bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural and functional characteristics of soil microbial communities in response to different ecological risk levels of heavy metals
Authors: Li Dale , Chen Jianwen , Zhang Xiujuan , Shi Wei , Li Junjian 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThe potential ecological risk index (RI) is the most commonly used method to assess heavy metals (HMs) contamination in soils. However, studies have focused on the response of soil microorganisms to different concentrations, whereas little is known about the responses of the microbial community structures and functions to HMs at different RI levels.MethodsHere, we conducted soil microcosms with low (L), medium (M) and high (H) RI levels, depending on the Pb and Cd concentrations, were conducted. The original soil was used as the control (CK). High-throughput sequencing, qPCR, and Biolog plate approaches were applied to investigate the microbial community structures, abundance, diversity, metabolic capacity, functional genes, and community assembly processes.ResultThe abundance and alpha diversity indices for the bacteria at different RI levels were significantly lower than those of the CK. Meanwhile, the abundance and ACE index for the fungi increased significantly with RI levels. Acidobacteria, Basidiomycota and Planctomycetes were enriched as the RI level increased. Keystone taxa and co-occurrence pattern analysis showed that rare taxa play a vital role in the stability and function of the microbial community at different RI levels. Network analysis indicates that not only did the complexity and vulnerability of microbial community decrease as risk levels increased, but that the lowest number of keystone taxa was found at the H level. However, the microbial community showed enhanced intraspecific cooperation to adapt to the HMs stress. The Biolog plate data suggested that the average well color development (AWCD) reduced significantly with RI levels in bacteria, whereas the fungal AWCD was dramatically reduced only at the H level. The functional diversity indices and gene abundance for the microorganisms at the H level were significantly lower than those the CK. In addition, microbial community assembly tended to be more stochastic with an increase in RI levels.ConclusionOur results provide new insight into the ecological impacts of HMs on the soil microbiome at different risk levels, and will aid in future risk assessments for Pb and Cd contamination.
Comparison of cytokine/chemokine profiles between dermatomyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome
Authors: Wang Yikang , Zheng Yiming , Zhao Yawen , Liu Yilin , Zhang Wenhao , Yu Meng , Xie Zhiying , Hao Hongjun , Gao Feng , Zhang Wei , Wang Zhaoxia , Yuan Yun 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesDermatomyositis (DM) and anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) are autoimmune diseases with multisystem involvement. Despite sharing some clinical and myopathological features, these are two diseases with different pathogeneses and prognoses. We aimed to clarify and compare cytokine/chemokine profiles in both disorders, which may help in the differential diagnosis.Materials and methodsWe collected clinical data and serum samples of consecutive patients with DM and ASS. Quantibody® Human Inflammation Array 3 for cytokines/chemokines was performed in the serum of all participants. Receiver operating characteristic analysis with the area under the curve and Youden's index were performed.ResultsEight newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve patients with DM, nine newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve patients with ASS, and 14 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, CCL4, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 13, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) were increased in patients with both DM and ASS. Serum interleukin (IL)-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1ra), IL-1b, CCL1, CXCL11, and CCL3 were modulated in patients with DM only, and IL-8, CXCL9, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in patients with ASS only. Serum CCL2, CXCL13, and TNFR2 accurately distinguished patients with DM and ASS from healthy controls, as shown by the area under the curve &gt;0.80. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that, as biomarkers for discrimination between DM and ASS, the combination of IL-1ra and TIMP-1, had an area under the curve of 0.944, a sensitivity of 87.5%, and a specificity of 88.9%.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that serum levels of cytokines/chemokines showed a different pattern in newly diagnosed patients with DM and ASS, in which serum IL-1ra and TIMP-1 could be used to distinguish between the two diseases.
Dairy consumption and risk of esophagus cancer in the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cohort
Authors: Wang Tingting , Zhu Yi , Zheng Yuanzhu , Cao Yang , Xu Qin , Wang Xiangan , Hu Wenli , Zhang Yun 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundEpidemiological studies provide limited information on the relationship between dairy consumption and the incidence of esophagus cancer (EC). We examined whether eating dairy foods is associated with a lower risk of EC in an American population.MethodsIn our study, we analyzed data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial, which included 101,723 subjects. Dairy product consumption was assessed using a dietary history questionnaire. We used Cox regression and restricted cubic splines to assess whether dairy consumption is associated with EC incidence.ResultsA total of 154 EC cases were identified after a median follow-up of 12.2 years. After adjusting for confounders, we discovered no statistically significant correlation between total dairy product consumption and EC risk (HR with 95% CI for ≥1.79 servings/day vs. ≤0.6 servings/day: 0.83, 0.50–1.38; p for trend = 0.465). Additionally, no associations were found between EC risk and other dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.ConclusionWe concluded that the findings of the PLCO cohort do not suggest dairy consumption reduces the risk of EC.
Coffee intake may promote sudomotor function activation via the contribution of caffeine
Authors: Kwon Ryeo-Won , Park Jin-Sun , Lee Ha-Gyoung , Park Jong-In , Choo Eon-Ah , Lee Seung-Jea , Lee Jeong-Beom 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesTo determine whether drinking coffee with caffeine accelerates the sympathetic response to acetylcholine (ACh).MethodsTests were performed twice at 1-week intervals following the intake of coffee. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Group A was administered 16 fluid oz of water (CON), while Group B was given 16 fluid oz of coffee (Coffee). After 1 week, Group A was administered 16 fluid oz of coffee (Coffee), while Group B was given 16 fluid oz of water (CON). The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) was performed after intake of coffee and water and a 40 min break. QSART with iontophoresis and 10% ACh was performed to determine axon reflex (AXR) mediated with and without iontophoresis [AXR (1) and AXR (2), respectively], and directly activated sweating (DIR).ResultsThe sweat onset time of the AXR was shorter in the Coffee compared with the CON (p &lt; 0.05). The sweat rates in AXR (1) AXR (2) and DIR were significantly higher in the Coffee than in the CON (p &lt; 0.05, p &lt; 0.05, p &lt; 0.01, respectively). In addition, the Coffee showed significantly higher density of activated sweat glands and activated sweat gland output than the CON (p &lt; 0.05, p &lt; 0.01, respectively). The overall results of this study showed that coffee intake could stimulate higher activation in both AXR and DIR sweat responses.ConclusionCoffee intake can improve sweating sensitivity in both the AXR and DIR by the contribution of caffeine contained in coffee. This suggests that other compounds in coffee may not inhibit the sympathetic response to ACh. Therefore, coffee may be clinically worth considering as a supplement for the activation of the cholinergic and sudomotor function.
The effects of three weight management methods on body composition and serum lipids of overweight and obese people
Authors: Cai Jingjing , Shao Lin , Zhao Shilong , Liu Wen , Liu Peng 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionObesity has become a major health problem worldwide. Diet management is an important means of weight loss. The aim of this study was to explore the improvement effect of a calorie-restricted diet (CRD), 5 + 2 intermittent fasting (5 + 2 IF), and high protein diet (HPD) on weight composition and serum lipid level of overweight and obese people in a short period (3 months).MethodsFifty-three participants aged 18–60 years and with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 24 to 35 kg/m2 were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., CRD, 5 + 2 IF, and HPD. Basic information, body composition, and venous blood samples were collected at baseline and after 3 months of intervention. Body composition was measured using a body composition analyzer (SK-V9), and serum lipids were assayed using the Roche Cobas e702 automatic biochemistry analysis system. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to analyze and compare the repeated measurements of body composition and levels of serum lipids.ResultsThe results showed that total weight, BMI, body fat mass, muscle mass, visceral fat index, and waist and hip circumferences had significantly decreased in all three groups after 3 months of intervention, and the average weight loss was 3.3 ± 1.14, 4.12 ± 0.05, and 2.62 ± 0.13 kg in CRD, 5 + 2 IF, and HPD groups, respectively. The results of the GEE model indicated that compared with the CRD group, the 5 + 2 IF group showed a more significant decrease in weight (β = −0.272, P &lt; 0.001), BMI (β = −0.091, P &lt; 0.001), body fat mass (β = −0.172, P &lt; 0.001), muscle (β = −0.043, P &lt; 0.001), and visceral fat index (β = −0.019, P &lt; 0.001), however, HPD has more advantages in visceral fat index loss (β = −0.011, P &lt; 0.001) and lean body mass preserve (β = 0.229, P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionOur findings showed that the 5 + 2 IF may be more effective in reducing total weight and body fat, and HPD may be more helpful in preventing lean body mass loss during a short-term weight loss intervention.
Benign gallbladder disease is a risk factor for colorectal cancer, but cholecystectomy is not: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Qin Qiong , Li Wei , Ren Ao , Luo Rong , Luo Shiqiao 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundPrevious studies reported controversial results on the relationship between cholecystectomy (CHE) and colorectal cancer (CRC). We hypothesized that gallbladder disease (GBD), instead of cholecystectomy, increased the risk of CRC. We aimed to investigate the incidence of benign gallbladder disease (BGBD) and CHE in CRC patients and local adults undergoing annual health examination by analyzing large data from a tertiary hospital in southwest China.MethodsA propensity score matching (PSM) analyzed, retrospective study from January 1, 2013, to August 31, 2020, including 7,471 pathologically confirmed CRC patients and 860,160 local annual health examination adults in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, was conducted. The prevalence of BGBD and the CHE rate were analyzed before and after a 1:1 PSM.ResultsOf the 7,471 CRC patients, 7,160 were eligible for the case group. In addition, 860,160 local health examination adults were included for comparison. The incidence of BGBD was higher in the CRC patients than in the local adults (19.2% vs. 11.3%, P &lt; 0.001), but no significant difference in CHE rate existed between the case group and the control group (5.0% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.340). In the subgroup analysis, patients with BGBD had a higher risk of colon cancer than rectal cancer (20.4% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.024) and more significantly in the right colon (P = 0.037). A weakly positive correlation between CHE and right colon cancer was observed before PSM but no longer existed after PSM (P = 0.168).ConclusionsBenign gallbladder disease was positively correlated with colorectal cancer, especially right colon cancer. Cholecystectomy did not increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Transcription regulators and ultra-rare and other rare translocation-related sarcomas treated with trabectedin: A proof of principle from a post-hoc analysis
Authors: Palmerini Emanuela , Sanfilippo Roberta , Grignani Giovanni , Buonadonna Angela , Romanini Antonella , Badalamenti Giuseppe , Ferraresi Virginia , Vincenzi Bruno , Comandone Alessandro , Pizzolorusso Antonio , Brunello Antonella , Gelsomino Fabio , De Pas Tommaso , Ibrahim Toni , Gurrieri Lorena , Grosso Federica , Zanelli Francesca , Pantaleo Maria Abbondanza , Milesi Laura , Ciuffreda Libero , Ferrari Vittorio , Marchesi Emanuela , Quattrini Irene , Righi Alberto , Setola Elisabetta , Carretta Elisa , Casali Paolo G. , Picci Piero , Ferrari Stefano 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundAmong sarcomas, which are rare cancers with an incidence of &lt;6 per 100.000/year cases, ultra-rare sarcomas have an incidence of approximately ≤1/1,000,000/year cases and altogether account for ~20% of all soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and bone sarcomas. The Italian Sarcoma Group has recently performed a non-interventional, retrospective TrObs study with data from 512 anthracycline-pretreated patients with advanced multiple STS histologies and treated with trabectedin (Palmerini, Cancers 2021; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02793050).MethodsA post-hoc analysis of case series to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trabectedin on patients with ultra-rare and other rare translocation-related sarcomas included in TrObs study was performed. Main outcomes comprised investigator-assessed overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and safety.ResultsThirty-six patients (18 women) with ultra-rare and other rare sarcoma and a median age of 53.0 years (range: 22-81) were included. Most patients had solitary fibrous tumor (SFT; n=11) followed by epithelioid sarcoma (n=5), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST; n=4), extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC; n=3), desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT; n=3), and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), rhabdomyosarcoma and clear cell sarcoma (n=2 each). Thirty-five patients had metastatic disease and 23 patients received trabectedin as a second-line treatment. Among 35 patients evaluable for response, two patients with SFT and ASPS had a partial response and one patient with DSRCT obtained a complete response, reaching an ORR of 8.6% (95% CI: 2.8-23.4%). Among patients with an ORR, 6-months PFS was 100% in patients with ASPS, 45.7% in patients with SFT and 33.3% in those with DSRCT. Two patients with epithelioid sarcoma and myoepithelioma had disease stabilization lasting &gt;24 months. Nine patients had at least one grade 3/4 adverse event, mostly being bone marrow toxicity (n=6).ConclusionsTrabectedin has some anti-tumor activity in some ultra-rare and other rare sarcomas, particularly translocation-related sarcomas, with the well-known manageable safety profile.
Prognostic values of ALDOB expression and 18F-FDG PET/CT in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Jia Wenzhi , Wu Qianyun , Yu Xiaofeng , Shen Mengqin , Zhang Ruixue , Li Jiajin , Zhao Li , Huang Gang , Liu Jianjun 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe glycolytic enzyme fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase B (ALDOB) is aberrantly expressed and impacts the prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic ALDOB loss leads to paradoxical upregulation of glucose metabolism, favoring hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, the relationship between ALDOB expression and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake, and their effects on HCC prognosis remain unclear. We evaluated whether ALDOB expression is associated with 18F-FDG uptake and their impacts on HCC prognosis prediction.MethodsChanges in ALDOB expression levels and the prognostic values in HCC were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Ultimately, 34 patients with HCC who underwent 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) preoperatively were enrolled in this retrospective study. ALDOB expression was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of HCC was calculated from the 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. The relationship between ALDOB expression and SUVmax was examined, and their impacts on overall survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. ALDOB overexpression in HUH7 and 7721 cells was used to analyze its role in tumor metabolism.ResultsAccording to TCGA database, the ALDOB mRNA level was downregulated in HCC compared to normal tissue, and significantly shortened overall survival in HCC patients. ALDOB protein expression was similarly decreased in IHC findings in HCC than that in adjacent normal tissues (P&lt;0.05) and was significantly associated with tumor size (P&lt;0.001), high tumor-node-metastasis stage (P=0.022), and elevated SUVmax (P=0.009). ALDOB expression in HCC was inversely correlated with SUVmax (r=-0.454; P=0.012), and the optimal SUVmax cutoff value for predicting its expression was 4.15. Prognostically, low ALDOB expression or SUVmax ≥3.9 indicated shorter overall survival time in HCC. Moreover, COX regression analysis suggested high SUVmax as an independent prognostic risk factor for HCC (P=0.036). HCC patients with negative ALDOB expression and positive SUVmax (≥3.9) were correlated with worse prognosis. ALDOB overexpression in HCC cells significantly decreases 18F-FDG uptake and lactate production.ConclusionSUVmax in HCC patients is inversely correlated with ALDOB expression, and 18F-FDG PET/CT may be useful for ALDOB status prediction. The combined use of ALDOB expression and 18F-FDG PET/CT data can provide additional information on disease prognosis in HCC patients.
Establishment and experimental validation of a novel cuproptosis-related gene signature for prognostic implication in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Jialu , Yu Xiaopeng , Tong Huanjun , Tang Chengwei , Tang Zhaohui 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly malignant, heterogeneous bile duct malignancy with poor treatment options. A novel type of cell death termed cuproptosis was recently demonstrated to closely correlate with tumor progression. To gain more insight into the role of cuproptosis in CCA, we investigated the prognostic implications of cuproptosis related genes (CRGs) and their relationship to the development of CCA.MethodsGene expression data for CCA were obtained from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) database. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized Cox regression was used to construct a prognostic risk model based on CRGs. RNA-seq, qRT−PCR and immunohistochemistry staining were used to verify the expression of CRGs in human CCA tissues or cell lines. Further in vitro experiments were performed to demonstrate the role of cuproptosis in CCA.ResultsWe established a 4-gene signature (ATP7A, FDX1, DBT and LIAS) that exhibited good stability and was an independent prognostic factor for CCA. Seventy-five CCA samples were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the risk score. Enrichment analysis revealed increased extracellular activity in the high-risk group and increased lipid metabolic activity in the low-risk group. Moreover, the 4 signature genes were verified in clinical samples and cell lines by RNA-seq, qRT−PCR and immunohistochemistry. Further experiments confirmed that cuproptosis can significantly inhibit the viability of CCA cells. Knockdown of the key gene LIAS ameliorated the toxicity of cuproptosis to CCA cells.ConclusionWe established a 4-gene prognostic signature based on cuproptosis and explored the role of cuproptosis in CCA. The results provide an effective indicator for predicting the prognosis of cuproptosis in CCA.
A prognostic model and immune regulation analysis of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma based on cellular senescence
Authors: Gao Lulu , Wang Xiangdong , Wang Xuehai , Wang Fengxu , Tang Juan , Ji Jinfeng 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the clinical significance of cellular senescence in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC).MethodsCluster analysis was performed on GEO data and TCGA data based on cellular senescence related genes, and then performed subtype analysis on differentially expressed genes between subtypes. The prognostic model was constructed using Lasso regression. Survival analysis, microenvironment analysis, immune analysis, mutation analysis, and drug susceptibility analysis were performed to evaluate the practical relevance. Ultimately, a clinical nomogram was constructed and cellular senescence-related genes expression was investigated by qRT-PCR.ResultsWe ultimately identified two subtypes. The prognostic model divides patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. There were notable discrepancies in prognosis, tumor microenvironment, immunity, and mutation between the two subtypes and groups. There was a notable connection between drug-sensitive and risk scores. The nomogram has good calibration with AUC values between 0.75-0.8. In addition, cellular senescence-related genes expression was investigated qRT-PCR.ConclusionOur model and nomogram may effectively forecast patient prognosis and serve as a reference for patient management.
Lymph node yield less than 12 is not a poor predictor of survival in locally advanced rectal cancer after laparoscopic TME following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Yang Hong , Xing Jiadi , Zhang Chenghai , Yao Zhendan , Wu Xiuxiu , Jiang Beihai , Cui Ming , Su Xiangqian 
Published: December 2022

PurposePrevious studies have confirmed that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) may reduce the number of lymph nodes retrieved in rectal cancer. However, it is still controversial whether it is necessary to harvest at least 12 lymph nodes for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who underwent nCRT regardless of open or laparoscopic surgery. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between lymph node yield (LNY) and survival in LARC patients who underwent laparoscopic TME following nCRT.MethodsPatients with LARC who underwent nCRT followed by laparoscopic TME were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between LNY and survival of patients was evaluated, and the related factors affecting LNY were explored. To further eliminate the influence of imbalance of clinicopathological features on prognosis between groups, propensity score matching was conducted.ResultsA total of 257 consecutive patients were included in our study. The median number of LNY was 10 (7 to 13) in the total cohort. There were 98 (38.1%) patients with 12 or more lymph nodes harvested (LNY ≥12 group), and 159 (61.9%) patients with fewer than 12 lymph nodes retrieved (LNY &lt;12 group). There was nearly no significant difference between the two groups in clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes except that the age of LNY &lt;12 group was older (P&lt;0.001), and LNY &lt;12 group tended to have more TRG 0 cases (P&lt;0.060). However, after matching, when 87 pairs of patients obtained, the clinicopathological features were almost balanced between the two groups. After a median follow-up of 65 (54 to 75) months, the 5-year OS was 83.9% for the LNY ≥12 group and 83.6% for the LNY &lt;12 group (P=0.893), the 5-year DFS was 78.8% and 73.4%, respectively (P=0.621). Multivariate analysis showed that only patient age, TRG score and ypN stage were independent factors affecting the number of LNY (all P&lt;0.05). However, no association was found between LNY and laparoscopic surgery-related factors.ConclusionsFor LARC patients who underwent nCRT followed by laparoscopic TME, the number of LNY less than 12 has not been proved to be an adverse predictor for long-term survival. There was no correlation between LNY and laparoscopic surgery-related factors.