bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field Suppresses Growth and Reduces Multi-drug Resistance Effect in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Szlasa Wojciech , Michel Olga , Sauer Natalia , Novickij Vitalij , Lewandowski Damian , Kasperkiewicz Paulina , Tarek Mounir , Saczko Jolanta , Kulbacka Julita 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) have been shown to exert anticancer effects; however, little is known about the mechanisms triggered in cancer cells by nanosecond-length pulses, especially when low, sub-permeabilization voltage is used. In this study, three human pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with nsPEF and molecular changes at the cellular level were analyzed. Further, we assessed the efficacy of paclitaxel chemotherapy following nsPEF treatment and correlated that with the changes in the expression of multi-drug resistance (MDR) proteins. Finally, we examined the influence of nsPEF on the adhesive properties of cancer cells as well as the formation and growth of pancreatic cancer spheroids.
Cell line response differed with the application of a 200 ns, 100 pulses, 8 kV/cm, 10 kHz PEF treatment. PEF treatment led to 1) the release of microvesicles (MV) in EPP85-181RDB cells, 2) electropermeabilization in EPP85-181RNOV cells and 3) cell shrinkage in EPP85-181P cells. The release of MV’s in EPP85-181RDB cells reduced the membrane content of P-gp and LRP, leading to a transient increase in vulnerability of the cells towards paclitaxel. In all cell lines we observed an initial reduction in size of the cancer spheroids after the nsPEF treatment. Cell line EPP85-181RNOV exhibited a permanent reduction in the spheroid size after nsPEF.
We propose a mechanism in which the surface tension of the membrane, regulated by the organization of actin fibers, modulates the response of cancer cells towards nsPEF. When a membrane’s surface tension remains low, we observed some cells form protrusions and release MVs containing MDR proteins. In contrast, when cell surface tension remains high, the cell membrane is being electroporated. The latter effect may be responsible for the reduced tumor growth following nsPEF treatment.
Molecular imaging of fibroblast activation in multiple non-ischemic cardiomyopathies
Authors: Wang Jingnan , Huo Li , Lin Xue , Fang Ligang , Hacker Marcus. , Niu Na , Li Xiang 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This pilot study aimed to evaluate the in vivo fibroblast activation in non-ischemic cardiomyopathies by 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT.
Methods
29 consecutive patients with symptomatic non-ischemic cardiomyopathies who underwent 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT was prospectively recruited. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were recorded. Cardiac uptake was quantified by standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVR) and left ventricular metabolism volume (LVMV). The relationship between 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake with clinical and echocardiography parameters was investigated.
Results
Heterogenous 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake was observed in different subtypes of non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. 22 (75.9%) patients showed elevated 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake in the left ventricle and 10 (34.5%) patients also showed slightly diffuse elevated uptake in the right ventricle. Cardiac uptake values were significantly correlated with enlarged ventricular volume evaluated by echocardiography.
Conclusion
FAPI PET/CT presents a potential value for in vivo visualization and quantification of fibroblast activation on the molecular level. Further study is warranted for investigating the theranostic and prognostic value of elevated FAP signal.
Surgical Outcomes of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair with and without Azygos Vein Preservation. A comparative Study
Authors: Daboos Mohammad , Aboukifa Amin , Gouda Samir , Badawey Refaat , Salama Ahmed , Hussein. Mohamed 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Since the Azygos vein is a functional important part of the venous system in the human body, it is rational to recommend preserving this vein during surgery for esophageal atresia. Benefits from preserving this vein, make this modification more favorable in future surgical principles. The aim of this study to report the benefits of Azygos vein preservation during the surgery for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA&TEF), highlighting the advantages in terms of, prevention of anastomotic leak, survival rate and other post-operative outcomes.
Patients and methods
The study included all neonates with esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA&TEF), admitted at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Al-Azhar University between April 2020 to January 2023, 32 cases were reviewed prospectively for azygos vein preservation during TEF repair; and were compared with the randomly selected 32 cases of Azygos vein disconnection.
Results
The two groups were comparable in respect to sex, weight, prematurity, associated anomalies, Spitz classification, operative time and distance between the pouches after mobilization. Anastomotic leak occurred in 2 case (6.2%) in Group A and 6 cases (18.7%) in Group B, pneumonitis occurred in 4 cases of group A and 16 cases in group B. There were two mortalities in Group A. and there were 8 cases of mortality in Group B due to sever pneumonitis and sepsis.
Conclusion
Preservation of Azygos vein resulted in significant reduction in the number of mortality, pneumonitis and leak. We propose that preservation of the Azygos vein is very important and valuable modification of the current surgical procedure.
A coding variant in SULT1A2 gene: association with obesity and dyslipidemia in southern Chinese adults
Authors: Lv Hai-Yan , Shi Guifeng , Li Cai , Ye Ya-Fei , Chen Ya-Hong , Chen Li-Hua , Tung Tao-Hsin , Zhang Meixian 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
A coding variant rs1059491 in the SULT1A2 gene has been reported to be associated with childhood obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association of rs1059491 with risk of obesity and cardiometabolic abnormalities in adults.
Methods
This case-control study included 226 normal weight, 168 overweight and 72 obese adults who underwent a health examination in Taizhou, China. Genotyping of SULT1A2 rs1059491 was performed by Sanger sequencing.
Results
The minor allele frequency of rs1059491 in the overweight combined obesity and control group was 0.0292 and 0.0686, respectively. No differences in weight and body mass index were detected between TT genotype and GT + GG genotype under the dominant model, but levels of serum triglyceride was significantly lower in G-allele carriers than non-G-allele carriers (1.02 (0.74–1.32) vs. 1.35 (0.83–2.13) mmol/L, P = 0.011). The GT + GG genotype of rs1059491 versus TT genotype reduced the risk of overweight and obesity by 54% (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.22–0.96, P = 0.037) after adjusted for sex and age. Similar results were observed for hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.08–0.74, P = 0.013) and dyslipidemia (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.17–0.83, P = 0.015).
Conclusion
This study revealed that the coding variant rs1059491 is associated with decreased risk of obesity and dyslipidemia in southern Chinese adults. More studies are needed to validate the association in other populations and its underlying mechanisms.
Near-infrared simultaneous measurement of temperature and flow fields of a thermal plume arising in water
Authors: Nguyen The-Anh , Kondo Katsuya , Hanada Kyohei , Kakuta Naoto 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

This study presents a method for the simultaneous measurement of three-dimensional (3D) temperature and flow fields in water where a thermal plume arises from a small heat source. This method is based on the near-infrared (NIR) absorption imaging with a two-orthogonal-direction telecentric system at a wavelength of 1150 nm. The acquired images of each direction were separated into the absorbance images corresponding to the temperature field and the particle shadow images through a background subtraction method. To the absorbance images of the two directions, a non-axisymmetric inverse Abel transform was applied in order to reconstruct the 3D temperature fields. The temperature was determined using the temperature dependence of the absorption coefficient of water at the wavelength. The 3D flow fields were obtained by applying the particle shadow tracking velocimetry (PSTV) that consisted of particle identification, track interpolation, and particle 3D matching to the particle shadow images. The results demonstrated the 3D transient temperature profiles within the plume and the effect of forced flow on its growth direction. At the same time, the PSTV indicated that the trajectories were consistent with the mixed convection field, which was verified by numerical simulation.
Let-7a/cMyc/CCAT-1/miR-17-5p Circuit Modulates PDL-1 Expression and Atezolizumab Resistance in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Selem Noha A. , Nafae Heba , Manie Tamer , Youness Rana Ahmed , Gad Mohamed Z. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an immunogenically hot tumor. The immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) have been recently emerged as promising therapeutic candidates for several malignancies including TNBC. Yet, the development of innate and/or adaptive resistance by TNBC patients towards ICBs such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors (e.g. Atezolizumab) shed the light on importance of identifying the underlying mechanisms regulating PD-L1 in TNBC. Recently, it was reported that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) perform a fundamental role in regulating PD-L1 expression in TNBC. Hence, this study aims to explore a novel ncRNA axis tuning PD-L1 in TNBC patients and investigate its possible involvement in fighting Atezolizumab resistance.
Methods
In-silico screening was executed to identify ncRNAs that could eventually target PD-L1. Screening of PD-L1 and the nominated ncRNAs (miR-17-5p, let-7a and CCAT1 lncRNA) was performed in BC tissues and cell lines. Ectopic expression and/or knockdown of respective ncRNAs were done in MDA-MB-231 cells. Viability, migration and clonogenic capacities were evaluated using MTT, scratch assay and colony-forming ability, respectively.
Results
PD-L1 was upregulated in BC patients, especially in TNBC patients. PD-L1 is positively associated with lymph node metastasis and high Ki-67 in recruited BC patients. Let-7a and miR-17-5p were nominated as potential regulators of PD-L1. Ectopic expression of let-7a and miR-17-5p caused a noticeable reduction in PD-L1 levels in TNBC cells. In order to investigate the whole ceRNA circuit regulating PD-L1 in TNBC, intensive bioinformatic studies were performed. The lncRNA, Colon Cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT1), was reported to target PD-L1 regulating miRNAs. Results showed that CCAT1 is an upregulated oncogenic lncRNA in TNBC patients/cell lines. CCAT1 siRNAs induced a noticeable reduction in PD-L1 levels and a marked increase in miR-17-5p level, building up a novel regulatory axis CCAT1/miR-17-5p/PD-L1 in TNBC cells that was tuned by the let-7a/c-Myc engine. On the functional level, co-treatment of CCAT-1 siRNAs and let-7a mimics efficiently relieved Atezolizumab resistance in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Conclusion
The present study revealed a novel PD-L1 regulatory axis via targeting let-7a/c-Myc/CCAT/miR-17-5p. Additionally, it sheds the light on the potential combinational role of CCAT-1 siRNAs and Let-7a mimics in relieving Atezolizumab resistance in TNBC patients.
Cross-domain research output trends in Covid-19 and the advanced reproductive technologies, 2020-2022
Authors: Sills E Scott , Wood Samuel H 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background: How has the research portfolio among IVF clinics been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic? From 2020 to present, the publication output at the intersection of IVF and Covid-19 has evolved and enlarged consistently each year.
Methods: This descriptive, bibliometric scoping audit gathered metadata on all publications accessioned by the U.S. National Library of Medicine under MeSH terms ‘IVF’ and ‘Covid-19’, from 2020 to 2022.
Results:In April 2020, the first published reports on IVF and Covid-19 entered the medical literature; 290 authors had produced 39 papers in this domain by year end. Research output on IVF and Covid-19 accelerated in 2021 and 2022 with a total of 158 articles attributed to >1200 authors. During the three-year reference interval, Open Access (free full-text) papers accounted for more than half of all published work. Despite pandemic lockdown restrictions, international collaboration on Covid-19 research at IVF units peaked in 2021 (39.6%).
Conclusions: Although IVF units were temporarily closed during quarantine, the unprecedented challenges during the pandemic did not halt published research and patient safety remained uncompromised. Reliance on letters, editorials, and committee opinions seen in the early pandemic is unlikely to recur, now that more original primary clinical data are available.
A novel cuproptosis-related LncRNA signature predicts prognosis inpatients with esophageal carcinoma
Authors: peng Shang , Haipeng Li , Min Jingting , An Ran , Du Nana , zhenghong Li 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background: Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a significant cause of tumor-related mortality worldwide. Cuproptosis is a novel cell death which is different from other regulate cell death, including ferroptosis, pyroptosis and apoptosis. However, the role of cuproptosis in the initiation and progression of ESCA remains unknown.
Methods: The transcriptome data and clinical data of 173 patients with esophageal cancer in TCGA database were sorted and extracted with Perl software. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on cuproptosis related genes and all lncRNAs. The prognostic related lncRNAs were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, and a new prognostic model was constructed to calculate the risk score of each patient. C-Index curve, PCA analysis and ROC curve analysis were used to evaluate the prognosis prediction performance of 3- cuproptosis related lncRNAs (CRLs) model. In addition, multivariate Cox analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of the model in the entire cohort and in different subgroups.
Results: The 3-CRLs risk scoring criteria including EWSAT1, AC125437.1 and GK-IT1 was established to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of ESCA. Survival analysis and ROC curve showed that the score had good prediction performance in TCGA train group and test group. The coefficients of each lncRNAs were analyzed using Lasso regression and lambda values were determined. principal component analysis was used to determine whether 3-CRLs can clearly distinguish the gap between high and low risk samples. Multivariate Cox regression showed that 3-CRLs characteristics were independent prognostic factors of OS. Norman map showed robust effectiveness in prognosis prediction.
Conclusion: The risk characteristics based on 3-CRLs may be used to predict the prognosis of esophageal carcinoma patients
Impact of Music Therapy on Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Control Study
Authors: Lin Yufan , Zhang Xiaoying , Li ChaoJinZi , Wei Tianyuan , Du Xiaoxia 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background

Currently, music therapy interventions in stroke rehabilitation have begun to diversify. This study observed the effect of music therapy on cognitive function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).

Methods

42 patients diagnosed with PSCI were randomly selected and divided into the conventional rehabilitation (CR) group (N = 18) and the music therapy (MT) group (N = 24), both the CR group and the MT group were given conventional medication and cognitive rehabilitation, while the MT group was given additional music therapy cognitive training for a total of 8 weeks. Patients' cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA). The degree of neurological deficits, motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed by National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). All those assessments were tested at the baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the intervention.

Results

At 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention, the MT group had higher increases in MMSE, MoCA, and LOTCA scores than the CR group (p < 0.05). At 4 weeks after the intervention, there was no statistical difference in the increase of NIHSS, MBI, and FMA scores between the two groups. At 8 weeks after the intervention, the increase of FMA score was higher in the MT group than in the CR group, but there was no statistical difference in the increase of NIHSS and MBI scores between the two groups.

Conclusions

Music therapy combined with cognitive rehabilitation was significantly more effective than conventional rehabilitation in restoring cognitive function in patients with PSCI, but the 8-week music therapy intervention did not have a significant advantage in improving neurological deficits, ADL and motor function. In addition, music therapy can improve the cognitive domains of verbal fluency, attention, visual perception, spatial perception, and thought operations in patients with PSCI.
Trial registration: The registration number of the clinical trial is ChiCTR2000040612. Registration date: 03/12/2020.
Does long-term care insurance reduce the disability of middle-aged and older adults? Evidence from China
Authors: Cao Na , Shi Tong , Pan Chaoping 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to examine whether the implementation of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) policy reduces the disability of middle-aged and older adults in China, and to test the heterogeneity of the effects. Data came from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011 to 2018). The Difference-In-Difference (DID) method and the panel data fixed effect model were used to estimate the effect of the implementation of LTCI policy on disability among individuals aged 45 years and above. The LTCI policy had a positive impact on reducing disability among middle-aged and older persons. Females, younger adults, city dwellers, and those who did not live with their spouses benefited the most from the LTCI policy. The results provided empirical evidence for the implementation of LTCI in China and other similar countries as China. The implementation should also pay more attention to inequity of the effects on reducing disability among different demographic groups.
Recharge Net Metering (ReNeM) is a novel, cost-effective management strategy to incentivize groundwater recharge
Authors: Bruce Molly , Sherman Luke , Bruno Ellen , Fisher Andrew , Kiparsky Michael 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR), which uses available water to augment groundwater resources, holds promise as a strategy to reduce chronic groundwater overdraft. However, agencies and municipalities often confront hurdles when implementing MAR; favorable sites for recharging water are often located on private land and common-pool resource conflicts frequently disincentivize voluntary private participation. We introduce Recharge Net Metering (ReNeM), a conceptually novel, market-based mechanism to help overcome these barriers and achieve multiple benefits from improved groundwater management. ReNeM enables an agency to incentivize practices that enhance infiltration and groundwater recharge. Here, we formalize the basis for incentivizing recharge and conduct a multi-party cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of an operating ReNeM program in California’s Pajaro Valley. Calculations show that water supply from ReNeM can be achieved at a lower cost than many viable alternatives and can produce multiple benefits for collaborating entities and stakeholders.
A standardized workflow for long-term longitudinal actigraphy data processing: One year of continuous actigraphy from the CAN-BIND Wellness Monitoring Study
Authors: Slyepchenko Anastasiya , Uher Rudolf , Ho Keith , Hassel Stefanie , Matthews Craig , Lukus Patricia K. , Daros Alexander R. , Minarik Anna , Placenza Franca , Li Qingqin S , Rotzinger Susan , Parikh Sagar V. , Foster Jane A. , Turecki Gustavo , Müller Daniel J. , Taylor Valerie H. , Quilty Lena C. , Milev Roumen , Soares Claudio N. , Kennedy Sidney H. , Lam Raymond W. , Frey Benicio N. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Monitoring sleep and activity through wearable devices such as wrist-worn actigraphs has the potential for long-term measurement in the individual’s own environment. Long periods of data collection require a complex approach, including standardized pre-processing and data trimming, and robust algorithms to address non-wear and missing data. In this study, we used a data-driven approach to quality control, pre-processing and analysis of longitudinal actigraphy data collected over the course of 1 year in a sample of 95 participants. We implemented a data processing pipeline using open-source packages for longitudinal data thereby providing a framework for treating missing data patterns, non-wear scoring, sleep/wake scoring, and conducted a sensitivity analysis to demonstrate the impact of non-wear and missing data on the relationship between sleep variables and depressive symptoms. Compliance with actigraph wear decreased over time, with missing data proportion increasing from a mean of 4.8% in the first week to 23.6% at the end of the 12 months of data collection. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated the importance of defining a pre-processing threshold, as it substantially impacts the predictive value of variables on sleep-related outcomes. We developed a novel non-wear algorithm which outperformed several other algorithms and a capacitive wear sensor in quality control. These findings provide essential insight informing study design in digital health research.
Growth Preference or Inflation Preference: An Investigation on the Nonlinear Monetary Policy Response of Central Banks
Authors: Li Xue , Zhou Xinlin , Ruoxi Zhang , Wan Yuhui 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
With the wide spread of the COVID-19 virus around the world, central banks are actively implementing monetary policies to regulate its impact on the real economy. In this context, whether there is asymmetry in central banks’ preference for their target variables, is an issue of widespread concern in academic circles. This paper deduces the nonlinear monetary policy response function by minimizing the loss function of central banks. It then estimates China as a sample and compares it with the United States, Europe and other countries. The findings are: first, the estimation results of China’s monetary policy response function show that there is a nonlinear relationship between interest rate and inflation gap. Greater deviation of inflation rate and real output value from their target brings larger interest rate adjustment. Second, the preference of central banks for their monetary policy objectives is asymmetric. The preference of the Central Bank of China varied in different periods of time: from 1992 to 2008, it preferred to stimulate economic growth, reflected by the asymmetric coefficient of output gap of -5.46; from 2009 to 2021, it was more averse to high inflation, manifested in the asymmetric coefficient of 1.1566.
JEL: E4, E5,