bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Resection Versus Open Surgery for Locally Advanced Sinonasal Malignancies in Combination With Radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Qian , Huang Xiaodong , Chen Xuesong , Zhang Jianghu , Wang Jingbo , Qu Yuan , Wang Kai , Wu Runye , Zhang Ye , Xiao Jianping , Yi Junlin , Xu Guozhen , Luo Jingwei 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Objective:To compare the long-term oncological outcomes of endoscopic resection versus open surgery in combination with radiotherapy for locally advanced sinonasal malignancies.Methods:Data for continuous patients with sinonasal epithelial tumors treated in our center between Jan 1999 and Dec 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Those who received surgery (endoscopic or open surgery) combined with radiotherapy were identified, and 1:1 matching with propensity scores was performed. The primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards modeling. The local recurrence rate (LRR) was assessed by competing risk analysis.Results:We identified 267 eligible patients, 90 of whom were included after matching: 45 patients in the endoscopy group and 45 in the open group. The median follow-up time was 87 months. In the endoscopic group, 84.4% of patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), with a mean gross tumor volume (GTV) dose of 68.28 Gy; in the open surgery group, 64.4% of patients received IMRT, with a mean GTV dose of 64 Gy. The 5-year OS, PFS and LRR were 69.9%, 58.6%, and 24.5% in the endoscopic group and 64.6%, 54.4%, and 31.8% in the open surgery group, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that surgical approach was not associated with lower OS, PFS or LRR. Age, histopathology and stage were independent risk factors for OS.Conclusion:For patients with locally advanced sinonasal carcinoma, minimally invasive endoscopic resection, in combination with a higher radiation dose and new radiation techniques such as IMRT, yields survival outcomes similar to those of open surgery in combination with radiotherapy.
Fizeau Interferometer to Measure Refractive Index of Air With Permanent Vacuum Prism Etalon
Authors: Kruger Oelof , Chetty Naven 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Over the years much research has been done into the measurement of the speed of light. The speed of light has had many applications in measurements since it has been determined with the required accuracy. The refractive index of the medium in which the measurements are performed is critical in order to use the speed of light for accurate measurements. In dimensional metrology, most measurements are performed in air, and therefore, the refractive index of the air must be determined to a higher accuracy than the dimensional measurements performed. The most accurate way to determine the refractive index is to use a refractometer. Previous research by the authors looked at using a prism as the vacuum cell instead of a cylinder. The main advantage was that it eliminates the use of a vacuum pump. In this research, a new prism was designed to overcome difficulties with the previously used prism. A new method to use an optical flatness interferometer with a Fizeau interferometer layout to measure the air/vacuum ratio was researched and the results are presented here. The results achieved in the measurement method of the refractive index of air were accurate to 6 × 10-8, which compares well with other refractometers with the added described advantage.
Effects of ondansetron, metoclopramide and granisetron on perioperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergone bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Oshidari Bahador , Ebrahimian Manoochehr , Ghayebi Negin 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
IntroductionPost-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem after bariatric surgeries. In recent years, following the expansion of the number of this type of surgery, special attention has been paid to prevent this phenomenon. Also, several prophylaxis methods have been developed including Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and antiemetics. Nevertheless, PONV has not been completely eliminated and the clinicians are trying to reduce the incidence of PONV, yet.MethodsAfter successful ERAS implementation, patients divided into five groups including control and interventional groups. Metoclopramide (MA), Ondansetron (OA), Granisetron (GA) and combination of Metoclopramide and Ondansetron (MO) were used as antiemetics for each groups. The frequency of PONV during first and second days of admission has been recorded.Resultsone hundred thirty patients were enrolled in this study. The MO group showed lower incidence of PONV (46.1%) in comparison to control group (53.8%) as well as other groups. Also, the MO group didn’t require rescue antiemetic while one-third of control cases used antiemetics (0 vs 34%).ConclusionUsing a combination of metoclopramide and ondansetron is a cost-effective antiemetic regimen for reducing PONV after bariatric surgeries. This combination is more helpful when implemented alongside ERAS protocols.
Construction of an immune-related lncRNA signature pair for predicting oncologic outcomes and the sensitivity of drugs to treat adverse reactions to immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhuang Jinman , Chen Zhongwu , Chen Zishan , Chen Jin , Liu Maolin , Xu Xinying , Liu Yuhang , Yang Shuyan , Hu Zhijian , He Fei 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background

Although immunotherapy has shown clinical activity in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), LUAD prognosis has been a perplexing problem. We aimed to construct an immune-related lncRNA pair (IRLPs) score for LUAD and identify the best drugs to treat immune-related adverse events (ir AEs).
Methods

Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUAD dataset, IRLPs were identified to construct an IRLPs scoring system by Cox regression and were validated in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. Next, immune and molecular characteristics were explored in different IRLP subgroups. The “pRRophetic” package was used to predict the sensitivity of drugs used to treat ir AEs.
Results

A total of 477 LUAD patients in TCGA with gene expression and mutation data with complete clinicopathological features were found in our study and used as a training set. The study also included 318 patients from three GEO datasets. The IRLPs score was constructed based on eight IRLPs, and patients with a high IRLP risk score had a better overall survival (OS). Immune score (Cor=-0.18893, P<0.001), stoma score (Cor=-0.24804, P<0.001), and microenvironment score (Cor=-0.22338, P<0.001) were significantly decreased in the patients with the highest IRLP risk score. The high-risk group was found enriched in molecular changes in DNA and chromosomes, and in this group the tumor mutation burden (TMB) was higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.0015). Immunosuppressor methotrexate sensitivity was higher in the high-risk group (P=0.0052), whereas parthenolide (P<0.001) and rapamycin (P=0.013) sensitivity were lower in the high-risk group.
Conclusions

Our study established an IRLPs scoring system as a biomarker to help in the prognosis, the identification of molecular and immune characteristics, and the patient-tailored selection of the most suitable drugs for ir AEs therapy.
Water and Nitrogen Coupling Effects on Grain Yield, Water and Nitrogen use Efficiency of Oilseed Flax in Semiarid Area of China
Authors: Cui Zhengjun , Gao Yuhong , Yan Bin , Wu Bing , Wang Yifan , Xu Peng , Wang Haidi , Zhao Bangqing , Cao Zhi , Xie Yaping , Niu Junyi , Ma Jun , Yang Kun 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Irrigation and nitrogen management are essential for sustainable agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions. Lower water availability and fertilizer utilization are two major factors of constrainting agricultural production in the semi-arid regions. Therefore, improving the utilization efficiency of water and fertilizer has become an important research goal. A two-year field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with no irrigation (I0), 1200 m3 ha−1 (I1200) and 1800 m3 ha−1 (I1800) as the main factor and 0 (N0), 60 (N60) and 120 (N120) kg N ha−1 nitrogen rate as a sub-factor to investigate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen rates on precipitation storage efficiency (PSE), soil water storage, grain yield, and water and nitrogen use efficiency of oilseed flax in the Loess Plateau of China. The result showed that irrigation and nitrogen significantly increased PSE, soil water storage during the fallow period (ΔSWCf), dry matter accumulation and grain yeild of oilseed flax. However, the change of soil-water storage during the growing season (ΔSWCg) and the change of soil-water storage in the whole year (ΔSWCy) decreased. Soil water storage in irrigation supply treatment at after harvest in each growing season was higher than that in non-irrigation. PSE was highest under I1800N120 treatment. I1800 increased SWSs, SWSh and ETg at 2018 and improved above-ground biomass (anthesis and maturity stage), while decreased WUE and WUEI. Grain yield under 60 and 120 kg N ha−1 with 1800 m3 ha−1 increased by 69.12, 68.07 (2017) and 22.77, 15.23% (2018), respectively, when compared to the I0N0 treatment. Considering flax grain yield, water and nitrogen productivity, 60 or 120 kg/ha N and irrigation of 1800 m3/ha are recommended for water and nitrogen management of oilseed flax in Loess Plateau of China.
Immunoreactivity of Humanized Single-Chain Variable Fragment Against Its Functional Epitope On Domain 1 of CD147
Authors: Intasai Nutjeera , Rangnoi Kuntalee , Yamabhai Montarop , Pamonsupornwichit Thanathat , Soponpong Suthinee , Thongkum Weeraya , Yasamut Umpa , Chupradit Koollawat , Takheaw Nuchira , Nimmanpipug Piyarat , Tayapiwatana Chatchai 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Domain 1 of CD147 participates in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production and is a candidate for targeted therapy to prevent cancer invasion and metastasis. A functional mouse anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody, M6-1B9, was found to recognize domain 1 of CD147, and its respective mouse single-chain variable fragment (ScFvM61B9) was subsequently generated. The EDLGS epitope candidate for M6-1B9 was identified using the phage display peptide technique in this study. For future clinical applications, humanized ScFv specific to domain 1 of CD147 (HuScFvM61B9) was partially adopted from the hypervariable sequences of parental mouse ScFvM61B9 and grafted onto suitable human immunoglobulin frameworks. Molecular modelling and simulation were performed in silico to generate the conformational structure of HuScFvM61B9. These results elucidated the amino acid residues that contributed to the interactions between CDRs and the epitope motif. The expressed HuScFvM61B9 specifically interacted with CD147 at the same epitope as the original mAb, M6-1B9, and retained immunoreactivity against CD147 in SupT1 cells. Binding affinity of HuScFvM61B9 by biolayer interferometry was higher than the predicted one. should be considered a potential therapeutic antibody. As domain 1 is responsible for cancer invasion and metastasis, HuScFvM61B9 would be a candidate for cancer targeted therapy in the future.
Development of nested PCR for identification of Entamoeba coli in stool samples
Authors: Rattaprasert Pongruj , Nitatsukprasert Chanyapat , Thima Kanthinich , Chavalitshewinkoon-Petmitr Porntip 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background

The accurate detection of Entamoeba species provides for a better understanding of the nature of these parasites in humans and helps to provide accurate epidemiological data. However, the microscopic method is not sensitive and specific to identify the precise identification of Entamoeba spp. in stool specimens especially if it was examined by inexperienced laboratory technicians. In this study, nested PCR was developed for detection of Entamoeba coli, and can be differentiated from the other human Entamoeba spp. especially Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii.
Methods

Nested PCR assay was performed using Entamoeba genus-specific primers for the first round PCR reaction and newly designed E. coli-specific primers targeting small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene in the second round. Both sensitivity and specificity of nested PCR for detection of E. coli were determined. This assay was validated for detection of E. coli by using DNA obtained from 55 stool samples which previously examined by microscopy. Results obtained from developed nested PCR, genus-specific PCR, and microscopy were analyzed.
Results

Nested PCR was successfully developed to diagnose E. coli infection with a product size of 166 base pairs (bp). The nested PCR method could detect as little as 1 pg of E. coli DNA. The high specificity was confirmed by testing with DNA from the different intestinal pathogens, including bacteria and other protozoa. After testing with all stool samples, 50.9% of tested samples were positive for Entamoeba spp. by genus-specific PCR assay, 32.7% of E. coli positive samples detected by nested PCR, and 29.1% were positive by microscopic examination. Interestingly, four samples previously negative for E. coli by microscopy demonstrated E. coli by nested PCR. In addition, microscopy showed two false-positive compared with both nested PCR and genus-specific primers results.
Conclusions

The developed nested PCR assay based on genus Entamoeba-specific primers and newly designed E. coli-specific primers shows high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of E. coli in stool samples. This nested PCR assay will be beneficial not only for diagnostic purposes but also for a better understanding of the epidemiology of E. coli in the human population worldwide.
Multiple Long-range Host Shifts of Major Wolbachia Supergroups Infecting Arthropods
Authors: Gomes Tiago M. F. F. , Wallau Gabriel L. , Loreto Elgion L. S. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Wolbachia is genus of intracellular bacterial endosymbionts found in 20–66% of all insect species and a range of other invertebrates. It is classified as a single species, Wolbachia pipiens, divided into supergroups A to U, with supergroups A and B infecting arthropods exclusively. Wolbachia is transmitted mainly via vertical transmission through female oocytes, but can also be transmitted across different taxa by host shift (HS)—the direct transmission of Wolbachia cells between organisms without involving vertically transmitted gametic cells. To assess the contribution of HS, we recovered 50 orthologous genes from over 1000 Wolbachia genomes, reconstructed their phylogeny and calculated gene similarity. Of 15 supergroup A Wolbachia lineages, 10 have similarities ranging from 95% to 100%, while their hosts’ similarities are around 60 to 80%. For supergroup B, four out of eight lineages, which infect diverse and distantly-related organisms such as Acari, Hemiptera and Diptera, showed similarities from 93 to 97%. These results show that Wolbachia genomes have a much higher similarity when compared to their hosts’ genes, which is a major indicator of HS. Our comparative genomic analysis suggests that, at least for supergroups A and B, HS is more frequent than expected, occurring even between distantly-related species.
Caregivers of people with dementia and mental health during COVID-19: findings from a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Messina Anna , Lattanzi Martina , Albanese Emiliano , Fiordelli Maddalena 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
There is sparse evidence on the impact on vulnerable populations of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study was to explore burden and mental wellbeing (including depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms) in caregivers of people with dementia during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy and southern Switzerland, two bordering regions severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We conducted an online cross-sectional survey with family carers of people with dementia between May and June 2020. We registered socio-demographic characteristics, and information about the relationship with the care recipient, dementia subtype, care inputs from others, and the need of care of the person with dementia. We measured caregiver burden with the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), psychological distress with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and perceived isolation with the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS3).
Results
Caregivers (N=571) reported moderate to severe care-related burden (mean=54.30; SD=18.33), moderate anxiety symptoms (mean=10.04; SD=6.93), mild depressive symptoms (mean=11.79; SD=6.12) and mild stress (mean=12.95; SD=5.53), and 72.3% of participants reported to feel lonely. All scores were significantly more severe in Swiss compared to Italian caregivers (all p values<0.001).
Conclusions
We found that caregivers’ burden, anxiety symptoms, depression and perceived loneliness were marked during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in two severely hit bordering countries. Regional differences in the impact of the epidemic on caregivers could be due to contextual, societal, and cultural circumstances. As the pandemic endures, support to caregivers of people with dementia should be proportionate and tailored to needs and adapted to contextual factors.
Prediction of Anti-Icing Longevity of Asphalt Pavement With Salt-Storage Additive
Authors: Zhang Yan , Deng Yong , Shi Xianming 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This study established a systematic simulation framework to predict the anti-icing longevity of a thin overlay of asphalt pavement with salt-storage additive (APSSA). The water and chloride transport in the overlay when subjected to varying precipitation, temperature, thermal cracking, and fatigue cracking over time were modeled using a Finite Element Method based software. The simulation included two parts: water transport followed by chloride transport. Water transport that obeys the law of conservation of mass was modeled using the phase transport in porous media (phtr) interface of COMSOL, while chloride transport based on Fick’s second law was modeled with the transport of diluted species (tds) interface. The simulation results show the anti-icing function of a 16-mm thick overlay was fully effective in 2 years and 5 years for the minimum pavement temperature above -3.4 °C and -2.4 °C, respectively. These two pavement temperatures are equivalent to 97.4-percentile and 96.3-percentile of historical hourly pavement temperature near Pullman, Washington.
Synthesis, Antioxidant activity and Structure-Activity Relationship of gallic hydrazones Analogues
Authors: Wu Zhengrong , Chen Peng , Liu Ying-Qian 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
A series of gallic acid hydrazones were designed and synthesized as new potential anti-oxidant agents. Most of these compounds are potent antioxidants. The strongest compounds are 11 and 15 (EC50: 6.42 μg·mL−1, 6.86 μg·mL−1, DPPH) and (EC50: 12.85μg·mL−1, 12.49μg·mL−1ABTS), more potent than the positive control Trolox. Furthermore, the promising compounds 11 and 15 exhibited very low cytotoxic activity against HEK293 cell (IC50 >56.4 µM). The SAR study revealed that the pattern of hydroxyl, methoxy and methyl substituents on the gallic hydrazones framework can increase the antioxidant properties of the prototype compounds. Moreover, the results also showed that the activity increased with the number of the groups and increased following hydroxyl > methoxy > methyl. Overall, the present study suggests that the designed compounds may serve as lead molecules for developing novel anti-oxidative agents in food industry.
Is Smaller Thyroid Gland Volume in COVID-19 Survivors Indicative of Chronic Thyroid Dysfunction?
Authors: Urhan Emre , Karaca Zuleyha , Kara Canan Sehit , Yuce Zeynep Ture , Unluhizarci Kursad 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Purpose.Data about the effects of COVID-19 on the endocrine system are increasing, but COVID-19-associated thyroid dysfunctions are not known clearly. We investigated the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the thyroid gland in COVID-19 survivors.Methods.64 adult COVID-19 survivors and 70 healthy adults were enrolled. The COVID-19 survivors were evaluated at median 5.7 months (IQR: 4-6.5) (range: 2-7 months) after acute infection. The blood tests were obtained for thyroid antibodies and function tests. Thyroid ultrasonography (USG) was done by the same physician. The ellipsoid formula was used for calculation of thyroid gland volume.Results. There was no significant difference between the groups for thyroid hormone levels. The mean thyroid gland volume was significantly lower in COVID-19 survivors (10.3 ± 3.4 ml) than in the controls (14 ± 5.3 ml) (p = 0.001). Mild TSH elevation was detected in 4 (6.2%) patients and all of the other patients (93.7%) were euthyroid. Thirty-one patients, who had pre-COVID thyroid hormone levels, were compared with their post-COVID thyroid hormone levels, and no significant difference was found. Twelve patients, who had acute-COVID infection were compared with their post-COVID thyroid function tests, and free triiodothyronine (FT3) values during acute-COVID infection were significantly lower than in their post-COVID period (p = 0.02).Conclusions.The effects of COVID-19 on the thyroid gland may have a variable course. Our results revealed that a significant decrease in thyroid gland volume in the early post-COVID compared to the healthy subjects and COVID-19 survivors may be candidates for thyroid gland disorders.
Computational Study of 16S rRNA of Microbe Cluster Implicated in Diarrhoeal: Phylogeny, Docking, and Dynamics
Authors: Ugboko Harriet U. , Fatoki Toluwase Hezekiah , Nwinyi Obinna C. , Ibraheem Omodele , Omonhinmin Conrad A. , Fatoki Jesupemi Mercy , Adetuyi Oluwafijimi Yomi 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In this study, 16S rRNA of diarrhoea microbial cluster was investigated computationally. The phylogeny, two- and three-dimensional structures, molecular docking and dynamics simulations were carried out. The result showed that Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter upsaliensis, Streptococcus lutetiensis 033, Streptococcus infantarius, Enterococcus ratti, Helicobacter sp. 'feline isolate, Helicobacter canadensis, Anaerobiospirillum sp. B0101, Anaerobiospirillum sp. 3J102 as well as uncultured bacterium (Prevotella) and unidentified bacterium (Lactobacillus) were involved in diarrhoea infection. Optimal secondary structure alignment from ClustalO has a minimum free energy (MFE) of -764.31 kcal/mol while that Aligner has MFE of -592.43 kcal/mol. The free energies from molecular docking reveal possible efficacy in the order of doxycycline > metacycline > streptomycin > rolitetracycline > tetracycline > tigecycline. Out of 17 antibiotics used in this study, chlortetracycline and minocycline have high affinity for methyltransferase KsgA (PDB ID: 3TPZ), kanamycin has almost equal affinity for both enzymes, while the remaining 14 antibiotic compounds have high affinity for pseudouridine synthase RsuA (PDB ID: 1KSV). The modelled three-dimensional structure of 16S rRNA bind to 1KSV and 3TPZ with free energy of -367.52 kcal/mol and-371.55 kcal/mol respectively. Moreover, the active site nucleotide residues were found to have direct interaction with amino acid residues in the active site of the enzymes. This study provides insight on the mechanism of action of antibiotics that targeted 16S rRNA by inhibition of key enzymes that involve in protein synthesis.