bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exosome-delivered CD44v6/C1QBP complex drives pancreatic cancer liver metastasis by promoting fibrotic liver microenvironment
Authors: Xie Zhibo , Gao Ya , Ho Chiakang , Li Lequn , Jin Chen , Wang Xiaoyi , Zou Caifeng , Mao Yishen , Wang Xiaobo , Li Qingfeng , Fu Deliang , Zhang Yi-Fan 
Published: April 2021

ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) shows a remarkable predilection for liver metastasis. Pro-oncogenic secretome delivery and trafficking via exosomes are crucial for pre-metastatic microenvironment formation and metastasis. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of how PDAC-derived exosomes (Pex) modulate the liver microenvironment and promote metastasis.DesignC57BL/6 mice were ‘educated’ by tail vein Pex injection. The intrasplenic injection liver metastasis and PDAC orthotopic transplantation models were used to evaluate liver metastasis. Stable cell lines CD44v6 (CD44 variant isoform 6) or C1QBP (complement C1q binding protein) knockdown or overexpression was established using lentivirus transfection or gateway systems. A total of 142 patients with PDAC in Huashan Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. Prognosis and liver metastasis were predicted using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and logistic regression models.ResultsPex tail vein injection induced the deposition of liver fibrotic extracellular matrix, which promoted PDAC liver metastasis. Specifically, the exosomal CD44v6/C1QBP complex was delivered to the plasma membrane of hepatic satellite cells (HSCs), leading to phosphorylation of insulin-like growth factor 1 signalling molecules, which resulted in HSC activation and liver fibrosis. Expression of Pex CD44v6 and C1QBP in PDAC patients with liver metastasis was significantly higher than in PDAC patients without liver metastasis, and simultaneous high expression of exosomal CD44v6 and C1QBP correlated with a worse prognosis and a higher risk of postoperative PDAC liver metastasis.ConclusionThe Pex-derived CD44v6/C1QBP complex is essential for the formation of a fibrotic liver microenvironment and PDAC liver metastasis. Highly expressed exosomal CD44v6 and C1QBP are promising biomarkers for predicting prognosis and liver metastasis in patients with PDAC.
Correlation of BRAF mutational status with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with ameloblastoma: the experience of 11 Italian centres
Authors: Bonacina Riccardo , Indini Alice , Massazza Gabriella , Rulli Eliana , Gianatti Andrea , Mandalà Mario 
Published: April 2021

AimsAmeloblastoma is a rare odontogenic tumour with an aggressive local behaviour. Mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, namely BRAF V600E mutations, are a common finding. To date, there is no clear correlation between BRAF V600 mutation and clinical outcome.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent surgery for ameloblastoma between May 1998 and June 2018, at 11 participating Italian centres. BRAF mutational status was evaluated by quantitative PCR/pyrosequencing. The primary end points were to determine BRAF mutational status in primitive and recurrent ameloblastoma, and to assess the relapse-free interval (RFI); the secondary end point was to investigate the correlation of BRAF mutational status with the clinical features of the tumour and survival outcomes.ResultsOverall, 74 patients were included: 33 (44.5%) were BRAF wild type and 41 (55.4%) BRAF V600 mutated. BRAF V600 mutated ameloblastomas occurred more frequently in younger patients (p=0.0031), were located at the mandible (p=0.0009) and presented with unicystic variant. After a median follow-up of 60 months, 21 (28.3%) patients relapsed (30.3% and 26.8% in the BRAF wild type and BRAF mutated group, respectively). At univariable Cox models, none of the investigated variables, including microscopic margin involvement, was associated with RFI.ConclusionsLocal recurrence occurs in 30% of patients with ameloblastoma. BRAFV600 mutation is associated with younger age, mandibular localisation and with unicystic ameloblastoma. Neither BRAF mutation nor microscopically positive surgical margins were associated with RFI. Further studies are needed to elucidate outcomes of this rare disease according to clinical, histopathological and comprehensive molecular features.
Sex-based differences in helmet performance in bicycle trauma
Authors: Feler Joshua , Maung Adrian A , O'Connor Rick , Davis Kimberly A , Gerrard Jason 
Published: April 2021

ObjectivesTo determine the existence of sex-based differences in the protective effects of helmets against common injuries in bicycle trauma.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, we identified patients 18 years or older in the 2017 National Trauma Database presenting after bicycle crash. Sex-disaggregated and sex-combined multivariable logistic regression models were calculated for short-term outcomes that included age, involvement with motor vehicle collision, anticoagulant use, bleeding disorder and helmet use. The sex-combined model included an interaction term for sex and helmet use. The resulting exponentiated model parameter yields an adjusted OR ratio of the effects of helmet use for females compared with males.ResultsIn total, 18 604 patients of average age 48.1 were identified, and 18% were female. Helmet use was greater in females than males (48.0% vs 34.2%, p<0.001). Compared with helmeted males, helmeted females had greater rates of serious head injury (37.7% vs 29.9%, p<0.001) despite less injury overall. In sex-disaggregated models, helmet use reduced odds of intracranial haemorrhage and death in males (p<0.001) but not females. In sex-combined models, helmets conferred to females significantly less odds reduction for severe head injury (p=0.002), intracranial bleeding (p<0.001), skull fractures (p=0.001), cranial surgery (p=0.006) and death (p=0.017). There was no difference for cervical spine fracture.ConclusionsBicycle helmets may offer less protection to females compared with males. The cause of this sex or gender-based difference is uncertain, but there may be intrinsic incompatibility between available helmets and female anatomy and/or sex disparity in helmet testing standards.
Assessment of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe: results from the REUMAVID study (phase 1)
Authors: Garrido-Cumbrera Marco , Marzo-Ortega Helena , Christen Laura , Plazuelo-Ramos Pedro , Webb Dale , Jacklin Clare , Irwin Shantel , Grange Laurent , Makri Souzi , Frazão Mateus Elsa , Mingolla Serena , Antonopoulou Katy , Sanz-Gómez Sergio , Correa-Fernández José , Carmona Loreto , Navarro-Compán Victoria 
Published: April 2021

AimTo assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).MethodsREUMAVID is a cross-sectional study using an online survey developed by an international multidisciplinary patient-led collaboration across seven European countries targeting unselected patients with RMDs. Healthcare access, daily activities, disease activity and function, well-being (WHO Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5)), health status, anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) and access to information were evaluated. Data were collected in April–July 2020 (first phase).ResultsData from the first phase included 1800 patients with 15 different RMDs (37.2% axial spondyloarthritis, 29.2% rheumatoid arthritis, 17.2% osteoarthritis and others). Mean age was 53, 80% female and 49% had undertaken university studies. During the beginning of the pandemic, 58.4% had their rheumatology appointment cancelled and 45.6% reported not having received any information relating to the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in their RMDs, with the main source being patient organisations (27.6%).Regarding habits, 24.6% increased smoking, 18.2% raised their alcohol consumption, and 45.6% were unable to continue exercising. Self-reported disease activity was high (5.3±2.7) and 75.6% reported elevated pain. Half the patients (49.0%) reported poor well-being (WHO-5) and 46.6% that their health had changed for the worse during lockdown. According to HADS, 57.3% were at risk of anxiety and 45.9% of depression.ConclusionThroughout the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with RMDs have experienced disruption in access to healthcare services, poor lifestyle habits and negative effects on their overall health, well-being and mental health. Furthermore, information on COVID-19 has not reached patients appropriately.
Z-boson hadronic decay width up to $${{\mathcal {O}}}(\alpha _s^4)$$-order QCD corrections using the single-scale approach of the principle of maximum conformality
Authors: Huang Xu-Dong , Wu Xing-Gang , Zheng Xu-Chang , Yu Qing , Wang Sheng-Quan , Shen Jian-Ming 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the paper, we study the properties of the Z-boson hadronic decay width by using the $$\mathcal {O}(\alpha _s^4)$$

O
(

α
s
4

)

-order quantum chromodynamics (QCD) corrections with the help of the principle of maximum conformality (PMC). By using the PMC single-scale approach, we obtain an accurate renormalization scale-and-scheme independent perturbative QCD (pQCD) correction for the Z-boson hadronic decay width, which is independent to any choice of renormalization scale. After applying the PMC, a more convergent pQCD series has been obtained; and the contributions from the unknown $$\mathcal {O}(\alpha _s^5)$$

O
(

α
s
5

)

-order terms are highly suppressed, e.g. conservatively, we have $$\Delta \Gamma _{\mathrm{Z}}^{\mathrm{had}}|^{{{\mathcal {O}}}(\alpha _s^5)}_{\mathrm{PMC}}\simeq \pm 0.004$$

Δ

Γ

Z

had

|

PMC

O
(

α
s
5

)

≃
±
0.004

MeV. In combination with the known electro-weak (EW) corrections, QED corrections, EW–QCD mixed corrections, and QED–QCD mixed corrections, our final prediction of the hadronic Z decay width is $$\Gamma _{\mathrm{Z}}^{\mathrm{had}}=1744.439^{+1.390}_{-1.433}$$

Γ

Z

had

=
1744
.

439

-
1.433

+
1.390

MeV, which agrees with the PDG global fit of experimental measurements, $$1744.4\pm 2.0$$

1744.4
±
2.0

MeV.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibition improves pulmonary artery reactivity and nitric oxide-mediated relaxation in sugen-hypoxia model of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Christou Helen , Michael Zoe , Spyropoulos Fotios , Chen Yunfei , Rong Dan , Khalil Raouf A. 
Published: April 2021

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious disease with pulmonary arterial fibrotic remodeling and limited responsiveness to vasodilators. Our data suggest that mild acidosis induced by carbonic anhydrase inhibition could ameliorate PH, but the vascular mechanisms are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that carbonic anhydrase inhibition ameliorates PH by improving pulmonary vascular reactivity and relaxation mechanisms. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were either control normoxic (Nx), or injected with Sugen 5416 (20 mg/kg, sc) and subjected to hypoxia (9% O2) (Su + Hx), or Su + Hx treated with acetazolamide (ACTZ, 100 mg/kg/day, in drinking water). After measuring the hemodynamics, right ventricular hypertrophy was assessed by Fulton’s Index; vascular function was measured in pulmonary artery, aorta, and mesenteric arteries; and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling was assessed in lung sections. Right ventricular systolic pressure and Fulton’s Index were increased in Su + Hx and reduced in Su + Hx + ACTZ rats. Pulmonary artery contraction to KCl and phenylephrine were reduced in Su + Hx and improved in Su + Hx + ACTZ. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation and nitrate/nitrite production were reduced in pulmonary artery of Su + Hx and improved in Su + Hx + ACTZ. ACh relaxation was blocked by nitric oxide (NO) synthase and guanylate cyclase inhibitors, supporting a role of NO-cGMP. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation was reduced in pulmonary artery of Su + Hx, and ACTZ enhanced relaxation to SNP. Contraction/relaxation were not different in aorta or mesenteric arteries of all groups. Pulmonary arterioles showed wall thickening in Su + Hx that was ameliorated in Su + Hx + ACTZ. Thus, amelioration of pulmonary hemodynamics during carbonic anhydrase inhibition involves improved pulmonary artery reactivity and NO-mediated relaxation and may enhance responsiveness to vasodilator therapies in PH.
Randomized Clinical Comparison of the Dual-Therapy CD34 Antibody-Covered Sirolimus-Eluting Combo Stent With the Sirolimus-Eluting Orsiro Stent in Patients Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The SORT OUT X Trial
Authors: Jakobsen Lars , Christiansen Evald H. , Freeman Phillip , Kahlert Johnny , Veien Karsten , Maeng Michael , Raungaard Bent , Ellert Julia , Villadsen Anton B. , Kristensen Steen D. , Ahlehoff Ole , Christensen Martin K. , Terkelsen Christian J. , Erik Bøtker Hans , Aaroe Jens , Thim Troels , Thuesen Leif , Aziz Ahmed , Eftekhari Ashkan , Jensen Rebekka V. , Støttrup Nicolaj B. , Rasmussen Jeppe G. , Junker Anders , Jensen Svend E. , Hansen Henrik S. , Jensen Lisette O. 
Published: April 2021

Background:
Target lesion failure remains an issue with contemporary drug-eluting stents. Thus, the dual-therapy sirolimus-eluting and CD34+ antibody–coated Combo stent (DTS) was designed to further improve early healing. This study aimed to investigate whether the DTS is noninferior to the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (SES) in an all-comers patient population.

Methods:
The SORT OUT X (Combo Stent Versus Orsiro Stent) trial, was a large-scale, randomized, multicenter, single-blind, 2-arm, noninferiority trial with registry-based follow-up. The primary end point target lesion failure was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization within 12 months, analyzed using intention-to-treat. The trial was powered for assessing target lesion failure noninferiority of the DTS compared with the SES with a predetermined noninferiority margin of 0.021.

Results:

A total of 3146 patients were randomized to treatment with the DTS (1578 patients; 2008 lesions) or SES (1568 patients; 1982 lesions). At 12 months, intention-to-treat analysis showed that 100 patients (6.3%) assigned the DTS and 58 patients (3.7%) assigned the SES met the primary end point (absolute risk difference, 2.6% [upper limit of 1-sided 95% CI, 4.1%];
P
(noninferiority)=0.76). The SES was superior to the DTS (incidence rate ratios for target lesion failure, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.26–2.41];
P
=0.00086). The difference was explained mainly by a higher incidence of target lesion revascularization in the DTS group compared with the SES group (53 [3.4%] vs. 24 [1.5%]; incidence rate ratio, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.37–3.61];
P
=0.0012).

Conclusions:
The DTS did not confirm noninferiority to the SES for target lesion failure at 12 months in an all-comer population. The SES was superior to the DTS mainly because the DTS was associated with an increased risk of target lesion revascularization. However, rates of death, cardiac death, and myocardial infarction at 12 months did not differ significantly between the 2 stent groups.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03216733.
Associated costs of mitigation-driven translocation in small lizards
Authors: Barrientos Rafael , Megía-Palma Rodrigo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Mitigation-driven translocations represent an increasingly common management solution to reduce animal mortality and habitat loss caused by human development. Although they currently outnumber other translocation types, there is a lack of scientific approaches to evaluate the outcome of this management tool. We designed an experimental translocation with two groups of translocated males and two of control males of a small (6-14 g) lizard (totaling 120 individuals). Our results suggest that translocated individuals covered longer distances (53 vs. 18 m) from their respective release points in one month (on average), although this distance diminished over time. Displacing longer distances was associated with a body condition impoverishment and an increase in parasitization by ectoparasites. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that finds a positive relationship between covering longer distances and an increase in the number of mites. This was also explained by the initial mite load that lizards had, suggesting that controlling the infestation by mites is energetically demanding for lizards, being traded by locomotor activity. At least for those individuals in poorer body condition, we recommend the implementation of soft release (gradually accustoming individuals to their new environment by previously releasing them into controlled conditions) and deparasitization before accomplishing a mitigation-driven translocation.
Combined effect of β-aminobutyric acid and silver nanoparticles on eggplants, Solanum melongena, infected with Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Shekoohi Samaneh S. , Charehgani Habiballah , Abdollahi Mohammad , Rajabi Hamid Reza 
Published: April 2021

Summary
The acquired resistance of plants to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) can be achieved by applying chemical inducers, such as β-aminobutyric acid (BABA). Recently, the use of metal nanoparticles with multifunctional use against plant-parasitic nematodes has been presented. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesised using the aqueous leaf extract of Malva sylvestris. The effect of different AgNPs concentrations on hatching and mortality of the second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne javanica was investigated in vitro. The effects of AgNPs on eggplants infected with 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 eggs (cm3 soil)−1 were investigated under glasshouse conditions. The combined effects of AgNPs and BABA on eggplants infected with 4 and 8 eggs (cm3 soil)−1 were investigated in another study. The results showed that increasing the concentration of AgNPs the hatching of M. javanica decreased and the mortality of J2 increased. The number of eggs, galls, egg masses and reproduction factor in plants treated with AgNPs infected with 4 eggs (cm3 soil)−1 decreased by 43.4, 24.7, 23.5 and 43.2%, and in plants infected with 8 eggs (cm3 soil)−1, decreased by 64.5, 25.5, 63.1 and 64.5%, respectively, compared to control plants. The reproduction factor in infected plants with 4 and 8 eggs (cm3 soil)−1 that were treated with BABA (1 mM) and AgNPs decreased by 51.6 and 55.9%, respectively, compared to control plants. The results of this study demonstrated the effects of BABA, AgNPs and the combination of these two substances in reducing the damage of different inoculum densities of M. javanica in eggplant.
Health Disparities and New Health Technologies – A Patients’ and Human Rights Perspective
Authors: Hartlev Mette 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The human right to health requires that everyone should have equal opportunities to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. In practice, this is hard to achieve, as health is shaped by social determinants. This article explores the impact personalized medicine and use of big data may have on health disparities. New health technologies offer a lot of hope for more individual and better health promotion and care, which potentially could be beneficial for the most deprived. However, there are also concerns that not all population groups will profit equally from this new population-based medicine, and that new digital health technologies will maintain – or even reinforce – existing health disparities. This article suggests using insights from poverty studies combined with a patients’ and human rights-based approach to ensure that the most deprived are not left behind in the application of new health technologies.
Can Tonsillectomy Be Safely Performed by Residents? A Comparative Retrospective Study
Authors: Na’ara Shorook , Aronov Michael , Gil Ziv , Gordin Arie 
Published: April 2021

Objective: To assess whether a surgeon’s level of training is associated with outcomes in pediatric tonsillectomy. Design: A retrospective cohort study of the outcomes of pediatric tonsillectomies performed between 2006 and 2016 by senior surgeons versus resident surgeons under the supervision of senior surgeons. Setting: An otolaryngology department in a tertiary academic hospital. Patients: Children younger than 18 years who underwent bilateral tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Main outcome measures: Intraoperative bleeding, initiation of oral intake, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: Of 785 children, 397 (50.5%) were operated on by a resident surgeon and 388 (49.5%) by a senior surgeon. Patient demographics and surgical techniques were similar between the groups. The mean surgical time was 33.2 minutes in the residents’ group and 27.1 minutes in the seniors’ group ( P = .032). The groups were similar in intraoperative bleeding, while same-day initiation of oral intake was 71% for children in the residents’ group versus 61% in the seniors’ group ( P = .28). Reports of postoperative bleeding necessitating readmission and revised operations were similar for both groups (3.0% and 0.7%, respectively, in the residents’ group; and 2.5% and 1.0%, respectively, in the seniors’ group). Conclusion: Children undergoing tonsillectomy showed similar short-term outcomes, whether the operations were performed by a senior surgeon or a resident surgeon supervised by an attending surgeon. This study demonstrates the safety of pediatric tonsillectomy performed by resident surgeons supervised by attending physicians.
Differences in COVID-19 Testing and Test Positivity Among Veterans, United States, 2020
Authors: Ferguson Jacqueline M. , Abdel Magid Hoda S. , Purnell Amanda L. , Kiang Mathew V. , Osborne Thomas F. 
Published: April 2021

Objective COVID-19 disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States. We evaluated characteristics associated with obtaining a COVID-19 test from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and receiving a positive test result for COVID-19. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 6 292 800 veterans in VHA care at 130 VHA medical facilities. We assessed the number of tests for SARS-CoV-2 administered by the VHA (n = 822 934) and the number of positive test results (n = 82 094) from February 8 through December 28, 2020. We evaluated associations of COVID-19 testing and test positivity with demographic characteristics of veterans, adjusting for facility characteristics, comorbidities, and county-level area-based socioeconomic measures using nested generalized linear models. Results In fully adjusted models, veterans who were female, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, urban, and low income and had a disability had an increased likelihood of obtaining a COVID-19 test, and veterans who were Asian had a decreased likelihood of obtaining a COVID-19 test. Compared with veterans who were White, veterans who were Black/African American (risk ratio [RR] = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.19-1.27) and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander (RR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.21) had an increased likelihood of receiving a positive test result. Hispanic/Latino veterans had a 43% higher likelihood of receiving a positive test result than non-Hispanic/Latino veterans did. Conclusions Although veterans have access to subsidized health care at the VHA, the increased risk of receiving a positive test result for COVID-19 among Black and Hispanic/Latino veterans, despite receiving more tests than White and non-Hispanic/Latino veterans, suggests that other factors (eg, social inequities) are driving disparities in COVID-19 prevalence.