bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy balance‐related factors in childhood and adolescence and risk of colorectal cancer expressing different levels of proteins involved in the Warburg‐effect
Authors: Jenniskens Josien C. A. , Offermans Kelly , Simons Colinda C. J. M. , Samarska Iryna , Fazzi Gregorio E. , Smits Kim M. , Schouten Leo J. , Weijenberg Matty P. , Grabsch Heike I. , van den Brandt Piet A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEarly‐life (childhood to adolescence) energy balance‐related factors (height, energy restriction, BMI) have been associated with adult colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Warburg‐effect activation via PI3K/Akt‐signaling might explain this link. We investigated whether early‐life energy balance‐related factors were associated with risk of Warburg‐subtypes in CRC. We used immunohistochemistry for six proteins involved in the Warburg‐effect (LDHA, GLUT1, MCT4, PKM2, P53, and PTEN) on tissue microarrays of 2399 incident CRC cases from the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS). Expression levels of all proteins were combined into a pathway‐based sum score and categorized into three Warburg‐subtypes (Warburg‐low/‐moderate/‐high). Multivariable Cox‐regression analyses were used to estimate associations of height, energy restriction proxies (exposure to Dutch Hunger Winter; Second World War [WWII]; Economic Depression) and adolescent BMI with Warburg‐subtypes in CRC. Height was positively associated with colon cancer in men, regardless of Warburg‐subtypes, and with Warburg‐low colon and Warburg‐moderate rectal cancer in women. Energy restriction during the Dutch Hunger Winter was inversely associated with colon cancer in men, regardless of Warburg‐subtypes. In women, energy restriction during the Hunger Winter and WWII was inversely associated with Warburg‐low colon cancer, whereas energy restriction during the Economic Depression was positively associated with Warburg‐high colon cancer. Adolescent BMI was positively associated with Warburg‐high colon cancer in men, and Warburg‐moderate rectal cancer in women. In conclusion, the Warburg‐effect seems to be involved in associations of adolescent BMI with colon cancer in men, and of energy restriction during the Economic Depression with colon cancer in women. Further research is needed to validate these results.
Appropriateness of hysterectomies at the time of surgical removal of presumed benign adnexal masses
Authors: Barake Carole , Atwani Rula , Jaafar Narjes , Tamim Hani , Hobeika Elie , Chamsy Dina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate factors that affect a gynecologist’s decision to remove an asymptomatic uterus at the time of removal of a presumed benign adnexal mass.MethodsRetrospective chart review of hysterectomies conducted when removing presumed benign adnexal masses at a tertiary‐care academic center. Primary outcome was the final pathology of the adnexal mass to determine whether the hysterectomy was medically indicated. Secondary outcomes included the rate of postoperative complications.ResultsWe included 185 out of 1415 charts. Most hysterectomies were performed by gynecologic oncologists (68.8%); 113 (61%) had a frozen section and of those, 76 (67.3%) were benign. Final adnexal pathology was benign in 135 (73%) cases. Using a bivariate analysis, menopausal status (P = 0.019), parity (P = 0.047), sonographic appearance of the mass (P = 0.049), and the physician’s preoperative suspicion for malignancy (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the final adnexal pathology. At the multivariate level, only the physician’s suspicion for malignancy was significantly associated with the final adnexal pathology (P < 0.0001) with an odds ratio of 7.28 (95% confidence interval 3.11–17.02).ConclusionDespite gynecologists' capacity to predict the malignant nature of an adnexal mass, 135 of 185 (73%) hysterectomies were performed without a clear medical indication, at the time of removal of benign adnexal masses.
Severe maternal outcome in Afghan immigrant women: A study in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Yaghoubi Fatemeh , Akbari Nahid , Kashanian Maryam , Moradi Lakeh Maziar , Sheikhansari Narges 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the risk factors for severe maternal outcome (SMO) in Afghan immigrant women.MethodsWomen with potentially life‐threatening conditions (PLTC) were selected. Then risk factors for those PLTC which led to SMO (maternal near‐miss or maternal death) were evaluated. In addition, risk factors for those SMOs occurring on hospital admission or during the first 12 hours after admission to the hospital (SMO12) were evaluated.ResultsParity ≥3 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62–6.50, P = 0.03), low literacy level in mother (aOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.16–5.01, P = 0.03), inadequate prenatal care (aOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.2–3.87, P = 0.01), multigravidity (gravidity ≥5: aOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.31–4.53, P = 0.03), lack of health insurance (aOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.25–4.02, P = 0.01), and low literacy level in husband (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.15–2.9, P = 0.02) were the risk factors for SMO in women with PLTC. Inadequate prenatal care (aOR 4.2, 95% CI 2.05–8.25, P = 0.04), low literacy level in mother (aOR 3.38, 95% CI 1.32–6.65, P = 0.04), parity ≥3 (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.16–4.7, P = 0.04), and lack of health insurance (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.25–3.67, P = 0.03) were risk factors for SMO12.ConclusionThere was a higher rate of SMO and SMO12 cases among Afghan immigrant women.
Dysregulated circulating microRNA‐126 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: linkage with acute exacerbation risk, severity degree, and inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Wang Congying , Feng Dong , Dong Shanfeng , He Ruilian , Fan Bosheng 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNA‐126 (miR‐126) is engaged in respiratory diseases via regulating airway tissue injury and pulmonary inflammation, while its relation with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not reported. The study aimed to evaluate the value of miR‐126 for estimating COPD acute exacerbation risk and its relation to disease severity and inflammatory cytokines in COPD patients.MethodsThis study was a case–control study. Seventy acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD) patients, 70 stable COPD (SCOPD) patients, and 70 healthy controls (HCs) were consecutively recruited. Plasma miR‐126 expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) in COPD patients were further determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsMiR‐126 was higher in AECOPD patients compared to SCOPD patients and HCs (both Padj < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed miR‐126 distinguished AECOPD patients from SCOPD patients (area under curve (AUC): 0.805, 95%CI: 0.733–0.877) and HCs (AUC: 0.884, 95%CI: 0.829–0.939) and also distinguished SCOPD from HCs (AUC = 0.656, 95%CI: 0.566–0.747). MiR‐126 positively related to GOLD stage in both AECOPD patients (p < 0.001) and SCOPD patients (p < 0.001). Furthermore, miR‐126 positively linked with TNF‐α (p < 0.001), IL‐1β (p = 0.002), IL‐6 (p = 0.009), and IL‐17 (p < 0.001) levels in AECOPD patients; but miR‐126 only positively related to TNF‐α and IL‐17 levels (all p < 0.050), instead of IL‐1β or IL‐6 level (all p > 0.050) in SCOPD patients and HCs.ConclusionDysregulated circulating miR‐126 not only relates to COPD susceptibility and its acute exacerbation risk but also links with disease severity and inflammatory cytokines in COPD patients.
Extracellular vesicles produced by the human commensal gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron affect host immune pathways in a cell‐type specific manner that are altered in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Gul Lejla , Modos Dezso , Fonseca Sonia , Madgwick Matthew , Thomas John P. , Sudhakar Padhmanand , Booth Catherine , Stentz Régis , Carding Simon R. , Korcsmaros Tamas 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbours a complex microbial community, which contributes to its homeostasis. A disrupted microbiome can cause GI‐related diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), therefore identifying host‐microbe interactions is crucial for better understanding gut health. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), released into the gut lumen, can cross the mucus layer and access underlying immune cells. To study BEV‐host interactions, we examined the influence of BEVs generated by the gut commensal bacterium, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, on host immune cells. Single‐cell RNA sequencing data and host‐microbe protein‐protein interaction networks were used to predict the effect of BEVs on dendritic cells, macrophages and monocytes focusing on the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) pathway. We identified biological processes affected in each immune cell type and cell‐type specific processes including myeloid cell differentiation. TLR pathway analysis highlighted that BEV targets differ among cells and between the same cells in healthy versus disease (ulcerative colitis) conditions. The in silico findings were validated in BEV‐monocyte co‐cultures demonstrating the requirement for TLR4 and Toll‐interleukin‐1 receptor domain‐containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) in BEV‐elicited NF‐kB activation. This study demonstrates that both cell‐type and health status influence BEV‐host communication. The results and the pipeline could facilitate BEV‐based therapies for the treatment of IBD.
The incidence and clinical features of familial pancreatic cancer in Korea
Authors: Kim Minseob , Kim Hongbeom , Han Youngmin , Sohn Heeju , Lee Mirang , Kang Yoon Hyung , Kim Hyeong Seok , Kwon Wooil , Jang Jin‐Young 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundA history of familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) increases the incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) among first‐degree relatives. We aimed to determine the incidence of FPC and analyze its clinical characteristics.MethodsBetween 2010 and 2014, 1159 patients with PC were included in the study. We evaluated the incidence of FPC, clinicopathological features, and survival prognosis between FPC and non‐FPC patients. We further analyzed the clinical outcomes of 389 patients with PC who underwent curative‐intent surgery.ResultsFamilial pancreatic cancer incidence was 3.1% (n = 36) among all patients with PC (n = 1159). FPC was diagnosed at an advanced clinical stage compared to non‐FPC (P = .041). The tested variables and 5‐year survival rate (5YSR) between FPC and non‐FPC after propensity score matching had no differences (5YSR: 4.6% vs 2.6%, P = .834). Among PC patients who underwent curative‐intent surgery (n = 389), FPC incidence was 1.8% (n = 7). FPC patients were older than non‐FPC patients (75.3 ± 4.7 years vs 64.0 ± 9.9 years, P < .001). 5YSR tended to differ between FPC and non‐FPC (14.3% vs 22.5%, P = .07) groups.ConclusionFamilial pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and FPC that has undergone resection is associated with older age or worse prognosis. A prospective nationwide pedigree registration system was required.
Cerotegument microstructure of whip spiders (Amblypygi: Euamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996) reveals characters for systematics from family to species level
Authors: Seiter Michael , Schwaha Thomas , Prendini Lorenzo , Gorb Stanislav N. , Wolff Jonas O. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLike other arthropods, whip spiders of the arachnid order Amblypygi Thorell, 1883 protect themselves against external environmental influences. In this taxon, in addition to the epicuticle, the outermost layer of the exoskeleton, a cement layer (cerotegument) with superhydrophobic properties is deposited over certain body parts. Due to the high level of interspecific variation, the cerotegument structure and the morphology of its associated gland openings have been suggested to be informative for whip spider systematics. The first comparative study of the cerotegument is presented herein, based on a survey across 4 families, 16 genera, and 62 species of Euamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996, the suborder comprising all extant whip spiders except the rare monotypic family Paracharontidae Weygoldt, 1996. Results confirmed that the morphology of the colloidal particles and their assembly on cement globules differ considerably among taxa, but that the level of variation differs among lineages. Interspecific variation in cerotegument ultrastructure was highest among species of Neoamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996, making it an informative character in this clade. Evolutionary trends and intraspecific variation in the structure of the amblypygid cerotegument are briefly discussed.
Immunological and virological aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and hepatitis C virus
Authors: León Fabiola Justina Fumero , da Silva Lucas Lima , Santos Alanna Calheiros , Duarte da Costa Vanessa , Miguel Juliana Custódio , Marques Julia Trece , Nascimento Giselle Prado , Ferreira da Silva Elisangela , Lewis‐Ximenez Lia Laura , Villar Livia Melo , de Paula Vanessa Salete 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection can generate a systemic inflammatory response, characterized by a cytokine storm and associated with an exaggerated release of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐17, all of which can affect the liver. Here, we aimed to evaluate the cytokine profiles of patients suffering from coronavirus disease (COVID)‐19 and/or hepatitis. We subjected 87 patients to serology and/or polymerase chain reaction analysis for the hepatitis C virus. They were also tested for TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐17 using commercial immunoassay kits. The test results of the COVID‐19/hepatitis C patients (n = 8) were compared with that of the negative controls (n = 28), hepatitis C patients (n = 29), and COVID‐19 patients (n = 22). All COVID‐19 patients (mono‐ and coinfected) expressed high levels of cytokines. The COVID‐19/hepatitis patients exhibited higher levels of IL‐6 (6.33 ± 3.9 pg/ml) and IL‐17 (102.23 ± 2.7 pg/ml); however, TNF‐α values were lower (68.08 ± 15.88 pg/ml), as compared with that of the hepatitis patients (p < 0.001), and lower than that of the COVID‐19 patients and exceptionally for TNF‐α (p < 0.05). These data highlight the importance of monitoring patients with hepatitis and COVID‐19.
Digital soil assessment in support of a soil information system for monitoring salinization and sodification in agricultural areas
Authors: Omuto Christian Thine , Vargas Ronald Rojas , Elmobarak Abdelmagid Ali , Mapeshoane Botle Esther , Koetlisi Koetlisi Andreas , Ahmadzai Hameedullah , Abdalla Mohamed Nuha 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSalinization and sodification are types of degradation associated with the accumulation of salts and alkaline materials in the soil. They gradually advance unnoticed till severe degradation appears if not properly controlled. Relevant soil information is not routinely kept by many countries thus contributing to their advancement particularly in agricultural areas where their impacts have huge consequences on food security. We developed a 3‐step protocol to detect salinization and sodification advancement at different spatial scales and support soil information system development. The first step establishes an indicator database focusing on measured soil Electrical Conductivity (EC), pH, Exchangeable Sodium Percent (ESP), and a suit of environmental covariates. The second step outlines data harmonization strategies and classification of salinization and sodification problems. It also incorporates digital soil mapping for spatial information on salinization or sodification. The third step has time‐series modelling of salinization and sodification using mixed‐effects approach to improve hotspot detection in agricultural areas. The protocol was tested in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Lesotho using time‐series data between 2001 and 2018. It successfully identified salt and soda accumulation at different soil depths with more than 80% accuracy on holdout samples. In Sudan and Afghanistan, it identified topsoils as more prone to salinization than the subsoils and consequently depicted more salt accumulation in topsoils than subsoils in agricultural areas. In Lesotho, it identified emerging subsoil sodification. The protocol has potential for supporting the development of soil information on salinization and sodification which is currently lacking at many national and regional levels.
A Biomimetic Composite Bilayer Dressing Composed of Alginate and Fibroin for Enhancing Full‐Thickness Wound Healing
Authors: Wang Yiyu , Su Long , Hou Yuanjing , Lin Fei , Xu Chao , Xue Yanling , Shi Jian , Wang Xinyu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFull‐thickness skin wound dressings are critically important for acute cutaneous wound healing. In this study, a bilayer sheet originating from biological macromolecules, mimicking skin hierarchy structure is developed. This sheet is composed of a steady silk fibroin (SF)/sodium alginate (SA) composite scaffold as the bottom regenerative layer and a SA film as the protective top layer. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed the thickness of the top layer is ≈25 µm and is tightly adhered to the composite scaffold layer with interconnected pores (≈150 µm). The bilayer sheets are displayed suitable water uptake capacity and high stability in water. The mass retention percentage of the bilayer sheets is ≈50% during three weeks of PBS degradation in vitro. The tensile strength of the bilayer sheets is significantly increased from 13.41 ± 3.75 kPa (single scaffold) to 59.81 ± 5.98 kPa. The composite scaffolds are more conducive to the growth and proliferation of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. The experiment results in vivo are demonstrated superior and faster epithelialization and dermal regeneration in the wound treated with bilayer sheets because the sheets are accelerated wound closure, reduced the inflammatory response, and promoted protein synthesis in the extracellular matrix and blood vessel ingrowth.
Transient and gradient analyses of depolarization criteria. Valuable tools in chloride‐induced rebar corrosion monitoring
Authors: Zausinger Christoph , Osterminski Kai , Gehlen Christoph 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe aim of this study is to elucidate suitable methods of corrosion monitoring for chloride‐induced rebar corrosion in cracked concrete. Depolarization gradients and transients provide evidence for the electrode kinetics at the steel–concrete interface and the geometry of the macrocell. In the present study, a set of cracked, short‐term chloride‐exposed, reinforced concrete specimens is investigated in terms of their corrosion activity. Primarily, the depolarization behavior was observed by short‐term high‐frequency measurements, allowing for cost‐effective measurement campaigns and robust results. All measurement intervals are split apart via a gradient analysis to enable a congruent, numerical transient analysis. Since the geometry of macrocells in rebar corrosion follows the model of a series of ohmic resistances with a parallel connection of a diffusion‐controlled capacitor and an ohmic resistance, the transient of each depolarization curve with unit time in seconds provides evidence for the present electrode kinetics and macrocell geometry. According to the time, which is consumed until a certain state of depolarization is reached, transient modeling can be used to predict corrosion activity as a function of chloride ingress.
Photoresponsive Self‐Healing Epoxy Composites with Azobenzene Grafted Mesoporous Silica for Controlled Release and Visualization
Authors: He Junjie , Zhou Zhongqun , Chen Shenye , Yu Caili , Zhang Faai 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe substantial progress made in extrinsic self‐healing has been limited to microcapsules containing heat‐active polymerizable monomers. Fabrication of self‐healing microvascular and nanoparticle systems that are responsive to light is, therefore, an important task. In this study, using azobenzene‐grafted mesoporous SBA‐15 (Azo‐SBA) as the functional nanocontainer to adsorb a photoactive repair agent (glycidyl methacrylate, GMA)(GMA@Azo‐SBA), a facile yet feasible strategy is demonstrated to prepare photoresponsive self‐healing epoxy composites. The resulting composite integrates the controllable fixation and release of the repair agent driven by the isomerization of azobenzene and photo‐induced self‐healing properties under UV irradiation. The hydrogenated epoxy resin composite, incorporated with isophorone diamine (IPDA) as the curing agent and 2 wt.% GMA@Azo‐SBA and 4 wt.% photoinitiator, exhibits desirable self‐healing properties; the microcracks of the composite can be completely repaired after self‐healing for 15 min. In addition, the pyrene‐modified GMA monomer with fluorescence characteristics as a fluorescent probe is further employed to successfully visualize the fixation and release process of the repair agent under UV irradiation.
Design, realization, and characterization of a novel diamond detector prototype for FLASH radiotherapy dosimetry
Authors: Marinelli Marco , Felici Giuseppe , Galante Federica , Gasparini Alessia , Giuliano Lucia , Heinrich Sophie , Pacitti Matteo , Prestopino Giuseppe , Vanreusel Verdi , Verellen Dirk , Verona Claudio , Verona Rinati Gianluca 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeFLASH radiotherapy (RT) is an emerging technique in which beams with ultra‐high dose rates (UH‐DR) and dose per pulse (UH‐DPP) are used. Commercially available active real‐time dosimeters have been shown to be unsuitable in such conditions, due to severe response nonlinearities. In the present study, a novel diamond‐based Schottky diode detector was specifically designed and realized to match the stringent requirements of FLASH‐RT.MethodsA systematic investigation of the main features affecting the diamond response in UH‐DPP conditions was carried out. Several diamond Schottky diode detector prototypes with different layouts were produced at Rome Tor Vergata University in cooperation with PTW‐Freiburg. Such devices were tested under electron UH‐DPP beams. The linearity of the prototypes was investigated up to DPPs of about 26 Gy/pulse and dose rates of approximately 1 kGy/s. In addition, percentage depth dose (PDD) measurements were performed in different irradiation conditions. Radiochromic films were used for reference dosimetry.ResultsThe response linearity of the diamond prototypes was shown to be strongly affected by the size of their active volume as well as by their series resistance. By properly tuning the design layout, the detector response was found to be linear up to at least 20 Gy/pulse, well into the UH‐DPP range conditions. PDD measurements were performed by three different linac applicators, characterized by DPP values at the point of maximum dose of 3.5, 17.2, and 20.6 Gy/pulse, respectively. The very good superimposition of three curves confirmed the diamond response linearity. It is worth mentioning that UH‐DPP irradiation conditions may lead to instantaneous detector currents as high as several mA, thus possibly exceeding the electrometer specifications. This issue was properly addressed in the case of the PTW UNIDOS electrometers.ConclusionsThe results of the present study clearly demonstrate the feasibility of a diamond detector for FLASH‐RT applications.
A quartic trigonometric tension B‐spline finite element method for solving Gardner equation
Authors: Hepson Ozlem Ersoy 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe collocation method is established for getting solution of the Gardner equation (GE). The GE is fully integrated by way of the Crank–Nicolson method for time variable and collocation method for spatial variable. Trial function of the collocation method is set up using combination of quartic trigonometric tension (QTT) B‐splines. Convergence analysis of suggested method is investigated. Performance of the QTT B‐splines is searched by studying three test problems: propagation of bell shape solitary wave, interaction of two positive bell shape solitary wave and wave generation.