bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of DNA-repair genes and its relevance for DNA repair in peripheral immune cells of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Mack Matthias , Behnke Alexander , Fieres Judy , Christmann Markus , Bürkle Alexander , Moreno-Villanueva Maria , Kolassa Iris-Tatjana 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves elevated levels of cellular oxidative stress which jeopardizes the integrity of essential cell compartments. Previously, we demonstrated higher levels of DNA lesions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in PTSD. Retaining vital levels of DNA integrity requires cells to mobilize compensatory efforts in elevating their DNA-repair capacity. Accordingly, we hypothesized to find increased expression rates of the DNA-repair genes X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), and polymerase β (Polβ) in PBMCs of PTSD patients as compared to controls, leading to functionally relevant changes in DNA-repair kinetics. In a cohort of 14 refugees with PTSD and 15 without PTSD, we found significantly higher XRCC1 expression in PTSD patients than controls (U = 161.0, p = .009, Cohen’s r = .49), and positive correlations between the severity of PTSD symptoms and the expression of XRCC1 (rS = .57, p = .002) and PARP1 (rS = .43, p = .022). Higher XRCC1 (F = 2.39, p = .010, η²p = .10) and PARP1 (F = 2.15, p = .022, η²p = .09) expression accounted for slower repair of experimentally X-ray irradiation-induced DNA damage, highlighting the possible physiological relevance of altered DNA-repair gene expression in PTSD. Our study provides first evidence for a compensatory regulation of DNA-repair mechanisms in PTSD. We discuss the implications of increased DNA damage and altered DNA-repair mechanisms in immune senescence, premature aging, and increased physical morbidity in PTSD.
Impaired expression of the TWIK2 channel leads to reduced IL-1 family cytokine production in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease
Authors: Jung Bock-Gie , Dean Kristin , Wadle Carly , Samten Buka , Tripathi Deepak , Wallace Richard J. , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Tucker Torry , Idell Steven , Philley Julie V. , Vankayalapati Ramakrishna 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cause pulmonary disease in individuals without obvious immunodeficiency. This study was initiated to gain insight into the immunological factors that predispose persons to NTM pulmonary disease (NTMPD). Blood was obtained from 15 pairs of NTMPD patients and their healthy household contacts. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with the M. avium complex (MAC). A total of 34 cytokines and chemokines were evaluated in plasma and PBMC culture supernatants using multiplex immunoassays, and gene expression in the PBMCs was determined using real-time PCR. PBMCs from NTMPD patients produced significantly less interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-1α and IL-10 than PBMCs from their healthy household contacts in response to MAC. Although plasma RANTES levels were high in NTMPD patients, they had no effect on IL-1β production by macrophages infected with MAC. TLR2 and TWIK2 were impaired in response to MAC in PBMCs of NTMPD patients. A TLR2 inhibitor decreased all 4 cytokines, whereas a TWIK2 inhibitor decreased the production of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-1α, but not IL-10, by MAC-stimulated PBMCs and monocytes. We suggest that an attenuated TWIK2-mediated IL-1 response may increase susceptibility to NTM pulmonary infection.
Using multi-source national forest inventory data for predicting tree characteristics of individual stands
Authors: Siipilehto Jouni , Henttonen Helena , Katila Matti , Mäkisara Kai , Mäkinen Harri 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Satellite-based remote sensing data are utilised in forest inventories and the results are typically presented by region and municipality. We evaluated if imagery pixel-based data could be used in generating trees of individual stands, and predicting diameter distributions, stem volumes and tree species proportions. We compared alternative methods (k-nearest neighbors, k-NN) varying k and applying either measured trees (k-NN_trees) or stand characteristics (k-NN_stand). In the k-NN_trees method, a stand was generated based on the measured trees of the National Forest Inventory plots, whereas in the k-NN_stand method a diameter distribution was recovered from the stand characteristics of the same inventory plots. Both methods performed well and resulted in 8–14% differences in the total volume compared with the field inventory of the 27 stands used for the evaluation. The RMSE in total volume ranged from 25% (5-NN_stand) to 31% (1-NN_stand), while the smallest RMSEs in volume by tree species were 61% for broadleaves (3-NN_trees), 65% for pine (3-NN_trees) and 65% for spruce (4-NN_stand). Moreover, the main tree species was correctly predicted for 74% of cases. In the k-NN methods, increasing value of k decreased the difference in most of the evaluated variables. The satellite-based data with NFI plots were useful for predicting trees for pixels of a stand. When generating input data for a long-term simulation, the choice of the method was less influential as the effect of the error in the initial stand characteristics decreased over time during the simulation period.
MyProstateScore in Men Considering Repeat Biopsy: Validation of a Simple Testing Approach
Authors: Tosoian Jeffrey , Sessine Michael , Trock Bruce , Ross Ashley , Xie Cassie , Zheng Yingye , Samora Nathan , Siddiqui Javed , Niknafs Yashar , Chopra Zoey , Tomlins Scott , Kunju Lakshmi , Palapattu Ganesh , Morgan Todd , Wei John , Salami Simpa , Chinnaiyan Arul 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Men with persistent risk of Grade Group (GG) ≥2 cancer after a negative biopsy present a unique clinical challenge. The validated MyProstateScore test is clinically-available for pre-biopsy risk stratification. In biopsy-naïve patients, we recently validated a straightforward testing approach to rule out GG≥2 cancer with 98% negative predictive value (NPV) and 97% sensitivity. We sought to establish a practical MPS-based testing approach in men with a previous negative biopsy being considered for repeat biopsy. Methods: Patients provided post-digital rectal examination urine prior to repeat biopsy. MyProstateScore was calculated using the validated, locked model including urinary PCA3 and TMPRSS2:ERG scores with serum PSA. In a clinically-appropriate training cohort, we identified a lower (rule-out) threshold approximating 90% sensitivity and an upper (rule-in) threshold approximating 80% specificity for GG≥2 cancer. These thresholds were applied to an external validation cohort, and performance measures and clinical outcomes associated with their use were calculated.Results: MyProstateScore thresholds of 15 and 40 met pre-defined performance criteria in the training cohort (422 patients; median PSA 6.4, IQR 4.3-9.1). In the 268-patient validation cohort, 25 men (9.3%) had GG≥2 cancer on repeat biopsy. The rule-out threshold of 15 provided 100% NPV and sensitivity for GG≥2 cancer and would have prevented 23% of unnecessary biopsies. Use of MyProstateScore >40 to rule-in biopsy would have prevented 67% of biopsies while maintaining 95% NPV. The prevalence of GG≥2 cancer was 0% for MyProstateScore 0-15, 6.5% for MyProstateScore 15-40, and 19% for MyProstateScore >40.Conclusions: In patients who previously underwent a negative prostate biopsy, the MyProstateScore values of 15 and 40 yielded clinically-actionable rule-in and rule-out risk groups. Using this straightforward testing approach, MyProstateScore can meaningfully inform patients and physicians weighing the need for repeat biopsy.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Supracardiac Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection in Children: Comparison With Multi-layer Spiral CT
Authors: Zhao Ni , Hu Yun , Tuo Shengjun , Zhou Jieli , Zhang Shiqian , Liu Liwen , Meng Xin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective To explore the clinical value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the differentiation of Supracardiac Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (SAPVC) in children.Materials and methods A total of 118 children with concurrent TTE and CT databases of cases diagnosed with SAPVCs were included. We analyzed the consistency between the two for the ability to diagnose the classification of SAPVC, drainage sites, ectopic pulmonary veins and the segments of superior vena cava (SVC).Results The consistency between TTE and CT in diagnosing the existence of SAPVC and the classification were 88.1% (95% CI: 80.9%-93.4%) and 91.0% (95% CI: 84.1%-95.6%), respectively. The error rate of partial type diagnosed by TTE was significantly higher than that of total and mixed type (20.5% vs. 2.8%, P=0.003). The consistency between TTE and CT to determine drainage sites was 91.9% (95% CI: 85.2%-96.2%). TTE had a significantly higher error rate in determining pulmonary vein drainage to the SVC than in those draining into the left innominate vein (17.5 vs. 2.5%, P=0.007). The consistency of TTE and CT in judging the number of veins was 87.4% (95% CI: 79.7%-92.9%). The error rate in determining the presence of 2 and 5 ectopic pulmonary veins was significantly higher than those of 1 and 4 veins (P<0.05).Conclusion TTE for diagnosing partial SAPVC and identifying the drainage site of SVC has a high error rate of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. The extra attention should be given to these factors in clinical practice to improve the accuracy of TTE in diagnosing SAPVC.
Association of TNF-α-308G/A gene polymorphism with the risk of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Huajie , Wang Lingling , Li Huaqiang , Huang Jiye , Xiao Limian , Liu Siyuan , Wang Yan , Yang Yuping , Zhang Hua 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Inconsistent reports of the association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) 308G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and allergic rhinitis (AR) prompted a meta-analysis to determine a relatively precise and reliable linkage between TNF-α-308G/A gene polymorphism and risk of AR.
Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database were used to search all published case-control studies on the relationship between TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism and susceptibility to AR. Data for each study were extracted using standardized forms, and summary odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) used to evaluate the intensity of the association by RevMan 5.4.1 software.
Results
7 studies (1383 AR cases and 1313 controls) were obtained for the meta-analysis. Comprehensive results showed that the polymorphism of TNF-α-308G/A gene was significantly associated with increased AR risk in the following two models: (1) AA vs. GG + GA: OR = 2.91, P = 0.003; (2) AA vs. GG: OR = 3.89, P = 0.0002. When participants were stratified by race, the TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism showed obviously increased AR risk in Asians under the following three models: (1) AA vs. GG + GA: OR = 3.08, P = 0.004; (2) AA vs. GG: OR = 4.38, P = 0.0002. In Europe, however, no obvious correlation was detected in any genetic models.
Conclusions
The results of our present analysis indicated that the TNF-α-308G/A gene polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility of AR, especially within the Asian population.
Structuring the local handedness of synthetic chiral light: global chirality versus polarization of chirality
Authors: Rego Laura , Ayuso David 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Synthetic chiral light enables ultrafast and highly efficient imaging of molecular chirality. Unlike standard circularly polarized light, the handedness of synthetic chiral light does not rely on the spatial structure of the light field: it is encoded locally, in the chiral trajectory that the tip of the electric-field vector draws in time, at each point in space. Being locally chiral, already within the electric-dipole approximation, synthetic chiral light is a highly efficient chiral photonic reagent. Synthetic chiral light that is locally and globally chiral allows us to selectively quench the nonlinear response of a selected molecular enantiomer while maximizing it in its mirror twin at the level of total signal intensities. Synthetic chiral light that exhibits polarization of chirality allows us to realize a chiral version of Young’s double-slit experiment that leads to enantio-sensitive light bending. Here we connect these two new concepts and show how one can structure the local and global handedness of synthetic chiral light in space, and how these local and global properties are imprinted in the enantio-sensitive response of the chiral molecules, creating new opportunities for ultrafast, all-optical and highly efficient imaging of molecular chirality.
Advertising of foods and beverages in social media aimed at children: high exposure and low control
Authors: Meléndez-Illanes Lorena , Díaz Cristina González , Álvarez-Dardet Carlos 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: This work is aimed to describe the recent scientific literature developed in the food/beverage sector and social networks aimed at children and adolescents, as well as current regulations. Methods: A quick review of the studies on advertising and social media aimed at children, published from 2010 tp 2020 is carried out, following the established inclusion criteria. In addition, the regulations in the countries in which the studies were carried out were also reviewed. Results: Of the 573 articles, 7 met these criteria. The great attraction of unhealthy foods for children is observed, who remembered and recognized a greater number of unhealthy food brands and, by extension, the ability to influence of communication in social networks. Each country has its own self-regulation, two (Ireland and USA) have legislation on children’s food advertising, and Australia has legislation that applies only to open television. However, none of the analyzed countries have specific regulations on food, children and media advertising. Conclusions: Given the fact that there is evidence about the great attraction that social networks suppose for the child, that they are a stimulus for the consumption of food and that many of these foods are harmful to their health; we should work in two directions: 1) Promote public policies based on promoting healthy habits among minors; and 2) Monitor and implement regulations in commercial communication social media.
Construction of an Escherichia coli cell factory to synthesize taxadien-5α-ol, the key precursor of anti-cancer drug paclitaxel
Authors: Wu Qing-Yang , Huang Zheng-Yu , Wang Jin-Yi , Yu Hui-Lei , Xu Jian-He 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Paclitaxel (Taxol ™), an alkaloid of diterpenoid family, is one of the most widely used anticancer drugs due to its effectiveness against a variety of tumors. Rather than directly extraction and chemical synthesis of paclitaxel or its intermediates from yew plants, construction of a microbial cell factory for paclitaxel biosynthesis will be more efficient and sustainable. In this study, we report a recombinant Escherichia coli strain engineered with a heterologous mevalonate pathway, a taxadiene synthase from yew, and a cytochrome P450-mediated oxygenation system for the de novo production of taxadien-5α-ol, the first product of the multi-step taxadiene oxygenation metabolism. The key enzymes including taxadiene synthases and cytochrome P450 reductases were screened, and the linker for fusing taxadiene-5α-hydroxylase with its reductase partner cytochrome P450 reductase was optimized. By reducing the metabolic burden and optimizing the fermentation conditions, the final production of total oxygenated taxanes was raised up to 27 mg L− 1 in a 50-mL flask cultivation, of which the yield of taxadien-5α-ol was 7.0 mg L− 1, representing approximately a 12-fold and 23-fold improvements respectively, as compared with the initial titers
Development and validation of a modified albumin-bilirubin grade and α-fetoprotein score (mALF score) for hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving atezolizumab and bevacizumab.
Authors: Hatanaka Takeshi , Kakizaki Satoru , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Toshifumi , Hirooka Masashi , Kariyama Kazuya , Tani Joji , Atsukawa Masanori , Takaguchi Koichi , Itobayashi Ei , Fukunishi Shinya , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Tajiri Kazuto , Ochi Hironori , Yasuda Satoshi , Toyoda Hidenori , Ogawa Chikara , Nishimura Takashi , Shimada Noritomo , Kawata Kazuhito , Kosaka Hisashi , Tanaka Takaaki , Ohama Hideko , Nouso Kazuhiro , Morishita Asahiro , Tsutsui Akemi , Nagano Takuya , Itokawa Norio , Okubo Tomomi , Arai Taeang , Imai Michitaka , Naganuma Atsushi , Koizumi Yohei , Nakamura Shinichiro , Kaibori Masaki , Iijima Hiroko , Hiasa Yoichi , Kumada Takashi 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aim
This study aims to validate the modified albumin-bilirubin grade and α-fetoprotein score (mALF score).
Methods
This retrospective study included a total 426 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients receiving atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) at 22 institutions in Japan from September 2020 to January 2022. Each patient was randomized 3:2 to a training set (n = 255) and a validation set (n = 171). We investigated prognostic factors in the training set and developed an easily applicable mALF score. This score was evaluated in the validation set.
Results
We built the mALF score using mALBI grade 2b or 3 (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.37–4.05, p = 0.002) and α-fetoprotein ≥ 100 ng/ml (HR 2.61, 95% CI 1.49–4.55, p < 0.001), which were identified as unfavorable prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis. The 1-year OS rates were 82.7% (95% CI 68.9–90.8) in patients who meet neither of the criteria (mALF 0 points, n = 101), 61.7% (95% CI 44.5–74.9) in patients who meet either of the two criteria (mALF 1 point, n = 109), and 24.6% (95% CI 9.0-44.3) in patients who meet both criteria (mALF 2 points, n = 45); the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The median PFS in patients with mALF 0, 1, and 2 points was 9.5 months (95% CI 4.3-NA), 6.6 months (95% CI 6.0–8.0), and 3.8 months (95% CI 3.0-5.2), respectively, which amounted to a significant difference (p < 0.001). These results were confirmed in the validation set (1-year OS rates, 0/1/2 points = 94.2%/62.1%/46.3%, p < 0.001; median PFS, 0/1/2 points = 9.3/6.7/4.7 months, p = 0.018).
Conclusions
The mALF score can reliably predict the prognosis of HCC patients receiving Atez/Bev.
Graphene quantum dots coated cationic polymer for targeted drug delivery and imaging of breast cancer
Authors: Mirzababaei Mahdi , Larijani Kambiz , Hashemi-Moghaddam Hamid , Mirjafary Zohreh , Madanchi Hamid 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
One of the important goals of cancer treatment in drug delivery systems (DSS) is to increase the concentration of the drug only around the tumor cells to prevent damage to normal cells. In this study, doxorubicin HCl (DOX) was imprinted by the cationic polymer, graphene quantum dots (GQD) Poly (methacrylic acid-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PMA-DDA-DOX). Chemical structure (PMA-DDA-DOX) was investigated and confirmed by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Particle size and morphology of (PMA-DDA-DOX) was evaluated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). Then the toxicity of (PMA-DDA-DOX) was investigated in vitro study. Also to evaluate the effectiveness of (PMA-DDA-DOX) in the living organism, Nanoparticles were injected into BALB/C mice containing 4T1 breast cancer cells. Then in vivo imaging was performed at the excitation wavelength of 400 nm and emission of 535 nm. The images showed that particles (PMA-DDA-DOX) had accumulated around the cancer cell.
Understanding how balance and sample size impact bias in the estimation of causal treatment effects: a simulation study
Authors: Markoulidakis Andreas , Holmans Peter , Pallmann Philip , Griffin Beth Ann 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Observational studies are often used to understand relationships between exposures and outcomes. When analyzing such data, propensity score (PS) and balance weighting are commonly used techniques that aim to reduce the imbalances between exposure groups by weighting the groups to look alike on the observed confounders. There is now a plethora of available methods to estimate PS and balancing weights as well as rich guidance on how to properly employ these in an analysis. In such studies, unbiased and robust estimation of the causal treatment effect is not guaranteed unless several conditions hold. The literature has shown that accurate inference requires these key criteria: 1) the treatment allocation mechanism is known (e.g., no unobserved confounders), 2) the relationship between the baseline covariates and the outcome is known (if one is to rely on the outcome model itself), 3) adequate balance (comparability) of baseline covariates is achieved post-weighting, 4) a proper set of covariates to control for confounding bias is known, and 5) a large enough sample size is available. In this article, we use simulated data of various sizes to investigate the influence of these five criteria on statistical inference. We have two notable new findings to help improve practice. First, our findings provide important new evidence that the maximum Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic is the proper statistical measure to assess balance on the baseline covariates, in contrast to the mean standardised mean difference used in many applications, and 0.1 is a suitable threshold to consider as acceptable balance. Second, we also find a clear recommendation that 60 − 80 observations, per confounder per treatment group, are required to obtain a reliable and unbiased estimation of the causal treatment effect.
Global warming and increasing CO2 emission are the Consequences of increase sea level and climate change refugees in Bangladesh
Authors: Sarkar Chandan Kumar 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The Climate change is significant and over 100 years temperature, carbon emission and sea level have increased globally and there is significant impact in different countries including Bangladesh. Bangladesh is settled on a delta areas easy affected to increase sea level rise. There are 10 million people (6.3% of the population) are displaced and most vulnerable due to climate change induced disasters in 2021 in Bangladesh. The study exercised few categories that the increase temperature, emission of CO2 and impact on the sea level and causes to increase climate change refugees. Due to subsidence of local land Bangladesh affects much more than the world average, sea level rises 1.00 meter it will submerge 20 percent of the country. The study has uncovered evidence of nexus between the global warming and climate change refuges in Bangladesh. The specific model is supported by a few diagnostic tests of the evidence.
Genetic diversity of the spotted seal (Phoca largha) in Liaodong Gulf following long-term conservation activities
Authors: Liu Weidong , Gao Xianggang , Tian Jiashen , Wang Zhen , Kong Zhongren , Lu Zhichuang 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The spotted seal (Phcoa largha) is the only pinniped species reproducing in the wild in China. Wild populations of this species have declined sharply in China due to anthropogenic impacts. Forty-six individuals died accidentally in Liaodong Gulf between 2018 to 2020 and were collected. The genetic diversity and population structure of this population were investigated using mitochondrial ND4L and D-loop sequences, and the results were compared with the same population in 2005. The haplotype diversity of Liaodong Gulf spotted seals was low compared to other spotted seal populations in other habitats. Fortunately, the genetic diversity of the current Liaodong Gulf spotted seal population was higher than 15 years ago, and the population expanded between 2005 and 2020. Our findings indicated that conservation activities for Liaodong Gulf spotted seals in recent decades have been valuable, and should persist in the future.