bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intravenous Vitamin C Supplementation in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Salutary Impact on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Toor Amir , Simmons Gary , Sabo Roy , Aziz May , Martin Erika , Bernard Robyn , Sripa Manjari , McIntire Cody , Kreiger Elizabeth , Brophy Donald , Natarajan Ramesh , Fowler Alpha , Roberts Catherine 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Intravenous (IV) vitamin C improves organ function and reduces inflammation in sepsis, an inflammatory state like the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) milieu. The safety and efficacy of parenteral vitamin C after allogeneic HCT were evaluated in a phase I/II trial. Clinical outcomes were compared with a propensity score - matched historical control. Methods: Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies received IV vitamin C, 50mg/kg/d, divided into 3 doses given on days 1-14 after HCT, followed by 500 mg bid oral from day 15 until 6 months post-SCT.
Results 55 patients received IV vitamin C. All patients were deficient in vitamin C at day 0. Vitamin C recipients had lower non-relapse mortality (NRM) (p = 0.07) and improved survival compared to historical controls (p=0.06), with no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities. Vitamin C recipients had similar relapse rate and acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) (p=0.35), but lower severe chronic GVHD (p=0.35). Patients with myeloid malignancies had improved survival (p=0.02) and NRM (p=0.009), as well as chronic GVHD, with similar relapse rates compared to controls.
Conclusions: In patients undergoing allogeneic HCT the administration of IV vitamin C is safe and reduces non-relapse mortality and chronic GVHD improving overall survival.
Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Combined with LI-RADS Imaging Features to Predict Ki-67 Expression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jingmu , Tan Xiaoliang , Ma Yunhui , Yang Chunyu , Qiu Ganbin , Long Shiliang , Zhao Yue 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background: The optimal cut-off value of Ki-67 to guide the clinical management of patients with HCC remains undetermined, although previous studies have shown that high Ki-67 expression is associated with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) v2018 imaging features at different Ki-67 labeling index (LI) levels in preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: A total of 124 patients with HCC who underwent enhanced-MRI and were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to Ki-67 cut-offs: Ki-67 LI<10% (n=33) vs. Ki-67 LI≥10% (n=91); Ki-67 LI< 25% (n=61) vs. Ki-67 LI≥25% (n=63); Ki-67 LI<50% (n=92) vs. Ki-67 LI≥50% (n=32). A multivariable model was established using ADC and LI-RADS v2018 imaging features. The performance of the multivariable model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.
Results: When Ki-67 LI≥10%, ADC (odds ratio [OR]=0.018, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001–0.343, P=0.008) was an independent predictor of HCC, with an AUC of 0.684 (0.594–0.764), sensitivity and specificity of 90.91% and 46.15%, respectively. Similarly, when Ki-67 LI≥25%, ADC (OR=0.002, 95% CI: 0.000–0.048, P<0.001) was an independent predictor, with an AUC of ADC of 0.784 (0.701–0.853), sensitivity and specificity of 93.44% and 61.90%, respectively. When ki-67 LI≥50%, mosaic architecture (OR=6.844, 95% CI: 1.815–25.811, P=0.005) and ADC (OR=0.001, 95% CI: 0.000–0.015, P<0.001) were independent predictors of HCC. The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the model based on ADC and mosaic architecture were 94.57%, 74.12% and 0.883 (0.813–0.934), respectively. The diagnostic performance of the combined model was better than that of ADC (0.883 vs. 0.825, P=0.02) and mosaic architecture (0.883 vs. 0.704, P<0.001).
Conclusions: When Ki-67 LI≥50%, ADC combined with Mosaic architecture has good differential performance, and may be an effective imaging approach for clinical decision-making and prognostic assessment in patients with HCC.
Transcriptomic of mesenchymal stem cells growing on RGD conjugated cotton scaffold confers anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and osteogenesis potentials
Authors: Aouabdi Sihem , Nedjadi Taoufik , Alsiary Rawiah , Mouffouk Fouzi , Ansari Hifzur Rahman 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background Stem cell therapy represents a good alternative therapy to the degenerated or damaged tissue. Stem cells have been used solely or in combination with a scaffold. The latter offers a structural advantage as it allows the cells to grow in 3 Dimensional (3-D) conditions mimicking thein vivoenvironments. We have previously reported the development of a 3-D Arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated cotton-based scaffold for the growth and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The scaffold allowed the adhesion of the MSCs and their proliferation without compromising their viability and their stem cell markers. In depth analysis of the molecular changes in the MSCs adhering to the cotton fibers will result in better therapy. Our work aims at identifying the molecular events happening in growing MSCs on the cotton-RGD conjugated-based scaffold through their gene expression profiles. In this study we have seeded MSCs with and without scaffold for 48 hours. Celle were collected for RNA, cDNA synthesis and whole transcriptomic analysis run on both populations. Results Our analysis revealed several up-regulated and down-regulated differently expressed genes in the MSCs adhering to the scaffold compared to the control cells. Gene ontology analysis identified enriched biological processes, molecular functions, pathway and protein-protein interaction in up-regulated and down-regulated genes. Conclusions Our data suggest that the scaffold might have enhanced potential to induce osteogenesis in the MSCs. The results also suggest that the scaffold does not induce oxidative stress, inflammation and aging of the MSCs. Our findings provide useful data for the MSCs applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Physiological and molecular mechanisms of radicle development of somatic embryos in Schisandra chinensis cultured in the dark
Authors: SUN DAN , Zhang SU , Ai jun , Wang Zhenxin , Shi Guangli , Guo Jianhui , Song XIN , Li Meng , Liu Yunqing 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a method for producing plant embryos in vitro and is considered a highly promising approach for micropropagation. As a valuable Chinese herbal medicine, the application of SE in genetic breeding, such as in Schisandra chinensis, faces several technical challenges, including incomplete development of somatic embryos and difficulties in plant regeneration. Here, we established an efficient plant regeneration pathway for somatic embryos in S. chinensis. In this experiment, dark culture conditions were found to significantly improve the plant regeneration rooting rate through SE. To understand the genetic mechanism governing embryogenesis, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to elucidate differences between light and dark conditions on somatic embryo development in S. chinensis. Dormant buds of S. chinensis were used as explants, and embryonic calli were cultured in light (16 h/D) or dark conditions for 28 days. The cultivation of explants in darkness has been shown to significantly enhance the production of somatic embryo radicles. Under dark conditions, radicle primordia were initiated at the globular embryo stage and developed from the heart-shaped to the torpedo-shaped embryo stages. To explore the S. chinensis root mechanism, endogenous hormones were quantified, and RNA-seq analysis was performed throughout the process of somatic embryogenesis. The results indicated that from the globular to heart-shaped embryo stages, the levels of IAA and ABA in somatic embryos subjected to the dark treatment were markedly lower (190.965 ng•g− 1 and 525.152 ng•g− 1) than those in somatic embryos exposed to light (597.565 ng•g− 1 and 749.188 ng•g− 1), while the concentrations of GA3 and ZR were lower at all stages under light treatment. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that the pathways and processes in which the differentially expressed genes in somatic embryos under dark conditions were predominantly enriched were plant hormone signaling, circadian rhythm, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. qRT‒PCR was employed to validate the expression of plant hormone signaling transduction-related genes, including GH3, SAUR, ARF1, ARF18, AUX/IAA, MMK1, AHK4, AHK5, and PIF3, and the results were consistent with the transcriptome sequencing results. This work laid the foundation for applied research and could be useful in future reluctant woody plant improvement programs and can even be extended to other species.
Single cell atlas of kidney cancer endothelial cells reveals distinct expression profiles and phenotypes
Authors: Xu Yuexin , Miller Chris P. , Xue Jun , Zheng Ying , Warren Edus H. , Tykodi Scott S. , Akilesh Shreeram 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) represent the primary interface between the tumor microenvironment and circulating immune cells, however their phenotypes are incompletely understood in highly vascularized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
Methods
We purified tumor and matched normal endothelial cells (NECs) from ccRCC specimens and performed single-cell RNA-sequencing to create a reference-quality atlas available as a searchable web resource for gene expression patterns. We established paired primary TECs and NECs cultures for ex vivo functional testing.
Results
TECs from multiple donors shared a common phenotype with increased expression of pathways related to extracellular matrix regulation, cell-cell communication, and insulin-like growth factor signaling that was conserved in comparison to hepatocellular carcinoma associated TECs, suggesting convergent TEC phenotypes between unrelated tumors. Cultured TECs stably maintained a core program of differentially regulated genes, were inherently resistant to apoptosis after vascular endothelial growth factor removal and displayed increased adhesiveness to subsets of immune cells including regulatory T-cells.
Conclusions
Our studies delineate unique functional and phenotypic properties of TECs, which may provide insights into their interactions with available and emerging therapies. Functional phenotypes of cultured TECs suggest potential mechanisms of resistance to both antiangiogenic and immune-based therapies.
Assessing intentions to donate corneal tissue using the theory of planned behavior among health workers in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Fikadu Eyerusalem , Molla Mitike , Taye Girma 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Organ/tissue donation and transplantation has been one of the successes of modern medicine.In Ethiopia, a considerable number of people lose their sight due to damage to their cornea. Despite the high demand, only a few people pledge their corneal tissue when they die.Health workers could play an exemplary role in motivating the general public toward the donation of corneal tissue.However, there is limited information about their attitude and intention toward corneal donation. This study aims to assess the intention of health workers toward corneal tissue donation using the Theory of Planned Behavior which is a robust model for predicting intentions toward behavior.
Method: We conducted an institution based cross-sectional study among 595 health care workers selected randomly using a multistage sampling method in Addis Ababa.Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to assess the demographic information with correlation and regression analysis to identify factors influencing health workers’ intention todonate corneal tissue in A.A, Ethiopia.
Result: With a response rate of 94%, the median age of the respondents was 29 years SD (+5.45).A total of 311(52.3%), 417 (70.1%) and 304 (51.1%) were male, Orthodox Christians and never married respectively. Health workers had a neutral intention to donate their corneal tissue with a mean intention score of 9.07 (range: 3-15).The TPB explained 61.2% of the variation in the intention to donate corneal tissue among health workers. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) was found to be the strongest predictor of intention to donate corneal tissue (β= 0.411: CI (0.387, 0.580), with attitude (β= 0.234: CI (0.124, 0.219) and subjective norm (β= 0.136: CI (0.078, 0.250) being the second and third strongest predictors respectively. The partial eta squared values were 53.6%, 36.9% and 37.2% respectively, with respect to the above order.
Conclusion: This study suggests that health workers did not decide to donate their corneal tissue upon death. Real inhibiting and facilitating factors that affect organ donation have more influence on health workers’ intention to donate their corneal tissue than their perception about corneal donation and the perceived social pressure on them to donate their corneal tissue.
On the other hand previous experience was a strong predictor of intention where those who had
Previous experiences of organ donation were intending to donate corneal tissue upon death.
Constitutive analysis of hot metal flow behavior of virgin and rejuvenated heat treatment creep exhausted power plant X20 steel
Authors: Maube Shem Elahetia , Obiko Japheth Oirere , Merwe Josias Van der , Madaraka Fred Mwema , Klenam Desmond , Bodunrin Michael Oluwatosin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper presents constitutive equations that describe the hot flow behaviour of Virgin (VG) X20 and rejuvenated heat-treated creep exhaust (CE) X20 steels. The study provides a foundation for determining the effect of rejuvenation heat treatment on CE steels by making comparisons to the VG steel. Hot compression tests in the temperature range of 900°C to 1050°C, strain rate range of 0.1–10 s− 1 to a total strain of 0.6 and stress-strain curves were obtained. The flow stress curves of both steels exhibited dynamic recovery (DRV) characteristics as the main softening mechanism. Constitutive constants of steady-state stresses were determined. The stress exponents, n, were 6.62 (VG) and 5.58 (CE), and the apparent activation energy values were 380.36 kJmol− 1(VG) and 435.70 kJmol− 1 (CE). Analysis of the activation energies showed that VG steel had better workability properties than CE steel and was easier to deform at high temperatures. Constitutive equations for predicting the flow stress in the two steels were established. This were verified by statistical tools: Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) and Absolute Average Relative Error (AARE). The results showed R-values were, 0.98 (VG) and 0.99 (CE), and the AARE value for VG was 4.17% and 9.01% for CE. The statistical parameters indicated a good correlation between the experimental and predicted values. The constitutive equations therefore adequately described the flow stress behaviour of both steels and can therefore efficiently analyse industrial metal forming schedules.
miR-34c-5p inhibited fibroblast proliferation, differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in benign airway stenosis via MDMX/p53 pathway
Authors: Wei Jinmei , Chen Yan , Feng Tingmei , Wei Yuhui , Yang Caizhen , Zhang Changwen , Li Wentao , Liu Guangnan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Benign airway stenosis (BAS) means airway stenosis or obstruction that results from a variety of non-malignant factors, including tuberculosis, trauma, benign tumors, etc. In consideration of the currently limited research on microRNAs in BAS, this study was aimed at exploring the role and mechanism of miR-34c-5p in BAS. The expression of miR-34c-5p in BAS granulation tissues showed a significant down-regulation compared with the normal control group. Moreover, miR-34c-5p mimics suppressed the proliferation and differentiation of human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE). Conversely, miR-34c-5p inhibitors aggravated those effects. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-34c-5p can target MDMX rather than Notch1. Interestingly, the over-expression of MDMX can reverse the inhibiting effect of miR-34c-5p on HBFs proliferation, differentiation and EMT. Furthermore, the expressions of tumor protein (p53) and PTEN were down-regulated following the over-expression of MDMX. In addition, the expressions of PI3K and AKT showed an up-regulation. In conclusion, miR-34c-5p was down-regulated in BAS and may inhibit fibroblast proliferation differentiation and EMT in BAS via the MDMX/p53 signaling axis. These findings expand the understanding of the role of miR-34c-5p and will help develop new treatment strategies for BAS.
Growth and Mortality Rates of Mediterranean Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) Catches in Southeastern Coast of Black Sea Mediterranean Horse Mackerel Mortalities, Growth
Authors: Samsun Serap 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Age, growth, sex, and condition of the Mediterranean horse mackerel, Trachurus mediterraneus were studied in the Southeastern Coast of Black Sea from October 2018 to September 2019. Overall female:male sex ratio was 1:1.23, statistically different from unity. Total lengths ranged between 9.1-21.5 cm. Age determination based on otolith readings showed that the population comprised 0-7 age-groups. It was also found that length-weight relationship of all individuals W=0.0057*L3.1269. The results obtained showed that the growth pattern of the fishes was positive allometric. Growth parameters of the population were L∞=25.02 cm, K=0.1332 year-1, t0=-3.6341 years and W∞=134 g. Growth index Φ’ was 1.92 of all individuals studied. The length growth rate was rapidly during the early years of their lives. The instantaneous rates of total (Z), survival rate (S), annual (A), natural (M) and ﬁshing mortalities (F) and exploitation rate (E) were 1.02 year-1, 0.36 year-1, 0.64 year-1, 0,31 year-1, 0.71 year-1 and 0.69 year-1. Trachurus mediterraneus was affected by fishing during the study period, according to the estimated E values.
Associations between motivational factors and burnout syndrome among elite skiers
Authors: Wu Xinran , Cai Yongmao , Abidin Nor Eeza Zainal , Jaladin Rafidah Aga Mohd 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The present research investigated the association between a series of motivational factors and burnout syndrome among elite skiers at the contextual level within the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (HMIEM). There are 352 subjects (258 males, 94 females, aged 18 to 25 years) across five skiing events from three sport universities in this study. Four psychological scales related to motivational factors and burnout syndrome were completed by subjects. Overall, the result showed that a task-involving climate had a positive relationship with basic psychological needs, eliciting a positive pathway to autonomous motivation, and thus negatively affecting burnout syndromes. On the contrary, an ego-involving climate had a negative relationship with basic psychological needs, then positively affecting burnout syndrome through amotivation. The results underscore the intricate associations between a variety of motivational factors and athletes’ burnout syndrome, supporting the need to incorporate burnout syndrome elements into the outcomes of HMIEM sequence.
Response is increased using postal rather than electronic questionnaires – new results from an updated Cochrane Systematic Review
Authors: Edwards Phil , Perkins Chloe 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Paper questionnaires are more common in epidemiology than those administered online, but increasing Internet access may change this. Researchers planning to use a self-administered questionnaire should know whether response rates to questionnaires administered electronically differ to those of questionnaires administered by post. We analysed trials included in a recently updated Cochrane Review to answer this question.
Methods
We exported data of randomised controlled trials included in three comparisons in the Cochrane Review that had evaluated hypotheses relevant to our research objective and imported them into Stata for analysis. We pooled odds ratios for response in random effects meta-analyses. We explored causes of heterogeneity among study results using subgroups. We assessed evidence for reporting bias using Harbord's modified test for small-study effects.
Results
Twenty-seven trials (66,118 participants) evaluated the effect on response of an electronic questionnaire compared with postal. Results were heterogeneous (I-squared=98%). Synthesis of studies at low risk of bias indicates that response was increased (OR=1.43; 95% CI 1.08–1.89) using postal questionnaires. Ten trials (39,523 participants) evaluated the effect of providing a choice of mode (postal or electronic) compared to an electronic questionnaire only. Response was increased with a choice of mode (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.18–2.26). Eight trials (20,909 participants) evaluated the effect of a choice of mode (electronic or postal) compared to a postal questionnaire only. There was no evidence for an effect on response (OR=0.94; 95% CI 0.86–1.02).
Conclusions
Postal questionnaires should be used in preference to, or offered in addition to, electronic modes.
Association between cerebral tissue oxygen saturation and neurodevelopmental delay in patients undergoing pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Fan Yichen , Pan Qianling , Su Henghua , Pu Zhongchan , Zhu Linjie , Qi Bo , Su Diansan , Yang Liqun , Huang Dan , Yu Weifeng 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Pediatric liver transplantation is considered the most effective treatment option for congenital biliary atresia. In recent years, researchers have focused on the long-term neurological developmental status of patients. Identifying the risk factors associated with perioperative neurological dysfunction in patients undergoing pediatric liver transplantation have emerged as crucial issues. This study aimed to explore the association between cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) and neurodevelopmental delay in patients undergoing pediatric liver transplantation.
Methods
This observational study was conducted between September 2019 and September 2021. The primary outcome of this study was neurodevelopmental delay 1 year after pediatric liver transplantation. The secondary outcomes included prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospitalization. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the risk factors for neurodevelopmental delay using the Ages Stages Questionnaires scale. Additionally, the risk factors for the prolonged length of stay in the ICU and hospital were also analyzed.
Results
123 patients were included in the statistical analysis. The preoperative weight had a significant impact on postoperative neurological development. The intraoperative maximum SctO2 (P = 0.037, OR = 0.951, 95% CI: 0.904–0.997) had a significant influence on the developmental delay in communication skills. The risk factors for the delay in problem-solving skills were intraoperative maximum SctO2 (P = 0.034, OR = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.807–0.981) and age (P = 0.026, OR = 0.501, 95% CI: 0.251–0.861).
Conclusions
This prospective observational study found an association between the decline of SctO2 and developmental delay in communication and problem-solving following pediatric liver transplantation. Hence, an evaluation of SctO2 might guide the intraoperative anesthesia strategy and improve the long-term prognosis of patients.