bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Varicella zoster-associated progressive lower cranial and upper cervical polyneuropathy: a case report
Authors: Jia Fangzhi , Ting Eugene R. , Ahn Joo Hyen , Duggins Andrew 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Multiple cranial neuropathies carry a wide range of differential diagnoses, and when combined with cerebrospinal fluid monocytosis they often suggest an infective etiology. Reactivation of varicella zoster virus has been associated with a wide range of neurological complications. Among the cranial nerves, the upper cranial nerves (trigeminal and facial nerves) are more commonly affected; there have been some reports of lower cranial polyneuropathies resulting from varicella zoster virus reactivation. However, polyneuropathy involving both the cranial and cervical nerves is rarely reported.

Case presentation
This report highlights the case of a 64-year-old Chinese man presenting with an acute, severe dysphagia and dysphonia secondary to herpes zoster-associated progressive polyneuropathy involving the lower cranial and upper cervical nerves, without any mucocutaneous manifestations.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first case of varicella zoster virus-associated cranial and cervical polyneuropathy in the literature. The report also highlights the poor sensitivity of varicella zoster virus DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid, and proposes that serology be routinely performed in such polymerase chain reaction-negative cases without a clear diagnosis.
Integrative analysis of plasma metabolomics and proteomics reveals the metabolic landscape of breast cancer
Authors: An Rui , Yu Haitao , Wang Yanzhong , Lu Jie , Gao Yuzhen , Xie Xinyou , Zhang Jun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. Currently, mammography and breast ultrasonography are the main clinical screening methods for BC. Our study aimed to reveal the specific metabolic profiles of BC patients and explore the specific metabolic signatures in human plasma for BC diagnosis.

Methods
This study enrolled 216 participants, including BC patients, benign patients, and healthy controls (HC) and formed two cohorts, one training cohort and one testing cohort. Plasma samples were collected from each participant and subjected to perform nontargeted metabolomics and proteomics. The metabolic signatures for BC diagnosis were identified through machine learning.

Results
Metabolomics analysis revealed that BC patients showed a significant change of metabolic profiles compared to HC individuals. The alanine, aspartate and glutamate pathways, glutamine and glutamate metabolic pathways, and arginine biosynthesis pathways were the critical biological metabolic pathways in BC. Proteomics identified 29 upregulated and 2 downregulated proteins in BC. Our integrative analysis found that aspartate aminotransferase (GOT1), l-lactate dehydrogenase B chain (LDHB), glutathione synthetase (GSS), and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) were closely involved in these metabolic pathways. Support vector machine (SVM) demonstrated a predictive model with 47 metabolites, and this model achieved a high accuracy in BC prediction (AUC = 1). Besides, this panel of metabolites also showed a fairly high predictive power in the testing cohort between BC vs HC (AUC = 0.794), and benign vs HC (AUC = 0.879).

Conclusions
This study uncovered specific changes in the metabolic and proteomic profiling of breast cancer patients and identified a panel of 47 plasma metabolites, including sphingomyelins, glutamate, and cysteine could be potential diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer.
Chromosomal instability in adult-type diffuse gliomas
Authors: Richardson Timothy E. , Walker Jamie M. , Abdullah Kalil G. , McBrayer Samuel K. , Viapiano Mariano S. , Mussa Zarmeen M. , Tsankova Nadejda M. , Snuderl Matija , Hatanpaa Kimmo J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractChromosomal instability (CIN) is a fundamental property of cancer and a key underlying mechanism of tumorigenesis and malignant progression, and has been documented in a wide variety of cancers, including colorectal carcinoma with mutations in genes such as APC. Recent reports have demonstrated that CIN, driven in part by mutations in genes maintaining overall genomic stability, is found in subsets of adult-type diffusely infiltrating gliomas of all histologic and molecular grades, with resulting elevated overall copy number burden, chromothripsis, and poor clinical outcome. Still, relatively few studies have examined the effect of this process, due in part to the difficulty of routinely measuring CIN clinically. Herein, we review the underlying mechanisms of CIN, the relationship between chromosomal instability and malignancy, the prognostic significance and treatment potential in various cancers, systemic disease, and more specifically, in diffusely infiltrating glioma subtypes. While still in the early stages of discovery compared to other solid tumor types in which CIN is a known driver of malignancy, the presence of CIN as an early factor in gliomas may in part explain the ability of these tumors to develop resistance to standard therapy, while also providing a potential molecular target for future therapies.
Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum inoculation on the quality and bacterial community of whole-crop corn silage at different harvest stages
Authors: Dong Jianan , Li Songze , Chen Xue , Sun Zhe , Sun Yue , Zhen Yuguo , Qin Guixin , Wang Tao , Demelash Natnael , Zhang Xuefeng 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundSilage is achieved by anaerobic fermentation of lactic acid bacteria. However, harvest stage andLactiplantibacillus plantarum(L. plantarum) content affect the changes of microbial community in silage, which play an important role in silage quality and mycotoxin levels. The current study evaluated the effects exerted by the application ofL. plantarumon fermentation, mycotoxins and bacterial community of whole-crop corn silage at different harvest stages. The fresh whole plant corn from the same area was harvested during the milk stage and the dough stage, following which from each harvest stage was subjected to fourL. plantarumtreatments: 0 cfu/g; 1 × 106 cfu/g; 1 × 107 cfu/g; and 1 × 108 cfu/g in a 2 × 4 factorial experimental design. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7, 21 and 42. Subsequently, nutrition parameters, fermentation parameters, mycotoxin levels and bacterial community were determined.ResultsProlonging the harvest stage resulted in an increase in the levels of starch and dry matter as well as deoxynivalenol in corn silage. Addition of 1 × 107 cfu/g and 1 × 108 cfu/g ofL. plantarumapplied after 42 d of ensilage reduced dry matter loss, which significantly lowered deoxynivalenol concentration in corn silage at the dough stage (P < 0.01). The pH of corn silage decreased, whereas the lactic acid concentration increased after ensiling. The effects exerted by the interaction (harvest stage × dose ofL. plantarum) on pH on day 21 as well as on fermentation and lactic acid on days 21 and 42 were significant (P < 0.05). Addition of 1 × 107 cfu/g ofL. plantarumat the dough stage significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes while decreasing that of Bacteroidetes, compared to whenL. plantarumwas not added (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAddingL. plantarumimproved the fermentation quality and bacterial community of silage, which reduced part of mycotoxin content and relative abundance of harmful bacteria. In addition, addingL. plantarumin dough stage resulted in greater improvements to mycotoxin content and bacterial community.
Diagnostic performance of simplified TI-RADS for malignant thyroid nodules: comparison with 2017 ACR-TI-RADS and 2020 C-TI-RADS
Authors: Chen Zhiguang , Du Yue , Cheng Linggang , Zhang Yukang , Zheng Shuai , Li Rui , Zhang Wenkai , Zhang Wei , He Wen 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study is to propose a new TI-RADS and compare it with the American College of Radiology (2017 ACR)-TI-RADS and the 2020 Chinese (2020 C)-TI-RADS.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of 749 thyroid nodules was performed. Based on the calculated odds ratio of ultrasonic signs between benign and malignant nodules, a new thyroid nodule score and malignancy rate were calculated. A receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to analyze the new system’s effectiveness in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and was compared with the 2020 C-TI-RADS and 2017 ACR-TI-RADS. Five ultrasound physicians with different qualifications graded another 123 thyroid nodules according to the 2017ACR-TI-RADS, 2020 C-TI-RADS, and the newly proposed TI-RADS. Intergroup and intragroup consistency was evaluated using the Kappa test and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test.

Results
1) The new thyroid nodule score was divided into 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, with malignancy rates of 1.52%, 7.69%, 38.24%, 76.00%, 90.75%, and 93.75%, respectively. Using 3 points as the cutoff value to diagnose benign and malignant thyroid nodules, the sensitivity and specificity were 94.03% and 67.39%, respectively, which were higher than those of the 2017 ACR-TI-RADS and 2020 C-TI-RADS. The simplified TI-RADS, namely, sTI-RADS, was established as follows: sTI-RADS 3 (0 points), malignancy rate < 2%; sTI-RADS 4a (1 point), malignancy rate 2–10%; sTI-RADS 4b (2 points), malignancy rate 10–50%; sTI-RADS 4 (3 points), malignancy rate 50–90%; and sTI-RADS 5 (4 and 5 points), malignancy rate > 90%. 2) Five ultrasound doctors graded thyroid nodules by the 2017 ACR-TI-RADS, 2020C-TI-RADS and sTI-RADS. Intragroup consistency was good among all tests; ICC were 0.86 (0.82–0.90), 0.84 (0.78–0.88), and 0.88 (0.84–0.91), respectively, while only sTI-RADS had good intergroup consistency.

Conclusion
In summary, we proposed a new TI-RADS, namely, sTI-RADS, which was obtained using a simple assignment method with higher specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and Youden index than the 2017 ACR-TI-RADS and 2020 C-TI-RADS.
Arterial spin labeling and diffusion-weighted imaging for identification of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yu Xiaoduo , Yang Fan , Liu Xue , Zhao Yanfeng , Li Yujie , Lin Meng , Xie Lizhi , Shang Yuqing 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the parameters derived from arterial spin labeling (ASL) and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiating retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLNs) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods
This prospective study included 50 newly diagnosed NPC and 23 healthy control (HC) participants. RLNs of NPC were diagnosed according to the follow-up MRI after radiotherapy. Parameters derived from ASL and multi-b-value DWI, and RLNs axial size on pre-treatment MRI among groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency.

Results
A total of 133 RLNs were collected and divided into a metastatic group (n = 71) and two non-metastatic groups (n = 62, including 29 nodes from NPC and 33 nodes from HC). The axial size, blood flow (BF), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of RLNs were significantly different between the metastasis and the non-metastasis group. For NPC patients with a short axis < 5 mm or < 6 mm, or long axis < 7 mm, if BF > 54 mL/min/100 g or ADC ≤ 0.95 × 10−3 mm2/s, the RLNs were still considered metastatic. Compared with the index alone, a combination of size and functional parameters could improve the accuracy significantly, except the long axis combined with ADC; especially, combined size with BF exhibited better performance with an accuracy of 91.00–92.00%.

Conclusions
ASL and multi-b-value DWI could help determine the N stage of NPC, while the BF combination with RLNs size may significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency.
Gayet-Wernicke’s encephalopathy complicating prolonged parenteral nutrition in patient treated for colonic cancer – a case report –
Authors: Slim Skander , Ayed Karim , Triki Wissem , Baccar Abdelmajid , Baraket Oussama , Rahal Khaled , Ganzoui Imen , Bouchoucha Sami 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Gayet-Wernicke’s encephalopathy (GWE) is a neurological pathology caused by a Thiamine deficiency. While it is most often related to chronic alcoholism, GWE can occur in any situation that results in thiamine deficiency. It is a fairly common pathology that is frequently underdiagnosed and therefore under-treated, and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity rate. In the absence of pathognomonic signs, the diagnosis of GWE relies on a range of clinical, biological and radiological assessments. GWE is considered a medical emergency.
We present a case of Gayet-Wernicke’s Encephalopathy resulting from complete parenteral nutrition in an undernourished North African male operated for a left colon tumor. Through this report, our aim was to put the light on this often underknown disease and to remind the interest of thinking about this pathology in patients at risk of undernourishment especially in oncology.

Case presentation
A 66-year-old North African male with no personal or family history was operated for a sigmoid colon tumor. He was put on exclusive parenteral nutrition on day thirteen post-operatively and presented with a GWE on day sixteen post-operatively. The patient was treated with intravenous vitamin B1 on day eighteen post-operatively and deceased on day twenty-four post-operatively.

Conclusions
Although most often associated with chronic alcoholism, GWE occurs in any situation where there is an increased energy demand or decreased nutritional intake especially in oncology.
GWE is common but under-diagnosed and remains lethal if not treated urgently, hence the importance of prophylactic treatment.
Acute effects of a motor coordination intervention on executive functions in kindergartners: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial
Authors: Haas Petra , Sudeck Gorden , Kelava Augustin , Cattarius Marcel , Meibohm Marie , Schmid Johanna , Kistoglidou Eirini , Gawrilow Caterina 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Executive functions are pivotal for future academic and social functioning. Causal effects of physical activity on executive functions have been shown in adults. The primary objective of this study was to test the proof-of-concept (i.e., feasibility of implementation and acceptance) of a motor coordination intervention and a sedentary control condition in kindergartners and its preliminary effectiveness on subsequent executive function performance.

Methods
The study used a two-group post-test only design. All children aged between 4 and 7 years old were eligible. One hundred and three children (46% girls; age: M = 5.71 years, 95% CI = 5.50 to 5.92) recruited in a middle-sized town in Germany were randomly assigned to a 20-min motor coordination intervention (n = 51) or a sedentary control condition (n = 52), both of which were conducted in a one-on-one experimenter-child setting in the university or kindergarten. A second blinded-to-condition experimenter assessed the executive function outcomes directly following the conditions. Proof-of-concept criteria were the implementation of the intervention with a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level assessed via heart rate sensors, and with motor coordination demands, analyzed via video recordings; children’s acceptance via self-reported enjoyment of the conditions; and the post-assessments of executive functions with a behavioral and computerized task.

Results
The motor coordination intervention and the control condition were feasible in a one-on-one setting with kindergartners. The intervention revealed heart rate increases and challenging motor coordination tasks. Children in both conditions indicated they enjoy them. Performance in the two executive function tasks did not differ between children in the motor coordination intervention and the control condition.

Conclusions
A one-on-one experimenter-child setting was feasible to deliver in kindergartners. Future intervention studies should consider pre-testing of executive functions and take into account children’s characteristics as potential moderators, such as motor coordination skills.
Pathogenicity, ultra-structural growth and development of green muscardine fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on maize fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Kiruthiga G. , Jeyarani S. , Sathiah N. , Murugan M. , Sivakumar U. , Uma D. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating pest of maize, difficult to manage using a single pest management tactic. The entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Metarhizium anisopliae being an eco-friendly component, could be an effective tool for managing this notorious pest owing to its preferred habitat, principally the whorl region.

Results
Metarhizium anisopliae (TNAU-MA-GDU) isolated from FAW was evaluated against 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda reared under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity and infection process were also studied through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The LC50 value for M. anisopliae isolate TNAU-MA-GDU was recorded as 5.8 × 104 spores ml−1 against the second instar larvae of S. frugiperda. SEM observations on the infection process revealed the adherence of the conidia on the head, cuticular ornamentations of the thorax, sensory seta, and legs at 24 h post-infection (hpi). Formation of germ tube and appressoria was observed from 48 hpi with subsequent hyphal development at 72 hpi. Complete networking of mycelium and conidiogenesis observed after 168 hpi.

Conclusion
An understanding of fungal–host interactions at the ultramicroscopic levels could reform present tactics for developing hyper-virulent EPF strains.
Enhancing cellular uptake and membrane permeability of gallic acid for breast cancer therapy via folate-tagged PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles has theronastic agent
Authors: Sandhiya V. , Ubaidulla U. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
In an attempt to prove biological activity enhancement upon escalating the cellular uptake response through ligand and carrier-based via nanoframework, gallic acid was chosen to be formulated into PLGA-based polymeric nanoparticles with iron oxide as the theranostic agent.

Results
The pre-formulation studies like FTIR, DSC, XRD, and TGA were carried out, which implies good compatibility between drug and polymer. Furthermore, the nanoparticles were prepared by using a single nanoprecipitation method, and the prepared nanoparticles were optimized using the Box–Behnken design. This design was used to optimize the gallic acid-loaded PEGylated nanoparticles by considering the effects of three factors (X1; lipid, X2; PLGA, and X3; drug) on the response variables Y1 (EE), Y2 (size), and Y3 (drug release). The findings of surface response plots are attributed to an optimized nanoparticle. The in vitro drug release followed a biphasic release profile in both tested media, pH 4.8 and 7.4. The desirable physicochemical characteristics involved small particle size with considerable stability, which was attained due to the anionic nature of PLGA. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay of gallic acid, GA/PLGA-IONPs, and optimized FA-GA/PLGA-PEGylated-LIONPs were evaluated using the MTT assay, which showed an inhibition effect on MCF-7 cells to induce apoptosis. Cellular uptake and fluorescence studies show higher cellular uptake and destruction of cells based on concentration dependence.

Conclusions
The above results show that prepared nanoparticles sustain the therapeutic concentration of the drug on target cells by enhancing permeability through the PEGylated lipid delivery system.
Food systems and rural-urban linkages in African secondary cities
Authors: Zimmer Andrew , Guido Zack , Davies Julia , Joshi Nupur , Chilenga Allan , Evans Tom 
Published: August 2022

AbstractUrban populations globally are expected to increase by approximately 2.5 billion by 2050. Much of this growth is taking place in African cities, where about 40% of Africans live in urban areas with populations of less than 250,000. In many of these cities, rapid urban growth has outpaced economic and social development, resulting in high levels of urban poverty and widespread food insecurity. As one response strategy, urban households may leverage their linkages with rural areas and other towns or cities to supplement their food consumption, for example through food remittances or food purchases from remote retailers. While this strategy has been found to occur among inhabitants of large cities where existing research on urban food systems and urban food linkages with other areas has focused, the dynamics in smaller cities are likely different. In this paper, we draw on data from 837 surveys collected in 2021 to investigate household food sourcing strategies across 14 urban areas in Zambia with populations less than 100,000. We find that rural-urban food linkages are dominated by grains while urban-urban food linkages are predominantly composed of higher value foods. Our data further suggest that urban area characteristics explain more of the variability in food sourcing behaviors than household level characteristics, and that urban food purchasing preferences in secondary urban areas are sensitive to the food retail landscape available to households. These relationships highlight the disparate role that rural and urban linkages play across cities of different sizes. They suggest a need for food-related policies to consider diverse urban food systems among smaller cities.
Serum miR-34a as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases in Egyptian patients
Authors: Fouad Amina , Tarek Marwa , Abdel Hamid Rehab Ahmed , Mahmoud Yosra H. , Mohamed Ahmed Abdelhaleem , Saleh Mohamed , Samir Nehal 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
IBD is a multifactorial disease. Although dysbiosis of commensal bacteria and breakdown of the intestinal barrier are considered as major pathological mechanisms in the development of IBD, other important factors such as genetic aberrations also contribute to its development.

Results
Our results revealed that serum miR-34a RQ values were significantly lower and serum MACF1 RQ values were significantly higher in IBD patients compared to healthy controls. In addition, serum miR-34a in relation to pathological activity and disease severity in the IBD group revealed a significant difference (p>0.05).

Conclusion
Serum miR-34a RQ and serum MACF1 RQ value-based biomarker panels can act as a potential biomarker for IBD diagnosis and prognosis.