bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative predictors of survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection beyond the updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer criteria
Authors: Yen Yi-Hao , Liu Yueh-Wei , Li Wei-Feng , Lin Chih-Che , Yong Chee-Chien , Wang Chih-Chi , Lin Chih-Yun 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The updated 2022 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) guidelines recommend liver resection (LR) for single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of any size, i.e., American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition image-defined stage 1. This study aimed to develop a model to preoperatively predict the survival of patients with HCC undergoing LR beyond the updated BCLC resection criteria.
Methods
Three hundred and three patients undergoing LR for HCC beyond the updated BCLC resection criteria between 2011 and 2017 were identified from the cancer registry database of our institution. A model to predict overall survival (OS) was developed and patients were classified using risk scores.
Results
Multivariate analysis of five-year OS identified three variables—AJCC 7th edition image-defined stage (stage 3 vs. 2; HR = 1.618; 95% CI = 1.061–2.467; p = 0.025), alpha-fetoprotein level (≥ 400 vs. < 400 ng/ml; HR = 1.837; 95% CI = 1.252–2.697, p = 0.002), and cirrhosis (presence vs. absence; HR = 1.569; 95% CI = 1.092–2.254; p = 0.015)—as independent prognostic factors of survival, which were used to formulate risk scores. Patients were divided into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups; their five-year OS was 86%, 56%, and 36% (p < 0.001) and five-year recurrence-free survival was 44%, 32%, and 19% (p = 0.001), respectively.
Conclusion
We developed a simple model that can preoperatively predict the survival of patients with HCC who are candidates for LR beyond the updated BCLC resection criteria.
Salvage surgery for advanced non-small cell lung cancer following previous immunotherapy: a retrospective study
Authors: Higuchi Mitsunori , Inomata Sho , Yamaguchi Hikaru , Saito Takuro , Suzuki Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The development of systemic chemotherapy including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has provided patients with unresectable advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) an opportunity to undergo surgical intervention after initial treatment. However, no consensus regarding the indication for salvage surgery in these patients has been reached.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent salvage surgery for advanced NSCLC (cStage IIIA–IVB) after treatment with ICIs from January 2018 to December 2022 at Aizu Medical Center and Fukushima Medical University Hospital. We evaluated the patients’ clinical data, calculated disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and assessed the survival benefit using the Kaplan–Meier method.
Results
Thirteen patients underwent salvage surgery after immunotherapy. All patients achieved downstaging after initial chemotherapy. Eleven patients underwent lobectomy, and one patient underwent extirpation of intra-abdominal lymph nodes. The mean surgery time and intraoperative blood loss were 242.2 minutes and 415.1 g, respectively. The mean drainage period was 4.2 days (range, 2–9 days). Grade ≥ 3 postoperative complications were confirmed in three patients. The 2-year DFS rate was 71.2%, and the 2-year OS rate was 76.2%. A pathological complete response compatible with ypStage 0 was achieved in four (30.8%) patients. Patients with ypStage 0 and I achieved significantly better OS than those with ypStage ≥ II (p = 0.044), and patients without severe complications achieved significantly better DFS and OS than those with severe complications (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions
Salvage surgery after chemotherapy including ICIs is a feasible and effective treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC, especially those who acquire downstaging to pathological stage 0 or I. However, severe perioperative complications might affect patient survival. A prospective study is urgently needed to evaluate the efficacy of salvage surgery.
Functional connectivity of a coastal landscape for three tidal marsh songbirds: a translocation experiment
Authors: Oakley William F. , Given Aaron M. , Patten Michael A. , Bridge Eli S. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Context.
Predicting species’ responses to environmental changes requires assessments of site fidelity as well as an understanding of how individuals move through habitats that may become heterogenous and/or fragmented.
Objectives.
We used translocation experiments to evaluate the functional connectivity of a heterogenous saltmarsh landscape for three coastal marsh songbird species during the non-breeding winter season. We tested whether species differed in their movement abilities and if landcover type and translocation distance had any influence on movement.
Methods.
Over two consecutive winter seasons, we radio-tagged and experimentally translocated Seaside Sparrows (Ammospiza maritima; n = 42), Nelson’s Sparrows (A. nelsoni; n = 10), and Saltmarsh Sparrows (A. caudacuta; n = 6) 0.26 – 2.3 km across two different landscape types (i.e., continuous marsh vs. fragmented marsh) and monitored their return success and times.
Results.
Overall return success was high (72% of 57), but we found no clear evidence that return success differed among species or between continuous and fragmented marsh. Return times did not appear to be significantly influenced by species, landscape treatment, or translocation distance.
Conclusions.
Our findings indicate a strong fidelity in all three species of marsh sparrow to wintering home ranges and associated high-tide roost sites. This strong homing instinct may have led to the surprising result that wintering marsh sparrow movements are not significantly impacted by habitat fragmentation.
MSCT Analysis of the Length of Left Main Coronary Artery: Its Relation to Gender, Age, Diameter and Branching Pattern of Left Main Coronary Artery, and Coronary Dominance
Authors: Javed Saeed , Mei Yixuan , Zhang Yi , Liu Cheng , Liu Shuwei 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose

This study using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) aimed to analyse and correlate the length of the left main stem with potentially important clinical parameters that may influence treatment.

Materials and Methods

1500 patients (851 men, 649 women; mean age 57.38 ± 11.03 [SD] years; age range: 5–85 years) who underwent the MSCT scans from September 2020 to March 2022 were retrospectively included. Using the syngo.via post-processing workstation, the data was used to generate 3D simulations of a coronary tree. The reconstructed images were then interpreted to assess the morphological features and variants of the coronary arteries. Means ± standard deviations and the percentages were calculated. Chi-square and Pearson correlation statistical data were also reported.

Results

We found a medium LMCA in 1206 (80.4%) cases, a long LMCA in 133 (8.9%) cases, and in 161 (10.7%) cases a short LMCA was observed. The average diameter of LMCA at its midpoint was 4.69 ± 0.74 mm. The most frequent type of division of LMCA was bifurcation in 1076 (71.7%) cases; in 424 (28.3%) of cases, the LMCA was divided into three or more branches. The dominance was right in 1339 (89.3%), left in 78 (5.2%), and co-dominant in 83(5.5%) cases. There was a positive correlation between the length and branching patterns of LMCA, χ2 = 113.993, P = 0.000 (＜0.05). Other variables like sex, age, diameter of LMCA, and coronary dominance did not show any significant correlation.

Conclusion

There is an association between the length of the left main stem and the branching characteristics of the left main stem which may be essential for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery patients.
Towards a major methodological shift in depression research by assessing continuous scores of recurrence of illness, lifetime and current suicidal behaviors and phenome features.
Authors: Maes Michael , Jirakran Ketsupar , Vasupanrajit Asara , Boonchaya-Anant Patchaya , Tunvirachaisakul Chavit 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
The binary major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnosis is inadequate and should never be used in research.
Aims
The study's objective is to explicate our novel precision nomothetic strategy for constructing depression models based on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), lifetime and current phenome, and biomarker (atherogenicity indices) scores.
Methods
This study assessed recurrence of illness (ROI: namely recurrence of depressive episodes and suicidal behaviors), lifetime and current suicidal behaviors and the phenome of depression, neuroticism, dysthymia, anxiety disorders, and lipid biomarkers (including ApoA, ApoB, free cholesterol and cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol) in 67 normal controls and 66 MDD patients. We computed atherogenic and reverse cholesterol transport indices.
Results
We were able to extract one factor from a) the lifetime phenome of depression comprising ROI, and traits such as neuroticism, dysthymia and anxiety disorders, and b) the phenome of the acute phase (based on depression, anxiety and quality of life scores). PLS analysis showed that 55.7% of the variance in the lifetime + current phenome factor was explained by increased atherogenicity, neglect and sexual abuse, while atherogenicity partially mediated the effects of neglect. Cluster analysis generated a cluster of patients with major dysmood disorder, which was externally validated by increased atherogenicity and characterized by increased scores of all clinical features.
Conclusions
The outcome of depression should not be represented as a binary variable (MDD or not), but rather as multiple dimensional scores based on biomarkers, ROI, subclinical depression traits, and lifetime and current phenome scores including suicidal behaviors.
Estrogen suppresses DMRT1 protein expression during ovarian development in the chicken
Authors: Zhao Debiao , Liu Long , Nandi Sunil , McBride Derek , Ioannidis Jason , Yang Xiurong , Gong Daoqing , McGrew Mike J. , Clinton Michael 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPrimary sex determination determines the development of a bipotential gonad as a testis or as an ovary.DMRT1gene is essential for testis development and estrogen has a role in ovariaogenesis. We find that estrogen suppresses DMRT1 protein expression and prevents the sex cord formation in the chicken developing ovary. Our detailed characterisation ofDMRT1expression shows that DMRT1 protein levels are equivalent in male and female gonadal medulla during the bipotential phase of development in the chick. During the differentiation phase, DMRT1 protein levels are gradually reduced in the medulla of the developing ovary, concurrent with FOXL2 expression. Analysis of sex-reversed gonads and mixed-sex chimeric gonads suggests that the reduction in DMRT1 protein (not RNA) expression by estrogen signalling prevents the formation of sex cords in the female gonad medulla. Hence, we hypothesise that estrogen signalling is involved in the feminization of gonad medulla during avian ovariogenesis by suppressing DMRT1 protein expression.
2-Deoxyglucose and hydroxychloroquine HPLC-MS-MS analytical methods and pharmacokinetic interactions after oral co-administration in male rats
Authors: Sun Dongxiao , Kim Sangyub , Karelia Deepkamal , Deng Yibin , Jiang Cheng , Lü Junxuan 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Our previous work has shown a synergistic tumoricidal action of the hexokinase (HK) inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) on HK2-addicted prostate cancers in animal models through intraperitoneal injections. Here we developed high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) methods for 2-DG and clinically favored drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and explored PK interaction of the orally administered drugs in a jugular vein cannulated male rat model, which allowed serial blood collection before and 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h after a single gavage dose of each drug alone or simultaneously after appropriate washout periods between the drugs. The results demonstrated a rapid and satisfactory separation of 2-DG standard from common monosaccharides by HPLC-MS-MS multi-reaction monitoring (MRM) and the presence of endogenous “2-DG”. Application of the HPLC-MS-MS 2-DG and HCQ methods to sera samples of 9 evaluable rats showed a peak time (Tmax) of 2-DG of 0.5 h after 2-DG dosing alone or with HCQ and glucose-like PK behavior. With a seemingly bi-modal time course for HCQ, the Tmax for HCQ dosing alone (1.2 h) was faster than that for the combination (2 h; p = 0.013, 2-tailed t-test). After combination dosing, the peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) of 2-DG were decreased by 54% (p < 0.0001) and 52%, whereas those for HCQ were decreased by 40% (p = 0.026) and 35%, respectively, compared to single dosing. The data suggest significant negative PK interactions between the two oral drugs taken simultaneously and warrant optimization efforts for the combination regimen.
On the Index of the Octic Number Field Defined by x8+ax+b
Authors: Hamid Ben Yakkou , Boudine Brahim 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Let K be an octic number field generated by a complex root θ of a monic irreducible trinomial F(x) = x8 + ax + b ∈ Z[x], where a and b are two non-zero rational integers. Let i(K) be the index of K. In this paper, we show that i(K) is either 1 or a power of 2. Further, we give necessary and suffcient conditions depending only on a and b so that 2 is a prime common index divisor of K. In particular, we provide suffcient conditions for which K is non-monogenic. In such a way our results extend a result proved in [H. Ben Yakkou, On monogenity of certain number fields defned by trinomial of type x8 + ax + b, Acta Math. Hungar. 166 (2022), 614-623], when some suffcient conditions of the divisibility of i(K) by 2 are provided.
Effect of sp 3 /sp 2 carbon ratio and hydrodynamic size on the biodistribution kinetics of nanodiamonds in mice via intravenous injection
Authors: Jeong Jiyoung , Jeon Soyeon , Kim Songyeon , Lee Sinuk , Kim Gyuli , Bae Eunsol , Ha Yeonjeong , Lee Seung Whan , Kim Ji-Su , Kim Dong-Jae , Cho Wan-Seob 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Nanodiamonds have gained a rapidly growing interest in biomedical applications; however, little is known regarding their biokinetics owing to difficulties in measurements and limited synthesis/purification technologies. In this study, we investigated the distribution kinetics of detonation-synthesized nanodiamonds in mice via intravenous injection to evaluate the parameters that determine the behavior of the particles. We prepared two distinctive nanodiamonds that controlled the sp3/sp2 carbon ratio and particle size by coating them with serum proteins. The four control samples were intravenously injected into mice, and tissue distribution and clearance were evaluated at 30 min and 1, 7, and 28 days post-injection.
Results: The sp3/sp2 carbon ratio showed no correlation with the organ distribution of the nanodiamonds. However, hydrodynamic size showed an excellent correlation with organ distribution levels: a negative correlation in the liver and positive correlations in the spleen and lungs. Furthermore, the deposition levels of nanodiamonds in the lung showed a threshold hydrodynamic size limit of approximately 300 nm to prevent pulmonary deposition.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the tissue distribution of nanodiamonds is modulated not by the sp3/sp2 carbon ratio but by the hydrodynamic size, which can provide helpful information for targeting the tissue of nanodiamonds.
Post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) infection and molecular signaling - A quasi-experimental study evaluating a natural supplement
Authors: Sigamani Alben , Naik K Sunil , Kumar Sangeetha Sampath 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background and Aim: Long COVID becomes an economic and public health challenge that affects the daily activities and quality of life of millions of COVID-19 survivors. Long COVID symptoms, particularly persistent fatigue, appear to be associated with a chronic state of inflammation. Based on the anti-inflammatory property of Tinospora cordifolia, CelWel has the potential to improve the symptoms of long COVID. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of CelWel in patients with long COVID.
Methods: This was a non-randomized, open-label pilot study with 15 COVID-19-infected male and female subjects who had long COVID symptoms. Subjects were given 0.4 mL of the CelWel supplement 4–6 times per day for 14 days. The severity of long COVID symptoms was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale Questionnaire (FSSQ) and the Yorkshire COVID-19 Rehabilitation Screening Test (C19-YRS) before and after treatment. In addition, plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and the post-acute sequelae score of COVID-19 (PASC) were also assessed. Safety parameters such as adverse events, haematology, and serum biochemistry were also evaluated.
Results: Results showed that all COVID-19 survivors had higher FSSQ, C19-YRS, and PASC scores along with elevated plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines before treatment. CelWel supplementation for 14 days significantly reduced FSSQ and C19-YRS scores and plasma cytokine and chemokine levels. Furthermore, with CelWel treatment, PASC scores showed a decreasing trend in 11 subjects, while 4 subjects showed a reverse trend. All laboratory safety parameters were within the normal range, and no adverse events were reported during the study period.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the CelWel supplement is a viable and safe option for reducing the severity of symptoms in patients with long COVID.
An insight into the functional genomics and species classification of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Diplozoidae), a haematophagous parasite of the common carp Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Vorel Jiří , Kmentová Nikol , Hahn Christoph , Bureš Petr , Kašný Martin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Monogenea (Platyhelminthes, Neodermata) are the most species-rich class within the Neodermata superclass of primarily fish parasites. Despite their economic and ecological importance, monogenean research tends to focus on their morphological, phylogenetic, and population characteristics, while comprehensive omics analyses aimed at describing functionally important molecules are few and far between. We present a molecular characterisation of monogenean representative Eudiplozoon nipponicum, an obligate haematophagous parasite infecting the gills of the common carp. We report its nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, present a functional annotation of protein molecules relevant to the molecular and biochemical aspect of physiological processes involved in interactions with the fish hosts, and re-examinate the taxonomic position of Eudiplozoonspecies within the Diplozoidae family.
Results
We have generated 50.81 Gbp of raw sequencing data (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore reads), bioinformatically processed, and de novo assembled them into a genome draft 0.94 Gbp long, consisting of 21,044 contigs (N50 = 87 kbp). The final assembly represents 57% of the estimated total genome size (~1.64 Gbp), whereby repetitive and low-complexity regions account for ~64% of the assembled length. In total, 36,626 predicted genes encode 33,031 protein-coding transcripts. Homology-based annotation of transcripts and proteins characterises 14,785 (44.76%) molecules. We have detected significant representation of functional proteins and known molecular functions. The numbers of peptidases and inhibitors (579 proteins), characterised GO terms (16,016 unique assigned GO terms), and identified KEGG Orthology (4,315 proteins) acting in 378 KEGG pathways demonstrate the variety of mechanisms by which the parasite interacts with hosts on a macromolecular level (immunomodulation, feeding, and development). Comparison between the newly assembled E. nipponicum mitochondrial genome (length of 17,038 bp) and other diplozoid monogeneans confirms the existence of two distinct Eudiplozoon species infecting different fish hosts: Cyprinus carpio and Carassiusspp.
Conclusions
Although the amount of sequencing data and characterised molecules of monogenean parasites has recently increased, a better insight into their molecular biology is needed. The E. nipponicum nuclear genome presented here, currently the largest described genome within parasitic helminths, represents a milestone in the study of monogeneans and their molecules but further omics research is needed to understand these parasites’ biological nature.
Coated microbubbles exploit shell buckling to swim
Authors: Chabouh Georges , Mokbel Marcel , Elburg Benjamin van , Versluis Michel , Segers Tim , Aland Sebastian , Quilliet Catherine , Coupier Gwennou 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Cleverly engineered microswimmers show great promise in various biomedical applications. Current realizations are generally
either too slow, hardly manoeuvrable, or non biocompatible. To overcome these limitations, we consider lipid coated microbubbles
that are already approved for clinical use as diagnostic ultrasound contrast agents. Through a combination of experiments
and numerical simulations, we investigate the swimming motion of these microbubbles under external cyclic overpressure.
Reproducible and non-destructive cycles of deflation and re-inflation of the microbubble generate a net displacement, through
hysteretic buckling events. Our model predicts swimming speeds of the order of m/s, which falls in the range of blood flow
velocity in large vessels. Unlike the acoustic radiation force technique, where the displacement is always directed along the
axis of ultrasound propagation, here, the direction of propulsion is controlled in the shell reference frame. This provides a
solution toward controlled steering in ultrasound molecular imaging and drug delivery
Water stress decreases the biocontrol efficacy of a nucleopolyhedrovirus against the fall armyworm on maize
Authors: Real-Santillán Raúl Omar , del-Val Ek , Williams Trevor , Martínez-Castillo Ana Mabel , Gavito Mayra E. , Contreras-Cornejo Hexon Ángel , Díaz Tsiri , García-Gómez Griselda , Larsen John 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Drought events are expected to limit crop productivity in the context of current climate change. Drought is also likely to affect multitrophic interactions such as those involving plants, phytophagous insects and their natural enemies. We designed a two-phase experiment to test the effect of water availability and fertilizer treatment on the interaction between maize, the fall armyworm and its nucleopolyhedrovirus pathogen. Low irrigation of maize plants reduced virus efficiency in armyworm control. In addition, the insects did not feed on plants with high water availability and without fertilization. We conclude that water stress and plant nutrition can affect virus performance and thereby affect the efficiency of biological control and pest management, especially as water and nutrient limitation will likely increase under climate change.