bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Liu Yali , Lau Harry Cheuk-Hay , Cheng Wing Yin , Yu Jun 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths. Epidemiological studies have shown that both genetic and environmental risk factors contribute to the development of CRC. Several metagenomic studies of CRC have identified gut dysbiosis as a fundamental risk factor in the evolution of colorectal malignancy. Although enormous efforts and substantial progresses have been made in understanding the relationship between human gut microbiome and CRC, the precise mechanisms involved remain elusive. Recent data have shown a direct causative role of the gut microbiome in DNA damage, inflammation, and drug resistance in CRC, suggesting that modulation of gut microbiome could act as a powerful tool in CRC prevention and therapy. Here, we provide an overview of the relationship between gut microbiome and CRC, and explore relevant mechanisms of colorectal tumorigenesis. We next highlight the potential of bacterial species as clinical biomarkers, as well as their roles in therapeutic response. Factors limiting the clinical translation of gut microbiome and strategies for resolving current challenges are further discussed.
Disease progression, treatments, hospitalization, and clinical outcomes in acute GVHD: a multicenter chart review
Authors: Holtan Shernan G. , Yu Jingbo , Choe Hannah K. , Paranagama Dilan , Tang Jackson , Naim Ahmad , Galvin John , Joachim Deeg H. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAcute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a barrier to successful allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes. This multicenter, retrospective chart review describes disease progression, treatment patterns, hospitalizations, and clinical outcomes among 475 patients (≥12 years old) who developed grades II–IV acute GVHD after their first HCT (January 2014–June 2016). Median (interquartile range) age at HCT was 55 (44–63) years. From the date of acute GVHD diagnosis, 190 patients (40.0%) experienced progression to more severe disease and/or developed new organ involvement. Among 431 patients with grades II–IV acute GVHD at diagnosis, 73.1% received first-line systemic corticosteroids. During follow-up (median 524 days since acute GVHD diagnosis), 23.4% of patients had an increase in steroid dose and 44.4% were unable to taper below 10 mg/day. Over half of patients (54.9%) required ≥1 hospital readmission within 100 days post-HCT (≥2 readmissions in 22.3%); mean inpatient length of stay upon readmission was 27.5 days. Approximately half of patients (52.8%) died during follow-up; 1-year overall mortality from date of acute GVHD diagnosis and nonrelapse mortality rates were 35.2% and 25.5%, respectively. Overall, patients who developed acute GVHD following HCT had poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the unmet need for early and effective treatment strategies.
Direct force measurement of microscopic droplets pulled along soft surfaces
Authors: Khattak Hamza K. , Karpitschka Stefan , Snoeijer Jacco H. , Dalnoki-Veress Kari 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWhen a droplet is placed on a soft surface, surface tension deforms the substrate, creating a capillary ridge. We study how the motion of the ridge dissipates energy in microscopic droplets. Using a micropipette based method, we are able to simultaneously image and measure forces on a microscopic droplet moving at a constant speed along a soft film supported on a rigid substrate. Changing the thickness of the thin film tunes the effective stiffness of the substrate. Thus we can control the ridge size without altering the surface chemistry. We find that the dissipation depends strongly on the film thickness, decreasing monotonically as effective stiffness increases. This monotonic trend is beyond the realm of small deformation theory, but can be explained with a simple scaling analysis.
Structure-guided and phage-assisted evolution of a therapeutic anti-EGFR antibody to reverse acquired resistance
Authors: Zhuang Xinlei , Wang Zhe , Fan Jiansheng , Bai Xuefei , Xu Yingchun , Chou James J. , Hou Tingjun , Chen Shuqing , Pan Liqiang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAcquired resistance to cetuximab in colorectal cancers is partially mediated by the acquisition of mutations located in the cetuximab epitope in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ectodomain and hinders the clinical application of cetuximab. We develop a structure-guided and phage-assisted evolution approach for cetuximab evolution to reverse EGFRS492R- or EGFRG465R-driven resistance without altering the binding epitope or undermining antibody efficacy. Two evolved cetuximab variants, Ctx-VY and Ctx-Y104D, exhibit a restored binding ability with EGFRS492R, which harbors the most common resistance substitution, S492R. Ctx-W52D exhibits restored binding with EGFR harboring another common cetuximab resistance substitution, G465R (EGFRG465R). All the evolved cetuximab variants effectively inhibit EGFR activation and downstream signaling and induce the internalization and degradation of EGFRS492R and EGFRG465R as well as EGFRWT. The evolved cetuximab variants (Ctx-VY, Ctx-Y104D and Ctx-W52D) with one or two amino acid substitutions in the complementarity-determining region inherit the optimized physical and chemical properties of cetuximab to a great extent, thus ensuring their druggability. Our data collectively show that structure-guided and phage-assisted evolution is an efficient and general approach for reversing receptor mutation-mediated resistance to therapeutic antibody drugs.
Evaluation of transplacental transfer of mRNA vaccine products and functional antibodies during pregnancy and infancy
Authors: Prahl Mary , Golan Yarden , Cassidy Arianna G. , Matsui Yusuke , Li Lin , Alvarenga Bonny , Chen Hao , Jigmeddagva Unurzul , Lin Christine Y. , Gonzalez Veronica J. , Chidboy Megan A. , Warrier Lakshmi , Buarpung Sirirak , Murtha Amy P. , Flaherman Valerie J. , Greene Warner C. , Wu Alan H. B. , Lynch Kara L. , Rajan Jayant , Gaw Stephanie L. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractStudies are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy, and the levels of protection provided to their newborns through placental transfer of antibodies. Here, we evaluate the transplacental transfer of mRNA vaccine products and functional anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during pregnancy and early infancy in a cohort of 20 individuals vaccinated during late pregnancy. We find no evidence of mRNA vaccine products in maternal blood, placenta tissue, or cord blood at delivery. However, we find time-dependent efficient transfer of IgG and neutralizing antibodies to the neonate that persists during early infancy. Additionally, using phage immunoprecipitation sequencing, we find a vaccine-specific signature of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein epitope binding that is transplacentally transferred during pregnancy. Timing of vaccination during pregnancy is critical to ensure transplacental transfer of protective antibodies during early infancy.
Optimization of the 4-anilinoquin(az)oline scaffold as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors for chordoma utilizing a toxicology profiling assay platform
Authors: Bieberich Andrew A. , Laitinen Tuomo , Maffuid Kaitlyn , Fatig Raymond O. , Torrice Chad D. , Morris David C. , Crona Daniel J. , Asquith Christopher R. M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe 4-anilinoquin(az)oline is a well-known kinase inhibitor scaffold incorporated in clinical inhibitors including gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, and lapatinib, all of which have previously demonstrated activity against chordoma cell lines in vitro. We screened a focused array of compounds based on the 4-anilinoquin(az)oline scaffold against both U-CH1 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor resistant U-CH2. To prioritize the hit compounds for further development, we screened the compound set in a multiparameter cell health toxicity assay. The de-risked compounds were then screened against a wider panel of patient derived cell lines and demonstrated low micromolar efficacy in cells. We also investigated the properties that gave rise to the toxophore markers, including the structural and electronic features, while optimizing for EGFR in-cell target engagement. These de-risked leads present a potential new therapeutic avenue for treatment of chordomas and new chemical tools and probe compound 45 (UNC-CA359) to interrogate EGFR mediated disease phenotypes.
Deep-sea infauna with calcified exoskeletons imaged in situ using a new 3D acoustic coring system (A-core-2000)
Authors: Mizuno Katsunori , Nomaki Hidetaka , Chen Chong , Seike Koji 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe deep ocean is Earth’s largest habitable space inhabited by diverse benthic organisms. Infauna play crucial roles in shaping sedimentary structures, relocating organic matter, porewater chemistry, and hence biogeochemical cycles. However, the visualization and quantification of infauna in situ inside deep-sea sediment has been challenging, due to their sparse distribution and that deep-sea cameras do not visualize animals living below the sediment surface. Here, we newly developed a 3D acoustic “coring” system and applied it to visualize and detect burrowing bivalves in deep-sea sediments. The in situ acoustic observation was conducted at a dense colony of vesicomyid clams in a hydrocarbon seep in Sagami Bay, Japan, focusing on a patch of juvenile clams with a completely infaunal life style. We clearly observed strong backscatters from the top and lower edges of animals in our 3D acoustic data. At least 17 reflectors were identified in the survey area (625 cm2), interpreted to correspond to living clams. The estimated depths of the lower edge of clams ranged between 41 and 98 mm. The acoustic system presented here is effective for detecting and monitoring infauna with calcified exoskeletons. This novel tool will help us better assess and understand the distribution of deep-sea infauna, particularly those groups with hard exoskeletons, as well as biogeochemical cycles.
Stochastic consolidation of lifelong memory
Authors: Shaham Nimrod , Chandra Jay , Kreiman Gabriel , Sompolinsky Haim 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHumans have the remarkable ability to continually store new memories, while maintaining old memories for a lifetime. How the brain avoids catastrophic forgetting of memories due to interference between encoded memories is an open problem in computational neuroscience. Here we present a model for continual learning in a recurrent neural network combining Hebbian learning, synaptic decay and a novel memory consolidation mechanism: memories undergo stochastic rehearsals with rates proportional to the memory’s basin of attraction, causing self-amplified consolidation. This mechanism gives rise to memory lifetimes that extend much longer than the synaptic decay time, and retrieval probability of memories that gracefully decays with their age. The number of retrievable memories is proportional to a power of the number of neurons. Perturbations to the circuit model cause temporally-graded retrograde and anterograde deficits, mimicking observed memory impairments following neurological trauma.
Feeder delivery vehicle scheduling optimization of high-speed railway express based on trunk and branch intermodal transportation
Authors: Cui Yao , Zhou Xiaoye 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIn view of the traditional branch line end express delivery centralized mode cannot adapt to the growing demand of high-speed rail (HSR) express, resulting in poor connection between trunk and branch line, high cost and poor timeliness. In this paper, the problem of scheduling optimization of branch-line flexible distribution vehicles relying on intermodal transportation of trunk and branch lines is proposed. Considering the number of vehicles, vehicle capacity, customer service time window and other constraints, an integer linear programming mathematical model with the minimum total cost of vehicle transportation cost, usage cost and time window penalty cost as the optimization objective is established. A two-level nested heuristic algorithm with two-level coding structure is proposed to solve the problem. Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness of the model and the algorithm. The results show that the vehicle scheduling optimization problem studied in this paper can effectively improve the timeliness and accuracy of HSR express delivery, and can significantly reduce the total vehicle delivery cost.
Maximize the use of municipal waste generated by the hydrogen peroxide industry in the production of high-quality refractory CAC
Authors: Amer Ahmed I. H. , El-Maddah A. A. , Abuelela Ahmed M. , Ahmed Y. M. Z. , Hassan Ali M. , El-Amir Ahmed A. M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHigh-grade calcium aluminate cement (CAC) has been successfully synthesized from municipal alumina waste and limestone under mild reaction conditions. Mineralogical composition and microstructure of the sintered mixes were investigated using X-ray diffraction and FESEM; valuable cementing phases such as CA, CA2, and C12A7 were observed in addition to the C3A phase that was detected in the mixes with high CaCO3 content. Mix CA60 containing 60 wt% alumina waste has achieved the best sinterability (less than 1 vol% porosity) and the highest densification (~ 2.65 g/cm3 bulk density) at 1450 °C. Densification, cold-crushing strength (CCS), and microstructure of the hydrated cement samples (From Mix CA60) were investigated. The cast cement specimens revealed better density and CCS characteristics (63.1 and 74 MPa at 7 and 28 days, respectively) in comparison with the commercial cement. Conventional castables (5 × 5 × 5 cm3) were prepared from mixtures composed of 15 wt% cement and 85 wt% aggregates (40% Al2O3), where CA60 and commercial cement were used to compare the effect of the manufactured CA60 cement with the commercial one. The castables prepared with CA60 cement have shown a higher strength at 110 °C with 4.5 MPa when compared to the commercial CAC at the same temperature (1.8 MPa). Accordingly, this study contributes not only to preserving the environment from the accumulation of industrial wastes but also to valorizing and adding value to these wastes.
Stable isotopes unveil one millennium of domestic cat paleoecology in Europe
Authors: Krajcarz Magdalena , Van Neer Wim , Krajcarz Maciej T. , Popović Danijela , Baca Mateusz , De Cupere Bea , Goffette Quentin , Küchelmann Hans Christian , Gręzak Anna , Iwaszczuk Urszula , Ottoni Claudio , Van de Vijver Katrien , Wilczyński Jarosław , Mulczyk Anna , Wiejacki Jan , Makowiecki Daniel , Bocherens Hervé 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe domestic cat is the world's most popular pet and one of the most detrimental predators in terrestrial ecosystems. Effective protection of wildlife biodiversity demands detailed tracking of cat trophic ecology, and stable isotopes serve as a powerful proxy in dietary studies. However, a variable diet can make an isotopic pattern unreadable in opportunistic predators. To evaluate the usefulness of the isotopic method in cat ecology, we measured C and N isotope ratios in hundreds of archaeological cat bones. We determined trends in cat trophic paleoecology in northern Europe by exploiting population-scale patterns in animals from diverse locations. Our dataset shows a high variability of isotopic signals related to the socio-economic and/or geomorphological context. This points toward regularities in isotopic patterns across past cat populations. We provide a generalized guide to interpret the isotopic ecology of cats, emphasizing that regional isotopic baselines have a major impact on the isotopic signal.
A multicenter study to compare the effectiveness of the inpatient post acute care program versus traditional rehabilitation for stroke survivors
Authors: Chang Ke-Vin , Chen Kai-Hua , Chen Ying-Hsun , Lien Wei-Chih , Chang Wei-Han , Lai Chung-Liang , Wu Cheng-Che , Chen Chia-Hsin , Chen Yu-Hsin , Wu Wei-Ting , Wang Tyng-Guey , Han Der-Sheng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThere is insufficient evidence to prove the effect of the Post-acute Care (PAC) program on post-stroke recovery. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the PAC versus traditional inpatient rehabilitation (non-PAC) for middle- and old-aged stroke survivors. This multicenter cohort study enrolled 334 stroke patients admitted for post-stroke rehabilitation. The outcome variables included the Barthel Index (BI), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D), Lawton–Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighting method was used to analyze the differences in outcomes between the PAC and non-PAC groups. The PAC group showed better improvements in BI, MNA-SF, EQ-5D, Instrumental ADL, and MMSE compared to the non-PAC group, with differences in effect sizes of 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–0.71), 0.26 (95% CI 0.10–0.42), 0.50 (95% CI 0.33–0.66), 0.44 (95% CI 0.28–0.60) and 0.34 (95% CI 0.17–0.50), respectively. The PAC project showed more improvement in basic and instrumental ADL and status of swallowing, nutrition, and cognition than those of non-PAC, which had less length of stay restricted by the National Health Insurance. More studies are warranted to investigate the influence of hospital stay and duration from stroke onset on the PAC’s effectiveness.
A comparison of IOLMaster 500 and IOLMaster 700 in the measurement of ocular biometric parameters in cataract patients
Authors: Jiang Jianhong , Pan Xiaojing , Zhou Mingming , Wang Xiaoyun , Zhu Hai , Li Dongfang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo compare the agreement of ocular biometric parameters measured by IOLMaster 500 and IOLMaster 700. This is a prospective study. IOLMaster 500 and IOLMaster 700 were used to measure the axial eye length (AL), corneal flat keratometry (Kf), corneal steep keratometry (Ks), mean keratometry (Km), corneal astigmatism(CA), J0, J45, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and corneal horizontal diameter (white-to-white distance, WTW) of 518 eyes (392 patients) with cataracts. Patients were enrolled unilaterally. Subgroup analyses were done according to the AL and Km. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis were used to evaluate the agreement. A total of 275 eyes were analyzed. The 95% confidence interval of ICC of the mean AL, Ks, Kf, Km, J0, and ACD values measured by the two instruments are indicative of excellent reliability (P < 0.001). The measurement results of WTW show good reliability (P < 0.001). The ICC of CA is of good reliability in CA < 0.5 D group (P = 0.000) and moderate reliability in the other two groups (P = 0.000). The WTW is the widest range among 95% consistency of the limit range measured by the two instruments. The results of IOLMaster 500 and IOLMaster 700 in measuring AL, keratometry, and ACD in cataract patients are of high agreement.
Comparison of sensory outcomes in patients with successful motor outcome versus recurrent exotropia after surgery for intermittent exotropia
Authors: Joo Hye Jun , Choi Jin Ju , Ro Jin Woo , Choi Dong Gyu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHere, we compared sensory outcomes between patients with successful motor outcomes and recurrent exotropia after intermittent exotropia surgery. We retrospectively analyzed 303 patients who underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia, divided into two groups: successful motor outcome defined as an alignment between 10 prism diopters (PD) exodeviation and 5PD esodeviation at the final follow-up (Group A, n = 177) and residual or recurrent exotropia defined as exodeviation > 10 PD (Group B, n = 126). Preoperative and postoperative (at final visit) sensory outcomes were compared using the Titmus stereotest and distance Worth 4-dot test. Stereoacuity significantly improved postoperatively in both successful motor outcome group (Group A) and residual or recurrent exotropia group (Group B). However, stereoacuity did not differ between groups preoperatively and postoperatively. On the other hand, fusion rates for the Worth 4-dot test were significantly higher in group A than in group B, preoperatively and postoperatively, and significantly increased postoperatively only in group A. Therefore, the distance Worth 4-dot test may be useful for evaluating postoperative prognosis and preoperative sensory status.
Production of pine sawdust biochar supporting phosphate-solubilizing bacteria as an alternative bioinoculant in Allium cepa L., culture
Authors: Blanco-Vargas Andrea , Chacón-Buitrago María A. , Quintero-Duque María C. , Poutou-Piñales Raúl A. , Díaz-Ariza Lucía A. , Devia-Castillo Carlos A. , Castillo-Carvajal Laura C. , Toledo-Aranda Daniel , da Conceição de Matos Christiano , Olaya-González Wilmar , Ramos-Monroy Oswaldo , Pedroza-Rodríguez Aura M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe produced and characterised biochar made from Caribbean pine sawdust as raw material. The biochar (BC500) was used as biocompatible support to co-inoculate phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (BC500/PSB) on Allium cepa L., plants at a greenhouse scale for four months. The three biomaterials study included proximate analysis, elemental analysis, aromaticity analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), adsorption studies at different pH and PSB stability as a function of time. The results indicated that BC500 is suitable as organic support or solid matrix to maintain the viability of PSB able to solubilise P from phosphate rock (PR). The biofertilizer (BC500/PSB) allows increasing germination, seedling growth, nutrient assimilation, and growth of Allium cepa L., because PSB immobilised on BC500 promoted nutrient mobilisation, particularly P, during cultivation of Allium cepa L., at pots scale. The two treatments to evaluate the biofertilizer (BC500/PSB) showed the highest concentrations of total P with 1.25 ± 0.13 and 1.38 ± 0.14 mg bulb−1 in A. cepa L. This work presents the benefits of a new product based on bacteria naturally associated with onion and an organic material (BC500) serving as a bacterial carrier that increases the adsorption area of highly reactive nutrients, reducing their leaching or precipitation with other nutrients and fixation to the solid matrix of the soil.