bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bisphenol A prevents MCF‐7 breast cell apoptosis via the inhibition of progesterone receptor transactivation
Authors: Ogawa Masahiro , Kitamoto Junya , Takeda Takeo , Terada Megumi 
Published: April 2023

Abstract2,2‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propane (bisphenol A; BPA) is an environmental endocrine‐disrupting chemical. It mimics the effects of estrogen at multiple levels by activating estrogen receptors (ERs); however, BPA also affects the proliferation of human breast cancer cells independent of ERs. Although BPA inhibits progesterone (P4) signaling, the toxicological significance of its effects remain unknown. Tripartite motif‐containing 22 (TRIM22) has been identified as a P4‐responsive and apoptosis‐related gene. Nevertheless, it has not yet been established whether exogenous chemicals change TRIM22 gene levels. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of BPA on P4 signaling and TRIM22 and TP53 expression in human breast carcinoma MCF‐7 cells. In MCF‐7 cells incubated with various concentrations of P4, TRIM22 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels increased in a dose‐dependent manner. P4 induced apoptosis and decreased viability in MCF‐7 cells. The knockdown of TRIM22 abolished P4‐induced decreases in cell viability and P4‐induced apoptosis. P4 increased TP53 mRNA expression and p53 knockdown decrease the basal level of TRIM22 and P4 increased TRIM22 mRNA expression independent of p53 expression. BPA attenuated P4‐induced increases in the ratio of cell apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent manner, and the P4‐induced decreases in cell viability was abolished in the presence of 100 nM and higher BPA concentrations. Furthermore, BPA inhibited P4‐induced TRIM22 and TP53 expression. In conclusion, BPA inhibited P4‐induced apoptosis in MCF‐7 cells via the inhibition of P4 receptor transactivation. TRIM22 gene has potential as a biomarker for investigating the disruption of P4 signaling by chemicals.
Exploring how naturally occurring mentorships emerge within a Mexican cultural context
Authors: Baker Cervantes Aaron Stewart , Jiménez Tiffeny R. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNatural youth mentoring focuses on cross‐age relationships that develop organically outside the construct of youth programs. In the United States, research has demonstrated the positive impact of these mentorships and scholars have applied natural concepts to formal mentoring schema. Little work has been done to examine how these relationships emerge and the factors that impact their development. This study, designed in partnership with a school in rural México, aimed to unpack these questions using grounded theory. Participants were students, alumni, and teachers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Findings indicate that despite adults' interest to create mentorships, adolescents and emerging adults will likely not be receptive until they are cognitively and emotionally ready. This study illuminated three factors of readiness—inhibitors, promoters, and activators—which contribute to this state of readiness at which point engagement with an adult seems to elevate from the typical bounds of youth–adult relationships to the natural mentorship level.
A Retrospective Cohort Study Examining the Effects of Anti‐PD‐1 Antibody in Combination with Apatinib in Patients Previously Treated for Her2‐Negative Advanced Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Authors: Hou Xin‐Fang , Zhang Xin‐Xin , Li Shuai , Wu Chen , Chen Xiao‐Bing 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCombining immune checkpoint inhibitors with vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors is effective in treating a number of solid tumors; however, evidence in advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer is limited. This retrospective study included consecutive patients who received a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) inhibitor plus the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor apatinib, second‐line or later to treat unresectable advanced or metastatic, histologically proven, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative G/GEJ cancer in a single center between November 1, 2018, and March 31, 2021. Treatment was continued until the disease progressed or the toxicity became intolerable. We examined data from 52 patients. The primary tumor site was the stomach in 29 patients and the GEJ in 23 patients. PD‐1 inhibitors administered included camrelizumab (n = 28), sintilimab (n = 18), pembrolizumab (n = 3), and tislelizumab (n = 1), and all patients were given 200 mg every 3 weeks, and toripalimab (240 mg every 3 weeks) and nivolumab (200 mg every 2 weeks) were given to 1 patient each. For 28 days, apatinib 250 mg was administered orally once a day. The objective response rate was 15.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9‐28.1), and the disease control rate was 61.5% (95%CI, 47.0‐74.7). After 14.8 months of median follow‐up, the median progression‐free survival was 4.2 months (95%CI, 2.6‐4.8), and the overall survival was 9.3 months (95%CI, 7.9‐12.9). Twelve patients underwent grade 3‐4 treatment‐related adverse events (23.1%). There was no unexpected toxicity or death. This trial demonstrated combination therapy with an anti–PD‐1 antibody and apatinib was effective and safe in patients with previously treated unresectable advanced or metastatic G/GEJ cancer.
Effect of konjac oligo‐glucomannan on emulsifying properties of myofibrillar protein
Authors: Duan Ziqiang , Wang Yuntao , Yu Xiao , Wu Nan , Pang Jie , Bai Yanhong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe high viscosity of konjac glumannan (KGM) limits its application in meat processing. In this work, the effects of konjac oligo‐glucomannan (KOG), as a derivative of KGM, on the emulsifying properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) and the related mechanism were investigated.RESULTSIt was found that the addition of KOG had no significant effect on the secondary structure of MP, but altered the tertiary conformation of MP, resulting in exposure of tyrosine residues to polar microenvironments and decreased intrinsic fluorescence intensity. In addition, the addition of KOG increased the emulsifying activity of MP, resulting in decreased particle size and improved physical stability of the emulsion. The emulsifying activity of MP reached the maximum value when 1.0 wt% KOG was added. Moreover, the interfacial tension and interfacially adsorbed protein content of MP/KOG emulsions decreased with the increase in KOG concentration.CONCLUSIONThese findings demonstrated that KOG mainly interacted with MP and changed the amphipathy of the KOG‐MP at the oil–water interface, forming a stable interface film to improve the emulsifying properties of MP. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
A new insight into the biosynthesis, structure, and functionality of waxy maize starch under drought stress
Authors: Wu Wenhao , Zhong Yuyue , Liu Yilin , Xu Renyuan , Zhang Xudong , Liu Na , Guo Dongwei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDDrought stress (DS) is the main abiotic stress that maize suffers during its whole growth period, and maize is also sensitive to DS. It had been demonstrated that DS could improve the quality of normal maize starch. However, waxy maize, which has special properties, has not been explored in depth, which limits the breeding and cultivation of waxy maize varieties and the application of waxy maize starch. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of DS on the biosynthesis, structure, and functionality of waxy maize starch.RESULTSThe results showed that DS decreased the expression level of SSIIb, SSIIIa, GBSSIIa, SBEI, SBEIIb, ISAII, and PUL, but increased the expression level of SSI and SBEIIa. DS did not change the average chain length of amylopectin, while increased the relative content of fa chains (RCfa) and decreased the RCfb1 and RCfb3. Furthermore, DS decreased the amylose content, amorphous lamellar distance da, semi‐crystalline repeat distance, and average particle size, whereas it increased the relative crystallinity, crystalline distance dc, the content of rapidly digested starch in the uncooked system and resistant starch content in both the uncooked and cooked system.ConclusionsFor waxy maize, DS could raise the relative expression level of SSI and SBEIIa, thus increasing RCfa. The larger number of RCfa could create steric hindrance, which can lead to producing more resistant starch in waxy maize starch. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Improved functional status in patients undergoing cement and rebar reconstruction with total hip arthroplasty for uncontained metastatic tumors of the acetabulum
Authors: Mittal Ashish , Tamer Pierre , Shapton John , Morse Lee J. , Jang Eugene S. , Fang Andrew S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveMetastatic cancer of the acetabulum can produce marked pain and disability for patients. Several reconstruction techniques for such lesions have been described, with variable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine functional outcomes and complication rate for patients undergoing cement rebar reconstruction using posterior column screws with total hip arthroplasty for large, uncontained lesions of the acetabulum.MethodsTwenty‐two consecutive patients who underwent cement rebar reconstruction with posterior column screws and total hip arthroplasty for metastatic tumors of the acetabulum between 2014 and 2017 were identified. All cases were reviewed for patient demographics, surgical parameters, implant survival, complications, and functional status following these procedures.ResultsThere was a significant increase in the proportion of patients able to ambulate post‐surgery (95.5%) compared with presurgery (22.7%) (p < 0.001). Mean musculoskeletal tumor society score postoperatively was 17.9 (60%). Average operative time was 174 min and average estimated blood loss was 689 mL. Seven patients required an intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion. Three patients had postoperative complications (14%), two of whom required revision (9%).ConclusionReconstruction using cement rebar with posterior column screws and total hip arthroplasty is a safe, reproducible approach that may greatly improve functional outcomes with a low rate of intraoperative or postoperative complications.
Preoperative glucose in surgical oncology patient is not associated with postoperative outcomes after adjustment for frailty
Authors: Huang Alex , Tin Amy L. , Vickers Andrew J. , Shahrokni Armin , Flory James 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundObservational studies have shown associations between even small elevations in preoperative glucose and poorer outcomes, including increased length of stay (LOS) and higher mortality. This has led to calls for aggressive glycemic control in the preoperative period, including delay of treatment until glucose is reduced. However, it is not known whether there is a direct causal effect of blood glucose or whether adverse outcomes result from overall poorer health in patients with higher glucose.MethodsAnalysis was performed using a retrospective database of patients aged 65 and older who underwent cancer surgery. The last measured preoperative glucose was the exposure variable. The primary outcome was extended LOS (>4 days). Secondary outcomes included mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), major postoperative complications during the admission period, and readmission within 30 days. The primary analysis was a logistic regression with prespecified covariates: age, sex, surgical service, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering‐Frailty Index. In an exploratory analysis, lasso regression was used to select covariates from a list of 4160 candidate variables.ResultsThis study included 3796 patients with a median preoperative glucose of 104 mg/dL (interquartile range: 93–125). Higher preoperative glucose was univariately associated with increased odds of LOS > 4 days (odds ratio [OR]: 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.73), with similar results for AKI, readmission, and mortality. Adjustment for confounders eliminated these associations for LOS (OR: 0.97 [95% CI: 0.80–1.18]) and attenuated all other glucose‐outcome associations. Lasso regression gave comparable results to the primary analysis. Using the upper bound of the respective 95% confidence interval, we estimated that, at best, successful reduction of elevated preoperative glucose would reduce the risk of LOS > 4 days, 30‐day major complication, and 30‐day mortality by 4%, 0.5%, and 1.3%, respectively.ConclusionsPoor outcomes following cancer surgery in older adults with elevated glucose are most likely related to poorer overall health in these patients rather than a direct causal effect of glucose. Aggressive glycemic management in the preoperative period has very limited potential benefits and is therefore unwarranted.
High‐Density Surface Electromyography for Swallowing Evaluation in Post‐Radiation Dysphagia
Authors: Leung Karman Ka Ying , Fong Raymond , Zhu Mingxing , Li Guanglin , Chan Jason Ying Kuen , Stewart Michael , Ku Peter Ka Ming , Lee Kathy Yuet Sheung , Tong Michael Chi Fai 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesOur study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using high‐density surface electromyography (HD‐sEMG) for swallowing assessment by comparing the quantitative parameters and topographic patterns of HD‐sEMG between post‐irradiated patients and healthy individuals.MethodsTen healthy volunteers and ten post‐irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were recruited. 96‐channel HD‐sEMG was recorded although each participant consumed different consistencies of food (thin and thick liquid, puree, congee, and soft rice). Dynamic topography was generated from the root mean square (RMS) of the HD‐sEMG signals to illustrate the anterior neck muscle function in the swallowing process. The averaged power of muscles and the symmetry of swallowing patterns were assessed by objective parameters including average RMS, Left/Right Energy Ratio, and Left/Right Energy Difference.ResultsThe study showed different swallowing patterns between patients with dysphagia and healthy individuals. The mean RMS values were higher in the patient group compared to the healthy group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Asymmetrical patterns were shown in patients with dysphagia.ConclusionHD‐sEMG is a promising technique that could be used to quantitatively evaluate the average power of neck muscles and the symmetry of swallowing activities in patients with swallowing difficulties.Level of EvidenceLevel 3 Laryngoscope, 133:2920–2928, 2023
Biobased Polyamide 4,36 Thermoplastic Elastomer and its Cellulose Nanocomposites
Authors: Nurhamiyah Yeyen , Chen Biqiong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe search for fossil fuel‐based polymer alternatives has attracted significant attention over the past few decades. A biobased polyamide elastomer, namely PA4,36, is synthesized through a facile polycondensation of fatty acid‐based monomer and 1,4‐butanediamine. The chemical structure and molecular weight distribution of the polymer are characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. PA4,36 displays a medium hardness (Shore A/Shore D = 97/50), a high stretchability (1116%), ease of melt processing, and hydrophobicity. The introduction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to the elastomer reduces the melting temperature and crystallization temperature due to the disturbance of CNCs on polymer crystallization, and influences its thermal degradation. It improves the glass transition temperature by up to 5.1 °C because of the restriction of the molecular mobility of the polymer by CNCs. It increases the storage modulus significantly from 1.5 GPa at 25 °C for neat PA4,36, to up to 10.8 GPa for the nanocomposite with 10 wt.% CNCs. The biobased elastomer and its CNC nanocomposites can be promising alternatives to some fossil fuel‐based elastomers with medium hardness.
A projection‐domain correction method in CBCT reconstruction for head and neck radiotherapy using cycle‐GAN and nonlocal means filter
Authors: Wei Ran , Liu Yuxiang , Chen Xinyuan , Zhu Ji , Yang Bining , Men Kuo , Dai Jianrong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn radiation treatments for head and neck tumors, cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is employed for patient positioning and dose calculation of adaptive radiotherapy. However, the quality of CBCT is degraded by the scatter and noise, majorly impacting the accuracy of patient positioning and dose calculation.PurposeTo improve the quality of CBCT for patients with head and neck cancer, a projection‐domain CBCT correction method was proposed using a cycle‐consistent generative adversarial network (cycle‐GAN) and a nonlocal means filter (NLMF) based on a reference digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR).MethodsA cycle‐GAN was initially trained to learn mapping from CBCT projections to a DRR using the data obtained from 30 patients. For each patient, 671 CBCT projections were measured for CBCT reconstruction. Moreover, 360 Digital Reconstructed Radiographs (DRR) were computed from each patient's planning computed tomography (CT), whose projection angles ranged from 0° to 359° with an interval of 1°. By applying the trained generator of the cycle‐GAN to the unseen CBCT projection, a synthetic DRR with considerably less scatter was obtained. However, annular artifacts were observed in the CBCT reconstructed with synthetic DRR. To address this issue, a NLMF based on reference DRR was used to further correct the synthetic DRR, which corrected the synthetic DRR using the calculated DRR as a reference image. Finally, the CBCT with no annular artifact and little noise was reconstructed with the corrected synthetic DRR. The proposed method was tested using the data of six patients. The corrected synthetic DRR and CBCT were compared with the corresponding real DRR and CT images. The structural preservation ability of the proposed method was evaluated using the Dice coefficients of the automatically extracted nasal cavity. Moreover, the image quality of CBCT corrected with the proposed method was objectively assessed with an five‐point human scoring system and compared with CT, original CBCT and CBCT corrected with other strategies.ResultsThe mean absolute value (MAE) of the relative error between the corrected synthetic and real DRR was <8%. The MAE between the corrected CBCT and corresponding CT was <30 HU. Moreover, the Dice coefficient of nasal cavity between the corrected CBCT image and the original image exceeded 98.8 for all the patients. Last but not least, the objective assessment of image quality showed the proposed method had an average score of 4.2 in overall image quality, which was higher than that of the original CBCT, CBCT reconstructed with synthetic DRR, and CBCT reconstructed with projections filtered with NLMF only.ConclusionsThe proposed method can considerably improve the CBCT image quality with little anatomical distortion, improving the accuracy of radiotherapy for head and neck patients.
Multiplatform untargeted metabolomics
Authors: Jeppesen Micah J. , Powers Robert 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMetabolomics samples like human urine or serum contain upwards of a few thousand metabolites, but individual analytical techniques can only characterize a few hundred metabolites at best. The uncertainty in metabolite identification commonly encountered in untargeted metabolomics adds to this low coverage problem. A multiplatform (multiple analytical techniques) approach can improve upon the number of metabolites reliably detected and correctly assigned. This can be further improved by applying synergistic sample preparation along with the use of combinatorial or sequential non‐destructive and destructive techniques. Similarly, peak detection and metabolite identification strategies that employ multiple probabilistic approaches have led to better annotation decisions. Applying these techniques also addresses the issues of reproducibility found in single platform methods. Nevertheless, the analysis of large data sets from disparate analytical techniques presents unique challenges. While the general data processing workflow is similar across multiple platforms, many software packages are only fully capable of processing data types from a single analytical instrument. Traditional statistical methods such as principal component analysis were not designed to handle multiple, distinct data sets. Instead, multivariate analysis requires multiblock or other model types for understanding the contribution from multiple instruments. This review summarizes the advantages, limitations, and recent achievements of a multiplatform approach to untargeted metabolomics.
Macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and therapeutic effects in critically ill patients with SARS‐CoV‐2: A narrative review
Authors: Huang Yingxiao , Li Priscilla , Lew Charles Chin Han 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundCOVID‐19 can lead to critical illness and induce hypermetabolism, protein catabolism, and inflammation. These pathological processes may alter energy and protein requirements, and certain micronutrients may attenuate the associated detriments. This narrative review summarizes the macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and therapeutic effects in critically ill patients with SARS‐CoV‐2.MethodsWe searched four databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and studies that measured macronutrient and micronutrient requirements, published from February 2020 to September 2022.ResultsTen articles reported on energy and protein requirements, and five articles reported the therapeutic effects of ω‐3 (n = 1), group B vitamins (n = 1), and vitamin C (n = 3). Patients’ resting energy expenditure gradually increased with time, measuring approximately 20 kcal/kg body weight (BW), 25 kcal/kg BW, and 30 kcal/kg BW for the first, second, and third week onwards, respectively. Patients remained in negative nitrogen balances in the first week, and a protein intake of ≥1.5 g/kg BW may be necessary to achieve nitrogen equilibrium. Preliminary evidence suggests that ω‐3 fatty acids may protect against renal and respiratory impairments. The therapeutic effects of group B vitamins and vitamin C cannot be ascertained, although intravenous vitamin C appears promising in reducing mortality and inflammation.ConclusionThere are no RCTs to guide the optimal dose of energy and protein in critically ill patients with SARS‐CoV‐2. Additional larger‐scale, well‐designed RCTs are needed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of ω‐3, group B vitamins, and vitamin C.