bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment Metabolic Parameters Measured by 18F-FDG PET to Predict the Pathological Treatment Response of HCC Patients Treated With PD-1 Inhibitors and Lenvatinib as a Conversion Therapy in BCLC Stage C
Authors: Wang Guanyun , Zhang Wenwen , Chen Jiaxin , Luan Xiaohui , Wang Zhanbo , Wang Yanmei , Xu Xiaodan , Yao Shulin , Guan Zhiwei , Tian Jiahe , Lu Shichun , Xu Baixuan , Ma Guangyu 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) as a predictor of the pathological treatment response (PTR) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors and lenvatinib as a conversion therapy in BCLC stage C.MethodsAll patients (n=20) underwent pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT and were treated with conversion therapy and surgery. Patients were categorized into responders (n=9) and non-responders (n=11) according to PTR. The parameters of PET/CT, including lesion size, SUVmean (mean standard uptake value), MTV (metabolic tumor volume), TLG (total lesion glycolysis), SUVpeak (peak standard uptake value), and TLR (tumor-to-normal liver standardized uptake value ratio), were calculated. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). PTR was compared with pretreatment PET/CT parameters by using Spearman correlation analysis. The patients were followed up.ResultsThere was significant difference in TLR (5.59 ± 1.90 vs. 2.84 ± 1.70, respectively; P=0.003) between responders and non-responders, with the largest area under the curve (sensitivity=100%, specificity=72.7%, AUC=0.899, 95%CI: 0.759-1.000, optimal diagnostic threshold of 3.09). The relationship between 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters and PTR indicated TLR was moderately and positively correlated with pathological treatment response, with correlation coefficients (rs) of 0.69 (P&lt;0.01). During the follow-up, no patients died, and tumor recurrence was found in one of the responders (11.1%). In all 11 non-responders, tumor recurrence was found in six patients (54.5%) and four patients (36.4%) died.ConclusionsTLR may be a powerful marker to predict PTR of HCC patients with BCLC stage C who were treated with conversion therapy.
Expression of the Cavin Family in Childhood Leukemia and Its Implications in Subtype Diagnosis and Prognosis Evaluation
Authors: Yang Jing , Huang Junbin , Wang Huabin , Liu Yong , Tang Yanlai , Lin Chao , Zhou Qin , Chen Chun 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundCaveolae are plasma membrane subdomains of many mammalian cells that play critical roles in cellular processes, including endocytosis, signal transduction and tumorigenesis. Cavin proteins are essential for caveola formation, structure and function and are reported to be involved in various human diseases, but little is known about their expression and prognostic value in leukemia.MethodsWe performed a detailed analysis of Cavin family mRNA expression levels in different cancer tissues vs. normal tissues via the ONCOMINE, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) databases. Then, we used qRT-PCR and Western blotting to validate Cavin1-4 expression in 10 fresh leukemia samples. Moreover, we estimated their prognostic value in leukemia with the R programming language and GEPIA database.ResultsThe expression of Cavin members is low in most human cancers, especially in leukemia. Cavin-1 and Cavin-2 are often more expressed in myeloid leukemia than lymphoblastic leukemia, but Cavin-4 has the opposite pattern. Interestingly, low expression of CAVIN1 and CAVIN4 is correlated with poorer outcome but low CAVIN2 expression is associated with a significantly better leukemia prognosis in leukemia.ConclusionThe Cavin family showed significant expression differences between leukemia and normal cells. High Cavin-2 and low Cavin-4 levels predict poor survival and could be promising subtype diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers for leukemia.
Dietary Intake and Asthma in Preschoolers: A Logistic Lasso Regression Analysis
Authors: Qu Yangming , Pan Chengliang , Guo Shijie , Wu Hui 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundAsthma is a common chronic disease among children, especially preschoolers. Some evidence suggests that diet may play a role in asthma, but the current findings are contradictory. The objective of our study was to determine the association between dietary intake and asthma in preschool children aged 2–5 years.MethodsWe selected preschool children aged 2–5 years with complete data on asthma diagnosis, diet, and body mass index (BMI) from the national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) database. In a selected population, children with self-reported asthma were included in the final sample. In children without self-reported asthma, we further used propensity score matching (PSM) to match age and sex for sampling, maintaining a ratio of 1:4 for cases. Lasso regression was used to identify dietary factors affecting asthma in preschoolers.ResultsA total of 269 children with self-reported asthma and 1,076 children without self-reported asthma were included in our study. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in ethnicity and dietary zinc intake between asthmatic children and children without asthma. After adjusting for all dietary and demographic variables, the results of logistic Lasso regression analysis showed that non-Hispanic black (β = 0.65), vitamin B12 (β = 0.14), and sodium (β = 0.05) were positively associated with childhood asthma, while Vitamin K (β = −0.04) was negatively associated with childhood asthma.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study confirms that non-Hispanic black and dietary sodium intake are associated with a higher risk of asthma in preschoolers. In addition, our study found that dietary vitamin B12 was positively associated with childhood asthma, while vitamin K was negatively associated with childhood asthma.
Consequences of Social Distancing Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic First Wave on the Epidemiology of Children Admitted to Pediatric Emergency Departments and Pediatric Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review
Authors: Levy Michael , Lestrade Victor , Said Carla , Jouvet Philippe , Kawaguchi Atsushi 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesTo synthesize knowledge describing the impact of social distancing measures (SDM) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute illness in children by focusing on the admission to pediatric emergency departments (PED) and pediatric intensive care units (PICU).MethodsWe searched Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EPOC Register, MEDLINE, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, EMBASE, WHO database on COVID-19, Cochrane Resources on COVID-19, Oxford COVID-19 Evidence Service, Google Scholar for literature on COVID-19 including pre-print engines such as medRxiv, bioRxiv, Litcovid and SSRN for unpublished studies on COVID-19 in December 2020. We did not apply study design filtering. The primary outcomes of interest were the global incidence of admission to PICU and PED, disease etiologies, and elective/emergency surgeries, compared to the historical cohort in each studied region, country, or hospital.ResultsWe identified 6,660 records and eighty-seven articles met our inclusion criteria. All the studies were with before and after study design compared with the historical data, with an overall high risk of bias. The median daily PED admissions decreased to 65% in 39 included studies and a 54% reduction in PICU admission in eight studies. A significant decline was reported in acute respiratory illness and LRTI in five studies with a median decrease of 63%. We did not find a consistent trend in the incidence of poisoning, but there was an increasing trend in burns, DKA, and a downward trend in trauma and unplanned surgeries.ConclusionsSDMs in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the global incidence of pediatric acute illnesses. However, some disease groups, such as burns and DKA, showed a tendency to increase and its severity of illness at hospital presentation. Continual effort and research into the subject should be essential for us to better understand the effects of this new phenomenon of SDMs to protect the well-being of children.Systematic Review RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov, identifier: CRD42020221215.
Fetal Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery: Associated Anomalies, Genetic Etiology, and Postnatal Outcomes in a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cai Meiying , Lin Na , Fan Xiangqun , Chen Xuemei , Xu Shiyi , Fu Xianguo , Xu Liangpu , Huang Hailong 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundAberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is becoming increasingly common in fetuses. However, there are relatively fewer studies regarding the genetic etiology of ARSA. We performed a genetic analysis of fetuses with ARSA and followed up on the pregnancy outcomes to evaluate the prognosis of the fetuses, providing information for prenatal and eugenic consultations.MethodsThis retrospective study included 112 pregnant females whose fetuses were diagnosed with ARSA from December 2016 to February 2021. Fetal karyotype analysis and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array were performed.ResultsThe 112 fetuses were divided into two groups: the isolated ARSA group (n = 48, 42.9%) and the non-isolated ARSA group (ARSA with other ultrasound abnormalities, n = 64, 57.1%). The total rate of pathogenic copy number variation (CNV) observed using karyotype analysis (3/8) and SNP array (5/8) was 7.1% (8/112). The rates of pathogenic CNV in the isolated and non-isolated ARSA groups were 4.2% (2/48) and 9.4% (6/64), respectively. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (P = 0.463). The results of genetic analysis influenced the parents’ decision to terminate the pregnancy. During the follow-up examination, fetuses with ARSA without pathogenic CNV were found to have normal growth and development after birth.ConclusionFetuses with isolated ARSA have a low probability of being diagnosed with pathogenic CNV. However, when ARSA is complicated with other ultrasound abnormalities, the risk of pathogenic CNV remarkably increases. Prenatal genetic counseling and SNP-array should be recommended for better assessment of fetal prognosis.
Signatures of Thalamocortical Alpha Oscillations and Synchronization With Increased Anesthetic Depths Under Isoflurane
Authors: Jiang Jingyao , Zhao Yi , Liu Jin , Yang Yaoxin , Liang Peng , Huang Han , Wu Yongkang , Kang Yi , Zhu Tao , Zhou Cheng 
Published: June 2022

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings under propofol exhibit an increase in slow and alpha oscillation power and dose-dependent phase–amplitude coupling (PAC), which underlie GABAA potentiation and the central role of thalamocortical entrainment. However, the exact EEG signatures elicited by volatile anesthetics and the possible neurophysiological mechanisms remain unclear.Methods: Cortical EEG signals and thalamic local field potential (LFP) were recorded in a mouse model to detect EEG signatures induced by 0.9%, 1.5%, and 2.0% isoflurane. Then, the power of the EEG spectrum, thalamocortical coherence, and slow–alpha phase–amplitude coupling were analyzed. A computational model based on the thalamic network was used to determine the primary neurophysiological mechanisms of alpha spiking of thalamocortical neurons under isoflurane anesthesia.Results: Isoflurane at 0.9% (light anesthesia) increased the power of slow and delta oscillations both in cortical EEG and in thalamic LFP. Isoflurane at 1.5% (surgery anesthesia) increased the power of alpha oscillations both in cortical EEG and in thalamic LFP. Isoflurane at 2% (deep anesthesia) further increased the power of cortical alpha oscillations, while thalamic alpha oscillations were unchanged. Thalamocortical coherence of alpha oscillation only exhibited a significant increase under 1.5% isoflurane. Isoflurane-induced PAC modulation remained unchanged throughout under various concentrations of isoflurane. By adjusting the parameters in the computational model, isoflurane-induced alpha spiking in thalamocortical neurons was simulated, which revealed the potential molecular targets and the thalamic network involved in isoflurane-induced alpha spiking in thalamocortical neurons.Conclusion: The EEG changes in the cortical alpha oscillation, thalamocortical coherence, and slow–alpha PAC may provide neurophysiological signatures for monitoring isoflurane anesthesia at various depths.
Beneficial Effect of Edoxaban on Preventing Atrial Fibrillation and Coagulation by Reducing Inflammation via HBG1/HBD Biomarkers
Authors: Yang Chenguang , Wang Xiang , Guo Ying , Meng Xuyang , Li Yi , Xia Chenxi , Meng Lingbing , Dong Min , Wang Fang 
Published: June 2022

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. The effectiveness and mechanism of edoxaban in preventing stroke after atrial fibrillation remain unclear.Methods: The expressions of HBG1 and HBD in red blood cells were tested in AF. Sixty C57B/6J mice were randomly divided into the following groups: the control (CON) group, atrial fibrillation (AF) group, AF + edoxaban group, and AF + rivaroxaban group. H&amp;E staining assay and reticular fiber staining were performed. Myocardial fibrosis was evaluated by the Masson staining assay, Sirius red staining assay, and immunohistochemical assay for the expressions of α-SMA and COL1A1. ELISA and RT-PCR assay were performed for the detection of inflammatory parameters (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Blood lipids were detected by using the Beckman automatic biochemical analyzer. Furthermore, four items of coagulation were detected, and molecular docking among HBG1, HBD, and MASP1 (Xa) was performed by PyMOL 2.1 software. The BP neural network model, cubic spline interpolation, and support vector machine model were constructed to predict prothrombin time based on HBG1 and HBD expressions. COIP assay was performed to construct the interaction between HBG1 and HBD. The functional enrichment analysis was performed by DAVID and Metascape tools.Results: The expressions of HBG1 and HBD in red blood cells of the patients with atrial fibrillation were decreased. The results showed a lower level of hemoglobin in red blood cells with HBG1-siRNA and HBG1-siRNA. Compared with the AF group, the collagen fiber percentage in the AF + edoxaban group was decreased (p &lt; 0.05). After using edoxaban, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.05). The LDL-C, TC, and TG levels were downregulated in the AF + edoxaban group. The PT and APTT levels in the AF + edoxaban group were more increasing than in the AF mice (p &lt; 0.05). Compared with the AF group, the expressions of HBG1 and HBD were downregulated in the AF + edoxaban group (p &lt; 0.05). HBG1 protein matched well with HBD and MASP1(Xa) protein surfaces. There exists a significant interaction between HBG1, HBD, and PT via the BP neural network and support vector machine. Enrichment analysis showed that HBG1 and HBD were mainly enriched in blood coagulation.Conclusion: Edoxaban could prevent atrial fibrillation and coagulation by reducing inflammation, lipids, and fibrosis via HBG1/HBD biomarkers effectively, and the effect was superior to that of rivaroxaban.
α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor May Be a Pharmacological Target for Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders
Authors: Wei Penghui , Lyu Wenyuan , Xu Lin , Feng Hao , Zhou Haipeng , Li Jianjun 
Published: June 2022

Background: The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is a promising therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases. This study examined the effects of surgery and anesthesia on α7nAChR expression in the central nervous system and determined the mechanisms by which α7nAChR mediates neuroprotection in perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) in aged mice.Methods: Eighteen-month-old male C57BL/6J mice underwent aseptic laparotomy under isoflurane anesthesia, maintaining spontaneous ventilation to establish the PNDs model. Agonists and antagonists of the α7nAChR and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptors were administered before anesthesia. The α7nAChR expression, peripheral as well as hippocampal interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were assessed. Separate cohorts of aged mice were tested for cognitive decline using the Morris water maze (MWM).Results: Surgery and anesthesia significantly suppressed α7nAChR expression in the hippocampus and cortex. Surgery-induced IL-1β upregulation in the serum as well as hippocampus and hippocampal microglial activation were reversed by the α7nAChR agonist. A significant reduction in the hippocampal BDNF levels were also observed. The α7nAChR stimulation reversed, and α7nAChR suppression promoted BDNF reduction in the hippocampus. Blocking the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway abolished α7nAChR-induced neuroprotection in PNDs, as evidenced by poor cognitive performance in the MWM test.Conclusions: These data reveal that α7nAChR plays a key role in PNDs. The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory pathway and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways are involved in α7nAChR-meidiated neuroprotection in PNDs.
Neutron-Driven Nucleosynthesis in Stellar Plasma
Authors: Spartà R. , La Cognata M. , Guardo G. L. , Palmerini S. , Sergi M. L. , D’Agata G. , Lamia L. , Lattuada D. , Oliva A. A. , Pizzone R. G. , Rapisarda G. G. , Romano S. , Tumino A. 
Published: June 2022

A large uncertainty for the slow neutron capture nucleosynthesis (s-process) models is caused by the amount of neutrons available to the process itself. This quantity is strongly affected by the 13C(α,n)16O, and 22Ne(α,n)25Mg reaction cross sections, whose measurements at energies corresponding to the s-process thermal conditions (∼102 keV) are mainly hampered by the Coulomb barrier. For this reason, indirect approaches could offer a complementary way of investigation and, among these, the Trojan Horse Method (THM) has been applied to determine these cross sections overcoming the Coulomb barrier. With this approach, a low-energy binary reaction cross section can be obtained selecting the quasi-free contribution from a suitable three-body reaction cross section, taking advantage of the cluster structure of proper nuclei.
Association Between Retinal Microvascular Metrics Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Carotid Artery Stenosis in a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Xu Qian , Sun Hongyi , Yi Qu 
Published: June 2022

Objectives: The main aim was to investigate the association between retinal microvascular metrics using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in an aging Chinese cohort.Methods: In this cross-sectional and observational study, 138 eyes of 138 participants were examined. Indices of the microcirculation measured by OCTA included mean vessel density (VD), skeleton density (SD), vessel diameter index (VDI), fractal dimension (FD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) of the superficial retinal layer (SRL) and deep retinal layer (DRL), and peripapillary vessel caliber. The correlation of these indices with the carotid atherosclerotic lesions including carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and common carotid artery (CCA) plaque was assessed.Results: A total of 72 of 138 eyes demonstrated an increased (≥1 mm) CIMT, and 32 of the eyes presented common carotid plaques. Macular VD, SD, and FD were decreased with the increasing CCA caliber diameter (p &lt; 0.05, respectively). Superficial and deep macular FDs were negatively associated with CIMT as well as the existence of CCA plaques (p &lt; 0.05, respectively).Conclusion: Changes in retinal microvasculature accessed by OCTA may be used as one of the non-invasive early indicators to monitor asymptomatic CAS.
Divergent Ventilatory and Blood Pressure Responses are Evident Following Repeated Daily Exposure to Mild Intermittent Hypoxia in Males with OSA and Hypertension
Authors: Panza Gino S. , Puri Shipra , Lin Ho-Sheng , Mateika Jason H. 
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Resting minute ventilation and ventilation during and following hypoxia may be enhanced following daily exposure to mild intermittent hypoxia (MIH). In contrast, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) is reduced following daily exposure to MIH. However, it is presently unknown if the reduction in resting SBP following daily exposure, is coupled with reduced SBP responses during and after acute exposure to MIH.Methods: Participants with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension (n = 10) were exposed to twelve 2-min bouts of MIH (oxygen saturation—87%)/day for 15 days. A control group (n = 6) was exposed to a sham protocol during which compressed air (i.e., FIO2 = 0.21) was inspired in place of MIH.Results: The hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) and hypoxic systolic blood pressure response (HSBP) increased from the first to the last hypoxic episode on the initial (HVR: 0.08 ± 0.02 vs. 0.13 ± 0.02 L/min/mmHg, p = 0.03; HSBP: 0.13 ± 0.04 vs. 0.37 ± 0.06 mmHg/mmHg, p &lt; 0.001) and final (HVR: 0.10 ± 0.01 vs. 0.15 ± 0.03 L/min/mmHg, p = 0.03; HSBP: 0.16 ± 0.03 vs. 0.41 ± 0.34 mmHg/mmHg, p &lt; 0.001) day. The magnitude of the increase was not different between days (p ≥ 0.83). Following exposure to MIH, minute ventilation and SBP was elevated compared to baseline on the initial (MV: 16.70 ± 1.10 vs. 14.20 ± 0.28 L/min, p = 0.01; SBP: 167.26 ± 4.43 vs. 151.13 ± 4.56 mmHg, p &lt; 0.001) and final (MV: 17.90 ± 1.25 vs. 15.40 ± 0.77 L/min, p = 0.01; SBP: 156.24 ± 3.42 vs. 137.18 ± 4.17 mmHg, p &lt; 0.001) day. The magnitude of the increases was similar on both days (MV: 3.68 ± 1.69 vs. 3.22 ± 1.27 L/min, SBP: 14.83 ± 2.64 vs. 14.28 ± 1.66 mmHg, p ≥ 0.414). Despite these similarities, blood pressure at baseline and at other time points during the MIH protocol was reduced on the final compared to the initial day (p ≤ 0.005).Conclusion: The ventilatory and blood pressure responses during and following acute MIH were similar on the initial and final day of exposure. Alternatively, blood pressure was down regulated, while ventilation was similar at all time points (i.e., baseline, during and following MIH) after daily exposure to MIH.
The Impact of the Epidemiological Situation Resulting From COVID-19 Pandemic on Selected Aspects of Mental Health Among Patients With Cancer–Silesia Province (Poland)
Authors: Grajek Mateusz , Białek-Dratwa Agnieszka 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess the level of disease acceptance as well as the wellbeing and emotions that accompany cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and MethodsThe study involved 1,000 patients of the oncology centers (Silesia, Poland). The following questionnaires were used for the study: WHO-5–Well-Being Index, BDI–Beck Depression Inventory, disease acceptance scale, and proprietary multiple-choice questions regarding the impact of the epidemic situation on the respondents’ lives so far. The questionnaire study was conducted twice: in March-October 2020 (the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland) and March-October 2021 (renewed tightening of sanitary restrictions in Poland). The differences between the given periods were statistically analyzed.ResultsAt the time of the study, the respondents felt mainly anxiety related to the possibility of contracting COVID-19, the possibility of infecting a loved one, or staying in quarantine. Anxiety was also caused by the vision of poorer access to health services. Along with the duration of the epidemic, the acceptance of neoplastic disease has decreased and the incidence of depressive symptoms has increased.ConclusionThe wellbeing of the respondents deteriorated significantly during the pandemic. The respondents, in their daily functioning, were mainly accompanied by anxiety. The risk of depression has increased and the acceptance of the disease has decreased significantly.