bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of SLC4A4 and its correlation with the microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer
Authors: Rui Shaorui , Wang Dong , Huang Yong , Xu Jingyun , Zhou Hailang , Zhang Hesong 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveTo explore new biomarkers related to microsatellite instability in order to better predict prognosis and guide medication.MethodsThe “limma” R package was used to identify differentially expressed genes in GSE24514, and then weighted correlation network analysis was used to select key genes. Different cell types in the tumor microenvironment were identified and analyzed by single-cell sequencing, with a Lasso regression model used to screen prognostic variables. Furthermore, the correlation between microsatellite instability and potential prognostic variables was explored, as well as the expression characteristics and clinical characteristics of the prognostic variables in the TCGA, UALCAN, and HPA databases. PCR assay was used to investigate the expression of SLC4A4 in colorectal cancer cell lines. Finally, we further verified the expression of SLC4A4 by immunohistochemistry.ResultsFirst, 844 differentially expressed genes in GSE24514 were identified. Subsequently, weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of GSE24514 obtained all the genes significantly associated with microsatellite instability (MSI), a total of 1452. Analysis of GSE166555 single cell sequencing data set yielded 1564 differentially expressed genes. The gene sets obtained from the above three analysis processes were intersected, and 174 genes were finally obtained. The Lasso regression model revealed two potential prognostic genes, TIMP1 and SLC4A4, of which, there was a stronger correlation between microsatellite instability and SLC4A4. The mRNA and protein expression of SLC4A4 was significantly decreased in tumors, and patients with low SLC4A4 expression had a poor prognosis. In addition, SLC4A4 was specifically expressed in epithelial cells. In the microenvironment of colorectal cancer, malignant cells have a strong interaction with different stromal cells. PCR showed that SLC4A4 was significantly down-regulated in colorectal cancer cell lines Caco-2, HCT116 and HT29 compared with normal control NCM460 cell lines. Immunohistochemistry also showed low expression of SLC4A4 in colorectal cancer.ConclusionSLC4A4, as a tumor suppressor gene, is significantly downregulated and positively correlated with microsatellite instability, thus it may be combined with microsatellite instability to guide colorectal cancer treatment.
Positive allosteric adenosine A2A receptor modulation suppresses insomnia associated with mania- and schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice
Authors: Lin Yang , Roy Koustav , Ioka Shuji , Otani Rintaro , Amezawa Mao , Ishikawa Yukiko , Cherasse Yoan , Kaushik Mahesh K. , Klewe-Nebenius Daniela , Zhou Li , Yanagisawa Masashi , Oishi Yo , Saitoh Tsuyoshi , Lazarus Michael 
Published: April 2023

Background: Insomnia is associated with psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Treating insomnia improves psychotic symptoms severity, quality of life, and functional outcomes. Patients with psychiatric disorders are often dissatisfied with the available therapeutic options for their insomnia. In contrast, positive allosteric modulation of adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) leads to slow-wave sleep without cardiovascular side effects in contrast to A2AR agonists.Methods: We investigated the hypnotic effects of A2AR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) in mice with mania-like behavior produced by ablating GABAergic neurons in the ventral medial midbrain/pons area and in a mouse model of schizophrenia by knocking out of microtubule-associated protein 6. We also compared the properties of sleep induced by A2AR PAMs in mice with mania-like behavior with those induced by DORA-22, a dual orexin receptor antagonist that improves sleep in pre-clinical models, and the benzodiazepine diazepam.Results: A2AR PAMs suppress insomnia associated with mania- or schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice. A2AR PAM-mediated suppression of insomnia in mice with mania-like behavior was similar to that mediated by DORA-22, and, unlike diazepam, did not result in abnormal sleep.Conclusion: A2AR allosteric modulation may represent a new therapeutic avenue for sleep disruption associated with bipolar disorder or psychosis.
Specificity for the correlation between the body surface and viscera in the pathological state of COPD: A prospective, controlled, and assessor-blinded trial
Authors: Jiang Yongliang , Hu Hantong , He Xiaofen , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Yajun , Lou Jiali , Wu Yuanyuan , Fang Junfan , Shao Xiaomei , Fang Jianqiao 
Published: April 2023

Background: The association between the body surface and viscera remains obscure, but a better understanding of the body surface-viscera correlation will maximize its diagnostic and therapeutic values in clinical practice. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specificity of body surface-viscera correlation in the pathological state.Methods: The study subjects included 40 participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the COPD group and 40 age-matched healthy participants in the healthy control group. Laser Doppler flowmetry, infrared thermography, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy were respectively adopted to measure 1) the perfusion unit (PU), 2) temperature, and 3) regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of four specific sites distributed in the heart and lung meridians. These three outcome measures reflected the microcirculatory, thermal, and metabolic characteristics, respectively.Results: Regarding the microcirculatory and thermal characteristics of the body surface, the PU and temperature of specific sites on the body surface [i.e., Taiyuan (LU9) and Chize (LU5) in the lung meridian] in the COPD group were significantly increased compared with healthy controls (p &lt; 0.05), whereas PU and temperature of other sites in the heart meridian [i.e., Shenmen (HT7) and Shaohai (HT3)] did not change significantly (p &gt; 0.05). Regarding the metabolic characteristics, rSO2 of specific sites in the lung meridian [i.e., Taiyuan (LU9) and Chize (LU5)] and Shaohai (HT3) of the heart meridian in the COPD group was significantly decreased compared with healthy controls (p &lt; 0.01), whereas rSO2 of Shenmen (HT7) in the heart meridian did not change significantly (p &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: In the disease state of COPD, the microcirculatory, thermal, and metabolic characteristics of specific sites on the body surface in the lung meridian generally manifest more significant changes than those in the heart meridian, thereby supporting relative specificity for the body surface-viscera correlation in the pathological state.
Predicting the metabolic cost of exoskeleton-assisted squatting using foot pressure features and machine learning
Authors: Ramadurai Sruthi , Jeong Heejin , Kim Myunghee 
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Recent studies found that wearable exoskeletons can reduce physical effort and fatigue during squatting. In particular, subject-specific assistance helped to significantly reduce physical effort, shown by reduced metabolic cost, using human-in-the-loop optimization of the exoskeleton parameters. However, measuring metabolic cost using respiratory data has limitations, such as long estimation times, presence of noise, and user discomfort. A recent study suggests that foot contact forces can address those challenges and be used as an alternative metric to the metabolic cost to personalize wearable robot assistance during walking.Methods: In this study, we propose that foot center of pressure (CoP) features can be used to estimate the metabolic cost of squatting using a machine learning method. Five subjects’ foot pressure and metabolic cost data were collected as they performed squats with an ankle exoskeleton at different assistance conditions in our prior study. In this study, we extracted statistical features from the CoP squat trajectories and fed them as input to a random forest model, with the metabolic cost as the output.Results: The model predicted the metabolic cost with a mean error of 0.55 W/kg on unseen test data, with a high correlation (r = 0.89, p &lt; 0.01) between the true and predicted cost. The features of the CoP trajectory in the medial-lateral direction of the foot (xCoP), which relate to ankle eversion-inversion, were found to be important and highly correlated with metabolic cost.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that increased ankle eversion (outward roll of the ankle), which reflects a suboptimal squatting strategy, results in higher metabolic cost. Higher ankle eversion has been linked with the etiology of chronic lower limb injuries. Hence, a CoP-based cost function in human-in-the-loop optimization could offer several advantages, such as reduced estimation time, injury risk mitigation, and better user comfort.
Operative management and outcomes in patients with myxomas: A single-center experience
Authors: Alhasso Ahmed Abdulfattah , Ahmed Okba F. , Mohammed-Saeed Dana H. , Kakamad Fahmi H. , Almodhaffer Saif S. , Zaid Zaid A. , Abdullah Hiwa O. , Ali Razhan K. , Kakamad Suhaib H. , Omar Diyar A. , Abdalla Berun A. , Mohammed Shvan H. , Mustafa Mohammed Q. 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundCardiac myxoma is a rare cardiac tumor that may be asymptomatic or can cause embolization or intracardiac obstruction, leading to heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and arrhythmia. This study aims to report an 11-year experience of a single center in the management of cardiac myxoma.MethodThis study is a single-center retrospective case series. Eighty cases of cardiac myxoma were collected in Ibn Albitar's specialized center for cardiac surgery. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to make the preoperative diagnosis in all patients. The surgeries were undertaken through the standard approach of a median sternotomy. All four cardiac chambers were thoroughly explored for additional myxomas. The major objective of the operations was complete tumor resection.ResultThe mean age of the patients was 46.3 years. Females (67.5%) were predominant over males (32.5%). Shortness of breath was the most common symptom (86.25%). The left atrium was the most affected site (83.75%), followed by the right atrium (13.75%). Coronary artery bypass grafting was required as the secondary or associated intervention in 19 (23.75%) cases. The recurrence rate was 11.25%, with a mortality rate of 3.75%.ConclusionRecurrence and tumor embolism are risks of surgical intervention for myxoma. Good preparation using transthoracic echocardiography as a diagnostic tool and standard median sternotomy to complete resection of the tumors can decrease the rate of recurrence, embolism, and even mortality.
Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor: A rare case with a good prognosis
Authors: Chen Hanmin , Li Yanmin , Zeng Qingming , Wu Gengqing 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundRenal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (rPNET) has the characteristics of a difficult preoperative diagnosis, a high degree of malignancy, easy early metastasis or postoperative recurrence, a poor prognosis, and so on. However, rPNET that has no metastasis before surgery can have a good survival prognosis only after radical surgical resection.MethodsWe report the case of a 14-year-old male patient with a renal tumor who underwent open radical left nephrectomy without radiotherapy or chemotherapy before or after surgery, as confirmed by postoperative pathological results. The prognosis was followed up by a regular review of the chest and whole abdomen on CT, hematuria analysis, renal function, and electrolytes according to the guidelines for renal cancer.ResultsPostoperative pathological results confirmed rPNET; no adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy were performed after surgery; no tumor recurrence or metastasis were observed during the follow-up of nearly 5 years.ConclusionsDespite the high degree of rPNET malignancy, patients without metastases before surgery can still obtain a good survival prognosis through timely radical surgery.
Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cho Hyang-Soon , Yang Youngran 
Published: April 2023

Objectives: Adolescents exposed to alcohol have increased risky sexual behaviors (RSBs); however, the association between alcohol consumption and RSBs has to be systematically and quantitatively reviewed. We conducted a meta-analysis of the literature to systematically and quantitatively review the association between alcohol consumption and RSBs in adolescents and young adults.Methods: We searched for qualified articles published from 2000 to 2020 and calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) using the random-effect model. We also conducted meta-regression and sensitivity analyses to identify potential heterogeneity moderators.Results: The meta-analysis of 50 studies involving 465,595 adolescents and young adults indicated that alcohol consumption was significantly associated with early sexual initiation (OR = 1.958, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.635–2.346), inconsistent condom use (OR = 1.228, 95% CI = 1.114–1.354), and having multiple sexual partners (OR = 1.722, 95% CI = 1.525–1.945).Conclusion: Alcohol consumption is strongly associated with RSBs, including early sexual initiation, inconsistent condom use, and multiple sexual partners among adolescents and young adults. To prevent the adverse consequences of alcohol consumption, drinking prevention programs should be initiated at an early age and supported by homes, schools, and communities.
Rosetta Stone for Cancer Cure: Comparison of the Anticancer Capacity of Endogenous Estrogens, Synthetic Estrogens and Antiestrogens
Authors: Suba Zsuzsanna 
Published: April 2023

This work presents the history of the recognition of principal regulatory capacities of estrogen hormones having been mistakenly regarded as breast cancer promoting agents for more than 120 years. Comprehensive analysis of the results of clinical, epidemiological, immunological and molecular studies justified that endogenous estrogens are the principal regulators of embryonic development, survival and reproduction via orchestrating appropriate expression and even edition of all genes in mammalians. Medical use of chemically modified synthetic estrogens caused toxic complications; thromboembolic events and increased cancer risk in female organs as they proved to be endocrine disruptors deregulating estrogen receptors (ERs) rather than their activators. Synthetic estrogen treatment exhibits ambiguous correlations with cancer risk at different sites, which may be attributed to an inhibition of the unliganded activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) coupled with compensatory liganded activation. The principle of estrogen induced breast cancer led to the introduction of antiestrogen therapies against this tumor; inhibition of the liganded activation of estrogen receptors and aromatase enzyme activity. The initial enthusiasm turned into disappointment as the majority of breast cancers proved to be primarily resistant to antiestrogens. In addition, nearly all patients showing earlier good tumor responses to endocrine therapy, later experienced secondary resistance leading to metastatic disease and fatal outcome. Studying the molecular events in tumors responsive and unresponsive to antiestrogen therapy, it was illuminated that a complete inhibition of liganded ER activation stimulates the growth of cancers, while a successful compensatory upregulation of estrogen signal may achieve DNA restoration, tumor regression and patient’s survival. Recognition of the principal role of endogenous estrogens in gene expression, gene edition and DNA repair, estrogen treatment and stimulation of ER expression in patients may bring about a great turn in medical practice.
Genome-Wide Identification of the KNOX Gene Family in Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) and Functional Characterization of PmKNAT2 Genes
Authors: Bai Yang , Shi Ting , Huang Xiao , Zhou Pengyu , Ouma Kenneth Omondi , Ni Zhaojun , Gao Feng , Tan Wei , Ma Chengdong , Ma Yufan , Gao Zhihong 
Published: April 2023

The Knotted1-like Homeobox gene is crucial for plant morphological development and growth. Physicochemical characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, and tissue-specific expression patterns of the 11 PmKNOX genes found in the Japanese apricot genome in this study were examined. Proteins of 11 PmKNOX were soluble proteins with isoelectric points between 4.29 and 6.53, molecular masses between 15.732 and 44.011 kDa, and amino acid counts between 140 and 430. The identified PmKNOX gene family was split into three subfamilies by jointly constructing the phylogenetic tree of KNOX proteins in Japanese apricot and Arabidopsis thaliana. Combined outcomes of the analyzed conserved motifs and gene structures of the 11 PmKNOX genes from the same subfamily displayed comparable gene structure and motif patterns. The 11 PmKNOX members were distributed across six chromosomes, while two sets of PmKNOX genes were found to be collinear. Analysis of the 2000 bp promoter upstream of the coding region of the PmKNOX gene revealed that most PmKNOX genes might be involved in the physiological metabolism, growth and development processes of plants. The PmKNOX gene expression profile revealed that these genes were expressed at varying levels in different tissues, and most of them were linked to the meristems of leaf and flower buds, suggesting that PmKNOX may be involved in plants’ apical meristems. In Arabidopsis thaliana, functional validation of PmKNAT2a and PmKNAT2b revealed that these two genes might be involved in regulating leaf and stem development. In addition to laying the groundwork for future research on the function of these genes, understanding the evolutionary relationships between members of the PmKNOX gene family provides opportunities for future breeding in Japanese apricots.
Molecular Variability of the Fusarium solani Species Complex Associated with Fusarium Wilt of Melon in Iran
Authors: Sabahi Fatemeh , Banihashemi Zia , Mirtalebi Maryam , Rep Martijn , Cacciola Santa Olga 
Published: April 2023

Species of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) are responsible for the Fusarium wilt disease of melon (Cucumis melo), a major disease of this crop in Iran. According to a recent taxonomic revision of Fusarium based primarily on multilocus phylogenetic analysis, Neocosmospora, a genus distinct from Fusarium sensu stricto, has been proposed to accommodate the FSSC. This study characterized 25 representative FSSC isolates from melon collected in 2009–2011 during a field survey carried out in five provinces of Iran. Pathogenicity assays showed the isolates were pathogenic on different varieties of melon and other cucurbits, including cucumber, watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, and bottle gourd. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of three genetic regions, including nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S nrDNA large subunit (LSU) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), Neocosmospora falciformis (syn. F. falciforme), N. keratoplastica (syn. F. keratoplasticum), N. pisi (syn. F. vanettenii), and Neocosmospora sp. were identified among the Iranian FSSC isolates. The N. falciformis isolates were the most numerous. This is the first report of N. pisi causing wilt and root rot disease in melon. Iranian FSSC isolates from different regions in the country shared the same multilocus haplotypes suggesting a long-distance dispersal of FSSC, probably through seeds.
Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy: A Literature Review and Own Clinical Observation
Authors: Костюкевич Е.П. , Рушкевич Ю.Н. , Лихачев С.А. , Клюнчик С.Г. , Гвищ Т.Г. 
Published: April 2023

Энцефалопатия Хашимото представляет собой редкий нейроэндокринный синдром и является вариантом энцефалопатии аутоиммунной этиологии, ассоциированной с выработкой антитиреоидных антител. Заболевание может встречаться в любом возрастном периоде, средний возраст дебюта составляет 44 года, 20% случаев приходится на лиц моложе 18 лет. Женщины болеют в 4 раза чаще. Заболевание встречается редко, недостаточно изучено, отличается трудностями диагностики, динамичностью клинических симптомов и их обратимостью в ответ на иммуносупрессивную терапию глюкокортикостероидами (ГКС). Сложность диагностики энцефалопатии Хашимото связана с особенностями течения и полиморфизмом клинических симптомов, которые могут имитировать картину различных неврологических и психиатрических расстройств. Тем не менее своевременно установленный диагноз позволяет эффективно провести иммуносупрессивную терапию и быстро купировать симптомы заболевания, в том числе угрожающие жизни пациента. Обратимость симптоматики заболевания в ответ на терапию ГКС свидетельствует о развитии особых, скорее функциональных, чем грубых, органических нарушений в нервной системе. Назначение в адекватных дозировках ГКС позволяет быстро купировать симптомы энцефалопатии Хашимомто, достичь полного регресса психоневрологических расстройств, а также обусловливает хороший долгосрочный прогноз. Авторы представили обзор литературы и собственное клиническое наблюдение энцефалопатии Хашимото у пациентки 50 лет.
Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is a rare neuroendocrine syndrome being a variant of autoimmune encephalopathy associated with the production of antithyroid antibodies. The disease can occur in any age period, the average age of onset is 44 years, in 20% of cases it occurs in persons under 18 years of age. Women get sick 4 times more often. The disease is rare, insufficiently studied, and characterized by diagnostic difficulties, clinical symptoms dynamics, and their reveфrsibility in response to immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticosteroids (GCS). The difficulty in diagnosing Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is associated with peculiarities of its course and polymorphism of clinical symptoms, which can imitate pictures of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, a timely diagnosis allows effective immunosuppressive therapy and rapid relief of symptoms, including life-threatening ones. The reversibility of disease symptoms in response to GCS therapy indicates special, rather functional, than rough, organic disorders in the nervous system. Prescribing GCS in adequate dosages allows quickly relieving Hashimoto’s encephalopathy symptoms, achieving a complete regression of neuropsychiatric disorders, and also determines a good long-term prognosis. The authors presented a literature review and their own clinical observation of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy in a 50-year-old female patient.