bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Silico Analysis and Expression Profiling of Expansin A4, BURP Domain protein RD22- like and E6-like Genes Associated with Fiber Quality in Cotton
Authors: Ashraf Farzana , Khan Asif Ali , Iqbal Nadia , Mahmood Zahid , Ghaffar Abdul , Khan Zulqurnain 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
BackgroundWild Gossypium species and races are rich source of genetic polymorphism due to environmental dispersal and continuous natural selection. These genetic resources hold mass of outclass genes that can be used in cotton improvement breeding programs to exploit possible traits such as fibre quality, abiotic stress tolerance, and disease and insect resistance. Therefore, use of new molecular techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics is very important to utilize the genetic potential of wild species in cotton improvement programs.MethodsInterspecific lines and Gossypium species used in the study were grown at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan. After retrieving DNA sequence of the genes from NCBI, the primers for gene expression and full-length gene sequence were designed. Expression profiling of Expansin A4, BURP Domain protein RD22-like and E6-like fibre genes was performed through Real Time PCR. BLAST and DNA sequence alignment was conducted for sequence comparison of interspecific lines and Gossypium species. Different in silico analysis were used for characterization of fibre genes and identification of cis acting promoter elements in promoter region.ResultsVariable expression of genes related to fibre development was observed at different stages. BLAST and DNA sequence alignment exhibited resemblance of interspecific lines with G. hirsutum. In silico analysis on the sequence data also confirmed the role of Expansin A4, BURP Domain protein RD22-like and E6-like fibre genes in fibre development. Similarly, several stress tolerant and light responsive cis acting elements were identified through promotor analysis, which may contribute for fibre development in the breeding programs.ConclusionExpansin A4, BURP Domain RD22-like and E6-like have positive role in fibre development with variable expression at fiber length and strength associated stages.
Pharmacovigilance Reporting During Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Nigeria: Findings From the 2020 Campaign
Authors: Rotimi Kunle , Aiden Jimmy , Dabes Chrysanthus , Maduka Kenneth , Oguche Daniel , Itiola Ademola Joshua , Oresanya Olusola 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaign is known to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality among children aged 3 -59 months in the Sahel regions of Africa. However, the success of the intervention may be adversely affected by the absence of a robust pharmacovigilance system to monitor safety. This paper aims to describe our pharmacovigilance reporting experience during the campaigns conducted across seven states in Nigeria in 2020.
Methods
The SMC campaigns were held from July to November 2020 over 4 cycles with about 12 million eligible children reached by trained community drug distributors. Suspected adverse drugs reactions were reported routinely through the national pharmacovigilance system. Completed PV forms submitted to the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration And Control were retrieved and analyzed.
Results
The ADR reporting across the seven states was low, with 5 states failing to report any incidence. Abdominal pain, weakness, diarrhea, fever, rash and vomiting were reported, with vomiting being the commonest. Children aged 12-59 months accounted for most (~86%, 49/57) of the reports, with over 70% (40/57) of these reports completed by Community Health Extension Workers. The System Organ Class showed the gastrointestinal system as the most affected (65%, 37/57).
Conclusion
Our experience suggests potential ADR underreporting from the campaign. The quality and quantity of reports have been identified as a major concern, highlighting the need for active surveillance, strengthen health workers' capacity and the national pharmacovigilance system for optimum ADR reporting.
WITHDRAWN: The Role of AdeABC, AdeFGH and AdeIJK Efflux Pumps in Reduced Susceptibility to Tigecycline: Emergence of an Outbreak Associated With an International Clone Variant of Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolated From Burn Patients in Iran
Authors: Taheri Behrouz , Bahador Abbas , farshadzadeh Zahra , Assarehzadegan-dezfuli Aram 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Tigecycline is a new therapeutic agent for treating multiple drug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii infections. However, recent reports have suggested the efficacy of tigecycline in fighting A. baumannii infections has been reduced. In this study we investigated the role of resistance-nodulation cell division (RND) efflux pumps in reducing the efficacy of tigecycline against clinical isolates of A. baumannii collected from hospitalized burn patients in Iran. The susceptibility of 100 isolates to 19 antimicrobial agents was determined using the disc diffusion method, with the exception of colistin and tigecycline, which were assessed using the Etest method. PCR was used to detect the prevalence of genes. Real-time PCR was used to analyze the expression levels of genes encoding RND efflux pumps. Additionally, a three loci dual assay and multiple loci variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) were used to deﬁne PCR-based groups (G) and epidemiological studies of isolates, respectively. Colistin (99%), followed by tigecycline (71%) could be effective therapeutic options against A. baumannii. Forty-three percent of all isolates belonged to G variants. The high antibiotic resistance rate and over expression of RND efflux pumps were observed in G variants. MLVA identified 44 distinct types with 11 clusters and 29 singleton genotypes. The mean expression levels of AdeB in 29 tigecycline non-susceptible A. baumannii (TNAB) counterpart 71 tigecycline susceptible A. baumannii (TSAB) increased approximately 7- fold. All TNAB and TSAB isolates were shown to express adeG at higher level than adeB and adeJ, exceptionally TNAB isolates expressed adeB at a greater level than others. Four fold or greater decrease in tigecycline MIC was observed in 20% and 79% of TSAB and TNAB isolates, respectively. We observed an increasing trend in the rate of TNAB isolates and G variants in burn patients. The mechanism of their resistance was mediated by an increase in the expression of AdeABC efflux pump; AdeFGH and AdeIJK were not observed to have a direct role in tigecycline resistance. Also, this is the first study to report on the tendency of increase to spread of TNAB G variants, as the sub-clone of G1, in Iranian burn center.
Predicting the EGFR Mutation Status of Lung Adenocarcinoma Manifesting as Ground-glass Nodules Based on 18F-FDG PET/CT Radiomics
Authors: Shi Yunmei , Niu Rong , Gao Jianxiong , Shao Xiaoliang , Wang Jianfeng , Zhang Feifei , Wang Yuetao , Shao Xiaonan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The incidence of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated lung adenocarcinoma is significantly higher. For multiple GGNs, invasive detection is difficult to achieve. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an ideal non-invasive examination method to predict the EGFR mutation status in GGNs patients. Radiomics-based machine learning (ML) has been applied in various tumors. However, no predictive models based on 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics features have been used to identify the EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as GGNs. We amied to explore the predictive value of combining 18F-FDG PET/CT based radiomics and ML methods in distinguishing the mutation status of EGFR in lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as GGNs.Results: Among the 106 nodules, 81 had EGFR mutations (76.4%). There were no significant differences in general data, morphological characteristics, and PET/CT parameters between the EGFR mutation group and the wild group (P>0.05). Among the four models in the test set, XGBoost showed the best performance (AUC=0.798, 95%CI: 0.627-0.904) and was significantly better than Random Forest (AUC=0.680, 95%CI: 0.509-0.822) (Z=2.122, P=0.034).Conclusion: The combination of 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics and machine learning methods is a potential non-invasive method for predicting the EGFR mutation status of GGNs lung adenocarcinoma.
Diagnostic utility of absolute neutrophil count as a new marker of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; multicenter study
Authors: Mousa Nasser , Abdel-Razik Ahmed , Sheta Tarek , Deiab Ahmed , Taha Khaled , Mahmoud Rasha , Yassen Ahmed , Habib Alaa , Amer Amany , Mousa Eman , El-Wakeel Niveen , El-Sabbagh Amr , Awad Mohmoud , Diasty Muhammad , Fathy Aya , El-Emam Ola , Abdelsalam Mostafa , Elgamal Ayman , Elbaz Sherif , Elmahdi Essam , Elhammady Dina 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a fatal complication of liver cirrhosis with high mortality rates. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic utility of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) as a non-invasive marker for SBP diagnosis. Methods. Six hundred patients with cirrhotic ascites were included in the study. All patients underwent abdominal paracentesis and the ascitic fluid was processed for cell count and culture. Results. Absolute neutrophil count was significantly higher in SBP versus non-SBP and in culture positive SBP versus culture negative SBP. ANC at cutoff value > 2.804 has 84% sensitivity and 78% specificity for diagnosis of SBP with positive and negative predictive values (79.4% and 83.6 respectively). At a cut-off point > 5.6, ANC is capable of differentiating culture positive SBP from culture negative SBP cases with 62.07% sensitivity and 60.87 % specificity. Increased ANC, WBC, CRP, creatinine and decreased platelet emerged as independent risk factors for SBP development, while increased ANC, WBC and decreased platelets were independent predictors of culture positive SBP. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that, ANC count is simple, non-invasive diagnostic marker for SBP. Increased ANC, WBC, CRP, creatinine and decreased platelet emerged as independent risk factors for SBP development.
Shaking table test and numerical simulation study on a tunnel-soil-bridge pile structure interaction system
Authors: Lu Shasha , Zhao Dongxu , Yin Hang , Liu Shaodong , Xu Hong , Zhang Yanan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In this study, the dynamic interaction (SSSI) of a double tunnel–sand–soil–bridge pile system under earthquakes is investigated by conducting a shaking table test in the context of an actual project in Dalian. The dynamic response laws of the structure and site are determined and compared with the results obtained using ABAQUS numerical simulation. In the numerical model introduces, the Kelvin intrinsic model subroutine is introduced, and the equivalent linear method is used to deal with the nonlinearity of the sandy soil in the calculation process. The experimental results are compared with the results obtained using the numerical model to verify the reliability of the numerical simulation. Based on this, eight work­ing conditions are designed, and the interaction law between the structures in the system is investigated through a comparative analysis. The results showed that the tunnel amplifies the dynamic responses of the bridge pile, adjacent tunnel, and far field, while the bridge pile attenuates the dynamic responses of the side tunnel and far field; the presence of both the tunnel and bridge pile increases the internal force of the adjacent structure, and the peak internal force often occurs near the intersection of the structure or at the pile–soil interface.
Impact of government policies on approved and adopted rice varietal targeted trait changes in China
Authors: Zhao Yawei , Hu Ruifa , Xiong Changzhao , Deng Haiyan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Improvement of crops’ varietal traits not only involve the selection of superior varieties by research institutes or firms, but also depends on the adoption by farmers. In order to promote research institutes or seed firms developing superior new varieties, the Chinese government has established crop varietal approval system policies since early 1980s. Subsidies for growing superior crop seed varieties have been introduced since 2000s to stimulate farmers to employ superior seeds with improved traits in the production.Results: Using data on nationally approved rice varieties and farmers’ adopted varieties, this study examines rice varietal trait changes in China over the past four decades and explores the impact of national crop varietal approval policies on approved rice traits as well as the effect of seed subsidies on adopted rice trait changes. The results show that the yield of approved varieties and adopted varieties showed an upward trend over the past decades, but the volatility of approved varieties was significantly stronger than that of adopted varieties, and the yield of approved varieties was slightly higher than that of adopted varieties in most years. The rice quality of approved rice varieties showed a trend of continuous improvement, but the adopted varieties showed a downward trend. The disease resistance of the approved varieties failed to show an increasing trend overall, while the adopted varieties remained unchanged. National crop variety approval policies exert a significant positive impact on approved rice yield traits but exert a negative influence on disease resistance. Subsidies for superior seed varieties significantly increase adopted rice quality but decrease yield. Conclusions: The results suggest that national crop variety approval policies are the gatekeeper of improved rice, so the government could improve the policies to more meet farmers’ and finally consumers’ needs. However, if the government were targeted at increasing rice yield through subsidies for superior seed varieties, it might not be helpful.
Laparoscopy versus Laparotomy for the Treatment of BCLC Stages 0 or A Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with or without Microvascular Invasion: A Multicenter, Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Yang Shi-Ye , Yan Mao-Lin , Duan Yun-Fei , Feng Jin-Kai , Ye Jia-Zhou , Xiang Yan-Jun , Liu Zong-Han , Guo Lei , Xue Jie , Cheng Shu-Qun , Guo Wei-Xing 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the long-term prognoses of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages 0 or A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients associated with or without microvascular invasion (MVI) treated with laparoscopy versus laparotomy using propensity score matched analysis.Methods: The clinicopathological data of HCC patients at BCLC stages 0 or A from 4 major medical centers were retrospectively reviewed, and sub-grouped in terms of the presence of MVI to explore the effect of MVI on the long-term surgical outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to build a matched group of HCC patients for comparison of follow-up indicators between the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups.Results: 495 HCC patients at BCLC stages 0 or A were enrolled, including 243 in the laparoscopic group and 252 in the laparotomic group. Laparoscopic resection group had a shorter operative time, less blood loss, and lower frequencies of blood transfusion and postoperative complication rates. After PSM, the laparoscopic group had a significantly better overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) than the laparotomic group. Subgroup analysis demonstrated OS and RFS of patients without MVI were also significantly improved in the laparoscopic group compared with the laparotomic group. However, no significant difference of OS and RFS between two groups was found in patients with MVI after PSM.Conclusions: Pure laparoscopic hepatectomy for HCC patients at early stages can be performed safely with favorable short-term and long-term outcomes at high-volume liver cancer centers, regardless of the presence of MVI.
Development of a Novel 18F-labeled Probe for PET imaging of Estrogen Receptor β
Authors: Zhou Yujing , Lei Peng , Han Jiaxin , Wang Zhiming , Ji Aiyan , Wu Yuyang , Zheng Lingling , Zhang Xiaoqing , Qu Chunrong , Min Jian , Zhu Weiliang , Xu Zhijian , Liu Xingdang , Chen Hao , Cheng Zhen 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Estrogen receptors beta (ERβ) is an important ER subtype and plays crucial roles in many physiological and pathological disorders. Herein, we aim to develop a probe, 18F-PVBO, for in vivo ERβ targeted PET imaging with promising results.Methods: 18F-PVBO was synthesized using a two-step radiolabeling method. The relative binding affinities of the reference compound PVBO towards ERα and ERβ were determined by a competitive radiometric binding assay using 3H-estradiol. Cytotoxicity and cell uptake were evaluated in ERβ-positive DU145 cells. PET imaging, including blocking study, was performed in DU145 tumor-bearing nude mice (n = 3 per group), and the biodistribution study of 18F-PVBO was also performed.Results: The non-radioactive PVBO showed 12.46-fold stronger binding affinity to ERβ than to ERα in vitro. 18F-PVBO was synthesized with a 15-28% radiochemical yield (n = 5) within 40 min, and the radiochemical purity was >98%. The uptake of 18F-PVBO in DU145 cells was significantly blocked by ERB-041 (p < 0.05). The uptake of 18F-PVBO in DU145 xenografts increased during the 120 min dynamic scanning, with a maximum uptake of 2.80 ± 0.30% ID/g at 120 min. Based on time active curves (TACs), injection of 18F-PVBO with unlabeled PVBO or ERB-041 resulted in a significant signals reduction with the T/M ratio <1 at 30, 60, 75, and 120 min post-injection (p <0.05). Comparison of the %ID/g showed 18F-PVBO had a higher T/M ratio compared to 18F-FES in DU145 tumor-bearing mice at 60 min (1.65 vs. 1.28), 75 min (1.76 vs. 1.35), and 120 min (1.80 vs. 1.37) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: 18F-PVBO shows 12.46-fold stronger binding to ERβ over ERα, with high radiochemical stability. It demonstrates the feasibility of noninvasively imaging ERβ positive tumors by small-animal PET and provides a new strategy for visualizing of ERβ in vivo.
Postoperative Adjuvant Treatment Options in Resected Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hou Qiuyu , Luo Ningning , Li Mengmeng , Qi Yingxue , Fan Xinglong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Lung cancer remains the most common malignancies and the leading cause of mortality worldwide, more than 80% of which are Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). For approximately one-third of diagnosed NSCLCs with stage I–IIIA disease, surgical resection is recommended as a preferred curative treatment. Nevertheless, many resected NSCLC patients experience recurrence. The adjuvant treatment option of patients with resected Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) remains unstandardized. At present, there are many postoperative adjuvant therapy options for resected NSCLC, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, which adjuvant therapy is better for which patients is remaining to be explored. With further development of ctDNA-based molecular residual disease (MRD) research, more accurate clinical trials may be needed in the future to refine more comparison of biomarker for more precise treatment in postoperative adjuvant therapy in the future. In our manuscript, we discussed the status of possible markers and possible future clinical trials in combination with MRD. Finer patient stratification and adjuvant treatment options need to be further explored.
Non-invasive follicular neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features: a challenging and infrequent entity in Argentina
Authors: Saban Melina , Tolaba Norma , Orlandi Ana M , Deutsch Susana , Pitoia Fabián , Lowenstein Alicia , Calabrese Maria Cristina , Cavallo Andrea , Iotti Alejandro , Alvi Marcelo Monteros , Nallar Marcelo , Jaén Ana , Figurelli Silvina , Carrizo Fernando , Colobraro Antonio , Tascón Gabriela García , Saccoliti María , De Lima Andrea Paez , Lencioni Melisa , Califano Inés , Cabezón Carmen 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Non-invasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer was reclassified as non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). These neoplasms have an extremely low malignant potential. The aim of this study was 1) to assess the prevalence of NIFTP in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 2) to evaluate their outcomes and 3) to determine their molecular profile.Methods: Multicenter, descriptive, retrospective study. Patients with papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2016 from 11 referral centers were included. Diagnosis of NIFTP was based on criteria described by Nikiforov et al. in 2018. At least two pathologists agreed on the diagnosis. Two thousand six hundred and seventy-seven papillary thyroid cancer patients were included; 456 (17%) of them were follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer, and 30 (1.12%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for NIFTP.Results: Each of the 30 included patients underwent a total thyroidectomy, and 50% were treated with radioiodine (median dose 100 mCi). After a median follow up of 37 months, 84% of patients had an excellent response, 3% had an indeterminate response and data was missing in the remaining 13%. No metastatic lymph nodes, distant metastases or recurrences were found. RAS mutations were detected in 4 patients (13%).Conclusion: The prevalence of NIFTP in our series is amongst the lowest reported. Excellent outcomes of patients underscore their low malignant potential. Molecular findings differ from other series, probably related to environmental or ethnic features of our population and the meticulous criteria for diagnosing NIFTP.
Groundwater Level Simulation Using Soft Computing Methods with Emphasis on Major Meteorological Components
Authors: Vadiati Meysam , Samani Saeideh , Azizi Farahnaz , Zamani Efat , Kisi Ozgur 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Precise and accurate estimates of groundwater level might be of great importance for attaining sustainable development goals and integrated water resources management. Compared with alternative numerical models, soft computing methods are promising tools for groundwater level simulation and prediction, which need more hydrogeological and aquifer characteristics. The central aim of this research is to explore the performance of such well-accepted data-driven models to simulate the groundwater level (GWLt) with emphasis on major meteorological components, including; precipitation (P), temperature (T), evapotranspiration (ET) dataset on a monthly interval. Artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy logic (FL), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), group method of data handling (GMDH), and least-square support vector machine (LSSVM) are used to predict one-, two-, and three-month ahead groundwater level in an unconfined aquifer. The main meteorological components (Tt, ETt, Pt, Pt−1) and GWL for one, two, and three lag-time (GWLt−1, GWLt−2, GWLt−3) were used as input for different scenarios to attain precise and accurate prediction. The results showed that all models could have the best simulation for one month ahead in scenario 5, comprising inputs of GWLt−1, GWLt−2, GWLt−3, Tt, ETt, Pt, Tt−1, ETt−1, Pt−1. Based on different evaluation criteria, all employed models could simulate the groundwater level with a desirable accuracy and precision, and the results of LSSVM were the superior one.