bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical and thermoelectric response of RhTiSb half-Heusler
Authors: Anissa Besbes , Radouan Djelti , Benaouda Bestani 
Published: September 2019

Structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric response of the cubic RhTiSb compound is reported using TB-mBJ potential. The calculated results for the band structure and DOS confirm that the RhTiSb is a nonmagnetic (NM) semiconductor with an indirect bandgap of 0.71 eV. The main optical parameters such as dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index and optical reflectivity were estimated for emission upto 14 eV. The RhTiSb half-Heusler exhibits a maximum absorption in the visible and ultraviolet region. By using the Boltzmann transport equations as incorporated in BoltzTraP code, the thermoelectric characteristics were calculated. The main properties which describe the aptitude of material in thermoelectric environment such as Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit were calculated. The high values of figure-of-merit (ZT [Formula: see text] 0.7) were observed in large range of temperature indicating that RhTiSb have a good thermoelectric performance.
Single-Channel EEG-Based Machine Learning Method for Prescreening Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Wan Zhijiang , Zhang Hao , Huang Jiajin , Zhou Haiyan , Yang Jie , Zhong Ning 
Published: September 2019

Many studies developed the machine learning method for discriminating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and normal control based on multi-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) data, less concerned about using single channel EEG collected from forehead scalp to discriminate the MDD. The EEG dataset is collected by the Fp1 and Fp2 electrode of a 32-channel EEG system. The result demonstrates that the classification performance based on the EEG of Fp1 location exceeds the performance based on the EEG of Fp2 location, and shows that single-channel EEG analysis can provide discrimination of MDD at the level of multi-channel EEG analysis. Furthermore, a portable EEG device collecting the signal from Fp1 location is used to collect the second dataset. The Classification and Regression Tree combining genetic algorithm (GA) achieves the highest accuracy of 86.67% based on leave-one-participant-out cross validation, which shows that the single-channel EEG-based machine learning method is promising to support MDD prescreening application.
Sensorimotor integration in the whisker somatosensory brain stem trigeminal loop
Authors: Tsur Omer , Khrapunsky Yana , Azouz Rony 
Published: September 2019

The rodent’s vibrissal system is a useful model system for studying sensorimotor integration in perception. This integration determines the way in which sensory information is acquired by sensory organs and the motor commands that control them. The initial instance of sensorimotor integration in the whisker somatosensory system is implemented in the brain stem loop and may be essential to the way rodents explore and sense their environment. To examine the nature of these sensorimotor interactions, we recorded from lightly anesthetized rats in vivo and brain stem slices in vitro and isolated specific parts of this loop. We found that motor feedback to the vibrissal pad serves as a dynamic gain controller that controls the response of first-order sensory neurons by increasing and decreasing sensitivity to lower and higher tactile stimulus magnitudes, respectively. This delicate mechanism is mediated through tactile stimulus magnitude-dependent motor feedback. Conversely, tactile inputs affect the motor whisking output through influences on the rhythmic whisking circuitry, thus changing whisking kinetics. Similarly, tactile influences also modify the whisking amplitude through synaptic and intrinsic neuronal interaction in the facial nucleus, resulting in facilitation or suppression of whisking amplitude. These results point to the vast range of mechanisms underlying sensorimotor integration in the brain stem loop. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sensorimotor integration is a process in which sensory and motor information is combined to control the flow of sensory information, as well as to adjust the motor system output. We found in the rodent’s whisker somatosensory system mutual influences between tactile inputs and motor output, in which motor neurons control the flow of sensory information depending on their magnitude. Conversely, sensory information can control the magnitude and kinetics of whisker movement.
Estimates of persistent inward current in human motor neurons during postural sway
Authors: Foley Ryan C. A. , Kalmar Jayne M. 
Published: September 2019

Persistent inward current (PIC) plays a critical role in setting the gain of spinal motor neurons. In humans, most estimates of PIC are made from plantarflexor or dorsiflexor motor units in a seated position. This seated and static posture negates the task-dependent nature of the monoaminergic drive and afferent inhibition that modulate PIC activation. Our purpose was to estimate PIC during both the conventional seated posture and in a more functionally relevant anterior postural sway. We hypothesized that paired motor unit estimates of PIC would be greater when during standing compared with sitting. Soleus motor neuron PIC was estimated via the paired motor unit (PMU) technique. For each motor unit pair, difference in reference unit firing frequency (ΔF) estimates of PIC were made during isometric ramps in plantarflexion force during sitting (conventional approach) and during standing anterior postural sway (new approach). Baseline reciprocal inhibition (RI) was also measured in each posture using the poststimulus time histogram technique. ΔF estimates during standing postural sway were not different [2.64 ± 0.95 pulses/s (pps), P = 0.098] from seated PIC estimates (3.15 ± 1.45 pps) measured from the same motor unit pair. Similarly, reciprocal inhibition at the onset of each task was the same in standing (−0.60 ± 0.32, P = 0.301) and seated (−0.86 ± 0.82) postures. PMU recordings made during standing postural sway met all assumptions that underlay the PMU technique, including rate modulation ≥0.5 pps (3.11 ± 1.90 pps), rate-rate correlation r ≥ 0.7 (0.84 ± 0.13), and time between reference and test unit recruitment ≥1 s (1.83 ± 0.81 s). This study presents a novel, functionally relevant standing method for investigating PIC in humans. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Paired motor unit (PMU) estimates of persistent inward current (PIC) in human soleus motor units are typically made in seated posture. Our study demonstrates that these estimates can be made during standing forward sway, a task that more accurately reflects the postural role of human soleus muscle. PMU recordings made during standing postural sway were validated using all previously published criteria used to test the assumptions of the PMU technique. Standing estimates of PIC did not differ from seated estimates made from the same motor unit pairs.
The Influence of Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in Mainland China
Authors: Tan Yifei , Zhang Xiaoyun , Zhang Wei , Tang Li , Yang Hanwei , Yan Ke , Jiang Li , Yang Jian , Li Chuan , Yang Jiayin , Wen Tianfu , Tang Huairong , Yan Lunan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackground:The association between metabolic syndrome (MS), both in terms of its components and as a whole, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in subjects with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear, especially in mainland China.Methods:We prospectively included 6,564 individuals with HBV infection from an initial cohort of 105,397 civil servants. The multivariate-adjusted HR and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models to explore the potential connection between HCC risk and MS. Cumulative incidences were plotted using Kaplan–Meier curves.Results:After a 45,668.0 person-year follow-up (76.0 ± 30.8 months) of 6,564 subjects who were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen, 89 incident HCC cases were identified. MS as a whole was independently associated with a 2-fold increased HCC risk (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.41–3.60) after adjusting for age (in 1-year increments), gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels (≥40 U/L). Subjects with three or more factors and those with one or two factors had adjusted increased HCC risks of 2.12-fold (95% CI, 1.16–3.89) and 1.28-fold (95% CI, 0.74–2.22), respectively, in comparison with those without any metabolic factors. Central obesity and type 2 diabetes were associated with significantly increased HCC risk, whereas this association was not observed in obese subjects (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.73–3.44).Conclusions:MS as a whole, central obesity, and type 2 diabetes were independently associated with increased HCC risk in a population with HBV infection in mainland China.Impact:MS may be a risk factor for HCC.
A Novel Scoring System for Pivotal Autophagy-Related Genes Predicts Outcomes after Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Niu Yuequn , Sun Wenjie , Chen Kelie , Fu Zhiqin , Chen Yaqing , Zhu Jianqing , Chen Hanwen , Shi Yu , Zhang Honghe , Wang Liming , Shen Han-Ming , Xia Dajing , Wu Yihua 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background:
In the clinical practice of ovarian cancer, the application of autophagy, an important regulator of carcinogenesis and chemoresistance, is still limited. This study aimed to establish a scoring system based on expression profiles of pivotal autophagy-related (ATG) genes in patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who received chemotherapy.

Methods:
Data of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-OV) were used as training dataset. Two validation datasets comprised patients in a Chinese local database and a dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). ATG genes significantly (P &lt; 0.1) associated with overall survival (OS) were selected and aggregated into an ATG scoring scale, of which the abilities to predict OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were examined.

Results:
Forty-three ATG genes were selected to develop the ATG score. In TCGA-OV, patients with lower ATG scores had better OS [HR = 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.26–0.65; P &lt; 0.001] and RFS [HR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27–0.82; P = 0.007]. After complete or partial remission to primary therapy, the rate of recurrence was 47.2% in the low-score group and 68.3% in the high-score group (odds ratio = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18–0.92; P = 0.03). Such findings were verified in the two validation datasets.

Conclusions:
We established a novel scoring system based on pivotal ATG genes, which accurately predicts the outcomes of patients with advanced ovarian cancer after chemotherapy.

Impact:
The present ATG scoring system may provide a novel perspective and a promising tool for the development of personalized therapy in the future.
Postdiagnosis Loss of Skeletal Muscle, but Not Adipose Tissue, Is Associated with Shorter Survival of Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Babic Ana , Rosenthal Michael H. , Bamlet William R. , Takahashi Naoki , Sugimoto Motokazu , Danai Laura V. , Morales-Oyarvide Vicente , Khalaf Natalia , Dunne Richard F. , Brais Lauren K. , Welch Marisa W. , Zellers Caitlin L. , Dennis Courtney , Rifai Nader , Prado Carla M. , Caan Bette , Sundaresan Tilak K. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Kulke Matthew H. , Clish Clary B. , Ng Kimmie , Vander Heiden Matthew G. , Petersen Gloria M. , Wolpin Brian M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background:
Pancreatic cancer is associated with development of cachexia, a wasting syndrome thought to limit survival. Few studies have longitudinally quantified peripheral tissues or identified biomarkers predictive of future tissue wasting.

Methods:
Adipose and muscle tissue were measured by computed tomography (CT) at diagnosis and 50 to 120 days later in 164 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Tissue changes and survival were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression. Baseline levels of circulating markers were examined in relation to future tissue wasting.

Results:
Compared with patients in the bottom quartile of muscle change per 30 days (average gain of 0.8 ± 2.0 cm2), those in the top quartile (average loss of 12.9 ± 4.9 cm2) had a hazard ratio (HR) for death of 2.01 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12–3.62]. Patients in the top quartile of muscle attenuation change (average decrease of 4.9 ± 2.4 Hounsfield units) had an HR of 2.19 (95% CI, 1.18–4.04) compared with those in the bottom quartile (average increase of 2.4 ± 1.6 Hounsfield units). Changes in adipose tissue were not associated with survival. Higher plasma branched chain amino acids (BCAA; P = 0.004) and lower monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; P = 0.005) at diagnosis were associated with greater future muscle loss.

Conclusions:
In patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, muscle loss and decrease in muscle density in 2 to 4 months after diagnosis were associated with reduced survival. BCAAs and MCP-1 levels at diagnosis were associated with subsequent muscle loss.

Impact:
BCAAs and MCP-1 levels at diagnosis could identify a high-risk group for future tissue wasting.
A Cohort Study of Breast Cancer Risk after 20 Years of Follow-Up of Women Treated with Fertility Drugs
Authors: Guleria Sonia , Kjær Susanne K. , Albieri Vanna , Frederiksen Kirsten , Jensen Allan 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background:
Using a nationwide cohort of Danish women, we investigated the association between use of fertility drugs and risk of breast cancer.

Methods:
The study cohort included women ages 20 to 44 years and living in Denmark between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2011. Information on fertility status, use of fertility drugs, breast cancer, covariates, and vital status was obtained from the Danish Infertility Cohort and various Danish national registers. Cox proportional hazard regression models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for potential confounders.

Results:
Of the 1,330,852 women included, 96,782 (7.3%) were infertile, and 20,567 (1.5%) were diagnosed with breast cancer during a median follow-up of 20.9 years. Compared with fertile women, infertile women who had used any fertility drugs did not have an increased hazard for breast cancer overall (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.95–1.10), or for any of the histologic types (ductal, lobular, or mucinous) of breast cancer. Furthermore, no associations were observed between use of specific types of fertility drugs and breast cancer.

Conclusions:
No convincing associations between use of fertility drugs and breast cancer were observed after two decades of follow-up.

Impact:
Our results do not support a marked association between fertility drugs and breast cancer and are therefore reassuring for infertile women treated with fertility drugs.
A Prospective Study of Intraprostatic Inflammation, Focal Atrophy, and Progression to Lethal Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yiwen , Zhou Cindy Ke , Rencsok Emily M. , Fall Katja , Lotan Tamara L. , Loda Massimo , Giunchi Francesca , Platz Elizabeth A. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Mucci Lorelei A. , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Ebot Ericka M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background:
Inflammation and focal atrophy are common features adjacent to prostate tumors. Limited evidence exists on whether these features have prognostic significance.

Methods:
In the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and Physicians' Health Study, we studied 1,035 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. A genitourinary pathologist centrally reviewed tumor and normal areas of hematoxylin and eosin slides from prostate cancer specimens for the presence of acute and chronic inflammation, and four subtypes of focal atrophy. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of these features with lethal prostate cancer, defined as development of metastatic disease or death during follow-up.

Results:
During a median of 12 years of follow-up, 153 men developed lethal prostate cancer. A total of 84% of men had histologic evidence of chronic inflammation and 30% had acute inflammation. Both chronic and acute inflammation were inversely associated with lethal prostate cancer in age- and lifestyle-adjusted models. Chronic inflammation remained inversely associated with lethal prostate cancer after additionally adjusting for prognostic clinical features (HR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.30–0.69 for mild and HR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33–0.80 for moderate to severe). None of the atrophic lesions were associated with lethal prostate cancer.

Conclusions:
Our data suggest that the presence of inflammation, particularly chronic inflammation, in prostate cancer tissue is associated with better prognosis among patients with prostate cancer.

Impact:
This is the largest prospective cohort study to examine the association between inflammation, focal atrophy, and lethal prostate cancer.
Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies a DNA Repair–Related Signature as a Novel Prognostic Marker in Lower Grade Gliomas
Authors: Zeng Fan , Liu Xiu , Wang Kuanyu , Zhao Zheng , Li Guanzhang 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background:
Gliomas are the most common and malignant intracranial tumors. The standard therapy is surgical resection combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the emergence of radioresistance and chemoresistance, which is largely due to DNA damage repair, limits the therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we identified a high-efficiency DNA damage repair–related risk signature as a predictor for prognosis in lower grade glioma.

Methods:
The signature was developed and validated in two independent datasets of the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (172 samples) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (451 samples). The time-dependent ROC curve, Cox regression, Nomogram, and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic performance of the risk signature. The Metascape and IHC staining were performed to reveal the potential biological mechanism. GraphPad prism, SPSS, and R language were used for statistical analysis and graphical work.

Results:
This signature could distinguish the prognosis of patients, and patients with high-risk scores exhibited short survival time. The time-dependent ROC curve, Cox regression, and Nomogram model indicated the independent prognostic performance and high prognostic accuracy of the signature for survival. Combined with the IDH mutation status, this risk signature could further subdivide patients with distinct survival. Functional analysis of associated genes revealed signature-related biological process of cell cycle and DNA repair. These mechanisms were confirmed in patient samples.

Conclusions:
The DNA damage repair–related signature was an independent and powerful prognostic biomarker in lower grade glioma.

Impact:
The signature may potentially improve risk stratification of patients and provide a more accurate assessment of personalized treatment in clinic.
PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibition with Radiation in Bladder Cancer: In Situ and Abscopal Effects
Authors: Rompré-Brodeur Alexis , Shinde-Jadhav Surashri , Ayoub Mina , Piccirillo Ciriaco A. , Seuntjens Jan , Brimo Fadi , Mansure Jose Joao , Kassouf Wassim 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The combination of radiation with immune checkpoint inhibitors was reported in some cancers to have synergic effects both locally and distally. Our aim was to assess this combined therapy on both radiated and nonradiated bladder tumors and to characterize the immune landscape within the tumor microenvironment. Murine bladder cancer cells (MB49) were injected subcutaneously in both flanks of C57BL/6 mice. Mice were randomly assigned to the following treatments: placebo, anti-PD-L1 (four intraperitoneal injections over 2 weeks), radiation to right flank (10 Gy in two fractions), or radiation+anti-PD-L1. Tumor digestion, flow cytometry, and qPCR were performed. Log-rank analysis was used for statistical significance. Radiation+anti-PD-L1 group demonstrated statistically significant slower tumor growth rate both in the radiated and nonirradiated tumors (P &lt; 0.001). Survival curves demonstrated superior survival in the combination group compared with each treatment alone (P = 0.02). Flow cytometry showed increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells as well as CTL in the radiation and combination groups (P = 0.04). Ratio of immunosuppressive cells to CTL shifted in favor of cytotoxic activity in the combination arm (P &lt; 0.001). The qPCR analysis revealed downregulation of immunosuppressive genes (CCL22, IL22, and IL13), as well as upregulation of markers of CTL activation (CXCL9, GZMA, and GZMB) within both the radiated and distant tumors within the combination group. Combining radiation with immune checkpoint inhibitor provided better response in the radiated tumors and also the distant tumors along with a shift within the tumor microenvironment favoring cytotoxic activity. These findings demonstrate a possible abscopal effect in urothelial carcinoma with combination therapy.
Pharmacology of the ATM Inhibitor AZD0156: Potentiation of Irradiation and Olaparib Responses Preclinically
Authors: Riches Lucy C. , Trinidad Antonio G. , Hughes Gareth , Jones Gemma N. , Hughes Adina M. , Thomason Andrew G. , Gavine Paul , Cui Andy , Ling Stephanie , Stott Jonathan , Clark Roger , Peel Samantha , Gill Pendeep , Goodwin Louise M. , Smith Aaron , Pike Kurt G. , Barlaam Bernard , Pass Martin , O'Connor Mark J. , Smith Graeme , Cadogan Elaine B. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
AZD0156 is a potent and selective, bioavailable inhibitor of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein, a signaling kinase involved in the DNA damage response. We present preclinical data demonstrating abrogation of irradiation-induced ATM signaling by low doses of AZD0156, as measured by phosphorylation of ATM substrates. AZD0156 is a strong radiosensitizer in vitro, and using a lung xenograft model, we show that systemic delivery of AZD0156 enhances the tumor growth inhibitory effects of radiation treatment in vivo. Because ATM deficiency contributes to PARP inhibitor sensitivity, preclinically, we evaluated the effect of combining AZD0156 with the PARP inhibitor olaparib. Using ATM isogenic FaDu cells, we demonstrate that AZD0156 impedes the repair of olaparib-induced DNA damage, resulting in elevated DNA double-strand break signaling, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Preclinically, AZD0156 potentiated the effects of olaparib across a panel of lung, gastric, and breast cancer cell lines in vitro, and improved the efficacy of olaparib in two patient-derived triple-negative breast cancer xenograft models. AZD0156 is currently being evaluated in phase I studies (NCT02588105).