bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endometrial Preparation for Frozen–Thawed Embryo Transfer With or Without Pretreatment With GnRH Agonist: A Randomized Controlled Trial at Two Centers
Authors: Xu Jian , Li Shu-Zhen , Yin Min-Na , Liang Pei-Ling , Li Ping , Sun Ling 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveThis prospective randomized controlled trial compared the reproductive outcomes of frozen embryo transfer (FET) with hormone replacement treatment (HRT) with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) pretreatment.MethodsA total of 133 patients scheduled for HRT-FET mainly because of tubal and/or male factors who received two high-quality cleavage-stage embryos were enrolled at two participating centers. The GnRHa group (n = 65) received GnRHa pretreatment, while the control group (n = 68) did not. Analysis was based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle.ResultsAmong the 133 participants, 130 (97.7%) underwent embryo transfer and 127 (95.5%) completed the protocol. The clinical pregnancy rate according to ITT did not differ between the GnRHa and control groups [39/65 (60.0%) vs. 41/68 (60.3%), p = 0.887]. The implantation rate (47.6% vs. 45.3%, p = 0.713), early pregnancy loss rate (5.1% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.09), and live birth rate (49.2% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.920) were also comparable between groups.ConclusionPretreatment with GnRHa does not improve the reproductive outcomes for women receiving HRT-FET.Clinical Trial RegistrationThe study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17014170; http://www.chictr.org.cn).
NOD1 Is Associated With the Susceptibility of Pekin Duck Flock to Duck Hepatitis A Virus Genotype 3
Authors: Liang Suyun , Wang Ming-Shan , Zhang Bo , Feng Yulong , Tang Jing , Xie Ming , Huang Wei , Zhang Qi , Zhang Dabing , Hou Shuisheng 
Published: October 2021

Duck viral hepatitis (DVH) is an acute, highly lethal infectious disease of ducklings that causes huge losses in the duck industry. Duck hepatitis A virus genotype 3 (DHAV-3) has been one of the most prevalent DVH pathogen in the Asian duck industry in recent years. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of the resistance and susceptibility of ducks to DVH by comparing the genomes and transcriptomes of a resistant Pekin duck flock (Z8) and a susceptible Pekin duck flock (SZ7). Our comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses suggested that NOD1 showed a strong signal of association with DVH susceptibility in ducks. Then, we found that NOD1 showed a significant expression difference between the livers of susceptible and resistant individuals after infection with DHAV-3, with higher expression in the SZ7 flock. Furthermore, suppression and overexpression experiments showed that the number of DHAV-3 genomic copies in primary duck hepatocytes was influenced by the expression level of NOD1. In addition, in situ RNAscope analysis showed that the localization of NOD1 and DHAV-3 in liver cells was consistent. Altogether, our data suggested that NOD1 was likely associated with DHAV-3 susceptibility in ducks, which provides a target for future investigations of the pathogenesis of DVH.
Creation of a Novel Nomogram Based on the Direct Bilirubin-To-Indirect Bilirubin Ratio and Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels in Resectable Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ma Yifei , Shi Lulu , Lu Ping , Yao Shuang , Xu Hongli , Hu Junjie , Liang Xin , Liang Xinjun , Wei Shaozhong 
Published: October 2021

Background: Recently, many studies have suggested that bilirubin is associated with the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Conversely, there is substantial evidence that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are associated with the prognosis of cancer. Therefore, we sought to find a novel marker based on the above to predict prognosis in patients with resectable CRC.Methods: A total of 702 patients from Hubei Cancer Hospital were included. The whole population was randomly divided into training (n = 491) and testing (n = 211) cohorts. Next, we established a new index based on direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin and LDH levels. Chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate prognosis. The prediction accuracies of models for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated through Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) and the Brier score.Results: The median DFS duration was 32 months (range: 0–72.6 months), whereas the median OS duration was 35 months (range: 0 months–73.8 months). In addition, a new indicator, (DIR.LDH) (HR: 1.433; 95% CI, 1.069–1.920) could independently predict outcomes in CRC patients. Moreover, the module based on DIR. LDH was found to have exceptional performance for predicting OS and DFS. The C-index of the nomogram for OS was 0.802 (95% CI, 0.76–0.85) in the training cohort and 0.829 (95% CI, 0.77–0.89) in the testing cohort. The C-index of the nomogram for DFS was 0.774 (95% CI, 0.74–0.81) in the training cohort and 0.775 (95% CI, 0.71–0.84) in the testing cohort.Conclusion: We successfully established a novel module to guide clinical decision-making for CRC.
The Influence of Transcranial Magnetoacoustic Stimulation Parameters on the Basal Ganglia-Thalamus Neural Network in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Yanqiu , Zhang Mohan , Ling Zichao , Wang Peiguo , Jian Xiqi 
Published: October 2021

Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that frequently occurs in the aged. Transcranial magnetoacoustic stimulation (TMAS) is a neuronal adjustment method that combines sound fields and magnetic fields. It has the characteristics of high spatial resolution and noninvasive deep brain focusing.Methods: This paper constructed a simulation model of TMAS based on volunteer’s skull computer tomography, phased controlled transducer and permanent magnet. It simulates a transcranial focused sound pressure field with the Westervelt equation and builds a basal ganglia and thalamus neural network model in the PD state based on the Hodgkin-Huxley model.Results: A biased sinusoidal pulsed ultrasonic TMAS induced current with 0.3 T static magnetic field induction and 0.2 W⋅cm–2 sound intensity can effectively modulate PD states with RI ≥ 0.633. The magnitude of magnetic induction strength was changed to 0.2 and 0.4 T. The induced current was the same when the sound intensity was 0.4 and 0.1 W⋅cm–2. And the sound pressure level is in the range of −1 dB (the induced current difference is less than or equal to 0.019 μA⋅cm–2). TMAS with a duty cycle of approximately 50% can effectively modulates the error firings in the PD neural network with a relay reliability not less than 0.633.Conclusion: TMAS can modulates the state of PD.
Comparisons and Impacts of the Basic Components of Sarcopenia Definition and Their Pairwise Combinations in Gastric Cancer: A Large-Scale Study in a Chinese Population
Authors: Zhang Feng-Min , Zhang Xian-Zhong , Shi Han-Ping , Zhang Zhao , Wang Su-Lin , Shen Zi-Le , Chen Xiao-Lei , Shen Xian , Yu Zhen , Zhuang Cheng-Le 
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims: Sarcopenia is negatively associated with clinical outcomes. However, the definitions of sarcopenia are inconsistent across international consensuses. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare the impact of the basic definition components of sarcopenia and their combinations in post-operative complications and overall survival, aiming to find the best sarcopenia definition to stratify the prognosis in an Asian population.Methods: A total of 1,307 patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer from July 2014 to May 2019 were prospectively included. The basic sarcopenia components were measured pre-operatively, including low skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI), low skeletal muscle radiodensity (LSMD), low handgrip strength (LHGS), and low gait speed (LGS). Among them, LSMI and LSMD were measured using a CT post-processing software, LHGS was measured using an electronic hand dynamometer, and LGS was represented by a 6-m walk speed.Results: For the single basic component, the muscle function parameters (LHGS or LGS) but not the muscle composition parameters (LSMI or LSMD) showed associations with post-operative complications and mortality. For the combination of the basic combinations, all statistically significant combinations included at least one muscle function parameter. The combination of muscle composition (LSMI or LSMD) and muscle function (LHGS or LGS) had a significantly higher area under the curve in the prediction of post-operative complications compared with the combinations of two muscle function parameters (LSMI plus LSMD) or two muscle composition parameters (LHGS plus LGS).Conclusions: Compared with muscle composition parameters (LSMI and LSMD), muscle function parameters (LHGS and LGS) are better predictors of post-operative complications and overall survival, which should be considered as the principal determinant in the sarcopenia definition. The definition of sarcopenia consists of muscle function (LHGS or LGS) and muscle composition (LSMI or LSMD) separately, which is better than the combination of the two muscle function parameters (LHGS plus LGS) or two muscle composition parameters (LSMI plus LSMD).
Camrelizumab Plus Sorafenib Versus Sorafenib Monotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Liu Qinqin , You Nan , Li Jing , Wu Ke , Peng Xuehui , Wang Zheng , Wang Liang , Zhu Yinan , Zheng Lu 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Immunotherapy has gained great interest for various solid tumors due to its promising clinical efficacy. Targeted therapy also plays a crucial role in anticancer treatment. However, studies on the combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy for advanced HCC are limited. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab combined with sorafenib in the treatment of advanced HCC.MethodsFrom January 2019 to January 2021, 100 consecutive patients with advanced HCC in our hospital were enrolled for this study. Patients were assigned into two groups: a combined-therapy group (camrelizumab + sorafenib) and a sorafenib-only group. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), treatment response, and relevant adverse effects (AEs) were evaluated and recorded.ResultsOf a total of 100 patients, 35 received a combination of camrelizumab and sorafenib, and 65 were treated with sorafenib alone. After 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), each group had 34 patients. The overall response rate (ORR) of the combined-therapy group was statistically significantly higher than that of the sorafenib-only group (before PSM, p = 0.037; after PSM, p = 0.010). However, there was no significant difference in disease control rate (DCR) between the two groups (before PSM, p = 0.695; after PSM, p = 1.000). Patients who received the combination therapy had significantly longer PFS than those who received the sorafenib monotherapy (before PSM, p = 0.041; after PSM, p = 0.043). However, the two groups exhibited comparable median OS (before PSM, p = 0.135; after PSM, p = 0.105). Although the combined-therapy group showed a higher incidence of AEs such as thrombocytopenia than the sorafenib-only group after PSM, most of these AEs were easily controlled after treatment.ConclusionCamrelizumab plus sorafenib showed favorable efficacy and manageable toxicity for patients with advanced HCC. However, more prospective randomized trials are necessary to further verify the potential clinical benefits of this combination therapy.
The Impact of Diabetes on the Prognosis of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma After Radical Nephroureterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gao Xiaoshuai , Zhou Liang , Ai Jianzhong , Wang Wei , Di Xingpeng , Peng Liao , Liao Banghua , Jin Xi , Li Hong , Wang Kunjie 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundStudies have reported that diabetes is related to the prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), but this conclusion is still controversial. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively explore the association between diabetes and UTUC prognosis.MethodsIn November 2020, we searched PubMed, Web of science and the Cochrane Library to find relevant studies that evaluated the effect of diabetes on the prognosis of UTUC. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the literature. Review Manager 5.3 was used to pool cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and intravesical recurrence (IVR).ResultsA total of 10 studies with 11,303 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Our pooled results showed that diabetes did not affect the survival outcome of UTUC, including CSS (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.89-1.98; P = 0.16), OS (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.77-1.80; P = 0.45) and RFS (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.91-2.05; P = 0.13). However, diabetes increased the risk of IVR of UTUC patients (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11-1.43; P = 0.0004).ConclusionAlthough diabetes has no significant impact on the survival outcomes of UTUC after RNU, it increases the risk of IVR. Therefore, special attention should be paid to monitoring the IVR for UTUC patients with diabetes and the necessity of appropriate intravesical adjuvant treatment when needed.
Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis on Metabolic Characteristics of Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Xin Ming-zhe , Shi Ying-ying , Li Chun-shen , Zuo Li-hua , Li Na , Liu Li-wei , Ma He-xin , Du Qiu-zheng , Xue Peng , Sun Zhi , Zhao Hong-yu 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveTo explore metabolic biomarkers related to erosive and reticulated oral lichen planus (OLP) by non-targeted metabolomics methods and correlate metabolites with gene expression, and to investigate the pathological network pathways of OLP from the perspective of metabolism.MethodsA total of 153 individuals were enrolled in this study, including 50 patients with erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP), 51 patients with reticulated oral lichen planus (ROLP), and 52 healthy controls (HC). The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to analyze the metabolites of 40 EOLP, 40 ROLP, and 40 HC samples, and the differential metabolic biomarkers were screened and identified. The regulatory genes were further screened through the shared metabolites between EOLP and ROLP, and cross-correlated with the OLP-related differential genes in the network database. A “gene-metabolite” network was constructed after finding the key differential genes. Finally, the diagnostic efficiency of the biomarkers was verified in the validation set and a diagnostic model was constructed.ResultCompared with HC group, a total of 19 and 25 differential metabolites were identified in the EOLP group and the ROLP group, respectively. A total of 14 different metabolites were identified between EOLP and ROLP. Two diagnostic models were constructed based on these differential metabolites. There are 14 differential metabolites shared by EOLP and ROLP. The transcriptomics data showed 756 differentially expressed genes, and the final crossover network showed that 19 differential genes were associated with 12 metabolites. Enrichment analysis showed that alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were closely associated with the pathogenesis of OLP.ConclusionThe metabolic change of different types of OLP were clarified. The potential gene perturbation of OLP was provided. This study provided a strong support for further exploration of the pathogenic mechanism of OLP.
Magnetic Field Intensity Modification to Force Free Model of Magnetic Clouds: Website of Wind Examples From Launch to July of 2015
Authors: Wu Chin-Chun , Lepping R. P. , Berdichevsky D. B. 
Published: October 2021

We describe a new NASA website that shows normalized magnetic field (B) magnitude profiles withinWindmagnetic clouds (MCs) (i.e., observationsversusbasic modelversusmodified model) for 209 MCs observed from launch in late 1994 to July of 2015, where model modification is based on the studies of Lepping et al. (Solar Phys, 2017, 292:27) and Lepping et al. (Solar Phys, 2018, 293:162); the basic force free magnetic cloud parameter fitting model employing Bessel functions (Lepping et al., J. Geophys. Res., 1990, 95:11957) is called the LJB model here. The fundamental principles should be applicable to theB-data from any spacecraft at 1 AU. Earlier (in the LJB study), we justified why the field magnitude can be thought of as decoupled from the field direction within an MC, and further, we justified this idea in terms of actual observations seen over a few decades with examples of MCs fromWinddata. The model modification is achieved by adding a correction (“Quad”) value to the LJB model (Bessel function) value in the following manner:B(est)/B0≈ [LJB Model + Quad (CA,u)], whereB0is the LJB-estimated field magnitude value on the MC’s axis,CAis the relative closest approach (SeeSupplementary Appendix A), anduis the distance that the spacecraft travels through the MC from its entrance point. In an average sense, the Quad technique is shown to be successful for 82% of the past modeled MCs, when Quality (Q0) is good or excellent (seeSupplementary Appendix A). The Quad technique is successful for 78% of MCs when all cases are considered. SoQ0of the MC LJB-fit is not a big factor when the success of the Quad scheme is considered. In addition, it is found that the Quad technique does not work better for MC events with higher solar wind speed. Yearly occurrence frequency of all MC events (NYearly) and those MC events with ΔσN/σN2≥ 0.5 (NΔσN/σN2≥0.5) are well correlated, but there is no solar cycle dependence for normalizing NΔσN/σN2≥0.5with NYearly.
Enhanced Store-Operated Ca2+ Signal of Small Intestinal Smooth Muscle Cells Accelerates Small Bowel Transit Speed in Type 1 Diabetic Mouse
Authors: Dai Fang , Guo Jizheng , Wang Yang , Jiang Tian , Chen Hongbo , Hu Ying , Du Juan , Xia Xianming , Zhang Qiu , Shen Bing 
Published: October 2021

Aims: The underlying mechanism of diabetic enteropathy, a common complication of type 1 diabetes, remains unclear. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous type of Ca2+ influx involved in various cellular functions. Here, we show that SOCE-related stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and Orai1 participate in inappropriate cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, augmenting agonist-induced small intestinal smooth muscle contraction and small bowel transit speed in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.Methods and Results: We used small interfering (si)RNA to suppress STIM1 and Orai1 proteins, and employed intracellular Ca2+, small intestinal contraction and intestinal transit speed measurement to investigate the functional change. We found that SOCE activity and Orai1 and STIM1 expression levels of small intestinal smooth muscle were significantly increased in cells cultured in high glucose medium or in diabetic mice. Gastrointestinal transit speed and SOCE-mediated contractions were markedly increased in diabetic mice; Knocking down Orai1 or STIM1 with siRNA rescued both alterations in diabetic mice. However, the Orai1-large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel interaction was decreased in diabetic mice, and suppressing Orai1 expression or inhibiting the BKCa channel increased agonist-induced small intestinal contractions in normal mice.Conclusion: We concluded that the increased SOCE caused by excessive STIM1 and Orai1 expression and decreased Orai1-BKCa interaction augmented small intestinal smooth muscle contraction and accelerated small bowel transit speed in diabetic mice. This finding demonstrates a pathological role for SOCE in diabetic enteropathy and provides a potential therapeutic target for diabetic enteropathy.
Factor Structure, Validity, and Reliability of the STarT Back Screening Tool in Italian Obese and Non-obese Patients With Low Back Pain
Authors: Giusti Emanuele Maria , Varallo Giorgia , Abenavoli Alessandra , Manzoni Gian Mauro , Aletti Luca , Capodaglio Paolo , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Maggiani Alberto 
Published: October 2021

Background: The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) is a self-report questionnaire developed for prognostic purposes which evaluates risk factors for disability outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain. Previous studies found that its use enables to provide a cost-effective stratified care. However, its dimensionality has been assessed only using exploratory approaches, and reports on its psychometric properties are conflicting.Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the factorial structure and the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST).Materials and Methods: Patients with medical diagnosis of low back pain were enrolled from a rehabilitation unit of a tertiary care hospital specialized in obesity care (Sample 1) and from a clinical internship center of an osteopathic training institute (Sample 2). At baseline and after 7 days patients were asked to fill a battery of self-report questionnaires. The factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the SBST were assessed.Results: One hundred forty-six patients were enrolled (62 from Sample 1 and 84 from Sample 2). The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fit of the original two-correlated factors model was adequate (CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.03). Cronbach's α of the total scale (α = 0.64) and of the subscales (physical subscale α = 0.55; psychological subscale α = 0.61) was below the cutoffs, partly because of the low correlation of item 2 with the other items. Test-retest reliability was adequate (ICC = 0.84). The SBST had moderate correlations with comparisons questionnaires, except for the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, which had a high correlation (r = 0.65).Discussion: The SBST has adequate psychometric properties and can be used to assess prognostic factors for disability in low back pain patients.