bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eosinophil-Derived Osteopontin Induces the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and Stimulates Extracellular Matrix Production in Nasal Fibroblasts: The Role of Osteopontin in Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Yang Hyun-Woo , Park Joo-Hoo , Jo Min-Sik , Shin Jae-Min , Kim Dae Woo , Park Il-Ho 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundEosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and is a refractory or intractable disease. However, a reliable clinical marker or an effective treatment strategy has not yet been established. ECRS is accompanied by excessive eosinophil infiltration and Th2 inflammatory response, which is closely related to tissue remodeling in the upper airways.ObjectivesWe sought to investigate the effect of eosinophils on tissue remodeling in ECRS. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of eosinophils on the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and extracellular matrix (ECM) in nasal fibroblasts and the key mediators that stimulate them.MethodsButyric acid was used to differentiate EOL-1 cells into eosinophils. We co-cultured differentiated EOL-1 cells and fibroblasts to measure the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and ECM in fibroblasts. Among the cytokines secreted from the differentiated EOL-1 cells, factors that induced tissue remodeling of fibroblasts were identified.ResultsTreatment with butyric acid (BA) differentiated EOL-1 cells into eosinophils. Differentiated EOL-1 cells induced fibroblasts to produce pro-inflammatory mediators, IL-6 and IL-8, and tissue remodeling factor, VEGF. It also induced myofibroblast differentiation and overexpression of ECM components. Differentiated EOL-1 cells overexpressed osteopontin (OPN), and recombinant OPN increased the expression of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, and ECM components in nasal fibroblast. OPN was overexpressed in the nasal tissue of patients with ECRS and was associated with the severity of CRS.ConclusionsEosinophil-derived OPN stimulated nasal fibroblasts and contributed to inflammation and tissue remodeling in ECRS. Moreover, the expression level of OPN was proportional to the severity of ECRS. Therefore, OPN regulation is a potential treatment for ECRS.
Efficacy and Safety of Anti-PD1/PDL1 in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Qi , Huang Jinsheng , Zhang Bei , Li Xujia , Chen Xiuxing , Cui Bokang , Li Shengping , Guo Guifang 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundAnti-programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand (anti-PD1/PDL1) have been proposed as a promising therapeutic option for advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC). Given the scarce quantitative analyses of anti-PD1/PDL1 in aBTC, we thus did a meta-analysis to assess the benefits and risks of this emerging treatment strategy in patients with aBTC.MethodsPubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and meeting resources were searched for relevant studies. The main endpoints were median progression-free survival (mPFS), median overall survival (mOS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), any-grade adverse events (AEs), and grade 3–4 AEs.ResultsTwenty-eight studies with 1,338 participants were included. The best curative effect was found in the anti-PD1/PDL1 combined with anti-CTLA4 and chemotherapy group (mPFS: 12.4 months; mOS: 16.0 months; ORR: 45.1%; DCR: 95.0%), followed by the anti-PD1/PDL1 plus chemotherapy group (mPFS: 8.2 months; mOS: 14.8 months; ORR: 36.3%; DCR: 84.6%), the anti-PD1/PDL1 plus antiangiogenesis group (mPFS: 4.9 months; mOS: 10.2 months; ORR: 17.5%; DCR: 68.7%), the anti-PD1/PDL1 plus anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti-CTLA4) group (mPFS: 2.9 months; mOS: 8.3 months; ORR: 9.9%; DCR: 36.8%), and the anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy group (mPFS: 2.5 months; mOS: 7.6 months; ORR: 6.8%; DCR: 34.7%). Compared with anti-PD1-containing regimens, anti-PDL1-containing regimens achieved preferable mPFS (11.1 vs. 3.8 months), mOS (12.2 vs. 9.8 months), and ORR (23.7% vs. 17.4%), despite a similar DCR (61.1% vs. 61.3%). The mPFS, mOS, ORR, and DCR were 10.6 months, 15.8 months, 42.3%, and 88.6% of first-line anti-PD1/PDL1 and 3.0 months, 9.1 months, 11.6%, and 51.1% of second-line therapy or beyond, respectively. There were 80.6% and 34.0% of the patients suffering any-grade AEs and grade 3–4 AEs. Anti-PD1/PDL1 monotherapy might be considered as a safer alternative than combination regimens. Meanwhile, obvious toxicities in the first-line setting could not be neglected.ConclusionsAnti-PD1/PDL1 showed encouraging efficacy and acceptable safety profile in aBTC and, thus, could be an alternative treatment.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment Landscape in Glioblastoma Reveals Tumor Heterogeneity and Implications for Prognosis and Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhao Rongrong , Pan Ziwen , Li Boyan , Zhao Shulin , Zhang Shouji , Qi Yanhua , Qiu Jiawei , Gao Zijie , Fan Yang , Guo Qindong , Qiu Wei , Wang Shaobo , Wang Qingtong , Zhang Ping , Guo Xing , Deng Lin , Xue Hao , Li Gang 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundGlioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal brain tumor with no effective treatment. The specific GBM tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) may contribute to resistance to immunotherapy, a tumor therapy with great potential. Thus, an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of tumor-infiltrating immune cells is essential for exploring biomarkers in GBM pathogenesis and immunotherapy.MethodsWe estimated the relative abundances of 25 immune cell types in 796 GBM samples using single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Unsupervised clustering was used to identify different GBM-associated TIME immune cell infiltration (GTMEI) patterns. The GTMEIscore system was constructed with principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the immune infiltration pattern of individual tumors.ResultsWe revealed three distinct GTMEI patterns with different clinical outcomes and modulated biological pathways. We developed a scoring system (GTMEIscore) to determine the immune infiltration pattern of individual tumors. We comprehensively analyzed the genomic characteristics, molecular subtypes and clinicopathological features as well as proteomic, phosphoproteomic, acetylomic, lipidomic and metabolomic properties associated with the GTMEIscore and revealed many novel dysregulated pathways and precise targets in GBM. Moreover, the GTMEIscore accurately quantified the immune status of many other cancer types. Clinically, the GTMEIscore was found to have significant potential therapeutic value for chemotherapy/radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy and targeted therapy.ConclusionsFor the first time, we employed a multilevel and multiplatform strategy to construct a multidimensional molecular map of tumors with different immune infiltration patterns. These results may provide theoretical basises for identifying more effective predictive biomarkers and developing more effective drug combination strategies or novel immunotherapeutic agents for GBM.
Enhanced Thermal and Antibacterial Properties of Stereo-Complexed Polylactide Fibers Doped With Nano-Silver
Authors: Zhao Shiyou , Ke Huizhen , Yang Tingting , Peng Qiqi , Ge Jianlong , Yao Lirong , Xu Sijun , Zhirong Ding , Pan Gangwei 
Published: March 2022

Stereo-complexed polylactide (sc-PLA) fibers with excellent heat resistance and antibacterial properties were prepared by electrospinning. Due to poor heat resistance, common poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) fibers have poor dimensional stability at high temperatures and cannot be sterilized and recycled as a medical filter material. In this research, PLLA/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) blends doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were electrospun to obtain the sc-PLA fibers. The effect of thermal induction temperature on the crystalline structure and thermal properties of sc-PLA fibers was investigated. Moreover, the influence of the addition amount of AgNPs on the crystal structure of sc-PLA fibers was studied, and the antibacterial properties of the sc-PLA fibers with different addition amounts of AgNPs were analyzed. The thermal induction is beneficial to the formation of stereo-complexed crystals of sc-PLA fibers, and finally completely stereo-complexed PLA fibers were obtained. The melting temperature of the completely stereo-complexed PLA fibers was 50°C higher than that of the PLLA fibers; therefore, the sc-PLA fibers have better heat resistance. The addition of AgNPs was conducive to the formation of stereo-complexed crystals of sc-PLA fibers. In addition, the antibacterial rate of sc-PLA fibers against E. coli and S. aureus was 99.99 ± 0.01% when the addition amount of AgNPs was only 0.15 wt%. The fiber membrane obtained in this experiment can be used as a reusable filter material, and the sc-PLA fiber membrane has broad application prospects in the biomedical field.
Surgery Treatment of Primary Tumors of the Inferior Vena Cava
Authors: Wang Shizhi , Li Yuqiu , Yang Qijun , Zhang Xue , Cheng Yunqi , Li Zimeng , Wang Jingyi , Zeng Qingfu 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundPrimary tumor of the inferior vena cava is a rare tumor, which arises from the smooth muscle of vascular walls. Surgery appears the only curative treatment. However, the optimal surgical methods and surgical management are not well-studied. In this article, we reviewed the successful treatment experience of patients in our center who had resection of primary tumor of the inferior vena cava and reviewed the relevant literature.MethodsFour cases of patients who undergoing initial resection of primary tumors of the inferior vena cava from September 2017 to August 2021 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were screened and followed up. They were discussed and cases reported in this field were reviewed.ResultsAmong the four patients, three of them were female. The median age of the disease is 53.75 years (range 45–60 years). After surgical treatment, tumors were removed in all patients, and some patients had reconstruction of inferior vena cava. There were no disease-specific deaths, no serious complications, and no recurrence during follow-up in these cases.ConclusionsCareful preoperative examination, correct surgical treatment methods, and multidisciplinary collaboration can lead to safe and successful operations, which improve the survival rate of patients.
An Infodemic of Misinformation on Stem Cell Therapy Among the Population of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Aboalola Doaa , Badraiq Heba , Alsiary Rawiah , Zakri Samer , Aboulola Neda , Haneef Loay , Malibari Dalal , Baadhaim Moayad , Alsayegh Khaled 
Published: March 2022

In recent years, the industry of unproven stem cell-based therapies has been on the rise around the globe, putting patients at great risk of potential harm. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of the general public, including patients and/or their relatives, in Saudi Arabia on stem cell therapy and to assess the degree of willingness to try stem cell-based treatment options, should it be offered to them.MethodsA voluntary questionnaire of 16 questions was distributed randomly through social media outlets.ResultsIn the survey of this study, 2,030 individuals participated. A total of 1,292 (63.6%) stated that they would accept stem cell therapy or would recommend it to their friends and relatives. Alarmingly, 72.1% of participants were unaware that using unapproved stem cell-based treatments may lead to serious health complications including cancer. More than 20% believed that stem cell therapy is already approved for organ/tissue regeneration. Worryingly, 60.6% of the physicians and 56.4% of the medical students stated that they would recommend stem cell treatment for their patients.ConclusionsThere is a concerning spread of misinformation among the Saudi population, including physicians, regarding stem cell therapy. This calls for a targeted effort to raise awareness about the current status of stem cell treatment in the general public and among health care practitioners.
N6-Methyladenosine Modification Participates in the Progression of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Fibrosis by Regulating Immune Cell Infiltration
Authors: Zhao Tong , Qi Jianni , Liu Tiantian , Wu Hao , Zhu Qiang 
Published: March 2022

AimN6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been demonstrated to play an important part in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and immune response. This study aims to further investigate whether m6A modification plays an important role in the progression of HBV-related liver fibrosis through the regulation of immune cell infiltration.MethodsIn this study, 124 chronically HBV infected cases were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In total, 489 m6A-and-stage related genes were selected to be associated with the m6A modification and the stage of liver fibrosis. Based on these genes, we identified two distinct gene clusters, gene clusterA and gene clusterB. The immune characteristics of the two clusters were comprehensively compared. The m6A-S score was constructed as quantification of individual m6A status. The correlations between m6A regulators and infiltrating immune cells were examined and compared in different pairs of groups with various m6A traits.ResultsBiological functions, immune cell infiltration, and cytokines expression were compared between the two gene clusters proving that the gene clusterB was more immune active and had a more advanced liver fibrosis stage. The m6A-S score was associated with immune infiltration and the progression of liver fibrosis. Five different grouping conditions with different m6A traits were set up. According to the intersection of significant genes and cells, ALKBH5 interacting with macrophage and WTAP interacting with nature killer T cells may be key points in the progress of liver fibrosis.ConclusionsN6-methyladenosine modification is closely related to the immune cell infiltration and the fibrosis stage of chronic HBV-infected liver tissue. It provides us a better understanding of the progression of liver cirrhosis via evaluating the m6A modification pattern and immune infiltration characteristics.
Incidence Trends of Five Common Sexually Transmitted Infections Excluding HIV From 1990 to 2019 at the Global, Regional, and National Levels: Results From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Fu Leiwen , Sun Yinghui , Han Min , Wang Bingyi , Xiao Fei , Zhou Yiguo , Gao Yanxiao , Fitzpatrick Thomas , Yuan Tanwei , Li Peiyang , Zhan Yuewei , Lu Yong , Luo Ganfeng , Duan Junyi , Hong Zhongsi , Fairley Christopher K. , Zhang Tong , Zhao Jin , Zou Huachun 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common worldwide and pose a challenge to public health. We conducted this study to assess the annual incidence of five common STIs, including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes at the global, regional, and national levels.Materials and MethodsWe obtained detailed data on STIs excluding HIV from 1990 to 2019 from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify trends in age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) of STIs, stratified by gender, sociodemographic index (SDI) region, and pathogenic microorganism.ResultsGlobally, incident cases of STIs increased by 58.15% from 486.77 million in 1990 to 769.85 million in 2019, but the annual change in ASR was only −0.04% (95% CI −0.09 to 0.01) per year. EAPC was 0.16 (0.06 to 0.26) for syphilis, 0.09 (0.05 to 0.13) for genital herpes, 0.06 (0.03 to 0.09) for trichomoniasis, −0.21 (−0.36 to −0.06) for chlamydia, and −0.14 (−0.19 to −0.08) for gonorrhea. High SDI regions reported significant increases in ASR of syphilis and chlamydia.ConclusionsThe burden of disease from STIs remains large, though control of STIs has contributed to the decreasing incidence in most regions, especially in the low-SDI regions. Globally, over the past 20 years, the ASR has remained stable for trichomoniasis and genital herpes decreased for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and increased for syphilis.
Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cell Treatment for Neonatal Rats With Hypoxic Ischemia
Authors: Lyu Hao , Sun Dong Ming , Ng Chi Ping , Cheng Wendy S. , Chen Jun Fan , He Yu Zhong , Lam Sin Yu , Zheng Zhi Yuan , Huang Guo Dong , Wang Chi Chiu , Young Wise , Poon Wai Sang 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundHypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs when an infant’s brain has not received adequate oxygen and blood supply, resulting in ischemic and hypoxic damage. Currently, supportive care and hypothermia therapy have been the standard treatment for HIE. However, there are still over 20% of treated infants died and 19–30% survived with significant disability. HIE animal model was first established by Rice et al., involving the ligation of one common carotid artery followed by hypoxia. In this study, we investigated human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) and its two components mononuclear cell (MNC) and red cell fraction (RCF) in both short and long term study using a modified HIE rat model.MethodsIn this modified HIE model, both common carotid arteries were occluded, breathing 8% oxygen in a hypoxic chamber for 60-min, followed by the release of the common carotid arteries ligature, mimicking reperfusion injury. For cell therapeutic study, cells were intravenously injected to HIE rat pups, and both behavioral and histological changes were assessed at selected time points.ResultStatistically significant behavioral improvements were demonstrated on Day 7 and 1 month between saline treated HIE rats and UCB/MNC treated rats. However, at 3 months, the therapeutic improvements were only showed between saline treated HIE animals and MNC treated HIE rats. For histological analysis 1 month after cell injection, the number of functional neurons were statistically increased between saline treated HIE and UCB/MNC/RCF treated HIE rats. At 3 months, the significant increase in functional neurons was only present in MNC treated HIE rats.ConclusionWe have used a bilateral temporary occlusion of 60 min, a moderately brain damaged model, for cell therapeutic studies. HUCB mononuclear cell (MNC) therapy showed benefits in neonatal HIE rats in both short and long term behavioral and histological assessments.
Basic Surveillance Parameters Improve the Prediction of Delayed Cerebral Infarction After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Csók István , Grauvogel Jürgen , Scheiwe Christian , Bardutzky Jürgen , Wehrum Thomas , Beck Jürgen , Reinacher Peter C. , Roelz Roland 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundTo establish a practical risk chart for prediction of delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) by using information that is available until day 5 after ictus.MethodsWe assessed all consecutive patients with aSAH admitted to our service between September 2008 and September 2015 (n = 417). The data set was randomly split into thirds. Two-thirds were used for model development and one-third was used for validation. Characteristics that were present between the bleeding event and day 5 (i.e., prior to &gt;95% of DCI diagnoses) were assessed to predict DCI by using logistic regression models. A simple risk chart was established and validated.ResultsThe amount of cisternal and ventricular blood on admission CT (Hijdra sum score), early sonographic vasospasm (i.e., mean flow velocity of either intracranial artery &gt;160 cm/s until day 5), and a simplified binary level of consciousness score until day 5 were the strongest predictors of DCI. A model combining these predictors delivered a high predictive accuracy [the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve of 0.82, Nagelkerke's R2 0.34 in the development cohort]. Validation of the model demonstrated a high discriminative capacity with the AUC of 0.82, Nagelkerke's R2 0.30 in the validation cohort.ConclusionAdding level of consciousness and sonographic vasospasm between admission and postbleed day 5 to the initial blood amount allows for simple and precise prediction of DCI. The suggested risk chart may prove useful for selection of appropriate candidates for interventions to prevent DCI.
A Retrospective Study of Rare Listeria Meningoencephalitis in Immunocompetent Children in China
Authors: Mo Tingting , Wu Fang , Dou Xiangjun , Wang Dong , Xia Han , Li Xia 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesListeria meningoencephalitis (LMM) is very rare in healthy children. We aimed to assess the clinical features, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and outcomes of LMM in immunocompetent children through a retrospective study.MethodsThe clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging features, antibiotic use, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were obtained from immunocompetent children who were diagnosed with LMM and admitted to the Xi'an Children's Hospital from May 2018 to July 2020.ResultsThe data from 8 immunocompetent children were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The cohort included data from 5 males and 3 females who were aged from 1 year and 7 months to 16 years and 6 months. A total of 4 patients had chilled food before onset. The complications included hyponatremia (3/8), hydrocephalus (2/8), and hemophagocytic syndrome (1/8). In total, 8 patients were diagnosed with Listeria monocytogenes by positive CSF culture or mNGS results. The positive rate of CSF culture was 62.5% (5/8). A total of 5 patients conducted CSF mNGS, and the results of the mNGS were positive in 4 patients (80%, 4/5) and suspected in 1 patient. A total of 7 patients changed their therapeutic regimen to combined antibacterial therapies that included linezolid and meropenem (5/8), or ampicillin and meropenem (2/8). A total of 5 patients had favorable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale, GOSE = 5) while two patients had unfavorable outcomes (GOSE = 1) and were complicated with hyponatremia and hydrocephalus.ConclusionsListeria meningoencephalitis (LMM) can occur in children with normal immune function and is commonly mistaken for other central nervous system infections. L. monocytogenes can be quickly and accurately detected by mNGS. Hyponatremia and hydrocephalus may indicate unfavorable outcomes.
Psychometric Properties of the Revised Dysexecutive Questionnaire in a Non-clinical Population
Authors: Wakely Hannah , Radakovic Ratko , Bateman Andrew , Simblett Sara , Fish Jessica , Gracey Fergus 
Published: March 2022

AimsThe aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the revised self-rated version of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX-R) within a non-clinical sample.MethodsThe study was hosted online, with 140 participants completing the DEX-R, GAD-2 and PHQ-2. Sixty participants also completed the FrSBe, with 99 additionally completing the DEX-R again 3 weeks later. Correlations with demographic factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression were conducted. Rasch and factor analysis were also used to explore underlying subconstructs.ResultsThe DEX-R correlated highly with the FrSBe, indicating sound concurrent validity. Internal consistency, split-half reliability and test-retest reliability were excellent. Age and symptoms of depression and anxiety correlated with DEX-R scores, with older age associated with less dysexecutive problems. The Rasch analysis confirmed the multidimensionality of the rating scale, and a three-factor structure was found relating to activation-self-regulatory, cognitive and social-emotional processes. Frequencies of responses on DEX-R items varied, many were not fully endorsed indicating specific relevance of most but not all items to patients.ConclusionInterpretations of DEX-R ratings of dysexecutive problems should consider mood and individual variation. Systematic comparison of DEX-R responses between healthy and clinical groups could help identify a suitable cut off for dysexecutive symptoms.