bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SLC39A4 induces EMT and promotes triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation and migration by activating ERK signaling
Authors: Lian Weibin , Li Liangqiang , Yang Peidong , Chen Debo , Wang Chuan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Solute carrier family 39 member 4 (SLC39A4) has been reported as a proto-oncogene activated in various cancers. however, its role in breast cancer is unclear. Our study found that the expression of SLC39A4 is up-regulated in breast cancer, especially in basal-like subtype. High expression of SLC39A4 significantly correlated with a higher T stage, N stage, as well as shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Total intracellular zinc ion content in SLC39A4 over-expression group was significantly higher than that in the control group by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Knockdown of SLC39A4 significantly inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, the result of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and KEGG enrichment analysis suggest that knockdown of SLC39A4 affect MAPK signaling pathways in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell. We further confirm that SLC39A4 promotes TNBC cell proliferation and migration by activating ERK phosphorylation. Interestingly, SLC39A4 induces the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and can be reversed by ERK inhibitor. In addition, SLC39A4 expression in basal-like breast cancer was negatively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD8 + T cell, Macrophages, Neutrophils and Dendritic Cells, and was also negatively associated with the expression of immune checkpoint PD1 and PDL1. In summary, SLC39A4 induces the EMT and promotes proliferation and migration via the ERK signaling pathway in TNBC cells. SLC39A4 can serve as a novel predictive biomarker for prognosis and immune infiltration in TNBC.
Treatment Strategy for Acute Myocarditis in Pediatric Patients Requiring Emergency Intervention
Authors: Murakoshi Yuka , Hoshino Kenji 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Patients with acute myocarditis present with a wide range of symptoms. Treatment strategies for pediatric patients with circulatory failure comprise extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), emergency temporary pacing, and pharmacotherapy. However, they remain controversial. ECMO is an effective treatment but gives rise to several complications; the goal is therefore to avoid excessive treatment as much as possible. We aimed to evaluate the importance of electrocardiogram findings in differentiating severity and establish an appropriate treatment strategy in pediatric patients with acute myocarditis who required emergency interventions.
Methods: This retrospective study enrolled pediatric patients admitted to and treated in our hospital for acute myocarditis between April 1983 and December 2021. Patients were retrospectively divided into whether circulatory failure occurred (ECMO or temporary pacing was needed; emergency intervention group) or not (pharmacotherapy alone).
Results: Of the 26 pediatric patients, 11 experienced circulatory failure while 15 did not. In the circulatory failure group, six patients were treated with ECMO (ECMO group) and five patients with temporary pacing (pacing group). In the pacing group, all patients were diagnosed with complete and/or advanced atrioventricular block (CAVB and/or advanced AVB) and narrow QRS. Furthermore, these patients improved only with temporary pacing and pharmacotherapy, without requiring ECMO. Wide QRS complexes (QRS ≥ 0.12 ms) with ST-segment changes were detected on admission in five of six patients in the ECMO group and none in the pacing group (P=0.015). Although all patients in the ECMO group experienced complications, none did in the pacing group (P<0.008).
Conclusions: Regarding emergency intervention for acute myocarditis, ECMO or temporary pacing could be determined based on electrocardiogram findings, particularly wide QRS complexes with ST-segment changes on admission. It is important to promptly introduce ECMO in patients with wide QRS complexes with ST-segment changes, however, patients with CAVB and/or advanced AVB and narrow QRS could improve without undergoing ECMO. Therefore, excessive treatment should be avoided by separating ECMO from temporary pacing based on electrocardiogram findings on admission.
Longitudinal assessment of the relationship between frailty and social relationships among Japanese older adults: a random intercept cross-lagged panel model
Authors: Cui Mingyu , Jiao Dandan , Liu Yang , Zhu Yantong , Li Xiang , Zhu Zhu , Zhang Jinrui , Alpona Afsari , Wang Yanlin , Qian Meiling , Sawada Yuko , Miura Kumi Watanabe , Watanabe Taeko , Tanaka Emiko , Anme Tokie 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objectives
This study aimed to explore the bidirectional association between frailty and social relationships in older adults while distinguishing between interpersonal and intrapersonal effects.
Methods
A prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults was conducted in Japan in three waves spanning six years with follow-ups in every three years. Random intercept cross-lagged panel model was used to explore temporal associations between frailty and social relationships.
Results
Data for 520 participants (mean age 73.02 [SD 6.38] years, 56.7% women) were analyzed. Across individuals, frailty was associated with social relationships (β = -0.514, p < 0.001). At the interpersonal level, frailty was cross-sectionally associated with social relationships (β = -0.389–-0.273, p < 0.01). Moreover, social relationships were associated with subsequent increases in symptoms of frailty in all measurement waves (β = -0.332, p < 0.001; β = -0.169, p < 0.01) and vice versa (β = -0.149, p < 0.05; β = -0.292, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The results suggest a correlation between frailty and social relationships. Frailty improvement programs can be combined with interventions to enhance social relationships, which will be beneficial in preventing frailty. The results emphasize the importance of combining clinical treatments of frailty with interventions to improve social relationships.
Positive rate of wheat allergens in the Chinese allergic population: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Fengmei , Zhao Xinyi , Liu Wenfeng , Zhou Bo , Deng Lili , Chen Hongbing , Zhang Zhuo , Zhou Lin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
In recent years, the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased significantly, causing great concern, and wheat, as one of the top 8 food allergens, is a common allergy trigger. Nevertheless, re-liable estimates of the positivity rate of wheat allergens in the allergic population in China are still lacking. The systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the positive detection rate of wheat allergens in the Chinese allergic population and further provides a reference for the prevention of allergy.
Methods
CNKI, CQVIP, WAN-FANG DATA, Sino Med, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were retrieved. Related research and case reports about the positive rate of wheat allergen in the Chinese population published until June 2022 were searched, and me-ta-analysis was performed using Stata software. The pooled positive rate of wheat allergens and 95% confidence interval were calculated by random effect models, and the publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test. A total of 14 articles that met the inclusion criteria were finally included for evaluation.
Results
Meta-analysis results of the single group rate showed that the wheat allergen positivity detection rate in Chinese allergic patients was 7.48% (95% CI: 5.85%- 9.11%). Subgroup analysis showed that the positivity rate of wheat allergens was influenced by region, but hardly by age and assessment method. The positive rates of wheat allergy in the population with allergic diseases were 2.67% (95% CI: 0.86%-4.49%) and 12.68% (95% CI: 8.27%-17.10%) in southern and northern China, re-spectively. In particular, the positive rates of wheat allergens were greater than 10% in Shaanxi, Henan and Nei Mongo, all of which belong to the northern region.
Conclusions
These results suggest that wheat allergens are an important cause of sensitization in Chinese allergic populations, mainly in the northern allergic population. Therefore, attention should be paid to the early screening and effective prevention and treatment of high-risk groups.
Effects of letrozole on serum estradiol and estrone in postmenopausal breast cancer patients and tolerability of treatment: a prospective trial using a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) method for estrogen measurement
Authors: Faltinova Maria , Vehmanen Leena , Lyytinen Heli , Haanpää Mikko , Hämäläinen Esa , Tiitinen Aila , Blomqvist Carl , Mattson Johanna 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To analyze serum estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) during letrozole treatment and their association to Quality of life (QoL) and side-effects.
Methods
Postmenopausal breast cancer patients starting adjuvant letrozole were eligible. Serum samples were taken at baseline, three and 12 months. E2 and FSH were measured with routine chemiluminescent immunoassays. E2 and E1 were analyzed after trial completion with a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) with lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) of 5 pmol/L. QoL was measured at baseline and 12 months with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 and the Women`s Health questionnaires and menopause-related symptoms with the modified Kupperman Index.
Results
Of 100 screened patients 90 completed the trial. Baseline mean LC-MS/MS E2 and E1 were 12 pmol/L (range < 5–57) and 66 pmol/L (< 5–226), respectively. E2 levels measured by immunoassay and LC-MS/MS showed no correlation. E2 and E1 were completely suppressed by letrozole except for one occasion (E1 11 pmol/L at 3 months). Pain, side effects of systemic therapy, vasomotor symptoms, joint and muscle aches, and vaginal dryness increased during letrozole treatment. A high baseline E2 was significantly associated with increased aching joints and muscles, but not with the other side effects.
Conclusions
Letrozole supresses E2 and E1 completely below the LLOQ of the LC-MS/MS in postmenopausal women. High pre-treatment E2 levels were associated to more joint and muscle pain during letrozole. Automated immunoassays are unsuitable for E2 monitoring during letrozole therapy due to poor sensitivity.
Impact of the First Year of the COVID-19 on Unmet Healthcare Need Among New York City Adults: A Universal Healthcare Experiment
Authors: Carlson Madelyn , Romo Matthew L. , Kelvin Elizabeth A. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
We examined the impact of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on unmet healthcare need among New Yorkers and potential differences by race/ethnicity and health insurance. Data from the Community Health Survey, collected in 2018, 2019, and 2020, were merged to compare unmet healthcare need within the past 12 months during the pandemic versus the two years before the pandemic. Simple and multivariable logistic regression models evaluated change in unmet healthcare need overall. We assessed whether race/ethnicity or health insurance status modified the association. Overall, 12% of New Yorkers (N = 27,660) experienced unmet healthcare during the three-year period. In univariate and multivariate models, the first year of the pandemic was not associated with change in unmet healthcare need (OR = 1.04, p = 0.548; OR = 1.03, p = 0.699, respectively). No interaction between the first year of the pandemic and race/ethnicity (p-values range: 0.081–0.893) but there was significant interaction with health insurance status (interaction P = 0.009). Stratifying on health insurance status, those uninsured had borderline significant lower odds of unmet healthcare need during 2020 compared to the two years prior (OR = 0.72, p = 0.051) while those with insurance had a slight increase that was not significant (OR = 1.12, p = 0.143). Unmet healthcare need among New Yorkers during the first year of the pandemic did not differ significantly from the two years prior. Federal pandemic relief funding, which offered no-cost COVID-19 testing and care to all, irrespective of health insurance or legal status, may have helped equalized access to healthcare.
Novel Polypeptide Composite Fibrous Scaffold with Internal Chemical Boundary
Authors: Yang Shao-Jiun , Yu Tzu-Yi , Yu Jia-Shing , Huang Yu-Ching , Lin Meng-Fang , Su Wei-Fang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Cell migration determines the complete development of mammalian tissue and other pathological phenomena. To investigate the effect of chemical stimuli on such behavior, cells are triggered to translate by the concentration gradient of different molecules on 2D substrates in vitro. But to date unfortunately the polymeric scaffolds for cell migration in 3D environment with chemical stimuli have not been proposed and developed yet. Herein, a novel 3D composite scaffold with an internal chemical boundary is fabricated by electrospinning and mask-assisted electrospray so that the deposition of PBG-N3 particles is confined at specific area initially. The chemical boundary is subsequently formed after selective surface modification of the particles via click reaction. Using a fluorescent alkyne, the boundary of modified regions is clearly observed by fluorescence microscope. This innovative bio-material has the potential to serve as a promising scaffold for investigating the effect of chemical stimuli on cell migration and growth in 3D environment and further on to the application in tissue engineering.
Regionality in vector control: effect of fluctuating temperature in the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae to Pyriproxyfen
Authors: Moura¹ Lidia , Corbi Juliano José 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Using Pyriproxyfen to control Aedes aegypti populations shows great potential considering its high competence in low dosages and environmental safety. As an endocrine disruptor, temperature can interfere in its efficiency, related to a decrease in larval emergence inhibition in hotter environments. However, previous studies have been performed at constant temperatures in the laboratory, which may not precisely reflect the environmental conditions in the field. This study aimed to assess the effect of the fluctuating temperatures in pyriproxyfen efficiency on controlling Aedes aegypti larvae. We selected maximum and minimum temperatures from the Brazilian Meteorological Institute database from September to April for cities grouped by five regions. Five fluctuating temperatures (17–26; 20–28.5; 23–32.5; 23–30.5; 19.5–31 ºC) were applied to bioassays assessing Pyriproxyfen efficiency in preventing adult emergence in Aedes aegypti larvae in five concentrations. The proportion of emergence inhibition was compared among treatments and within treatment. In thermal conditions with the lowest temperatures, Pyriproxyfen was efficient to prevent the emergence of twice the larvae than in the hottest temperatures with the lowest concentration applied (average ± SD: 0.61 ± 0.09 in coldest treatment; average ± SD: 0.65 ± 0.12 in the hottest treatment, p value = 0.00015). The concentration that inhibits the emergence of 50% of the population was lower than that preconized by the World Health Organization (0.01 mg/L) in all treatments, except for the hottest temperatures, for which we estimated 0.010 mg/L (SD ± 0.017). Applying fluctuating temperatures in laboratory bioassays provides a more realistic result for vector surveillance strategies. For a country with continental proportions such as Brazil, considering regionalities is crucial for a rational use of insecticides.
A modified BG Sentinel trap equipped with FTA-card as a novel tool for mosquito-borne disease surveillance: a field test for flavivirus detection
Authors: Manzi Sara , Nelli Luca , Fortuna Claudia , Severini Francesco , Toma Luciano , Luca Marco Di , Michelutti Alice , Bertola Michela , Gradoni Francesco , Toniolo Federica , Sgubin Sofia , Lista Florigio , Pazienza Michele , Montarsi Fabrizio , Pombi Marco 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Early detection of pathogens in vectors is important in preventing the spread of arboviral diseases, providing a timely indicator of pathogen circulation before outbreaks occur. However, entomological surveillance may face logistical constraints, such as maintaining the cold chain, and resource limitations, such as the field and laboratory workload of mosquito processing. We propose an FTA card-based trapping system that aims to simplify both field and laboratory phases of arbovirus surveillance. We modified a BG-Sentinel trap to include a mosquito collection chamber and a sugar feeding source through an FTA card soaked in a long-lasting viscous solution of honey and hydroxy-cellulose hydrogel. The FTA card ensures environmental preservation of nucleic acids, allowing continuous collection and feeding activity of specimens for several days and reducing the effort required for viral detection. We tested the trap prototype during two field seasons (2019 and 2021) in North-eastern Italy and compared it to CDC-CO2 trapping applied in West Nile and Usutu virus regional surveillance. Collections by the BG-FTA approach detected high species diversity, including Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus, Culex modestus, Anopheles maculipennis sensu lato and Ochlerotatus caspius. When used for two-days sampling, the BG-FTA trap performed equally to CDC also for the WNV-major vector Cx. pipiens. The FTA-cards detected both WNV and USUV, confirming the reliability of this novel approach to detect viral circulation in infectious mosquitoes. We recommend this surveillance approach as a particularly useful alternative in multi-target surveillance, for sampling in remote areas and in contexts characterized by high mosquito densities and diversity.
In vivo human lacrimal gland imaging using an ultrasound biomicroscope
Authors: Jee Donghyun , Kim Min Seon , Kim Won Joon , Shin Min Chul , Kim Eun Chul , Kim Hyun Seung , Hwang Hosik 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: In the present study, we introduce human lacrimal gland imaging using an ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM) with a soft cover and show their findings
Methods: The representative UBM findings of palpebral lobes in seven subjects (4 with non-Sjögren dry eye syndrome, 1 with Sjögren syndrome, and 2 healthy subjects) were described in this study. To prolapse the palpebral lobe, the examiner pulled the temporal part of the upper eyelid in the superotemporal direction and directed the subject to look in the inferonasal direction. We scanned the palpebral lobes longitudinally and transversely using UBM. We used an Aviso UBM (Quantel Medical, Clermont-Ferrand, France) with a 50MHz linear probe and ClearScan.
Results: In UBM of two healthy subjects, the echogenicity of the lacrimal gland was lower than that of the sclera and homogeneous. But, the parenchyma of a patient with Sjögren dry eye syndrome was quite inhomogeneous compared to the healthy subjects. In two patients with dry eye syndrome, we were able to observe some lobules in the parenchyma. We could find excretory ducts running parallel at the surface of the longitudinal section in some subjects. In the longitudinal UBM scan of a subject, we observed a tubular structure at a depth of 1500 µm that was considered a blood vessel. It ran from the superonasal to the inferotemporal direction. In a subject, we observed a large cyst beneath the conjunctiva.
Conclusions: Lacrimal gland imaging using UBM has both advantages of OCT and sonography, and could be useful for evaluating dry eye syndrome.
Discriminating Orientation Information with Phase Consistency in Alpha and Beta Frequency Bands: An EEG Study
Authors: Chamazcoty Alireza Khadir , Ghamsari Shamim Sasani , Badri Samaneh , Beigzadeh Borhan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that noninvasive imaging methods (EEG, MEG) in the human brain scalp can decode the content of visual information in Visual-Working-Memory (VWM). Previous work demonstrated that with the sustained low-frequency Event-Related Potential (under 6 Hz) of scalp distributions, it is possible to decode the content of orientation information in the delay interval. However, it is unclear whether the orientation information is available in the phase values of the signal. In the present study, we suggest that the orientation information is also possibly accessible from the phase consistency of the occipital region in alpha band frequency. We show that the significant difference between orientations has occurred under 200 ms after stimulus offset in early visual sensory, while no effect is apparent in power and Event-related oscillation (ERO) in this region and periods. In addition, in later periods (400 – 500 ms after stimulus offset), a noticeable difference is evident in the phase consistency of the beta-band activity in the occipital area. Our results indicate that the phase consistency between trials of the orientation feature in the occipital alpha and beta-band can be a measurement to obtain orientation information in VWM.
Prevalence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 genomic alterations among 924 Taiwanese breast cancer assays with tumor-only targeted sequencing: extended data analysis from the VGH-TAYLOR study
Authors: Cheng Han-Fang , Tsai Yi-Fang , Liu Chun-Yu , Hsu Chih-Yi , Lien Pei-Ju , Lin Yen-Shu , Chao Ta-Chung , Lai Jiun-I , Feng Chin-Jung , Chen Yen-Jen , Chen Bo-Fang , Chiu Jen-Hwey , Tseng Ling-Ming , Huang Chi-Cheng 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway for DNA damage, particularly the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, has become a target for cancer therapy, with poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors showing significant outcomes in treating germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2) mutated breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that some patients with somatic BRCA1/2 (sBRCA1/2) mutation or mutations in HR-related genes other than BRCA1/2 may benefit from PARP inhibitors as well, particularly those with PALB2 mutations. The current analysis aims to evaluate the prevalence of genetic alterations specific to BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 in a large cohort of Taiwanese breast cancer patients through tumor-targeted sequencing.
Methods
A total of 924 consecutive assays from 879 Taiwanese breast cancer patients underwent tumor-targeted sequencing (Thermo Fisher Oncomine Comprehensive Assay v3). We evaluated BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 mutational profiles, with variants annotated and curated by the ClinVAR, the Oncomine™ Knowledgebase Reporter, and the OncoKB™.
Results
Among the 879 patients analyzed (924 assays), 130 had positive mutations in BRCA1 (3.1%), BRCA2 (8.6%), and PALB2 (5.2%), with a total of 14.8% having genetic alterations. Co-occurrence was noted between BRCA1/BRCA2, BRCA1/PALB2, and BRCA2/PALB2 mutations. In BRCA1-mutated assays, only p.K654fs was observed in three patients, while other variants were observed no more than twice. For BRCA2, p.N372H was the most common (26 patients), followed by p.S2186fs, p.V2466A, and p.X159_splice (5 times each). For PALB2, p.I887fs was the most common mutation (30 patients). This study identified 176 amino acid changes; 60.2% (106) were not documented in either ClinVAR or the the Oncomine™ Knowledgebase Reporter. Using the OncoKB™ for annotation, 171 (97.2%) were found to have clinical implications.
Conclusion
Our study depicted the mutational patterns of BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 in Taiwanese breast cancer patients through tumor-only sequencing. This highlights the growing importance of BRCA1/2 and PALB2 alterations in breast cancer susceptibility risk and the treatment of index patients. We also emphasized the need to meticulously annotate variants in cancer-driver genes as well as actionable mutations across multiple databases.