bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the impact of autologous cell therapy and conservative standard treatment on tissue oxygen supply and course of the diabetic foot in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dubský Michal , Husáková Jitka , Bem Robert , Jirkovská Alexandra , Němcová Andrea , Fejfarová Vladimíra , Sutoris Karol , Kahle Michal , Jude Edward B. 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAutologous cell therapy (ACT) is a new treatment method for patients with diabetes and no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia (NO-CLTI). We aimed to assess the impact of ACT on NO-CLTI in comparison with standard treatment (ST) in a randomized controlled trial.MethodsDiabetic patients with NO-CLTI were randomized to receive either ACT (n=21) or ST (n=19). After 12 weeks, those in the ST group, who did not improve were treated with ACT. The effect of ACT on ischemia and wound healing was assessed by changes in transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) and the number of healed patients at 12 weeks. Pain was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Amputation rates and amputation-free survival (AFS) were assessed in both groups.ResultsDuring the first 12 weeks, TcPO2 increased in the ACT group from 20.8 ± 9.6 to 41.9 ± 18.3 mm Hg (p=0.005) whereas there was no change in the ST group (from 21.2 ± 11.4 to 23.9 ± 13.5 mm Hg). Difference in TcPO2 in the ACT group compared to ST group was 21.1 mm Hg (p=0.034) after 12 weeks. In the period from week 12 to week 24, when ST group received ACT, the TcPO2 in this group increased from 20.1 ± 13.9 to 41.9 ± 14.8 (p=0.005) while it did not change significantly in the ACT in this period. At 24 weeks, there was no significant difference in mean TcPO2 between the two groups. Wound healing was greater at 12 weeks in the ACT group compared to the ST group (5/16 vs. 0/13, p=0.048). Pain measured using VAS was reduced in the ACT group after 12 weeks compared to the baseline, and the difference in scores was again significant (p&lt;0.001), but not in the ST group. There was no difference in rates of major amputation and AFS between ACT and ST groups at 12 weeks.ConclusionsThis study has showed that ACT treatment in patients with no-option CLTI and diabetic foot significantly improved limb ischemia and wound healing after 12 weeks compared to conservative standard therapy. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to study the benefits of ACT in patients with NO-CLTI and diabetic foot disease.Trial registrationThe trial was registered in the National Board of Health (EudraCT 2016-001397-15).
Acupuncture combined with metformin versus metformin alone to improve pregnancy rate in polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Xin , Lan Ying , Yang Lijie , Liu Yang , Li Hongyu , Zhu Xinyun , Zhao Yuemeng , Long Caiyi , Wang Mengjing , Xie Qingling , Li Zhao , Wu Jie 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the comparison between acupuncture combined with metformin versus metformin alone in improving the pregnancy rate of people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsA literature search of eight databases resulted in nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effect of acupuncture combined with metformin on pregnancy rate in PCOS patients compared with metformin alone. Subsequently, data extraction and analysis were conducted to evaluate the quality and risk of bias of the methodological design of the study, and meta-analysis was conducted on the RCT data.ResultsNine RCTs and 1,159 women were included. Acupuncture can improve pregnancy rate. It was analyzed according to the diagnostic criteria of PCOS [Z = 2.72, p = 0.007, relative risk (RR) 1.31, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.60, p = 0.15, I2 = 41%]. Analysis was performed according to different diagnostic criteria of pregnancy (Z = 3.22, p = 0.001, RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.63, p = 0.12, I2 = 42%). Acupuncture can improve ovulation rate. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the number of ovulation patients (Z = 2.67, p = 0.008, RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.59, p = 0.04, I2 = 63%) and ovulation cycle (Z = 3.57; p = 0.0004, RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.29, p = 0.57, I2 = 0%). Statistical analysis also showed that acupuncture combined with metformin could improve homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) [mean difference (MD) −0.68, 95% CI −1.01 to −0.35, p = 0.003, I2 = 83%].ConclusionsBased on the results of this study, compared with metformin alone, acupuncture combined with metformin has a positive effect on pregnancy rate, ovulation rate, and insulin resistance in PCOS. However, due to the limitations regarding the number and quality of the included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by further high-quality studies.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#myprospero.
Sphingolipid metabolism is associated with osteosarcoma metastasis and prognosis: Evidence from interaction analysis
Authors: Hu Xinyue , Zhou Xin , Zhang Jue , Li Liangliang 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundMetabolism is widely involved in the occurrence and development of cancer. However, its role in osteosarcoma (OS) has not been elucidated.MethodsThe open-accessed data included in this study were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (TARGET-OS project). All the analysis was performed in R environments.ResultsBased on the single sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm, we quantified 21 metabolism terms in OS patients. Among these, sphingolipid metabolism was upregulated in the metastatic OS tissue and associated with a worse prognosis, therefore aroused our interest and selected for further analysis. Our result showed that sphingolipid metabolism could activate the Notch signaling and angiogenesis pathway, which might be responsible for the metastasis ability and poor prognosis. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to illustrate the interaction of the differentially expressed genes between high and low sphingolipid metabolism. Immune analysis showed that multiple immune terms were upregulated in patients with high sphingolipid metabolism activity. Then, a prognosis model was established based on the identified DEGs between patients with high and low sphingolipid metabolism, which showed great prediction efficiency. Pathway enrichment showed the pathway of myogenesis, spermatogenesis, peroxisome, KRAS signaling, pancreas beta cells, apical surface, MYC target, WNT beta-catenin signaling, late estrogen response and apical junction was significantly enriched in high risk patients. Moreover, we found that the model genes MAGEB1, NPIPA2, PLA2G4B and MAGEA3 could effectively indicate sphingolipid metabolism and risk group.ConclusionsIn summary, our result showed that sphingolipid metabolism is associated with osteosarcoma metastasis and prognosis, which has the potential to be a therapeutic target for OS.
25(OH)VitD and human endocrine and functional fertility parameters in women undergoing IVF/ICSI
Authors: Tian Mei , Zeng Suimin , Cai Sufen , Reichetzeder Christoph , Zhang Xiaoli , Yin Chenjun , Kuang Weihong , Cheng Kexin , Jiang Yao , Tao Mingqiu , Zeng Yuan , Lin Ge , Li Jian , Gong Fei , Hocher Berthold 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundVitamin D plays an important role in reproduction. Evidence shown that free 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VitD) was more accurate than total 25(OH)VitD in reflecting the status of 25(OH)VitD during pregnancy. However, the relationship between free 25(OH)VitD and female fertility parameters has not been reported yet. Therefore, this study aims to compare the correlation of free and total 25(OH)VitD with fertility parameters in infertility females undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2569 infertility patients who received IVF-ET or ICSI treatment for the first time participated in this study. Five milliliter peripheral blood samples of the patients were collected on the day before embryo transfer (ET). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits was used to detect free 25(OH)VitD and total 25(OH)VitD, and clinical information was collected. Spearman’s rho was used to evaluate the association between the variables.ResultsThe median (IQR) of free 25(OH)VitD was 4.71 (4.11-5.31) pg/mL and total 25(OH)VitD was 19.54 (16.52-22.83) ng/m. The correlation between them, however, was week (rho=0.311). Compared to total 25(OH)VitD, free 25(OH)VitD was slightly better correlated with basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (rho=0.041, P=0.036), basal estradiol (E2) (rho=0.089, P&lt;0.001), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (rho=-0.057, P=0.004), antral follicle count (AFC) (rho=-0.053, P=0.007), E2 (rho=-0.080, P&lt;0.001), number of oocytes retrieval (rho=-0.079, P&lt;0.001) and progesterone (P)/E2 on hCG trigger day (rho=0.081, P&lt;0.001).ConclusionsOverall, there was only a rather weak correlation of free as well as total 25(OH)VitD with human endocrine and functional fertility parameters in women undergoing IVF/ICSI. Neither free nor total 25(OH)VitD seems to play a major role in human embryo implantation.
Soil aggregate structure, stability, and stoichiometric characteristics in a smelter-impacted soil under phytoremediation
Authors: Xu Lei , Xing Xiangyu , Bai Jingfeng , Li Ding 
Published: August 2022

Smelter-impacted soils often result in soil degradation and the destruction of the soil structure. Although soil aggregate typically plays a crucial role in soil structure, the influence of phytoremediation on soil aggregate structure stability and stoichiometric characteristics remains unclear. To study the influence of phytoremediation on soil aggregate structure, stability and stoichiometric characteristics, a 3-year in situ experiment was conducted. After hydroxyapatite was applied, Elsholtzia splendens, Sedum plumbizincicola, and Pennisetum sp. were planted in a smelter-impacted soil. After 3 years, the soil aggregate structure, stability, and stoichiometric of chemical elements were analyzed. The results showed that the three phytoremediation treatments increased the content of &gt;0.25 mm mechanically-stable (DR0.25) and water-stable (WR0.25) aggregates by 6.6%–10.4% and 13.3%–17.5%, respectively. Aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter, and aggregate stability rate (AR, %) were significantly increased, and the soil mechanically stable aggregate fractal dimension (D) was significantly reduced after the 3-year remediation. Soil total nitrogen and phosphorus in aggregates with different particle sizes were significantly increased by 11.4%–46.4% and 107%–236% after different plant treatments. For the stoichiometric characteristics of the aggregates, the combined remediation only significantly reduced the value of N:P and C:P in different particle size aggregates and had no significant effect on the C:N in all particle size aggregates. Meanwhile, the combined remediation of hydroxyapatite and Elsholtzia splendens, Sedum plumbizincicola, and Pennisetum sp. in heavy metal heavily contaminated soil could reduce the availability of Cu and Cd by 54.1%–72.3% and 20.3%–47.2% during the 3 years, respectively. In summary, this combined remediation method can be used for the remediation of farmland that is contaminated by heavy metals.
The contribution of weather forecast information to agriculture, water, and energy sectors in East and West Africa: A systematic review
Authors: Agyekum Thomas Peprah , Antwi-Agyei Philip , Dougill Andrew J. 
Published: August 2022

The provision of timely and precise weather information could reduce the vulnerability of people to climate change risks. In this study, we conduct a systematic review to synthesize the existing evidence on weather information services for the agriculture, water, and energy sectors of East and West Africa and identify priorities for future research. This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement checklist. The review identified relevant peer-reviewed publications using ScienceDirect and Scopus databases for original research articles published in English from 2000 to 2022. After applying the eligibility criteria, 25 articles were included in the final review. The themes emerging from the articles were extracted, and a summary was provided to illustrate each theme. The review revealed that weather information studies focus more on the agriculture sector than energy production and water resource management. Users of weather information mainly accessed information related to rainfall and temperature, and the information was accessed mainly through radio, mobile phones, and television. Most of the information provided focused on generic meteorological forecasts instead of tailored impact-based forecasts. Only very few users can access, or benefit from the information produced due to poor communication and technical understanding of weather information. In addition, a lack of downscaled information, logistics, and trust hinders the uptake and use of climate information. Consequently, mainstreaming capacity-building of key stakeholders is required to promote effective adoption and strengthening of climate information services across East and West Africa.Systematic Review Registration: [website], identifier [registration number].
Characterization of the atmospheric circulation near the Empty Quarter Desert during major weather events
Authors: Nelli Narendra , Francis Diana , Fonseca Ricardo , Bosc Emmanuel , Addad Yacine , Temimi Marouane , Abida Rachid , Weston Michael , Cherif Charfeddine 
Published: August 2022

In this study, we characterize the meteorological conditions and planetary boundary layer dynamics in western United Arab Emirates based on 2012–2020 in-situ measurements. This multi-year analysis is then complemented by an intensive field-campaign in winter 2021 from which we address the main patterns of the atmospheric circulation and the boundary layer structure during typical weather events identified in the long-term analysis. We found that, 10-m and 60-m wind speeds are generally below 5 m s−1 and 8 m s−1, respectively, blowing predominantly from a northerly direction. They peak in intensity at around 12–18 Local Time (LT) and 02–09 LT in association with the sea-breeze and the downward mixing of momentum from the nighttime low-level jet, respectively. The wind is stronger in the cold season, varying mostly in response to mid-latitude baroclinic systems, while the proximity of the site to the core of the Arabian Heat Low leads to more quiescent conditions in the summer. Radiation fog is a regular occurrence mostly from December to February owing to the colder nights and weaker wind speeds, with a peak fog occurrence around local sunrise. Sea fog, which develops when the hotter desert air is transported over the cooler Arabian Gulf waters, is advected to the site in the summer. Deep and very deep convective clouds are more common in March-April in association with organized convective systems, with generally reduced cloud cover from May to October. The region of interest exhibits a monthly-mean aerosol optical depth ranging from ∼0.3 in December-January to ∼1.2 in July due to its increased exposure to dust storms in the summer season. Dust activity is also found to peak during winter and spring associated with the intrusion of cold fronts from mid-latitudes.
Prognostic and immunological role of SERPINH1 in pan-cancer
Authors: Zhong Huage , Wang Zheng , Wei Xiaoxia , Liu Yaning , Huang Xiaoliang , Mo Xianwei , Tang Weizhong 
Published: August 2022

Background: The SERPINH1 gene plays a vital part in tumorigenesis and development, whereas its potential as an immunotherapy target is still unknown. Hence, this research aimed to probe the roles of SERPINH1 in human tumors.Method: Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, Oncomine, and SangerBox software, the pan-cancer expression of SERPINH1 and its correlation were systematically analyzed. SERPINH1 protein information was detected by the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database and STRING database. The genomic alterations of SERPINH1 were studied using the c-BioPortal database. The influence of SERPINH1 on prognosis was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier plotter. The R package “clusterProfiler” was used for enrichment analysis to detect the role of SERPINH1. The TIMER2 database was used to further analyze the correlation between the immune cell infiltration score of TCGA samples and the expression of SERPINH1.Results: SERPINH1 overexpression was related to worse survival status in pan-cancer. In addition, high expression of SERPINH1 was positively associated with tumor stage and poor prognosis. Moreover, SERPINH1 played an important role in tumor microenvironment and immune regulation. Our study revealed that SERPINH1 expression has a strong correlation with immune cell filtration, immune regulation, chemokines, and immune checkpoints.Conclusion: Our research found that SERPINH1 was a risk factor and predictor of poor prognosis in various tumors. High expression of SERPINH1 may contribute to tumor immune-suppressive status. Also, SERPINH1 may become a potential immunotherapy target in pan-cancer.
CDK2AP1 influences immune infiltrates and serves as a prognostic indicator for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Che Yibin , Wang Ge , Xia Qiang 
Published: August 2022

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a tumor with high malignancy and poor 5-years survival rate. Excellent tumor markers are very important for early clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. Previous studies have shown that CDK2AP1 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 2-associated protein 1) is involved in cell-cycle and epigenetic regulation. In the present study, we assess CDK2AP1 expression, prognostic value, immunomodulatory and possible influencing pathways in HCC.Method: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyse gene expression, clinicopathology and prognosis. The protein level of CDK2AP1 in HCC tissues was detected in the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. The immune score in HCC to CDKAP1 expression were analyzed using ESTIMATE. Furthermore, we use Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database to study CDK2AP1 expression and Immune Infiltration Levels in HCC. Co-expressed genes of CDK2AP1 were predicted and elaborated by LinkedOmics.Results: In normal liver tissues, the expression of CDK2AP1 was significantly lower than tumor tissues, and was correlated with the level of clinical stage and histologic grade in HCC patients. Patients with high expression of CDK2AP1 have a poor prognosis than patients with low CDK2AP1 expression. CDK2AP1 expression level exhibits significantly positive correlations with the number of infiltrating B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Macrophages, Neutrophils, and DCs in HCC tissues. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the related pathways affected by CDK2AP1 mainly include: Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, Cell cycle, etc. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that CDK2AP1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results highlight the role of CDK2AP1 as an important prognostic indicator and immunotherapy target for HCC patients.Conclusion: We found CDK2AP1 as a new prognostic biomarker for HCC, which could help explain changes in the biological processes and immune environment lead to liver cancer development. Therefore, CDK2AP1 is a potential new target for HCC therapy.
A comprehensive analysis and validation of cuproptosis-associated genes across cancers: Overall survival, the tumor microenvironment, stemness scores, and drug sensitivity
Authors: Liu Jinsong , Lu Yueyao , Dai Yuyang , Shen Ying , Zeng Cheng , Liu Xiuling , Yu Huayi , Deng Jianzhong , Lu Wenbin 
Published: August 2022

Background: Cuproptosis is a novel type of cell death induced by copper. Cuproptosis-associated genes play a crucial part in oncogenesis and the growth and metastasis of tumors. However, the correlations among cuproptosis-associated genes, overall survival, the tumor microenvironment, and drug sensitivity remain unclear. Therefore, we performed an analysis of cuproptosis-associated genes across cancers.Methods: We downloaded RNA sequence expression data, clinical and survival data, stemness score data, and immune subtype data of cuproptosis-associated genes from the UCSC Xena. Next, we conducted differential analysis, expression analysis and correlation analysis across cancers with various R packages. Moreover, survival analysis and Cox hazard analysis were conducted to investigate the relationships between cuproptosis-associated genes and survival outcomes in various cancer types. Finally, we also analyzed the relationship among the levels of cuproptosis-associated genes across cancers, immune types, the tumor microenvironment, stemness scores, and drug sensitivity. Expression validation of cuproptosis-associated genes in renal cancer and normal tissues by immunohistochemical staining.Results: We found that 10 cuproptosis-associated genes (FDX1, LIAS, LIPT1, DLD, DLAT, PDHA1, PDHB, MTF1, GLS, and CDKN2A) were differently expressed in 18 tumors and normal tissues. Survival outcomes showed that cuproptosis-associated genes had prognostic value in various cancer types. Moreover, we identified that cuproptosis-associated genes had different levels in six immune subtypes. The study also indicated that the levels of most cuproptosis-associated genes were positively correlated with the RNAss and DNAss. FDX1, LIAS, LIPT1, DLD, DLAT, PDHA1, and PDHB were negatively correlated with immune scores and ESTIMATE scores. In addition, we identified the top 16 drugs strongly sensitivity to cuproptosis-associated genes according to the correlation coefficient. Finally, we also found that cuproptosis-associated genes were significantly correlated with immune subtype, clinical features, the tumor microenvironment, and drug sensitivity in Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. And the results of immunohistochemical staining analysis was very consistent with the previous analysis.Conclusion: We performed an overall analysis to uncover the roles of cuproptosis-associated genes in differential expression, survival outcomes, immune subtypes, the tumor microenvironment, stemness scores, and cancer drug sensitivity across cancers.