Zhang Conghui , Qin Kun , Han Yu , Xu Shaoye , Shao Xiaoyun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: It is known that the expression of the deubiquitinating enzyme BRCA1-BRCA2-containing complex subunit 3(BRCC3) is increased, as well as Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5(Cdk5) in Parkinson’s Disease(PD), and both of them to be involved in neuroinflammatory response. But the regulatory mechanism of Cdk5 on the post-translational modification of BRCC3 remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the phosphorylation of Cdk5 on the BRCC3. Methods and Results: Cdk5 phosphorylation of BRCC3 was predicted by GPS5.0 software. His-BRCC3 plasmid was constructed by cloning the BRCC3 gene into pGEX-6P-1 vector, and then His-BRCC3 fusion protein was induced by IPTG and purified by His-tag purification agarose. The BRCC3 fusion protein was reacted with Cdk5 in vitro, and the phosphorylation was detected by mass spectrometry and Western blot. The results showed that multiple phosphorylation sites were predicted by GPS5.0, and the His-BRCC3 fusion protein was successfully induced and purified. In vitro kinase assay, Western blot and mass spectrometry identified that Cdk5 can phosphorylate BRCC3. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that the protein kinase Cdk5 can phosphorylate the deubiquitinating enzyme BRCC3 in vitro, which provide evidences for further study on the mechanism of neurodegeneration.
Increased Mitochondrial Mass Related To Heightened Pyroptosis of CD4+T Cells In HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Yu Fengting , Ma Chengjie , Jin Xia , Zhao Hongxin , Xiao Jiang , Li Li , Song Shujing , Zhang Xia , Xie Xiaohui , Yang Siyuan , Tang Yunxia , Wang Linghang , Zhang Fujie 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: In HIV-1 infection, over 90% CD4+T cells die of caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis. What governs the increased susceptibility of CD4+T cells to pyroptosis is poorly understood. Method: Blood samples were obtained from 31 ART-naive HIV-infected patients, 29 ART-exposed HIV-infected patients, and 21 healthy control donors. Plasma levels of IL-18 and IL-1β, activated caspase-1, mitochondrial mass (MM) and mitochondrial fusion/fisson genes of CD4+T subsets were measured. Results: Significantly higher IL-18 level of plasma and MM level of CD4+T cells were found in HIV-infected patients than that in healthy controls, and the MMhigh phenotype manifested more sensitivity to caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis. Moreover, the increased MM was more pronounced in the early differentiated and inactivated CD4+T cells. However, higher MM was not intrinsically linked to T cell differentiation disorder or excessive activation of the CD4+T cells. Mechanistically, the increased mitochondrial mass was significantly correlated with an elevated expression level of the mitochondrial fusion gene-mitofusin1.Conclusion: MM increase associates with heightened sensitivity of CD4+T cells to pyroptosis even in early differentiated and unactivated CD4+T cells in patients with HIV-1 infection, regardless of whether the patients are on HAART or not. These new revelations uncovered a previously unappreciated challenge to immune reconstitution with antiretroviral therapy.
Does Only Egg Sac Protect Spider Embryos From Pathogens? Detection Of Antibacterial Proteins In Embryos of Theridiidae And Lycosidae Representatives
Authors: Czerwonka Agnieszka E. , Sawadro Marta K. , Babczyńska Agnieszka I. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Cocoons covering spider embryos may constitute a physical barrier, protecting eggs from microbial infections. The aim of the study was to find out if the embryos have their own immune potential. We test the effect of cocoon deprivation on the level of antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) produced by spider embryos of Parasteatoda tepidariorum and Pardosa sp. Eggs in the age from 24 to 168 hours were divided in two experimental groups: C (closed, in untouched cocoon) and O (open, embryos isolated from the egg sac). Results indicate that the tested spiders embryos produce lysozyme, defensins and potentially other low-molecular-weight proteins with antimicrobial activity. Level of AMPs increased with the age of spider embryos. Lysozyme in both species was produced at a higher level than defensins. Deprivation of cocoon results in increased production of lysozyme only in Pardosa sp., which may be related to the specific type of parental care of lycosids.
Optimization of Osteosynthesis Positioning in Mandibular Body Fracture Management using Numerical Finite Element Method Simulation and Polymeric Model Testing
Authors: Daqiq Omid , Wubs Fred W. , Bos Ruud R. M. , Minnen Baucke van 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The study aims to optimise surgical management for mandibular body fractures by application of finite element method (FEM) with verification from polymeric model tests. The study investigates two issues regarding the application of osteosynthesis plates for mandibular body fractures: the effect of miniplate positioning and mandibular body height decrease. Computed tomography (CT) images of cadaveric mandibles with heights of resp. 21, 15, and 10 mm were used to create a FEM-model with a unilateral straight-line fracture, fixated with a standard commercially available 6-hole 2 mm titanium miniplate. Outcomes were compared with a series of mechanical tests with polymeric models fixed in a customized device and loaded with a mechanical test bench. Firstly, the study illustrates that the optimal plate position appears to be the upper border. Secondly, lower mandibular height increases instability and requires a stronger fixation. Thirdly, optimal fracture reduction is essential for gaining stability. In conclusion, FEM and polymeric testing outcomes of unilateral non-comminuted fractures were highly comparable to the current opinions in mandibular fracture treatment. In future, the FEM may be used to predict the treatment of more complex fractures. However, more analysis needs to be conducted to say whether FEM alone is sufficient for fracture analysis.
Administrative data analysis of student attrition in Hungarian Medical Training
Authors: Pusztai Gabriella , Demeter-Karászi Zsuzsanna , Alter Emese 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Even though dropout is a well-researched topic in tertiary education, it is still not clear which variables have an impact on it beyond individual attributes. There is numerous empirical evidence supporting that college students studying in STEM fields are characterized by a higher risk of attrition than their peers. Even though medicine is not traditionally considered to be part of STEM disciplines, some suggest to include it, as the field of medicine is an important area in research focusing on student attrition. Since Hungarian medical training attracts more and more international students every year, the issue of attrition in this field of study can have a global impact too.
Methods

In our study we examined the dropout behavior of all medical students who started their studies in 2010 in Hungary (N = 977) by analyzing longitudinal administrative data of the students between 2010 and 2017, which unlike self-reported questionnaires made it possible for us to analyse data that without any kind of distortion. Since we analyzed the data of all students studying medicine in this period in Hungary, we conducted descriptive statistics and revealed the risk and protective factors of drouput using bonary logistic regression.
Results

Our results indicate that the risk of dropout can be increased by a low number of credits and passive semesters and the tuition-based forms of finance, although dormitory placement can serve as a protective factor.
Conclusions

Relieving the rigidity of the training network, more educational attention, targeted mentoring in the case of learning difficulties and dormitory placement in support of learning communities can be formulated as a policy proposal.
Protective factors for cognitive decline: Trajectories and changes in a longitudinal study with Italian elderly
Authors: Mondini Sara , Pucci Veronica , Montemurro Sonia , Rumiati Raffaella 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This retrospective study quantifies the relative contribution of age and sex as demographic factors, comorbidity, education and occupation as cognitive reserve (CR) proxies in accounting for cognitive aging. Participants underwent three neuropsychological evaluations, with their cognitive profiles being classified as unimpaired, mildly or severely impaired. For all 3,081 participants, in addition to age, education was the best predictor of performance followed by occupation. From the original sample, 543 participants were reassessed a second time, and 125 a third time. Depending on whether they maintained or worsened their profile based on their initial performance, participants were classified as resistant or declining. Results showed that, across assessments, the resistant had higher levels of education and occupation than the declining. Education and occupation modulated cognitive performance also in the more severely impaired group. This study confirms that the trajectories of changes of performance in ageing are consistently predicted by high levels of CR.
Effectiveness and drug retention of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Korean patients with late-onset ankylosing spondylitis: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Se Hee , Kim Hae-Rim , Lee Sang-Heon , Shin Kichul , Kim Hyoun-Ah , Min Hong Ki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The clinical data on the biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) use in late-onset ankylosing spondylitis (LOAS) is limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the drug efficacy and retention rate of bDMARDs in LOAS and compare it to young-onset ankylosing spondylitis (YOAS).Methods: Data of patients with AS receiving bDMARDs were extracted from the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy registry. Patients whose age of onset was > 50 years and < 50 years were classified as having LOAS and YOAS, respectively. Their baseline characteristics and disease-associated parameters were evaluated. Drug efficacy (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS]-clinically important improvement [CII], ASDAS-major improvement [MI], Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society [ASAS] 20, and ASAS 40) at 1-year follow-up and drug retention rates were assessed. Results: A total of 1708 patients (comprising 1472 patients with YOAS and 236 patients with LOAS) were included in this analysis. The LOAS group had a lower prevalence among males, lower HLA-B27 positivity and a higher prevalence of peripheral arthritis. Patients with LOAS were more likely to have higher disease-associated parameters (inflammatory reactants, patient global assessment, ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and ASDAS-C-reactive protein). LOAS was negatively associated with achieving ASDAS-CII, ASAS 20, and ASAS 40. The drug retention rate was lower in LOAS; however, the propensity score-matched and covariate-adjusted hazard ratios for bDMARD discontinuation were comparable to YOAS. There were no differences in the drug retention rates based on the type of bDMARD used in LOAS. Conclusion: Inferior clinical efficacy and drug retention rates were found in patients with LOAS receiving bDMARDs using real-world nationwide data. There were no differences among each bDMARD type.
The Mechanism Of Functional Electrical Stimulation Ameliorating Muscle Function Of Patients With Sarcopenia After Spinal Cord Injury: A Bioinformatics Analysis Of Key Genes
Authors: Lao Kecheng , Wang Lixia , Wang Lihua , Fan Xiao , Yin Hailei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia caused by spinal cord injury seriously affects the muscle function, which impairs the locomotion function of patients. As an effective physiotherapeutic, functional electrical stimulation is benefit to the recovery of muscle function without exact mechanisms. So the objection of the study is to explore the biological regulatory factors related to functional electrical stimulation for muscle function recovery of patients with sarcopenia after spinal cord injury using bioinformatics methods.Methods: The related microarray datasets GSE142426 and GSE33886 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We used the R software to merge the two datasets, correct the inter-batch differences and screen the differentially expressed genes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway were analyzed by using the DAVID online tool. The STRING database was used to analyze the interaction of differentially encoded proteins. The key genes were selected to draw the ROC curves, and CYCS was used to perform gene set enrichment analysis.Results: A total of 114 differentially expressed genes were selected, including 44 up-regulated genes and 70 down-regulated genes, and four hub genes were identified including CYCS, SUCLG1, ATP5B and ATP5C1. ROC curve showed that CYCS was considered as the best indicator and GSEA analysis showed that up-regulation of CYCS was related to mitochondria and energy metabolism.Conclusion: The mechanism of function electrical stimulation on muscle function recovery of spinal cord injury patients with sarcopenia is mainly related to regulate mitochondrial energy metabolism and scavenge reactive oxygen species to mitigate the oxidative damage.
Persistency of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Lungs
Authors: Ferrini Erica , Stellari Fabio Franco , Franceschi Valentina , Macchi Francesca , Russo Luca , Murgia Alba , Grisendi Giulia , Villetti Gino , Dominici Massimo , Donofrio Gaetano 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background. Mesenchymal stromal/stem Cells (MSCs) are a fibroblast-like cell population with high regenerative potential that can be isolated from many different tissues. Several data suggest MSCs as a therapeutic tool capable of migrating to a site of injury and guide tissue regeneration mainly through their secretome. Pulmonary first-pass effect occurs during intravenous administration of MSCs, where 50 to 80% of the cells tend to localize in the lungs. This phenomenon has been exploited to study MSCs potential therapeutic effects in several pre-clinical models of lung diseases. Data demonstrated that, regardless the lung disease severity and the delivery route, MSCs were not able to survive longer than 24h in the respiratory tract, but still surprisingly determining a therapeutic effect. Methods. In this work, two different mouse bone marrow derived MSCs (mBM-MSCs) lines, stably transduced with a third-generation lentiviral vector expressing Luciferase and GFP reporter genes tracking MSCs in vivo biodistribution and persistency, have been generated. Results. Cells within the engrafted lung were in vivo traced using the high throughput Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI) technique, with no invasiveness on animal, minimizing biological variations and costs. In vivo BLI analysis allowed the detection and monitoring of the mBM-MSC clones up to 28 days after implantation, independently from the delivery route. Conclusions. This longer persistency, than previously observed (24 hours), could have a strong impact in terms of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of MSCs as a therapeutic tool.
Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD) Associated with PCA-1 Antibodies in Established Cancer Patients
Authors: Lehner Michael , Gheeya Jinesh S. , Siddiqui Bilal A. , Tummala Sudhakar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare set of neurological disorders arising from tumor-associated autoimmunity against antigens within the cerebellum. Anti-Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibody 1 (PCA-1), or anti-Yo, is the most commonly linked antibody and is classically associated with breast and ovarian cancers. Here we report case series of PCA-1 associated PCD in patients with known breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis not receiving immunotherapy. These cases highlight recognizing PCA-1 paraneoplastic syndrome triggered by cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery, tumor recurrence and associated with development of second cancer. Diagnosis of the syndrome requires neurological workup with lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) studies, serum and CSF paraneoplastic antibody panel, and neuroimaging. Inpatient admission for prompt workup and initiation of treatment is recommended. Treatment most commonly includes immunosuppression with corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and/or intravenous immune globulin (IVIG); however, we postulate that other immune modulating treatments may warrant consideration. In established cancer patients developing this syndrome, workup and treatment of tumor recurrence or development of second malignancy is recommended. These cases highlight the need for early recognition of the syndrome in patients receiving non immune based chemotherapy, for prompt workup and treatment.
Association Between Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Intraoperative Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation: a Retrospective Single-center Cohort Study
Authors: Sim Ji Hoon , Kwon Hye-Mee , Jun In-Gu , Kim Sung-Hoon , Kim Bomi , Kim Sehee , Song Jun-Gol , Hwang Gyu-Sam 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been associated with massive bleeding and increased blood transfusion requirements. However, information on indicators predicting bleeding and transfusion in LDLT is limited. Recent studies have reported a correlation between red cell distribution width (RDW) and bleeding risk. This study investigates the association between RDW and intraoperative blood transfusion in patients receiving LDLT.Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 2548 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2010 and October 2019. The patients were divided into four groups based on preoperative RDW quartiles: Q1 (<13.9), Q2 (13.9–15.2), Q3 (15.2–17.4), and Q4 (≥17.4), and transfusion requirement and surgical outcomes were assessed. The risk factors for intraoperative transfusion were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. The predictive power of RDW was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis.Results: There were significant differences in incidence of intraoperative transfusion according to preoperative RDW quartile (Q1 vs Q2 vs Q3 vs Q4: 47.3% vs. 78.1% vs. 91.8% vs. 96.2%, P<0.001). Q4 had poor surgical outcomes, such as acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.44–2.54, P<0.001). In the multivariate logistic analysis, RDW, age, sex, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, model for end-stage liver disease scores, and total ischemic time were risk factors for transfusion. In ROC and IDI analysis, RDW had predictive power for intraoperative transfusion (P=0.023 in IDI).Conclusions: Preoperative RDW is a potential predictor of intraoperative transfusion and postoperative acute kidney injury in patients receiving LDLT.