bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The neural distribution of the avian homologue of oxytocin, mesotocin, in two songbird species, the zebra finch and the canary: A potential role in song perception and production
Authors: Haakenson Chelsea M. , Balthazart Jacques , Madison Farrah N. , Ball Gregory F. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe avian homologue of oxytocin (OT), formerly called mesotocin, influences social behaviors in songbirds and potentially song production. We sought to characterize the distribution of OT peptide in the brain of two songbird species: canaries (Serinus canaria) and zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). To visualize OT, we performed immunocytochemistry using an antibody previously shown to identify OT in avian species. In both canaries and zebra finches, dense OT‐ir perikarya were located in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), preoptic area (POA), supraoptic nucleus (SON), and medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTm). We also observed morphologically distinct OT‐ir cells scattered throughout the mesopallium. OT‐ir fibers were observed in the PVN, ventral medial hypothalamus (VMH), periaqueductal gray (PAG), intercollicular nucleus (ICo), and ventral tegmental area (VTA). We also observed punctate OT‐ir fibers in the song control nucleus HVC. In both male and female canaries, OT‐ir fibers were present in the lateral septum (LS), but innervation was greater in males. We did not observe this sex difference in zebra finches. Much of the OT staining observed is consistent with general distributions within the vertebrate hypothalamus, indicating a possible conserved function. However, some extra‐hypothalamic distributions, such as perikarya in the mesopallium, may be specific to songbirds and play a role in song perception and production. The presence of OT‐ir fibers in HVC and song control nuclei projecting dopaminergic regions provides anatomical evidence in support of the idea that OT can influence singing behavior—either directly via HVC or indirectly via the PAG, VTA, or POA.
MSSA‐Net: A novel multi‐scale feature fusion and global self‐attention network for lesion segmentation
Authors: Huang Zhaohong , Zhang Xiangchen , Zhang Guowei , Cai Guorong 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn medical image segmentation tasks, it is typical to adopt convolutional neural networks with a serial encoder‐decoder structure. However, mainstream networks cannot simultaneously achieve sufficient extraction of global features and the fusion of multi‐scale information, which may lead to unpromising results for the segmentation of pathological images. Therefore, this article proposed a novel multi‐scale feature fusion and global self‐attention network (MSSA‐Net) for medical image segmentation. Specifically, we designed a parallel double‐encoder network with a multi‐scale feature fusion encoder (MS‐Encoder) and a self‐attention encoder (SA‐Encoder). The SA‐Encoder introduces the transformer's global self‐attention mechanism to extract global features, and the MS‐Encoder adopts atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) to realize multi‐scale fusion. We have evaluated the proposed MSSA‐Net using three medical segmentation datasets, covering various imaging modalities such as colonoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. Experiments on the CVC‐ClinicDC, the 2015 MICCAI subchallenge on automatic polyp detection dataset, and anatomical tracings of lesions after stroke (ATLAS) show that our MSSA‐Net outperforms mainstream methods such as DoubleU‐Net and TransUNet. Moreover, MSSA‐Net can predict more accurate segmentation masks, especially in the case of ATLAS, which has challenging images such as multiple shadow areas and discrete lesions.
Promoting autophagy to mitigate coronavirus disease pathology in the elderly
Authors: Lund Da Costa Abby , Mehta Het , Mathur Ramkumar 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this commentary, we highlight autophagy's important function, while identifying potential therapeutic targets for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in the elderly. Autophagy's decline in the elderly causes increased cell senescence and a dysregulated immune system. As this demographic often faces decreased vaccine‐provided immunity, coronavirus disease 2019 treatments must be developed. We discuss a recent study by Acharya et al. (2022) that found that SF2523 induced autophagy, reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 replication. Furthermore, across varying dosages, SF2523 was shown to have a synergistic effect with remdesivir or MU‐UNMC. Consequently, we believe that SF2523, alone or with other anti‐virals, is a promising potential therapeutic for preventing SARS‐CoV‐2‐related mortalities.
Genome‐wide gain‐of‐function screening identifies EZH2 mediating resistance to PI3Kα inhibitors in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xing Hui , Gao Mengshi , Wang Yuxiang , Zhang Xu , Shi Jiajie , Wang Xiang , Liu Xueling , Ma Qingyang , Kong Xiangyin , Yang Chunhao , Ding Jian , Meng Linghua 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPhosphoinositide‐3 kinase alpha (PI3Kα) has been confirmed to be a potential therapeutic target for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), while the potency of PI3Kα inhibitors is often attenuated by concurrent oncogenic signalling pathways. We performed genome‐wide gain‐of‐function screening with a CRISPR‐SAM library and identified enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) rendering ESCC cells resistant to the PI3Kα inhibitor CYH33. Enhanced expression of EZH2 frequently occurs in ESCC and is related to poor prognosis. Overexpression of full‐length EZH2 but not methyltransferase‐deficient EZH2 conferred resistance to CYH33, while downregulating EZH2 expression restored sensitivity. EZH2 expression was negatively related to the activity of CYH33 against the proliferation of ESCC cell lines and patient‐derived cells. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that EZH2 abrogated CYH33‐mediated cell cycle regulation. EZH2 epigenetically suppressed the transcription of CDKN1A, promoting RB phosphorylation and cell cycle progression. Concurrently targeting EZH2 significantly potentiated CYH33 to inhibit the growth of ESCC cells and patient‐derived xenografts accompanied by enhanced cell cycle arrest. Taken together, our study demonstrated that an EZH2‐p21‐RB axis remodeled cell cycle regulation and rendered resistance to PI3Kα inhibitors in ESCC. Simultaneously targeting PI3Kα and EZH2 may provide an effective strategy for ESCC therapy with high expression of EZH2.
Increased risk of biliary infection after biliary stent placement in users of proton pump inhibitors
Authors: Hakuta Ryunosuke , Nakai Yousuke , Oyama Hiroki , Noguchi Kensaku , Kanai Sachiko , Nomura Yusuke , Suzuki Tatsunori , Ishigaki Kazunaga , Saito Kei , Saito Tomotaka , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Takahara Naminatsu , Mizuno Suguru , Kogure Hirofumi , Moriya Kyoji , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectivesProton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed medications for gastric acid‐induced diseases. Despite the effectiveness of PPIs, recent evidence suggested an increased risk of various bacterial infections in PPI users. The current study was conducted to evaluate the risk of biliary infection after endoscopic biliary stent placement in regular users of PPIs.MethodsConsecutive patients with a native papilla who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and stent placement for biliary stricture between January 2010 and August 2019 were included in this retrospective study. The cumulative incidences of biliary infection were compared between regular and non‐regular PPI users.ResultsDuring the study period, 270 regular PPI users and 146 non‐regular PPI users were included in the analyses. Age, gender, and indication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were not different between the two groups. The incidences of biliary infection were 43% in regular PPI users and 36% in non‐regular PPI users but the time to biliary infection was significantly shorter in regular PPI users than in non‐regular users (28 vs. 87 days, p = 0.01). The cumulative incidence of biliary infection was significantly higher in regular PPI users compared with non‐regular users (p = 0.008). The multivariable Cox regression analysis also showed a significantly higher hazard ratio of biliary infection in regular PPI users (1.62 [95% confidence interval 1.16–2.26; p = 0.005]).ConclusionsRegular PPI use was associated with a higher risk of biliary infection after endoscopic biliary drainage. Inappropriate PPI use should be avoided.
Detection of de‐N‐glycosylated EPO with SDS‐PAGE: A complementary confirmation procedure for recombinant EPO in blood samples
Authors: He Sen , Liu Xinchao , Wu Die , Zhou Xinmiao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFrameshift variant c.577del in the EPO gene can result in the extension of the amino acid sequence of EPO by invalidating the termination codon. As the molecular weight of its encoded protein EPO (VAR‐EPO) is similar to that of rEPO, the World Anti‐Doping Agency has published Annex B to the TD2022EPO in order to protect athletes with variant c.577del from the suspicion of rEPO administrations. However, it is still necessary to develop a confirmation method for rEPO that can discriminate rEPO from VAR‐EPO.Based on the glycosylated characteristic of EPO, we selected the detection of de‐N‐glycosylated EPO as a complementary confirmation method for rEPO in blood samples. All samples were analyzed for both intact EPO and de‐N‐glycosylated EPO with SDS‐PAGE, including rEPO spiked samples and blank samples.The results showed that, after de‐N‐glycosylation, a single‐band was detected in samples collected from non‐variant carriers, no matter whether the sample was spiked with rEPO. In samples collected from variant carriers, a double‐band was detected. The ratio of lower band to upper band increased significantly corresponding to the concentration of rEPO. We calculated a series of cut‐off values by normality distribution function to identify the presence of rEPO. Neither false positive results in blank samples nor false negative results in spiked samples at the applicable Minimum Required Performance Levels were found. This indicates that this method could be adopted as a complementary confirmation method for rEPO in blood samples. A revised testing strategy was also proposed, which would discriminate rEPO directly without further investigation.
Determination of cocaine on banknotes using innovative sample preparation coupled with multiple calibration techniques
Authors: Bilko Jonathan , Deng Yiwei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA method using innovative sample preparation was developed for determination of cocaine on banknotes. Aqueous extraction of cocaine from banknotes was performed using a sonication‐enhanced technique. Quantitation of cocaine was achieved using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection at 230 nm, whereas identification was accomplished utilizing gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Multiple calibration techniques, including the external calibration method (ECM), internal standard method (ISM), and standard addition method (SAM) were incorporated into the experimental design to simultaneously determine cocaine contents and assess matrix effects. Statistical paired t tests confirmed that matrix effects were not significant with the sample preparation employed. No damage to the features of the banknotes was observed from the extraction procedure. Extraction efficiency, spike recovery, and detection limit were also determined. The unique experimental design allowed for ECM, ISM, and SAM to concurrently determine the contents of cocaine on banknotes collected around Metro‐Detroit. The concentration range of cocaine was from 1.58 to 14.7 μg per note, with an average of 6.96 μg per note. The method is simple and suitable for drug analysis and forensic science applications.
Long‐term effectiveness of epidural steroid injections after new episodes of low back pain in older adults
Authors: Curatolo Michele , Rundell Sean D. , Gold Laura. S. , Suri P. , Friedly Janna L. , Nedeljkovic Sdrj S. , Deyo Richard A. , Turner Judith A. , Bresnahan Brian W. , Avins Andrew L. , Kessler Larry , Heagerty Patrick J. , Jarvik Jeffrey G. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundThere is limited research on the long‐term effectiveness of epidural steroid injections (ESI) in older adults despite the high prevalence of back and leg pain in this age group. We tested the hypotheses that older adults undergoing ESI, compared to patients not receiving ESI: (1) have worse pain, disability and quality of life (‘outcomes’) pre‐ESI, (2) have improved outcomes after ESI and (3) have improved outcomes due to a specific ESI effect.MethodsWe prospectively studied patients ≥65 years old presenting to primary care with new episodes of back pain in three US healthcare systems (BOLD registry). Outcomes were leg and back pain intensity, disability and quality of life, assessed at baseline and 3‐, 6‐, 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐ups. We categorized participants as: (1) ESI within 6 months from the index visit (n = 295); (2) no ESI within 6 months (n = 4809); (3) no ESI within 6 months, propensity‐score matched to group 1 (n = 483). We analysed the data using linear regression and Generalized Estimating Equations.ResultsPain intensity, disability and quality of life at baseline were significantly worse at baseline in ESI patients (group 1) than in group 2. The improvement from baseline to 24 months in all outcomes was statistically significant for group 1. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between outcome trajectories for the propensity‐score matched groups 1 and 3.ConclusionsOlder adults treated with ESI have long‐term improvement. However, the improvement is unlikely the result of a specific ESI effect.SignificanceIn this large, two‐year, prospective study in older adults with a new episode of low back pain, back pain, leg pain, disability and quality of life improved after epidural steroid injections; however, propensity‐score matching revealed that the improvement was unlikely the result of a specific effect of the injections, indicating that epidural steroids are unlikely to provide long‐term benefits in older adults with new episodes of back and leg pain.
Role of bioaerosol in virus transmission and material‐based countermeasures
Authors: Joseph John , Baby Helna Mary , Zhao Spencer , Li Xiang‐Ling , Cheung Krisco‐Cheuk , Swain Kabir , Agus Eli , Ranganathan Sruthi , Gao Jingjing , Luo James N , Joshi Nitin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRespiratory pathogens transmit primarily through particles such as droplets and aerosols. Although often overlooked, the resuspension of settled droplets is also a key facilitator of disease transmission. In this review, we discuss the three main mechanisms of aerosol generation: direct generation such as coughing and sneezing, indirect generation such as medical procedures, and resuspension of settled droplets and aerosols. The size of particles and environmental factors influence their airborne lifetime and ability to cause infection. Specifically, humidity and temperature are key factors controlling the evaporation of suspended droplets, consequently affecting the duration in which particles remain airborne. We also suggest material‐based approaches for effective prevention of disease transmission. These approaches include electrostatically charged virucidal agents and surface coatings, which have been shown to be highly effective in deactivating and reducing resuspension of pathogen‐laden aerosols.
The information‐seeking behavior of medical sciences students toward COVID‐19 in mass and social media: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Amiri Parasto , Moulaei Khadijeh , Bahaadinbeigy Kambiz , Ghaemi Mohammad Mehdi , Sheikhtaheri Abbas 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, college students can access health‐related information on the Internet to improve preventative behaviors, but they often judge the merits of such information and create challenges in the community. The aim of this study was to investigate information‐seeking behaviors in regard to COVID‐19 among students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) with the help of mass and social media.MethodsThe present study is a cross‐sectional study, which was conducted using an online researcher‐made questionnaire. An invitation to participate in the study was sent to 500 students at KUMS, of which 203 were selected according to the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.ResultsCOVID‐19 news was mostly obtained through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, radio, and television, as well as online publications and news agencies. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and satellite networks such as BBC contained the most rumors about COVID‐19. Some of the most common misconceptions regarding COVID‐19 were as follows: “COVID‐19 is the deadliest disease in the world,” “COVID‐19 is a biological attack,” and “COVID‐19 disappears as the air temperature rises.” In addition, most of the virtual training provided through mass media focused on “refraining from visiting holy places and crowded locations such as markets,” “observing personal hygiene and refraining from touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with infected hands,” and “the role of quarantine in reducing the incidence of COVID‐19.”ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that during the pandemic, students used social media platforms the most to obtain health‐related information and these media have a significant impact on their willingness to engage in preventative behaviors and take the COVID‐19 risk seriously.
Propagation of age‐related diseases due to the changes of lipid peroxide and antioxidant levels in elderly people: A narrative review
Authors: Ali Julfikar , Aziz Md. Abdul , Rashid Md. Mamun Or , Basher Mohammad Anwarul , Islam Mohammad Safiqul 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsLipid peroxidation end products are the major culprit for inducing chronic diseases in elderly people. Along with the elevated level of lipid peroxide biomarkers, there is a significant disruption of antioxidants balance, which combinedly propagate the diseases of elderly people. The aim of the present review is to bridge the connection of changes in lipid peroxides biomarkers and antioxidants level with age‐associated diseases in elderly people.MethodsThis narrative review was performed following a comprehensive search for suitable articles in multiple online databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect using selected search terms. The most appropriate literature was included based on the selection criteria.ResultsFrom the review, it is found that many age‐related diseases propagated with an increased level of the end products of lipid peroxide and reduced levels of antioxidants in elderly people. When the end products of lipid peroxidation increase in the body, it creates oxidative stress, which ultimately leads to many complicated diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular and neurogenic diseases, and many other chronic inflammatory diseases. The oxidative stress induced by peroxidation can be assessed by different lipid peroxide end products such as malondialdehyde, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein, isoprostanes, neuroprostanes, lipoperoxides, oxysterols (7‐ketocholesterol, 7β‐hydroxycholesterol), and many more.ConclusionsThis study definitively answers the correlation between the changes in lipid peroxides and antioxidants level and age‐related diseases. Our narrative article recommends future investigations for elucidating the mechanisms rigorously to establish a compact correlation.
Analysis of third‐grade liquid under the influence of wall slip and variable fluid properties in an inclined peristaltic channel
Authors: Choudhari Rajashekhar , Makinde Oluwole D. , Mebarek‐Oudina Fateh , Vaidya Hanumesh , Prasad Kerehalli V. , Devaki Palluru 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe current model investigates the effect of wall slip on third‐grade liquid flow through an inclined peristaltic channel. The variation in viscosity and thermal conductivity are taken into account, along with wall properties. The governing equations are simplified using long wavelength and small Reynolds number approximations. The transformed equations are solved by using the perturbation technique. Physiological quantities such as velocity, streamlines, temperature, and concentration are obtained for different parameters of interest. The findings show that increasing the variable viscosity and slip term value improves the velocity profile. Furthermore, elasticity factors help flow, but damping causes fluid particles to slow down. Similarly, when the slip, variable viscosity, and inclination parameter values rise, the size of the trapped bolus grows, resulting in more bolus forms. Furthermore, the inclusion of variable properties helps understand the complex rheological properties of blood flowing through narrow or micro arteries.
Cancer‐associated fibroblasts in nonsmall cell lung cancer: From molecular mechanisms to clinical implications
Authors: Wong Kit Yee , Cheung Alvin Ho‐Kwan , Chen Bonan , Chan Wai Nok , Yu Jun , Lo Kwok Wai , Kang Wei , To Ka Fai 
Published: May 2022

AbstractLung cancer is the common and leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The tumor microenvironment has been recognized to be instrumental in tumorigenesis. To have a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increasing research interests. CAFs belong to the crucial and dominant cell population in the tumor microenvironment to support the cancer cells. The interplay and partnership between cancer cells and CAFs contribute to each stage of tumorigenesis. CAFs exhibit prominent heterogeneity and secrete different kinds of cytokines and chemokines, growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. Many studies focused on the protumorigenic functions of CAFs, yet many challenges about the heterogeneity of CAFS remain unresolved. This review comprehensively summarized the tumor‐promoting role and molecular mechanisms of CAFs in NSCLC, including their origin, phenotypic changes and heterogeneity and their functional roles in carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, we also highlighted the updated molecular classifications based on the molecular features and functional roles of CAFs. With the development of cutting‐edge platforms and further investigations of CAFs, novel therapeutic strategies for accurately targeting CAFs in NSCLC may be developed based on the increased understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms.