bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of the COPD Scale among the System of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases QLICD-COPD (V2.0)
Authors: Pan Haiyan , Yang Zheng , Zhao Zhihuan , Lin Yue , Wu Bin , Pan Congcong , Wan Chonghua 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is a chronic disease with high mortality and severe
morbidity that keep increasing the burden of the health of the
population. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (QLICD-COPD)
(V2.0) was used to measure the quality of life for patients with
COPD. The study aimed to develop the instruments to evaluate a
quality-of-life questionnaire for COPD.

Methods The questionnaires were developed
after reviewing the literature and three hundred and twenty-one
patients with COPD were evaluated by a series of statistical
methods consisting of the paired t-test, correlation analysis, and
factor analysis.

Results The overall Cronbach’s alpha
coefficient was 0.889 (greater than the accepted reference value of
0.7), and the coefficients of most domains and facets were in the
range 0.6 to 0.88, except some facets of psychological domain and
social domain. The split-half reliability coefficients of the
domains and the total scale is greater than 0.6 apart from the
physiological domain. Intra-domain internal consistency
coefficients were higher than inter-domain correlation coefficients
and each item was more strongly correlated with its domain than
with other domains. SF-36 domains with high reliability and
validity closed linked with the scores of QLICD-COPD (2.0) except
the general health and social domains. The paired t-test
showed significant changes in the scores of most domains after
treatment with P<0.001, and the domains and facets with
significant score changes after treatment obtained relatively large
standardized response mean(SRM).

Conclusion The QLICD-COPD (V2.0) questionnaire
shows good reliability, validity, and responsiveness, and can serve
as an instrument for evaluating the quality of life of patients
with COPD in China.
High Expression of GMNN Predicts Malignant Progression and Poor Prognostic in ACC
Authors: Zhao Xinzhao , Zhang Xuezhou , Shao Shixiu , Yang Qingbo , Shen Chengquan , Yang Xuecheng , Jiao Wei , Liu Jing , Wang Yonghua 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine neoplasm, which is characterized by poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. Novel and reliable prognostic and metastatic biomarkers are lacking for ACC patients. This study aims at screening potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of ACC through bioinformatic methods and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis.
Methods
In the present study, by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ACC and validated these DEGs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ACC cohort. A DEGs-based signature was additionally constructed and we assessed its prognostic and prescient worth for ACC by survival analysis and nomogram. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to verify the relationship between hub gene-GMNN expressions and clinicopathologic outcomes in ACC patients.
Results
A total of 24 DEGs correlated with the prognosis of ACC were screened from the TCGA and GEO databases. Five DEGs were subsequently selected in a signature which was closely related to the survival rates of ACC patients. Among these genes, GMNN was identified as a hub gene and was independently associated with the survival of ACC. Meanwhile, in our cohort we also found that GMNN was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissues and was closely related to the pathological features and prognostic of ACC.
Conclusions
GMNN is a novel tumor marker for predicting the malignant progression, metastasis and prognosis of ACC, and may be a potential therapeutic target for ACC.
Risk factor analysis and risk prediction model of arrhythmia after Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery
Authors: Wu Wenjun , Ding Renzhong , Chen Jianming , Yuan Ye , Song Yi , Yan Manrong , Hu Yijie 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background:To analyze the safety and efficacy of Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery, to investigate the risk factors of postoperative arrhythmia and to establish a risk prediction model. Methods:The data of 147 patients who underwent cardiac surgery under Da Vinci robotic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from July 2016 to June 2022 in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, and their demographic data and related clinical data were statistically analyzed. The mean age was (43.03±13.11) years, 55 (37.41%) were male and 92 (62.59%) were female. According to whether arrhythmia occurred after operation, the patients were divided into two groups: 23 patients with arrhythmia and 123 patients without arrhythmia. Univariate analysis was performed for perioperative risk factors in the two groups, and then multivariate logistic analysis was performed for selected variables with more significance to establish a regression model and evaluate the prediction model using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). Results: Arrhythmia occurred in 23 of 147 patients (15.75%) after Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery, and 1 patient (0.68%) died in the hospital.Univariate analysis of arrhythmia after Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery suggested that age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAD), left ventricular anteroposterior diameter (LVDs), right ventricular anteroposterior diameter (RVDs), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), uric acid (UA), red blood cell width (RDW), operation time, CPB time, aortic cross-clamp time, and operation type were statistically analyzed and associated with postoperative arrhythmia (P<0.05).Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis suggested that DBIL (OR=1.334,95%CI1.003–1.774,P=0.048) and aortic cross-clamp time (OR=1.018,95%CI1.005–1.031,P=0.008) were independent risk factors for arrhythmia after Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery.In arrhythmia group, postoperative tracheal intubation time (P<0.001), intensive care unit stay (P<0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (P<0.001) were significantly prolonged, and postoperative high-dose blood transfusion events were significantly increased (P=0.002).The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC was 0.849 (95%CI0.769–0.930, P<0.001), the cutoff point was 0.574, the model sensitivity was 82.6%, and the specificity was 74.8%. Conclusion:Preoperative DBIL level and aortic cross-clamp time were independent risk factors of arrhythmia after Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery; postoperative tracheal intubation time, intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital stay were significantly prolonged in patients with postoperative arrhythmia, and postoperative high-dose blood transfusion events were significantly increased; risk prediction model had certain predictive value for postoperative arrhythmia.
The pre-stroke induction and normalization of insulin resistance respectively worsens and improves functional recovery
Authors: Vercalsteren Ellen , Karampatsi Dimitra , Dekens Doortje , Letsiou Aikaterini , Zabala Alexander. , Romanitan Mihaela , Klein Thomas , Nyström Thomas , Darsalia Vladimer , Patrone Cesare 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) impairs post-stroke functional recovery, and the underlying mechanisms are mostly unknown. Insulin resistance (IR), which is a hallmark of T2D, also afflicts up to 50% of the elderly without T2D. IR has been associated with impaired recovery after stroke. However, the causative role of IR in impaired stroke recovery has not been demonstrated. By using different mouse models of early IR, we investigated the potential crosstalk between IR and stroke recovery as well as some of the cellular mechanisms possibly involved.
Methods
We used three different models of IR. Early IR with or without fasting hyperglycaemia was respectively induced by 4 months of high fat diet or by 30% sucrose supplementation in the drinking water. In addition, we used 10-month-old mice that spontaneously develop IR, but not hyperglycaemia, and where IR was targeted pharmacologically pre-stroke with 10 mg/kg/day Rosiglitazone. Stroke was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and post-stroke recovery was assessed by sensorimotor tests. Neuronal survival, neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity mediated by cholinergic interneurons were assessed by immunohistochemistry/quantitative microscopy.
Results
The induction of IR before stroke, with or without hyperglycaemia, impaired post-stroke neurological recovery. Moreover, the results indicate the involvement of increased neuroinflammation and decreased cholinergic interneuron-mediated neuroplasticity in the recorded effects. Importantly, the pharmacological normalization of IR, significantly improved post-stroke neurological recovery.
Conclusion
The global diabetes epidemic and world population aging are dramatically increasing the percentage of people in need of post-stroke treatment and care. Targeting hyperglycaemia acutely post-stroke has so far provided negative results to improve stroke outcome and new targets are highly needed. The results of our study suggest that future clinical studies should focus on the specific targeting of pre-stroke IR to reduce the sequelaeof stroke in both diabetic patients and the elderly suffering from prediabetes.
Transcatheter Fontan fenestration closure: sustained improvements in oxygen saturation with minimal morbidity and mortality
Authors: Devanagondi Rajiv , Leonard Glenn 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background:
Fontan fenestration decreases central venous pressure and preserves cardiac output while decreasing systemic oxygen saturation. Transcatheter fenestration closure increases oxygen saturation, though the persistence of this increase and the long-term incidence of adverse outcomes such as death and heart transplant remain unknown. We describe immediate and long-term clinical and adverse outcomes following fenestration closure.
Methods:
Catheterization, echocardiogram, and clinic reports were reviewed following transcatheter Fontan fenestration closure. Data were reported as n (%) and median (IQR). Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon ranked sum test.
Results:
51 patients had fenestration closure 0.9 (0.7–1.5) years following extra-cardiac Fontan operation. Most (84%) were closed with Amplatzer Septal Occluders. Systemic O2 saturation immediately increased from 87 (83–89)% to 95 (94–97)%, p < 0.05. Cardiac index decreased from 4 (3–5) to 2.9 (2.6–3.5) L/min/m2. Fontan pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were not significantly changed. Clinical follow up duration for all patients was 7.3 (range 1.3–16) years. Oxygen saturation at last follow up was 94.5 (92–97)% and did not decrease over time (p < 0.05). One patient (2%) developed protein losing enteropathy, 1 (2%) had heart transplant, and 1 (2%) patient died 9.4 years following fenestration closure. No patient required fenestration re-creation following closure.
Conclusions:
Transcatheter Fontan fenestration closure leads to sustained increases in systemic oxygen saturation and a low incidence of adverse outcomes such as death and transplant. Further study comparing fenestration closure to non-closure and longer follow up duration are required to determine if there is a survival benefit to fenestration closure.
Development of a Predictive Model of Prostate cancer: Integration of a Panel of Formerly N-linked Glycopeptides and Clinical Variables for Serum Testing
Authors: Gabriele Caterina , Aracri Federica , Prestagiacomo Licia Elvira , Rota Maria Antonietta , Alba Stefano , Tradigo Giuseppe , Guzzi Pietro H. , Cuda Giovanni , Damiano Rocco , Veltri Pierangelo , Gaspari Marco 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Prostate Cancer (PCa) represents the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is currently used for PCa screening but because of its low specificity and sensitivity new diagnostic tools are required.
Methods: In this work, 32 formerly N-glycosylated peptides were quantified by PRM in 163 serum samples (79 from PCa patients and 84 from individuals affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)) in two technical replicates. These potential biomarker candidates were prioritized through a multi-stage biomarker discovery pipeline articulated in: discovery, LC-PRM assay development and verification phases. Because of the well-established involvement of glycoproteins in cancer development and progression, the proteomic analysis was focused on glycoproteins enriched by TiO2 strategy.
Results: Machine learning algorithms have been applied to the combined matrix comprising proteomic and clinical variables, resulting in a predictive model based on six proteomic variables (LAMB1, LAMP2, LUM, TFRC, NCAM1, GPLD1) and five clinical variables (prostate dimension, proPSA, free-PSA, total-PSA, free/total-PSA).
Conclusions: A predictive model combining proteomic and clinical variables able to distinguish PCa from BPH with an AUC of 0.82 was developed. This model outperformed PSA alone which, on the same sample set, was able to discriminate PCa from BPH with an AUC of 0.74. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD035935.
Nomograms for predicting overall survival and cancer-specific survival in elderly patients with epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Cheng Hao , Xu Jin-Hong , Wu Chen-Chen , Tang Xiao-Nan , Chen Mei-Ling , Lian Zhu-Sheng , Li Ning , Xu Xue-Lian 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most fatal gynecological malignancies among elderly patients. We aim to construct two nomograms to predict the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in elderly EOC patients.
Methods
Elderly patients with EOC between 2000 and 2019 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Enrolled patients were randomly divided into the training and validation set at a ratio of 7:3. The OS and CSS were recognized as endpoint times. The independent prognostic factors from the multivariate analysis were used to establish nomograms for predicting the 3-, 5- and 10-year OS and CSS of elderly EOC patients. The improvement of predictive ability and clinical benefits were evaluated by consistency index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration curve, decision curve (DCA), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Finally, the treatment efficacy of surgery and chemotherapy in low-, medium-, and high-risk groups were displayed by Kaplan-Meier curves.
Results
A total of 5,588 elderly EOC patients were obtained and randomly assigned to the training set (n = 3724) and validation set (n = 1864). The independent prognostic factors were utilized to construct nomograms for OS and CSS. The C-index of the OS nomogram and CSS nomogram were 0.755 and 0.700 in the training cohort. In the validation cohort, the C-index of the OS nomogram and CSS nomogram were 0.746 and 0.696. The calibration curve demonstrated good concordance between the predicted survival rates and actual observations. Moreover, the NRI, IDI, and DCA curves determined the outperformance of the nomogram compared with the AJCC stage system. Besides, surgery had no benefit on the prognosis in the high-risk group. Chemotherapy had a better prognosis in the medium-, and high-risk groups, but not for the low-risk group.
Conclusions
We developed and validated nomograms for predicting OS and CSS in elderly EOC patients to help gynecologists to develop an appropriate individualized therapeutic schedule.
Placental mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate NLRP3 inflammasome induced ovarian insufficiency by modulating macrophage M2 polarization
Authors: Chen Dongmei , Hu Na , Xing Shasha , Yang Li , Zhang Feiyan , Guo Songlin , Liu shudan , Ma Xiaona , Liang Xueyun , Ma Huiming 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common clinical problem but there are currently no effective therapies. Pyroptosis induced by the NLRP3 inflammasome is considered a possible mechanism of POI. Placental mesenchymal stem cells(PMSCs) have excellent immunomodulatory potential and offer a promising method for treating POI.
Methods: Female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups: control (no POI), POI with no PMSCs, POI with PMSCs transplant, and POI with hormones (estrogen+progesterone) as positive control. POI was induced by exposure to 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) for 15 days. After four weeks, all animals were euthanized and examined for pathology. Hormone levels were measured and ovarian function was evaluated in relation to the estrous cycle. Levels of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot.
Results: VCD significantly damaged rat follicles at different estrous stages. Injection of human PMSCs improved ovarian function and reproductive ability of POI rats compared to the sham and hormone groups. Our data also showed that PMSCs could remarkably suppress cell pyroptosis via downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 compared to the other two groups. The human PMSCs increased the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 and decreased pro-inflammatory factors by phenotypic changes in macrophages.
Conclusions: Our findings revealed a novel mechanism of follicular dysfunction and ovarian fibrosis via activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome followed by secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. Transplantation of PMSCs into POI rats suppressed pro-inflammatory factor production, NLRP3 inflammasome formation and pyroptosis, and improved ovarian function.
C6orf15 acts as a potential novel marker of adverse pathological features and prognosis for colon cancer
Authors: Xiong Xiaoyu , Wang Shuo , Ye Yingjiang , Gao Zhidong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective To investigate the expression of chromosome 6 open reading frame 15 (C6orf15) in colon cancer and its effects on clinicopathological features and prognosis.
Methods Using the transcriptome and clinical data of colon cancer and normal tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the expression of C6orf15 mRNA in colon cancer samples and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were explored. The expression level of C6orf15 protein in 23 colon cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The possible mechanism of C6orf15 involved in the occurrence and development of colon cancer was explored by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).
Results Compared with normal tissues, C6orf15 was highly expressed in colon cancer (1.207±0.694 vs. 0.276±0.166, t=8.281, P<0.01). The expression level of C6orf15 was associated with tumor invasion depth (χ2=8.30, P=0.04), lymph node metastasis (χ2=36.97, P<0.001), distant metastasis (χ2=8.69, P=0.003), pathological stage (χ2=34.17, P<0.001). High expression of C6orf15 was associated with poor prognosis (χ2=6.43, P<0.05). The results of GSEA showed that C6orf15 promotes the occurrence and development of colon cancer by promoting the ECM receptor interaction pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway. Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of C6orf15 protein in colon cancer tissues was correlated with the depth of invasion (P=0.023) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.048).
Conclusion C6orf15 is highly expressed in colon cancer tissue and is related to adverse pathological features and poor prognosis of colon cancer. It is involved in multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and may serve as a prognostic marker of colon cancer.
Characterization of Nickel and Gold Mined-out Areas of Taganito Mining Corporation and Manila Mining Corporation, Claver and Placer, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
Authors: Bethlehem Marie T. , Magsayo Bethlehem Marie , Bacosa Hernando P. , Aggangan Nelly S. , Gilbero Dennis M. , Amparado Ruben F. , Guihawan Jaime 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Mining industries are mandated by law to rehabilitate their mined-out areas. The waste materials, also called as mine tailings are left after the extraction of minerals have caused several environmental problems such as contamination and alteration of soil profiles, and the pollution and contamination of waterbodies. Experience in the Philippines indicates that mining companies are facing major difficulties in rehabilitating mined-out areas and tailings especially in raising potential nursery seedlings. Much more in outplanting raised nursery seedlings since mortality rates are high. The mined-out areas facing such problems are the nickel and gold mined-out areas in Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) and Manila Mining Corporation (MMC) located in Claver and Placer, Surigao del Norte, respectively. This study assessed and characterized a cross section of their mined out areas in terms of the amount of residual heavy metal concentration in the soil, determine the current soil nutrient status and provide useful implications of the current physico-chemical properties of the mined-out soils. Results show that the soils in both sites need to be amended with compost (1:1 ratio), fertilizer (NPK) and microbial biofertilizers to ensure success in the rehabilitation efforts. TMC soils have deficient to low nutrient availability (%organic matter, total nitrogen, available P and exchangeable K) and have high nickel (7,166 ppm) content which is an order of magnitude higher than the Dutch standard intervention value of 210 ppm. On the other hand, MMC soils have low to moderate nutrient availability and a pH value of 6.14. Additionally, MMC soils have high concentration of molybdenum and copper with 39, 400 ppm and 449.2 ppm, respectively which extremely exceeded the Dutch standard intervention value of 200 ppm (molybdenum) and 190 ppm (copper). These values indicate serious contamination of soils and immediate remediation is highly recommended. It is likewise further recommended the use of native soils with biofertilizer amendments in the much needed seedling production for the massive rehabilitation efforts of these mining companies. Use of native plant species for nursery seedling production is highly recommended to be used in the rehabilitation efforts to ensure better coping mechanism and higher rates of survival when introduced into the mined-out soils. Bioremediation is highly recommended as a rehabilitation strategy in the mined-out areas of Taganito Mining Corporation and Manila Mining Corporation in Claver and Placer, Surigao del Norte, respectively. This method is environment-friendly, low-cost, a simple technology and ensures long-term solution in mined-out area rehabilitation.