bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic implication of fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with recurrent papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Kang Ji‐Hun , Jung Da‐Woon , Pak Kyoung‐June , Kim In‐Ju , Kim Hak‐Jin , Cho Jae‐Keun , Shin Sung‐Chan , Wang Soo‐Geun , Lee Byung‐Joo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundFluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F‐FDG PET/CT) has been widely accepted as an effective method for detecting recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in patients with increased serum thyroglobulin (Tg) or Tg antibody (TgAb) levels and negative whole‐body scintigraphy (WBS) results. The role of WBS as a diagnostic tool in detecting recurrence has relatively decreased recently. However, only a few studies have examined the usefulness of 18F‐FDG PET/CT for evaluating patients with recurrent PTC, regardless of the WBS results. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic value and prognostic role of 18F‐FDG PET/CT for patients with recurrent PTC, irrespective of their WBS results.MethodsSixty‐six patients with locoregional recurrent PTC who underwent 18F‐FDG PET/CT and neck CT within 6 months before surgical treatment were included in this retrospective analysis. Imaging findings were compared with postoperative histopathologic results. The diagnostic values of 18F‐FDG PET/CT and neck CT were compared according to the serum Tg and TgAb levels and cervical levels. Each patient's status at the last follow‐up was also reviewed, and survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier plot.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 18F‐FDG PET/CT for the entire patient group were 38.5%, 90.2%, and 58.3%, respectively. The corresponding neck CT values were 55.0%, 85.7%, and 66.7%, respectively. According to the serum Tg and TgAb levels, except for the specificity, most diagnostic values of 18F‐FDG PET/CT were worse than those of the neck CTs, with or without statistical significance. For the high maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) group (SUVmax >10) and the low SUVmax group, the median locoregional disease‐free survival times were 33.3 months and 81.8 months, respectively (P < .001).ConclusionThe diagnostic value of 18F‐FDG PET/CT for localizing recurrent lesions was worse than that of the neck CT, irrespective of the WBS results. However, patients with a higher SUVmax showed a significantly worse prognosis than did those with a lower SUVmax. Therefore, we suggest that, in patients with recurrent PTC, 18F‐FDG PET/CT should be considered for prognostication rather than diagnosis.
Patterns of vascularization and surgical morbidity in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: A case series, systematic review, and meta‐analysis
Authors: Overdevest Jonathan B. , Amans Matthew R. , Zaki Peter , Pletcher Steven D. , El‐Sayed Ivan H. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundVascular patterns of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) are poorly defined. We performed both institutional and systematic literature reviews to characterize the relationship between arterial supply patterns of JNA with intraoperative blood loss and tumor recurrence.MethodsA retrospective review of 26 patients with JNA treated at our institution from 1995 to 2015 with available angiograms, and systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of 828 JNA cases undergoing angiographic embolization published between 1995 and 2015 were completed per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.ResultsThe systematic review (828 cases) found internal carotid artery (ICA) supply in 35.6% of tumors, and 30.8% of tumors received bilateral vascular supply. Our institutional data (n = 26) indicated 69% had bilateral supply. Meta‐analysis of data from 5 studies demonstrated ICA/bilateral arterial supply is predictive of increased operative blood loss (P < .01).ConclusionComplex vascular contributions to JNA are frequent, underreported, and portends increased blood loss. This information can justifiably be included in staging systems to enhance prognostic counseling of patients.
Efficiency of electrochemotherapy with reduced bleomycin dose in the treatment of nonmelanoma head and neck skin cancer: Preliminary results
Authors: Groselj Ales , Bosnjak Masa , Strojan Primoz , Krzan Mojca , Cemazar Maja , Sersa Gregor 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, effectiveness of electrochemotherapy was compared in patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) of the head and neck using standard and reduced doses of bleomycin.MethodsTwenty‐eight patients older than 65 years were prospectively treated with electrochemotherapy for nonmelanoma head and neck skin cancer. In the experimental group (n = 12 patients; 24 lesions), reduced bleomycin doses (10 000 IU/m2) were used. In the control group (n = 16 patients; 28 lesions), the standard bleomycin doses (15 000 IU/m2) were used. Tumor responses and side effects were monitored. These two groups were pair matched for the characteristics of patients (age, gender) and their tumors (diameter, histology type, recurrent lesions).ResultsComplete tumor response at 2 months post‐electrochemotherapy with the reduced bleomycin dose was 100% and with the standard bleomycin dose it was 96%. No statistically significant difference regarding skin toxicity was observed between the 2 groups (P = .20). Skin toxicity of grade 3 or less was recorded only in the control group (7% of treated lesions).ConclusionPresented results show the comparable antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy when using standard or reduced bleomycin dose in elderly patients with nonmelanoma head and neck skin cancer.
Long‐term outcomes after reirradiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Leong Yiat Horng , Soon Yu Yang , Lee Khai Mun , Wong Lea Choung , Tham Ivan Weng Keong , Ho Francis Cho Hao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this clinical review was to summate the published data for the long‐term outcomes of reirradiation with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).MethodsWe searched biomedical literature databases for eligible studies published from January 2005 to September 2016. Outcomes of interests were 5‐year local failure‐free survival, distant failure‐free survival, overall survival (OS), and toxicities. Meta‐analysis was performed using a random effects model.ResultsWe found 4 comparative and 8 noncomparative studies (n = 1768). Reirradiation was associated with pooled event rates of 72% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66%‐78%; I2 = 84%), 85% (95% CI 82%‐88%; I2 = 69%), and 41% (95% CI 36%‐47%; I2 = 80%) for 5‐year local failure‐free survival, distant failure‐free survival, and OS, respectively, with significant heterogeneity among the study results. The pooled event rate for grade 5 toxicities was 33% (95% CI 30%‐35%; I2 = 0%) with minimal heterogeneity.ConclusionReirradiation with IMRT for locally recurrent NPC could confer long‐term disease control and survival but is associated with significant mortality.
Assessment of cerebral blood perfusion changes after neurorehabilitation therapy in patients with middle cerebral artery infarction: An acetazolamide‐challenged SPECT study
Authors: Jang Kyung‐Sool , Im Jooyeon J. , Chung Yong‐An , Chung Sung‐Woo , Jeong Hyeonseok S. , Kim Min‐Wook 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Although neuroimaging has been used to examine brain changes related to recovery from stroke, cerebral perfusion changes after rehabilitation have yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes and their associations with gross motor functions after neurorehabilitation therapy in stroke patients. A total of 7 patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction received conventional neurorehabilitation therapy twice per day for 4‐6 weeks on admission. Brain perfusion images were acquired before and after the therapy using acetazolamide‐challenged single photon emission computed tomography. A whole‐brain voxel‐wise analysis found increased rCBF in the contralesional prefrontal, precentral, and postcentral cortical areas and decreased rCBF in the ipsilesional insula, posterior orbital gyrus, and central operculum. Moreover, a region of interest analysis revealed that rCBF of the ipsilesional basal ganglia was positively correlated with motor function at baseline and follow‐up, and perfusion changes in the ipsilesional basal ganglia was positively correlated with changes in motor function. These findings suggest that the contralesional prefrontal and sensorimotor cortex may play compensatory roles during the motor recovery and that perfusion in the ipsilesional basal ganglia is closely associated not only with current functional status but also with clinical improvement after neurorehabilitation therapy in patients with MCA infarction. Further studies with larger sample size are warranted to investigate whether assessment of cerebral perfusion may be clinically useful in rehabilitation of stroke patients.
Development of computer‐aided approach for brain tumor detection using random forest classifier
Authors: Anitha R. , Siva Sundhara Raja D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe nonlinear development of cells in brain region forms the abnormal patterns in brain in the form of tumors. It is necessary to detect and diagnose the brain tumors in an automated manner using computer‐aided approaches at large population areas. The noises in brain magnetic resonance image is detected and reduced as preprocessing steps and then grey level co‐occurrence matrix are now extracted from the preprocessed brain image. In this article, random forest classifier‐based brain tumor detection and segmentation methodology is proposed to classify the brain image into normal or abnormal. The proposed brain tumor detection and segmentation system is analyzed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, false‐positive rate, false‐negative rate, likelihood ratio positive, and likelihood ratio negative.
Intensity‐curvature functional‐based digital high‐pass filters
Authors: Ciulla Carlo , Rechkoska Shikoska Ustijana , Veljanovski Dimitar , Risteski Filip A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe intensity‐curvature functional (ICF) of a model polynomial function is defined on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis by the ratio between the intensity‐curvature term before interpolation and the intensity‐curvature term after interpolation. Through the comparison with the traditional high‐pass filter (HPF), this work presents evidence that the ICFs of three model polynomial functions can be tuned as HPFs. The evidence consists of the mathematical characterization of the ICF‐based HPFs, qualitative comparisons in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human brain, and the determination of the finite impulse response (FIR) of the filters. The ICF‐based HPFs can remove periodic noise in the low‐frequency band.
Impact of body fat percentage change on future diabetes in subjects with normal glucose tolerance
Authors: Zhao Tianxue , Lin Ziwei , Zhu Hui , Wang Chen , Jia Weiping 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe aim of the work was to determine the effect of body fat change on risk of diabetes in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) population. A total of 1,857 NGT subjects were included and followed up for an average period of 44.57 months. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Subjects were grouped based on the BF% and/or body mass index (BMI) state. Among all subjects, 28 developed diabetes after follow‐up. Compared with subjects with stable normal BF% (control), subjects who became obesity at follow‐up were defects in insulin secretion and had a higher risk of developing diabetes (7.102, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.740–28.993), while no difference in diabetic risk could be viewed between subjects with abnormal BF% at baseline but normal at the end of follow‐up and control subjects after adjustment of confounding factors. Moreover, compared with those keeping normal BF% and BMI both at baseline and follow‐up, subjects who had normal BMI at baseline and follow‐up, but abnormal BF% at baseline or/and follow‐up still had a higher risk to develop diabetes (4.790, 95% CI 1.061–21.621), while those with normal BF% at baseline and follow‐up, but abnormal BMI at baseline or/and follow‐up had not. Subjects from normal BF% at baseline to obese at follow‐up are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Maintaining normal body fat is more relevant than BMI in preventing diabetes. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(12):947–955, 2017
The taste of toxicity: A quantitative analysis of bitter and toxic molecules
Authors: Nissim Ido , Dagan‐Wiener Ayana , Niv Masha Y. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe role of bitter taste—one of the few basic taste modalities—is commonly assumed to signal toxicity and alert animals against consuming harmful compounds. However, it is known that some toxic compounds are not bitter and that many bitter compounds have negligible toxicity while having important health benefits. Here we apply a quantitative analysis of the chemical space to shed light on the bitterness‐toxicity relationship. Using the BitterDB dataset of bitter molecules, The BitterPredict prediction tool, and datasets of toxic compounds, we quantify the identity and similarity between bitter and toxic compounds. About 60% of the bitter compounds have documented toxicity and only 56% of the toxic compounds are known or predicted to be bitter. The LD50 value distributions suggest that most of the bitter compounds are not very toxic, but there is a somewhat higher chance of toxicity for known bitter compounds compared to known nonbitter ones. Flavonoids and alpha acids are more common in the bitter dataset compared with the toxic dataset. In contrast, alkaloids are more common in the toxic datasets compared to the bitter dataset. Interestingly, no trend linking LD50 values with the number of activated bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) subtypes is apparent in the currently available data. This is in accord with the newly discovered expression of TAS2Rs in several extra‐oral tissues, in which they might be activated by yet unknown endogenous ligands and play non‐gustatory physiological roles. These results suggest that bitter taste is not a very reliable marker for toxicity, and is likely to have other physiological roles. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(12):938–946, 2017
Evaluation of a bioengineered construct for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Ayala Perla , Dai Erbin , Hawes Michael , Liu Liying , Chaudhuri Ovijit , Haller Carolyn A. , Mooney David J. , Chaikof Elliot L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractEffective biomaterial options for tissue repair and regeneration are limited. Current biologic meshes are derived from different tissue sources and are generally sold as decellularized tissues. This work evaluated two collagen based bioengineered constructs and a commercial product in a model of abdominal full thickness defect repair. To prepare the bioengineered construct, collagen type 1 from porcine skin was isolated using an acid solubilization method. After purification, the collagen was formed into collagen sheets that were physically bonded to form a mechanically robust construct that was subsequently laser micropatterned with pores as a means to promote tissue integration (collagen only construct). A second engineered construct consisted of the aforementioned collagen construct embedded in an RGD‐functionalized alginate gel that serves as a bioactive interface (collagen‐alginate construct). The commercial product is a biologic mesh derived from bovine pericardium (Veritas®). We observed enhanced vascularization in the midportion of the engineered collagen‐alginate construct 2 weeks after implantation. Overall, the performance of the bioengineered constructs was similar to that of the commercial product with comparable integration strength at 8 weeks. Bioengineered constructs derived from monomeric collagen demonstrate promise for a variety of load bearing applications in tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2345–2354, 2018.
MicroRNA‐329 inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth while facilitates apoptosis via negative regulation of KDM1A in gastric cancer
Authors: Cai Lisheng , Chen Qiuxian , Fang Shunyong , Lian Mingqiao , Cai Mingzhi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAltered expression of microRNA (miRNA) is strongly implicated in gastric cancer (GC). Here, we demonstrated a decreased expression of miRNA‐329 in GC. Then we explored the regulatory mechanisms responsible for its effect on GC cells. GC tissues and their adjacent non‐tumor tissues were collected. Complete follow‐up was updated. A series of inhibitors, mimics, and siRNA against KDM1A were introduced to validate regulatory mechanisms for miR‐497 and KDM1A in BGC‐823 cells. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blot assay were employed for evaluating the expressions of miRNA‐329, KDM1A, H3K4me1, and H3K4me2. Cell proliferation, cycle progression, and apoptosis were assessed by means of an MTT assay and flow cytometry. Cell colony formation was assessed. uman gastric cancer xenotransplanted into nude mice was studied. As opposed to adjacent tissues and gastritis tissues, miRNA‐329 was highly expressed and KDM1A was low expressed in GC tissues. The patients with high miRNA‐329 expression or low KDM1A expression had longer survival periods. The miRNA‐329 mimics and siRNA against KDM1A decreased KDM1A expression and increased H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 expressions. Forced expression of miRNA‐329 in gastric cancer cells significantly promotes their capacity of apoptosis but reduces proliferation, migration, and invasion. KDM1A is a direct downstream target for miRNA‐329. In a nude mouse subcutaneous tumor system, in vivo tumor growth of BGC‐823 was significantly inhibited after treatment of miRNA‐329 mimics or siRNA against KDM1A. We conclude that miRNA‐329 functions as a tumor suppressor in GC, which could be achieved via transcriptional suppression of KDM1A.
Hepatocyte‐generated 27‐hydroxycholesterol promotes the growth of melanoma by activation of estrogen receptor alpha
Authors: Tian Wei , Pang Wenxiao , Ge Yao , He Xiaomeng , Wang Duowei , Li Xianjing , Hou Hui , Zhou Dewang , Feng Shuang , Chen Zhen , Yang Yong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCholesterol plays an important role in maintaining normal physiological function of human body. However, excessive intake will induce a series of diseases including cancer. For melanoma, the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and its incidence remains unknown. The cholesterol metabolite 27‐hydroxy cholesterol (27‐HC) catalyzed by CYP27A1 has been reported to activate estrogen receptor (ER). As studies have indicated that melanoma expresses ER, we designed experiments to explore whether 27‐HC could link hypercholesterolemia and melanoma. In this study, hepatocyte‐specific CYP27A1−/− mice were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The results revealed that high‐cholesterol diet induced metabolism disorder and promoted the melanoma growth through 27‐HC. Further study found that 27‐HC promoted the growth of melanoma cells by activating ERα and eliciting the AKT and MAPK signaling pathway. This study puts forward the important role of 27‐HC in the development of melanoma for the first time, links hypercholesterolemia with melanoma progression. The research also provides the rationale for the use of tamoxifen in melanoma therapy. The levels of 27‐HC in blood could act as a novel biomarker for tamoxifen treatment in melanoma patients.
Involvement of Src signaling in the synergistic effect between cisplatin and digoxin on cancer cell viability
Authors: Pereira Duane G. , Salgado Mariana A.R. , Rocha Sayonarah C. , Santos Hérica L. , Villar José A.F.P. , Contreras Rubén G. , Fontes Carlos F.L. , Barbosa Leandro A. , Cortes Vanessa F. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCisplatin and other platinum‐containing drugs have played a crucial role in anticancer treatments for over 30 years. However, treatment with cisplatin may cause serious side effects, such as myelosuppression, nausea, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cell resistance processes. In addition, cardiotonic steroids, particularly digoxin, have recently been suggested to exert potent anticancer effects. Therefore, it is possible that the combined treatment of HeLa cells with cisplatin and digoxin can ameliorate the cytotoxic effects and decrease the side effects of cisplatin. In this study, we demonstrated that the interaction between cisplatin and digoxin had a synergistic effect on cervical cancer cells and a significantly positive cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect on this cell line compared to the control and single cisplatin treatments. Although a decrease in the Na,K‐ATPase α1 subunit expression was observed in total extracts, its expression remains unchanged in the membrane, as does the Na,K‐ATPase activity. The antiproliferative effect of the synergistic treatment appears to depend on Src kinase activation, indicating the possible involvement of the Scr‐EGFR‐ERK1/2 pathway in the antitumor effect. The inhibition of ERK1/2 provoked the same synergism with 1 μM cisplatin as that observed with 1 nM digoxin plus 1 μM cisplatin but not with 1 nM digoxin. Pretreatment with PP2 during combined treatment abolished the synergistic effect on the antiproliferative activity. Cisplatin and digoxin are already used in the clinical setting; therefore, this study opens possibilities for future clinical trials of combined treatments to improve treatment outcomes with a lower incidence of toxicity and side effects.
Resveratrol pretreatment enhanced homing of SDF‐1α‐preconditioned bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of liver cirrhosis
Authors: Hajinejad Mehrdad , Pasbakhsh Parichehr , Omidi Ameneh , Mortezaee Keywan , Nekoonam Saied , Mahmoudi Reza , Kashani Iraj Ragerdi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) has been known to implicate in homing of MSCs, and resveratrol has been reported to have a positive influence on SDF‐1 level in the site of injury. In this study, a combined strategy was applied to evaluate bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BMSCs) homing to the rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by common bile duct ligation (CBDL): (1) pretreatment delivery of resveratrol into the cirrhotic liver, and (2) transplantation of ex vivo BMSC preconditioning with SDF‐1α. BMSCs were preconditioned with 10 ng/µL SDF‐1α for 1 h and then labeled with the CM‐Dil. Cirrhosis was induced by CBDL. Animals received intraperitoneal injection of resveratrol for 7 days, started on day 28 of CBDL post‐operative. On day 36 post‐operative, 1 × 106 of SDF‐1α‐preconditioned BMSCs was injected via caudal vein. Animals were sacrificed at 72 h post‐cell transplantation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assessments showed that the BMSC+SDF+RV group had an increased rate of homing into the liver, but it had a decreased rate of homing into the lung and spleen, as compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The BMSC+SDF+RV group showed high protein expression of SIRT1, but low protein expression of p53 in the liver (P < 0.05 vs other groups). CXCR4 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 highly expressed in SDF‐1α‐preconditioned BMSCs in vitro, and that AKTs and CXCL12 expressed in injured liver undergoing resveratrol injection. Our findings suggest that reseveratrol pretreatment prior to SDF‐1α preconditioning could be a promising strategy for designing cell‐based therapies for liver cirrhosis.