bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity and immunogenicity of the merozoite surface protein 1 C-terminal 19-kDa fragment (MSP119) of Plasmodium ovale imported from Africa to China
Authors: Xu Qinwen , Liu Sihong , Kassegne Kokouvi , Yang Bo , Lu Jiachen , Sun Yifan , Zhong Wenli , Zhang Miaosa , Liu Yaobao , Zhu Guoding , Cao Jun , Cheng Yang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) plays an essential role in erythrocyte invasion by malaria parasites. The C-terminal 19-kDa of MSP1 has long been considered as one of the major candidate antigens for malaria blood-stage vaccine in Plasmodium falciparum. However, there are limited information on the C-terminal 19-kDa region of Plasmodium ovale merozoite surface protein 1 (PoMSP119). This study, therefore, aims to analyse genetic diversity and immunogenicity of PoMSP119.
Methods

A total of 37 clinical P. ovale isolates including P. ovale curtisi (Poc) and P. ovale wallikeri (Pow) imported from Africa to China and collected between 2012 and 2016 were used. Genomic DNA were used to amplify pocmsp119 and powmsp119 genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genetic diversity of pomsp119 was analyzed using the MegAlign and GeneDoc v.6 programs. Recombinant PoMSP119-GST proteins were expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system and analyzed by Western blot. Immune responses in BALB/c mice immunized with rPoMSP119-GST were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In addition, antigen-specific T-cell responses were performed by lymphocyte proliferation assays. A total of 49 serum samples from P. ovale infections and healthy people were used to evaluate natural immune responses through protein microarray assays.
Results

Sequences of pomsp119 were found thoroughly conserved in all clinical isolates. Recombinant PoMSP119 proteins were efficiently expressed and purified as ~ 37 kDa proteins. High antibody responses in immunized mice with rPoMSP119-GST were observed. The rPoMSP119-GST induced high avidity indexes with an average of 92.57% and 85.32% for Poc and Pow, respectively. Cross-reactivity between rPocMSP119 and rPowMSP119 was observed. Cellular immune responses to rPocMSP119 (69.51%) and rPowMSP119 (52.17%) induced in rPocMSP119- and rPowMSP119-immunized mice were found during splenocyte proliferation assays. The sensitivity and specificity of rPoMSP119-GST proteins for natural immune responses detection in patients infected with P. ovale were 89.96% and 75%, respectively.
Conclusions

This study revealed high conservation in sequences of pomsp119 and high immunogenicity of rPoMSP119. The rPoMSP119 proteins detected humoral immune responses in patients with P. ovale infection. Such informative results advance our understanding of natural immunity to P. ovale infection and contribute to the knowledge base for the development of a PoMSP119-based vaccine.
Methylprednisolone, Venous Thromboembolism, and Association with Heparin to 30 Days Hospital Survival in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Go Ronaldo C. , Nyirenda Themba , Bojarian Maryam , Hosseini Davood , Rahim Mehek , Kim Kevin , Rose Keith M. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUNDMortality in severe COVID-19 pneumonia is associated with thrombo-inflammation. Corticosteroids are given to attenuate the inflammation, but they are associated with thrombosis. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism between no methylprednisolone and methylprednisolone (dose versus duration) and to evaluate the synergistic dose-dependent association of heparin and methylprednisolone to 30 days in hospital survival. METHODSThis was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort. Patients included in this study were older than 18 years of age and admitted for severe COVID-19 pneumonia between March to June 2020 in 13 hospitals in New Jersey, United States. A propensity score analysis between administration of methylprednisolone and no methylprednisolone was fitted for 11 variables and Youden Index Method was used to determine cut-off between low dose and high dose methylprednisolone. Multivariate cox regression was performed to assess hazard ratio.RESULTSIn 759 patients, the incidence of venous thromboembolism was 9% of patients who received methylprednisolone and 3% of patients who did not receive methylprednisolone with a [HR =2.92 (95% CI 1.54, 5.55 P< 0.0001)]. The was a higher incidence of mechanical ventilation in the methylprednisolone group. The median d-dimer between patients with venous thromboembolism was higher compared to those without (P<0.0003). However, the d-dimer was not statistically significant between those who had venous thromboembolism between methylprednisolone and no methylprednisolone groups. (P 0.40). There was no higher risk in high dose versus low dose[RR=0.524 (95% CI 0.26, 1.06 P 0.4)]; however, the risk for DVT/PE between methylprednisolone for > 7 days and < 7 days was statistically significant. (RR=5.46 95% CI 2.87, 10.34 P < 0.0001). Patients who received low dose and therapeutic heparin had a trend towards higher risk of mortality compared to prophylactic heparin (HR=1.81 95% CI 0.994 to 3.294) (P=0.0522). There was no difference in 30 days in hospital survival between high dose with prophylactic or therapeutic heparin (HR=0.827 95% CI 0.514 to 1.33) (P=0.4335). CONCLUSIONSMethylprednisolone for > 7 days had a higher association of venous thromboembolism. There was no added benefit of therapeutic heparin to methylprednisolone on mechanically ventilated patients.
Primary pharyngeal synovial sarcoma in a pediatric patient: A case report
Authors: Bae Yun Jung , Kim Hyojin , Cha Wonjae , Choi Byung Se 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundSynovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that typically originates from the soft tissue of the extremities. The occurrence of primary pharyngeal synovial sarcoma (PPSS) is even rarer, and few studies have reported its radiological features. Here, we report a case of pediatric PPSS and describe the conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with pathologic correlation.Case presentationAn 11-year-old girl presented to the otolaryngologic clinic with dysphagia. Laryngoscopy revealed a large mass in the oropharynx. MRI revealed a well-defined soft tissue mass with a maximal diameter of approximately 5 cm originating from the submucosal space of the oropharynx. The mass was primarily solid and showed homogeneous contrast-enhancement. The mass was hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. The mass showed a homogeneously low apparent diffusion coefficient value on diffusion-weighted imaging, which indicated high tumor cellularity. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI revealed a hypovascular tumor with low values of the volume transfer constant between the extracellular extravascular space and blood plasma and blood plasma volume per unit tissue volume. Amide proton transfer-weighted MRI revealed a relatively high amide proton transfer signal in the tumor, indicating a high protein/peptide component. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor, and the diagnosis of biphasic synovial sarcoma was confirmed on postoperative pathological examination. The patient was started on chemotherapy with vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide, and the patient is still under follow-up.ConclusionSynovial sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric oropharyngeal submucosal tumors. Multimodal MRI may aid diagnosis, although the final diagnosis should be based on the postoperative pathological examination findings.
Um171A-Induced Ros Promote Antigen Cross-Presentation Of Immunogenic Peptides By Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Salame Natasha , Bikorimana Jean-Pierre , El-Hachem Nehme , Saad Wael , Kurdi Mazen , Zhao Jing , Eliopoulos Nicoletta , Shammaa Riam , Rafei Moutih 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively used in the clinic due to their exquisite tissue repair capacity. However, they also hold promise in the field of cellular vaccination as they can behave as conditional antigen presenting cells in response to interferon (IFN)-gamma treatment under a specific treatment regimen. This suggests that the immune function of MSCs can be pharmacologically modulated. Given the capacity of the agonist pyrimido-indole derivative UM171a to trigger the expression of various antigen presentation-related genes in human hematopoietic progenitor cells, we explored the potential use of UM171a as a means to pharmacologically instill and/or promote antigen presentation by MSCs.
Methods
Besides completing a series of flow-cytometry-based phenotypic analyses, several functional antigen presentation assays were conducted using the SIINFEKL-specific T-cell clone B3Z. Anti-oxidants and electron transport chain inhibitors were also used to decipher UM171a’s mode of action in MSCs. Finally, the potency of UM171a-treated MSCs was evaluated in the context of therapeutic vaccination using immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with pre-established syngeneic EG.7 T-cell lymphoma.
Results
Treatment of MSCs with UM171a triggered potent increase in H2-Kb cell surface levels along with the acquisition of antigen cross-presentation abilities. Mechanistically, such effects occurred in response to UM171a-mediated production of mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species as their neutralization using anti-oxidants or Antimycin-A mitigated MSCs’ ability to cross-present antigens. Processing and presentation of the immunogenic ovalbumin-derived SIINFEKL peptide was caused by de novo expression of the Psmb8 gene in response to UM171a-triggered oxidative stress. When evaluated for their anti-tumoral properties in the context of therapeutic vaccination, UM171a-treated MSC administration to immunocompetent mice with pre-established T-cell lymphoma controlled tumor growth resulting in 40% survival without the need of additional supportive therapy and/or standard-of-care.
Conclusions
Altogether, our findings reveal a new immune-related function for UM171a and clearly allude to a direct link between UM171a-mediated ROS induction and antigen cross-presentation by MSCs. The fact that UM171a treatment modulates MSCs to become antigen-presenting cells without the use of IFN-gamma opens-up a new line of investigation to search for additional agents capable of converting immune-suppressive MSCs to a cellular tool easily adaptable to vaccination.
Picosecond Pulsed Laser Illumination: An Ultimate Solution for Photonic vs. Thermal Processes’ Contest in SOI Photo- Activated Modulator
Authors: Glukhov David , Zalevsky Zeev , Karsenty Avi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The functionality of a nanoscale silicon-based optoelectronic modulator is deeply analyzed while it appears that two competing processes, thermal and photonic, are occurring at the same time, and are preventing the optimization of the electro-optics coupling. While an incident illumination-beam first process is translated into photons, generating pairs of electrons-holes, a second process of thermal generation, creating phonons enables a loss of energy. Complementary studies, combining strong analytical models and numerical simulations, enabled to better understand this competition between photonic and thermal activities, in order to optimize the modulator. Moreover, in order to prevent unnecessary heating effects and to present a proposed solution, a picosecond pulsed laser is suggested and demonstrated as the ultimate solution so no energy will be wasted in heat, and still the photonic energy will be fully used. First ever-analytical solution to the heating produced due to the laser illumination applied on a nano-photonic device, while the illumination is produced in a periodic time changing function, e.g. a pulsed illumination, is presented. The present case study and proposed adapted solution can serve as a basis of generic approach in sensors’ activation towards optimized photonics absorption.
USP8 Gene Expression in Sporadic Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Hatipoglu Esra , Gunaldi Omur , Erkan Buruc , Avcikurt Ayla , Mert Meral , Niyazoglu Mutlu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
PurposeIn sporadic pituitary adenomas the role of Ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) is not clearly defined. Although mutations in USP8 gene are known to cause corticotroph adenomas, whether changes in expression of USP8 in other pituitary adenomas have not been clarified, yet. In this study we addressed the changes in USP8 gene expression levels in pituitary adenomas relative to non-adenomatous brain tissue.MethodsUSP8 gene expression analysis was performed on a total of 43 tissue samples from human pituitary adenomas and on 16 tissue samples from non-pituitary brain tissues (control group). Adenomatous tissues and control tissues were assessed for quantification of RNA expression of USP8.The levels of USP8 gene expression were determined relative to those in control group.ResultsUSP8 gene expression levels in pituitary adenomas (PA) were 3.7 times higher than the levels in control brain tissues (CBT) (p = 0.002). Levels of USP8 expression in secertory PA’s were significantly higher in comparison to the levels in CBT (p = 0.002).ConsclusionsPresent findings support that USP8 gene expression levels may contribute to pitutary tumorigenesis and hormonogenesis.
A Deep Learning Model to Classify and Detect Brain Abnormalities in Portable Microwave Based Imaging System
Authors: Hossain Amran , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Almutairi Ali F. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Automated classification and detection of brain abnormalities like tumors from microwave head images is essential for investigating and monitoring disease progression. This paper presents the automatic classification and detection of human brain abnormalities through the deep learning-based YOLOv5 model in microwave head images. The YOLOv5 is a faster object detection model, which has a less computational architecture with high accuracy. At the beginning, the backscattered signals are collected from the implemented 3D wideband nine antennas array-based microwave head imaging (MWHI) system, where one antenna operates as a transmitter and the remaining eight antennas operate as receivers. In this research, fabricated tissue-mimicking head phantom with a benign and malignant tumor as brain abnormalities, which is utilized in MWHI system. Afterwards, the M-DMAS (modified-delay-multiply-and-sum) imaging algorithm is applied on the post-processed scattering parameters to reconstruct head regions image with 640×640 pixels. Three hundred sample images are collected, including benign and malignant tumors from various locations in head regions by the MWHI system. Later, the images are preprocessed and augmented to create a final image dataset containing 3600 images, and then used for training, validation, and testing the YOLOv5 model. Subsequently, 80% of images are utilized for training, and 20% are used for testing the model. Then from the 80% training dataset, 20% is utilized for validation to avoid overfitting. The brain abnormalities classification and detection performances with various datasets are investigated by the YOLOv5s, YOLOv5m, and YOLOv5l models of YOLOv5. It is investigated that the YOLOv5l model showed the best result for abnormalities classification and detection compared to other models. However, the achieved training accuracy, validation loss, precision, recall, F1-score, training and validation classification loss, and mean average precision (mAP) are 99.84%, 9.38%, 93.20%, 94.80%, 94.01%, 0.004, 0.0133, and 96.20% respectively for the YOLOv5l model, which ensures the better classification and detection accuracy of the model. Finally, a testing dataset with different scenarios is evaluated through the three versions of the YOLOv5 model, and conclude that brain abnormalities classification and detection with location are successfully classified and detected. Thus, the deep model is applicable in the portable MWHI system.
Imaging of glial tumor recurrence using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT
Authors: Kunikowska Jolanta , Czepczyński Rafał , Pawlak Dariusz , Koziara Henryk , Pełka Kacper , Królicki Leszek 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background and PurposeLimited data is available on the possible use of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for the diagnosis of glioma recurrence. The aim of this paper was to assess the use of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for the detection of recurrence in different glial tumors.Materials and Methods34 patients (pts.) aged 44.5±10.3 years with suspicion of recurrence of histologically confirmed glioma grade III (6 pts.) and grade IV (28 pts.) were included in the study. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced MR and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT.ResultsNo radiopharmaceutical-related adverse events were noted. PET/CT was positive in all the areas suspected for recurrence at MR in all the patients. The recurrence was confirmed by histopathological examinations or follow-up imaging in all cases. The images showed a very low background activity of the normal brain. Median maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the tumors was 6.5 (range: 0.9–15.6) and mean standard uptake value (SUVmean) was 3.5 (range: 0.9–7.5). Target-to-background (TBR) ratios varied between 15 and 1400 with a median of 152. Target-to-liver background ratios (TLR) ranged from 0.2 to 2.6, the median TLR was 1.3. No significant difference of the measured parameters was found between the subgroups according to the glioma grade.Conclusion[68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT shows excellent results in the diagnosis of glioma recurrence of various grades. Due to the very low background activity, this method provides high-quality images and allows for the detection of well-defined recurrence lesions.
Evaluation of OIDx Histoplasma Urinary Antigen EIA
Authors: Caceres Diego Hernando , Gomez Beatriz L. , Tobon Angela M. , Chilller Tom , Lindsley Mark D. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
A sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of Histoplasma antigens (Ag) in urine, developed by Optimum Imaging Diagnostics (OIDx) was evaluated. A verification using a standardized reference panel of urine samples found sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 32% and accuracy of 51%. In this study, the OIDx Histoplasma urinary Ag EIA displayed high sensitivity, however, in non-histoplasmosis cases this EIA displayed false-positive results in 68% of specimens tested.
Evaluation of the genotoxicity in fish erythrocytes to diagnose the water quality of two Amazonian estuaries using the micronucleus test and comet assay
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA CLAUDIA ANTONIA CAMPOS RODRIGUES , Souto Paulo Sergio dos Santos , Palheta Dulcideia da Conceição , Bahia Marcelo de Oliveira , Cunha Lorena Araújo da , Santos Maria de Lourdes Souza , Rodrigues Tatiane do Nascimento Medeiros , Bentes Bianca 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Genotoxicity studies in coastal ecosystems have been a priority in Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA). This research aimed to study the genotoxicity by the micronucleus test and comet assay in two Brazilian Amazon estuaries (anthropized and control) using Plagioscion squamosissimus as a bioindicator. Blood samples were collected from 54 specimens. No significant genotoxic effects were detected in the cells analyzed, although the highest occurrence was observed in anthropized site. The percentage of genomic damage differed between the sites studied, being always higher in anthropizes site as well. Of the nucleoids analyzed in this site, on average 28 ± 14.42% of the cells were classified in the highest damage class (4). The fish analyzed in the present study are direct influence of xenobiont agents capable of producing damage to the genetic material of aquatic organisms in both sites and, consequently, may bring consequences still little reported in studies of morphophysiological alterations in humans.
The Global, Regional, and National Burden and Trends of Infective Endocarditis From 1990 to 2019: Results From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Chen Huilong , Zhan Yuan , Zhang Kaimin , Chen Liyuan , Zhan Juan , Chen Zirui , Zeng Zhilin 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) causes in-mounting incidence and mortality, as well as serious socioeconomic burden in different regions and countries. To compare and interpret the IE burden and temporal trends in the globe and different regions, we conducted this study to report the incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Data of incidences, deaths and DALYs were extracted and analyzed from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were adopted to quantify the change trends of age-standardized rates (ASRs). Besides, potential contributors of serious IE burden were also evaluated including age, gender, social-demographic index (SDI), and ASIR in 1990.Results: In the globe, the number of IE cases increased by 128% from 478,000 in 1990 to 1,090,530 in 2019, and the deaths increased sharply from 28,750 in 1990 to 66,320 in 2019, and both presented the upward temporal trend annually. Whereas the EAPC of age-standardized DALYs demonstrated a negative temporal trend despite of increasing DALYs from 1,118,120 in 1990 to 1,723,590 in 2019. Moreover, graver IE burden was prone to males and aged patients. Meanwhile, different SDI regions had different disease burden, correlation analyses indicated that SDI presented a positive association with ASIR (R=0.58, P<0.0001), no association with ASDR (R=-0.06, P=0.10), and negative association with age-standardized DALYs rate (R=-0.40, P<0.0001). Finally, we discovered the positive associations of EAPC of ASRs with SDI in 2019, while little associations with ASIR in 1990.Conclusion: Generally, the overall burden of infective endocarditis is ever-increasing, and the incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years present a huge heterogeneity in gender, age and different regions. The results may be useful for policy makers and medical staffs in response to endocarditis and to formulate cost-effective interventional measures.
Strong and weak interactions in Ghahramany’s integrated nuclear binding energy formula
Authors: UVS Seshavatharam , S Lakshminarayana 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
By modifying Ghahramany’s integrated nuclear binding energy formula with strong and weak interactions, it is possible to approximate the nuclear binding energy of isotopes with one unique energy coefficient and four terms. Considering even-odd corrections, shell corrections and other microscopic corrections, it seems possible to improve the accuracy with a clear physical basis. Based on our recent work and the proposed formula, we are very confident to say that, electroweak interaction plays a vital role in fixing the nuclear binding energy.
Candidalysin impedes the development of embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Shen Jing , Tan JingCong , Shi Haochun , Zhou Jie , Zhao Yanbin , Zhang Kun , Liu Ning-Ning , Wang Hui 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Candidalysin is a cytolytic peptide secreted by Candida albicans, an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that was widely spread in clinic and in the environment. However, its impacts on the development of aquatic organisms remain limited. Herein, we explored the developmental effects of candidalysin on embryonic zebrafish at concentrations from 0.008 to 160 mg/L. In acute exposure, decreased survival rate with EC50 at 49.5 mg/L were observed. Meanwhile, in high-dose exposure groups (5-160 mg/L), an increased swimming frequency were observed at candidalysin concentrations of 10 mg/L and above. In chronic exposure, decreased spontaneous contraction, hatching rate and heart rate were identified in low-dose exposure groups (0.008-5 mg/L). Especially for the heart rate, significant changes were observed at candidalysin concentrations as low as 0.008 mg/L (environmentally relevant). The present study first time pointed out the developmental toxicities of candidalysin on fish that was rarely investigated, and thus contributed to its environmental risk assessment.