bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pan-Cancer Analysis and Validation Reveals that D-Dimer-Related Genes are Prognostic and Downregulate CD8+ T Cells via TGF-Beta Signaling in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Guan Yiming , Xu Bing , Sui Yi , Chen Zhezhou , Luan Yu , Jiang Yan , Wei Lijuan , Long Wenjing , Zhao Sansan , Han Lei , Xu Dakang , Lin Lin , Guan Qi 
Published: February 2022

Background: Cancer is considered one of the most lethal diseases worldwide. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the second leading cause of death in cancer patients. As one of the most reproducible predictors of thromboembolism, the D-dimer level is commonly considered by oncologists. Previous studies have demonstrated that the most correlated genes at the D-dimer level are F3, F5 and FGA.Methods: Using data from TCGA and multiple webtools, including GEPIA2, UALCAN, TIMER2.0, Kaplan-Meier Plotter and CIBERSORTx, we analyzed the tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and functions of D-dimer-related genes in cancer. Validation was conducted via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and independent GEO + GTEx cohort. All statistical analyses were performed in R software and GraphPad Prism 9.Results: F3, F5 and FGA were expressed differently in multiple cancer types. TMB, MSI and anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy responses were correlated with D-dimer-related gene expression. D-Dimer-related genes expression affect the survival of cancer patients. F3 and F5 functioned in TGF-beta signaling. F3 and F5 were related to immunity and affected the fraction of CD8+ T cells by upregulating the TGF-beta signaling pathway, forming an F3, F5/TGF-beta signaling/CD8+ T cell axis.Conclusion: F3, F5 and FGA serve as satisfactory GC multibiomarkers and potentially influence the immune microenvironment and survival of cancer patients by influencing TGF-beta signaling.
Higher Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio Is Associated With a Higher Risk of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Tao Jiejie , Hu Zhishan , Lou Feiling , Wu Junxin , Wu Zijing , Yang Shuang , Jiang Xiaofang , Wang Meihao , Huang Qiqi , Ren Wenwei 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveStroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a frequent complication in stroke patients. This present study aimed to investigate the association between stress hyperglycemia and SAP.MethodsPatients were screened between February 2013 and August 2020 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. We divided the blood glucose of the patients at admission by the glycated hemoglobin to calculate the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between SAP and SHR, with the confounders being controlled. Further, subgroup analyses were separately performed for stroke patients with and without diabetes.ResultsA total of 2,039 patients were finally recruited, of which 533 (26.14%) were diagnosed with SAP. SHR were divided into four quartiles in the logistic regression analysis, the highest SHR quartile (SHR ≥ 1.15) indicated a higher risk of SAP (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.13–2.19, p = 0.01) in total patients. In patients without diabetes, the third quantile (SHR = 0.96–1.14) and the highest quantile (SHR ≥ 1.15) were both related to a higher risk of SAP (both p &lt; 0.05). However, we did not find such an association in diabetic patients.ConclusionSHR was significantly associated with the risk of SAP in patients without diabetes. Adequate attention should be paid to the patients with high SHR levels at admission, especially those without diabetes.
Clinical Outcome and Medical Cost of Originator and Generic Antihypertensive Drugs: A Population-Based Study in Yinzhou, China
Authors: Huang Tao , Bai Lin , Wushouer Haishaerjiang , Wang Zhiyuan , Yang Mingchun , Lin Hongbo , Shen Peng , Guan Xiaodong , Shi Luwen 
Published: February 2022

Background: The substitution of generic drugs can effectively alleviate the rapid growth of drug costs; however, the clinical effectiveness and medical costs of originator products and generics were barely studied in China.Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs and hypertension-related medical costs between originator and generic initiators in Yinzhou, China.Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Chinese Electronic Health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY), from July 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018. Hypertension patients initiating with originator products were compared with patients initiating with generic counterparts. We used 1:1 propensity score matching to pair the two groups based on sociodemographic, clinical, and health service utilization variables. Cox proportional regression was adopted to compare the rate of hospitalization for hypertension-related cardiovascular disease between matched originator and generic initiators. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to compare annual hypertension-related medical costs.Results: Matched pairs (10,535) of patients were included in the comparative study of originator products and generics, corresponding to seven antihypertensive drugs including amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and metoprolol. The average age of patients included in the analysis was around 60 years (originator vs. generics initiators: from 59.0 vs. 59.1 years in losartan to 62.9 vs. 63.6 years in nifedipine). Higher hospitalization rates among originator initiators were observed for three calcium channel blockers (hazard ratio[95% CI]: amlodipine, 3.18[1.43, 7.11]; felodipine, 3.60[1.63, 7.98]; and nifedipine, 3.86[1.26, 11.81]; respectively). The remaining four out of seven drugs of the clinical endpoint estimates showed comparable outcomes between originator products and generics (hazard ratio[95% CI]: irbesartan, 1.19[0.50, 2.84]; losartan, 1.84[0.84, 4.07]; valsartan, 2.04[0.72, 5.78]; and metoprolol, 1.25[0.56, 2.80]; respectively). Higher median annual hypertension-related medical costs were observed in originator initiators (all p &lt; 0.001), except for metoprolol (p = 0.646).Conclusion: We observed comparable or even better clinical outcomes and less medical cost associated with the use of antihypertensive generics compared to originator counterparts. This could help increase patient and provider confidence in the efficacy of generic medicines to manage hypertension diseases.
The Psychosocial Correlates of Non-suicidal Self-Injury Within a Sample of Adolescents With Mood Disorder
Authors: Meng Linlin , Qu Diyang , Bu He , Huo Lijuan , Qi Ling , Yang Jiezhi , Zheng Tiansheng , Du Xiangdong , He Kongliang , Wang Yanni , Zhou Yongjie 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundAccording to the integrated theoretical model, adolescents' behaviors were the outcome of the complex interplay between multiple levels. Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious and high prevalent problem among adolescents with mood disorders. However, a systematic perspective on psychosocial correlates among Chinese clinical adolescents is still rare.MethodThe impact of several factors at the individual (i.e., sex, age, self-esteem, and psychological distress), family (i.e., family structure, family income, and family support), and social level (i.e., living environment, peer support, and teacher support) on the frequency of NSSI behaviors were investigated in the current study. This research included 621 Chinese adolescents with mood disorders from 20 hospitals.ResultsThree-steps hierarchical regression analyses indicated that lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of self-esteem were most associated with less frequency of NSSI behaviors. In addition, family support was negatively associated with the frequency of NSSI behaviors. After controlling the factors at individual and family levels, no significant association was found between the factors at the social level and the frequency of NSSI behaviors.ConclusionThese findings provide preliminary support for the notion that adolescent self-esteem and family support may effectively shield them from problematic behavior; nevertheless, adolescents suffering from more emotional pain can be even riskier. Thus, further intervention strategies should consider the non-independence of individual capacities, co-combinatory effects of mood disorder, and family environment in treating those vulnerable Chinese adolescents.
Effects and Interaction of Meteorological Parameters on Influenza Incidence During 2010–2019 in Lanzhou, China
Authors: Wang Jinyu , Zhang Ling , Lei Ruoyi , Li Pu , Li Sheng 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundInfluenza is a seasonal infectious disease, and meteorological parameters critically influence the incidence of influenza. However, the meteorological parameters linked to influenza occurrence in semi-arid areas are not studied in detail. This study aimed to clarify the impact of meteorological parameters on influenza incidence during 2010–2019 in Lanzhou. The results are expected to facilitate the optimization of influenza-related public health policies by the local healthcare departments.MethodsDescriptive data related to influenza incidence and meteorology during 2010–2019 in Lanzhou were analyzed. The exposure-response relationship between the risk of influenza occurrence and meteorological parameters was explored according to the distributed lag no-linear model (DLNM) with Poisson distribution. The response surface model and stratified model were used to estimate the interactive effect between relative humidity (RH) and other meteorological parameters on influenza incidence.ResultsA total of 6701 cases of influenza were reported during 2010–2019. DLNM results showed that the risk of influenza would gradually increase as the weekly mean average ambient temperature (AT), RH, and absolute humidity (AH) decrease at lag 3 weeks when they were lower than 12.16°C, 51.38%, and 5.24 g/m3, respectively. The low Tem (at 5th percentile, P5) had the greatest effect on influenza incidence; the greatest estimated relative risk (RR) was 4.54 (95%CI: 3.19–6.46) at cumulative lag 2 weeks. The largest estimates of RRs for low RH (P5) and AH (P5) were 4.81 (95%CI: 3.82–6.05) and 4.17 (95%CI: 3.30–5.28) at cumulative lag 3 weeks, respectively. An increase in AT by 1°C led to an estimates of percent change (95%CI) of 3.12% (−4.75% to −1.46%) decrease in the weekly influenza case counts in a low RH environment. In addition, RH showed significant interaction with AT and AP on influenza incidence but not with wind speed.ConclusionThis study indicated that low AT, low humidity (RH and AH), and high air pressure (AP) increased the risk of influenza. Moreover, the interactive effect of low RH with low AT and high AP can aggravate the incidence of influenza.
Development and Validation of a Competitive Risk Model in Elderly Patients With Chromophobe Cell Renal Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Wang Jinkui , Zhanghuang Chenghao , Tan Xiaojun , Mi Tao , Liu Jiayan , Jin Liming , Li Mujie , Zhang Zhaoxia , He Dawei 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignancy in adults, and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) is the third most common subtype of RCC. We aimed to construct a competitive risk model to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) in elderly patients with chRCC.MethodsThe clinicopathological information of the patients was downloaded from the SEER database, and the patients were randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts. Patients' risk factors for cancer-specific death (CSM) were analyzed using proportional subdistribution hazard (SH). We constructed a competitive risk model to predict the CSS of elderly chRCC patients. Consistency index (C-index), the area under receiver operating curve (AUC), and a calibration curve were used to validate the model's accuracy. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to test the clinical value of the model.ResultsA total of 3,522 elderly patients with chRCC were included in the analysis. Patients were randomly assigned to either the training cohort (N = 2,474) or the validation cohort (N = 1,048). SH analysis found that age, race, T, N, and M stage, tumor size, and surgery were risk factors for CSM. We constructed a competitive risk model to predict patients' CSS. In the training set, the model predicted patients' 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS with C-indices of 82.2, 80.8, and 78.2, respectively. The model predicted patient 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS in the validation cohort with C-indices of 84.7, 83.4, and 76.9, respectively. The calibration curve showed that the model's predicted value is almost consistent with the observed value, which indicated that the model has good accuracy. The AUC of the training set and validation queue also suggested that the model has good discrimination. The clinical utility of the DCA model in predicting patients' CSS is higher than that of traditional TNM staging.ConclusionsWe constructed a competitive risk model to predict CSS in elderly patients with chRCC. The model has good accuracy and reliability, which can help doctors and patients to make clinical decisions and follow-up strategies.
Frequencies and TCR Repertoires of Human 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid-specific T Cells
Authors: Curato Caterina , Aparicio-Soto Marina , Riedel Franziska , Wehl Ingrun , Basaran Alev , Abbas Amro , Thierse Hermann-Josef , Luch Andreas , Siewert Katherina 
Published: February 2022

Allergic contact dermatitis is a widespread T cell-mediated inflammatory skin disease, butin vitromonitoring of chemical-specific T cells remains challenging. We here introduce short-term CD154/CD137 upregulation to monitor human T cell responses to the experimental sensitizer 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donor buffy coats were TNBS-modified and incubated with unmodified PBMC. After 5 and 16 h, we detected TNBS-specific activated CD154+CD4+ and CD137+CD8+ T cells by multi-parameter flow cytometry, respectively. Activated cells were sorted for restimulation and bulk T cell receptor (TCR) high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Stimulation with TNBS-modified cells (3 mM) induced CD154 expression on 0.04% of CD4+ and CD137 expression on 0.60% of CD8+ memory T cells, respectively (means,n= 11–17 donors). CD69 co-expression argued for TCR-mediated activation, which was further supported by TNBS-specific restimulation of 10/13 CD154+CD4+ and 11/15 CD137+CD8+ T cell clones and lines. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) blocking antibodies prevented activation, illustrating MHC restriction. The high frequencies of TNBS-specific T cells were associated with distinct common changes in the TCR β-chain repertoire. We observed an overrepresentation of tryptophan and lysine in the complementarity determining regions 3 (CDR3) (n= 3–5 donors), indicating a preferential interaction of these amino acids with the TNBS-induced epitopes. In summary, the detection of TNBS-specific T cells by CD154/CD137 upregulation is a fast, comprehensive and quantitative method. Combined with TCR HTS, the mechanisms of chemical allergen recognition that underlie unusually frequent T cell activation can be assessed. In the future, this approach may be adapted to detect T cells activated by additional chemical sensitizers.
Transcriptional Network in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Mutants Lacking Msb2 or Msb2 and Sho1
Authors: Liu Na , Meng Fanli , Tian Chengming 
Published: February 2022

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a hemibiotrophic ascomycetous fungus that causes anthracnose in many plants worldwide. During infections, C. gloeosporioides produces an appressorium in response to various plant surface signals. However, the mechanism mediating host surface signal recognition remains unclear. In this study, C. gloeosporioides ΔCgMsb2 and ΔCgMsb2Sho1 mutants lacking hypothetical sensors of plant surface signals were examined. The mutations in ΔCgMsb2 and ΔCgMsb2Sho1 adversely affected conidial size and sporulation, while also inhibiting growth. Significant transcriptional changes were detected for nearly 19% and 26% of the genes in ΔCgMsb2 and ΔCgMsb2Sho1, respectively. The lack of these plasma membrane receptors altered the expression of specific genes, especially those encoding hydrolases, ABC transporters, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The encoded MAPKs participate in the signal transduction of ERK and JNK signaling pathways, activate downstream signals, and contribute to metabolic regulation. Our data demonstrate that the C. gloeosporioides membrane proteins Msb2 and Sho1 affect gene regulation, thereby influencing conidial growth, metabolism, and development. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of C. gloeosporioides’s development and infection of plant hosts.
Mechanical behavior and durability of latex modified mortars
Authors: Benali Yacine , Ghomari Fouad 
Published: February 2022

This article summarizes the results of an experimental program developed on latex-modified mortars. Fluidity tests, compressive strength tests, flexural strength tests, water absorption tests, adhesion tests on clay bricks and cementitious substrates were carried out. The test bodies were prepared by the pre-wetting method with different latex contents while partially substituting Portland cement by two types of latex: Styrene-Butadiene (SBR) and Styrene Acrylic (SA). In addition, samples of ordinary mortars are made in parallel as references.
The experimental results showed that the substitution of cement in mortars produced a notable improvement on fluidity and adhesion. In the case of clay substrates, a cohesive failure in the support above 10% substitution has been reported, whereas the rupture is always at the interface for all the mixtures tested on cementitious substrates. An improvement was also noted on the flexural tensile strength beyond 60 days. On the other hand, the compressive strength of the polymer mortars decreased with the substitution rate of cement for all the maturities studied. As for the absorption of water, the results show a clear reduction in the percentage of water absorption by increasing the substitution rate
Modeling of the interface between the concrete and the fibers grid in concrete slab
Authors: Bouzeboudja Fatma , Ali Ahmed Chafika 
Published: February 2022

Fiber grid reinforcements are widely used in construction, especially in the rehabilitation of structures; short fibers are also used in concrete. However, reinforcing mortars with textiles (fiber gratings) which offers an improved concrete, and a wide variety of new and exciting architectural forms, is still a relatively new application that shows a need for research. Tests on the use of Glass Fiber Grids (GFG) and Polypropylene Grids (PPG) in the concrete matrix which can be an interesting solution to improve the bearing capacity and change the failure mode of slabs subjected to a load of punching have been realized. The results showed a significant increase in the bearing capacity, a better distribution of the cracks, as well as an improvement of the deflexion before failure; compared to unreinforced reference slabs.
In order to understand the behaviour of the concrete-GFG interface of the tested slabs, a modeling of this latter was carried out using a constitutive law expressing the shear stress between the two materials as a function of the relative sliding between the surfaces in contact, taking into account the mechanical characteristics of both materials. The analysis of the bond-slip curve obtained has shown that the use of the glass fiber grid inside the concrete matrix allows a better behaviour of the interface between constituent materials with respect to the glued fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) plates on the surface of the slab.
Pozzolanic Properties of White Cowpea Husk Ash
Authors: Wilson Uwemedimo Nyong , Z Gambo , I S Mohammed , O C Eze , S O Odeyemi 
Published: February 2022

This research attempts to empirically investigate the pozzolanic properties of White Cowpea Husk Ash (WCHA), an agricultural biomass waste, at different percentages of its use as partial replacement of cement in concrete. WCHA was obtained after the calcination of white cowpea husk for 3 hours at 5500C. X-ray Florescence (XRF) analysis performed revealed that the sample of WCHA is a Class C pozzolana, which contains 65.4% of the combination of SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3. The WCHA shows increase in consistency with increase in the WCHA content. This was attributed to the high Loss of Ignition (LOI) of WCHA compared to that of the cement. In addition, the results indicated that the initial and final setting time of WCHA – Cement blended concrete increase with increase in the WCHA content. The delay in setting times of WCPA-Cement paste could be attributable to the slower pozzolanic reaction. The density of the concrete decreased as the WCHA content increases. Generally the compressive strength of the WCHA concrete increased with increase in curing age and decreases as the WCHA content increased from a strength of 28.6 to 20.0 N/mm2 giving a percentage reduction of 30.1 %. The strength reduction is also attributed to the modification of the bonding properties of the binders’ hydrates. However, the 28 days compressive strength of concrete with up to 10 % WCHA content (26.4 N/mm2) satisfied the design characteristic strength of 25 N/mm2. Beyond this limit, the compressive strength of the concrete fell below the design strength. Hence, 10 % WCHA could be regarded as the optimum dose for grade 25 concrete.
Noninvasive Ultrasound Retinal Stimulation for Vision Restoration at High Spatiotemporal Resolution
Authors: Qian Xuejun , Lu Gengxi , Thomas Biju B. , Li Runze , Chen Xiaoyang , Shung K. Kirk , Humayun Mark , Zhou Qifa 
Published: February 2022

Objective
. Retinal degeneration involving progressive deterioration and loss of function of photoreceptors is a major cause of permanent vision loss worldwide. Strategies to treat these incurable conditions incorporate retinal prostheses via electrically stimulating surviving retinal neurons with implanted devices in the eye, optogenetic therapy, and sonogenetic therapy. Existing challenges of these strategies include invasive manner, complex implantation surgeries, and risky gene therapy.
Methods and Results
. Here, we show that direct ultrasound stimulation on the retina can evoke neuron activities from the visual centers including the superior colliculus and the primary visual cortex (V1), in either normal-sighted or retinal degenerated blind rats
in vivo
. The neuron activities induced by the customized spherically focused 3.1 MHz ultrasound transducer have shown both good spatial resolution of 250
μ
m and temporal resolution of 5 Hz in the rat visual centers. An additional customized 4.4 MHz helical transducer was further implemented to generate a static stimulation pattern of letter forms.
Conclusion
. Our findings demonstrate that ultrasound stimulation of the retina
in vivo
is a safe and effective approach with high spatiotemporal resolution, indicating a promising future of ultrasound stimulation as a novel and noninvasive visual prosthesis for translational applications in blind patients.