bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating Tumor Cells as a Biomarker for Precise Management of Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Qian , Xu Chenyu , Yang Zhenhua 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with potential utility in cancer treatment provide a less invasive way to illustrate the pathogenesis of tumor. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of CTCs in early diagnosis and/or precisely indication of lung cancer (LC) patients responding to chemotherapy.Methods: Fifty-six patients newly diagnosed with LC were included in this study, while 42 patients with nonmalignant pulmonary disease were included as positive control group and 27 healthy individuals as control. CTCs were measured at baseline in all eligible subjects and after two cycles of chemotherapy in 25 advanced LC patients, with a strategy of negative enrichment combined with immunostaining-fluorescence in situ hybridization (imFISH). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the CTC for the LC diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier curve and two-sided log-rank test were used for univariate survival analysis.Results: The number of CTCs was significantly increased in LC patients, compared with positive control and healthy controls. The sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 95.7%, with a cutoff value of 2 cells/3.2ml (AUC=0.975, 95%CI, 0.953-0.998, p=0.001). Moreover, the sensitivity of CTCs was much higher than individual or the combination of serum tumor markers (NSE/CYFRA21-1/CEA), especially in the early diagnosis of LC. Twenty-five advanced LC patients were subsequently followed up for an average of 18.2 months (6-36 months). Decline of CTC count after two cycles of chemotherapy was highly predictive for progression free survival (PFS) (13.5 vs. 8.5 months; p=0.025) and overall survival (OS) (27.6 vs. 16.8 months; p=0.009). Among the patients classified as stable disease (SD) based on post-treatment CT scan after two cycles of chemotherapy, there was significant elevation in the PFS (14.0 vs. 8.7 months; p=0.033) and OS (25.8 vs. 15.9 months; p=0.018) in those with decreased CTC number compared with those presenting stable or elevated CTCs number.Conclusions: CTCs may act as precise biomarker for early detection and therapy monitoring of LC. It may serve as good compensation for imaging.
Increasing Access to Task-Oriented Community-Based Exercise Programs Through Healthcare-Community Partnerships to Improve Function Post-Stroke: Feasibility of a 2-Group Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Aravind Gayatri , Bashir Kainat , Cameron Jill I. , Howe Jo-Anne , Jaglal Susan B. , Bayley Mark T. , Teasell Robert , Moineddin Rahim , Zee Joanne , Wodchis Walter , Tee Alda , Hunter Susan , Salbach Nancy Margaret 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundObjectives were to describe the feasibility of a protocol for evaluating a community-based exercise program incorporating a healthcare-community partnership (CBEP-HCP) compared to a waitlist control group on improving everyday function among people post-stroke.MethodsA pilot 2-group randomized controlled trial was conducted in three cities in Ontario, Canada. Adults (≥ 18 years) living at home for ≥ 3 months post-stroke, and able to walk ≥ 10 metres without physical assistance were stratified by site and gait speed and randomly assigned to an exercise program or waitlist control group. Trained fitness instructors delivered a 1-hour, group exercise class, involving repetitive and progressive practice of balance/mobility tasks relevant to everyday function (e.g., sit-to-stand, walking, step-ups) twice a week for 12 weeks. The waitlist group was offered the exercise program at 10 months. Blinded assessors conducted evaluations at 3, 6 and 10 months post-baseline. Sensitivity to change of two measures of everyday function (Subjective Index of Physical and Social Outcome (SIPSO) and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL)) was compared. Qualitative interviews were conducted separately with 13 participants and 9 caregivers post-intervention. Quantitative and qualitative results were triangulated.ResultsThirty-three people with stroke were randomized to the intervention (n = 16) or waitlist group (n = 17); 68% of available caregivers agreed to participate. Recruitment rates were 2.4, 1.2, and 1.1 participants/month across sites and highest in the largest urban centre. Participants preferred a familiar healthcare professional to refer them to the study. Participants described a 10- or 12-month wait as too long and two people in the waitlist group withdrew for this reason. The exercise program was implemented per protocol across sites. Attendance was lowest (63% and 71% in the intervention and waitlist group, respectively) at 10-month evaluations. Participants described inclement weather, availability of transportation, and long commutes as barriers to attending evaluations and exercise classes. The SIPSO physical scale but not the NEADL detected change in the intervention group. Quantitative and qualitative results suggested an immediate effect of the intervention on balance, balance self-efficacy, everyday function (dressing, cooking), and overall health.ConclusionChallenges with recruitment, attendance, and retention will inform protocol revisions for a future trial.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03122626. Registered April 17, 2017 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03122626
Stochastic Analysis of an Epidemic SVIR Model With Holling Type II Incidence and Treatment Rates
Authors: Madhusudanan V , Srini M N , Amalraj L. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In the event of an epidemic, inhibitory effects play a critical role in limiting the pandemic's influence on society. The majority of infectious diseases that affect humans are still on the verge of becoming epidemics over the world. Mathematical models have long been used to investigate the complicated dynamics of infectious illnesses. This research investigates a stochastic SVIR epidemic model with Holling type II incidence and treatment rates. The Fourier transform approach is used to analyse stochastic stability around an internal steady state. Finally, numerical simulations are presented with appropriate parameter selections in order to test the efficiency of the theoretical results.
On the Effect of Nonlinear Energy Sink Damping in Seismic Vibration Attenuation
Authors: Motato Eliot , Guerrero Fabio G. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Nonlinear Energy Sinks (NESs) have been proposed for passively reducing the amplitude of vibrations in different types of structures. The main advantage of NES over traditional Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) lies in its capability to redistribute the vibrating energy inside a primary structure, what effectively reduces the amplitude of the structure oscillations over a wide range of frequencies. However, the performance of an NES can be substantially affected even by small variations on input energy as in the case of buildings under seismic ground excitation. In this work it is shown that the NES energy sensibility can be significantly reduced by properly selecting the NES damping coefficient. A three stories shear building model subject to seismic ground excitation is used to numerically study the effect that NES damping has on its vibration reduction performance.
Acute myocardial infarction among patients undergoing elective spinal fusion, total hip arthroplasty, and total knee arthroplasty in the United States: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Arena Patrick J , Mo Jingping , Liu Qing , Zhou Xiaofeng , Gong Richard , Wentworth Charles , Murugesan Sundaresan , Huang Kui 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an uncommon but fatal complication among patients undergoing elective spinal fusion surgery (SF), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our objective was to estimate the incidence of AMI among adults undergoing elective SF, THA, and TKA in different post-operative risk windows and characterize high-risk sub-populations in the United States.
Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a longitudinal electronic healthcare record (EHR) database from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2018. ICD codes were used to identify SF, THA, TKA, AMI, and selected clinical characteristics. Incidence proportions (IPs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in the following risk windows: index hospitalization, ≤ 30, ≤ 90, ≤ 180, and ≤ 365 days post-operation.
Results

A total of 67,533 SF patients, 87,572 THA patients, and 167,480 TKA patients were eligible for the study. The IP of AMI after SF, THA, and TKA ranged from 0.36%, 0.28%, and 0.25% during index hospitalization to 1.05%, 0.93%, and 0.85% ≤ 365 days post-operation, respectively. The IP of AMI was higher among patients who were older, male, with longer hospital stays, had a history of AMI, and had a history of diabetes.
Conclusion

The IP of post-operative AMI was generally highest among the SF cohort compared to the THA and TKA cohorts. Additionally, potential high-risk populations were identified. Future studies in this area are warranted to confirm these findings via improved confounder control and to identify effect measure modifiers.
Dietary Anti-Oxidant Capacity, Dietary Inflammation Index, and the Risk of Stroke in a Large Prospective Cohort Study.
Authors: MacDonald Conor-James , Laouali Nasser , Madika Anne-Laure , Severi Gianluca , sagnier Sharmila , Debette Stephanie , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundWhilst the Western and Mediterranean/prudent diets have long been associated with the risk of stroke, it is less clear if increased inflammation and reduction of oxidations are their respective mechanisms. This study aimed to understand the associations between the dietary inflammatory index (DII), and total anti-oxidant capacity of the diet (TAC), with regards to stroke risk.MethodsThe study population included 71,460 women free of cardiovascular disease at baseline from the E3N cohort, who completed a diet history questionnaire which was used to estimate the dietary pattern scores. Scores were considered grouped as quintiles and as splines in order to determine the dose-response shape. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for hypertension were estimated with multivariate Cox models with age as the time scale, and adjusted for potential confounding factors. After Bonferroni correction, a p-value of 0.013 was considered significant.ResultsOver 14.5 years of follow-up, 414 cases of incident stroke were identified. The Western, and Prudent dietary patterns were both highly associated with the risk of stroke (Western HRQ1Q4 = 1.85 [1.27: 2.69], p-trend = 0.002, Prudent HRQ1Q4 = 0.59 [0.44: 0.78], p-trend < 0.001), as was TAC from non-coffee sources (HRQ1Q4 = 0.47 [0.33: 0.68], p-trend < 0.001). All three showed a clear dose-response, and the associations with the Western and Prudent scores were consistent in sensitivity analysis. Weaker evidence was observed for DII (HRQ1Q4 = 1.33 [1.01: 1.78], p-trend = 0.03), which did not show a clear dose-response. TAC from coffee was not associated with the risk of stroke.ConclusionThese results suggest that diets high in anti-oxidants are associated with a reduced risk of stroke, but that inflammation from the diet does not play as large a part in the risk of stroke. Factors other than inflammation may be driving associations with stroke and western diet.
Soil Nitrogen Dynamics Impact Carbon Exchange Processes in a High Arctic Wetland
Authors: Hung Jacqueline K.Y. , Scott Neal A. , Treitz Paul M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Increased soil nutrient availability, and associated increases in vegetation productivity, could create a negative feedback between Arctic ecosystems and the climate system, thereby reducing the contribution of Arctic ecosystems to future climate change. To predict whether this feedback will develop, it is important to understand the environmental controls over nutrient cycling in High Arctic ecosystems and their impact on carbon cycling processes. This study, conducted at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory, Melville Island, Nunavut, examined the environmental controls over soil nitrogen availability in a High Arctic wet sedge meadow and how they influenced carbon dioxide exchange processes from 2016-2018. Moisture variability across a seemingly homogenous wet sedge meadow allowed us to investigate nutrient availability and carbon dioxide exchange across naturally occurring moisture gradients over three growing seasons. The nature of the relationships (i.e., trends) between variables was consistent over the three years, but their magnitudes varied depending on climate conditions. Soil nitrogen availability, particularly ammonium, was higher in warmer years and wetter conditions and correlated positively with gross primary production (R 2 = 0.97) and net carbon dioxide uptake (R 2 = 0.88). Drier areas within the wetland had more nitrate availability, and this correlated negatively with net carbon dioxide exchange. Projections of a warmer, wetter Arctic and increased nutrient availability due to higher soil organic matter turnover suggest that northern wetlands will remain strong carbon dioxide sinks, or become stronger sinks, contributing to a negative feedback on the climate system.
ECMO Support in HIV/AIDS with Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia: A Case Report and Short Review
Authors: lv jianlei , Li yanfen , huang kang , lv ailian 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

We report a case of a patient with novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) was successfully treated with veno-venous (V-V) ECMO owing to refractory hypoxemia and pneumomediastinum, and eventually discharged. In addition to the case report, several previous reports were reviewed for the discussion of some key therapies.
Case report:

A 30-year-old male patient was admitted to the our hospital presented with the shortness of breath. The patient showed a deteriorated oxygenation due to increasing pulmonary infiltrates and development of pneumomediastinum, necessitating ECMO. The diagnosis of ARDS, HIV, PJP was made. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) was provided for the treatment of PJP. After 7 days of ECMO therapy, the patient was successfully decannulated and eventually discharged.
Conclusions

ECMO may benefit adult patients with HIV/AIDS and refractory hypoxemia due to severe PCP. Post-ECMO antiretroviral therapy could improve outcomes.
Intrinsic Photoluminescence of Solid-State Gold Nanoclusters: Towards Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Tissue-Like Phantoms Under Two-Photon Near-Infrared Excitation
Authors: Alexandru-Milentie Hada , Craciun Ana-Maria , Astilean Simion 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have attracted extensive attention as light-emissive materials with unique advantages such as high photostability, large Stoke shifts and low toxicity. However, a better understanding of their solid-state photoluminescence properties is still needed. Herein, we investigated for the first time the intrinsic photoluminescence properties of lyophilized bovine serum albumin stabilized AuNCs (BSA-AuNCs) via fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) studies performed under both one and two photon excitations (OPE and TPE) on individual microflakes, combined with fluorescence spectroscopic investigations. Both in solution and solid-state, the synthesized BSA-AuNCs exhibit photoluminescence in the first biological window with an absolute quantum yield of 6% and high photostability under continuous irradiation. Moreover, under both OPE and TPE conditions, solid BSA-AuNCs samples exhibited a low degree of photobleaching, while FLIM assays prove the homogeneous distribution of the photoluminescence signal inside the microflakes. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of BSA-AuNCs to perform as reliable bright and photostable contrast agents for the visualization of cancer tissue mimicking agarose-phantoms using FLIM approach under non-invasive TPE. Therefore, our results emphasize the great potential of the as synthesized BSA-AuNCs for ex vivo and in vivo non-invasive NIR imaging applications.
RRAM-Based CAM Combined With Time-Domain Circuits for Hyperdimensional Computing
Authors: Halawani Yasmin , Kilani Dima , Hassan Eman , Tesfai Huruy , Saleh Hani , Mohammad Baker 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Content addressable memory (CAM) for search and match operations demands high speed and low power for near real-time decision-making across many critical domains. Resistive RAM-based in-memory computing has high potential in realizing an efficient static CAM for artificial intelligence tasks, especially on resource-constrained platforms. This paper presents an XNOR-based RRAM-CAM with a time-domain analog adder for efficient winning class computation. The CAM compares two operands, one voltage and the second one resistance, and outputs a voltage proportional to the similarity between the input query and the pre-stored patterns. Processing the summation of the output similarity voltages in the time-domain helps avoid voltage saturation, variation, and noise dominating the analog voltage-based computing. After that, to determine the winning class among the multiple classes, a digital realization is utilized to consider the class with the longest pulse width as the winning class. As a demonstrator, hyperdimensional computing for efficient MNIST classification is considered.The proposed design uses 65nm CMOS foundry technology and realistic data for RRAM with total area of 0.0077 mm2 , consumes 13.6 pJ of energy per 1k query within 10 ns clock cycle for 10 classes. It shows a reduction of ∼ 31× in area and ∼ 3× in energy consumption compared to fully digital ASIC implementation using 65nm foundry technology. The proposed design exhibits a remarkable reduction in area and energy compared to two of the state-of-the-art RRAM designs.
WNT3 Hypopethylation Counteracts low Activity of the Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Placenta of Preeclampsia
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Sang Min , Li Ying , Li Yingying , Yang Lijun , Shi Wenli , Yuan Yangyang , Yang Bo , Yang Peifeng 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Many studies have shown that epigenetic mechanisms may play a role in preeclampsia. Moreover, our previous study indicated that the differentially methylated genes in preeclampsia were enriched in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study aimed to identify differentially methylated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway genes in the preeclamptic placenta and to study the roles of these genes in trophoblast cells in vitro. Using an Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation 850K BeadChip, we found that the Wnt signaling pathway was globally hypermethylated in the preeclamptic group compared with the term birth group but hypomethylated in the preeclamptic group compared with the preterm birth group. Among all Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway factors, WNT3 was the most significantly differentially expressed gene and was hypomethylated in the preeclamptic group compared to the nonhypertensive groups, namely, the preterm birth group and term birth group. This result was confirmed by pyrosequencing. Through quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, the WNT3 gene was found to be highly expressed in preeclamptic placental tissues, in contrast to other WNT factors, which were previously reported to be expressed at low levels in placental tissues. Additionally, in the HTR8/SVneo cell line, knockdown of WNT3 suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, consistent with the findings for other WNT factors. These results prompted us to speculate that the WNT3 gene counteracts the low activation state of the Wnt signaling pathway in the preeclamptic placenta through methylation modification.
Equine Grass Sickness (A Multiple Systems Neuropathy) is Associated with Alterations in the Gastrointestinal Mycobiome
Authors: McGorum Bruce , Chen Zihao , Glendinning Laura , Gweon Hyus , Hunt Luanne , Ivens Alasdair , Keen John , Pirie Scott , Taylor Joanne , Wilkinson Toby , McLachlan Gerry 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a multiple systems neuropathy of grazing horses of unknown aetiology. An apparently identical disease occurs in cats, dogs, rabbits, hares, sheep, alpacas and llamas. Many of the risk factors for EGS are consistent with it being a pasture mycotoxicosis. To identify potential causal fungi, the gastrointestinal mycobiota of EGS horses were evaluated using targeted amplicon sequencing, and compared with those of two control groups. Samples were collected post mortem from up to 5 sites in the gastrointestinal tracts of EGS horses (EGS group; 150 samples from 54 horses) and from control horses that were not grazing EGS pastures and that had been euthanased for reasons other than neurologic and gastrointestinal diseases (CTRL group; 67 samples from 31 horses). Faecal samples were also collected from healthy control horses that were co-grazing pastures with EGS horses at disease onset (CoG group; 48 samples from 48 horses). Results: Mycobiota at all 5 gastrointestinal sites comprised large numbers of fungi exhibiting diverse taxonomy, growth morphology, trophic mode and ecological guild. FUNGuild analysis parsed most phylotypes as ingested environmental microfungi, agaricoids and yeasts, with only 1% as gastrointestinal adapted animal endosymbionts. Indices of alpha-diversity indicated that mycobiota richness and diversity varied throughout the gastrointestinal tract and were greater in EGS horses. There were significant inter-group and inter-site differences in mycobiota structure. A large number of phylotypes were differentially abundant among groups. Key phylotypes (n=56) associated with EGS were identified that had high abundance and high prevalence in EGS samples, significantly increased abundance in EGS samples, and were important determinants of the inter-group differences in mycobiota structure. Many key phylotypes were extremophiles and/or were predicted to produce cytotoxic and/or neurotoxic extrolites. Conclusions: This is the first reported molecular characterisation of the gastrointestinal mycobiota of grazing horses. Key phylotypes associated with EGS were identified. Further work is required to determine whether neurotoxic extrolites from key phylotypes contribute to EGS aetiology or whether the association of key phylotypes and EGS is a consequence of disease or is non-causal.
Pathogenic antibodies induced by spike proteins of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV viruses
Authors: Wang Huiru , Chen Qiuchi , Hu Yue , Wu Xiancong , Dai Lin , Zhang Yuekai , Li Fang , Lu Jinfeng , Chen Yuxing , Liu Xiaoling 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This study, using a virus-free mouse model, explores the pathogenic roles of certain antibodies specific to the spike proteins of highly pathogenic coronaviruses such as the COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV viruses. Our data showed that these pathogenic antibodies, through a mechanism of Antibody Dependent Auto-Attack (ADAA), target and bind to host vulnerable cells or tissues such as damaged lung epithelium cells, initiate a self-attack immune response, and lead to serious conditions including ARDS, cytokine release, and death. Moreover, the pathogenic antibodies also induced inflammation and hemorrhage of the kidneys, brain, and heart. Furthermore, the pathogenic antibodies can bind to unmatured fetal tissues and cause abortions, postpartum labors, still births, and neonatal deaths of pregnant mice. Novel clinical interventions, through disrupting the host-binding of these pathogenic antibodies, can be developed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the new concept of ADAA explored by this study may be applicable to other infectious diseases, such as the highly pathogenic influenza infections. It should be noted that the majority of anti-spike antibodies are non-pathogenic, as only 2 of 7 monoclonal antibodies tested showed significant pathogenic effects.