bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of soluble PD-L1 and exosomal PD-L1 in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving systemic chemotherapy
Authors: Shin Kabsoo , Kim Joori , Park Se Jun , Lee Myung Ah , Park Jae Myung , Choi Myung-Gyu , Kang Donghoon , Song Kyo Young , Lee Han Hong , Seo Ho Seok , Lee Sung Hak , Kim Bohyun , Kim Okran , Park Juyeon , Kang Nahyeon , Kim In-Ho 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe prognostic role of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) and exosomal PD-L1 (exoPD-L1) in patients with gastric cancer (GC) receiving systemic chemotherapy remains unelucidated. Thus, we examined their prognostic significance in patients with advanced GC. Blood samples were obtained from 99 patients with advanced GC receiving first-line chemotherapy. Serum-derived exosomes were isolated by centrifugation and polymer precipitation. The correlation between serum-derived exoPD-L1, plasma sPD-L1, immune-related markers, and circulating immune cells was evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to pretreatment sPD-L1 and exoPD-L1 levels: low sPD-L1 and high sPD-L1 groups, low exoPD-L1 and high exoPD-L1 groups. Patients with low sPD-L1 level before treatment (< 9.32 pg/mL) showed significantly better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than those with high sPD-L1 level (≥ 9.32 pg/mL). The low exoPD-L1 group (< 10.21 pg/mL) showed a tendency of longer PFS than the high exoPD-L1 group (≥ 10.21 pg/mL). Pretreatment sPD-L1 was an independent prognostic factor for OS in multivariate analysis. exoPD-L1 was associated with systemic inflammation markers, immunomodulatory cytokines, and T cells, while sPD-L1 was associated with tumor markers. Pretreatment plasma-derived sPD-L1 level could be used as a prognostic marker for patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. Serum-derived exoPD-L1 may reflect the immunosuppressive state of patients with advanced GC.
Rapid short-pulses of focused ultrasound and microbubbles deliver a range of agent sizes to the brain
Authors: Lim Kee Chang William , Chan Tiffany G. , Raguseo Federica , Mishra Aishwarya , Chattenton Dani , de Rosales Rafael T. M. , Long Nicholas J. , Morse Sophie V. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFocused ultrasound and microbubbles can non-invasively and locally deliver therapeutics and imaging agents across the blood–brain barrier. Uniform treatment and minimal adverse bioeffects are critical to achieve reliable doses and enable safe routine use of this technique. Towards these aims, we have previously designed a rapid short-pulse ultrasound sequence and used it to deliver a 3 kDa model agent to mouse brains. We observed a homogeneous distribution in delivery and blood–brain barrier closing within 10 min. However, many therapeutics and imaging agents are larger than 3 kDa, such as antibody fragments and antisense oligonucleotides. Here, we evaluate the feasibility of using rapid short-pulses to deliver higher-molecular-weight model agents. 3, 10 and 70 kDa dextrans were successfully delivered to mouse brains, with decreasing doses and more heterogeneous distributions with increasing agent size. Minimal extravasation of endogenous albumin (66.5 kDa) was observed, while immunoglobulin (~ 150 kDa) and PEGylated liposomes (97.9 nm) were not detected. This study indicates that rapid short-pulses are versatile and, at an acoustic pressure of 0.35 MPa, can deliver therapeutics and imaging agents of sizes up to a hydrodynamic diameter between 8 nm (70 kDa dextran) and 11 nm (immunoglobulin). Increasing the acoustic pressure can extend the use of rapid short-pulses to deliver agents beyond this threshold, with little compromise on safety. This study demonstrates the potential for deliveries of higher-molecular-weight therapeutics and imaging agents using rapid short-pulses.
Impact of small boat sound on the listening space of Pempheris adspersa, Forsterygion lapillum, Alpheus richardsoni and Ovalipes catharus
Authors: Wilson Louise , Constantine Rochelle , Pine Matthew K. , Farcas Adrian , Radford Craig A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAnthropogenic stressors, such as plastics and fishing, are putting coastal habitats under immense pressure. However, sound pollution from small boats has received little attention given the importance of sound in the various life history strategies of many marine animals. By combining passive acoustic monitoring, propagation modelling, and hearing threshold data, the impact of small-boat sound on the listening spaces of four coastal species was determined. Listening space reductions (LSR) were greater for fishes compared to crustaceans, for which LSR varied by day and night, due to their greater hearing abilities. Listening space also varied by sound modality for the two fish species, highlighting the importance of considering both sound pressure and particle motion. The theoretical results demonstrate that boat sound hinders the ability of fishes to perceive acoustic cues, advocating for future field-based research on acoustic cues, and highlighting the need for effective mitigation and management of small-boat sound within coastal areas worldwide.
Association between school environment with sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity in children
Authors: Sales Diego , da Silva Junior João Pedro , Bergamo Raiany Rosa , de Oliveira Luis Carlos , Ferrari Gerson , Matsudo Victor 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe examined the association between indicators of the school environment with sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity in children. The study that included 515 children (265 boys) aged 9–11 years old from public and private schools in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity were evaluated with an accelerometer. Inside school environment (policies, supervision committee, extracurricular activities, breaks, and access to school facilities) was evaluated using a questionnaire. Policies and practice (β: 8.49; 95% CI: 3.62–13.36), supervision committee (5.42; 0.64–10.19), inter-school competitions (2.40, 2.25–2.55), breaks of 15–29 min/day (6.87; 2.20–10.75), and outdoor sports field (5.40; 0.37–10.44), were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. Furthermore, crossing guards (7.65; 3.00–12.30) were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. We concluded that an association was found between school environment indicators with higher levels of physical activity and greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines.
Enhancement of quasi-static compression strength for aluminum closed cell foam blocks shielded by aluminum tubes
Authors: Dadoura Mohamed H. , Farahat Ahmed Ismail Zaky , Taha M. R. , Elshaer Ramadan N. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAluminum closed cell foam blocks are created with a volume of 1 inch3 which consist of aluminum foam parts shielded with part of aluminum tube and in some types reinforced with inner aluminum tubes. Blocks have been made to overcome some existing problems in metallic foam used to protect some applications parts from impacts as a sacrificial part. Metallic foam has three main categories sandwich panels, filled tubes and corrugated sheets. Quasi-static compression tests have been applied on 12 blocks with different shapes and compared with pure aluminum foam blocks as a reference. Results display the enhancement of mechanical properties of blocks like yield strength (SY), crushing strength (Sc) and densification strength (Sd), compression at strain 70%, as well as absorbed energy (area of compression under the curve). The highest value for yield strength (5.87 MPa) was registered for Finger phalanxes cube block (FP—0.1 Sq.). While the highest value for densification strength (21.7 MPa) was registered for spine cylinder block (SV8—0.17 C25). The registered results for samples apparent the highest value for energy dissipation density (Edd) is 40.52 J/in3 (91% enhancement) and crushing strength (8.61 MPa) was registered for Finger phalanx cylinder block (FP—0.17 C25). The lowest value for Edd is 14.16 J/in3 (less than pure aluminum foam block value by 33%), SY = 0.42 MPa, Sc = 3.21 MPa, and Sd = 4.46 MPa, registered for thin wall Ear canal cylinder block (EC8—0.075 C26.5). Best mechanical properties had been achieved for Finger phalanx cylinder block (FP—0.17 C25) and spine cylinder block (SV8—0.17 C25).
Smoking induces increased apoptosis in osteoblasts: changes in bone matrix organic components
Authors: Kohler Júlia Benini , da Silva Alex Ferreira , Farias Walleson Alves , Sampaio Barbara Fialho Carvalho , Neves Marco Aurélio Silveiro , Lima Leandro Gregorut , Lourenço Juliana Dias , Moreira Alyne Riani , Barbosa Alexandre Póvoa , de Fátima Lopes Calvo Tibério Iolanda , Teodoro Walcy Rosolia , dos Santos Lopes Fernanda Degobbi Tenorio Quirino 
Published: April 2023

AbstractClinical studies demonstrate the impact of smoking on bone tissue fragility and higher incidence of fractures. However, it is not totally understood which physiological mechanisms could be involved in these events. Previously, we showed important changes in bone tissue components in experimental model of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure. CS exposure induces worsening in bone mineralization and a decrease in collagen type I deposition, leading to bone fragility. Considering that the majority of clinical studies described bone structural changes by radiographic images, in this study we performed analyses “in situ” using tissue samples from smokers, former smokers and non-smokers to better understand how the increase in inflammatory mediators induced by smoking exposure could interfere in bone cells activity leading bone structural changes. We observed increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in bone tissue homogenates with a concomitant increase in osteoblast apoptosis in smokers and former smokers compared with non-smokers. Histological changes in both smokers and former smokers were characterized by reduction in collagen type I. Only in smokers, it was observed decrease in trabecular area, suggesting increased bone resorption and increase in collagen type V. These results showed that osteoblasts apoptosis in association with increased bone resorption leads bone structural changes in smokers.
Psychopharmacological treatment of disruptive behavior in youths: systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Seok Ji-Woo , Soltis-Vaughan Brigette , Lew Brandon J. , Ahmad Aatiya , Blair R. J. R. , Hwang Soonjo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTo conduct a systematic review of the comparative efficacy of various psychotropic medications for the treatment of disruptive behavior (DBs) in youths. To this aim, we systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of various psychotropic medications targeting symptoms of DBs and applied network meta-analysis to investigate their relative efficacy. Fifty-five RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. To predict and interpret relative treatment efficacy, we compared the efficacy of various psychotropic medications prescribed for DB symptoms based on their mechanism of action. Network meta-analysis revealed that for reducing DBs, second-generation antipsychotics, stimulants, and non-stimulant ADHD medications were more efficacious than placebo, and second-generation antipsychotics were the most efficacious. The dopaminergic modulation of top-down inhibitory process by these medications is discussed in this review. This study offers information on the relative efficacy of various psychotropic medications for the treatment of DB, and insight into a potential neurobiological underpinning for those symptoms. It also illustrates the potential utility of these neurobiological mechanisms as a target for future treatment studies.
The prognostic value and immunological role of CD44 in pan-cancer study
Authors: Chen Shaoyong , Zhang Siqin , Chen Shaohua , Ma Fei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTo investigate the correlation between cluster of differentiation-44 (CD44) expression and immunotherapy response and identify its possible predictive value in pan-cancer. Datasets of 33 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were applied to investigate the relationship of CD44 expression with prognosis, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI), and determine its potential prognostic value in pan-cancer. Patients were split into high-risk and low-risk cancer groups based on the survival outcomes of various cancer types. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms of CD44 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were analyzed using ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Subsequently, the biological role of CD44 at single-cell level was investigated using CancerSEA database. Variable expression levels of CD44 between tumor and adjacent normal tissues were identified in pan-cancer datasets, further survival analysis revealed that CD44 expression was associated with multiple clinical annotations and survival indicators. Besides, the expression of CD44 was significantly associated with TMB and MSI in 10 types and 6 types of cancer, respectively, indicating it could be exploited as a potential biomarker predicting immunotherapy outcomes. Meanwhile, CD44 could influence several crucial immune cell-related pathways. and the results revealed by CancerSEA database denoted the correlation of CD44 with malignant phenotype and functional states, further indicating it can serve as a potential therapeutic target in cancer management. Our study demonstrated that CD44 shows great promise as a prognostic biomarker in numerous cancers, which will assist in developing new strategies in cancer management.
Change in skeletal muscle mass is associated with hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jo Ik Hyun , Song Do Seon , Chang U Im , Yang Jin Mo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sarcopenia is known. We aimed to determine the association between skeletal muscle mass changes and NAFLD status. This retrospective single-center study analyzed patients who underwent health screening twice between November 2009 and December 2017, with a temporal gap of 6 ± 0.5 years. The degree of sarcopenia was assessed using appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) adjusted for weight and body mass index (BMI). Changes in hepatic steatosis and fibrosis status were evaluated using noninvasive serum markers. Patients with a decrease in ASM/BMI (n = 353) had increased hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fatty liver index (FLI) scores during 6 years (p < 0.05). The baseline sarcopenia group had a greater elevation in NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) over 6 years than those without baseline sarcopenia. ASM changes over 6 years showed a negative correlation with variations in HSI (β = − 0.96 in ASM/Weight and -28.93 in ASM/BMI) and FLI (β = − 5.44 in ASM/Weight and − 167.12 in ASM/BMI). Subgroup analyses showed similar results according to sex and age. Sarcopenia may worsen steatosis and vice versa. Skeletal muscle status can be used to predict the course of NAFLD and establish individualized treatment strategies.
Prognostic value of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy for papillary thyroid cancer based on competitive risk model and propensity score matching
Authors: Zhou Jiani , Wu Chaoqun , Fan Shihong , Zhao Miaohui 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the impact of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) on the survival of patients with locally invasive papillary thyroid carcinoma. This retrospective study used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma, using Cox models to screen for adverse prognostic factors. The prognostic value of using adjuvant external beam radiotherapy in papillary thyroid carcinoma was further evaluated, based on the competing risk model and propensity score matching. Based on the competitive risk model, the sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR) of the multivariate analysis of patients receiving EBRT alone versus those receiving radioiodine-131 alone was 9.301 (95% CI 5.99–14.44) (P < 0.001), and the SHR of the univariate analysis was 1.97 (95% CI 1.03–3.78) (P = 0.042). In the propensity score-matched Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients who received EBRT still had worse OS (6-year OS, 59.62% vs 74.6%; P < 0.001) and DSS (6-year DSS, 66.6% vs 78.2%; P < 0.001) than patients who did not receive EBRT. Patients who received EBRT had a higher cumulative risk of death due to thyroid cancer after PSM (P < 0.001). Adjuvant EBRT was not associated with survival benefit in the initial management of locally invasive papillary thyroid cancer.
Binder-free NiO/CuO hybrid structure via ULPING (Ultra-short Laser Pulse for In-situ Nanostructure Generation) technique for supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Khot Mayuresh , Shaik Rahaman Sharif , Touseef Wania , Kiani Amirkianoosh 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDeveloping a cost-effective pseudocapacitor electrode manufacturing process incorporating binder-free, green synthesis methods and single-step fabrication is crucial in advancing supercapacitor research. This study aims to address this pressing issue and contribute to the ongoing efforts in the field by introducing ULPING (Ultra-short Laser Pulse for In-situ Nanostructure Generation) technique for effective design. Laser irradiation was conducted in ambient conditions to form a CuO/NiO hybrid structure providing a synergistic contribution to the electrical behavior of the electrode. Mainly, the effects of surface morphology and electrochemical surface because of tuning laser intensity were analyzed. The samples demonstrated high oxide formation, fiber generation, excellent porosity, and ease of ion accessibility. Owing to a less than 10-min binder-free fabrication method, the electrochemical performance of the as-fabricated electrode was 25.8 mC cm−2at a current density of 1 mA cm−2proved to be excellent. These excellent surface properties were possible by the simple working principle of pulsed laser irradiation in ambient conditions and smart tuning of the important laser parameters. The CuO/NiO electrode demonstrates excellent conductivity and rewarding cyclic stability of 83.33% after 8000 cycles. This study demonstrates the potential of the ULPING technique as a green and simple method for fabricating high-performance pseudocapacitor electrodes.
Membrane-induced tau amyloid fibrils
Authors: El Mammeri Nadia , Gampp Olivia , Duan Pu , Hong Mei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe intrinsically disordered protein tau aggregates into β-sheet amyloid fibrils that spread in human brains afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Tau interaction with lipid membranes might play a role in the formation and spreading of these pathological aggregates. Here we investigate the conformation and assembly of membrane-induced tau aggregates using solid-state NMR and transmission electron microscopy. A tau construct that encompasses the microtubule-binding repeats and a proline-rich domain is reconstituted into cholesterol-containing phospholipid membranes. 2D 13C-13C correlation spectra indicate that tau converted from a random coil to a β-sheet conformation over weeks. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) cause different equilibrium conformations from large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). Importantly, SUV-bound tau developed long fibrils that exhibit the characteristic β-sheet chemical shifts of Tyr310 in heparin-fibrillized tau. In comparison, LUVs and MLVs do not induce fibrils but cause different β-sheet aggregates. Lipid-protein correlation spectra indicate that these tau aggregates reside at the membrane-water interface, without inserting into the middle of the lipid bilayer. Removal of cholesterol from the SUVs abolished the fibrils, indicating that both membrane curvature and cholesterol are required for tau fibril formation. These results have implications for how lipid membranes might nucleate tau aggregates.
Metabolic cooperation between conspecific genotypic groups contributes to bacterial fitness
Authors: Lin Lin , Du Rubing , Wu Qun , Xu Yan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Microbial interactions are important for the survival of species and the stability of the microbial ecosystem. Although bacteria have diverse conspecific genotypes in the natural microbial ecosystem, little is known about whether wild-type strains within species would interact with each other and how the intraspecific interaction influences the growth of the species. In this work, using Lactobacillus acetotolerans, a dominant species with diverse conspecific genotypes in natural food fermentation ecosystems as a case, we studied the interactions between different genotypic groups of this species. In interspecific and intraspecific pairwise cocultures, the growth of L. acetotolerans decreased, but the increase of the phylogenetic similarity would reduce this negative effect, indicating a potential intraspecific interaction of this species. Meanwhile, the strain classification method affected the analysis of intraspecific interactions, which can be efficiently demonstrated using 99.5% average nucleotide identity (ANI) as the strain-level classification method. Using this ANI classification method, we revealed the population fitness significantly increased in cocultures of different genotypic groups. Facilitation involving 11 amino acids was identified between different ANI genotypic groups, which was beneficial for increasing population fitness. This work revealed that wild-type conspecific strains could interact with each other via cooperative metabolic changes and benefit each other to increase fitness. It shed new light on the survival and stability of species in natural microbial ecosystems.
Structural, vibrational, photoelectrochemical, and optical properties of two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite BA2PbI4 crystals
Authors: Du Aochen , Shen Debing , Zhao Wenxiao , Liu Yongzhen , Qin Xinzhi , Lin Zexi , Ye Yun , Chen Enguo , Xu Sheng , Guo Tailiang 
Published: April 2023

A two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite BA2PbI4 was systematically studied, including its crystal structure, microstructure, electronic structure, phonon dispersion, vibrational characteristics, etc.