bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Undetected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma on CT: Frequency According to CT Scan Protocol
Authors: Iarovich Moran Drucker , Apter Sara , Konen Eli , Inbar Yael , Amitai Marrianne , Klang Eyal 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose: CT is a main diagnostic modality for detecting pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This study aims to assess the frequency of missed pancreatic adenocarcinoma on CT scans according to different CT protocols.Methods: Consecutive pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients were retrospectively collected (12/2011-12/2015). Patients with abdominal CT scans performed up-to a year prior to cancer diagnosis were included. Two radiologists registered in consensus the presence and radiological signs of missed cancers. The frequency of missed cancers was compared between portal and pancreatic/triphasic CT protocols. Results: Overall, 180 CT scans of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients were retrieved. 126/180 (70.0%) were pancreatic/triphasic protocols and 54/180 (30.0%) were portal protocols. The overall frequency of missed cancers was 6/180 (3.3%). The frequency of missed cancers was higher in portal CT protocols compared to pancreatic/triphasic protocols: 5/54 (9.3%) vs. 1/126 (0.8%), p=0.01. CT signs of missed cancers included: 3 cases of small hypodense lesions, 2 cases with peri-pancreatic fat stranding, 1 case of dilated pancreatic duct with a cut-off sign.Conclusion: The frequency of missed pancreatic adenocarcinoma is higher on portal CT protocols. Physicians should consider the cancer miss rate on different CT protocols.
Evidence for a neuromuscular circuit involving hypothalamic Interleukin-6 signaling in the control of skeletal muscle metabolism
Authors: Katashima Carlos , Micheletti Thayana , Moura-Assis Alexandre , Gaspar Rodrigo , Goeminne Ludger , Braga Renata , Crisol Barbara , Silva Vagner Ramon , Ramos Camila , Rocha Alisson , Tavares Mariana , Simabuco Fernando , Pazos Patricia , Gonzalez-Touceda David , Tovar Sulay , García Maria , Neto José , Curi Rui , Hirabara Sandro , Brum Patrícia , Prada Patrícia , de Moura Leandro , Pauli Jose , Silva Adelino , Cintra Dennys , Velloso Licio , Ropelle Eduardo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Hypothalamic interleukin-6 (IL6) exerts a broad metabolic control, including energy expenditure1, food consumption2, glucose homeostasis2, etc. Here we demonstrated that Interleukin-6 (IL6) activates the ERK1/2 pathway in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), stimulating AMPK/ACC signaling and fatty acid oxidation in mice skeletal muscle. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the hypothalamic IL6/ERK1-2 axis is closely associated with firing-rate-related genes in the hypothalamus and with fatty acid oxidation- and mitochondrial-related genes in skeletal muscle of genetically diverse BXD mice strains and humans. Using surgical denervation, pharmacological approaches, and transgenic mice, we showed that the hypothalamic IL6/ERK1/2 pathway requires the a2-adrenergic pathway to modify the fatty acid skeletal muscle metabolism. To address the physiological relevance of these findings, we demonstrated that this neuromuscular circuitry is required to underpin AMPK/ACC signaling activation and fatty acid oxidation post-exercise. Once the selective downregulation of IL6 receptor in VMH abolished the effects of exercise to sustain AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation in the muscle post-exercise. Altogether, these data demonstrated that IL6/ERK axis in VMH controls fatty acid metabolism in mice skeletal muscle.
Sensitive Metabolites and Single Nuclear Polymorphisms of OCT1 on Imatinib Meyslate in Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)
Authors: Chen Yan , Jia Ying , Zhang Rui , Wang Qiuju , Huang Tingwenli , Dong Xinwei , Ma Hongli , Shi Sanjun , Xiao Hongtao 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Imatinib mesylate (IM) is highly efficacious in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and pharmacogenetic screening are affirmed for better management of IM therapy. The goal of this study was to explore the most sensitive metabolites and the role of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) on single nuclear polymorphisms (SNP) of IM treatment, which could supply a greater mechanistic understanding of therapeutic effect or resistance of IM. A total of 40 human serum samples from patients with GISTs were collected for TDM. Basing on the results of TDM, the untargeted metabolomic analysis was to determine characteristics of the serum. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA), and heat map were used for multivariate analysis. In addition, KEGG database were used to identify the pathways of metabolites. Differential metabolites were identified based on a heat map with a t-test threshold (p < 0.05), fold-change (FC) threshold (FC > 1.5 or FC < 2/3) and variable importance (VIP) in the projection (VIP>1). The potential differential metabolites were included D-sphingosine, 1-sphingosine phosphate, phytosphingosine and phosphoethanolamine, which were belonged to the metabolism pathway of sphingolipid. Because of the function of OCT1 transporters was related with drug in the liver, the OCT1 1386C>A (rs 622342) was statistically significant (P<0.05) with IM plasma concentration. Thus, this study demonstrated that sphingolipid metabolism should be considered as the potential pathway of IM treated GISTs, which could bring us a clue to new mechanism for IM treatment of patients with GISTs.
In Children with 46, XY DSD; HCG Testing Is Not Always the Best Answer for Testicular Function Assessment
Authors: Raafat Shaymaa , Khater Doaa 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Hormonal levels are the hallmark for the assessment of testicular function in XY DSD (Disorders of sex development). Traditionally, it has relied on testosterone level increment after hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) stimulation testing. More recently role of Sertoli cell hormones is more emphasized.Objectives: Evaluating the role of serum anti-mullerian hormone and inhibin B on function of the pre-pubertal testis without the need for hCG stimulation test.Method: The study was conducted in the Endocrinology Clinic in Alexandria University Children's Hospital. All patients who present with XY DSD were tested for testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B. All cases had hCG stimulation test.Results: The hCG stimulation test was done for 32 cases. There was significant positive correlation between serum testosterone levels before and after hCG stimulation test (p <0.001). Similarly, significant correlation was identified between basal AMH and testosterone increment after hCG stimulation (p <0.001) and between basal levels of AMH and inhibin (MCp= 0.025).Conclusion: Single measurement of basal AMH and/or inhibin B can detect the presence and function of testes by a reliable non-invasive way. Basal AMH assessment is an important tool to distinguish between cryptorchidism and anorchia. hCG test is needed in the work-up of patients with inconclusive results.
Exploration of Diaphragm Excursion Inflection Point in Predicting Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients: An Observational Study
Authors: Zhu Zhijing , Wu Yongxing , Bai Jiyu , Zhu XingQing , Gu Yanan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
ObjectivePressure-supported ventilation is widely used in critically ill patients, and the patient's effort in spontaneous breathing is an important predictor of the success rate of weaning, but this index is difficult to measure accurately under clinical conditions. It has been demonstrated that the absolute value of diaphragm excursion is influenced by multiple factors and cannot be used as a predictor of weaning from mechanical ventilation. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of diaphragm excursion changes (respiratory excursion) at different levels of pressure support, and explore whether it can predict the weaning from mechanical ventilation.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingSingle-center.PatientsPatients admitted to the ICU who were mechanically ventilated and had met the criteria to perform an autonomic breathing test were enrolled. Patients with tracheal obstruction or after thoracic/gastric/esophageal surgery were excluded. InterventionsDifferent levels of pressure support (20,15,10,5 and 0 cm H2O) were applied in pressure-assisted ventilation mode, and the effort of each patient's inspiratory muscles at different support levels was observed by B- and M-mode ultrasonography to assess right side diaphragm mobility. Measurements and Main ResultsRespiratory mechanics parameters under deep/calm breathing, dynamic changes in diaphragm movement, diaphragm excursion inflection points and whether the patients were successfully deconditioned were recorded. Forty-one patients were enrolled, and the results showed that 78.6% (22/28) of patients with a deep breathing inflection point of 10 cmH2O (nadir of 5 cmH2O) and 33.3% (4/12) of patients with a deep breathing inflection point of 15 cmH2O (nadir of 10 cmH2O) successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, with the former having a significantly higher rate than the latter. The success rate was statistically significant (Chi-square=7.556 P=0.006); 77.8% (21/27) of patients with calm breathing inflection point of 10 cmH2O (lowest point of 5 cmH2O) and 38.5% (5/13) of patients with calm breathing inflection point of 15 cmH2O (lowest point of 10 cmH2O). 13), the former had a statistically significant higher off-boarding success rate than the latter (Chi-square=5.962 P=0.0146).ConclusionsIn the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation patients, when performing a spontaneous breathing test, the right diaphragm excursion inflection point during deep/calm breathing can be measured by ultrasound to assess the patient's spontaneous breathing effort component, and this study found that the weaning success rate was lower in the group with an inflection point of 15 cm H2O than in the group with an inflection point of 10 cm H2O, so the diaphragm excursion inflection point may be a reliable indicator to predict the deconditioning success.
Entomopathogenic Fungi Tested in Planta on Pepper and in Field on Sorghum, to Control Commercially Important Species of Aphids
Authors: Ek-Ramos Maria Julissa , Mantzoukas Spiridon , Tamez-Guerra Patricia , Zavala-Garcia Francisco , Lagogiannis Ioannis 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Given the aphids high reproductive capacity, assessing their biocontrol by using entomopathogenic fungi is crucial; to determine their potential, fungi were tested in planta and in field conditions. Significant decrease of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) population was observed in planta after applying Beauveria bassiana (strain 7R), Trichoderma gamsii (strain Z) or Metarhizium brunneum (strain Meta Br1) at 1 × 107 or 1 × 108 conidia/mL on pepper plants. Significant differences of aphids’ populations were detected between fungus concentration and control (F = 68.743, df = 6.980, P <0.001), where M. brunneum at 1 × 108 conidia/mL reduced aphids population close to zero. At 20 °C, dead aphids’ mycosis by B. bassiana and T. gamsii was 78% and 84%; at 25 °C was 83% and 88%; and at 30 °C was 75% and 79%, respectively. Mexican PTG4 and commercial GHA B. bassiana strains were tested in field (treating seeds with 1 × 106 conidia/mL) against the Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) aphid populations, on naturally infested sorghum plants. Results showed that plant germination and emergence were not affected, whereas yield (grams of sugar/plant) was significantly higher among treated compared with untreated plants. The aphid population decreased in plants from PTG4 treated seeds; indeed, this treatment had a significant positive effect on the flowering index, whereas the stem fresh weight and juice volume was significantly increased among plants from GHA treated seeds. Taken together, tested strains can be used as a tool to control aphids’ population on several crops such as pepper and even increase the yield in sorghum.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for BRCA Gene Mutation Carriers: a Cost Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Michaan Nadav , Lashno Moshe , Cohen Yoni , Safra Tamar , Peleg-Hasson Shira , Laskov Ido , Grisaru Dan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Gynecologic oncologists should be aware of the option of conception through IVF/PGT-M for families with high BRCA related morbidity or mortality. Our objective was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of preimplantation genetic testing for selection and transfer of BRCA negative embryo in BRCA mutation carriers compared to natural conception.Methods: Cost-effectiveness of two strategies, conception through IVF/PGT-M and BRCA negative embryo transfer versus natural conception with a 50% chance of BRCA positive newborn for BRCA mutation carriers was compared using a Markovian process decision analysis model. Costs of the two strategies were compared using quality adjusted life years (QALYs'). All costs were discounted at 3%. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) compared to willingness to pay threshold was used for cost-effectiveness analysis.Results: IVF/ PGT-M is cost-effective with an ICER of 150,219 new Israeli Shekels, per QALY gained (equivalent to 44,480 USD), at a 3% discount rate. Conclusions: IVF/ PGT-M and BRCA negative embryo transfer compared to natural conception among BRCA positive parents is cost effective and may be offered for selected couples with high BRCA mutation related morbidity or mortality. Our results could impact decisions regarding conception among BRCA positive couples and health care providers
Close Association Between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Spine
Authors: Endo Tsutomu , Koike Yoshinao , Miyoshi Hideaki , Hisada Yuichiro , Fujita Ryo , Suzuki Ryota , Tanaka Masaru , Tsujimoto Takeru , Shimamura Yukitoshi , Hasegawa Yuichi , Kanayama Masahiro , Hashimoto Tomoyuki , Oha Fumihiro , Noro Naoki , Komano Kiyofumi , Ishii Misaki , Ito Yoichi M. , Iwasaki Norimasa , Takahata Masahiko 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine is a disease of unknown etiology occurring frequently in individuals with metabolic disturbances. Obesity has been suggested as a potential risk factor for the severity of OPLL. We aimed to investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with OPLL severity. We assessed the severity of NAFLD by a liver-to-spleen (L/S) ratio on computed tomography (CT) scans of 85 symptomatic OPLL patients at a single institution in Japan. We also assessed the severity of OPLL by CT reconstruction sagittal and axial images. The prevalence of NAFLD in middle-aged patients (age < 70 years, n = 50) was 80.3%, which was 2.5-8 times higher than that in the general Japanese population (9–30%). The ossification index of the spinal ligaments increased in proportion to the severity of fatty liver. The L/S ratio was revealed as a significant risk factor associated with the total ossification index (standardized β: -0.40, 95% confidence interval: -54.34 to -4.22). This study suggests the potential contribution of NAFLD to the progression of OPLL. The close association between NAFLD and OPLL demonstrated in this study warrants further study to elucidate the causal nature of this relationship.
Spatial Responses of Vegetation-Soil System to Complex Factors in a Sandy-Rocky Island Chain
Authors: Chi Yuan , Xie Zuolun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The vegetation-soil system is fundamental to island ecosystem and changes considerably across sandy and rocky islands due to different natural and anthropogenic factors. An island chain, which is characterized by the coexistence of sandy and rocky islands, the connection of the islands by bridges, and complex influencing factors, was used as the study area. The vegetation-soil system was represented using different indicators and three newly-proposed indices, namely, vegetation health index (VHI), soil health index (SHI), and vegetation-soil system health index (VSSHI). The complex factors were identified in aspects of island basic factors, landscape pattern, terrain condition, and ecological indices. Then, the spatial responses of the system to the factors were analyzed at island and site scales. Results indicated that the vegetation-soil system showed similar and different responses to the complex factors across the dual scales. The similarity was represented by the higher sensitivities of VHI and VSSHI compared with that of SHI at both scales, and the difference mainly indicated that the influences of landscape pattern factors distinctly decreased along the scales from island to site. Island area, sea reclamation proportion, vegetation proportion, and natural ecosystem damaged index were the most important factors at island scale, while the ecological indices showed the highest influences at site scale. The study revealed the spatial characteristics of the vegetation-soil system across different types of islands, clarified the spatial responses of the system to complex factors at the dual scales, and identified the main influencing factors of the system.
Glass and Glass-ceramics based on Weathered Basaltic Rock for Radiation Shielding Applications
Authors: khater Gamal , saudi heba , Abd-Allah wesam 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Different batches of weathered basalt ranging from 100 to 50%, in combination with by-pass cement dust, were used to prepare the glass compositions. Different techniques used, such as differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, density, FTIR, the mass attenuation coefficients, appropriate atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff), were examined for the prepared glass and glass-ceramics samples at different photon energies.. In the present study, it was revealed that as the molar volume decreases, the density increases. The experimental and theoretical effects of the mass attenuation component were mostly consistent at different energies. Results revealed that glass samples (WB100) having a higher percentage of basaltic rocks present higher radiation protection than those with a lower rate (WB50). In addition, glass-ceramics displayed enhanced radiation and gamma rays protection than glass. Therefore, we recommend using glass ceramics containing 100% Basalt as a protective shield against rays with less thickness and higher protection.
A Step Towards a Reinforcement Learning De Novo Genome Assembler
Authors: Padovani Kleber , Xavier Roberto , Carvalho André , Reali Anna , Chateau Annie , Alves Ronnie 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Genome assembly is one of the most relevant and computationally complex tasks in genomics projects. It aims to reconstruct a genome through the analysis of several small textual fragments of such genome — named reads. Ideally, besides ignoring any errors contained in reads, the reconstructed genome should also optimally combine these reads, thus reaching the original genome. The quality of the genome assembly is relevant because the more reliable the genomes, the more accurate the understanding of the characteristics and functions of living beings, and it allows generating many positive impacts on society, including the prevention and treatment of diseases. The assembly becomes even more complex (and it is termed de novo in this case) when the assembler software is not supplied with a similar genome to be used as a reference. Current assemblers have predominantly used heuristic strategies on computational graphs. Despite being widely used in genomics projects, there is still no irrefutably best assembler for any genome, and the proper choice of these assemblers and their configurations depends on Bioinformatics experts. The use of reinforcement learning has proven to be very promising for solving complex activities without human supervision during their learning process. However, their successful applications are predominantly focused on fictional and entertainment problems-such as games. Based on the above, this work aims to shed light on the application of reinforcement learning to solve this relevant real-world problem, the genome assembly. By expanding the only approach found in the literature that addresses this problem, we carefully explored the aspects of intelligent agent learning, performed by the Q-learning algorithm, to understand its suitability to be applied in scenarios whose characteristics are more similar to those faced by real genome projects. The improvements proposed here include changing the previously proposed reward system and including state space exploration optimization strategies based on dynamic pruning and mutual collaboration with evolutionary computing. These investigations were tried on 23 new environments with larger inputs than those used previously. All these environments are freely available on the internet for the evolution of this research by the scientific community. The results suggest consistent performance progress using the proposed improvements, however, they also demonstrate the limitations of them, especially related to the high dimensionality of state and action spaces. We also present, later, the paths that can be traced to tackle genome assembly efficiently in real scenarios considering recent, successfully reinforcement learning applications — including deep reinforcement learning — from other domains dealing with high-dimensional inputs.
Syringol Isolated From Eleusine Coracana (L.) Gaertn Bran Suppresses Inflammatory Response Through the Down-Regulation of cPLA2, COX-2, IκBα, p38 and MPO Signaling in sPLA2 Induced Mice Paw Edema.
Authors: Gowda Mallanayakanakatte D. Milan , K Jayachandra , Joshi Vikram , Manjuprasanna Vaddarahally N. , Rudresha Gotravalli V. , Velmurugan Devadasan , Pachaiappan Raman , Jameel Noor Mohamed , Vishwanath Bannikuppe S. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn (E. coracana) is one of the highest consuming food crops in Asia and Africa. E. coracana is a plant with several medicinal values including anti-ulcerative, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. However, the anti-inflammatory property of E. coracana remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the objective of present study was to investigate the potential in isolated molecule from E. coracana via a combination of in vitro, in vivo and in silico methods. In this study we have isolated, purified and characterized an anti-inflammatory molecule from E coracana bran extract known as syringol. Purification of syringol was accomplished by combination of GC-MS and RP-HPLC techniques. Syringol significantly inhibited the enzyme activity of sPLA2 (IC50 = 3 µg) and 5-LOX (IC50 = 0.325 µg) in vitro. The inhibition is independent of substrate concentration, calcium ion concentration and was irreversible. Syringol interacts with purified sPLA2 enzymes as evidenced by fluorescence and molecular docking studies. Further, the syringol molecule dose dependently inhibited the development of sPLA2 and carrageenan induced edema. Furthermore, syringol decreases the expression of cPLA2, COX-2, IκBα, p38 and MPO in edematous tissues as demonstrated by western blots. These studies revealed that syringol isolated from E coracana bran may develop as a potent anti-inflammatory molecule.