bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oogenesis and lipid metabolism in the deep-sea sponge Phakellia ventilabrum: an histological, lipidomic and transcriptomic approach
Authors: Koutsouveli Vasiliki , Balgoma David , Checa Antonia , Hedeland Mikael , Riesgo Ana , Cárdenas Paco 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Sponges contain an astounding diversity of lipids which serve in several biological functions, including yolk formation in their oocytes and the embryos. On animal reproduction, lipids constitute one of the main energy storage forms for the adult and the offspring. The study of lipid metabolism during reproduction can provide information on food-web dynamics and energetic needs of the populations in their habitats, however, there are no studies focusing on the lipid metabolism of sponges during seasonal reproduction. The deep-sea sponge Phakellia ventilabrum (Demospongiae, Bubarida) is a key species of North-Atlantic sponge grounds, but its reproductive biology is not known. In this study, we used histological sections, lipidome profiling (UHPLC-MS), and transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) with goal to i. assess the reproductive strategy and seasonality of this species, ii. examine the relative changes in the lipidome signal, and the gene expression patterns (RNA-seq) of enzymes participating in lipid metabolism in female specimens during gametogenesis.Results P. ventilabrum is an oviparous and most certainly gonochoristic species, reproducing in May and September in the different studied areas. Half of specimens were reproducing, generating two to five oocytes per mm2. Oocytes accumulated both protein and lipid droplets. As oogenesis progressed, the signal of most of the unsaturated and monounsaturated triacylglycerides increased, as well as of few other phospholipids. Most of the other lipids and especially those with > 3 unsaturations showed a decrease in signal during the oocyte maturation. In parallel, we detected upregulated genes in female tissues related to triacylglyceride biosynthesis and others related to fatty acid beta-oxidation.Conclusions Triacylglycerides are probably the main type of lipid forming the yolk since this lipid category has the most marked changes, while some other phospholipids may also have a role in oogenesis. In parallel, other lipid categories were oxidized, leading to fatty acid beta-oxidation to cover the energy requirements of female individuals during oogenesis. Variations in the signal of most lipids between the different locations and months suggest that sponges, apart from their own mechanisms of lipid biosynthesis, exploit the food availability in their surroundings to cover the energetic demands in their physiological processes.
Combining Sarcopenia and [18F] FDGPET/CT Derived Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Adenocarcinoma Esophageal Cancer Might Improve Outcome Prediction
Authors: Anconina Reut , Ortega Claudia , Metser Ur , Liu Zhihui Amy , Suzuki Chihiro , McInnis Micheal , Darling Gail Elizabeth , Wong Rebecca , Taylor Kirsty , Yeung Jonathan , Chen Eric Xueyu , Swallow Carol Jane , Bajwa Jaspreet , Jang Raymond Woo-Jun , Elimova Elena , Veit-Haibach Patrick 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose

To determine the prognostic value of sarcopenia measurements done on staging [18F] FDG PET/CT together with metabolic activity of the tumor in patients with adenocarcinoma esophagogastric cancer with surgical treatment.
Methods

Patients with early stage, surgically treated esophageal adenocarcinoma and available pre-treatment PET/CT were included. The standard uptake value (SUV) and SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL) were recorded. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured at the L3 level on the CT component of the PET/CT. Sarcopenia was defined as SMI < 34.4cm2/m2 in women and < 45.4cm2/m2 in men.
Results

Of the included 145 patients. 30% were sarcopenic at baseline. On the univariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, ECOG, surgical T and N staging, Lymphovascular Invasion (LVI) positive lymph nodes and sarcopenia were significant prognostic factors concerning RFS, and OS. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, surgical N staging (p = 0.025) and sarcopenia (p = 0.022) remained significant poor prognostic factors for OS and RFS. Combining the clinical parameters with the imaging derived nutritional evaluation of the patient but not metabolic parameters of the tumor showed improved predictive ability for OS and RFS.
Conclusion

Combining the patients’ imaging derived sarcopenic status with standard clinical data, but not metabolic parameters offered an overall improved prognostic value concerning OS and RFS.
QSAR Modeling of a Ligand-based Pharmacophore Derived from Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Inhibitors
Authors: Mohebbi Alireza , Askari Fatemeh Sana , Shaddel Reyhane , Mirarab Azam , Oladnabi Morteza 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Functional cure for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) by inhibiting HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) is crucial. We aimed to develop a predictive quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model on a ligand-based pharmacophore (LBP) derived from already known HBsAg secretion inhibitors in the present study.Methods: A LBP model was developed using active HBsAg secretion inhibitors as both trainings- and test-sets using LigandScout v3.12 software. The best model with the highest score was used for high throughput screening (HTS) screening of a virtual library comprising 720,000 compounds. A QSAR model was developed by a stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) on ~2700 descriptors with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. The test set validated the QSAR model. The goodness of fit statistics evaluated the fitness of the model. A comparable R2 and adjusted R2 were considered as the lack of overfitting. Further RMSE and Q2 statistics were measured for testing the model on the validation set. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also evaluated to estimate the predictor variables' associations and impact on the model.Results: 34 active anti-HBsAg compounds were used to develop an LBP model. 9/34 of compounds with higher clustering pharmacophore-fit scores were tagged as the training set, and the rest of the inhibitors were used as the test set. The best model had a 0.8832 fit score. HTS resulted in 10 potential hit compounds with a fit score of 101.44±0.65. A QSAR model was developed with two response variables, including Yindex and GATS8m, with substantial variance information (p < 0.05). The model was well fitted (R2 = 0.9563, MSE = 0.0023). The model was not predictive on the test set (Q2 = 0.00, RMSE = 0.8153). The PCA results of two factors demonstrated a substantial variance data of both predictor variables. Conclusion: The present study showed a reliable pharmacophore modeling based on known active inhibitors of HBsAg and a well-fitted predictive QSAR model on the LBP. The model can be applied to the chemical libraries fitted to the LBP model, and the QSAR equation would estimate the biological activities of the hit compounds with 95.63% accuracy with only two Yindex and GATS8m descriptors.
Excellent Photocatalytic Rhodamine B Degradation for water Remediation Over Pr3+ Doped Bi2WO6 Microspheres
Authors: Zhang Xianghui 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this work, a serious of Pr3+ doped Bi2WO6 had been prepared by one-step hydrothermal method without using any additive. XRD results showed that the Pr3+ doped Bi2WO6 possessed pure orthorhombic phase. XRD patterns shifted to higher angles with the doping amount of Pr3+ increasing indicated that Pr3+ was doped into the lattice of Bi2WO6. UV-vis DRS results revealed that the band gap was narrowed by Pr3+ doping. SEM and TEM images showed that the Pr3+ doped Bi2WO6 presented 3D flower-like microspheres constructed by many nanosheets. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were evaluated by using rhodamine B (RhB) as the target organic pollutant. It was found that 1% Pr-Bi2WO6 exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance, as well as good stability and reusability. The improved photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the optimum optical absorption activity, the larger specific surface area and the morphology of microspheres which resulted in the effective separation of the photogenerated electron hole pairs. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism had been discussed according to the radical-trapping experiments.
Impaired T Lymphocyte Subsets Early Predict Acute Kidney Injury in Sepsis Patients
Authors: Li Guanglan , Zhang Yu , He Ganyuan , Hao Wenke , Hu Wenxue 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of sepsis patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of sepsis-associated AKI (SA-AKI) is crucial to provide supportive treatment and improve prognosis. Thus, the objective is to analyze the early discriminative predictive information regarding T lymphocyte subsets of SA-AKI.Methods: We evaluated the relationships of T lymphocyte subsets and clinical parameters of sepsis patients, and assessed their potential roles in SA-AKI diagnosis. The following T lymphocyte subsets were studied: total T lymphocyte (CD3+), helper T lymphocyte (T helper, CD3+CD4+), cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL, CD3+CD8+), totally activated T lymphocyte (CD3+HLADR+), early activated T lymphocyte (CD4+CD69+, CD8+CD69+), regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg, CD4+CD25+, CD8+CD25+).Results: A total of 171 patients with sepsis were enrolled. The incidence of AKI was 80.1%. The percentages of total T lymphocyte, CTL, and totally activated T lymphocyte of SA-AKI patients were lower than those of sepsis patients without AKI (61.95±19.65 % vs 68.80±18.57 %, 19.95±17.22 % vs 26.48±18.31 %, 19.00±14.21 % vs 30.88±28.86 %, respectively, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentages of T helper, early activated T lymphocyte, and Tregs between SA-AKI group and non-SA-AKI group. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that percentages of total T lymphocyte, CTL, and totally activated T lymphocyte were protective factors for SA-AKI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that percentage of totally activated T lymphocyte had a negative association with SA-AKI independently (OR: 0.952, 95% CI: 0.926-0.978, P=0.000). Moreover, ROC analysis showed that total T lymphocyte, CTL, and totally activated T lymphocyte had discriminatory abilities, with areas under the curve (AUC) value of 0.638, 0.615, and 0.661, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions: Impaired total T lymphocyte, CTL, and totally activated T lymphocyte could contribute to early diagnosis for SA-AKI.
Nanog/NFATc1/Osterix signaling pathway-mediated promotion of bone formation at the tendon-bone interface after ACL reconstruction with De-BMSCs transplantation
Authors: Tie Kai , Cai Jinghang , Qin Jun , Xiao Hao , Shangguan Yangfan , Wang Hui , Chen Liaobin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Bone formation plays an important role in early tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Dedifferentiated osteogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (De-BMSCs) have enhanced osteogenic potential. This study aimed to investigate the effect of De-BMSCs transplantation on the promotion of bone formation at the tendon-bone interface after ACLR and to further explore the molecular mechanism of the enhanced osteogenic potential of De-BMSCs.Methods: BMSCs from the femurs and tibias of New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to osteogenic induction and then cultured in medium without osteogenic factors; the obtained cell population was termed De-BMSCs. De-BMSCs were induced to undergo osteo-, chondro- and adipo-differentiation in vitro to examine the characteristics of primitive stem cells. An ACLR model with a semitendinosus tendon was established in rabbits, and the animals were divided into a control group, BMSCs group and De-BMSCs group. At 12 weeks after surgery, the rabbits in each group were sacrificed to evaluate tendon-bone healing by histologic staining, micro–computed tomography (micro-CT) examination, and biomechanical testing. During osteogenic differentiation of De-BMSCs, an siRNA targeting nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) was used to verify the molecular mechanism of the enhanced osteogenic potential of De-BMSCs.Results: De-BMSCs exhibited some properties similar to BMSCs, including multiple differentiation potential and cell surface markers. Bone formation at the tendon-bone interface in the De-BMSCs group was significantly increased, and biomechanical strength was significantly improved. During the osteogenic differentiation of De-BMSCs, the expression of Nanog and NFATc1 was synergistically increased, which promoted the interaction of NFATc1 and Osterix, resulting in increased expression of osteoblast marker genes such as COL1A, OCN, and OPN.Conclusions: De-BMSCs transplantation could promote bone formation at the tendon-bone interface after ACLR and improve the biomechanical strength of the reconstruction. The Nanog/NFATc1/Osterix signaling pathway mediated the enhanced osteogenic differentiation efficiency of De-BMSCs.
A Prognostic Model for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Based on Signature Ferroptosis-related Genes
Authors: Wan Sizhe , Lei Yiming , Li Mingkai , Wu Bin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundWith the increasing number of HCC patients, it is necessary to accurately predicting the prognosis of these patients. Ferroptosis has been confirmed to be closely related to HCC progression. However, there is still a challenge in predicting the survival of HCC patients through ferroptosis-related genes.MethodThe RNA-seq data and corresponding clinical data of HCC from TCGA database were downloaded to establish a prognosis model, and data of ICGC and GSE14520 as the validation set. The risk score was constructed with 5 genes identified by univariate and LASSO Cox regression analysis. Then, risk score, TNM stage and cirrhosis were included to construct a nomogram, through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.Results5 genes were identified from 70 ferroptosis-related DEGs to construct a gene signature to predict HCC patient survival from TCGA cohort. PCA and heatmap results show that there are obvious differences in patients with different score groups. Then, we included risk score, TNM stage and cirrhosis to construct a nomogram to further predict the overall survival of the patients. Survival analysis indicates that overall survival of the low- risk group is significantly higher than that of the high-risk group. Similarly, the data in the GSE14520 cohort also confirmed good performance for the nomogram. Furthermore, KEGG and GO functional enrichment analyses indicates the difference in overall survival between groups is closely related to immune-related pathways. Finally, through analyzing the immune status of all patients, we found that compared with patients in the low-risk group, “Macrophages M0”, “T cells CD8”, and “T cells regulatory” of the high-risk group were significantly higher.ConclusionThe nomogram based on ferroptosis-related genes has a good performance for the prognosis of HCC patients. The model may provide a reference for evaluation of HCC patients by targeting ferroptosis.
The clinical features of pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasu arteritis and its relationship with ischemic heart diseases and infection
Authors: Mukoyama Hiroki , Shirakashi Mirei , Tanaka Nozomi , Iwasaki Takeshi , Nakajima Toshiki , Onizawa Hideo , Tsuji Hideaki , Kitagori Koji , Akizuki Shuji , Nakashima Ran , Murakami Kosaku , Tanaka Masao , Morinobu Akio , Yoshifuji Hajime 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPulmonary artery involvement (PAI) in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) can lead to severe complications, but the relationship between the two has not been fully clarified.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 166 consecutive patients with TAK who attended Kyoto University Hospital from 1997 to 2018. The demographic data, clinical symptoms and signs, comorbidities, treatments, and imaging findings were compared between patients with and without PAI. TAK was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria (1990) or the Japanese Clinical Diagnostic Criteria (2008). PAI was identified using enhanced computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or lung scintigraphy.ResultsPAI was detected in 14.6 % (n = 24) of total TAK patients. Dyspnea (25.0 % vs. 8.6 %; p = 0.043), pulmonary hypertension (PH) (29.2 % vs. 0.7 %; p < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (29 % vs. 9.3 %; p = 0.018), respiratory infection (25.0 % vs. 6.0 %; p = 0.009) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection (20.8 % vs. 0.8 %; p < 0.001) were significantly more frequent, and renal artery stenosis (0 % vs. 17 %; p = 0.007) was significantly less frequent in TAK patients with PAI than in those without PAI. PAI was an independent risk factor for NTM in multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 36.16; confidence interval: 3.61-361.82; p = 0.002).ConclusionsTAK patients with PAI more frequently have dyspnea, PH, IHD, and respiratory infection, including NTM, than TAK patients without PAI.
Severe Weather Disasters in China Linked to Long-Term Solar Activity During the Last 2000 Years
Authors: Liu Jann-Yenq , Chen Yuh-Ing , Lee Po-Han , Huang Chi Shen , Fang Tzu-Wei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Historical records truthfully document human life and environment associated with climate changes. We quantify official historical records of China dating back last two thousand years to examine the disasters due to anomalous temperatures of cold or hot, irregular precipitations of wet or drought, and floods in inland/coastal or Northern/Southern areas in four seasons that possibly linked to solar activities during 1-1825 CE (Common Era). Statistical results show that extreme cold weather occurs particularly in the Winter and Spring during low solar activity (LSA) periods. Irregularities precipitations, including heavy rain/hail/snow and severe drought are significantly frequent during LSA periods, while floods on inland and coastal river basins tend to occur more frequently in LSA and high solar activity (HSA) periods, respectively. The two disasters frequently happen in Summer and Autumn, which suggests that the irregular precipitations could cause the floods. The disasters occur significantly in the Nouthern China, which suggests that the climate boundary of the Qinling–Huaihe Line along at about 33°N plays an important role. In total, the disasters due to the anomalously cold temperatures, irregular precipitations, and floods tend to occur during the LSA periods.
Incidence of De Quervain’s Thyroiditis in an Area With High Prevalence of Sars-Cov-2 Infection
Authors: Pirola Ilenia , Gandossi Elena , Rotondi Mario , Marini Fiorella , Cristiano Alessandra , Chiovato Luca , Castellano Maurizio , Ferlin Alberto , Cappelli Carlo 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the possible association between Covid-19 infection and subacute thyroiditis. Patients and Methods: We reviewed the medical and imaging records of patients referred to our outpatient setting dedicated to “thyroid emergency” (“bollini verdi”) from April 2020 to October 2020 of our Department. This out-patient clinic is devoted to patients who required an evaluation for severe hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis and neck discomfort or pain. All patients with a newly diagnosed subacute thyroiditis were selected. A retrospective collection of the data of all patients receiving a diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis was performed taking into account the same period of time (April-October) starting from 2016.Results: During the COVID-19 outbreak in our Region, (April 2020 to October 2020), 396 patients attended the out-patient emergency clinic. Among them, 10 (2.7%) patients received a diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. In a single patient, a 44 yr old man, Covid-19 pulmonary infection had been diagnosed seven weeks before the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. All of the remaining patients were and still are Covid-19 free as confirmed by phone interview. The percentage of patients who received diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis in the same period starting from 2016 was superimposable (2.9%, 2.9%, 2.6% and 3.0% in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively). Conclusions: Our data do not demonstrate an increase of the incidence of subacute thyroiditis in Brescia areas, a region with the highest prevalence of COVID-19 in Italy during the period of the pandemic outbreak.Trial registration: no. 4631
Effect of Interventions to Reduce Malaria Incidence Among Military Personnel on Active Duty: Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of the Impact of Etofenprox-treated Uniforms, Permethrin-treated Uniforms and DEET Insect Repellent
Authors: Msellemu Daniel , Ross Amanda , Temu Lucky , Moshi Irene , Hofer Lorenz , Mwanziva Charles , Kohi Yadon M , Moore Sarah J 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: While there is strong evidence that permethrin-treated clothing and topical insect repellents are protective against insect bites, there are few studies assessing the impact on malaria infection. This study will evaluate the impact of the protective efficacy of bite prevention methods on the incidence of malaria infection among military personnel in an operational setting. Permethrin-treated uniforms will be compared to etofenprox-treated uniforms, with both clothing treatments used in conjunction with DEET insect repellent. An additional study arm will test permethrin uniforms with placebo lotion to determine if there is any additional protective effect of using DEET with insecticide-treated clothing. Method: A cluster randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial is planned to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions on preventing malaria infections in soldiers on active duty at Mgambo National Service Camp in Tanga, Tanzania. The arms are (1) permethrin-treated uniform with 30% DEET liposome formula; (2) permethrin-treated uniform with placebo lotion; (3) candidate insect repellent system, i.e., etofenprox-treated uniform with 30% DEET liposome formula; and (4) placebo, i.e., untreated uniforms with placebo lotion. The primary outcome is the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by active case detection using surveys every 2 weeks for 12 months. Rapid diagnostic tests will be used for diagnosis of participants with symptoms. The unit of randomisation will be combania: companies formed by recruits aged 18 to 25 years; combania do activities together and sleep in the same dormitory. Unequal randomisation will be used to optimise statistical power for the primary comparison between permethrin-treated uniforms with DEET and etofenprox-treated uniforms with DEET. Discussion: This trial will estimate the effects of permethrin with DEET compared to those of the new fabric treatment etofenprox with DEET and any additional effect of using DEET. The results will inform strategies to protect military personnel and civilians who have more outdoor or occupational malaria exposure than the general public. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Registration number NCT02938975.