bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information theoretic measures of causal influences during transient neural events
Authors: Shao Kaidi , Logothetis Nikos K. , Besserve Michel 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Transient phenomena play a key role in coordinating brain activity at multiple scales, however their underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. A key challenge for neural data science is thus to characterize the network interactions at play during these events.Methods: Using the formalism of Structural Causal Models and their graphical representation, we investigate the theoretical and empirical properties of Information Theory based causal strength measures in the context of recurring spontaneous transient events.Results: After showing the limitations of Transfer Entropy and Dynamic Causal Strength in this setting, we introduce a novel measure, relative Dynamic Causal Strength, and provide theoretical and empirical support for its benefits.Discussion: These methods are applied to simulated and experimentally recorded neural time series and provide results in agreement with our current understanding of the underlying brain circuits.
Identification of miRNAs regulating MAPT expression and their analysis in plasma of patients with dementia
Authors: Piscopo Paola , Grasso Margherita , Manzini Valeria , Zeni Andrea , Castelluzzo Michele , Fontana Francesca , Talarico Giuseppina , Castellano Anna Elisa , Rivabene Roberto , Crestini Alessio , Bruno Giuseppe , Ricci Leonardo , Denti Michela A. 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundDementia is one of the most common diseases in elderly people and hundreds of thousand new cases per year of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are estimated. While the recent decade has seen significant advances in the development of novel biomarkers to identify dementias at their early stage, a great effort has been recently made to identify biomarkers able to improve differential diagnosis. However, only few potential candidates, mainly detectable in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been described so far.MethodsWe searched for miRNAs regulating MAPT translation. We employed a capture technology able to find the miRNAs directly bound to the MAPT transcript in cell lines. Afterwards, we evaluated the levels of these miRNAs in plasma samples from FTD (n = 42) and AD patients (n = 33) and relative healthy controls (HCs) (n = 42) by using qRT-PCR.ResultsFirstly, we found all miRNAs that interact with the MAPT transcript. Ten miRNAs have been selected to verify their effect on Tau levels increasing or reducing miRNA levels by using cell transfections with plasmids expressing the miRNAs genes or LNA antagomiRs. Following the results obtained, miR-92a-3p, miR-320a and miR-320b were selected to analyse their levels in plasma samples of patients with FTD and AD respect to HCs. The analysis showed that the miR-92a-1-3p was under-expressed in both AD and FTD compared to HCs. Moreover, miR-320a was upregulated in FTD vs. AD patients, particularly in men when we stratified by sex. Respect to HC, the only difference is showed in men with AD who have reduced levels of this miRNA. Instead, miR-320b is up-regulated in both dementias, but only patients with FTD maintain this trend in both genders.ConclusionsOur results seem to identify miR-92a-3p and miR-320a as possible good biomarkers to discriminate AD from HC, while miR-320b to discriminate FTD from HC, particularly in males. Combining three miRNAs improves the accuracy only in females, particularly for differential diagnosis (FTD vs. AD) and to distinguish FTD from HC.
An updated catalog of CTCF variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes
Authors: Price Emma , Fedida Liron M. , Pugacheva Elena M. , Ji Yon J. , Loukinov Dmitri , Lobanenkov Victor V. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionCTCF-related disorder (CRD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) caused by monoallelic pathogenic variants in CTCF. The first CTCF variants in CRD cases were documented in 2013. To date, 76 CTCF variants have been further described in the literature. In recent years, due to the increased application of next-generation sequencing (NGS), growing numbers of CTCF variants are being identified, and multiple genotype-phenotype databases cataloging such variants are emerging.MethodsIn this study, we aimed to expand the genotypic spectrum of CRD, by cataloging NDD phenotypes associated with reported CTCF variants. Here, we systematically reviewed all known CTCF variants reported in case studies and large-scale exome sequencing cohorts. We also conducted a meta-analysis using public variant data from genotype-phenotype databases to identify additional CTCF variants, which we then curated and annotated.ResultsFrom this combined approach, we report an additional 86 CTCF variants associated with NDD phenotypes that have not yet been described in the literature. Furthermore, we describe and explain inconsistencies in the quality of reported variants, which impairs the reuse of data for research of NDDs and other pathologies.DiscussionFrom this integrated analysis, we provide a comprehensive and annotated catalog of all currently known CTCF mutations associated with NDD phenotypes, to aid diagnostic applications, as well as translational and basic research.
Low body mass index is associated with diminished plasma cytokines and chemokines in both active and latent tuberculosis
Authors: Kumar Nathella Pavan , Nancy Arul P. , Moideen Kadar , Menon Pradeep A. , Banurekha Vaithilingam V. , Nair Dina , Nott Sujatha , Babu Subash 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionLow body mass index (BMI) is a major risk factor for tuberculosis (PTB). Low BMI can impair the immune system and thus might affect TB incidence.MethodsWe examined the plasma levels of Type 1, Type 17, pro-inflammatory, Type 2 and regulatory cytokines and CC and CXC chemokines in PTB and latent TB (LTB) individuals with low BMI (LBMI) or normal BMI (NBMI).ResultsOur data show that PTB is associated with significantly lower levels of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-12, IL-4 and IL-5 cytokines but significantly higher levels of IL-10, TGFβ and GM-CSF in LBMI compared to NBMI. Similarly, PTB is also associated with significantly lower levels of CCL2, CCL3, CCL11, CXCL1, CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokines in LBMI compared to NBMI. Our data reveals that LTB is associated with significantly lower levels of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2, IL1β, IL-12, IL-13 cytokines but significantly higher levels of IL-10, TGFβ, IL-4 and IL-22 in LBMI compared to NBMI. Similarly, LTB is also associated with significantly lower levels of CCL2, CXCL1, CXCL9 and CXCL10 and significantly higher levels of CCL1, CCL3, and CCL4 in LBMI compared to NBMI.ConclusionThus, LBMI has a major impact on the cytokine and chemokine milieu of both PTB and LTB and might predispose to the increased risk of tuberculosis by this immunomodulatory effect.
Clinical utility of geriatric assessment tools in older patients with gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Doi Ayako , Mizukami Takuro , Takeda Hiroyuki , Umemoto Kumiko , Arai Hiroyuki , Horie Yoshiki , Izawa Naoki , Ogura Takashi , Sunakawa Yu 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundGeriatric 8 (G8) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are recommended to predict overall survival (OS) or risk of serious adverse events (SAEs) in older cancer patients. However, the clinical utility is relatively unknown in older patients suffering malnutrition with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, including gastric cancer (GC) and pancreatic cancer (PC).Materials and methodsWe retrospectively included patients aged ≥65 years with GC, PC, and colorectal cancer (CRC) who received a G8 questionnaire at first visit from April 2018 to March 2020. The associations between G8/IADL and safety or OS were assessed in patients with advanced/unresectable tumors.ResultsOf 207 patients (median age: 75 years), the median G8 score was 10.5 and normal G8 score rate was 6.8%. Both the median G8 score and normal G8 (&gt;14) score rate numerically increased in the order of GC &lt; PC &lt; CRC. There was no clear association between the G8 standard cutoff value of 14 and SAEs or OS. However, OS was significantly longer in patients with G8 &gt;11 than in those with G8 ≤11 (19.3 vs. 10.5 months, p = 0.0017). Furthermore, OS was significantly better in patients with normal IADL than in those with abnormal IADL (17.6 vs. 11.4 months, p = 0.049).ConclusionThe G8 cutoff value of 14 would not be clinically useful in patients with GI cancer for predicting OS or SAEs; however, the cutoff value of 11 and IADL may be useful to predict OS for older patients with GI cancers including GC and PC.
Gasless submental-transoral combined approach endoscopic thyroidectomy: a new surgical technique
Authors: Jiang Jinxi , He Gaofei , Chu Junjie , Li Jianbo , Lu Xiaoxiao , Jiang Xianfeng , Xie Lei , Gao Li , Zhang Deguang 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe development of transoral endoscopic vestibular approach thyroidectomy (TOETVA) has been limited by inherent defects, such as mental nerve injury and carbon dioxide (CO2)-related complications. Herein, we proposed a new technique without CO2 called gasless submental-transoral combined approach endoscopic thyroidectomy (STET) to solve the problems in TOETVA.MethodsWe reviewed 75 patients who successfully underwent gasless STET using novel instruments at our institution from November 2020 to November 2021. A main incision of approximately 2 cm was made in the natural submental crease line and then combined with two vestibule incisions to complete the procedure. Demographic data, surgical technique and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively recorded.ResultsThirteen male and sixty-two female patients with a mean age of 34.0 ± 8.1 years were enrolled in this study. Sixty-eight patients had papillary thyroid carcinomas and seven had benign nodules. We successfully performed all gasless STET without conversion to open surgery. The average postoperative hospital stay was 4.2 ± 1.8 days. One transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and two transient hypoparathyroidisms were observed. Three patients complained of slight lower lip numbness on the first postoperative day. One case of lymphatic fistula, subcutaneous effusion, and incision swelling occurred each, all of which were conservatively cured. One patient developed a recurrence six months after surgery.ConclusionsGasless STET using our own designed suspension system is technically safe and feasible with reasonable operative and oncologic results.
Immunotherapy for ocular melanoma: a bibliometric and visualization analysis from 1991 to 2022
Authors: Tan Yao , Lu Yijie , Chen Sheng , Zou Chang , Qin Bo 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundIn recent years, new therapeutic options to overcome the mechanisms of tumor immune suppression be effective in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma. These approaches have also been applied in ocular melanoma. The aim of this study is to present the current status and research hotspots of immunotherapy for ocular melanoma from a bibliometric perspective and to explore the field of immunotherapy for malignant ocular melanoma research.MethodsIn this study, the Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC) and Pubmed were selected to search the literature related to immunotherapy of ocular melanoma. Using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, the R package “bibliometrix,” and the bibliometric online platform through the construction and visualization of bibliometric networks, the country/region, institution, journal, author, and keywords were analyzed to predict the most recent trends in research pertaining to ocular melanoma and immunotherapy.ResultsA total of 401 papers and 144 reviews related to immunotherapy of ocular melanoma were included. The United States is the main driver of research in the field, ranking first in terms of the number of publications, total citations, and H-index. The UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM is the most active institution, contributing the most papers. Jager, Martine is the most prolific author, and Carvajal, Richard is the most frequently cited author. CANCERS is the most published journal in the field and J CLIN ONCOL is the most cited journal. In addition to ocular melanoma and immunotherapy, the most popular keywords were “uveal melanoma” and “targeted therapy”. According to keyword co-occurrence and burst analysis, uveal melanoma, immunotherapy, melanoma, metastases, bap1, tebentafusp, bioinformatics, conjunctival melanoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and other research topics appear to be at the forefront of this field’s research and have the potential to remain a hot research topic in the future.ConclusionThis is the first bibliometric study in the last 30 years to comprehensively map the knowledge structure and trends in the field of research related to ocular melanoma and immunotherapy. The results comprehensively summarize and identify research frontiers for scholars studying immunotherapy associated with ocular melanoma.
IL-22BP controls the progression of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Giannou Anastasios D. , Kempski Jan , Zhang Tao , Lücke Jöran , Shiri Ahmad Mustafa , Zazara Dimitra E. , Belios Ioannis , Machicote Andres , Seeger Philipp , Agalioti Theodora , Tintelnot Joseph , Sagebiel Adrian , Tomczak Miriam , Bauditz Lennart , Bedke Tanja , Kocheise Lorenz , Mercanoglu Baris , Fard-Aghaie Mohammad , Giorgakis Emmanouil , Lykoudis Panagis M. , Pikouli Anastasia , Grass Julia-Kristin , Wahib Ramez , Bardenhagen Jan , Brunswig Benjamin , Heumann Asmus , Ghadban Tarik , Duprée Anna , Tachezy Michael , Melling Nathaniel , Arck Petra C. , Stringa Pablo , Gentilini Maria Virginia , Gondolesi Gabriel E. , Nakano Ryosuke , Thomson Angus W. , Perez Daniel , Li Jun , Mann Oliver , Izbicki Jakob R. , Gagliani Nicola , Maroulis Ioannis C. , Huber Samuel 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe immune system plays a pivotal role in cancer progression. Interleukin 22 binding protein (IL-22BP), a natural antagonist of the cytokine interleukin 22 (IL-22) has been shown to control the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of IL-22BP in the process of metastasis formation remains unknown.MethodsWe used two different murine in vivo metastasis models using the MC38 and LLC cancer cell lines and studied lung and liver metastasis formation after intracaecal or intrasplenic injection of cancer cells. Furthermore, IL22BP expression was measured in a clinical cohort of CRC patients and correlated with metastatic tumor stages.ResultsOur data indicate that low levels of IL-22BP are associated with advanced (metastatic) tumor stages in colorectal cancer. Using two different murine in vivo models we show that IL-22BP indeed controls the progression of liver but not lung metastasis in mice.ConclusionsWe here demonstrate a crucial role of IL-22BP in controlling metastasis progression. Thus, IL-22 might represent a future therapeutic target against the progression of metastatic CRC.
Case Report: Should Regorafenib be prescribed as a continuous schedule in gastrointestinal stromal tumors? Three case reports on Regorafenib personalized schedule
Authors: Grimaudo Maria Susanna , Laffi Alice , Gennaro Nicolò , Fazio Roberta , D’Orazio Federico , Samà Laura , Siracusano Licia Vanessa , Sicoli Federico , Renne Salvatore Lorenzo , Santoro Armando , Bertuzzi Alexia Francesca 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionRegorafenib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved in metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), colorectal cancer, and hepatocarcinoma. Anyway, the toxicity profile of Regorafenib standard schedule is associated with poor compliance and a high rate of discontinuation. For this reason, there is a growing need for a Regorafenib personalized schedule emerging from the scientific community.ObjectiveThe aim of this case series was to describe the experience of our sarcoma referral center with the continuous administration of Regorafenib as an alternative regimen to treat metastatic GIST patients.MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinical, pathological, and radiological data of patients with metastatic GIST treated with daily personalized Regorafenib at a single tertiary referral center from May 2021 to December 2022.ResultsWe identified three patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The average follow-up since the start of Regorafenib was 19.1 months (12–25 months). All three patients had started a standard third-line Regorafenib schedule according to guidelines. The reasons for switching to a continuous schedule were as follows: exacerbation of symptoms during week-off treatment in the first patient, a serious adverse event (AE) in the second patient, and a combination of both conditions in the third. After switching, none of the patients reported severe AEs, and they improved control of tumor-related symptoms. Two of the patients experienced disease progression after 16 months (9 months of which is continuous schedule) and 12 months (8.1 months of which is continuous schedule) of Regorafenib, respectively; the third patient is still receiving continuous Regorafenib at the time of writing, with a progression-free survival of 25 months (14 months after the modified schedule start).ConclusionWith a similar efficacy and lower toxicities, a daily, personalized Regorafenib schedule seems to be a promising alternative to the standard regimen for metastatic GIST patients, including the frail ones. Further prospective analyses are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of such regimen.
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) in combination provide greater suppression of mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha) than either crop alone
Authors: Shen Shicai , Xu Gaofeng , Ma Guangzong , Li Diyu , Yang Shaosong , Jin Guimei , Clements David Roy , Chen Aidong , Wen Lina , Cui Yuchen , Chuan Li , Zhang Fudou , Liu Bo 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionIn natural systems, diverse plant communities tend to prevent a single species from dominating. Similarly, management of invasive alien plants may be achieved through various combinations of competing species.MethodsWe used a de Wit replacement series to compare different combinations of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam), hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) and mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha Kunth) through measures of photosynthesis, plant growth, nutrient levels in plant tissue and soil, and competitive ability.ResultsCultured alone sweet potato and hyacinth beans exhibited higher total biomass, leafstalk length, and leaf area than mile-a-minute. In mixed culture, either sweet potato or hyacinth bean or both together significantly suppressed the mile-a-minute parameters, i.e., plant height, branch, leaf, adventitious root, and biomass (P&lt;0.05). Based on a significantly lower than 1.0 relative yield of the three plant species in mixed culture, we showed intraspecific competition to be less than interspecific competition. Calculated indices (relative yield, relative yield total, competitive balance index, and change in contribution) demonstrated a higher competitive ability and higher influence of either crop compared to mile-a-minute. The presence of sweet potato and hyacinth bean, especially with both species in combination, significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05) mile-a-minute’s net photosynthetic rate (Pn), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde), chlorophyll content, and nutrient content (N, P, and K). In soil with mile-a-minute in monoculture soil organic matter, total and available N, total and available K, and available P were significantly greater (P&lt;0.05) than in soil with sweet potato grown in monoculture, but less than in soil with hyacinth bean grown in monoculture soil. Nutrient soil content was comparatively reduced for plant mixtures. Plant height, leaf, biomass, Pn, antioxidant enzyme activities, and plant and soil nutrient contents of sweet potato and hyacinth bean tended to be much greater when grown with two crops compared to in mixture with just sweet potato or hyacinth bean.DiscussionOur results suggest that the competitive abilities of both sweet potato and hyacinth bean were greater than that of mile-a-minute, and also that mile-a-minute suppression was significantly improved via a combination of the two crops compared to either sweet potato or hyacinth bean alone.
Optimizing sowing patterns in winter wheat can reduce N2O emissions and improve grain yield and NUE by enhancing N uptake
Authors: Zhang Xiu , Liu Manyu , Zheng Feina , Dong Yuanjie , Hua Yifan , Chu Jinpeng , He Mingrong , Dai Xinglong 
Published: May 2023

Increasing nitrogen (N) input is essential to satisfy the rising global wheat demand, but this increases nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, thereby exacerbating global climate change. Higher yields accompanied by reduced N2O emissions are essential to synergistically reduce greenhouse warming and ensure global food security. In this study, we conducted a trial using two sowing patterns (conventional drilling sowing [CD] and wide belt sowing [WB], with seedling belt widths of 2–3 and 8–10 cm, respectively) with four N rates (0, 168, 240, and 312 kg ha-1, hereafter N0, N168, N240, and N312, respectively) during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 growing seasons. We investigated the impacts of growing season, sowing pattern, and N rate on N2O emissions, N2O emissions factors (EFs), global warming potential (GWP), yield-scaled N2O emissions, grain yield, N use efficiency (NUE), plant N uptake and soil inorganic N concentrations at jointing, anthesis, and maturity. The results showed that sowing pattern and N rate interactions influenced the N2O emissions markedly. Compared to CD, WB significantly reduced cumulative N2O emissions, N2O EFs, GWP, and yield-scaled N2O emissions for N168, N240, and N312, with the largest reduction seen at N312. Furthermore, WB markedly improved plant N uptake and reduced soil inorganic N compared to CD at each N rate. Correlation analyses indicated that WB mitigated the N2O emissions at various N rates mainly through efficient N uptake and reduced soil inorganic N. The highest grain yield occurred under a combination of WB and N312, under which the yield-scaled N2O emissions were equal to the local management (sowing with CD at N240). In conclusion, WB sowing could synergistically decrease N2O emissions and obtain high grain yields and NUEs, especially at higher N rates.