bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered functional connectivity of the thalamus in primary angle-closure glaucoma patients: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Chen Linglong , Cai Fengqin , Gao Junwei , Ouyang Feng , Chen Ye , Yin Mingxue , Hua Chengpeng , Zeng Xianjun 
Published: October 2022

Background and objectivesGlaucoma is one of the leading irreversible causes of blindness worldwide, and previous studies have shown that there is abnormal functional connectivity (FC) in the visual cortex of glaucoma patients. The thalamus is a relay nucleus for visual signals; however, it is not yet clear how the FC of the thalamus is altered in glaucoma. This study investigated the alterations in thalamic FC in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) by using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). We hypothesized that PACG patients have abnormal FC between the thalamus and visual as well as extravisual brain regions.MethodsClinically confirmed PACG patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated by T1 anatomical and functional MRI on a 3 T scanner. Thirty-four PACG patients and 33 HCs were included in the rs-fMRI analysis. All PACG patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations; included retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), intraocular pressure (IOP), average cup-to-disc ratio (A-C/D), and vertical cup-to-disc ratio (V-C/D). After the MRI data were preprocessed, the bilateral thalamus was chosen as the seed point; and the differences in resting-state FC between groups were evaluated. The brain regions that significantly differed between PACG patients and HCs were identified, and the correlations were then evaluated between the FC coefficients of these regions and clinical variables.ResultsCompared with the HCs, the PACG patients showed decreased FC between the bilateral thalamus and right transverse temporal gyrus, between the bilateral thalamus and left anterior cingulate cortex, and between the left thalamus and left insula. Concurrently, increased FC was found between the bilateral thalamus and left superior frontal gyrus in PACG patients. The FC between the bilateral thalamus and left superior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with RNFLT and negatively correlated with the A-C/D and V-C/D. The FC between the left thalamus and left insula was negatively correlated with IOP.ConclusionExtensive abnormal resting-state functional connections between the thalamus and visual and extravisual brain areas were found in PACG patients, and there were certain correlations with clinical variables, suggesting that abnormal thalamic FC plays an important role in the progression of PACG.
The prognostic impact of PD-L1 and CD8 expression in anal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Chan Angela MY. , Roldan Urgoiti Gloria , Jiang Will , Lee Sandra , Kornaga Elizabeth , Mathen Peter , Yeung Rosanna , Enwere Emeka K. , Box Alan , Konno Mie , Koebel Martin , Joseph Kurian , Doll Corinne M. 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundProgrammed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has been shown to be prognostic in many cancer types and used in consideration of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. However, there are very limited and conflicting data on the prognostic impact of PD-L1 in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). The objectives of this study were to measure the expression of PD-L1 and CD8 in patients with ASCC treated with radical chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to correlate tumor expression with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).MethodsNinety-nine patients with ASCC treated with primary CRT at two tertiary care cancer centers between 2000 and 2013, with available pre-treatment tumors, were included. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) from pre-treatment tumor specimens were stained for PD-L1 and CD8. PD-L1 expression in the tumor and stroma was quantified using HALO image analysis software, and results were interpreted using quantitative methods. The density of CD8 cells within the tumor was interpreted by a trained pathologist semi-quantitatively, using a 0-4 scoring system. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank was used to determine the significance in the association of tumor markers with PFS and OS. Cox multivariate analysis was used to explore independent predictors of PFS and OS.ResultsOf the 99 patients, 63 (64%) had sufficient tumor samples available for full analysis. CD8 high status was documented in 32 of 63 (50.8%) % of cases. PD-L1 expression was positive in 88.9% of cases. Approximately half the patients had tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5%. Patients with tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5% had better OS vs those with lower expression, HR=0.32 (95% CI 0.11-0.87), p=0.027; 10 years OS: 84% for tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5% vs 49% for PD-L1 &lt; 5%. PD-L1 expression was not associated with PFS. On multivariate analysis, tumor PD-L1 ≥ 5% showed a trend to statistical significance for better OS, HR=0.55 (95% CI 0.12- 1.00), p=0.052.ConclusionsTumor PD-L1≥5% is associated with OS in patients with ASCC treated with CRT. PD-L1 expression status using this unique cut-point warrants further validation for prognostication in patients with this disease. Future studies are required to determine the benefit of alternative treatment strategies based on PD-L1 status.
Establishment of predictive nomogram and web-based survival risk calculator for malignant pleural mesothelioma: A SEER database analysis
Authors: Chen Sihao , Yu Wanli , Shao Shilong , Xiao Jie , Bai Hansong , Pu Yu , Li Mengxia 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an uncommon condition with limited available therapies and dismal prognoses. The purpose of this work was to create a multivariate clinical prognostic nomogram and a web-based survival risk calculator to forecast patients’ prognoses.MethodsUsing a randomization process, training and validation groups were created for a retrospective cohort study that examined the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2015 for individuals diagnosed with MPM (7:3 ratio). Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were the primary endpoints. Clinical traits linked to OS and CSS were identified using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis, which was also utilized to develop nomogram survival models and online survival risk calculators. By charting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), consistency index (C-index), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), the model’s performance was assessed. The nomogram was used to classify patients into various risk categories, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to examine each risk group’s survival rate.ResultsThe prognostic model comprised a total of 1978 patients. For the total group, the median OS and CSS were 10 (9.4-10.5) and 11 (9.4-12.6) months, respectively. As independent factors for OS and CSS, age, gender, insurance, histology, T stage, M stage, surgery, and chemotherapy were chosen. The calibration graphs demonstrated good concordance. In the training and validation groups, the C-indices for OS and CSS were 0.729, 0.717, 0.711, and 0.721, respectively. Our nomogram produced a greater clinical net benefit than the AJCC 7th edition, according to DCA and ROC analysis. According to the cut-off values of 171 for OS and 189 for CSS of the total scores from our nomogram, patients were classified into two risk groups. The P-value &lt; 0.001 on the Kaplan-Meier plot revealed a significant difference in survival between the two patient groups.ConclusionsPatient survival in MPM was correctly predicted by the risk evaluation model. This will support clinicians in the practice of individualized medicine.
Effectiveness and safety of self-pulling and latter transected Roux-en-Y reconstruction in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy
Authors: Chen Defei , Yang Fuyu , Woraikat Saed , Tang Chenglin , Qian Kun 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundSelf-pulling and latter transection (SPLT) reconstruction has been applied in total laparoscopic total gastrectomy and BI reconstruction (known as Delta SPLT) in total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) in some previous studies. This approach can reduce the technical difficulty of the surgery as well as the quantity of cartridges required, with manageable safety. Here, we used SPLT to complete Roux-en-Y reconstruction in TLDG and evaluated the safety and effectiveness of this novel method by comparing it with conventional Roux-en-Y reconstruction in laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG).MethodsPatients with gastric cancer who underwent SPLT-TLDG or LADG between June 2019 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline information and postoperative short-term surgical outcomes of the two groups were compared.ResultsA total of 114 patients with gastric cancer were included in the study. Patients underwent SPLT-TLDG (n = 73, 64.0%) or LADG (n = 41, 36.0%). No patient underwent open surgery. There were no differences in patient demographics or tumor characteristics between the two groups. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 47.1 ± 34.3 ml in the SPLT-TLDG group, which was significantly less than that in the LADG group (P = 0.022). There were no significant differences in operation time, harvested lymph nodes, time to first flatus, time to liquid intake, or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Nine and five patients had short-term postoperative complications in the SPLT-TLDG and LADG groups, respectively.ConclusionWe introduced a self-pulling and latter transected Roux-en-Y reconstruction (SPLT-RY) for use in TLDG. We showed that SPLT-RY reconstruction in TLDG is a safe and feasible surgical method in terms of short-term surgical outcomes and has the advantages of simplifying the reconstruction.
A novel cuproptosis-related LncRNA signature: Prognostic and therapeutic value for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Li Pian , Li Junjun , Wen Feng , Cao Yixiong , Luo Zeyu , Zuo Juan , Wu Fei , Li Zhiqin , Li Wenlu , Wang Fujue 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundCuproptosis is a type of programmed cell death that is involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. We constructed a prognostic cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).MethodsRNA-seq and clinical data for AML patients were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The cuproptosis-related prognostic lncRNAs were identified by co-expression and univariate Cox regression analysis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was performed to construct a cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature, after which the AML patients were classified into two risk groups based on the risk model. Kaplan-Meier, ROC, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, nomogram, and calibration curves analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic value of the model. Then, expression levels of the lncRNAs in the signature were investigated in AML samples by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). KEGG functional analysis, single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA), and the ESTIMATE algorithm were used to analyze the mechanisms and immune status between the different risk groups. The sensitivities for potential therapeutic drugs for AML were also investigated.ResultsFive hundred and three lncRNAs related to 19 CRGs in AML samples from the TCGA database were obtained, and 21 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified based on the 2-year overall survival (OS) outcomes of AML patients. A 4-cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature for survival was constructed by LASSO Cox regression. High-risk AML patients exhibited worse outcomes. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated the independent prognostic value of the model. ROC, nomogram, and calibration curves analyses revealed the predictive power of the signature. KEGG pathway and ssGSEA analyses showed that the high-risk group had higher immune activities. Lastly, AML patients from different risk groups showed differential responses to various agents.ConclusionA cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature was established to predict the prognosis and inform on potential therapeutic strategies for AML patients.
Validity of aerosolization detection with an air quality indicator in noncontact tonometry using corneal phantoms
Authors: Ibinson Jonathan T. , Yousefi Atieh , Roberts Cynthia J. , Reilly Matthew A. 
Published: October 2022

PrécisUsing a controlled experimental design with corneal phantoms, this study provides evidence of the lack of validity of a static air quality indicator, previously used to characterize aerosolization during dynamic noncontact tonometry.PurposeTo evaluate the accuracy of aerosol concentrations reported by an air quality indicator (AQI) following an air puff from a noncontact tonometer using non-aerosolizing corneal phantoms.MethodsThree rubber corneal phantoms of different stiffnesses were used to represent varying intraocular pressure (IOP) values. No liquid components and therefore no aerosol-generating potential was present. Reported concentrations of particulate matter (PM) having diameter less than 2.5 and 10µm, respectively PM2.5 and PM10, were recorded using an AQI before and during an air puff generated using noncontact tonometry. The effects of covariates IOP and sensor location on changes to air quality measurements from the baseline were evaluated using analysis of variance. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the likelihood of observing published trends by chance. The statistical significance threshold was p&lt;0.05.ResultsNo correlations were found between PM2.5 and IOP or location. Reported concentrations of PM10 depended significantly on both IOP (p=0.0241) and location (p=0.0167). Monte Carlo simulations suggest the likelihood of finding a spurious positive correlation between IOP and PM at the upper same location are 53% and 92% for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, indicating the AQI has systematic bias resulting from non-aerosol sources.ConclusionsWe were able to reproduce the published correlation between reported aerosol concentration and IOP in non-contact tonometry using dry rubber phantoms in place of living corneas with tear films. In this study, we demonstrated that published correlations linking NCT to tear film aerosolization were artifacts of the measurement technique.
WTAP mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of Astragalus mongholicus polysaccharide on THP-1 macrophages
Authors: Long Haijiao , Lin Haiyue , Zheng Pan , Hou Lianjie , Zhang Ming , Lin Shuyun , Yin Kai , Zhao Guojun 
Published: October 2022

Background:Astragalus mongholicus polysaccharides (APS) have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Recent studies have demonstrated the epigenetic regulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in the development of inflammation. However, the effect of APS on m6A modification is unclear. Here, for the first time, we investigate the mechanism of m6A modification in APS regulation of THP-1 macrophage inflammation.Methods: We treated LPS-induced THP-1 macrophages with APS at different concentrations and times, and detected IL-6 mRNA and protein levels by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The m6A modification level was detected by m6A quantification kit. The proteins that regulate m6A modification were screened by western blot. Wilms’ tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) was overexpressed in APS-treated THP-1 macrophages and the m6A modification level and IL-6 expressions were detected.Results: These findings confirmed that APS significantly abolished LPS-induced IL-6 levels in THP-1 macrophages. Meanwhile, APS reduced m6A modification levels and WTAP gene expression in THP-1 macrophages. Further overexpression of WTAP can significantly reverse APS-induced m6A modification level and IL-6 expression. Mechanistically, APS regulates IL-6 expression through WTAP-mediated p65 nuclear translocation.Conclusion: Overall, our study suggested that WTAP mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of APS by regulating m6A modification levels in THP-1 macrophages. This study reveals a new dimension of APS regulation of inflammation at the epigenetic level.
Association of ABCC2 polymorphism with clopidogrel response in Chinese patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Chen Lida , Zheng Chao , Hao Mengmeng , Gao Peng , Zhao Meimei , Cao Yongtong , Ma Liang 
Published: October 2022

Aim: In this study, we investigated the association between ABCC2 polymorphism and clopidogrel response as well as the associated hypothetical mechanism.Methods: Chinese patients (213) with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and received clopidogrel were recruited. Thereafter, their ADP-induced platelet inhibition rates (PAIR%) were determined via thromboelastometry. Further, the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCC2 were genotyped using high-resolution melting curve (HRM)-PCR, while CYP2C19*2 and *3 polymorphisms were genotyped via real-time PCR.Results: The allele frequencies of ABCC2 rs717620 were 74.88 and 25.12% for the C and T alleles, respectively. Further, ABCC2 rs717620 TT carriers exhibited significantly higher PAIR% values (72.60 ± 27.69) than both CT (61.44 ± 23.65) and CC carriers (52.72 ± 21.99) (p = 0.047 and p = 0.001, respectively), and ABCC2 rs717620 CT carriers showed significantly higher mean PAIR% values than ABCC2 rs717620 CC carriers (p = 0.011). However, the PAIR% values corresponding to ABCC2 rs2273697 and ABCC2 rs3740066 carriers were not different. Additionally, CYP2C19*2 AA carriers presented significantly lower PAIR% values than CYP2C19*2 GA (p = 0.015) and GG (p = 0.003) carriers, and CYP2C19*3 GA carriers also presented significantly lower PAIR% values than CYP2C19*3 GG carriers (p = 0.041). In patients with CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers (EM), ABCC2 rs717620 TT carriers showed significantly higher PAIR% values (89.77 ± 9.73) than CT (76.76 ± 26.00) and CC carriers (74.09 ± 25.29) (p = 0.040 and p = 0.009, respectively). In patients with CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (PM), ABCC2 rs717620 CC carriers showed significantly lower PAIR% values (51.72 ± 25.78) than CT carriers (75.37 ± 23.57) (p = 0.043). Furthermore, after adjusting for confounding factors, ABCC2 rs717620 was identified as a strong predictor of clopidogrel hyperreactivity.Conclusion: We proposed a new target, ABCC2 rs717620, in the efflux pathway that affects individual responses to clopidogrel. The TT allele of ABCC2 rs717620 was also identified as an independent risk factor for clopidogrel hyperreactivity, and CYP2C19*2 and *3 showed association with an increased risk for clopidogrel resistance. Additionally, ABCC2 rs717620 may affect individual responses to clopidogrel via post-transcriptional regulation and interaction with CYP2C19. These findings provide new insights that may guide the accurate use of clopidogrel.
Andrographolide contributes to spinal cord injury repair via inhibition of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Li Zhen , Li Zehui , Chen Zhenyue , Sun He , Yuan Zhagen , Wang Xiaochao , Wei Jinqiang , Cao Xuewei , Zheng Decai 
Published: October 2022

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common disorder of the central nervous system with considerable socio-economic burden. Andrographolide (Andro), the main active component of Andrographis paniculata, has exhibited neuroprotective effects in different models of neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Andro against SCI and explore the related mechanisms.Methods: SCI was induced in rats by the Allen method, and the modeled animals were randomly divided into sham-operated, SCI, SCI + normal saline (NS) and SCI + Andro groups. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with Andro (1 mg/kg) or the same volume of NS starting day one after the establishment of the SCI model for 28 consecutive days. Post-SCI tissue repair and functional recovery were evaluated by measuring the spinal cord water content, footprint tests, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining. Apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as axonal regeneration and remyelination were analyzed using suitable markers. The in vitro model of SCI was established by treating cortical neurons with H2O2. The effects of Andro on apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated as indicated.Results: Andro treatment significantly improved tissue repair and functional recovery after SCI by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation through the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf-2/HO-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, Andro treatment promoted M2 polarization of the microglial cells and contributed to axonal regeneration and remyelination to improve functional recovery after SCI. In addition, Andro also attenuated apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in H2O2-stimulated cortical neurons in vitro.Conclusion: Andro treatment alleviated SCI by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in the injured tissues and cortical neurons, and promoted axonal regeneration and remyelination for functional recovery.
Low-crosstalk silicon-photonics arrayed waveguide gratings integrated with micro-ring filter
Authors: Liu Shiping , Hu Heming , Ma Xiaoyue , Dong Runyu , Fang Qing , Chen Hua 
Published: October 2022

A low-crosstalk compact arrayed waveguide grating integrated with a tunable micro-ring resonator is demonstrated on silicon-on-insulator platform, The side-lobe of the silicon nanowire AWG, introduced by fabrication errors, can be effectively suppressed by the Ring Filter, The crosstalk level of the side-lobe can be reduced from -16.3 dB to -26.8dB, in addition, the crosstalk of integrate AWG have improved over the entire 3 dB bandwidth, with a maximum crosstalk improvement of 8.9 dB at the left and right wavelengths of the 3 dB bandwidth, and the excess loss from the ring resonator can be ignorable in principle.
Phosphorus dynamics in litter–soil systems during litter decomposition in larch plantations across the chronosequence
Authors: Chi Guangyu , Zeng Fanpeng , Wang Yang , Chen Xin 
Published: October 2022

The dynamics of phosphorus (P) in litter–soil systems during litter decomposition across a plantation chronosequence remain to be underinvestigated, especially in terms of the nutrient cycle in plantations. In this study, the P dynamics in a litter–soil system of larch (Larix kaempferi) plantations at three stand ages (10, 25, and 50 years old) were examined through a 4-year in situ decomposition experiment (experiment 1) and a 360-day indoor incubation experiment (experiment 2). The aim of experiment 1 and experiment 2 is to determine the P dynamics in litter and soil, respectively. The results in experiment 1 suggested that litter mass retained 34.1%–42.5% of the initial mass after a 4-year decomposition period, and the turnover time (t0.95) of the decomposition was 11.3, 13.9, and 11.8 years for 10-, 25- and 50-year-old stand larch plantations, respectively. Litter exhibited a net P decrease during the first 180 days, followed by a phase of a net P increase. The lowest P accumulation rate was found in the 25-year-old stand during the P immobilization stage. This immobilization phase was followed by a slow litter P decrease. Highly correlated relations were found between the litter decomposition rate and the initial litter N concentration and C/N, whereas the P accumulation rate was noticeably correlated with the initial litter P and C/P. The results in experiment 2 showed that litter addition promoted the accumulation of the highly labile P (resin P, NaHCO3-Pi, and NaHCO3-Po), as well as moderately labile Pi (NaOH-Pi) in the soil. The findings obtained suggest that soil microbial biomass P and acid phosphatase activity were the primary factors driving the activation of soil P during litter decomposition. These findings would be beneficial to the systematic understanding of the nutrient cycle in plant–soil systems and litter management during the development of larch plantations.