bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor in a young male case with hydronephrotic nonfunctional kidney: Comparison with literature findings
Authors: Sezal Zeynep , Coşanay Tekden Büşra , Ersöz Cevper 
Published: February 2022

The mixed epithelial and stromal tumor (MEST) family is comprised of adult cystic nephroma with a dominant cystic component and MEST with a dominant solid component. MEST is the rarely observed benign, biphasic tumor of the kidney with a mixed epithelial and stromal component. In the examinations of a 24-year-old male patient who presented with abdominal pain, grade-4 hydronephrosis was detected. In the microscopic examination of his nephrectomy specimen, there were tubular structures with cuboidal epithelium in different diameters within the ovarian stroma. The patient was diagnosed with MEST via morphological and immunohistochemical findings. We aimed at comparing the clinical and histopathological characteristics of our case, which we diagnosed with MEST, which is encountered in limited numbers in young men and has never been reported together with a nonfunctional kidney before, to the literature data. Keywords: Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor, nonfunctional kidney, male.
Attitudes of the Ecuadorian University Community Toward Genetically Modified Organisms
Authors: Román Collazo Carlos , Chacha Guerrero Karen , Loja Mejia Tatiana , Andrade Campoverde Diego , Hernández Rodriguez Yenima 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: The acceptance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by the civilian population in Ecuador is a controversial issue, where beliefs and practices are determinant. In Ecuador, the use of GMOs for research or productive purposes has been banned since 2008; however, the current position of the population toward this technology is unknown.Objective: The aim of the study was to explain the attitude toward GMOs in the Ecuadorian university population based on sociodemographic variables, knowledge, beliefs, practices, and bioethical approach.Methods: A validated survey was applied to 719 students and teachers of the Catholic University of Cuenca through Google Forms. The collected data were processed using SPSS 23.0 software. Multivariate and linear regression analyses were used to explain the attitude toward GMOs based on the variables studied.Results: Partial approval of GMO use is research-oriented, with a rejection toward food. The linear regression model explained 65% of the variance of attitude toward GMOs from the beliefs, practices, knowledge, and bioethical approach variables. The sociodemographic variables were completely excluded from the model due to the absence of statistical significance.Conclusions: The incipient acceptance of GMOs in the academic sector corroborates a transformation in the thinking of Ecuadorian civil society. Considerations on the use of GMOs are supported by a bioethical approach that leans toward a pragmatic utilitarianism based on the immediate or mediate benefits of the technology.
Bioanalytics for Influenza Virus-Like Particle Characterization and Process Monitoring
Authors: Carvalho Sofia B. , Silva Ricardo J. S. , Sousa Marcos F. Q. , Peixoto Cristina , Roldão António , Carrondo Manuel J. T. , Alves Paula M. 
Published: February 2022

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are excellent platforms for the development of influenza vaccine candidates. Nonetheless, their characterization is challenging due to VLPs’ unique biophysical and biochemical properties. To cope with such complexity, multiple analytical techniques have been developed to date (e.g., single-particle analysis, thermal stability, or quantification assays), most of which are rarely used or have been successfully demonstrated for being applicable for virus particle characterization. In this study, several biophysical and biochemical methods have been evaluated for thorough characterization of monovalent and pentavalent influenza VLPs from diverse groups (A and B) and subtypes (H1 and H3) produced in insect cells using the baculovirus expression vector system (IC-BEVS). Particle size distribution and purity profiles were monitored during the purification process using two complementary technologies — nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS). VLP surface charge at the selected process pH was also assessed by this last technique. The morphology of the VLP (size, shape, and presence of hemagglutinin spikes) was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy. Circular dichroism was used to assess VLPs’ thermal stability. Total protein, DNA, and baculovirus content were also assessed. All VLPs analyzed exhibited similar size ranges (90–115 nm for NTA and 129–141 nm for TRPS), surface charges (average of −20.4 mV), and morphology (pleomorphic particles resembling influenza virus) exhibiting the presence of HA molecules (spikes) uniformly displayed on M1 protein scaffold. Our data shows that HA titers and purification efficiency in terms of impurity removal and thermal stability were observed to be particle dependent. This study shows robustness and generic applicability of the tools and methods evaluated, independent of VLP valency and group/subtype. Thus, they are most valuable to assist process development and enhance product characterization.
Controlling Mesenchyme Tissue Remodeling via Spatial Arrangement of Mechanical Constraints
Authors: Winston Tackla S. , Chen Chao , Suddhapas Kantaphon , Tarris Bearett A. , Elattar Saif , Sun Shiyang , Zhang Teng , Ma Zhen 
Published: February 2022

Tissue morphogenetic remodeling plays an important role in tissue repair and homeostasis and is often governed by mechanical stresses. In this study, we integrated an in vitro mesenchymal tissue experimental model with a volumetric contraction-based computational model to investigate how geometrical designs of tissue mechanical constraints affect the tissue remodeling processes. Both experimental data and simulation results verified that the standing posts resisted the bulk contraction of the tissues, leading to tissue thinning around the posts as gap extension and inward remodeling at the edges as tissue compaction. We changed the geometrical designs for the engineered mesenchymal tissues with different shapes of posts arrangements (triangle vs. square), different side lengths (6 mm vs. 8 mm), and insertion of a center post. Both experimental data and simulation results showed similar trends of tissue morphological changes of significant increase of gap extension and deflection compaction with larger tissues. Additionally, insertion of center post changed the mechanical stress distribution within the tissues and stabilized the tissue remodeling. This experimental-computational integrated model can be considered as a promising initiative for future mechanistic understanding of the relationship between mechanical design and tissue remodeling, which could possibly provide design rationale for tissue stability and manufacturing.
Environmental Cadmium Exposure Promotes the Development, Progression and Chemoradioresistance of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jiongyu , Zhou Zhangzhu , Lin Xueqiong , Liao Jiahui , Zhang Yujie , Xie Bingmeng , Huang Yiteng , Peng Lin 
Published: February 2022

Cadmium (Cd) exposure has been implicated in the etiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), albeit with inconsistent results from epidemiologic studies and without causal evidence. In this study, we explore the relationship of Cd exposure and the development, progression and therapeutic resistance of ESCC. A total of 150 ESCC patients and 177 matched controls from a coastal region with a high incidence of ESCC in China were included in the study. It was found that the median blood Cd level (BCL) was significantly higher in ESCC patients than that in the controls. Odds ratios for ESCC risk were 3.12 (95% CI 1.54-6.30) and 3.71 (95% CI 1.84-7.48) in the third and fourth quartiles of Cd distribution, respectively. Notably, BCL above 4.71 μg/L was strongly associated with shorter progression-free survival time compared to that below 1.60 μg/L (p &lt; 0.001). The chronic Cd-treated ESCC cells (CCT-ESCC) CCT-EC109 and CCT-EC9706 exhibited increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, enhanced migration and invasion, and upregulated EMT biomarkers following 12 weeks of exposure to 5 μM cadmium chloride. Furthermore, Cd treatment attenuated the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin and irradiation treatment in CCT-ESCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we revealed that Cd stimulated the cancer cell stemness and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the CCT-ESCC cells. Additionally, 5-aza-2-deoxy-cytidine treatment resulted in suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and rescue of the Cd-induced cell radioresistance. These results offer new insights into the role of environmental Cd exposure in the development, progression and chemoradioresistance of ESCC.
Iron Overload Induces Oxidative Stress, Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Chondrocytes
Authors: Karim Asima , Bajbouj Khuloud , Shafarin Jasmin , Qaisar Rizwan , Hall Andrew C. , Hamad Mawieh 
Published: February 2022

Clinical and experimental evidence point to the presence of considerable links between arthropathy, osteoarthritis (OA) in particular, and iron overload possibly due to oxidative stress and tissue damage. However, the specific cellular targets of iron overload-related oxidative stress in OA remain ambiguous. We examined the effects of iron overload on chondrocyte health using the C-20/A4 chondrocyte cell line. Cells were treated with increasing concentrations of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) to mimic iron overload in vitro. Treated cells were assessed for cell viability, cycling, apoptosis, collagen II synthesis, and oxidative stress along with cellular iron content and the expression of key iron regulatory genes. FAC treatment resulted in an increase in ferritin expression and a significant decrease in the expression of hepcidin, ferroportin, transferrin receptors 1 (TfR1) and TfR2. Increased labile iron content was also evident, especially in cells treated with high FAC at 24 h. High doses of FAC treatment also induced higher levels of reactive oxygen species, reduced collagen II production, disrupted cell cycle and higher cell death as compared with untreated controls. In conclusion, findings presented here demonstrate that iron overload disrupts cellular iron homeostasis, which compromises the functional integrity of chondrocytes and leads to oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Prognostic Value of Serum Galectin-3 in Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cheng Zhendong , Cai Kefeng , Xu Chaoxian , Zhan Qiong , Xu Xingbo , Xu Dingli , Zeng Qingchun 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between serum galectin-3 and all-cause death (ACD) and cardiovascular death (CVD) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).MethodsThe PubMed and Embase databases and Clinical Trials Registry (www.clinicaltrials.gov) were searched for studies with data on serum galectin-3 and ACD and CVD in CHF patients. The hazard ratios (HRs) of ACD and CVD were calculated and presented with 95% CIs. HRs were pooled using fixed effects or random effects models when appropriate. Sensitivity analysis, meta-regression and subgroup analysis were applied to find the origin of heterogeneity. Visual inspection of Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test were performed to assess the possibility publication bias.ResultsPooled data included the results from 6,440 patients from 12 studies in the meta-analysis. Higher serum galectin-3 was associated with a higher risk of ACD (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.14–1.67) and CVD (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02–1.25) in CHF patients. In the subgroup analyses, higher serum galectin-3 was associated with an increased risk of ACD in all subgroups. The pooled HR of the shorter follow-up group (1.78; 95% CI, 1.50–2.11) was significantly higher than the pooled HR of the longer follow-up group (1.15; 95% CI, 1.05–1.25). Sensitivity analysis of eliminating one study in each turn indicated that Koukoui et al.'s study had the largest influence on the risk of all-cause death. All-cause death publication bias was not detected (Pr&gt;|z| = 0.35 for Begg's test and P&gt;|t| = 0.15 for Egger's test).ConclusionsSerum galectin-3 has prognostic value of both all-cause death and cardiovascular death in CHF. Serum galectin-3 could be useful for risk classification in patients with CHF.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=193399.
Metoclopramide Test in Hyperprolactinemic Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Old Wine Into New Bottles?
Authors: Rodier Claire , Courbière Blandine , Fernandes Sara , Vermalle Marie , Florence Bretelle , Resseguier Noémie , Brue Thierry , Cuny Thomas 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent etiology of anovulation, hyperandrogenism and infertility in women. Its pathophysiology remains poorly elucidated. Hyperprolactinemia (hPRL) is common in women of reproductive age and may partially mimic the clinical phenotype of PCOS. The simultaneous finding of both conditions is therefore not rare, however there are conflicting studies on whether a link exists between them.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective monocentric study between 2015 and 2021 and among women who were referred for possible PCOS, we selected those who met the ESHRE/Rotterdam definition criteria. hPRL was defined as two values above the upper limit of normal with at least one measurement in our centre.ResultsA total of 430 women were selected, of whom 179 met the PCOS criteria. 50 out of 179 patients (27.9%) had at least one elevated value of PRL and 21 (11.7%) had hPRL according to our definition. Among the 21 women of the PCOS/hPRL cohort, 5 (23.8%) had a microprolactinoma and all of them had PRL level ≥ 60 ng/ml. The remaining cases were macroprolactinemia (n=5), iatrogenic hPRL (n=4), primary hypothyroidism (n=1) or unexplained (n=6) despite exhaustive investigations. The metoclopramide test resulted in an increase of basal PRL &lt; 300% in all prolactinomas and ≥ 300% in all the other etiologies.ConclusionhPRL was a common finding in PCOS women, secondary to a microprolactinoma in a quarter of cases. Metoclopramide test performed in women with hPRL below 60 ng/ml appeared as a helpful tool 1) to discriminate pituitary causes from others etiologies, 2) to potentially avoid unnecessary pituitary MRI.
A Race Between Economic Growth and Carbon Emissions: How Will the CO2 Emission Reach the Peak in Transportation Industry?
Authors: Wu Ya , Zhou Yitong , Liu Yin , Liu Jiawei 
Published: February 2022

Promoting carbon emissions of the transportation industry to reach the peak as soon as possible is an effective way to control carbon emissions in China. Combined with the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) model and the Tapio decoupling model, this paper tries to predict and analyze the time, path, and quality of carbon peaking in the transportation industry in China and its eastern, central, and western regions. The research shows the following: 1) Under the “benchmark scenario,” the transportation industry in China and its three regions will not achieve the international commitment of achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030. 2) Under the “radical scenario,” the peak time of China’s transportation industry can be reached in 2027, which is 5 years earlier, 10% peak value lower than that in the “benchmark scenario.” In that scenario, in transportation industry, the eastern region will reach the carbon peak in 2025 and the central and western regions will both reach the carbon peak in 2028. By then, the peak quality of carbon emissions will be better than that under the “benchmark scenario” in transportation industry. This paper can provide theoretical support for promoting carbon emission reductions and carbon peaking in China’s transportation industry.
Case Report: Molecular Diagnosis Revealing an Intestinal Infection of a Hybridized Tapeworm (Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica) to Human in Yunnan, China
Authors: Chu Kan-Kan , Qiu Ye , Liao Ce-Heng , You Zhi , He Zuo-Shun , Fang Wen , Li Hong-Ying , Daszak Peter , Hu Jun-Jie , Zhang Yun-Zhi , Ge Xing-Yi 
Published: February 2022

Human taeniasis caused by tapeworms is an intestinal disease prevalent in many countries around the world. Taenia asiatica, Taenia saginata, and Taenia solium are the most common pathogens causing human taeniasis. Among the three species of tapeworms, T. saginata and T. asiatica share high similarity in their genomes and have been reported to be capable of hybridization with each other. Here, we reported a case of an 18-year-old male patient hospitalized in Yunnan Province, China, in 2019. Due to long-lasting abdominal distension and white tapeworm segments in the feces, the patient was diagnosed with taeniasis. He was treated with traditional Chinese medicine, and a tapeworm approximately 2.7 m long was expelled. The morphology of the eggs and gravid proglottids of the tapeworm was observed. Interestingly, the tapeworm was identified as a hybrid between T. saginata and T. asiatica according to molecular and phylogenetic analyses. This case is the first documented case of human taeniasis caused by a T. saginata and T. asiatica hybrid in Yunnan Province. Molecular evidence suggests that the hybrid of T. saginata and T. asiatica may have caused widespread infection in rural areas of Western China, and further investigation and research on these parasites in Western China are needed. The method described in this case may be helpful for future research.
Morphological and Hemodynamic Risk Factors for the Rupture of Proximal Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms (A1 Segment)
Authors: Xu Mingwei , Lv Nan , Sun Kai , Hong Rujun , Wang Hao , Wang Xuhui , Xu Lunshan , Chen Lizhao , Xu Minhui 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveThe treatment of unruptured small intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. A distinguishing characteristic of A1 segment aneurysms is that they tend to rupture when they are small, which may be related to their distinctive morphology and hemodynamics. Our study sought to investigate the rupture risk factors of A1 segment aneurysms by analyzing the clinical risk factors, morphology, and hemodynamic characteristics of A1 segment aneurysms.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 49 (23 ruptured, 26 unruptured) consecutive patients presenting to our institute with A1 segment aneurysms between January 2010 and March 2020. Independent risk factors associated with the rupture of A1 segment aneurysms were analyzed by multivariate regression analysis in the ruptured group and unruptured group.ResultsClinical risk factors, including age, sex, hypertension, smoking history, and SAH family history revealed no difference between the ruptured and unruptured groups. The ruptured group presented a significantly larger size (Size, P = 0.007), aspect ratio (AR, P = 0.002), size ratio (SR, P = 0.001), bottleneck index (BN, P = 0.016), dome-to-neck ratio (DN, P = 0.001), and oscillatory shear index (OSI) (P = 0.001) than the unruptured group. The normalized wall shear stress (NWSS) of the ruptured aneurysms was lower than the unruptured group (P = 0.001). In the multivariate regression analysis, only SR (OR = 3.672, P = 0.003) and NWSS (OR = 0.474, P = 0.01) were independent risk factors in the A1 segment aneurysm rupture.ConclusionA higher SR and lower NWSS revealed a close connection with the rupture of A1 segment aneurysms in our study, thus providing a reference for clinical decision-making in treating A1 segment unruptured aneurysms.
Dissolution Effect of Alteplase on Arterial Blood Clot Model of Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients in vitro
Authors: Jiang Xiaoming , Lu Yongyu , Hu Xiaogang , She Xiaochun 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo explore the dissolution effect of alteplase (rt-PA) on arterial blood clots of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage in vitro and analyze the optimal concentration and action time of rt-PA for intracranial hematomas.MethodsThe arterial blood of 35 patients with confirmed hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage were collected, centrifuged, and the serum was aspirated to prepare the blood clot model. The 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg t-PA, 20,000 U, and 40,000 U urokinase (u-PA) were taken for the corresponding blood clot for dissolution test. The blood clot volume and dissolution volume was measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 min.ResultsWithout intervention, the blood clot volume of men was higher than that of women at 0, 30, 60, and 90 min (P &lt; 0.05). Without intervention, hematocrit (HCT) was correlated with blood clot volume and the correlation decreased with time. The 30, 60, and 90 min dissolution curves of each group showed an upward trend (P &lt; 0.05), and the dissolution curves tended to be flat at 120 min and 150 min. The dissolution volume of.125 mg/3 ml, 0.25 mg/3 ml, 0.5 mg/3 ml rt-PA, 20,000 U, 40,000 U u-PA was higher than that of 1, 2, 3 mg/ml rt-PA (P &lt; 0.05). The dissolution volume of.125 mg/3 ml, 0.25 mg/3 ml, 0.5 mg/3 ml rt-PA was not significantly different from 20,000 and 40,000 U u-PA (P &gt; 0.05). Gender differences did not affect the effects of the above drugs.ConclusionIn vitro, low-concentration rt-PA has a better dissolution effect, and it shows a time-dependent effect, reaching the highest effect in 90 min.
Magnetic Resonance Image Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy. A Single Center Experience With 160 Procedures
Authors: Lak Asad M. , Segar David J. , McDannold Nathan , White Phillip Jason , Cosgrove Garth Rees 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMRgFUS thalamotomy has gained popularity as an FDA approved, non-invasive treatment for patients with Essential Tremor and tremor predominant Parkinson's Disease. We present our initial clinical experience with 160 consecutive cases of MRgFUS thalamotomy and describe the clinical outcomes with long term follow-up.MethodsA retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent MRgFUS thalamotomy at our institution was performed. CRST Part A tremor scores were obtained pre-operatively and at each follow-up visit along with an assessment of side effects (SE). All patients had a post-operative MRI within 24 h to determine the location, size, and extent of the MRgFUS lesion.ResultsOne hundred and sixty unilateral MRgFUS Thalamotomies (Left, n = 128; Right, n = 32) were performed for medically refractory essential Tremor (n = 150) or tremor predominant Parkinson's disease (n = 10). Mean age at surgery was 75 Years (range: 48-93) and the mean skull density ratio (SDR) was 0.48 (range: 0.32-0.75; median: 0.46). In ET patients, both rest and postural tremor was abolished acutely and remained so at follow-up whereas intention tremor was reduced acutely by 93% below baseline, 87% at 3 months, 83.0% at 1-year, and 78% at 2 years. On post-operative day 1, the most common SE's included imbalance (57%), sensory disturbances (25%), and dysmetria (11%). All adverse events were rated as mild on the Clavien-Dindo Scale and improved over time. At 2-years follow-up, imbalance was seen in 18%, sensory disturbance in 10% and dysmetria in 8% patients. Mean clinical follow-up for all patients was 14 months (range: 1-48 months).ConclusionMRgFUS thalamotomy is a safe and effective procedure for long term improvement of unilateral tremor symptoms, with the most common side-effects being imbalance and sensory disturbance.