bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Keratinocyte TLR2 and TLR7 contribute to chronic itch through pruritic cytokines and chemokines in mice
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Hong , Feng Yu , Hu Qingfang , Wang Xue‐Long , Zhang Li , Liu Teng‐Teng , Zhang Jiang‐Tao , Yang Xiaohua , Fu Qing‐Yue , Fu Dan‐Ni , Hu Ji , Liu Tong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAlthough neuronal Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) (e.g., TLR2, TLR3, and TLR7) have been implicated in itch sensation, the roles of keratinocyte TLRs in chronic itch are elusive. Herein, we evaluated the roles of keratinocyte TLR2 and TLR7 in chronic itch under dry skin and psoriasis conditions, which was induced by either acetone‐ether‐water treatment or 5% imiquimod cream in mice, respectively. We found that TLR2 and TLR7 signaling were significantly upregulated in dry skin and psoriatic skin in mice. Chronic itch and epidermal hyperplasia induced by dry skin or psoriasis were comparably reduced in TLR2 and TLR7 knockout mice. In the dry skin model, the enhanced messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of pruritic CXCL1/2, IL‐31, IL‐33, ST2, IL‐6, IL‐17A, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ were inhibited in TLR2−/− mice, while CXCL2, IL‐31, and IL‐6 were inhibited in TLR7−/− mice. In psoriasis model, the enhanced mRNA expression levels of pruritic CXCL1/2, IL‐31, IL‐33, ST2, IL‐6, and TNF‐α were inhibited in TLR2−/− mice, while CXCL1/2, IL‐31, IL‐33, ST2, IL‐6, IL‐17A, and TNF‐α were inhibited in TLR7−/− mice. Incubation with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) peptidoglycan (PGN‐SA) (a TLR2 agonist), imiquimod (a TLR7 agonist), and miR142‐3p (a putative TLR7 agonist) were sufficient to upregulate the expression of pruritic cytokines or chemokines in cultured keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Finally, pharmacological blockade of C‐X‐C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1/2 and high mobility group box protein 1 dose‐dependently attenuated acute and chronic itch in mice. Together, these results indicate that keratinocyte TLR2 and TLR7 signaling pathways are distinctly involved in the pathogenesis of chronic itch.
PEAR1 is a potential regulator of early hematopoiesis of human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Qu Kengyuan , Lyu Shuzhen , Hoyle Dixie L. , Smith Cory , Cheng Linzhao , Cheng Tao , Shen Jun , Wang Zack Z. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractHemogenic endothelial (HE) cells are specialized endothelial cells to give rise to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells during hematopoietic development. The underlying mechanisms that regulate endothelial‐to‐hematopoietic transition (EHT) of human HE cells are not fully understand. Here, we identified platelet endothelial aggregation receptor‐1 (PEAR1) as a novel regulator of early hematopoietic development in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). We found that the expression of PEAP1 was elevated during hematopoietic development. A subpopulation of PEAR1+ cells overlapped with CD34+CD144+CD184+CD73− arterial‐type HE cells. Transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing indicated that TAL1/SCL, GATA2, MYB, RUNX1 and other key transcription factors for hematopoietic development were mainly expressed in PEAR1+ cells, whereas the genes encoding for niche‐related signals, such as fibronectin, vitronectin, bone morphogenetic proteins and jagged1, were highly expressed in PEAR1− cells. The isolated PEAR1+ cells exhibited significantly greater EHT capacity on endothelial niche, compared with the PEAR1− cells. Colony‐forming unit (CFU) assays demonstrated the multilineage hematopoietic potential of PEAR1+‐derived hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, PEAR1 knockout in hPSCs by CRISPR/Cas9 technology revealed that the hematopoietic differentiation was impaired, resulting in decreased EHT capacity, decreased expression of hematopoietic‐related transcription factors, and increased expression of niche‐related signals. In summary, this study revealed a novel role of PEAR1 in balancing intrinsic and extrinsic signals for early hematopoietic fate decision.
Diagnostic performance of perfusion‐weighted imaging combined with serum MMP‐2 and ‐9 levels in tumor recurrence after postoperative concomitant chemoradiotherapy of glioblastoma
Authors: Liu Wen , Li Zhaoxiang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate diagnostic accuracy of dynamic susceptibility contrast‐ perfusion weighted imaging (DSC‐PWI) combined with serum MMP‐2 and ‐9 levels in differentiating recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).MethodsWe enrolled a total of 220 GBM patients, including recurrent cases (n = 150) and non‐recurrent cases (n = 70) after postoperative concomitant chemoradiotherapy. All patients performed preoperative and follow‐up DSC‐PWI, and two parameters [normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV) and cerebral blood flow (nCBF)] were obtained. Preoperative serum levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were detected using ELISA. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by analyzing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC).ResultsAt baseline, the recurrence patients had higher nCBF and nCBV than the non‐recurrence patients, accompanying by the increased MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 levels in serum. Serum MMP‐2 level were positively associated with MMP‐9 in recurrent patients. In patients classified as recurrence, both MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 in serum had a significant correlation with nCBV and nCBF. A sensitivity and specificity of nCBF for recurrence vs. non‐recurrence were 94.29% and 63.33%, respectively. nCBV also could provide high discrimination between recurrence and non‐recurrence patients (sensitivity: 84.29%, specificity: 62.67%, AUC: 0.821). In ROC analyses, both MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 distinguished recurrence from non‐recurrence with AUC values of 0.883 and 0.900, respectively. Finally, the combination of DSC‐PWI parameters (nCBF and nCBV) and serum MMP‐2 and ‐9 levels showed much better discrimination capacity between recurrence and non‐recurrence patients with a sensitivity of 92.86%, specificity of 79.33% and AUC of 0.899.ConclusionThe combination of DSC‐PWI parameters together with serum MMP‐2 and ‐9 levels offered an attractive approach to noninvasively distinguish recurrence after postoperative radiotherapy of GBM.
Circ‐E‐Cad encodes a protein that promotes the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer via the TGF‐β/Smad/C‐E‐Cad/PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Li Fanying , Tang Hongxing , Zhao Shaoji , Gao Xinya , Yang Lixuan , Xu Jianbo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAccumulating studies indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play critical roles in cancer progression. Most of them have been reported to act as microRNA sponges or interact with RNA‐binding proteins; however, their full range of functions remains largely unclear. Recently, an increasing number of circRNAs have been found to encode proteins. C‐E‐Cad, a protein encoded by circular E‐cadherin (circ‐E‐Cad), has been shown to have a great influence in the progression of glioblastoma, but its specific role in gastric cancer (GC) is unclear. Here, we found that both circ‐E‐Cad and C‐E‐Cad were upregulated in GC cell lines and GC tissues compared with a human gastric epithelial cell line (GES‐1) and normal tissues. Knockdown of circ‐E‐Cad suppressed GC cell line proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, whereas overexpression of C‐E‐Cad had the opposite effects. Immunoblotting revealed that C‐E‐Cad exerted tumor‐promoting functions by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. A rescue experiment showed that C‐E‐Cad but not circ‐E‐Cad was the executor of protumor biological functions. In addition, we demonstrated that the C‐E‐Cad expression level could have been increased by the TGF‐β/Smad pathway. In summary, our results indicated that the TGF‐β/Smad pathway could increase the expression of C‐E‐Cad to regulate GC cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by affecting PI3K/AKT signaling.
Temporal shaping of high‐voltage picosecond electric pulses for electronic spectroscopy and bioelectric applications
Authors: Wehbi Sahar , Tabcheh Nour , Tonello Alessandro , Orlacchio Rosa , Leveque Philippe , Arnaud‐Cormos Delia , Mansuryan Tigran , Fabert Marc , Tantot Olivier , Vergnole Sebastien , Couderc Vincent 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we present the temporal and spectral shaping of kilovolt picosecond electrical pulses obtained by using the linear switching process with femtosecond laser source. The frozen wave generator integrating up to four photoconductive semiconductor switches is activated by varying the optical pulse amplitude and time delay. Electric pulses with rise time and duration as short as 60 and 100 ps, respectively are used to implement a microwave spectroscopy experiment. This optoelectronic device is synchronous with the optical pulses which can be used for optical spectroscopy, after nonlinear frequency conversion. This single‐shot microwave spectroscopy technique was used to characterize the resonances of a passive dielectric resonator. Pulse shaping integrating coherent wave combining is also demonstrated.
Kinetic parameter estimation of hepatocellular carcinoma on 18F‐FDG PET/CT based on Bayesian method
Authors: He Jianfeng , Li Yongjin , Wang Tao , Deng Yinglei , Wang Shaobo 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundDynamic PET/CT combined with a dual‐input three‐compartment model can be applied to assess the kinetic parameters of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The nonlinear least squares (NLLS) method is the most common method for fitting model parameters; however, some limitations remain.PurposeA novel Bayesian‐based method was compared with the NLLS method to estimate the kinetic parameters for differentiating HCCs from background liver tissue.MethodsThe proposed Bayesian method combined a priori knowledge of the physiological range and likelihood functions of HCC lesions to obtain HCC PET/CT measurements. Metropolis‐Hastings sampling was used to numerically estimate the posterior distribution. This study used 5‐minute dynamic PET imaging and 1‐minute static PET imaging acquired 60 min post‐injection from 19 HCC lesions and 17 background liver regions.ResultsThe NLLS method indicated that k3 (p = 0.001) and fa (p < 0.001) were higher in HCCs than in background liver tissue, while K1 (p = 0.603), k2 (p = 0.405), k4 (p = 0.492), Vb (p = 0.112), and Ki (p = 0.091) were not significantly different. The Bayesian method showed that k3 (p < 0.001), fa (p < 0.001), and Ki (p = 0.002) were higher in HCCs than in background liver tissue, while K1 (p = 0.195), k2 (p = 0.028), k4 (p = 0.723), and Vb (p = 0.018) were not significantly different. For k3 and fa, the Bayesian method showed a higher AUC value for diagnostic performance in differentiating HCCs from background liver tissue than the NLLS method (0.853 vs. 0.745 and 0.928 vs. 0.886). Additionally, the Bayesian method had smaller Akaike information criteria and residual sum of squares values, as well as fewer parameter estimation outliers, than the NLLS method.ConclusionsThe proposed Bayesian method can accurately and robustly estimate liver kinetic parameters, effectively distinguish between lesions and background liver tissue, and provide accurate information about the uncertainty in parameter estimation.
Criminal Justice Involvement, Self‐Employment, and Barriers in Recent Public Policy
Authors: Finlay Keith , Mueller‐Smith Michael , Street Brittany 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThis study provides the first empirical evidence on the extent of self‐employment within the U.S. justice‐involved population. Using linked tax return and Criminal Justice Administrative Records System data, we find that 28 percent of individuals with criminal records are self‐employed. Justice‐involved individuals are 22 percent more likely to rely solely on self‐employment. The Paycheck Protection Program, passed to support small business during the COVID‐19 pandemic, initially disqualified those with a broad range of criminal histories. We find that close to 3 percent of recent sole proprietors had observable PPP disqualifying events based on initial eligibility criteria, with a disparate impact on Black and Hispanic business owners.
Ethical challenges faced by healthcare workers in pediatric oncology care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia
Authors: Marks India R. , O'Neill Jenny , Gillam Lynn , McCarthy Maria C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis qualitative study examined ethical challenges reported by healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in a large Australian pediatric oncology center during a period of strict COVID‐19 restrictions.MethodsWe conducted semi‐structured interviews with 21 HCPs who provided pediatric cancer care during the pandemic in 2020, during strict lockdown periods. Interviews examined the difficulties they faced, as well as their own ethical evaluation of the impact of COVID‐19 policies on oncology care. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and thematic analysis.ResultsHCPs faced several challenges, primarily originating from hospital restrictions, which led to changes in usual clinical practices. These challenges included delivering care with personal protective equipment (PPE), the impact of a one‐parent visitation policy, changes in psychosocial and allied health services, and COVID‐19 swabbing policies. Overall, there was consensus from participants that hospital restrictions were justified and, while difficult, HCPs simply had to provide the best care possible given the circumstances. However, participants described decreased capacity to deliver holistic patient care and, in some instances, a tendency to avoid ethical reflection. Lastly, there was a consistent theme of shame and sense of responsibility underlying some participants’ anxiety around inadvertently transmitting COVID‐19 to immunocompromised patients.ConclusionOur findings show that many staff felt unease at the disruptions in patient care due to COVID‐19 restrictions. Some HCPs indicated a degree of moral distress, with a possibility of moral injury among some HCPs. A focus on ethical recovery could assist in preventing any ongoing difficulties among HCPs because of their experiences.
Study on macroscopic thermodynamic properties of ClO molecule based on the improved Hulburt–Hirschfelder potential energy function
Authors: Fan Qunchao , Wen Lin , Jian Jun , Fan Zhixiang , Li Huidong , Fu Jia , Ma Jie , Xie Feng 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe improved Hulburt–Hirschfelder potential energy function is used as a proposal to emulate the behavior of intramolecular motion of a gas composed of diatomic molecules. In this work, the rovibrational energies of ClO molecule in the ground electronic state are obtained by solving the one‐dimensional Schrödinger equation with the improved Hulburt–Hirschfelder potential energy curve. And then, the molar heat capacities, molar entropies, molar enthalpies and reduced Gibbs free energies of ClO macroscopic gas are calculated by the quantum statistical ensemble theory. The results are compared with those calculated by using RKR potential energy curve from experiment and Morse potential energy function. It is found that the macroscopic thermodynamic properties of ClO calculated by the improved Hulburt–Hirschfelder potential energy function are closer to the experimental values, which provides a new way to calculate the macroscopic thermodynamic quantities of diatomic gas based on molecular microscopic information.
Exploring the role of information communication technology, trade, and foreign direct investment to promote sustainable economic growth: Evidence from Belt and Road Initiative economies
Authors: Iqbal Kashif , Sarfraz Muddassar , Khurshid  
Published: December 2022

AbstractInformation communication technology (ICT) contributes to global social, political, and sustainable economic growth. In particular, ICT, foreign direct investment (FDI), and trade in green economic growth are imperative factor that contributes to the country's development. In this regard, this paper explores the relationship between ICT, FDI, and trade in green economic growth for a group of 53 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) economies between 1990 and 2020. For empirical estimation, this study employs the generalized method of moment. Significantly, the results reveal that using ICT stimulates green economic growth in BRI countries by supporting the endogenous economic growth theory. The study shows claims that the interaction term of ICT with trade and ICT with FDI expedites the economic growth rate. Also, it reveals a positive and significant relationship between trade (exports and imports) and economic growth in BRI economies. It shows the positive and significant influence of ICT on FDI and its impact on economic growth in the long run. Further, it supports the positive effect of ICT on FDI inflows in the BRI economies. It concludes that more advancement in ICT can stimulate trade. Therefore, the BRI economies should further improve ICT as a profound tool that accelerates FDI inflows and stimulate trade for green economic growth.
Extract of Ficus septica modulates apoptosis and migration in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Bai Li‐Yuan , Wu Kay Li‐Hui , Chiu Chang‐Fang , Chao Hong‐Chu , Lin Wei‐Yu , Hu Jing‐Lan , Peng Bo‐Rong , Weng Jing‐Ru 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAccording to the alarming statistical analysis of global cancer, there are over 19 million new diagnoses and more than 10 million deaths each year. One such cancer is the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which requires new therapeutic strategies. Ficus septica extract has been used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases. In this study, we examined the anti‐proliferative effects of an extract of F. septica bark (FSB) in OSCC cells. Our results showed that FSB caused a concentration‐dependent reduction in the viability of SCC2095 OSCC cells, as determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, and was less sensitive to fibroblasts. In addition, FSB induced apoptosis by activating caspases, accompanied by the modulation of Akt/mTOR/NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling. Moreover, FSB increased reactive oxygen species generation in a concentration‐dependent manner in SCC2095 cells. Furthermore, FSB inhibited cell migration and modulated the levels of the cell adhesion molecules including E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, and Snail in SCC2095 cells. Pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from FSB, showed antitumor effects in SCC2095 cells, implying that this compound might play an important role in FSB‐induced OSCC cell death. Taken together, FSB is a potential anti‐tumor agent against OSCC cells.
Use of artificial intelligence and deep learning in fetal ultrasound imaging
Authors: Ramirez Zegarra R. , Ghi T. 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTDeep learning is considered the leading artificial intelligence tool in image analysis in general. Deep‐learning algorithms excel at image recognition, which makes them valuable in medical imaging. Obstetric ultrasound has become the gold standard imaging modality for detection and diagnosis of fetal malformations. However, ultrasound relies heavily on the operator's experience, making it unreliable in inexperienced hands. Several studies have proposed the use of deep‐learning models as a tool to support sonographers, in an attempt to overcome these problems inherent to ultrasound. Deep learning has many clinical applications in the field of fetal imaging, including identification of normal and abnormal fetal anatomy and measurement of fetal biometry. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive explanation of the fundamentals of deep learning in fetal imaging, with particular focus on its clinical applicability. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Pelvic pain and venous congestion revisited: examining relationship between chronic pelvic pain and uterine venous size and blood flow
Authors: Amin T. N. , Wong M. , Foo X. , Pointer S. L. , Jurkovic D. 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between increased uterine venous plexus diameter and chronic pelvic pain in women attending a gynecology clinic.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients attending a tertiary university hospital in London, UK. Women presenting to the gynecology clinic undergoing transvaginal ultrasound examination were recruited into the study. The largest trunk of the uterine venous plexus was measured on each side. Blood flow within the uterine veins was categorized into continuous or interrupted flow and evaluated using color and spectral Doppler ultrasound during normal respiration and on Valsalva maneuver to demonstrate the presence of venous reflux. The largest uterine vein diameter and its blood flow were used for the analysis. The main variables of interest were chronic pelvic pain, uterine vein diameter and type of blood flow.ResultsWe included 1500 women in the study, of whom 584 (38.9% (95% CI, 36.5–41.5%)) reported chronic pelvic pain. Dysmenorrhea was the most common type of pelvic pain. Age (P < 0.001), menopausal status (P = 0.02), varicose veins (P = 0.01), adenomyosis (P < 0.001) and endometriosis (P < 0.001) were found to be independently associated with the occurrence of pain on multiple logistic regression analysis. There was no difference in uterine vein diameter between women with and those without pain (P = 0.10). Neither uterine vein diameter (P = 0.47) nor type of blood flow (P = 0.07) was significantly associated with the occurrence of pelvic pain on multiple logistic regression.ConclusionsOur findings show that uterine vein diameter is not associated with pelvic pain. However, we found other important clinical and demographic factors that are associated with chronic pelvic pain. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
On red tin (II) oxide: temperature‐dependent structural, spectroscopic, and thermogravimetric properties
Authors: Wittmann Sarah , Murshed M. Mangir , Gesing Thorsten M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPolycrystalline red tin(II)oxide (RSO) has been synthesized by a fast reflux method. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data Rietveld refinement confirms the orthorhombic space group Cmc21 (Z=8). The presence of 5 s2 lone electron pair (LEP) of the Sn2+ cation results in layers of highly distorted SnO4 tetrahedra with an averaged Wang‐Liebau eccentricity (WLE) parameter of 4.3(1) x10−5 as a measure of the stereochemical activity. The significantly different Sn−O bond distances demonstrate the under‐bonding nature of both the tin and the oxygen atoms in the SnO4 coordination. The band gap of red tin(II)oxide is found to be 1.75(1) eV which is compared with those of blue‐black tin(II) (BSO) and white tin(IV) oxide (WSO) based on the UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectral data. Temperature‐dependent XRPD reveals the
phase transitions, which is complemented by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC) investigations. Moreover, in‐situ Raman spectroscopy additionally hints to an intermediate phase either of Sn2O3 or Sn3O4 appears within a short temperature range before the RSO to BSO transition occurs. Due to axial negative thermal expansion for the b‐lattice parameter RSO exhibits nearly a zero thermal expansion coefficient for a given temperature range above room temperature.