bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum HIF-1α and TGF-β1 levels depending on the clinical and morphological characteristics of breast cancer and sensitivity of tumor to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Zubareva E. Yu. , Senchukova M. A. , Virich E. V. , Zubarev M. R. , Goncharova M. A. 
Published: December 2021

Purpose of the study. To assess the serum levels of HIF-1 α and TGF-β1 in patients with invasive breast cancer (BC) depending on the clinical and morphological characteristics, molecular biological subtypes and the degree of pathological response (PR) of the tumor and metastases in the regional lymph nodes.Materials and methods. 65 patients with newly diagnosed invasive BC, of whom 32 received from 6 to 8 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (neo-A-CT) were included in this pilot study. The levels of TGF-β1 and HIF-1α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 12.0 software.Results. It was found that a high level of TGF-β1 was significantly more often observed in HER2-positive and I-IIa stages of luminal A and triple-negative BC (p = 0.01). HIF-1a levels were significantly higher in the presence of distant metastases (p = 0.04) and slightly higher in the presence of microcalcifications on mammograms (p = 0.07).The analysis showed that patients with grade III-IV of PR in tumor were significantly younger (p = 0.047). Grade III-IV of PR in tumor was significantly more often observed in G3 (p = 0.05), in Her2-positive and triple negative BC (p = 0.01), in the absence of perineural (p = 0.002) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p = 0.045), in the presence of lymphoid infiltration (p = 0.011) and microcalcifications in the tumor (p = 0.043), and slightly higher in ductal BC (p = 0.08). No significant correlations were found between the levels of TGF-β1 and HIF-1a and tumor PR (p = 0.6 and p = 0.9, respectively). However, in patients with grade III-IV of PR in regional metastases, the level of TGF-β1 was significantly lower than in patients with grade I-II (p = 0.03).Conclusions. Thus, these data indicate the presence of correlations between the levels of HIF-1 α and TGF-β1 in the blood serum and a number of clinical characteristics of BC. The highest levels of HIF-1α are observed in the presence of distant metastases, and the highest levels of TGF-β1 are noted in HER2-positive and I-IIa stages of luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer. Given the presence of significant correlations between the level of TGF-β1 and the degree of PR in regional lymph nodes, its determination may be useful for assessing the sensitivity of metastases to regional lymph nodes to the neo-A-CT.
Epistemological status of the narrative in scientific cognition
Authors: Yakovlev Vitaly Yu. 
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND: The article analyzes the role of narrative in scientific cognition.
AIM: The aim of the article is to investigate the epistemological status of the narrative in the process of knowledge production and legitimization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methodology of the study is based on the semiotic concept of culture in the context of the pragmatic practice of justifying the results of scientific research. Narrative is viewed as a specific way of making sense of the world and a form of human existence in the process of knowledge generation through storytelling. The functions of narrative in the process of cognition are analyzed: generation and comprehension of knowledge, structural organization of cognitive experience, translation of individual cognitive experience into the cultural code of society. The thesis that scientific representations of the object of cognition are secondary to narrative models of understanding in the context of communicative practice of science is discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions are made about the necessity of explication in epistemology of value-semantic foundations of pragmatics of scientific knowledge, taking into account which the narrative nature of scientific knowledge should be explicitly presented in the methodological reflection of scientific research.
White Matter Tract Neuroimaging and Serum Biomarker Analysis in Sports-related Concussion
Authors: McGill Michael J. , Wen Qiuting , Yang Ho-Ching , Shahid Salman , Wu Yu-Chien 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability throughout the world, estimated to carry an annual global incidence of over 27 million cases. Mild TBI (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, is the mildest form of TBI and accounts for roughly 90% of all head injuries. Sports-related concussion (SRC) contributes significantly to this statistic with millions of athletes sustaining high-impact injuries in contact sports such as football, soccer, and lacrosse. By examining the white-matter microstructure, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has shown excellent capabilities for detecting pathophysiologic changes after SRC and monitoring symptom progression. Biomarkers including neurofilament light (NfL) and tau have been implicated in SRC and may provide insight into the duration of post-concussive symptoms. At this time, very few studies have been published evaluating the relationship between these serum biomarkers and alterations to DTI metrics.

Methods:
In the present study, we examined the association between serum biomarkers NfL and tau to further understand the relationship between these biomarkers and neuroimaging findings seen with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) after exposure to a sports-related concussive event.

Results:
Serum tau levels decreased significantly at the 24-48h post-injury time point compared to 6h post-injury. Serum tau levels then elevated significantly at the asymptomatic time point in comparison to the 24-48h post-injury time point. The serum tau level was significantly associated with higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the white-matter tracts. Serum NfL had minimal associations with white matter diffusion metrics.

Conclusion and Potential Impact:
This research serves to better inform future investigations into the relationship between DTI metrics and serum biomarkers in the context of mTBI and SRC. This information may contribute to the development of a simple bedside serum analysis with potential to offer tremendous insight into the comprehensive brain health of patients who are being evaluated for SRC, thereby streamlining the therapeutic process and providing more accessible healthcare to patients in locations where advanced imaging techniques are not readily accessible.
Neuroprotective role of human neuritin 1 on axotomized human eyes pressurized using the Translaminar Autonomous System
Authors: Miller Ryan , Shahul Hameed Shahna , Sharma Tasneem 
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Primary open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide characterized by retinal ganglion cell death (RGC) and visual field loss. Glaucoma is most commonly associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), and current clinical management is limited to lowering intraocular pressure. We have previously shown that the secreted human protein neuritin 1 (NRN1) exhibits neuroprotection, regeneration, and preservation of RGC function after RGC axonal injury. We propose to overcome RGC degeneration by over-expressing NRN1 in our novel ex-vivo perfused pressurized Translaminar Autonomous System (TAS).
Methods: Human donor eyes were obtained from eye banks. To model glaucomatous conditions, dissected human posterior eye cups were cultured in the TAS model with IOP:ICP conditions of 16:12 mmHg over 6 days. Flow rate of perfusion medium to the interior and exterior (around optic nerve) of the eye cup (IOP and ICP, respectively) was controlled by automated pumps to induce the translaminar pressure gradient.We assessed survival of RGCs with and without hNRN1 treatment by TaqMan array analysis of apoptosis/inflammatory markers (retina). Expression of FN and COLIV was examined from conditioned medium of both groups by Western analysis.
Results: We successfully maintained IOP: ICP differentials over 6 days. The RGCs degenerated faster in non-treated conditions compared to NRN1 treated eyes. In contrast to control, NRN1-treated group displayed differential expression of FN and COLIV. We observed dysregulated expression of GFAP, BAX and TLR4 expression between control and experimental conditions.
Conclusion: We utilized our unique TAS model to recreate the human optic nerve head environment of elevated translaminar pressure for testing a unique neuroprotective and regenerative gene therapy. Using this approach, we hope to identify human Neuritin 1 as a therapeutic gene to save the visual neurons and develop a new treatment for glaucoma.
Oxidative DNA Damage in Tamoxifen Injected THPfl/+ ROSACre/+ Mice
Authors: Moore Robert , LaFavers Kaice , El-Ashkar Tarek 
Published: December 2021

Background and Hypothesis:
Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) is an important regulator of urinary and systemic homeostasis expressed exclusively in the kidney. Complete knockout of THP has been shown to lead to systemic oxidative damage in a mouse model. To develop a more clinically relevant model, we generated a tamoxifen inducible knockout/heterozygote mouse using the Cre/Lox system. We hypothesize that inducing a heterozygous state would increase levels of oxidative damage in mice.
Methods:
Experimental mice were generated by breeding THPfl/fl mice with ROSACreERT2/CreERT2 mice to develop the inducible heterozygote THPfl/+RosaCreERT2. These mice, along with controls (THPfl/fl) were treated with daily intraperitoneal injections of 75 mg/kg tamoxifen for 5 days. Serum samples were obtained from mice at baseline and 1, 2 and 3 weeks from the first injection, while kidneys were harvested at 1 or 3 weeks. PCR of kidney genomic DNA demonstrated excision of the floxed allele in mice expressing Cre-ERT2. Western Blot analysis of kidney lysates was used to measure kidney THP, while circulating THP was measured by ELISA. Oxidative DNA damage was measured in the kidney and circulation by ELISA.
Results:
Though kidney THP levels decreased in mice expressing Cre-ERT2, circulating levels of THP remained stable, with evidence of transient increases at 1 or 2 weeks for most animals. Mice expressing Cre-ERT2 had significantly increased oxidative DNA damage within the kidney and there was a trend toward increased oxidative DNA damage in the serum, though larger sample sizes are required to verify this finding.
Conclusion:
Despite decreased THP in the kidney, mice maintained normal levels of circulating THP. However, higher levels of oxidative damage were found in both the kidney and circulation. Together, these results suggest that THP levels in the serum are tightly controlled and that an acute loss of THP leads to rapid increases in oxidative damage.
Foreign Body Response and Intravital Microscopy on AIW in Mice
Authors: Sharpe Shannen K. , Martinez Michelle M. , Dunn Kenneth W. 
Published: December 2021

The foreign body response is the body’s response to the insertion of an object. The foreign body response consists of two components, the innate and adaptive immune response, and lasts for the life of the inserted object. Accordingly, the foreign body response represents a significant challenge to the development of implanted medical devices. In addition to triggering the damaging consequences of inflammation, the foreign body response acts to encapsulate and isolate inserted objects, limiting the functional lifetime of medical devices such as glucose monitors. Accordingly, significant efforts have been devoted to understanding the cell biology of the foreign body response to identify approaches for limiting surface “biofouling”. We have developed an indwelling window system that support longitudinal intravital microscopy of mice. In studies of transgenic mice expressing fluorescent immune cells, we found that the window triggers a local inflammatory response. To explore the utility of this window system as an experimental platform for characterizing the foreign body response, we conducted an intravital microscopy study of 8 mice expressing GFP in myeloid immune cells (Lys-EGFP mice) with surgically implanted abdominal imaging windows. To identify differences in the responses to different surface chemistries, the windows were either left uncoated or coated with poly-L-lysine or type V mouse collagen prior to insertion. Intravital multiphoton microscopy studies conducted over a period of up to 3 weeks demonstrated that the window instigated a local recruitment of immune cells, followed by vascularization and giant cell formation that varied depending upon window surface treatment. These studies demonstrate the utility of the abdominal window as a model system for studying the cell biology of the foreign body response and represent the template for subsequent studies designed to compare the foreign body response to different coating materials designed to extend the useful lifetime of implanted devices.
How Translators Affect the Experience and Healthcare of Primary Spanish-Speaking Patients in the Trauma Department
Authors: Morocho Catherin , Joplin Tasha N. S. , Lopez Kevin , Ortiz Damaris , Goergen Craig J. , Meagher Ashley 
Published: December 2021

Background and Objective: The trauma bay is a fast-paced environment where comprehension of medical jargon is difficult even for native English-speaking patients. For Spanish-speaking patients, the presence, and use of the translating tools in hospitals may change the course and/or quality of their care, especially in a trauma setting. Our objective was to gather information and perspectives of Spanish-speaking patients in the trauma bay and subsequent hospitalization. This pilot study determined if there were constant themes.
Methods: In this pilot qualitative study, we successfully recruited three adult primary Spanish-speaking patients admitted to the trauma service for at least twenty-four hours in July 2021 at an urban academic level I trauma center. Spanish only in-person semi-structured interviews were used to gather patient’s perspectives, with data supplemented from electronic health records and trauma registries. The interview was transcribed in Spanish, translated to English, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Although recruitment occurred at both hospitals, this study includes only three patients admitted at IU Health Methodist. All three were males aged 22-37 years from Latin America. Blunt injuries occurred in two with injury severity scores (ISS) ranging from 5-11 while the third had penetrating injuries with an ISS of 10. Several themes have emerged. All patients felt they did not have autonomy or empowerment in their care. It was found that the healthcare team decided who received a translator. Two of the patients had a lack of understanding in their traumatic injuries. One patient relied on his partner for translating, even though a translator was provided.
Conclusions: These results suggest that Spanish-speaking trauma patients lack autonomy, empowerment, and understanding their medical conditions. Further interviews need to be conducted in order to strengthen the perspective of a Spanish-speaking trauma patient’s care.
Regulation of Human NK Cell Activation by Expression of HLA Class I Molecules in Pig Endothelial Cells
Authors: Obando Benjamin , Cross-Najafi Arthur , Lopez Kevin , Thadasina Deepthi , Zhang Wenjun , Isidan A. Kadir , Park Yujin , Campana Gonzalo , Li Ping , Ekser Burcin 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Pig-to-human xenotransplantation (XTx) is a promising solution to the organ shortage. Genetically engineered pigs lacking major xenoantigens have reduced hyperacute rejection and prolonged xenograft survival. Despite these advancements, acute xenograft rejection (AXR) remains a major barrier to clinical XTx. AXR is mediated by multiple immune cells, of which natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role. Previous studies have shown that human HLA-E suppresses NK cell activation through the inhibitory receptor NKG2A. We seek to improve pig-to-human compatibility by expressing HLA-E in a genetically modified pig endothelial cell (pEC) line. This cell line 5GKO/ HLA-G+ has mutations in five genes encoding for xenoantigens and expresses HLA-G, an inhibitory ligand of the NK cell receptor KIR2DL4. In this study, the 5GKO/HLA-G+/HLA-E+ pEC line was established to examine whether co-expression of inhibitory ligands promotes NK cell tolerance.

Methods:
The HLA-Eα/pCDNA3.1 plasmid containing the HLA-E α-chain (HLA-Eα) cDNA driven by a CMV promoter was linearized and introduced into 106 cells of the 5GKO/HLA-G+ pEC line by electroporation. After 48 hours, HLA-E expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. HLA-E+ pECs were isolated by flow cytometry sort and co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated by IL-2. NK cell degranulation was compared between the 5GKO/HLA-G+ and 5GKO/HLA-G+/HLA-E+ pEC lines by measuring CD107a expression in the CD3- CD56+ cell population.

Results:
HLA-E molecules were successfully expressed on the pECs surface, indicating the HLA-E a chain can pair with the existing b2-microglobulin (B2M). The transfection efficiency was 38.2%. Three weeks later, the 5GKO/HLA-G+/HLA-E+ pEC was successfully established, confirming via flow cytometric analysis. The analysis of NK cell degranulation (CD107a) is underway.

Conclusion:
We established a 5GKO/HLA-G+/HLA-E+ pEC line, which is a valuable tool to study human-to-pig xenoreactive immune response in vitro, with the goal of improving pig-to-human xenograft immunotolerance.
Myocarditis in the Presence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection: A Case Study
Authors: O’Brien Sean , Ajam Samer , Han Amy 
Published: December 2021

Background/Objective:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory infections in children and adults. RSV has many non-specific symptoms such as cough and dyspnea. RSV is associated with high mortality in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Although rare, RSV has been reported to cause extrapulmonary complications such as arrhythmias and myocarditis. This case focuses on a patient infected with RSV who presents with acute sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT).
Case Overview:
An 83 year-old patient with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, persistent atrial fibrillation, and asthma presented to the emergency department with concerns of cough, malaise, and a syncopal episode. Upon admission, the patient tested positive for RSV and was diagnosed with acute bronchitis exacerbated by history of asthma. The patient soon developed SMVT with heart rates as high as 235 beats per minute. After consultation with an electrophysiologist, the VT was attributed to myocarditis as a result of the RSV infection. Oral amiodarone was prescribed, and the patient was discharged two weeks later. In a follow-up visit, no SMVT was reported, and the dosage of amiodarone was decreased.
Discussion:
With the onset of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic in early 2020, myocarditis associated with viral infection has been of interest in recent literature. Many cases of cardiovascular complications have been reported in patients infected with SARS-CoV2. Consequently, it is important to discuss cases of other respiratory viruses also presenting with arrhythmia and myocarditis. In the current case, a patient with RSV developed new onset VT. VT can be life-threatening and can cause further cardiovascular complications.
Conclusion:
RSV can cause new onset cardiovascular complications, albeit rare. It is important for clinicians to be aware of such complications especially in cases in which patients have preexisting cardiovascular conditions. Patients infected with RSV should be closely monitored for new onset complications.
Impact of Neonatal Outcome on Language Used to Describe Periviable Birth Experience
Authors: Patel Meera , Casbon Courtney , Morales Nazeli , Tucker Edmonds Brownsyne 
Published: December 2021

Motivation and Purpose: The experience of giving birth to a periviable neonate between 22-25 weeks gestation varies greatly among women depending on numerous factors. Studying periviable narrative experiences will allow us to isolate those factors that create a more positive experience, even in the instance of a negative neonatal outcome (infant death). Results may be used to advise future caregiving approaches so they may be tailored to the needs of women in these situations. This study aimed to qualitatively assess the extent of the relationship between neonatal outcome and the language used by women and their important others (IOs) to describe periviable birth experience three months postpartum.

Method: A semi-structured interview guide was used to investigate participants’ perceptions of their delivery experience and subsequent NICU experience, if applicable, at three months postpartum. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for themes by three investigators. Conventional content analysis was conducted using NVivo 12.

Results: Twenty-three women and twelve IOs were recruited at two hospitals between 2016 and 2018. Women and IOs who experienced infant death negatively described their delivery experience if they also negatively described healthcare team (HCT) interactions, including providers’ communication, clinical judgement, and personality traits. Specifically, participants with overall negative birth experiences described not understanding various clinical decisions and felt uninformed on topics pertinent to their or their infant’s care. Alternatively, women and IOs who experienced infant death who positively described their delivery experience also positively described NICU care (including HCT interactions) and infant death experience (comfort care). These results highlight the impact of HCT interactions and communication on a patient’s perception of delivery despite a negative neonatal outcome.

Conclusion: These findings could suggest that improvements in communication and information dissemination from the HCT may have the ability to improve a patient’s periviable birth experience despite a negative neonatal outcome.