bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-Omics Investigations Revealed Underlying Molecular Mechanisms Associated With Tumor Stiffness and Identified Sunitinib as a Potential Therapy for Reducing Stiffness in Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Wang Zihao , Chang Mengqi , Zhang Yanruo , Zhou Gang , Liu Penghao , Lou Jizhong , Wang Yuekun , Zhang Yuan , Guo Xiaopeng , Wang Yaning , Bao Xinjie , Lian Wei , Wang Yu , Wang Renzhi , Ma Wenbin , Xing Bing , Gao Jun 
Published: March 2022

Purpose: Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are the second most common intracranial neoplasms. Total surgical resection was extremely important for curing PAs, whereas tumor stiffness has gradually become the most critical factor affecting the resection rate in PAs. We aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tumor stiffening and explore novel medications to reduce stiffness for improving surgical remission rates in PA patients.Methods: RNA sequencing, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, and whole exome sequencing were applied to identify transcriptomic, epigenomic, and genomic underpinnings among 11 soft and 11 stiff PA samples surgically resected from patients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). GH3 cell line and xenograft PA model was used to demonstrate therapeutic effect of sunitinib, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to detect the stiffness of tumors.Results: Tumor microenvironment analyses and immunofluorescence staining indicated endothelial cells (ECs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were more abundant in stiff PAs. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis identified the most critical stiffness-related gene (SRG) module, which was highly correlated with stiff phenotype, ECs and CAFs. Functional annotations suggested SRGs might regulate PA stiffness by regulating the development, differentiation, and apoptosis of ECs and CAFs and related molecular pathways. Aberrant DNA methylation and m6A RNA modifications were investigated to play crucial roles in regulating PA stiffness. Somatic mutation analysis revealed increased intratumoral heterogeneity and decreased response to immunotherapy in stiff tumors. Connectivity Map analysis of SRGs and pRRophetic algorithm based on drug sensitivity data of cancer cell lines finally determine sunitinib as a promising agent targeting stiff tumors. Sunitinib inhibited PA growth in vitro and in vivo, and also reduced tumor stiffness in xenograft PA models detected by AFM.Conclusion: This is the first study investigating the underlying mechanisms contributing to the stiffening of PAs, and providing novel insights into medication therapy for stiff PAs.
Dynamic Mitochondrial Proteome Under Polyamines Treatment in Cardiac Aging
Authors: Zhang Hao , Yan Meng , Liu Ting , Wei Peiling , Chai Nannan , Li Lingxu , Wang Junying , Yu Xue , Lin Yan , Qiu Bintao , Zhao Yajun 
Published: March 2022

Age-related alteration of mitochondria causes impaired cardiac function, along with cellular and molecular changes. Polyamines can extend the life span in mice. However, whether polyamines can affect the dynamic mitochondrial proteome, thereby preventing age-related changes in cardiac function and cardiac aging, remains unclear. In this study, we found that spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) injection for 6 weeks could prevent 24-month-old rats heart dysfunction, improve mitochondrial function, and downregulate apoptosis. Using iTRAQ tools, we identify 75 mitochondrial proteins of statistically significant alteration in aging hearts, which mainly participate in important mitochondrial physiological activity, such as metabolism, translation, transport, apoptosis, and oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, four proteins of differential expression, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK4), trifunctional enzyme subunit alpha (HADHA), nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT), and Annexin6, which were significantly associated with heart aging, were validated by Western blotting. In vitro, we further demonstrated polyamines could retard cardiomyocytes aging through downregulating the expression of PDK4 and thereby inhibiting cell apoptosis. In summary, the distinct mitochondrial proteins identified in this study suggested some candidates involved in the anti-aging of the heart after polyamines treatment, and PDK4 may provide molecular clues for polyamines to inhibit apoptosis and thus retard aging-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Photocatalytic Anaerobic Oxidation of Aromatic Alcohols Coupled With H2 Production Over CsPbBr3/GO-Pt Catalysts
Authors: Chen Taoran , Li Mengqing , Shen Lijuan , Roeffaers Maarten B. J. , Weng Bo , Zhu Haixia , Chen Zhihui , Yu Dan , Pan Xiaoyang , Yang Min-Quan , Qian Qingrong 
Published: March 2022

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have been widely investigated for various photocatalytic applications. However, the dual-functional reaction system integrated selective organic oxidation with H2 production over MHPs is rarely reported. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes integrated with hydrogen (H2) evolution over Pt-decorated CsPbBr3. Especially, the functionalization of CsPbBr3 with graphene oxide (GO) further improves the photoactivity of the perovskite catalyst. The optimal amount of CsPbBr3/GO-Pt exhibits an H2 evolution rate of 1,060 μmol g−1 h−1 along with high selectivity (&gt;99%) for benzyl aldehyde generation (1,050 μmol g−1 h−1) under visible light (λ &gt; 400 nm), which is about five times higher than the CsPbBr3-Pt sample. The enhanced activity has been ascribed to two effects induced by the introduction of GO: 1) GO displays a structure-directing role, decreasing the particle size of CsPbBr3 and 2) GO and Pt act as electron reservoirs, extracting the photogenerated electrons and prohibiting the recombination of the electron–hole pairs. This study opens new avenues to utilize metal halide perovskites as dual-functional photocatalysts to perform selective organic transformations and solar fuel production.
1-Year Outcomes of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of the Ankura II Thoracic Endoprosthesis for the Endovascular Treatment of Stanford Type B Aortic Dissections
Authors: Shu Chang , He Hao , Fu Weiguo , Guo Wei , Li Ming , Xi Erping , Guo Shuguang , Chen Xueming , Xiao Zhanxiang , Yu Shiqiang , Huang Jianhua , Dai Xiangchen , Wang Zhiwei , Li Wei , Zheng Qingshan , Li Quanming , Wang Lunchang , Li Xin , Wang Junwei , Gu Feng 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundThe Ankura II Thoracic Stent Graft System (Lifetech, Shenzhen, China) is an evolution of the Ankura stent graft. This study reports one-year outcomes of the Ankura II Thoracic Stent Graft System for endovascular treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissections.MethodsThe Ankura II Thoracic Aortic Endovascular Trial was a randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial conducted at 12 Chinese institutes. The enrolled patients diagnosed with Stanford type B aortic dissections (TBADs) were randomly assigned to the Ankura group or Ankura II group. Standard follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 6, and 12 months. Safety and efficacy data were analyzed.Results132 patients with TBADs were enrolled. The outcomes for the primary safety end points revealed that the Ankura II stent graft was statistically non-inferior compared to the Ankura stent graft. The 1-month device-related major adverse events (1.6 vs. 0%; p = 0.48), 1-month all-cause mortality (1.7 vs. 4.5%; p = 0.621), 12-month survival rate (95.2 ± 2.7% vs. 94.1 ± 2.9%; p = 0.769), and major adverse event (MAE) rate (5.1 vs. 4.7% at 1 month; p = 0.73 and 5.8 vs. 8.9% at 12 months; p = 0.718) of Ankura II group are all comparable to Ankura group. The two groups showed similar primary effectiveness and true lumen expansion effect, and false lumen remodeling was improved in Ankura II group (−100.0 vs. −48.5%; p = 0.08).ConclusionsThe one-year outcomes from this prospective, randomized, multicenter study demonstrate that Ankura II stent graft shows comparable results to Ankura for treating TBADs, resulting in low mortality rates, MAEs and reintervention rates.Clinical Trial RegistrationChiCTR-TRC-12002844.
WiSE CRT Is Beneficial for Heart Failure Patients as a Rescue Therapy: Evidence From a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cang Jiehui , Liu Yaowu , Zhu Didi , Liu Shangshang , Shen Junxian , Miao Hongyu , Zhou Qianxing , Chen Long 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundLeadless endocardial left ventricular (LV) pacing resynchronization therapy is a novel solution for patients with heart failure (HF) in whom conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) failed.MethodsPubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant cohort studies. Clinical outcomes of interest such as ejection fraction (EF), QRS duration (QRSd), and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) were extracted and analyzed.ResultsFive studies involving 175 HF patients for WiSE CRT were included, and patients were followed-up for 6 months. The implanted success rate ranged from 76.5 to 100%. WiSE CRT resulted in significantly narrower QRSd [mean difference (MD): −38.21 ms, 95% confidence interval (CI): −44.36 to −32.07, p &lt; 0.001], improved left ventricular ejection fraction (MD: 6.07%, 95% CI: 4.43 to 7.71, I2 = 0%, p &lt; 0.001), reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume (MD: −23.47 ml, 95% CI: −37.18 to −9.13, p &lt; 0.001), and reduced left ventricular end-diastolic volume (MD: −24.02 ml, 95% CI: −37.01 to −11.03, p = 0.02).ConclusionEvidence from current studies suggests that leadless endocardial LV pacing resynchronization is effective for HF patients who failed conventional CRT or needed a device upgrade, and it may be an interesting rescue therapy.
Optical Coherence Tomography to Assess Proximal Side Optimization Technique in Crush Stenting
Authors: Lavarra Francesco , Tarantini Giuseppe , Sala Davide , Sirbu Vasile 
Published: March 2022

AimThe aim of this study was to explore the potential intraprocedural benefits of the Proximal Side Optimization (PSO) technique by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).MethodsA case series of 10 consecutive true bifurcation lesions, with severe long pathology of long side branch (SB), were randomly assigned to be treated by standard DK Crush procedure (non-PSO group) as compared to DK Crush in PSO modification (PSO group). The data from OCT investigation before crushing of the SB Drug-Eluting Stent (DES), after crushing, after first kissing balloon inflation (KBI), and after final angiography were compared between the two groups (Public trials registry ISRCTN23355755).ResultsAll 10 cases were successfully treated by the assigned technique. The two groups were similar in terms of indications for the procedure, bifurcation angle, and stent dimensions. As compared to the non-PSO, the PSO group showed larger proximal SB stent areas (5.8 ± 1.8 vs. 4.5 ± 0.5 mm2; p = 0.02), the larger delta between distal and proximal stent areas before crush (1.5 ± 0.7 vs. 0.6 ± 0.5 mm2; p = 0.004), and the larger Space of Optimal Wiring (SOW) after Crush (5.3 ± 1.8 vs. 2.5 ± 1.1 mm2; p = 0.02). The gaps in scaffolding within the ostial segment of the Side Branch DES were found in two patients from the non-PSO group.ConclusionThe DK Crush in PSO modification results in larger SB DES and SOW areas with better apposition to the vessel wall. As result, the SB DES acquires a funnel shape, which reduces the risk of passage outside the SB stent struts during re-wiring, thus, allowing predictable and secure results.
Variability of Aerosols and Clouds Over North Indian and Myanmar During the COVID-19 Lockdown Period
Authors: Lawand Divyaja , Bhakare Sudheer , Fadnavis Suvarna , Bhawar Rohini L. , Rahul P. R. C. , Pallath Pradeep Kumar , Lolli Simone 
Published: March 2022

The implementation of a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease has reduced the loading of anthropogenic aerosols. However, AOD distribution over South Asia during the lockdown period shows a dipole pattern: reduction over North Indian and enhancement over the Myanmar region. This dipole pattern is evident in some datasets (MODIS, MERRA, and CALIPSO). MODIS fire counts collocated with CALIPSO smoke aerosols show enhancement over Myanmar indicating the contribution from fires. However, over the North India region number of fires during the lockdown period are less compared to climatology. Thus, the observed reduction in AOD is due to fires and anthropogenic sources. Our analysis shows that aerosols originating from biomass burning forms a layer (900–600 hPa) over the Myanmar region that produces atmospheric heating (0–2.8 K/day) that eventually leads to cloud dissipation/burning (negative in-atmospheric cloud radiative forcing ∼ −13 W/m2) and precipitation reduction (−1 to −4 mm) over Myanmar. In contrast, the aerosol reduction over North India favors cloud formation, that is, increase in cloud cover and reduction in specific cloud liquid water content leading to precipitation enhancement, indicating the anti-Twomey effect.
Venous Air Embolism Activates Complement C3 Without Corresponding C5 Activation and Trigger Thromboinflammation in Pigs
Authors: Storm Benjamin S. , Ludviksen Judith K. , Christiansen Dorte , Fure Hilde , Pettersen Kristin , Landsem Anne , Nilsen Bent Aksel , Dybwik Knut , Braaten Tonje , Nielsen Erik W. , Mollnes Tom E. 
Published: March 2022

IntroductionAir embolism may complicate invasive medical procedures. Bubbles trigger complement C3-mediated cytokine release, coagulation, and platelet activationin vitroin human whole blood. Since these findings have not been verifiedin vivo, we aimed to examine the effects of air embolism in pigs on thromboinflammation.MethodsForty-five landrace pigs, average 17 kg (range 8.5-30), underwent intravenous air infusion for 300 or 360 minutes (n=29) or served as sham (n=14). Fourteen pigs were excluded due to e.g. infections or persistent foramen ovale. Blood was analyzed for white blood cells (WBC), complement activation (C3a and terminal C5b-9 complement complex [TCC]), cytokines, and hemostatic parameters including thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) using immunoassays and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Lung tissue was analyzed for complement and cytokines using qPCR and immunoassays. Results are presented as medians with interquartile range.ResultsIn 24 pigs receiving air infusion, WBC increased from 17×109/L (10-24) to 28 (16-42) (p&lt;0.001). C3a increased from 21 ng/mL (15-46) to 67 (39-84) (p&lt;0.001), whereas TCC increased only modestly (p=0.02). TAT increased from 35 µg/mL (28-42) to 51 (38-89) (p=0.002). ROTEM changed during first 120 minutes: Clotting time decreased from 613 seconds (531-677) to 538 (399-620) (p=0.006), clot formation time decreased from 161 seconds (122-195) to 124 (83-162) (p=0.02) and α-angle increased from 62 degrees (57-68) to 68 (62-74) (p=0.02). In lungs from pigs receiving air compared to sham animals, C3a was 34 ng/mL (14-50) versus 4.1 (2.4-5.7) (p&lt;0.001), whereas TCC was 0.3 CAU/mL (0.2-0.3) versus 0.2 (0.1-0.2) (p=0.02). Lung cytokines in pigs receiving air compared to sham animals were: IL-1β 302 pg/mL (190-437) versus 107 (66-120), IL-6 644 pg/mL (358-1094) versus 25 (23-30), IL-8 203 pg/mL (81-377) versus 21 (20-35), and TNF 113 pg/mL (96-147) versus 16 (13-22) (all p&lt;0.001). Cytokine mRNA in lung tissue from pigs receiving air compared to sham animals increased 12-fold for IL-1β, 121-fold for IL-6, and 17-fold for IL-8 (all p&lt;0.001).ConclusionVenous air embolism in pigs activated C3 without a corresponding C5 activation and triggered thromboinflammation, consistent with a C3-dependent mechanism. C3-inhibition might represent a therapeutic approach to attenuate this response.
Synthesis of ZnO/CNT Nanocomposites for Ultraviolet Sensors
Authors: Basit Maryam , Abbas Murrawat , Ahmad Naeem , Javed Sofia , Shah Nazar Abbas 
Published: March 2022

Zinc oxide/carbon nanotube (ZnO/CNTs) nanocomposites are developed on gold (Au)-coated unpolished Si p-type (100) substrates with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 nm thicknesses by vapor–liquid–solid method. One set of Au-coated Si substrates are annealed to develop Si–Au samples for better nucleation. XRD, FE-SEM, Raman, and photoluminescence spectroscopic characterizations are used to study structural, morphological, and optical properties on annealed and unannealed catalyst layers with various Au thickness samples. In XRD results, the ZnO/CNT nanocomposites are observed with higher crystallinity and purity of phase. FE-SEM images showed variety of nanostructures with variation in morphologies with respect to Au thickness in annealed and unannealed samples. Clear indication of high defect concentrations and high crystallinity is observed in Raman spectra. It is observed in PL spectra that preferred peak orientation with shift ∼4 nm in the unannealed Au layer and ∼9 nm in annealed Au layer samples exhibited formation of ZnO/CNT nanocomposites. Efficient sensing is observed in the 6-nm thickness Au layer in the unannealed sample. Annealed Au-coated Si samples at 8 and 10 nm thicknesses showed efficient UV sensing with quick response and recovery time.
Effects of Exergaming-Based Tai Chi on Cognitive Function and Dual-Task Gait Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Liu Chien-Liang , Cheng Fang-Yu , Wei Min-Ju , Liao Ying-Yi 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundDeclined cognitive function interferes with dual-task walking ability and may result in falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The mind-body exercise, Tai Chi (TC), improves cognition and dual-task ability. Exergaming is low-cost, safe, highly scalable, and feasible. Whether the effects of exergaming-based TC is beneficial than traditional TC has not been investigated yet.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate effects of exergaming-based TC on cognitive function and dual-task walking among older adults with MCI.MethodsFifty patients with MCI were randomly assigned to an exergaming-based TC (EXER-TC) group, a traditional TC (TC) group, or a control group. The EXER-TC and TC groups received 36 training sessions (three, 50-min sessions per week) during a 12-week period. The control group received no intervention and were instructed to maintain their usual daily physical activities. The outcome variables measured included those related to cognitive function, dual-task cost (DTC), and gait performance.ResultsThe EXER-TC and TC groups performed better than the control group on the Chinese version of the Stroop Color and Word Test, the Trail Making Test Parts A and B, the one-back test, gait speed, and DTC of gait speed in cognitive dual-task conditions after training. However, there were no significant differences between the EXER-TC and TC groups. Compared with the control group, only the EXER-TC group experienced beneficial effects for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.ConclusionEXER-TC was comparable to traditional TC for enhancement of dual-task gait performance and executive function. These results suggested that the EXER-TC approach has potential therapeutic use in older adults with MCI.
Combined Application of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Techniques to Investigate the Effect of Iron Deposition on Microstructural Changes in the Brain in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Yang Lin , Cheng Yan , Sun Yongyan , Xuan Yinghua , Niu Jianping , Guan Jitian , Rong Yunjie , Jia Yanlong , Zhuang Zerui , Yan Gen , Wu Renhua 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesBrain iron deposition and microstructural changes in brain tissue are associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the correlation between these factors in Parkinson’s disease has been little studied. This study aimed to use quantitative susceptibility mapping combined with diffusion kurtosis imaging to investigate the effects of iron deposition on microstructural tissue alterations in the brain.MethodsQuantitative susceptibility mapping and diffusion kurtosis imaging were performed on 24 patients with early PD, 13 patients with advanced PD, and 25 healthy controls. The mean values of magnetic susceptibility and diffusion kurtosis were calculated for the bilateral substantia nigra, red nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and caudate nucleus, and compared between the groups. Correlation analyses between the diffusion kurtosis of each nucleus and its magnetic susceptibility parameters in PD patients and healthy controls were performed.ResultsThe study found a significant increase in iron deposition in the substantia nigra, red nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus, bilaterally, in patients with PD. Mean kurtosis values were increased in the substantia nigra but decreased in the globus pallidus; axial kurtosis values were decreased in both the substantia nigra and red nucleus; radial kurtosis values were increased in the substantia nigra but showed an opposite trend in the globus pallidus and caudate nucleus. In the substantia nigra of patients with PD, magnetic susceptibility was positively correlated with mean and radial kurtosis values, and negatively correlated with axial kurtosis. None of these correlations were significantly different in the control group. In the putamen, magnetic susceptibility was positively correlated with mean, axial, and radial kurtosis only in patients with advanced-stage PD.ConclusionOur study provides new evidence for brain iron content and microstructural alterations in patients with PD. Iron deposition may be a common mechanism for microstructural alterations in the substantia nigra and putamen of patients with PD. Tracking the dynamic changes in iron content and microstructure throughout the course of PD will help us to better understand the dynamics of iron metabolism and microstructural alterations in the pathogenesis of PD and to develop new approaches to monitor and treat PD.
Dynamic Alterations in Functional Connectivity Density in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Shi Jia-Yan , Cai Li-Min , Lin Jia-Hui , Zou Zhang-Yu , Zhang Xiao-Hong , Chen Hua-Jun 
Published: March 2022

Background and AimsCurrent knowledge on the temporal dynamics of the brain functional organization in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is limited. This is the first study on alterations in the patterns of dynamic functional connection density (dFCD) involving ALS.MethodsWe obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 50 individuals diagnosed with ALS and 55 healthy controls (HCs). We calculated the functional connectivity (FC) between a given voxel and all other voxels within the entire brain and yield the functional connection density (FCD) value per voxel. dFCD was assessed by sliding window correlation method. In addition, the standard deviation (SD) of dFCD across the windows was computed voxel-wisely to measure dFCD variability. The difference in dFCD variability between the two groups was compared using a two-sample t-test following a voxel-wise manner. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the between-group recognition performance of the dFCD variability index.ResultsThe dFCD variability was significantly reduced in the bilateral precentral and postcentral gyrus compared with the HC group, whereas a marked increase was observed in the left middle frontal gyrus of ALS patients. dFCD variability exhibited moderate potential (areas under ROC curve = 0.753–0.837, all P &lt; 0.001) in distinguishing two groups.ConclusionALS patients exhibit aberrant dynamic property in brain functional architecture. The dFCD evaluation improves our understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying ALS and may assist in its diagnosis.