bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra-mechanosensitive ion transport through bioinspired high-density elastomeric nanochannels
Authors: Li Chao , Liu Pengxiang , Zhi Yafang , Zhai Yi , Gao Longcheng , Jiang Lei 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Mechanosensitive ion channels play crucial roles in physiological activities, where small mechanical stimuli induce the deformation of the ion channels, and are further transformed into significant electrochemical signals. Artificial ion channels with stiff modulus have been developed to mimic mechanosensory behaviors. However, fabricating flexible mechanosensitive channels that are capable of regulating ionic current upon dramatic deformation still has remained a challenge. Here, we demonstrate bioinspired high-density elastomeric channels self-assembled by polyisoprene-b-poly4-vinylpyridine (PI-b-P4VP), which exhibit ultra-mechanosensitive ion transport. The PI-formed continuous elastic matrix can transmit external force into internal tension. While P4VP forms transmembrane ion-selective channels which undergo dramatic deformation responded to mechanical stimuli. The integrated P4VP channels present an ultra-mechanosensitive electrochemical response, with five orders of magnitude more sensitive than biological mechanosensitive channels. The results deepen the comprehension of the mechanosensory mechanism in cells and provide a promising avenue for designing flexible and responsive channel membranes.
Cross-Sectional Area of the Longus Colli and Cervical Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Retrospective Review Evaluating this Anatomic Consideration
Authors: Tran Khoa S. , Mazmudar Aditya , Paziuk Taylor , Lambrechts Mark J. , Tecce Eric , Blaber Olivia , Okroj Kamil , Karamian Brian A. , Canseco Jose A. , Rihn Jeffrey A. , Hilibrand Alan S. , Kepler Christopher K. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Schroeder Gregory D. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose:
To determine if longus colli cross-sectional area (CSA) is associated with the severity preoperative cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Methods and Materials:
Patients undergoing elective anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylolisthesis between 2010–2021 were retrospectively identified. Longus colli cross-sectional areas (CSA) were measured from preoperative MRI images at the C5 level. Preoperative spondylolisthesis measurements were recorded with cervical radiographs. Patients were grouped by quartiles respectively according to longus colli CSAs. Statistical tests compared patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and surgical outcomes between groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was utilized to assess if longus colli CSA predicted cervical spondylolisthesis.
Results:
A total of 157 patients met inclusion criteria. Group 1 (first quartile) was the oldest (60.4 ± 12.0 years, p = 0.024) and was predominantly female (59.0%, p = 0.001). Group 1 also had the highest maximum spondylolisthesis (0.19mm, p = 0.031) and highest proportion of grade 2 spondylolisthesis (23.1%, p = 0.003). On regression analysis, lowest quartile of longus colli CSA was an independent predictor of larger measured maximum spondylolisthesis (β: 0.04, p = 0.012).
Conclusion:
Smaller longus colli CSA is independently associated with a higher grade and degree of preoperative cervical spondylolisthesis, but this finding does not result in adverse postsurgical outcomes.
Changes in expression of nuclear factor kappa B subunits in the ovine thymus during early pregnancy
Authors: Yang Ling , Cai Chunjiang , Fang Shengya , Hao Shaopeng , Zhang Taipeng , Zhang Leying 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
There is pregnant maternal immunological tolerance that protects the fetus and promotes its growth, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) family participates in the regulation of innate immune and adaptive immune responses. The thymus is related to establishing central tolerance, and early pregnancy has effects on expression of a good number of genes and proteins in the maternal thymus in sheep. However, it is unclear if early pregnancy changes expression of NF-κB subunits in the ovine thymus. In this study, the thymic samples were collected from day 16 of non-pregnant ewes, and days 13, 16 and 25 of pregnant ewes, and the expression of NF-κB members (NF-κB1, NF-κB2, RelA, RelB and c-Rel) were analyzed through real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed that c-Rel mRNA and protein upregulated at day 25 of pregnancy, and NF-κB1 mRNA and proteins increased at days 16 and 25 of pregnancy, and RelB mRNA and proteins enhanced during early pregnancy. However, expression of NF-κB2 and RelA was decreased during early pregnancy, but upregulated from day 13 to 25 of pregnancy. In addition, the RelA protein was located in the epithelial reticular cells, capillaries and thymic corpuscles. This paper reported for the first time that early pregnancy induced expression of NF-κB1, RelB and c-Rel, but inhibited expression of NF-κB2 and RelA in the maternal thymus during early pregnancy, which is involved in the central immune tolerance, and helpful for successful pregnancy in sheep.
Assessment of the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials(Norm) in Jos North, Nigeria. A Case Study of the Utan Artisanal Tin Mining Sites
Authors: Godwin Ini , Yakovleva Valentina , Noel Nyabai Ninyio 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Tin mining and milling is an avenue for economic and technological development. Mining of this mineral contributes significantly to the distortion of the natural distribution of radioisotopes in the environment. This study assesses the concentration of natural radioactivity due to radioactive elements such as 40K, 238U and 232Th. Soil samples were taken from 20 distinct locations within the Utan mining sites, Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Potassium, radium, and thorium in soil samples from mining sites were determined by measuring their concentration activities using the gamma-ray spectroscopy method. Activity concentrations of potassium, radium and thorium were determined. In soil samples, activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were established. 40K 196.07 ± 4.91 to 608.07 ± 1.44 with an average of 386.48, 226Ra 0.71 ± 0.02 to 5.11 ± 0.07 with an average of 2.35 and 232Th 14.91 ± 0.74 to 63.71 ± 0.97 with average activity concentrations of 54.78. The average concentration activity of potassium and thorium was slightly above the world recommended average of 370.00 and 40.00 respectively, while radium was below the recommended average. The mines mean absorbed and annual effective dose rates were 14.27 nGy h − 1and 18.62 µSvy-1, respectively. This average calculated absorbed dose rate in the air was found to be much less than the global average of 57 nGy h − 1. The absorbed dose is considered low compared to the external natural radiation of about 2000 µSv.y-1, to which no harmful effect is expected directly. However, the mean measured dose rate and calculated dose parameters for the mine were higher than the regulatory limit for public exposure.
Clinical Factors Influencing Long-term Survival in a Real-life Cohort of Early Stage Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Torrente Maria , Sousa Pedro A. , Guerreiro Gracinda R. , Franco Fabio , Hernández Roberto , Parejo Consuelo , Sousa Alexandre , Campo-Cañaveral José Luis , Pimentão João , Provencio Mariano 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND
The impact of prognostic stratification of early stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with poor prognosis after surgery is of considerable clinical relevance. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with long-term overall survival (OS) in early stage NSCLC patients and develop a prognostic model that identifies features associated with poor prognosis and stratifies patients by risk.
METHODS
This is a cohort study including 505 patients, diagnosed with stage I-II NSCLC, who underwent curative surgical procedures at a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain.
RESULTS
Median survival was 62.4 in patients submitted to surgery and 65 in patients submitted to surgery plus adjuvant treatment. From the univariate analysis we estimated that a female diagnosed with NSCLC has a 0.967 (95% CI 0.936–0.999) probability of survival one year after diagnosis and a 0.784 (95% CI 0.712–0.863) five years after diagnosis. For males, these probabilities drop to 0.904 (95% CI 0.875–0.934) and 0.613 (95% CI 0.566–0.665), respectively. Multivariable analysis shows that sex, age at diagnosis, type of treatment, ECOG-PS, and Stage are statistically significant variables (p < 0.10). According to the Cox regression model, age over 50, ECOG-PS 1 or 2, and stage ll are risk factors for survival (HR > 1) while adjuvant chemotherapy is a good prognostic variable (HR < 1).
CONCLUSIONS
Surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with the best long-term OS in our patients. The prognostic model identified Age, Sex, Stage and ECOG-PS as significant factors to explain the probability of survival.
Burden, clinical presentation and risk factors of advanced HIV disease in pregnant Mozambican women
Authors: Nhampossa Tacilta , González Raquel , Nhacolo Arsenio , Garcia-Otero Laura , Quintó Llorenç , Mazuze Maura , Mendes Anete , Casellas Aina , Bambo Gizela , Couto Aleny , Sevene Esperança , Munguambe Khátia , Menendez Clara 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: Information on the frequency and clinical features of advanced HIV disease (AHD) in pregnancy and its effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes is limited. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and clinical presentation of AHD in pregnancy, and to assess the impact of AHD in maternal and perinatal outcomes in Mozambican pregnant women.Methods: This is a prospective and retrospective cohort study including HIV-infected pregnant women who attended the antenatal care (ANC) clinic at the Manhiça District Hospital between 2015 and 2020. Women were followed up for 36 months. Levels of CD4+ cell count were determined to assess AHD immune-suppressive changes. Risk factors for AHD were analyzed and the immune-suppressive changes over time and the effect of AHD on pregnancy outcomes were assessed. Results: A total of 2458 HIV-infected pregnant women were enrolled. The prevalence of AHD at first ANC visit was 14.2% (349/2458). Among women with AHD at enrolment, 76.2% (260/341) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The proportion of women with AHD increased with age reaching 20.5% in those older than 35 years of age (p<0.001). Tuberculosis was the only opportunistic infection diagnosed in women with AHD [4.9% (17/349)]. There was a trend for increased CD4+ cell count in women with and without AHD during the follow up period; however, in women with AHD the CD4+ cell count remained below 200 cells/mm³ (p<0.001). Forty-two out of 2458 (1.7%) of the women were severely immunosuppressed (CD4+cell count<50 cells/mm3). Maternal mortality was higher in women with AHD [1.1% (4/349)] versus [0.5% (11/2109]. There were no differences between women with and without AHD in the frequency of prematurity, low birth weight and neonatal HIV infection. Conclusions: After more than two decades of roll out of ART in Mozambique, over 14% and nearly 2% of HIV-infected pregnant women present at first ANC clinic visit with AHD and severe immunosuppression, respectively. Prompt HIV diagnosis in women of childbearing age, effective linkage to HIV care and close monitoring after ART initiation may contribute to reduce this burden and improve maternal and child survival.
Body mass index increases uric acid in East Asian population: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ryu Mikyung , Lee Sun Yeop , Yoon Sanghyuk , Kim Nayoung , Lee Sol , Jee Sun Ha 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: Previous observational and Mendelian randomization studies suggested that the increase in serum uric acid causes adiposity, not vice versa. However, most findings came from data on European ancestry. Among East Asian populations, both directions in the causal relationship between adiposity and uric acid have been suggested by observational studies and a few MR studies. In this study, we tested the hypothesis of the causal effect of body mass index (BMI) on serum uric acid in East Asian populations.Methods: Summary statistics from two large, publicly available biobanks from South Korea (72,299 participants in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study) and Japan (158,284 participants in the Biobank Japan) were utilized to conduct a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.Results: We found that genetically determined BMI has a positive causal effect on serum uric acid in various Mendelian randomization methods (inverse-variance weighted: B [95% CI] = 0.029 [-0.006, 0.065]; simple mode: a [95% CI] = 0.053 [0.009, 0.097]); weighted mode: c [95% CI] = 0.036 [0.005, 0.067]); weighted median: k [95% CI] = 0.042 [0.019, 0.065]). Multiple robustness checks such as a funnel plot, leave-one-out analyses, and an MR-Egger regression did not suggest directional horizontal pleiotropy. Conclusions: Genetically determined BMI increases serum uric acid in East Asian populations. Our findings from the South Korean and Japanese populations are consistent with previous observations in the European population.
Gallic acid induces reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis in Leishmania donovani in vitro: Probable antileishmanial cellular mechanism
Authors: Jadhav Nutan , Prakash Divya Narayanan , Poduval T Balakrishna , Pai Kalpana 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the important neglected tropical diseases affecting more than 12 million worldwide with emergence of 3 million cases every year. Leishmaniasis manifests into different clinical outcomes and the most fatal being Visceral Leishmaniasis. Emerging cases of parasite resistance to the limited chemotherapeutic drugs necessitates novel strategies and drugs with antileishmanial potential which can replace the current drugs. Bioactive phytomolecules like polyphenols and tannins have been reported for their antileishmanial activities. Amongst such compounds, Gallic acid is a naturally occurring plant phenolic compound which is a well-known immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant was tested for anti-leishmanial activity on the Leishmania donovani Dd8 promastigotes, in vitro. The IC90 of Gallic acid (1mM) on Leishmania donovani promastigotes was evaluated by MTT assay and the treatment of Gallic acid to Leishmania promastigotes demonstrated cell shrinkage, cytotoxicity and triggered apoptosis like events - chromatin condensation, release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, showed DNA fragmentation, cell cycle arrest at the sub-G0/G1 phase (94.4%) and membrane permeability. After Gallic acid and MIL treatment, 89% and 63.78% promastigotes showed apoptotic death for 24 h respectively. After 6 h incubation with four-fold of IC90, only 12.94 ± 0.12% hemolysis was observed with gallic acid treatment indicating its non-toxic nature. Our data indicates Gallic acid to be a promising anti-leishmanial compound that mediates its activity on the promastigotes, in vitro; via a caspase 3 independent programmed cell death and accordingly, deserves consideration and further investigation as a therapeutic option for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
Factors influencing the initiation of adjuvant endocrine therapy in patients with Estrogen receptor positive Ductal carcinoma in-situ – a single institution experience.
Authors: Levy Julia , Farag Fady , Cole John 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose This study evaluates whether race, socioeconomic status, insurance type, oncological provider type, and prior cancer treatment are associated with the suggestion and acceptance of hormonal therapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This study also assesses whether disparities exist pertaining to prescription of such medications. Methods This single-center retrospective study included 111 patients diagnosed with DCIS between 2020 and 2021. Data collected included race, type of insurance, prescribing providers, and socioeconomic status. We used zip codes to identify the poverty levels in these areas as published in the United States Census Bureau and stratified the patients into quartiles accordingly. Chi-Square statistics were used to calculate significance levels.Results There was no significant correlation between the intake of hormonal therapy and race (p=0.60), insurance (p=0.50), socioeconomic (p=0.58) or providers (P=0.99). 79.3% of women were offered endocrine therapy. Of those who were offered endocrine therapy, 70.8% accepted. Of patients not on hormonal therapy, 45.8% were not recommended the medications by their provider, and 54.2% declined treatment when offered. Conclusion In this study, patients’ demographics and providers were not associated with adjuvant hormonal therapy initiation in DCIS. Our results show that abstaining from endocrine therapy in DCIS patients is both due to lack of provider recommendation and patient rejection of these medications. The wide variation in hormonal therapy treatment among ER-positive DCIS patients suggests a need for improved provider-patient communication regarding the
Long-term Survival of Screen-Detected Synchronous and Metachronous Bilateral Non-Palpable Breast Cancer among Chinese women: A Hospital-Based Study (2003-2017)
Authors: Pan Bo , Xu Ying , Zhou Yidong , Yao Ru , Zhou Xingtong , Xu Yali , Ren Xinyu , Xiao Mengsu , Zhu Qingli , Kong Lingyan , Mao Feng , Lin Yan , Zhang Xiaohui , Shen Songjie , Sun Qiang 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Screen-detected unilateral non-palpable breast cancer (NPBC) shows favorable prognosis whereas bilateral breast cancer (BBC), especially synchronous BBC (SBBC) manifests worse survival than unilateral breast cancer (BC). It remains unclear whether screen-detected bilateral NPBC has compromised survival and requires intensified treatment or favorable prognosis and needs de-escalating therapy.Methods: From 2003 to 2017, data from 1,075 consecutive patients with screen-detected 1,107 NPBCs were retrospectively reviewed. There were 988 patients with unilateral NPBC (UniNPBC), and 87 patients with bilateral BC [(N+AnyContra) PBC], including 32 patients with bilateral NPBC (BiNPBC) and 55 patients with ipsilateral NPBC + contralateral palpable cancer [(N+Contra) PBC]. Follow-up time was 48-227 (median 91) months. Clinicopathological characteristics, relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between UniNPBC and BBC and among synchronous or metachronous BBC subgroups. RFS and OS factors of BBC were identified.Results: Compared to UniNPBC, patients with screen-detected bilateral BC had more invasive, ER negative, PR negative, triple-negative BC as well as less breast conserving surgery, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. In terms of 10-year RFS and OS rates, BiNPBC, synchronous (SynBiNPBC) and metachronous BiNPBC (MetaBiNPBC) showed similar good prognosis as UniNPBC. However, survival of (N+AnyContra) PBC, (N+Contra) PBC and synchronous (N+Contra) PBC were significantly compromised. RFS factors of BBC included pN3 (p=0.048), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.008) and existence of contralateral palpable interval BC (p=0.008) while the OS relevant factor was pN3 (p=0.018).Conclusion: Screen-detected bilateral NPBC including SynBiNPBC and MetaBiNPBC showed good prognosis as UniNPBC so that the therapy of BiNPBC could be de-escalated and optimized according to UniNPBC. Contrarily, screen-detected ipsilateral NPBC with contralateral palpable BC [(N+Contra) PBC] manifested unfavorable survival worse than UniNPBC (p<0.001) and synchronous (N+Contra) PBC had the worst survival among all subgroups (p<0.001), implying that these were actually bilateral interval BC and required intensified treatment.
Factors associated with prolonged postoperative length of hospital stay after laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Hong , Luo Tong-Feng , Zhang Nan-Rong , Zhang Li-Zhen , Huang Xia , Jin San-Qing 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: The postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS) is an important indicator of surgical quality. We identified perioperative factors that affect prolonged PLOS (PPLOS) after laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection, which is the preferred surgical approach for colorectal cancer (the third most common cancer).Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized trial (PROtective Ventilation using Open Lung approach Or Not) that included 280 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection. The primary outcome was PPLOS, defined as a PLOS that was longer than the median PLOS. Perioperative factors, including baseline characteristics, anesthesia, and surgical variables, were included in the univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors influencing PPLOS.Results: The median PLOS was 10 days, and 117 patients had PPLOS. We identified six influencing factors for PPLOS: preoperative pulse oxygen saturation <96% (odds ratio [OR], 3.09 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38–6.92]; P = 0.006), tumor metastasis (OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.13–0.91]; P = 0.031), Mile’s operation and left hemicolectomy (OR, 4.51 [95% CI, 1.67–12.18]; P = 0.003), perioperative surgical events (OR, 2.44 [95% CI, 1.25–4.76]; P = 0.009), postoperative albumin infusion (OR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.14–4.19]; P = 0.018), and postoperative early ambulation (OR, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.18–0.68]; P = 0.002). Further stratified analysis also showed that postoperative albumin infusion might be a risk factor for PPLOS, even in patients with a preoperative albumin level <40 g/L (OR, 2.29 [95% CI, 0.98–5.34]; P = 0.056) or duration of surgery ≥3 hours (OR, 2.52 [95% CI, 1.08–5.87]; P = 0.032).Conclusions: A low pulse oximetry reading, complex surgical approach, perioperative surgical events, and postoperative albumin infusion may be predictors of PPLOS after laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection, whereas tumor metastasis and postoperative early ambulation might be protective factors. The association between postoperative albumin infusion (a modifiable factor) and PLOS or clinical outcomes warrants further investigation.
Clinical value of serum sTREM-1 and HBP levels in combination with traditional inflammatory markers in diagnosing hospital-acquired pneumonia in elderly
Authors: Wang Zhang , Chang Binbin , Zhang Yong , Chen Jieyu , Xie Fang , Xiang Ying , Liu Tingting , Li Ying 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: The clinical presentation of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in older patients is often complex and non-specific, posing a diagnostic challenge. This study evaluates the value of serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and heparin-binding protein (HBP) in combination with traditional inflammatory markers procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in diagnosing HAP in older patients.Methods: Thirty-eight elderly male patients with HAP (>80 years old) and 46 age-matched controls, who were hospitalized for other reasons than HAP, were enrolled. The serum sTREM-1, HBP, PCT and CRP levels were measured by ELISA on the first day after enrollment. In addition, routine blood test, blood gas, sputum analysis, clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) assessment, and chest X-ray were performed, and the correlations with HAP were analyzed.Results: The serum sTREM-1 (n=38, 170.75±158.33 pg/ml), HBP (2.08±0.50), PCT (9.44±17.73) and CRP (79.63±71.37) were all significantly higher in the HAP group, when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the values were positively correlated with the CPIS. The ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC for sTREM-1 (0.667) and HBP (0.711) were lower, when compared to that for PCT (AUC=0.839) and CRP (AUC=0.840). The combination of PCT and CRP with sTREM-1 (AUC=0.927) or HBP (AUC=0.930) had the highest AUC values.Conclusion: Serum sTREM-1, HBP, PCT and CRP can all be used as diagnostic markers for HAP in the elderly. The combination of traditional inflammatory markers PCT and CRP with novel inflammatory marker sTREM-1 or HBP further improves the diagnostic performance.