bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and survival analysis of HER2 negative breast cancer: AR and negative PD-L1 predict worse pathological complete response rate
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqi , Yang Ciqiu , Chen Yitian , Zhang Junsheng , Li Peiyong , Huang Na , Chen Yilin , Liang Minting , Lv Weiming , Yuan Zhongyu , Li Jie , Wang Kun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: HER2-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but consensus conclusions have not been reached. Furthermore, a biomarker for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be discovered.
Method: We collected data of 777 patients from three centers (the Cancer Center of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, the Oncology Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University and the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center), stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could serve as reliable predictors of pCR.
Results: The study found higher pCR rates in HER2-0 breast cancers compared to HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs 475 patients [18.1%], p<0.0001). Survival analysis did not show significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts worse pCR rates in both the overall patient cohort and the HER2-0 breast cancer patient cohort (overall patients: OR: 0.479, 95%CI: (0.250, 0.917), p=0.026; HER2-0 patients: OR: 0.267, 95%CI: (0.080, 0.892), p=0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) predicts favorable pCR rates in the overall patient cohort (OR: 3.199, 95%CI: (1.020, 10.037), p=0.046).
Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a new subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to poorer pCR outcomes.
The significance of MAPK signaling pathway in the diagnosis and subtype classification of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Liu Yong , Liu Fei , Chen Xueyan , Chen Jingwen , Zhou Daqian , Mei Yongliang , song Chao , Cheng Kang , Guo Daru , Wei Zhangchao , Liu Zongchao 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a human aging disease related mainly to inflammation, cellular senescence, RNA/DNA methylation, and ECM. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is engaged in multiple biological functions by phosphorylating specific serine and threonine residues on target proteins through phosphorylation cascade effects, but the role and specific mechanisms of the MAPK signaling pathway in IDD are still unclear. We obtained 20 MAPK-related differential genes by differential analysis of GSE124272 and GSE150408 derived from the GEO database. To investigate the biological function of this differential gene in humans, we also performed GO and KEGG analyses. We applied PPI networks, LASSO analysis, the RF algorithm, and the SVM-RFE algorithm to identify core MAPK-related genes. We eventually obtained four hub MAPK-related genes, namely KRAS, JUN, and RAP1B, and constructed the ROC curves separately to evaluate the precision of the hub genes. To forecast the prevalence of IDD, a nomogram model was created on our four hub MAPK genes of choice. Based on these 4 hub genes, we classified IDD patients into two MAP clusters by applying the consensus clustering method and identified 1916 DEGs by analyzing the differences between the two clusters. Then, using the same method, we identified two gene clusters based on these DEGs. We used a PCA algorithm to determine the MAPK score for each sample, and in the end, we discovered that MAPK cluster A and gene cluster A had higher scores. We displayed the differing expression levels of four hub MAPK-related genes across the two clusters and their relationship with immune cell infiltration to highlight the distinctions between clusters A and B. In summary, four hub MAPK signaling pathway-related genes, KRAS, JUN, RAP1B, and TNF, could be applied to the diagnosis and subtype classification of IDD and benefit the prevention and treatment of IDD.
Efficient and Sustainable Synthesis of Graphene via Liquid-phase Pulsed Laser Ablation (LP-PLA)
Authors: Abdullah Nor Hapishah , Hamidon Mohd Nizar , Ismail Ismayadi , Bakri Azwan , Hafizi Mohd Ikmal , Mustaffa Muhammad Syazwan , Nabilah Farah 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Graphene, a 2D hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms, has emerged as a promising material with unparalleled properties. However, prevalent synthesis techniques often impose environmental, temporal, or scalability challenges. In this research, we reported an approach to graphene synthesis using Liquid-phase Pulsed Laser Ablation (LP-PLA) of five diverse carbon-based targets, namely commercial pencil grades (6B and 8B), flexible graphite (FG), commercial graphite rod (GR), and biochar (BC). Our methodology offers a greener, swifter alternative, leveraging minimal chemical precursors, rapid production, and tunable synthesis parameters. Results from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy consistently revealed the transition from graphite to graphene structures. Specifically, broadened XRD peaks around 2θ = 26.5° and the manifestation of the D, G, and 2D bands in the Raman spectra serve as unequivocal markers of this transition. High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) images further validated the layered graphene formations, particularly prominent in 6B, 8B, FG, and GR samples. Collectively, our findings illuminate the potential of LP-PLA as an efficient, eco-friendly avenue for graphene synthesis, emphasizing its versatility across varied graphite sources and laser parameters. This research thus delineates a significant stride towards addressing the contemporary challenges in graphene synthesis and sets the stage for its broader, sustainable applications.
Closed vs. Open Forests: A Comparative study of Soil Properties and Microbial Biomass in Central India's Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Singh Samyak , Dixit Bhavana , Singh Ashish , Chandrakar Shishir , Tamrakar Aakriti 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Change in forest cover and forest loss greatly impact the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soil. Mixed Sal forests have a significant impact on soil qualities, favourably affecting the amount of organic matter, the availability of nutrients, and the pH levels. So therefore, our hypothesis was to check the status, seasonal variations and vertical distribution of soil physiochemical and microbial soil properties under closed mixed sal forest (no human activities) and open mixed sal forest (human interferences). The data revealed that closed mixed sal forest were higher (p < 0.05) in soil moisture (41.5%), clay particles (36.5%), soil organic carbon (28.6%), available nitrogen (5%), available phosphorus (25%), available potassium (12%) and SOC stocks (23.5%), respectively over open mixed sal forest. Soil organic carbon stock (SOC stock) ranged 5.7 to 24.5 Mg ha− 1. Closed mixed sal forest had 43% higher SOC stock in the surface soil (D1:0-20cm)), 22–60% in subsurface to deeper soil profile (D2:20-40cm-D5:80-100cm). The SMBC content ranged 12.0 to 591µg C g− 1 irrespective of forest type and seasons. Closed mixed sal forest had 60% higher (p < 0.05) SMBC in D1 than the open mixed sal forest while it reduced with depth and 17.1 to 56.7% higher SMBC in the subsurface to bottom most soil profile (D2-D5). The SMBC content was higher in the Monsoon period ranged 48.2 to 591µg C g− 1 in closed mixed sal forest and 44.8 to 326.4 µg C g− 1 in open mixed sal forest. The SMBC reduced 24.2 to 45.1% in the post monsoon period while the reduction was more intense in the pre monsoon period (48.1 to 68.2%) compared to the monsoon period under the closed mixed sal forest. Similarly, the decline was more intense in the open mixed sal forest, where SMBC declined 12.1 to 54% in the post monsoon and 56.1 to 76.2% in pre monsoon period compared to the monsoon period. So, therefore, we conclude here that the study shows that human interferences in the mixed sal forests often leads to the loss of forest cover and may also have significant negative impact on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of soil, ultimately reducing soil fertility.
Enhancing Operative Documentation of Emergency Laparotomy: A Systematic Review and Development of a Synoptic Reporting Template
Authors: Elamin Aiman , Walker Emma , Sugrue Michael , Khalid Syed Yousaf , Stephens Ian , Lloyd Angus 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Introduction:
Currently operative reports are narrative, often hand-written making interpretation difficult and potentially omitting key steps of the procedure. This study undertook a systematic review to determine current availability of synoptic operative reporting and develop a synoptic operative record template for emergency laparotomy (EL).
Methods:
A PROSPERO registered study from January 1st, 2012, to December 31st, 2022, was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in February 2023. Keywords included: emergency laparotomy AND operation notes OR operative notes OR documentation OR report OR proforma OR narrative OR synoptic OR digital OR audio-visual. Studies of paediatric or pregnant patients as well as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorial comments, and letters were excluded. A synoptic operative record was designed to include key standards in documentation as suggested by the Colleges of Surgeons.
Results:
The literature search produced 4,687 articles and no relevant published articles were found. A detailed synoptic template was developed, including 111 fields related to patient demographics, operative findings, intervention, and documentation of key variables associated with patient outcomes. 11 were text boxes, two related to digital audio-visual uploads and three facilitating digital scoring/grading of findings.
Conclusion:
This systematic review identified a limited number of publications reporting synoptic operative reporting and none relating to emergency laparotomy. The novel operative template provides a platform for clear documentation of the surgery performed during emergency laparotomy, potentially facilitating data analysis, resident training, and research and in turn leading to a better understanding of patient outcomes.
An Evaluation Method for Interpretable Models in Sound Recognition
Authors: Lu Ning , Guan Donghai , Yuan Weiwei 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In recent years, the application scope of artificial intelligence voice recognition has been expanding rapidly. Investigating the interpretability of sound recognition and enhancing the effectiveness of sound interpretation hold significant importance for both theoretical research and practical applications. However, there is currently a lack of an effective method to assess the interpretability of sound explanations. Therefore, this paper introduces an evaluation method called AI-SCORE, which focuses on interpretable models for sound recognition. AI-SCORE processes the features of sound spectrograms based on their interpretability importance and then re-predicts to calculate the model's positive and negative feature correlations. Based on this, we examine the impact of different feature extraction methods, various neural network models, and parameter settings during the interpretation on interpretation performance. Experiments show that under the ResNet network model, the model trained using mel spectrogram as a feature extraction method achieves the best interpretation performance. Additionally, appropriate iterative precision can further enhance the interpretation effect during the interpretation process.
The Effect of Matrine and Glycyrrhizic Acid on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Zhilong , Wu Wenyi , Li Qiannan , Du Fangfang , Wang Xuebing , Yang Mingfan , Zhang Hongying 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome is endemic worldwide, seriously affecting development of the pig industry, but vaccine strategies have limited protective effects against PRRSV transmission. The aim of this study was to identify potential anti-PRRSV drugs. We examined the cytotoxicity of seven compounds formulated by the mass ratio between glycyrrhizic acid and matrine and their inhibition rate against PRRSV in vitro. The results showed that the seven compounds all had direct killing and therapeutic effects on PRRSV, and the compounds inhibited PRRSV replication in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Then, the compound with the best anti-PRRSV effect was selected for subsequent in vivo experiments. Pigs were divided into a control group and a medication group to conduct the in vivo evaluation. The results showed that pigs treated with the 4:1 compound had 100% morbidity after PRRSV challenge, and the mortality rate reached 75% on the 8th day of the challenge. These results suggest that this compound has no practical anti-PRRSV effect in vivo and can instead accelerate the death of infected pigs. Next, we further analyzed the semiprotective pigs obtained from the vaccine through the compound to determine whether the compound can synergize with the vaccine in vivo. The results indicated that pigs treated with the compound had higher mortality and more severe clinical reactions after PRRSV infection (p < 0.05). The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α) were significantly upregulated in the compound-treated pigs compared to the positive control group (p < 0.05), and there was no synergistic enhancement with the live attenuated PRRSV vaccine (p < 0.05). The compound enhanced the inflammatory response, prompted the body to produce excessive inflammatory cytokines and caused body damage, preventing the therapeutic effect from being produced. In conclusion, the present study revealed that effectiveness in vitro does not mean that it is effective in vivo in developing anti-PRRSV drugs. Our finding showed that, in order to find the effective anti-PRRSV drugs, comprehensive drug screening is required, at least with solid anti-inflammatory ability in vitro and in vivo. Our study may help the development of new anti-PRRSV drugs.
Efficient production of guanosine in Escherichia coli by combinatorial metabolic engineering
Authors: Zhang Kun , Qin Mengxing , Hou Yu , Zhang Wenwen , Wang Zhenyu , Wang Hailei 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Guanosine is a purine nucleoside that is widely used as a raw material for food additives and pharmaceutical products. However, the lack of strains with efficiently producing guanosine greatly limited industrial application. We attempted to efficiently produce guanosinein Escherichia coli using systematic metabolic engineering. First, we overexpressed the purine synthesis pathway from Bacillus subtilis and the prs gene, and deleted three genes involved in guanosinecatabolism to increase guanosine accumulation. Subsequently, we attenuated purA expression and eliminated feedback inhibition. Then, we modified the metabolic flux of the glycolysis and Entner-Doudoroff pathways and performed redox cofactors rebalancing. Finally, transporter engineering further increased the guanosine titre to 123.6 mg/L. After 72 h of the fed-batch fermentation in shake-flask, the guanosine titre achieved 145.2 mg/L. Our results reveal that the guanosinesynthesis pathway was successfully optimized by combinatorial metabolic engineering, which could be applicable to the efficient synthesis of other nucleoside products.
Postoperative distress and influencing factors in patients with pancreatobiliary cancer
Authors: JUN So Young , PARK Joon Seong , KIM Hyung Sun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the distress levels using a distress thermometer (DT) and the factors associated with distress in postoperative patients with pancreatobiliary cancer.
Methods
This study retrospectively investigated 155 patients who underwent surgery for pancreatobiliary cancer between December 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021. DT and problem list were used to measure the distress. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data.
Results
Among the 155 patients, 16.8% were in the mild-distress group (n = 26) and 83.2% were in the moderate-to-severe distress group (n = 129). The average DT score was 6.21; the average score for the mild-distress group was 2.46 and that for the moderate-to-severe distress group was 6.97. There were more patients in the moderate-to-severe distress group than in the mild-distress group who responded that they had problems of “sadness” (χ2 = 4.538, p < 0.05), “indigestion” (χ2 = 10.128, p < 0.001), “eating” (χ2 = 6.147, p < 0.013), and “getting around” (χ2 = 4.275, p < 0.039). The risk of severe distress was assessed in all patients. Occupation status (odds ratio [OR] = 0.342, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.133–0.879, p = 0.026) and indigestion (OR = 5.897, 95% CI = 1.647–21.111, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for the presence of severe distress.
Conclusion
Patients with pancreatobiliary cancer demonstrated elevated levels of psychological distress. This should alert healthcare providers to be vigilant when evaluating patients for distress and providing appropriate referrals. Patients with pancreatobiliary cancer who are unemployed or have indigestion should be targeted for distress screening and management.
Continuity of inner-outer factorization and cross sections from invariant subspaces to inner functions
Authors: Xin Yue , Hou Bingzhe 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Let $H^{\infty}$ be the Banach algebra of bounded analytic functions on the unit open disc $\mathbb{D}$ equipped with the supremum norm. As well known, inner functions play an important role in the study of bounded analytic functions. In this paper, we are interested in the study of inner functions. Following by the canonical inner-outer factorization decomposition, define $Q_{inn}$ and $Q_{out}$ the maps from $H^{\infty}$ to $\mathfrak{I}$ the set of inner functions and $\mathfrak{F}$ the set of outer functions, respectively. In this paper, we study the $H^{2}$-norm continuity and $H^{\infty}$-norm discontinuity of $Q_{inn}$ and $Q_{out}$ on some subsets of $H^{\infty}$. On the other hand, the Beurling theorem connects invariant subspaces of the multiplication operator $M_z$ and inner functions. We show the nonexistence of continuous cross section from some certain invariant subspaces to inner functions in the supremum norm. The continuity problem of $Q_{inn}$ and $Q_{out}$ on $\textrm{Hol}(\overline{\mathbb{D}})$, the set of all analytic functions in the closed unit disk, are also considered.
MSC Classification: Primary 30J05 , 30J10; Secondary 15A60 , 15B05
Sex and disease severity-based analysis of steroid hormones in ME/CFS
Authors: Pipper Cornelia , Bliem Linda , León Luis , Mennickent Daniela , Bodner Claudia , Guzmán-Gutierrez Enrique , Stingl Michael , Untersmayr-Elsenhuber Eva , Wagner Bernhard , Bertinat Romina , Sepúlveda Nuno , Westermeier Francisco 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease characterized by decreased daily activity and persistent fatigue after physical and/or cognitive exertion. Although ME/CFS affects both sexes, there is a higher preponderance of cases in women. However, endocrinological studies focused on evaluating this sex-related disparity are limited. In this scenario, the aim of this study was to measure 9 circulating steroid hormones (SHs) divided into mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisone), androgens (androstenedione, testosterone), and progestins (progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone) in plasma samples from mild/moderate (ME/CFSmm; females, n=20; males, n=8), severely affected patients (ME/CFSsa; females, n=24; males, n=6), and healthy controls (HC, females, n=12; males, n=17) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). After correction for multiple testing, we observed that circulating levels of 11-deoxycortisol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in females, and progesterone in males were significantly different between HC, ME/CFSmm and ME/CFSsa. Comparing two independent groups, we found that female ME/CFSsa had higher levels of 11-deoxycortisol (vs. HC and ME/CFSmm) and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (vs. HC). In addition, female ME/CFSmm showed a significant increase in progesterone levels relative to HC. In contrast, we observed that male ME/CFSmm had lower circulating levels of cortisol and corticosterone, while progesterone levels were elevated compared to HC. In addition to these univariate analyses, our correlational and multivariate approaches identified differential associations between our study groups. Also, using two-component partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), we were able to discriminate ME/CFS from HC with an accuracy of 0.712 and 0.846 for females and males, respectively. In conclusion, our findings not only suggest the potential value of including SHs in future studies aimed at improving stratification in ME/CFS, but also provide new perspectives to explore the clinical relevance of these SH-related differences within specific patient subgroups.