bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Propensity-Score Matched Analysis of the Efficacy of Maintenance/Continuous Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Multiple Myeloma: A Multicenter Retrospective Collaborative Study of the Japanese Society of Myeloma
Authors: Ozaki Shuji , Handa Hiroshi , Koiso Hiromi , Saitoh Takayuki , Sunami Kazutaka , Ishida Tadao , Suzuki Kenshi , Narita Tomoko , Iida Shinsuke , Nakamura Yuichi , Suzuki Kazuhito , Nishimura Noriko , Murakami Hirokazu , Shimizu Kazuyuki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Maintenance/continuous therapy is considered a standard of care for both transplant-eligible and -ineligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, long-term benefits of such therapy have not yet been clarified in the context of clinical practice. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of maintenance/continuous therapy in newly diagnosed MM patients using the cohort data by propensity-score matching based on age, gender, revised International Staging System (R-ISS) stage, and implementation of transplantation to reduce the bias due to confounding variables. Among 720 patients, 161 were identified for each of the maintenance and no maintenance groups. Maintenance/continuous therapy employed immunomodulatory drugs (n = 83), proteasome inhibitors (n = 48), combination of both (n = 29), or dexamethasone alone (n = 1). Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly prolonged in the maintenance group compared with the no maintenance group (median, 37.7 and 21.9 months, p = 0.0002, respectively). Prolongation of PFS was observed in both transplanted and non-transplanted patients (p = 0.017 and p = 0.0008, respectively), with standard risk (p < 0.00001), R-ISS stage I (p = 0.037) and stage II (p = 0.00094), and those without obtaining complete response (p = 0.0018). There was no significant difference in overall survival (p = 0.19), but it appeared to be better in non-transplanted patients by continuous therapy. These results support the usefulness of maintenance/continuous therapy in the management of MM.
Development and validation of a gas chromatography method for the determination of β -caryophyllene in clove extract and its application
Authors: Park Mi Hee , Kim Chul Jin , Lee Jin Young , Kim In Seon , Kim Sung-kyu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to check the effectiveness of the analysis method that separates and quantifies β-caryophyllene among clove extracts and validate according to current ICH guidelines. The beta caryophyllene was active constituent of clove buds. The developed method gave a good detection response. In the specificity test, the standard solution was detected at about 17.316 minutes, and the test solution was detected at 17.317 minutes. The linearity of β-caryophyllen was confirmed, and at this time, the correlation coefficient (R 2 ) of the calibration curve showed a high linearity of 0.999 or more in the concentration range. The levels of LOD and LOQ were 1.28 ug/mL and 3.89 ug/mL, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed to be 101.6 ~ 102.2% and RSD 0.95 ~ 1.31%. As a result of checking the repeatability and inter-tester reproducibility to confirm the precision, the RSD was found to be 1.34 ~ 2.69%. This validated GC method was successfully applied to a soft capsule containing clove extract and other materials for clinical trials. Therefore, this method can be used as an analytical tool for quality control of various samples including clove extracts and their products for food and pharmaceutical uses.
Funneliformis Mosseae Application Under Water Deficit Stress Improves The Drug Yield And Phytochemical Characteristics of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) in Intercropping With Soybean (Glycine Max L.)
Authors: Machiani Mostafa Amani , Javanmard Abdollah , Morshedloo Mohammad Reza , Aghaee Ahmad , Maggi Filippo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Todays, there is a considerable demand in the global herbal market for thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and its related products such as extracts and essential oil (EO). In order to comply with this objective, an improvement of its cultivation area under water scarcity conditions is required. On this basis, a 2-year field experiment was performed with 18 treatments and three replications. Three irrigation levels, including i) irrigation after depletion of 20% (I20), 50% (I50) and 80 (I80) available water were applied as the first factor. The Second factor was different cropping patterns including thyme sole culture (Ts), soybean–thyme intercropping (in proportion of 50:50 and 66:34) and the third factor was non-usage (control) and usage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as bio-fertilizer. According to our results, the thyme dry yield under moderate (I50) and severe water deficit stress (I80) decreased by 35 and 44% in the first year, and by 27 and 40% in the second year compared with non-stressed (I20) plants, respectively. Also, the macro- and micro-nutrients of thyme leaves increased significantly in intercropping patterns after application of AMF. The maximum EO percentage of thyme was achieved in 50:50 intercropping ratio and moderate water deficit (I50). The major constituents of thyme EO were thymol, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, camphene, 1,8-cineole, camphor, (E)-caryophyllene, carvacrol and myrcene. Interestingly, as the water deficit stress was intensified the content of thymol, γ-terpinene and p-cymene increased significantly. Generally, AMF application in intercropping ratio of 50:50 (soybean: thyme) may be proposed to farmers as an eco-friendly approach to achieve desirable EO quality and quantity in thyme under water deficit stress conditions.
Evolution of the vertebrate head is revealed by the rosette mesoderm
Authors: Onai Takayuki , Sugahara Fumiaki , Adachi Noritaka 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The vertebrate head comprises characteristic combinations of the cranium, brain, cranial nerves and head muscles. However, there have long been arguments about the developmental and evolutionary origins and the possible segmental nature of the head muscles, particularly those anterior to the otic vesicle. In gnathostomes, the presence of pre-otic segments (trunk somite homologs) has been denied by anti-segmentalists, but championed by segmentalists, who have focused on marginally detectable somitomeres or on more obvious head cavities. This metameric ideology has generated various definitions of segments, causing great controversy1,2, and the evaluation of such arguments has been impeded by the relative paucity of relevant work on the head mesoderm of cyclostomes (hagfishes and lampreys). Here, we demonstrate the presence of rosettes (which are reminiscent of somites) in the head mesoderm of lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) embryos using confocal laser scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These transient rosettes, which were not segmented by acellular fissures and were genetically distinct from trunk somites, emerged several times during character individualization of the head muscles. This specialty of the rosette dynamics suggests that the lamprey head mesoderm evolved de novo, rather than from somites, and molecular comparison among deuterostomes supported this perspective.
Ascertaining The Prevalence of Heart Malformations in Neonates: A Novel Clinically Approved Solution
Authors: Bordbar Arash , Kashaki Mandana , Vafapour Maryam , Sepehri Amir A. , Partovi Elaheh 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Screening of all congenital heart malformations (CHD & CCHD) , as early as possible, is essentials to save children’s lives and, vanishing undetected CHD before becoming adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). As it is known, over 50% of neonates with heart malformations are not recognized at birth. Accurate screening of congenital heart malformations can be accomplished by a certified and patented passive intelligent machine known as Pouya Heart. The objective of this study is 2-fold: to evaluate true prevalence of neonates heart malformations and to evaluate screening of critical congenital heart diseases (CCHD) by the intelligent machine.Methods: 840 neonates with a median age of 31.16 hours and a median weight of 3.11 Kg from the well-baby nursery have been screened by the passive intelligent machine. 20 seconds of heart sounds are recorded into the intelligent machine from two thoracic sites. Each neonate is then classified as normal or abnormal. Echocardiography diagnosis is carried out for verification of each abnormal case.Results: The prevalence of heart malformations (CHD & CCHD), in our well-baby nursery, is 5%. Where, 44% of the heart malformations have not been recognized at birth through the standard medical examination routine.Conclusions: Screening of congenital heart malformations, in all neonates, can be accomplished accurately and cost-effectively by using the Pouya Heart. It detects even CCHD in which it has not been detected through standard medical routine. The innocent murmurs are interpreted as healthy heart sounds.
Multiple Output Analysis for Advanced Waveform and Controlled Short-circuit MIG/MAG&nbsp;Variants
Authors: Silva Régis Henrique Gonçalves e , Galeazzi Daniel , Rocha Pedro Correa Jaeger , Viviani Alberto Bonamigo , Bernardi Rafael Albino 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The latest advancements of MIG/MAG welding technologies have experienced a steep evolution in functionality, reliability and ever-growing process and weld controllability, within widely interdisciplinary approaches and driven by demanding trends of Advanced Manufacturing (Industry 4.0). Technologic development can be optimized through basic research, which focuses on understanding the physical phenomena involved in metal transfer, weld pool behavior and bead geometric formation and their correlation with each other and with the process´s variables. In this context, the objective of this work is to compare different waveforms of the short-circuiting MIG / MAG process with current control, namely CCC and SOFT, with the conventional process version, evaluating the influence of the electrical parameters on process stability and the general morphology of the weld beads. Analysis of metal transfer by means of high-speed filming and thermal analysis by infrared thermography supported conventional oscillogaphic monitoring for process characterization. Spatter emission assessment by means of image analysis was performed as well. The process´s versions with current control resulted in better operational weldability, geometric control of the bead and lower spatter emission.
New level of regulation of MITF activity by direct interaction with RAF proteins
Authors: Estrada Charlène , Mirabal-Ortega Liliana , Dingli Florent , Besse Laetitia , Messaoudi Cedric , Loew Damarys , Pouponnot Celio , Bertolotto Corine , Eychene Alain , Druillennec Sabine 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The MITF transcription factor and the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway are two interconnected main players in melanoma. Understanding how MITF activity is regulated represents a key question since its dynamic modulation is involved in the phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells and their resistance to therapy. By investigating the role of ARAF in NRAS-driven melanoma through mass spectrometry experiments followed by a functional siRNA-based screen, we unexpectedly identified MITF as a direct ARAF partner. Interestingly, this interaction is conserved among the RAF protein kinase family since the formation of BRAF/MITF and CRAF/MITF complexes was also observed in the cytosol of NRAS-mutated melanoma cells. The interaction occurs through the kinase domain of RAF proteins and is correlated with their kinase activity level. RAF/MITF complexes modulate MITF nuclear localization by inducing an accumulation of MITF in the cytoplasm, thus negatively controlling its transcriptional activity. Taken together, our study highlights a new level of regulation between two major mediators of melanoma progression, MITF and the MAPK/ERK pathway, which appears more complex than previously anticipated.
Itaconate as a Promising Therapy for Neuropathic Pain and Inflammatory Pain
Authors: Ren Jinxuan , Yu Lina , Lin Jiaqi , Ma Longfei , Gao Dave Schwinn , Sun Na , Liu Ying , Fang Lili , Cheng Zhenzhen , Sun Kai , Yan Min 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Chronic pain is a complex experience that often leads to multiple complications. Neuroinflammation in the immune system as well as in the peripheral and central nervous system contributes to the development and persistence of chronic pain. The metabolite itaconate, recently emerged as a regulator of immune cell functions, has features of anti-inflammation and immunomodulation via the activation of Nrf2. However, its effect on chronic pain is unclear. Methods: Chronic C57BL/6 neuropathic pain and inflammatory pain were induced followed by dimethyl itaconate (DI) treatment, an itaconate derivative. We evaluated the effect of DI on the changes of pain behaviors induced by chronic pain model. The effect of DI on inflammatory cytokine release, glial cells activation, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, inflammatory cell infiltration and Nrf2 expression in the DRGs, spinal cord and hind paw tissues was determined using the histochemistry, RT-PCR and western blot. Microglia was cultured to study the effect of DI on microglial inflammatory response and Nrf2 level.Results: DI reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in DRGs, spinal cord and hind paw tissues, suppressed the activation of glial cells (like microglia and astrocytes) in spina dorsal horn and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the hind paw tissues, and decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but boosted Nrf2 levels in the DRGs and spinal dorsal horn. Similarly, administration of DI potently reversed the LPS-induced inflammatory effect in the microglia. Reduction of endogenous itaconate pretreated with irg1 siRNA prevented the expression of Nrf2, which did not exert the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro experiment. Conclusions: Our findings verify for the first time that DI alleviates painful behaviors and suppresses neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain and inflammatory pain models through molecular mechanisms, suggesting that DI elicits sustained chronic pain relief, which will be regarded as a novel therapeutic agent for chronic pain treatment.
Ferrostatin-1 Alleviates White Matter Injury via Decreasing Ferroptosis Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Ge Hongfei , Xue Xingsen , Xian Jishu , Yuan Linbo , Wang Long , Zou Yongjie , Zhong Jun , Jiang Zhouyang , Shi Jiantao , Chen Tunan , Su Hong , Feng Hua , Hu Shengli 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI), a devastating neurological impairment, ubiquitously imposes a long-term psychological stress and high socioeconomic burden for the suffers and their family. To date, recent researchers have paid arousing attention to white matter injury and uncovering the underlying mechanism post-SCI. Ferroptosis, to our knowledge, has been revealed to be associated with diverse diseases including stroke, cancer, and kidney degeneration. However, its role in white matter damage after SCI remains unclear. Ferrostatin-1, a potent inhibitor of ferroptosis, has been illustrated to curb ferroptosis in neurons, subsequently improve functional recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). But whether it inhibits white matter injury post-SCI is still unknown. Here, our results indicated that ferroptosis played an important role in the secondary white matter injury following SCI and ferrostatin-1 could reduce iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, downregulate the ferroptosis-related genes and its products of IREB2 and PTGS2 to further inhibit ferroptosis in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), finally reducing white matter injury and promoting functional recovery following SCI in rats, which enlarges the therapeutic scope for ferrostatin-1 and deciphers the potential mechanism of white matter damage after SCI.
A Study on the Anti-obesity Effect of Caffeoylquinic Acids From the Cell Culture of Saussurea Involucrata
Authors: Bao Changjie , Gao Jupeng , Zhang Yonghong , Wang Peng , Chen Guang , Zhang Sitong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Backgroud: Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir. (Compositae) (CCSauI) cells are rich in caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), which have plasma lipid reducing properties and anti-obesity effects, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Clarify CQA’s anti-obesity mechanism and provide new treatments for obesity. Methods: Sprague Dawley (SD) rat were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), then CQAs was intragastric administrated (0.1, 0.5 or 1 mg/mL). Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=30): NC, MC, TPL (0.1 mg/mL), TPM (0.5 mg/mL) and TPH (1 mg/mL). Digestive enzyme inhibition was obtained by measuring the inhibition rate of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase in vitro. Anti-obesity function was detected by determining the content of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). To analyze the related mechanisms qRT-PCR was employed. Results: From in vitro enzyme activity assays, the IC50 values of the CQAs extract for α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase were 0.631, 0.31, and 0.438 mg/mL, respectively. CQAs administration for 8 weeks decreased retroperitoneal fat and serum and liver TC, TG, LDL-C, and MDA. Comparatively, levels of HDL-C, SOD, and GSH-Px were increased. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR showed inhibited expression of fatty acid synthase and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl and coenzyme A reductase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α activation, and 7α-hydroxylase promotion. Conclusion: This study explored the role of CQAs in inhibiting digestive enzyme activities and up-regulating the expression of lipase, significant for prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity.
Short-term Effects of Different PM2.5 Thresholds on Daily All-cause Mortality in Jinan, China
Authors: Zhixiang Ma , Cai Chen , Xiangwei Meng , Wei Li , Chuanzhen Zhang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To examine the effects of different PM2.5 limits on daily all-cause mortality, 8,768 all-cause deaths were recorded in the database of the Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on the levels of air pollutants (PM2.5 and O3) were provided by the Jinan Environment Monitoring Center. The Jinan Bureau of Meteorology provided air temperatures and relative humidity. The relative risk of all-cause mortality was assessed using a quasi-Poisson regression model after adjusting Interference factors. There was a significant positive association between exposure concentrations (35 µg/m³, 75 µg/m³, and 150 µg/m³) and all-cause deaths, with a mortality increase of 1.07 (1.01, 1.13), 1.03 (1.00, 1.05), and 1.05 (1.01, 1.08), respectively. It had a significant correlation between all-cause deaths and a PM2.5 limit of 35 µg/m³ in men. All-cause mortality in women and individuals aged ≥ 60 years increased significantly with exposure to PM2.5 levels of 75, 115, and 150 µg/m³. There was no significant relationship between PM2.5 exposure and all-cause deaths in individuals aged < 60 years. Exposure to PM2.5 (35 µg/m³) increased the mortality risk. Women and individuals aged ≥ 60 years were more sensitive to the effects of PM2.5 than men and individuals aged < 60 years.
Experience-Dependent Plasticity in Early Stations of Sensory Processing in Mature Brains: Effects of Environmental Enrichment On Dendrite Measures in Trigeminal Nuclei
Authors: Martin Yasmina B , Negredo Pilar , Avendaño Carlos 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Nervous systems respond with structural changes to environmental changes even in adulthood. In recent years it has been shown that experience-dependent structural plasticity is not restricted to the cerebral cortex, but also occurs at subcortical and even peripheral levels. We have previously shown that two populations of trigeminal nuclei neurons, trigeminothalamic barrelette neurons of the principal nucleus (Pr5), and intersubnuclear neurons in the caudal division of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5C) that project to Pr5 underwent morphometric and topological changes in their dendritic trees after a prolonged total or partial loss of afferent input from the vibrissae. Here we examined whether and what structural alterations could be elicited in the dendritic trees of the same cell populations in young adult rats after being exposed for two months to an enriched environment (EE), and how these changes evolved when animals were returned to standard housing for an additional two months. Neurons were retrogradely labeled with dextran amine delivered to, respectively, the ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus or Pr5. Fully labeled cells were digitally reconstructed with Neurolucida and analyzed with NeuroExplorer. EE gave rise to increases in dendritic length, number of trees and branching nodes, spatial expansion of the trees, and dendritic spines, which were less pronounced in Sp5C than in Pr5 and differed between sides. In Pr5 these parameters returned, but only partially, to control values after EE withdrawal. These results underscore a ubiquity of experience-dependent changes that should not be overlooked when interpreting neuroplasticity and developing plasticity-based therapeutic strategies.
Viridibacillus Soli sp.nov., Isolated from Forest Soil in Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve
Authors: Xu Yan , Zhao Jiang-Yuan , Geng Yu , Yuan Hui-Ren , Li Le-Le , Wen Meng-Liang , Li Ming-Gang , Tang Shu-Kun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A Gram-staining positive, rod-shaped, and subterminal endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain YIM B01967T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected in Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve, Yuxi City, Xinpin county, Yunnan province, China. Strain YIM B01967T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Viridibacillus arvi (99.05%) and Viridibacillus arenosi (98.92%). Based on the phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence results, strain YIM B01967T was affiliated to the genus Viridibacillus. The growth of YIM B01967T was observed at 15-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in the presence of 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in 2% NaCl). The cell-wall sugars of YIM B01967T were ribose, glucose, arabinose, galactose, and mannose. The quinone system consisted of the major compound MK-8 and moderate amounts of MK-7. The major fatty acids (> 10%) were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, C16:1 ω10c. The major polar lipids profile included DPG, PME. The cell wall peptidoglycan was the type A4a with an L-Lys–D-Asp interpeptide bridge. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain YIM B01967T was 36.3 mol%. The ANI value and dDDH values between strain YIM B01967T and Viridibacillus arvi DSM 16317T were 61.03% and 32.1% based on the draft genome sequence. The results support the conclusion that strain YIM B01967T represents a novel species of the genus Viridibacillus, for which proposed the name Viridibacillus soli sp. nov. The type strain is YIM B01967T (= KCTC 43249T = CGMCC 1.18436T).