bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Pineal Region Tumors: Institutional Experience of Surgical Managements with Posterior Interhemispheric Trans-Tentorial Approach
Authors: Tomita Tadanori , Alden Tord D. , Dipatri Arthur J. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Resecting pineal region tumors in children is often challenging. Several approaches have been proposed and practiced. A personal series of pediatric pineal region tumor resected through craniotomy with posterior interhemispheric occipital transtentorial (OT) approach are reviewed. We present the surgical techniques and pitfalls, and their results.
Material and Methods
Eighty patients ranging in age from 3 months to 21 years old, and treated over 3 decades were reviewed. Hydrocephalus caused the main presenting symptoms and was noted in 74 patients. It was treated prior to the craniotomy for tumor resection with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in 33, external ventricular drainage in 26 and precraniotomy shunt in 15. Nine patients had ETV together with endoscopic biopsy. All patients had parieto-occipital craniotomy in a prone position. Through a tentorial section, a gross total resection of the tumor was attempted except for germinomas
Results
. The tumor pathology showed 32 germ cell tumors (GCT), 22 benign astrocytomas 13 pineal parenchymal tumors, 5 ATRTs, 3 papillary tumors and 5 others. Of GCTs, 18 were teratomas. The extent of resection consisted of 55 gross total resection, 13 subtotal resection, 10 partial and 2 biopsy with one postoperative death. Hemiparesis in 2, cerebellar ataxia in another 2 and hemiballismus in 1 were transient and improved overtime. One had permanent hemisensory loss and another patient had bilateral oculomotor palsy. Postoperative homonymous hemianopia occurred in 2 patients but subsided over a short period of time. Parinaud’s sign was noted in 24 patients, of which 16 were transient.
Conclusion
The posterior interhemispheric OT approach provides a safe route and comfortable access to the pineal region in children. A great majority of postoperative neurological complications are the results of direct manipulations of the midbrain at tumor resection. Identification and preservation of the tumor-brain interface is of paramount importance. GCTs other than teratomas are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and may eliminate the need of craniotomy. Exophytic midbrain JPAs are amenable to resection.
Hepatocyte-specific Smad4 deficiency alleviates liver fibrosis via the p38 / p65 pathway
Authors: Wei Miaomiao , Yan Xinlong , Xin Xin , Chen Haiqiang , Hou Lingling , Zhang Jinhua 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound healing response caused by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix, which is produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Most studies have focused on the activated HSCs themselves in liver fibrosis, whether hepatocytes can modulate the process of fibrosis is still unclear. Sma mothers against decapentaplegic homologue 4 (Smad4) is a key intracellular transcription mediator of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) during the development and progression of liver fibrosis. However, the role of hepatocyte Smad4 in the development of fibrosis is poorly elucidated. Here, to explore the functional role of hepatocyte Smad4 and the molecular mechanism in liver fibrosis, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model was established in mice with hepatocyte-specific Smad4 deletion (Smad4Δhep). We found that hepatocyte-specific Smad4 deficiency reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis, alleviated epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation and migration. Molecularly, Smad4 deletion in hepatocytes suppressed the expression of inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) and the secretion of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of hepatocytes, which subsequently activated the p38 and p65 signaling pathways of HSCs in an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent manner. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that the Smad4 expression in hepatocytes plays important role in promoting liver fibrosis and could therefore be a promising target for future anti-fibrotic therapy.
Efficient transformation and regeneration of transgenic plants in commercial cultivars of Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus sinensis
Authors: Singh Sweta , Tarannum Zeba , Kokane Sunil , Ghosh Dilip K , Sharma Ashwani K , Chauhan Harsh 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Citrus is one of the major horticultural crops having high economical and nutraceutical value. Despite the fact that conventional research has developed numerous improved varieties, citriculture is still susceptible to various stresses and requires innovative solutions such as genetic engineering. Among all the currently available modern approaches, the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most efficient method for introducing desired traits in citrus. However, being a non-host for Agrobacterium, various citrus species, including Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus sinensis are recalcitrant to this method. The available reports on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of commercial citrus cultivars show very low transformation efficiency and poor recovery rates of whole transgenic plantlets. Here, we provide an efficient and reliable procedure of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for both C. aurantifolia and C. sinensis. This protocol depends on providing callus-inducing treatment to explants before and during Agrobacterium co-cultivation, using optimum conditions for shoot regeneration, modifying in-vitro micrografting protocol to combat loss of transgenic lines. As the transgenic citrus shoots are difficult to root, we also developed ideal conditions for their rooting. Using this protocol, the whole transgenic plantlets of C. aurantifolia and C. sinensis can be developed in about ~ 4 months with transformation efficiency of 30% and 22% for respective species.
Memristor-induced mode transitions and extreme multistability in a map-based neuron model
Authors: Bao Bocheng , Hu Jingting , Cai Jianming , Zhang Xi , Bao Han 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Because of the advent of discrete memristor, memristor effect in discrete map has become the important subject deserving discussion. To this end, this paper constructs a memristor-based neuron model considering magnetic induction by combining an existing map-based neuron model and a discrete memristor with absolute value nonlinear memductance. Taking the coupling strength and initial state of the memristor as variables, complex mode transition behaviors induced by the introduced memristor are disclosed using numerical methods, including spiking-bursting behaviors, mode transition behaviors, and hyperchaotic spiking behaviors. In particular, all of these behaviors are greatly dependent on the memristor initial state, resulting in the existence of extreme multistability in the memristive neuron model. Therefore, this memristive neuron model can be used to effectively imitate the magnetic induction effects when complex mode transition behaviors appear in the neuronal action potential. Besides, an FPGA-based hardware platform is developed for implementing the memristive neuron model and various spiking-bursting sequences are experimentally captured therein. The results show that when biophysical memory effect is present, the memristive neuron model can better represent the firing activities of biological neurons than the original map-based neuron model.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of supervised, at-home, self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to manage long COVID symptoms
Authors: Badran Bashar W , Huffman Sarah M , Dancy Morgan , Austelle Christopher W , Bikson Marom , Kautz Steven A , George Mark S 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Although the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has now impacted the world for over two years, the persistent secondary neuropsychiatric effects are still not fully understood. These “long COVID” symptoms, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), can persist for months after infection without any effective treatments. Long COVID involves a complex heterogenous symptomology and can lead to disability and limit work. Long COVID symptoms may be due to sustained inflammatory responses and prolonged immune response after infection. Interestingly, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may have anti-inflammatory effects, however, until recently, VNS could not be self-administered, at-home, noninvasively.
Methods
We created a double-blind, noninvasive transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) system that can be self-administered at home with simultaneous remote monitoring of physiological biomarkers and video supervision by study staff. Subsequently, we carried out a pilot (n = 13) randomized, sham-controlled, trial with this system for four weeks to treat nine predefined long covid symptoms (anxiety, depression, vertigo, anosmia, ageusia, headaches, fatigue, irritability, brain fog). No in-person patient contact was needed, with informed consent, trainings, ratings, and all procedures being conducted remotely during the pandemic (2020–2021) and equipment being shipped to individuals’ homes. This trial was registered onClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier: NCT04638673.
Results
Four-weeks of at-home self-administered taVNS (two, one-hour sessions daily, delivered at suprathreshold intensities) was feasible and safe. Although our trial was not powered to determine efficacy as an intervention in a heterogenous population, the trends in the data suggest taVNS may have a mild to moderate effect in reducing mental fatigue symptoms in a subset of individuals. This innovative study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of supervised self-administered taVNS under a fully contactless protocol and suggests that future studies can safely investigate this novel form of brain stimulation at-home for a variety of neuropsychiatric and motor recovery applications.
LncRNA Mir155hg Knockdown Attenuates Inflammation and Cognitive Impairment through regulating the NF-κΒ signaling pathway in a Rat Model of Status Epilepticus
Authors: Wang Ming , Cui Na , Shao Yiye , Xie Yangmei , Xu Binyuan , Chen Yinghui 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) is a common neurological emergency that may lead to permanent brain damage or death. Microglia-mediated inflammation play a significant role in the pathogenesis of SE. As precursor of miR-155, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Mir155hg has been characterized as inflammation-related lncRNA in the nervous system. However, the molecular mechanism of how Mir155hg regulate inflammation in SE is still not elucidated. The current study aims to investigate the potential role of Mir155hg in SE-induced inflammation. In vitro experiments, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was used to induce inflammation in primary microglia. In vivo, the SE rat model was established with lithium chloride-pilocarpine. The results demonstrated that lncRNA Mir155hg was highly expressed in NMDA-treated microglia and the hippocampus of SE rats. Down-regulated Mir155hg suppressed inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) both in microglia and SE rats. Meanwhile, the study confirmed that Mir155hg knockdown decreased the level of NF-κΒ p-p65 via Socs1 in microglia. Animal data indicated that Mir155hg knockdown terminated epileptiform discharges during SE. Furthermore, the study showed that Mir155hg knockdown repressed microglial proliferation, alleviated hippocampal neuron damage, and improved cognitive impairment induced by SE. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that lncRNA Mir155hg regulates the inflammation through the miR-155/Socs1/NF-κΒ axis in SE rat.
Signet Ring Cell Colorectal Cancers portend an aggressive biology: A 17-year analysis of operable colorectal cancers at a tertiary hospital in Pakistan
Authors: Farooqi Nifasat , Khan Sadaf , Siddique Sabeeh , Jiwani Uswa , Shariff Amir , Syed Ajia , Virji Safna , Ghias Kulsoom , Moosajee Munira 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Primary signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare variant of colorectal cancer, reportedly comprising 0.1%-2.6% of all colorectal cancers. Due to manifestations occurring later in the course of the disease, the overall survival is reportedly poorer than that of colorectal adenocarcinoma. The Southeast Asian region has been observed to have a higher likelihood of having the signet ring cell carcinoma variant. Objective: The following study determines the overall proportion and histopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer in a Pakistani population across a tertiary care hospital.Methods: The histopathology reports of the colon and/or rectum specimens diagnosed as primary colorectal carcinoma were identified and reviewed at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). These included all the surgical specimens submitted to AKUH from January 2002 to December 2018. Biopsies and histopathological specimens with fragmented bowel, lack of orientation of tissue, and post chemotherapeutic complete resolution of the tumor were excluded.Results: Of the 2,662 surgical specimens of colorectal carcinoma identified, 1,708 specimens met the inclusion criteria. The cohort consisted of 62.4% (n = 1065) males, with an overall mean age of 50.41 years (SD = 16.98). Among these patients, 29.5% (n = 504) were 40 years of age or younger, 19% (n = 325) were between the ages of 41 and 50, and 51.5% (n = 879) were older than 50 years (p<0.001). The frequency of signet ring cell cancer was found to be 5.4% (n = 92). The histopathological characteristics associated with worse prognosis were significantly associated with the type of tumor. Lymphovascular and perineural invasion, stage, and grade were all significantly higher in SRCC than the other types. Conclusion: Pakistani population tends to present with colorectal cancer at a younger age and with poorer prognostic features including higher rates of signet ring cell cancer.
Sodar measurements of winds and sea-breeze intrusions over Gadanki (13.50 N, 79.20 E), a tropical Indian station
Authors: Brahmanan Potula Sree , Sreed Singarapu , Rao Kaviti Tarakeswara , Chu Yen- Hsyang , Das Subrata Kumar 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Sodar measurements of the vertical structure of winds were carried out in Gadanki (13.50 N, 79.20 E), India. There is a month-to-month shift in the wind pattern. The prevailing wind during the monsoon season is southwest in July and August, then northwest and south in September, with wind speeds exceeding 6 m/s. In October, the winds are from the northwest and southwest, while the winds are from the northeast in November. In December, the winds are coming from the southeast. Near-surface winds undergo a marked diurnal cycle and show perturbed wind directions in September and October. This may be related to the recession of the southeastern monsoon of the Indian subcontinent. We report two cases of deep penetrations of the sea- breeze intrusions, which are confirmed by surface-based atmospheric parameters. The sea breeze days are marked by a substantial drop in temperature, an increase in wind speed and relative humidity. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) rainfall data showed a rise in precipitation over this location on 23 July (4.8 mm) and 24 July (9.5 mm) when sea breeze intrusions over Gadanki are noticed. Sea-breeze intrusions may have brought precipitation (intrusion-laden precipitation) to this area, mainly due to drastic changes in ambient environmental parameters.
Analysis of differences between different sheep breeds based on whole-genome resequencing technology
Authors: Liu Ting , Guo Wenrui , Zhang Taiwu , Zhang Yanni , Yang Le , Xie Junkang , Kang Letian , Wang Weihao , Sun Lina , Duan Yan , Su Rina 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is the region with the highest mutton production in China, but researchers know very little about the genetic evolution of local sheep. In this experiment, whole-genome resequencing technology was used to investigate the genetic distance and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Chahar sheep, Ujimqin sheep and Xiqi sheep. The results showed that the distribution of SNPs in different regions of the genome was different, thus affecting the function of some genes. Insertion-Deletion (INDEL) also suggested an evolutionary distance between these three types of sheep. The genetic distance between Chahar sheep and the other two types of sheep is relatively far. During the construction of three sheep differential loci, it was found that they could be distinguished by the difference of bases at a certain position on the three chromosomes, which improved the identification of mutton. This suggests that the differences in meat quality between the three types of sheep are not only due to differences in the living environment but also may be influenced by genetic evolution. The research on differential genes can improve the data and theoretical basis for future precise nutrition.
Application of the fluorescent fingerprinting strategy for the verification of electron-beam and X-ray irradiation of potato tubers
Authors: Shik Anna V. , Skorobogatov Evgenii V. , Bliznyuk Ulyana A. , Chernyaev Alexander P. , Avdyukhina Valentina M. , Borschegovskaya Polina Yu. , Zolotov Sergey A. , Baytler Maksim O. , Doroshenko Irina A. , Podrugina Tatyana A. , Beklemishev Mikhail K. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
High-energy electron beam and X-ray processing of foods can be used for the sterilization purposes, and the treatment of seed potatoes can reduce its field damage by pests and diseases. Chromatography–mass-spectrometry methods demonstrated notable changes in the chemical composition of treated foods, but it is not an affordable technique. This paper is aimed at developing more simple methods for revealing the fact of radiation treatment of potato tubers and approximate dose detection. We used a “fingerprinting” strategy that does not involve the determination of the amount of any particular chemical compound; instead, the effect of the potato extracts on the rate of indicator reactions with the participation of carbocyanine dyes is measured: one type of reaction is catalytic oxidation of the dye and the other involves an aggregational process. The dye content was followed by its near-IR fluorescence intensity and visible light absorption. The potatoes not subjected to treatment or irradiated with different doses (10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 Gray) yielded different signals and eventually different patterns in the score plots of principal component and discriminant analysis. Non-irradiated tubers can be confidently distinguished from those irradiated with a high dose, and the order of the dose received can be estimated with 89–100% accuracy.
Yarning about pain: evaluating communication training for health professionals at persistent pain services in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Bernardes Christina M , Ekberg Stuart , Birch Stephen , Claus Andrew , Bryant Matthew , Meuter Renata , Isua Jermaine , Gray Paul , Kluver Joseph P. , Malacova Eva , Jones Corey , Houkamau Kushla , Taylor Marayah , Lin Ivan , Pratt Gregory 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Providing cultural education to health professionals is essential in improving the quality of care and the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. This study reports the evaluation of a novel training workshop used as an intervention to improve communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients at persistent pain services. Methods: In this single-arm intervention study, health professionals undertook a one-day workshop, which included cultural capability and communication skills training based on a clinical yarning framework. The workshop was delivered across three adult persistent pain clinics in Queensland. At the end of the training, participants completed a retrospective pre/post evaluation questionnaire (5 points Likert scale, 1=very low to 5=very high), to rate their perceived importance of communication training, their knowledge, ability, and confidence to communicate effectively. Participants also rated their satisfaction with the training and suggested improvements for future interventions.Results: Fifty-seven health professionals were trained (N= 57/111; 51% participation rate), 51 completed an evaluation questionnaire (n=51/57; 90% response rate). Significant improvements in the perceived importance of communication training, knowledge, ability and confidence to effectively communicate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients were identified (p<0.001). The greatest increase was in the perceived confidence pre-training mean of 2.96 (SE=0.11) to the post-training mean of 4.02 (SE=0.09). Conclusion: This patient-centred communication training, delivered through a novel model that combines cultural capability and the clinical yarning framework applied to the pain management setting, was highly acceptable and significantly improved participants’ perceived competence. This method is transferrable to other health system sectors seeking to train their clinical workforce with culturally sensitive communication skills.
Lb-miR166a has a potentially positive impact on the treatment of kidney cancer
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Xie Zhiyuan , Li Yan , Zhu Qian , Shi Hongbin , Zhao Ruining , Yang Xiaobo , Tian Jia , Ma Lianghong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the seventh most common tumor worldwide. The incidence rate of RCC ranks second among urinary system tumors, and the incidence rate has been increasing in recent years. Recent studies have shown that plant miRNAs can be absorbed into organisms through diet, and can regulate target gene expression and physiological function of predators across species. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Lycium barbarum has a wide range of antitumor effects. However, there are no reports on the cross-border regulation of tumors by Lycium barbarum miRNA (Lb-miRNA).
Methods
Human RCC cells (Caki-1) were cultured in vitro. The overexpression group of Lb-miR166a was constructed using lentivirus transfection. The effect of Lb-miR166a on the expression of RCC cells was analyzed using transcriptome sequencing, and differentially expressed genes were screened. Combined with bioinformatics technology, the relevant mechanisms by which Lb-miR166a regulates the occurrence and development of RCC were screened and verified, and in vivo tumor-bearing experiments on nude mice verified the effect of Lb-miR166a expression on the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of RCC.
Results
Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that Lb-miR166a regulated the expression of a variety of genes in tumor cells and regulated a large number of signaling pathways related to tumor occurrence and development. The overall finding was that Lb-miR166a inhibited tumor cell proliferation, promoted tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell invasion and metastasis. The tumor-bearing experiment in nude mice also showed that the subcutaneous tumor formation volume decreased in Lb-miR166a group mice, as did the expression of tumor cell Ki67 and the number of liver metastases.
Conclusion
This study explains the role of Lb-miR166a in the treatment of RCC and its underlying mechanisms. These results further improve the antitumor mechanism of L. barbarum and provide ideas for the clinical development of targeted drugs for the treatment of RCC.