bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered Brain Activity in Strabismic Amblyopic Children as Determined by Regional Homogeneity: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Tan Si-Wen , Cai Guo-Qian , Li Qiu-Yu , Guo Yu , Pan Yi-Cong , Zhang Li-Juan , Ge Qian-Min , Shu Hui-Ye , Zeng Xian-Jun , Shao Yi 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveEarlier research has determined that amblyopia or strabismus may cause remarkable brain anatomical and functional variations. Nonetheless, thus far, the spontaneous changes in brain activity in children with strabismus amblyopia (SA) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between abnormal brain activity in children with SA and its behavioral manifestations.Patients and Methods?A total of 24 children with SA (10 male and 14 female children) as well as 24 healthy controls (HCs), including 10 male and 14 female children were closely matched in sex and age, and examined using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The regional homogeneity (ReHo) technique was applied to evaluate spontaneous cerebral activity variations in children with SA and HCs. Moreover, associations between altered ReHo values in distinct cerebral areas and the degree of strabismus were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis.ResultsRemarkably increased ReHo values were observed in the right lingual, right superior frontal medial, bilateral superior parietal, and right inferior parietal gyri of children with SA compared with HCs. In contrast, mean ReHo values in children with SA were lower in the right cerebellum, left superior frontal gyrus, and left putamen nucleus. Furthermore, esotropia showed a positive correlation with ReHo values of the left putamen.ConclusionThe anomalous spontaneous activity changes in several brain areas that are caused by SA may indicate neuropathologic mechanisms of visual deficits and oculomotor disorders in children with SA.
Differences in the Association Between Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Gastric Precancerous Lesions Among Mongolians and Han Chinese
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Qiao Liying , Dong Weiqi , Ren Jing , Chang Xiaotian , Zhan Siyan , Du Peng , Xi Yunfeng , Wang Shengfeng 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThere has been a paucity of evidence examining whether preventable behavioral risk factors led to ethnic differences of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). We aimed to investigate the ethnic disparity of associations between GPL and lifestyle factors in Mongolian and Han Chinese populations.MethodsThe study included participants aged 36-75 years enrolled in the Cancer Screening Program during 2016-2017 in Hohhot and Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia. GPL was defined as the gross cascading events (i.e., gastric ulcer, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia) that preceded gastric cancer.ResultsA total of 61638 participants were included, of whom 6863(11·1%) were Mongolians. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with GPL risk in both ethnic groups, but the magnitude was greater in Mongolians (odds ratio (OR) 6·91, 95%CI 5·82-8·28) than in Han Chinese (OR 5·64, 95%CI 5·27-6·04), corresponding to a higher population attributable fraction (PAF) for Mongolians (53·18% vs 43·71%). Besides, the strength of the positive association between physical inactivity and GPL risk was greater among Mongolians (OR 2·02, 95%CI 1·70-2·41; OR 1·09, 95%CI 1·02-1·17 among Han Chinese) with a higher PAF. Smoking was strongly associated with GPL risk in both ethnic groups as well, but the association was more prominent among Han Chinese (OR 5·24 (1·70-2·41) for &lt;10 cigarettes/d, 8·19 (7·48-8·97) for 11-20 cigarettes/d, 7·07 (6·40-7·81) for ≥21 cigarettes/d; the corresponding ORs were 2·96 (2·19-4·00), 6·22 (5·04-7·68), and 7·03 (5·45-9·08) among Mongolians). Lastly, our findings revealed that a significant correlation between insufficient fruits and vegetable consumption and GPL risk was only found among Mongolians (OR 1·27, 95%CI 1·04-1·56).ConclusionsOur result suggested that high-risk lifestyle factors should be reduced, particularly in Mongolians. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to reduce health disparities in underserved ethnic groups.
RETRACTED: Exosomes From Cancer-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transmit TMBIM6 to Promote the Malignant Behavior of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Shang Chuzhi , Ke Mi , Liu Lin , Wang Cong , Liu Yufang , Zheng Xin 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveCancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regulate the progression of cancers through exosome-delivered components, while few studies are conducted on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exosomes from HCC-associated MSCs (HCC-MSCs) on HCC cellular functions and the potential regulatory mechanism.MethodsHCC cells (Huh7 and PLC) were cultured normally or co-cultured with HCC-MSCs, HCC-MSCs plus GW4869, or HCC-MSC-derived exosomes; then mRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation were conducted. Subsequently, candidate genes were sorted out and modified in HCC cells. Next, TMBIM6-modified HCC-MSCs were used to treat HCC cells.ResultsBoth HCC-MSCs and their derived exosomes promoted proliferation, invasion, sphere formation ability but suppressed apoptosis in HCC cells (all p &lt; 0.05); however, the effect of HCC-MSCs on these cellular functions was repressed by exosome inhibitor (GW4869). Subsequently, TMBIM6, EEF2, and PRDX1 were sorted out by mRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation as candidate genes implicated in the regulation of HCC cellular functions by HCC-MSC-derived exosomes. Among them, TMBIM6 had a potent effect (all p &lt; 0.05), while EEF2 and PRDX1 had less effect on regulating HCC cell viability and invasion. Next, direct silencing TMBIM6 repressed viability, sphere formation, invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and PI3K/AKT pathway but promoted apoptosis in HCC cells; however, overexpressing TMBIM6 showed the opposite effect. Furthermore, incubating with exosomes from TMBIM6-modified HCC-MSCs presented a similar effect as direct TMBIM6 modification in HCC cells.ConclusionHCC-MSC-derived exosomes transmit TMBIM6 to promote malignant behavior via PI3K/AKT pathway in HCC.
The Value of Preoperative Local Symptoms in Prognosis of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma After Radical Nephroureterectomy: A Retrospective, Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Yeh Hsin-Chih , Chang Chao-Hsiang , Fang Jen-Kai , Chen I-Hsuan Alan , Lin Jen-Tai , Hong Jian-Hua , Huang Chao-Yuan , Wang Shian-Shiang , Chen Chuan-Shu , Lo Chi-Wen , Yu Chih-Chin , Tseng Jen-Shu , Lin Wun-Rong , Jou Yeong-Chin , Cheong Ian-Seng , Jiang Yuan-Hong , Tsai Chung-You , Hsueh Thomas Y. , Chen Yung-Tai , Huang Hsu-Che , Tsai Yao-Chou , Lin Wei-Yu , Wu Chia-Chang , Lin Po-Hung , Lin Te-Wei , Wu Wen-Jeng 
Published: June 2022

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative local symptoms on prognosis after radical nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).MethodsThis retrospective study consisted of 2,662 UTUC patients treated at 15 institutions in Taiwan from 1988 to 2019. Clinicopathological data were retrospectively collected for analysis by the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), and bladder recurrence-free survival (BRFS). The prognostic value of preoperative local symptoms in OS, CSS, DFS, and BRFS was investigated using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsThe median follow-up was 36.6 months. Among 2,662 patients, 2,130 (80.0%) presented with hematuria and 398 (15.0%) had symptomatic hydronephrosis at diagnosis. Hematuria was associated with less symptomatic hydronephrosis (p &lt;0.001), more dialysis status (p = 0.027), renal pelvic tumors (p &lt;0.001), and early pathological tumor stage (p = 0.001). Symptomatic hydronephrosis was associated with female patients (p &lt;0.001), less dialysis status (p = 0.001), less bladder cancer history (p &lt;0.001), ureteral tumors (p &lt;0.001), open surgery (p = 0.006), advanced pathological tumor stage (p &lt;0.001), and postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.029). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with hematuria or without symptomatic hydronephrosis had significantly higher rates of OS, CSS, and DFS (all p &lt;0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that presence of hematuria was independently associated with better OS (HR 0.789, 95% CI 0.661–0.942) and CSS (HR 0.772, 95% CI 0.607–0.980), while symptomatic hydronephrosis was a significant prognostic factor for poorer OS (HR 1.387, 95% CI 1.142–1.683), CSS (HR 1.587, 95% CI 1.229–2.050), and DFS (HR 1.378, 95% CI 1.122–1.693).ConclusionsPreoperative local symptoms were significantly associated with oncological outcomes, whereas symptomatic hydronephrosis and hematuria had opposite prognostic effects. Preoperative symptoms may provide additional information on risk stratification and perioperative treatment selection for patients with UTUC.
High DNMT1 Expression in Stromal Fibroblasts Promotes Angiogenesis and Unfavorable Outcome in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Al-Kharashi Layla A. , Tulbah Asma , Arafah Maria , Eldali Abdelmonneim M. , Al-Tweigeri Taher , Aboussekhra Abdelilah 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundActive breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a leading role in breast carcinogenesis through promoting angiogenesis and resistance to therapy. Consequently, these active stromal cells have significant influence on patient outcome. Therefore, we explored here the role of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein in CAF-dependent promotion of angiogenesis as well as the prognostic power of DNMT1 level in both cancer cells and their adjacent CAFs in locally advanced breast cancer patients.MethodsWe applied immunohistochemistry to evaluate the level of DNMT1 in breast cancer tissues and their adjacent normal counterparts. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to investigate the role of DNMT1 in regulating the expression of pro-angiogenic genes in active CAFs and also their response to the DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine (DAC) as well as eugenol.ResultsWe have shown that DNMT1 controls the pro-angiogenic potential of CAFs both in vitro and in vivo through positive regulation of the expression/secretion of 2 important pro-angiogenic factors VEGF-A and IL-8 as well as their upstream effectors mTOR and HIF-1α. To confirm this, we have shown that these DNMT1-related pro-angiogenic effects were suppressed by 2 DNMT1 inhibitors decitabine and eugenol. Interestingly, in a cohort of 100 tumors from locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC), we have shown that high expression of DNMT1 in tumor cells and their adjacent stromal fibroblasts is correlated with poor survival of these patients.ConclusionDNMT1 upregulation in breast stromal fibroblasts promotes angiogenesis via IL-8/VEGF-A upregulation, and correlates well with poor survival of LABC patients.
Association of Tumor Size With Myometrial Invasion, Lymphovascular Space Invasion, Lymph Node Metastasis, and Recurrence in Endometrial Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of 40 Studies With 53,276 Patients
Authors: Jin Xiaoying , Shen Chunjuan , Yang Xiaodi , Yu Yayuan , Wang Jianzhang , Che Xuan 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundMyometrial invasion (MI), lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and lymph node metastasis (LNM) have been found to have independent prognostic factors in endometrial cancer. Tumor size has practical advantages in endometrial cancer. The cutoff values for tumor size conformed with current literature. More and more studies inferred that tumor size &gt;20 mm showed a strong correlation. However, the relationship between tumor size &gt;20 mm and MI, LVSI, LNM, recurrence, and overall survival (OS) remains controversial, and no meta-analysis has been conducted. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis should be performed to discuss this issue later on.MethodsRelevant articles were collected from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from January 1990 to June 2021. The predictive value of tumor size &gt;20 mm in endometrial cancer was studied, and data were pooled for meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.1. Additionally, the odds ratio (OR) was analyzed, and cumulative analyses of hazard ratio (HR) and their corresponding 95% CI were conducted.ResultsA total of 40 articles with 53,276 endometrial cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. It contained 7 articles for MI, 6 for LVSI, 21 for LNM, 7 for recurrence, and 3 for OS. Primary tumor size &gt;20 mm was significantly associated with depth of MI (OR = 5.59, 95% CI [5.02, 6.23], p &lt; 0.001), positive LVSI (OR = 3.35, 95% CI [2.34, 4.78], p &lt; 0.001), positive LNM (OR = 4.11, 95% CI [3.63, 4.66], p &lt; 0.001), and recurrence (OR = 3.52, 95% CI [2.39, 5.19], p &lt; 0.001). Tumor size &gt;20 mm was also related to OS via meta-synthesis of HR in univariate survival (HR 2.13, 95% CI [1.28, 3.53], p = 0.003). There was no significant publication bias in this study by funnel plot analysis.ConclusionPrimary tumor size &gt;20 mm was an independent predictive factor for the depth of MI, positive LVSI, positive LNM, recurrence, and poor OS. Therefore, it is more important to take into account the value of tumor size in the clinicopathological staging of endometrial carcinoma. Tumor size &gt;20 mm should be integrated into the intraoperative algorithm for performing a full surgical staging. Well-designed and multicenter studies, with a larger sample size, are still required to verify the findings.
Underexpression of LINC00173 in TCF3/PBX1-Positive Cases Is Associated With Poor Prognosis in Children With B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: May-Hau Didier Ismael , Bárcenas-López Diego Alberto , Núñez-Enríquez Juan Carlos , Bekker-Méndez Vilma Carolina , Beltrán-Anaya Fredy Omar , Jiménez-Hernández Elva , Ortíz-Maganda Mónica Patricia , Guerra-Castillo Francisco Xavier , Medina-Sanson Aurora , Flores-Lujano Janet , Martín-Trejo Jorge Alfonso , Peñaloza-González José Gabriel , Velázquez-Aviña Martha Margarita , Torres-Nava José Refugio , Hernández-Echáurregui Gabriela Alicia , Espinosa-Elizondo Rosa Martha , Gutiérrez-Rivera María de Lourdes , Sanchez-Hernandez Rodrigo , Pérez-Saldívar María Luisa , Flores-Villegas Luz Victoria , Merino-Pasaye Laura Elizabeth , Duarte-Rodríguez David Aldebarán , Mata-Rocha Minerva , Sepúlveda-Robles Omar Alejandro , Rosas-Vargas Haydeé , Hidalgo-Miranda Alfredo , Mejía-Aranguré Juan Manuel , Jiménez-Morales Silvia 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundB-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is the most frequent pediatric cancer worldwide. Despite improvements in treatment regimens, approximately 20% of the cases cannot be cured, highlighting the necessity for identifying new biomarkers to improve the current clinical and molecular risk stratification schemes. We aimed to investigate whether LINC00173 is a biomarker in ALL and to explore its expression level in other human cancer types.MethodsA nested case–control study including Mexican children with BCP-ALL was conducted. LINC00173 expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR using hydrolysis probes. To validate our findings, RNA-seq expression data from BCP-ALL and normal tissues were retrieved from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) repositories, respectively. LINC00173 expression was also evaluated in solid tumors by downloading available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).ResultsA lower expression of LINC00173 in BCP-ALL cases compared to normal subjects was observed (p &lt; 0.05). ALL patients who carry the TCF3/PBX1 fusion gene displayed lower expression of LINC00173 in contrast to other BCP-ALL molecular subtypes (p &lt; 0.04). LINC00173 underexpression was associated with a high risk to relapse (HR = 1.946, 95% CI = 1.213–3.120) and die (HR = 2.073, 95% CI = 1.211–3.547). Patients with TCF3/PBX1 and underexpression of LINC00173 had the worst prognosis (DFS: HR = 12.24, 95% CI = 5.04–29.71; OS: HR = 11.19, 95% CI = 26–32). TCGA data analysis revealed that underexpression of LINC00173 is also associated with poor clinical outcomes in six new reported tumor types.ConclusionOur findings suggest that LINC00173 is a biomarker of poor prognosis in BCP-ALL and other types of cancer. We observed an association between the expression of LINC00173 and TCF3/PBX1 and the risk to relapse and die in BCP-ALL, which is worse in TCF3/PBX1-positive cases displaying underexpression of LINC00173. Experimental studies are needed to provide insight into the LINC00173 and TCF3/PBX relationship.
The Correlation Between ABPM Parameters and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Pediatric Essential Hypertension
Authors: Wu Haojie , Shi Lin , Lin Yao , Zheng Tong 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveTo explore the association of dipping pattern and blood pressure load with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in pediatric essential hypertension.Materials and MethodsThrough an echocardiography monitor and an ambulatory blood pressure monitor of 425 children and adolescents diagnosed with essential hypertension with no treatment received, we identified 140 cases of LVH. Grouping patients according to LVH (LVH, N = 140; n-LVH, N = 285), we further evaluated their ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) parameters by comparing dipping patterns between groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of blood pressure load on LVH.ResultsNo significant difference was found in systolic or diastolic blood pressure dipping patterns between groups (P = 0.161, P = 0.139). However, compared to the n-LVH group, the LVH group presented significant elevated nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P &lt; 0.05), while nighttime DBP remained stable (P = 0.391), resulting in higher daytime and nighttime SBP loads, higher nighttime DBP load, and higher 24-h SBP load (P &lt; 0.05). Notably, our multivariable logistic regression has shown that this trend of 24-h SBP load acts independently as a critical risk factor for LVH.ConclusionCollectively, we observed a correlation between BP load and LVH in pediatric hypertension. Our data demonstrated that SBP load has a more significant weight in LVH progression, and 24-h SBP load, in particular, acts as a critical early prognostic parameter for LVH in pediatric hypertension.
Liposomes are Poorly Absorbed via Lung Lymph After Inhaled Administration in Sheep
Authors: Ibrahim Jibriil P , Haque Shadabul , Bischof Robert J , Whittaker Andrew K , Whittaker Michael R , Kaminskas Lisa M 
Published: June 2022

Enhancing the delivery of therapeutic agents to the lung lymph, including drugs, transfection agents, vaccine antigens and vectors, has the potential to significantly improve the treatment and prevention of a range of lung-related illnesses. One way in which lymphatic delivery can be optimized is via the use of nanomaterial-based carriers, such as liposomes. After inhaled delivery however, there is conflicting information in the literature regarding whether nanomaterials can sufficiently access the lung lymphatics to have a therapeutic benefit, in large part due to a lack of reliable quantitative pharmacokinetic data. The aim of this work was to quantitatively evaluate the pulmonary lymphatic pharmacokinetics of a model nanomaterial-based drug delivery system (HSPC liposomes) in caudal mediastinal lymph duct cannulated sheep after nebulized administration to the lungs. Liposomes were labelled with 3H-phosphatidylcholine to facilitate evaluation of pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in biological samples. While nanomaterials administered to the lungs may access the lymphatics via direct absorption from the airways or after initial uptake by alveolar macrophages, only 0.3 and 0.001% of the 3H-lipid dose was recovered in lung lymph fluid and lymph cell pellets (containing immune cells) respectively over 5 days. This suggests limited lymphatic access of liposomes, despite apparent pulmonary bioavailability of the 3H-lipid being approximately 17%, likely a result of absorption of liberated 3H-lipid after breakdown of the liposome in the presence of lung surfactant. Similarly, biodistribution of 3H in the mediastinal lymph node was insignificant after 5 days. These data suggest that liposomes, that are normally absorbed via the lymphatics after interstitial administration, do not access the lung lymphatics after inhaled administration. Alternate approaches to maximize the lung lymphatic delivery of drugs and other therapeutics need to be identified.
The Time-Course Changes in Knee Flexion Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, and Rate of Force Development After Static Stretching
Authors: Nakamura Masatoshi , Suzuki Yusuke , Yoshida Riku , Kasahara Kazuki , Murakami Yuta , Hirono Tetsuya , Nishishita Satoru , Takeuchi Kosuke , Konrad Andreas 
Published: June 2022

Previous studies have shown that longer-duration static stretching (SS) interventions can cause a decrease in muscle strength, especially explosive muscle strength. Furthermore, force steadiness is an important aspect of muscle force control, which should also be considered. However, the time course of the changes in these variables after an SS intervention remains unclear. Nevertheless, this information is essential for athletes and coaches to establish optimal warm-up routines. The aim of this study was to investigate the time course of changes in knee flexion range of motion (ROM), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), rate of force development (RFD), and force steadiness (at 5 and 20% of MVIC) after three 60-s SS interventions. Study participants were sedentary healthy adult volunteers (n = 20) who performed three 60-s SS interventions of the knee extensors, where these variables were measured before and after SS intervention at three different periods, i.e., immediately after, 10 min, and 20 min the SS intervention (crossover design). The results showed an increase in ROM at all time points (d = 0.86–1.01). MVIC was decreased immediately after the SS intervention (d = −0.30), but MVIC showed a recovery trend for both 10 min (d = −0.17) and 20 min (d = −0.20) after the SS intervention. However, there were significant impairments in RFD at 100 m (p = 0.014, F = 6.37, ηp2 = 0.101) and 200 m (p &lt; 0.01, F = 28.0, ηp2 = 0.33) up to 20 min after the SS intervention. Similarly, there were significant impairments in force steadiness of 5% (p &lt; 0.01, F = 16.2, ηp2 = 0.221) and 20% MVIC (p &lt; 0.01, F = 16.0, ηp2 = 0.219) at 20 min after the SS intervention. Therefore, it is concluded that three 60-s SS interventions could increase knee flexion ROM but impair explosive muscle strength and muscle control function until 20 min after the SS intervention.