bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vesicle amine transport-1 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by EGF-induced STAT3 signalling
Authors: Dong Ningning , Wang Suihai , Xie Qian , Song Wen , Li Yumei , Chen Ke , Kuang Zhenzhan , Lin Xin , Gao Yanjun , Niu Wen-Bo , Deng Huan , He Peirong , Liu Tiancai , Li Ming , Wu Yingsong , Li Ji-Liang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Vesicle amine transport-1 (VAT-1) was implicated in regulation of vesicular transport, mitochondrial fusion, axonal growth, phospholipid transport and cell migration. However, the role of VAT-1 in tumour biology and disease progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Here, we first investigated the expression of VAT-1 in clinical HCC samples by immunohistochemistry and in various transcriptomic datasets by bioinformatics. The biological functions of VAT-1 in HCC were then explored by using a variety of techniques including in vitro cell-based assays, in vivo xenograft models, high throughput mRNA-Seq, KEGG pathway enrichment, flow-cytometry analysis, immunoassays and bioinformatics. Underlying mechanisms were further verified in clinical tumour specimens. We demonstrated that VAT-1 is significantly upregulated in tumour tissues and associated with tumour size, invasion, clinical stage and overall survival of patients. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated VAT-1 is an independent unfavourable prognostic factor. VAT-1 downregulation significantly inhibited cell growth and colony formation in vitro and xenograft growth by decreasing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed VAT-1 downregulation inhibits tumour growth through induction of the cell cycle arrest at G1-G0 by regulating the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3, CDK6, c-Myc and MCL-1. Strikingly, VAT-1 regulates STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705, nuclear translocation of pSTAT3-Y705, EGF-induced STAT3 signalling and consequently the expression of downstream c-Myc and cyclin D1. In both established HCC cell lines and clinical tumour samples, VAT-1 regulates numerous pathways including cell cycle, ErbB pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and JAK-STAT pathway; VAT-1 expression is significantly correlated with core components of EGF-EGFR-STAT3-cell cycle axis, highlighting the role of VAT-1 in regulation of EGF-STAT3-c-Myc-cyclin D/CDK6 signalling. Our results provide new insights into the carcinogenesis and disease progression of HCC and rationales for the development of novel intervention strategies against HCC. VAT-1 could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker for predicting clinical outcome of HCC patients.
Metabolic syndrome and its components predict the biochemical recurrence and adverse pathological features of patients following radical prostatectomy: A propensity score matching study
Authors: Liu Zenan , Zhu Xuehua , He Jide , Lu Jian 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
To investigate the predictive value of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in biochemical recurrence (BCR) and adverse pathological features of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP).
Methods
A total of 525 PCa patients who underwent RP between 2010 and 2019 at Peking University Third Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was performed to assess BCR-free survival (BCRFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to identify the predictive factors of BCRFS and adverse pathological features respectively before and after propensity score matching (PSM).
Results
Enrolled patients were allocated into MetS group (n = 136) and non-MetS group(n = 389) according to the presence or absence of MetS, and 127 new matched pairs were identified to balance the baseline characteristics after 1:1 PSM. In propensity matched patients, the Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that MetS (P = 0.020), hyperglycemia (P = 0.015) and hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with worse BCRFS; the result of multivariate Cox analyses showed that hyperglycemia (P = 0.040), hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.017), percentage of positive biopsy cores (P = 0.041) and prostate specific antigen (P = 0.019) were identified as independent prognostic factors for BCRFS. In addition, hypertriglyceridemia was independently associated with non-organ confined disease (NOCD) (P = 0.010), extra-capsular extension (ECE) (P = 0.010) and upgrading (P = 0.017) in the multivariate logistic analyses.
Conclusions
Hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia are the two effective MetS components both identified as independent risk factors for worse BCRFS after RP, while hypertriglyceridemia was independently associated with NOCD, ECE and upgrading as well.
Assessing Lesotho's Financial Burden of Household Payments and Access to Healthcare, 2022
Authors: Zbelo Mesfin G. , Lesaoana Mapenane Anastacia , Lechesa Ramahlapane Abel , Masia Nthabiseng Victorious 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Health care financing is primarily about paying for health care. It motivates health care providers to increase the supply of health care goods and services to ensure that all individuals have access to effective public health and personal health care services and goods. The ultimate intent is to improve the health of individuals and the general population in line with the principles of Universal Health Coverage. When patients’ OOP reaches a certain level, some people forgo health care due to the price, and others who access services face financial difficulties.
Methods
The paper uses data from the six- household income and expenditure survey (2018/19). It provides an insight into the health care expenditure and evidence on whose health service needs the health system meets and the household financial burden by health payments.
Results
Out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOP) as a share of total health expenditure on average stands at 11.1% in 2018/19. The government spends 12.7% of its total budget on health. In 2019, 33.1% of the population did not access the health services they needed. About 3.3% of households or 4,295 households that corresponds to about 17,180 individuals spend 52.1% of their net of food income (non-subsistence income) on healthcare – a catastrophic level of household spending.
Conclusion
Despite the low rate of out-of-pocket investing by families, and moderately expanding domestic investing in health care, Lesotho health care system requires a combination of policies to ensure fair financing of health care.
SARS-CoV-2 Immunity following different combinations of vaccination and breakthrough infection
Authors: Pusnik Jernej , Monzon-Posadas Werner O. , Zorn Jasmin , Peters Kathrin , Baum Maximilian , Proksch Hannah , Schlüter Celina Beta , Alter Galit , Menting Tanja , Streeck Hendrik 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The elicited anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity worldwide is becoming increasingly complex with individuals receiving a different amount of vaccine doses paired with or without recovery from breakthrough infections with different variants. To understand the variety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity we analyzed the adaptive immune responses of individuals that initially received 2 doses of mRNA vaccine and either received a booster vaccination, recovered from a breakthrough infection, or both. Our data suggest that two vaccine doses and delta breakthrough infection or three vaccine doses and optionally omicron or delta infection provide better B cell immunity than the initial 2 doses of mRNA vaccine with or without alpha breakthrough infection. A particularly potent humoral response against the currently circulating omicron variant was observed for the thrice vaccinated individuals with omicron breakthrough infection; a 46-fold increase in neutralization compared to 2 vaccine doses (P < 0.0001). The same group also had the highest titer of spike-specific antibodies in saliva and highest frequency of spike-specific memory B cells in peripheral blood; 9.5-fold (P < 0.001) and 3.5-fold (P < 0.05) increase compared to 2 vaccine doses. The T cell response after two vaccine doses was not significantly influenced by additional immunizations. Of note, individuals with hybrid immunity showed better coordination of the adaptive immune response compared to those only vaccinated. Taken together, our data provide a detailed insight into the SARS-CoV-2 immunity following different immunization scenarios.
A rare case of a mediastinal mature cystic teratoma remaining asymptomatic for 70 years: case report
Authors: BELAYACHI Badreddine , FENANE Hicham , MSOUGAR Yassine 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Mediastinal teratoma is an uncommon disease, nevertheless they represent the most common mediastinal germ cell tumours. It may grow silently for several years and remain undiagnosed until the occurrence of a complication.
Aim
The main aim of this article is to illustrate the silent evolution of an anterior mediastinal teratoma for over 70 years without presenting any notable complications.
Case presentation:
We present the case of a 70-year-old female, treated for hypertension with ACE inhibitors and thiazides, referred to our department for managing a voluminous mediastinal mass, discovered fortuitously by a general practitioner in a chest X-ray. The anamnesis didn’t relate any chest pain, cough, dyspnea nor hemoptysis. The clinical examination, in particular pleuropulmonary, was unremarkable. The workup (Chest X-Ray and CT scan) demonstrated a voluminous pleural mass at the expense of the right mediastinal pleura, rounded in shape, with calcified wall and fluid content. Blood tests did not demonstrate eosinophilia, and antihydatid IgG serology was negative. serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels were found to be normal. The patient subsequently underwent a right posterolateral thoracotomy with resection of the lesion. The mass was dissected very carefully and then resected in toto. The macroscopic and microscopic histological examination demonstrated a mature cystic teratoma. Surgical resection was an adequate treatment and the prognosis was excellent for the patient.
Conclusion
Cystic mature teratomas are rare thoracic tumours, often recognised by radiological examination.This article relates the asymptomatic evolution that a teratoma could have, remaining silent until an accidental radiological discovery.
Knowledge and Experiences of Families Regarding of Amber Necklaces
Authors: Aktura Bekir , Dertli Mert Haci , Ozen Ege Hazal , Onaran Ezgi , Hashimov Elnur , Basibuyuk Mine , Karabayir Nalan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Amber necklaces have been used frequently to reduce the complaints of babies during teething. In this study, the knowledge and experience of families regarding the use of amber necklaces investigated.
Methods
The structured questionnaire was applied face-to-face to parents with a 4–24 month old baby who applied to the paediatric outpatient clinic.
Results
One hundred one families participating in the study reported that they used the amber necklace most frequently for restlessness (n = 72, 71.3%). Eighty- three percent of families reported that the amber necklace was beneficial. It determined that 2% of the babies had suffocation and 2% had problems dispersing the grains.
Conclusion
Although the parents think that the use of amber necklaces is effective during the teething period, they are not aware of the risks. It is important for healthcare professionals to inform their families about teething and especially the risks of using amber necklaces.
Customizing mechanical properties of additive-manufactured metallic meta grain structure with sheet-based gyroid architecture
Authors: Kim Kibeom , Kim Gun-hee , Kim Hyung Giun , Kim Hoe-Joon , Kim Namjung 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Cellular structures achieved using high-precision additive manufacturing techniques have enabled extraordinary results, such as negative Poisson ratio, negative thermal expansion, and optical metamaterials. However, the use of cellular structures in mechanical applications is disadvantageous because of 1) limited design options, causing limited mechanical performances and 2) the absence of systematic design methodologies. Hence, we propose a novel structure inspired by the polycrystalline structure to enhance design variability as well as mechanical reliability. This is called meta grain structure (MGS). A systematic design methodology is also proposed to obtain the optimal design of MGS that satisfies the target mechanical property. A database with 138 different MGSs is built and tested numerically, so that the correlation between the relative densities of grains in the MGS and the corresponding mechanical properties is analyzed. In addition, the optimum design parameters of the MGS that satisfy the target Young’s modulus are obtained using particle swarm optimization (PSO) and machine learning (ML)-based regression models. The proposed design methodology enables us to build a unique structure that offers various design options and overcomes the current limitations of lattice structures. Furthermore, a systematic inverse design methodology using PSO and ML-based regression models helps us to create an MGS that satisfies the required mechanical performance
GLP-1 plays a protective role in hippocampal neuronal cells by activating cAMP-CREB-BDNFsignaling pathway against CORT+HG-induced toxicity
Authors: Ma Qi , Wang Li , An Zhiguo , Luo Xiao , Zhang Lili , Yan Ping , Jin Lu , Cai Ren , Xu Bin , Liu Xiangxin , Yi Qizhong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) combined with diabetes mellitus (DM) seriously reduce the quality of life of patients, currently there is still no effective treatment. Our study explores the feasibility of GLP-1 in the treatment of major depressive disorder combined with diabetes mellitus. We aimed to assess the protective effects of GLP-1 on mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 cultured with corticosterone (CORT) and high glucose (HG). HT22 cells were cultured with CORT + HG to construct cell model of MDD combined with DM. After treatment with GLP-1, cell viability detected by CCK-8 assay, cell apoptosis/necrocytosis detected by flow cytometry/confocal laser scanning microscopy, BDNF and neurotransmitter levels in culture supernatants measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, LDH and glucose levels in culture supernatants measured via colorimetric assay, and proteins of cAMP-CREB-BDNF signal pathway measured by colorimetric assay Western blot. To construct cell model of MDD combined with DM, the ideal intervention combination are CORT 200µM and HG 50mM for 48 hours. After treatment of 50nM GLP-1 for 48 hours, the apoptosis rate and necrocytosis rate of model + 50nM GLP-1 group decreased significantly compared with the model group. The concentration of BDNF, neurotransmitter (5-HT, DA, NE), PKA, p-CREB and p-Trkb in culture supernatants of model + 50nM GLP-1 group increased significantly compared with the model group. The concentration of grouse and LDH in culture supernatants of model + 50nM GLP-1 group decreased significantly compared with the model group. GLP-1 against CORT + HG-induced toxicity by activating cAMP-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway in hippocampal neuronal cell.
Relationship between Fall History and Toe Grip Strength in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Inagaki Yusuke , Mawarikado Yuya , Fujii Tadashi , Kubo Takanari , Kido Akira , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in older adults, is associated with a high incidence of falls. Similarly, toe grip strength (TGS) is associated with a history of falls in older adults; however, the relationship between TGS and falls in older adults with KOA who are at risk of falling is not known. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if TGS is associated with a history of falls in older adults with KOA.
Methods: The study participants, older adults with KOA scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), were divided into two groups: non-fall (n=256) and fall groups (n=74). Descriptive data, fall-related assessments, modified Fall Efficacy Scale (mFES), radiographic data, pain, and physical function including TGS were evaluated. The assessment was conducted on the day before performing TKA. Mann–Whitney and chi-squared tests were performed to compare the two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of each outcome with the presence or absence of falls.
Results: Mann–Whitney U test revealed statistically significant differences in height, TGS on the affected and unaffected sides, and mFES. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the incidence of fall history is associated with TGS on the affected side.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that increasing age and TGS are related to a history of falls in older adults with KOA. The significance of evaluating TGS among patients with KOA in routine clinical practice was demonstrated.
Command-Filter-Based Backstepping for a Class of Nonlinear Systems with Finite-Time Observer in the Presence of Mismatched Disturbances
Authors: Aslmostafa Ehsan , Asadollahi Mostafa , Kharrati Hamed , Rahimi Afshin , Mirzaei Mohammad Javad 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
This paper considers the stabilization problem for a class of nonlinear systems in the presence of mismatched disturbances. For this purpose, a differentiator is employed such that by using newly defined virtual controls and the modified error compensation signals, the command-filter backstepping approach combined with a mismatched finite-time disturbance observer such that the proposed control guarantees the asymptotic stabilization of system states. In the introduced observer, the imposed external disturbance parameters are identified precisely within the finite-time period. This produces a better transient performance compared to the Lyapunov parameter estimation method. Moreover, the imposed restrictions over external disturbances are relaxed, i.e., the common restrictive condition over the disturbances’ first derivatives is removed. This approach also helps to solve the problem of the explosion of complexity, which is usually caused by higher-order system differentiation in backstepping technique. As a result of applying this method, especially to more complicated systems, the complexity of calculation is greatly reduced. Moreover, by means of the common Lyapunov function, the stability of the proposed observer and the control scheme is shown. Finally, a simulation example is provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical developments.
Facile Preparation of TPU/PCL/Carbon Nanotubes Double-Percolation Conductive Nanocomposite and Evaluation for Rapid and Selective Response in Volatile Organic Compounds Applications
Authors: Yang Han , Xiong Tanghong , Yan Lei , Zhang Xuntao , Bian Jun , Lin Hailan , Chen Daiqiang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Severe environmental pollution due to improper emissions of volatile organic gases (VOCs) has brought a serious threat to human health, safety, the environment and socially sustainable development. Here, we report a convenient method for the preparation of conductive gas-sensitive nanocomposites by using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/polycaprolactone (PCL) blends as polymer matrix and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as functional nanofiller through direct solution blending method. The experimental results indicated that the TPU phase has preferentially dispersed MWCNTs. The two-phase continuity structure of the matrix could be achieved by adjusting the ratio of TPU to PCL, and the electrical conductivity increased with the increase of the two-phase continuity. When the mass ratio of TPU and PCL was fixed at 50:50, the lowest resistivity of 2.57×105Ω·m for the TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposite was obtained when MWCNTs were blended with TPU first and then with PCL. The TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposite gas-sensitive tests indicated the best gas-sensitive selectivity, responsiveness and recovery to formaldehyde compared with another target VOCs (benzene, xylene, ammonia, and ethanol). TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposites exhibited 74% gas responsiveness to formaldehyde gas at 25oC and 500 ppm. Moreover, the responsiveness of the TPU/PCL/MWCNTs nanocomposites indicated a doughty variation linearly with the increase in formaldehyde concentration.
An Automatic Red-Female Association Tested by the Stroop Task
Authors: Chen Na , Nakamura Koyo , Watanabe Katsumi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Previous studies showed stereotyped color-gender associations (e.g., red/pink is female, and blue/green is male). Here, we investigated the automaticity of color-gender associations using two Stroop-word categorization tasks. Ten Japanese gendered words were chosen as visual stimuli. In Experiment 1 (N = 23), participants were instructed to indicate whether a target word presented in either red, green, or gray font color was a masculineor feminine word. Results showed a congruency effect of red-female association that red font color facilitated feminine words categorization and inhibited masculine words categorization than other colors.No effect of green-male association was observed. Experiment 2 (N = 23 newly recruited participants) tested whether the congruency effect of color-gender associationscould bias perceptual font color categorization. Participants were asked to discriminate the font color in low saturation was red or green while ignoring the word’s meaning. Results showed that participants responded faster and made fewer errors when categorizing red font colors for feminine words than masculine words. A congruent effect of green-male association on performance accuracy was observed and there was no effect on response times. Through two experiments, an automaticallyactivated red-female association in conceptual gendered word categorization and perceptual font color discriminationwas observed. Those results suggest that color-gender associations could be strong to bias both conceptual gender and perceptual color processing.