bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics analysis of potential hub genes associated with biological characteristics and survival in patients with gastric cancer*
Authors: Feng Libo , Yu Liu , Chen Xiaolong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious threat to human health. In this study, we aimed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and identify potential targets for the treatment of GC.

Methods
The gene expression profile of GSE79973 which compared tissue samples from gastric cancer patients and healthy individuals, downloaded from the GEO database, was submitted to the GCBI online analysis platform to screen for DEGs. Gene ontology (GO) analysis, pathway analysis, and construction of networks, including gene signal and gene co-expression networks, were performed to identify the core DEGs. Survival analysis was performed to determine the relationship between these genes and patient survival time.

Results
Nine hundred eighty-three genes were identified as DEGs (P < 0.001; FC > 2). GO analysis showed that DEGs were primarily involved in processes such as angiogenesis, cell metabolism, cell adhesion, redox processes, and cell migration. The metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, ECM-receptor interaction, drug metabolism by cytochrome P450, metabolic pathways, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were significantly enriched in pathway analysis. Genes such as UGT2B15, Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Nidogen-2 (NID2), Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1), and Inhibin beta A chain (INHBA) were closely linked to other genes in the network. Survival analyses indicated that HGF, NID2, FSTL1, and INHBA expression levels were inversely correlated with survival time in patients with gastric cancer.

Conclusion

HGF, NID2, FSTL1, and INHBA may be potential key genes associated with the biological characteristics and survival in patients with gastric cancer.
CEA levels predict tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer*
Authors: Shen Lili , Li Chao , Wang Jingwen , Fan Jin , Zhu Ji 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the prediction of pathological complete response (pCR) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

Methods
A total of 925 LARC patients who underwent nCRT followed by TME between March 2006 and February 2018 were enrolled at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Using logistic regression models, we investigated the associations between serum CEA levels and pathological complete remission (pCR). Further stratified analyses were performed according to different CEA thresholds.

Results
We found that pre-nCRT CEA and post-nCRT CEA were negatively correlated with pCR (P < 0.001). Stratified analyses revealed that when the CEA cutoff value was set to 5 ng/mL, 10.6% of patients with post-nCRT CEA levels > 5 ng/mL achieved pCR. Meanwhile, when the CEA cutoff value was set to 10 ng/mL, only 6.8% of the patients with post-nCRT CEA levels > 10 ng/mL achieved pCR.

Conclusion
In summary, pre- and post-nCRT CEA levels ≤ 5 ng/mL were favorable predictors of pCR in LACR patients, and the “watch and wait” strategy is not recommended for patients with post-nCRT CEA levels > 10 ng/mL.
Automatic delineation of organs at risk in non-small cell lung cancer radiotherapy based on deep learning networks*
Authors: Yang Anning , Lu Na , Jiang Huayong , Chen Diandian , Yu Yanjun , Wang Yadi , Wang Qiusheng , Zhang Fuli 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To introduce an end-to-end automatic segmentation method for organs at risk (OARs) in chest computed tomography (CT) images based on dense connection deep learning and to provide an accurate auto-segmentation model to reduce the workload on radiation oncologists.

Methods
CT images of 36 lung cancer cases were included in this study. Of these, 27 cases were randomly selected as the training set, six cases as the validation set, and nine cases as the testing set. The left and right lungs, cord, and heart were auto-segmented, and the training time was set to approximately 5 h. The testing set was evaluated using geometric metrics including the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95), and average surface distance (ASD). Thereafter, two sets of treatment plans were optimized based on manually contoured OARs and automatically contoured OARs, respectively. Dosimetric parameters including Dmax and Vx of the OARs were obtained and compared.

Results
The proposed model was superior to U-Net in terms of the DSC, HD95, and ASD, although there was no significant difference in the segmentation results yielded by both networks (P > 0.05). Compared to manual segmentation, auto-segmentation significantly reduced the segmentation time by nearly 40.7% (P < 0.05). Moreover, the differences in dose-volume parameters between the two sets of plans were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
The bilateral lung, cord, and heart could be accurately delineated using the DenseNet-based deep learning method. Thus, feature map reuse can be a novel approach to medical image auto-segmentation.
Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors*
Authors: Liang Donghong , Niu Zhennan , Sun Xiaofang , Meng Changjuan , Liu Zhuang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms (RNENs).

Methods
We enrolled 168 patients with RNENs as the research object, and their clinicopathological and survival data were collected. The risk factors affecting lymph node metastasis were analyzed retrospectively, and independent risk factors affecting prognosis were evaluated.

Results
Analysis showed that age, tumor diameter, tumor function, grade, and T stage were correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that tumor size, grade, and T stage were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients with RNENs. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients with lymph node metastasis was 40.0% (10/25), and that of patients without lymph node metastasis was 93.0% (133/143). The prognosis of RNENs patients with lymph node metastasis along with patients with large tumor diameter and high grade was poor. Cox multivariate analysis showed that tumor diameter (HR = 1.985, P = 0.008), grade (HR = 3.416, P = 0.004), T stage (HR = 2.413, P = 0.014), and lymph node metastasis (HR = 3.119, P = 0.000) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with RNENs.

Conclusion
Tumor size, grade, and T stage are the main risk factors for lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with RNENs. These risk factors should be fully evaluated before surgery.
Differential centrifugation enhances the anti-tumor immune effect of tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell vaccine against glioblastoma*
Authors: Liu Xiaojin , Qi Yiwei , Hu Feng , Shu Kai , Lei Ting 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to improve the antitumor immunocompetence of a tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cell (DC) vaccine through differential centrifugation and provide a theoretical basis for its clinical application in glioblastoma.

Methods
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted using Ficoll-Paque PLUS and induced into mature DCs in vitro with a cytokine cocktail. The modified tumor lysate was generated by differential centrifugation. The maturity markers of DCs in each group, namely the modified tumor lysate, tumor lysate, and negative and positive control groups, were assessed using flow cytometry. Furthermore, their ability to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and in vitro antitumor effects were assessed using Cell Trace TM CFSE. IFN-γ secretion levels were measured with ELISA. Intracellular reactive oxygen species were measured using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) staining. The results were statistically analyzed using an unpaired Student’s t-test and were considered significant at P < 0.05.

Results
Compared with tumor lysate-pulsed DCs, modified tumor lysate-pulsed DCs had a higher expression of maturity markers: CD1a (7.38 ± 0.53% vs. 4.47 ± 0.75%) and CD83 (19.81 ± 4.09% vs. 9.64 ± 1.50%), were better capable of stimulating lymphocyte proliferation [proliferation index (PI): 8.54 ± 0.16 vs. 7.35 ± 0.05], secreting IFN-γ, and inducing stronger in-vitro cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) cytotoxicity against glioblastoma cells. In addition, we found that the level of ROS in modified tumor lysate-pulsed DCs was lower than that in tumor lysate-pulsed DCs.

Conclusion
Differential centrifugation of tumor lysates can improve the antitumor immunocompetence of DC vaccines, and reactive oxygen species may be the key to affecting DC function in the whole tumor lysate.
Allosteric probe-modified liposome loading bufalin-fluorouracil complex for targeted colorectal cancer therapy*
Authors: Mao Fajiang , Wu Xingli , Yuan Chenyue , Huang Haiyan , Qiu Yanyan , Ren Jianlin , Yin Peihao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Bufalin, the main active anti-tumor monomer of toad venom, is crucial in cancer treatment. However, intrinsic issues, such as poor solubility and systematic toxicity, have considerably mitigated its anticancer functions and caused unwanted side effects. It is essential to develop innovative targeting systems to precisely and efficiently deliver anticancer drugs to achieve satisfying therapeutic efficiency.

Methods
This work established a novel and more efficient system for simultaneously detecting and killing colorectal cancer cells. The proposed method designed two allosteric probes, a report probe and a recognize probe. The method exhibited high sensitivity towards cell detection via the recognizing probe identifying target cancer cells and the report probe’s signal report. Combining bufalin and fluorouracil endowed better tumor cell inhibition.

Results
We observed significantly enhanced fluorescence dots surrounding the HCT-116 cell membranes. No fluorescence increments in the other three cells were identified, indicating that the established liposome complex could specifically bind with target cells. In addition, the best ratio of bufalin to fluorouracil was 0.15 and 0.5, respectively. This improved the anti-tumor effects and achieved more than 60% tumor cell inhibition.

Conclusion
This method will provide new opportunities for intracellular biomolecule detection and targeted cancer cell therapy.
Gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma with paraneoplastic eosinophilia: A case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Shuguo , Wang Haixia , Sui Ping , Han Bo 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
We report the case of a 40-year-old female Chinese patient with gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma that was first diagnosed because of paraneoplastic eosinophilia. The patient’s eosinophil count reduced markedly to normal levels within 24 h after radical gastrectomy and Billroth II anastomosis. The patient recovered well after the surgery and no abnormalities were found during the regular follow-ups. Paraneoplastic eosinophilia is an unusual manifestation that usually remains asymptomatic; moreover, cases of solid malignant tumors with eosinophilia are uncommon. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of paraneoplastic eosinophilia in a patient with gastric carcinoma. We considered eosinophilia as a manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome, which can be the first clinical manifestation of a malignancy.
Role of miRNA-21 in radiation-induced heart disease
Authors: Fan Zhijie , Daba Motuma Yigezu , Xiao Lingyan , Yuan Xianglin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a potentially fatal clinical complication of chest radiotherapy (RT). RIHD is detrimental to the long-term health of post-RT survivors and limits the dose and intensity of RT required to effectively kill tumor cells. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, non-coding, single-stranded, small molecular RNAs that regulate gene expression and participate in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and disease development. MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21) has become one of the most intensively studied miRNAs in the fields of cancer and cardiovascular disease in recent years. miRNA-21 plays an important role in RIHD progression. This article reviews the origin and function of miRNA-21 in the cardiovascular system and its role in RIHD pathogenesis. In addition, the potential role of miRNA-21 as a new target for predicting and treating RIHD is also discussed.
The usefulness of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in white stork censusing
Authors: Tobółka Marcin , Aguirre José I. , Dylewski Łukasz , López-García Alejandro , Martínez Rodrigo Gimeno , Zbyryt Adam 
Published: June 2023

AbstractUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are effective and often noninvasive tools successfully used in bird monitoring. However, when handling long-term data in the context of population changes, the consistency of methods over time is essential as the method-related bias may lead to wrong conclusions. In two distinct populations of white storkCiconia ciconia,in Poland and Spain, we compared two censusing methods: traditional observation by a human from the ground and using UAV. We recorded the number of recorded fledglings, the time needed to obtain this information, and the number of detected breeding pairs in colonies. We investigated 57 and 117 nests in Poland and Spain, respectively. In Poland and Spain, the number of fledglings was significantly lower when recorded by human observer than by UAV, i.e., 2.21 vs. 2.60 and 1.35 vs. 1.55. The probability of mistakenly recording the number of fledglings by the observer was significantly lower in colonial white storks in Spain than in solitary nesting in Poland. The mean time needed to record the number of fledglings was significantly longer when using a UAV than by a human observer in both populations. The mean number of detected nests in colonies in Spain differed significantly between the human observer and UAV, 13.1 vs. 7.4, respectively. The difference between human and UAV in recorded pairs was higher when colonies were on trees than on human-made structures. We conclude that introducing UAVs in long-term studies may affect the results and should be performed cautiously.
A one-sided love affair? On the potential for a coalition between degrowth and community-supported agriculture in Germany
Authors: Spanier Julia , Guerrero Lara Leonie , Feola Giuseppe 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCommunity-supported agriculture (CSA) is a grassroots response to the threat the global industrial agri-food system poses to smallholders. The degrowth community, calling for a radical transformation away from the environmentally destructive and socially unjust primacy of economic growth in current societies, has started to pay tribute to CSA, commonly considering it an embodiment of degrowth ideas. However, the CSA movement does not reciprocate the interest of the degrowth community. This article therefore undertakes a systematic analysis of the potential for a coalition between CSA and degrowth in Germany. We draw on social movement theories to compare both movements’ ideological and strategic alignment, as well as the conducive and/or hindering factors for coalition building. We find that the ideologies and political strategies of the two movements are not aligned, which manifests in their main frames and action repertoires, among other areas, which are articulated at different levels of abstraction; CSA has a practical focus on the safeguarding of smallholder agriculture, while degrowth more abstractly centres on the growth-dependent economy. Scarce resources, differing forms of internal organisation, and a lack of knowledge about degrowth on the side of CSA represent further obstacles to entering a coalition. At the same time, our analysis shows existing social ties and an initial ideological alignment between the CSA movement and sufficiency-oriented degrowth. We conclude that, despite prevailing differences, the two movements seem complementary, and that entering a coalition would bring with it the benefits of combining practice- and discourse-driven social change.
Differential tissue regulation of nrf2/keap1 crosstalk in response to Aeromonas infection in Nile tilapia: a comparative study
Authors: Elbialy Zizy I. , Salah Abdullah S. , Elsheshtawy Ahmed , Elkatatny Nasema M. , Fouad Alamira Marzouk , Abo-Al-Ela Haitham G. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The antioxidant and detoxification systems involve intricate pathways in which nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) play pivotal roles. In the basal state, reactive oxygen species are generated and neutralized in a balanced manner. However, stressors can disrupt this equilibrium, resulting in oxidative stress and cellular damage. In this study, we analyzed the expression of nrf2 and keap1 in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under homeostasis and challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila. During homeostasis, the predominant expression of nrf2 was observed in the liver, blood, muscle, gut, and gills, while keap1 was highly expressed in the brain, liver, blood, spleen, eye, head kidney, and gills. After the challenge, the spleen demonstrated the highest keap1 expression, while the liver displayed the highest nrf2 levels among the tissues examined. Apparently, our findings suggest that the spleen may be susceptible to initial damage following infection, leading to the manifestation of the first lesion. This susceptibility could be attributed to the spleen’s high expression of keap1, acting as a negative regulator of nrf2. Notably, a positive correlation was observed between nrf2 and keap1 expression in several tissues, with the strongest association observed in the blood, gills, and head kidney under both normal and inflammatory conditions. Our findings indicate that blood may serve as a crucial mediator of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in tissues like the liver and gut during normal and inflammatory states. By shedding light on the altered expression and correlation of nrf2 and keap1 in various tissues, this study elucidates their potential connection to antioxidant and immune responses, as well as the pathological features of A. hydrophila infection.
The Yet Underestimated Importance of Communicating Findings from Educational Trials to Teachers, Schools, School Authorities, or Policy Makers (Comment on Brady et al. (2023))
Authors: Zitzmann Steffen , Machts Nils , Hübner Nicolas , Schauber Stefan , Möller Jens , Lindner Christoph 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis article is a comment on Brady et al. (Educational Psychology Review 35:36–37, 2023) with which we largely agree. We add to this important discussion by pointing to the underestimated importance of communicating findings to stakeholders, which is important because recommendations are derived from them, and a correct understanding is essential for stakeholders to evaluate the usefulness of recommendations and strengthen stakeholders’ beliefs in their added value. Moreover, we suggest that in addition to an effect size, responder rates may be communicated so that stakeholders can better understand the consequences of implementing a treatment.
Feeding Infants: Choice-Specific Considerations, Parental Obligation, and Pragmatic Satisficing
Authors: Moriarty Clare Marie , Davies Ben 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Health institutions recommend that young infants be exclusively breastfed on demand, and it is widely held that parents who can breastfeed have an obligation to do so. This has been challenged in recent philosophical work, especially by Fiona Woollard. Woollard’s work critically engages with two distinct views of parental obligation that might ground such an obligation—based on maximal benefit and avoidance of significant harm—to reject an obligation to breastfeed. While agreeing with Woollard’s substantive conclusion, this paper (drawing on philosophical discussion of the ‘right to rear’) argues that there are several more moderate views of parental obligation which might also be thought to ground parental obligation. We first show that an obligation to breastfeed might result not from a general obligation to maximally benefit one’s child, but from what we call ‘choice-specific’ obligations to maximise benefit within particular activities. We then develop this idea through two views of parental obligation—the Dual Interest view, and the Best Custodian view—to ground an obligation to exclusively breastfeed on demand, before showing how both these more moderate views fail. Finally, we argue that not only is there no general obligation to breastfeed children, but that it is often morally right not to do so. Since much advice from health institutions on this issue implies that exclusive breastfeeding on demand is the best option for all families, our argument drives the feeding debate forward by showing that this advice often misrepresents parents’ moral obligations in potentially harmful ways.
A mosaic pathogenic variant in MSH6 causes MSH6-deficient colorectal and endometrial cancer in a patient classified as suspected Lynch syndrome: a case report
Authors: Walker Romy , Clendenning Mark , Joo Jihoon E. , Xue Jessie , Mahmood Khalid , Georgeson Peter , Como Julia , Joseland Sharelle , Preston Susan G. , Chan James M. , Jenkins Mark A. , Rosty Christophe , Macrae Finlay A. , Di Palma Stephanie , Campbell Ainsley , Winship Ingrid M. , Buchanan Daniel D. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGermline pathogenic variants in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (Lynch syndrome) predispose to colorectal (CRC) and endometrial (EC) cancer. However, mosaic variants in the MMR genes have been rarely described. We identified a likely de novo mosaic MSH6:c.1135_1139del p.Arg379* pathogenic variant in a patient diagnosed with suspected Lynch syndrome/Lynch-like syndrome. The patient developed MSH6-deficient EC and CRC at 54 and 58 years of age, respectively, without a detectable germline MMR pathogenic variant. Multigene panel sequencing of tumor and blood-derived DNA identified an MSH6 somatic mutation (MSH6:c.1135_1139del p.Arg379*) common to both the EC and CRC, raising suspicion of mosaicism. A droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay detected the MSH6 variant at 5.34% frequency in normal colonic tissue, 3.49% in saliva and 1.64% in blood DNA, demonstrating the presence of the MSH6 variant in all three germ layers. This study highlights the utility of tumor sequencing to guide sensitive ddPCR testing to detect low-level mosaicism in the MMR genes. Further investigation of the prevalence of MMR mosaicism is needed to inform routine diagnostic approaches and genetic counselling.