bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Dupilumab treatment improved type 2 disorders in a patient with IPEX syndrome diagnosis
Authors: Caruso C. , Laterza L. , Settanni C. R. , Colantuono S. , Di Mario C. , Tolusso B. , Castrì F. , Gremese E. , Scaldaferri F. , Armuzzi A. , De Simone C. , Peris K. , Chiricozzi A. , Gasbarrini A.
Published: January 2023

We described a case of IPEX syndrome successfully controlled with dupilumab, an anti-IL4 receptor alpha subunit inhibitor. IPEX syndrome is a rare and generally fatal genetic disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy and enteropathy, mostly diagnosed in early childhood. Nonetheless, cases reported in the last 20 years demonstrated that IPEX clinical spectrum encompasses more than the classical triad of early-onset intractable diarrhea, type 1 diabetes and eczema. Atypical cases of IPEX include patients with late-onset of symptoms, single-organ involvement, mild disease phenotypes or rare clinical features. A 21-year-old caucasian man presented with immune dysregulation (hypereosinophilia and elevated IgE), protein-losing enteropathy, polyendocrinopathy (thyroiditis, osteoporosis, delayed puberty), weight loss, eczema manifestations and celiac disease. IPEX syndrome was diagnosed because of the presence of a hemizygous mutation in FOXP3 gene (c.543C>T (p.S181S) in the exon 5). During the course of the disease, the patient developed erosive proctitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and erythema nodosum. Symptoms improved only after enteral and parenteral corticosteroid therapy and the patient soon developed steroid-dependence. Notwithstanding various therapies including azathioprine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, adalimumab, vedolizumab, the patient failed to achieve a good control of symptoms without steroids. Almost exclusive enteral nutrition with a hypoallergenic, milk-protein free, amino acid-based food for special medical purposes. He continued to lose weight (BMI 14.5 kg/m2) with a consequent high limitation of physical activity and a progressive worsening of the quality of life. In consideration of the poor response to conventional immunosuppressants and the presence of type 2 inflammatory manifestations, treatment with dupilumab at an initial dose of 600 mg, followed by a maintenance dose of 300 mg every other week, according to atopic dermatitis labeled dose, was started and combined to oral budesonide 6 mg/day and 6-mercaptopurine 75 mg/day. The patient experienced a rapid improvement in bowel and skin symptoms, leading to a progressive tapering of steroids. By our knowledge, this is the first report of IPEX syndrome successfully treated by antiIL-4/IL-13 therapy. In this case dupilumab demonstrated to be an effective, safe and steroid-sparing option.
PRKX down-regulates TAK1/IRF7 signaling in the antiviral innate immunity of black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus
Authors: Yang Xiao , Ai Yue , Chen Liang , Wang Chanyuan , Liu Ji , Zhang Jie , Li Jun , Wu Hui , Xiao Jun , Chang Mingxian , Feng Hao
Published: January 2023

TGF-β-activated kinase-1 (TAK1), tightly related to innate immunity, is phosphorylated and activated by X-linked protein kinase (PRKX) in humans and mammals, which belongs to the c-AMP-dependent protein kinase family. However, the relationship between PRKX and TAK1 remains unknown in teleost. It has been reported in vertebrates for the first time that TAK1 of black carp (bcTAK1) interacts with bcIRF7 and is capable to up-regulate bcIRF7-mediated IFN signaling in our previous study. In this study, the role of PRKX homologue of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) (bcPRKX) in bcTAK1/IFN signaling has been explored. Overexpression of bcPRKX suppressed the transcription of interferon promoters but enhanced the transcription of NF-κB promoter. Mylopharyngodon piceus kidney (MPK) cells transfected with shRNA targeting bcPRKX gene presented enhanced antiviral activity against spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), in which the mRNA levels of the antiviral proteins were increased, including MX1, Viperin and PKR. Overexpressed bcPRKX dampened bcTAK1/bcIRF7/IFN signaling in the luciferase reporter assay and plaque assay. The interaction between bcTAK1 and bcPRKX has been identified by the immunofluorescence (IF) staining and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay. In addition, we found that bcPRKX can trigger the degradation of bcTAK1. However, the lysosome inhibitor chloroquine, but not the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, prevented the bcTAK1 degradation mediated by bcPRKX. Thus, we conclude that bcPRKX inhibits bcTAK1/bcIRF7/IFN signaling during the innate immune activation by targeting bcTAK1 and triggers lysosome-dependent degradation of bcTAK1.
Deep learning-based marine big data fusion for ocean environment monitoring: Towards shape optimization and salient objects detection
Authors: Khan Sulaiman , Ullah Inam , Ali Farhad , Shafiq Muhammad , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Kim Taejoon
Published: January 2023

Objective

During the last few years, underwater object detection and marine resource utilization have gained significant attention from researchers and become active research hotspots in underwater image processing and analysis domains. This research study presents a data fusion-based method for underwater salient object detection and ocean environment monitoring by utilizing a deep model.

Methodology

A hybrid model consists of an upgraded AlexNet with Inception v-4 for salient object detection and ocean environment monitoring. For the categorization of spatial data, AlexNet is utilized, whereas Inception V-4 is employed for temporal data (environment monitoring). Moreover, we used preprocessing techniques before the classification task for underwater image enhancement, segmentation, noise and fog removal, restoration, and color constancy.

Conclusion

The Real-Time Underwater Image Enhancement (RUIE) dataset and the Marine Underwater Environment Database (MUED) dataset are used in this research project’s data fusion and experimental activities, respectively. Root mean square error (RMSE), computing usage, and accuracy are used to construct the model’s simulation results. The suggested model’s relevance form optimization and conspicuous item prediction issues in the seas is illustrated by the greatest accuracy of 95.7% and low RMSE value of 49 when compared to other baseline models.
Comparison of hepatotoxicity of tegoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, with proton pump inhibitors using real-world data: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kim Min-Gul , Im Yong-Jin , Lee Jong-Hwan , Kim Eun-Young , Yeom Sang Woo , Kim Jong Seung
Published: January 2023

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are acid suppressants that are frequently prescribed in many countries to reduce heartburn. A potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB; tegoprazan) was launched relatively recently that also inhibits gastric acid secretion. This study aimed to compare the hepatotoxicity of the six existing PPIs with P-CAB.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2020 and included data from the total population of 50 million inhabitants in Korea. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed using 10 variables, and the differences in hepatotoxicity between P-CAB and the six PPIs were compared in a similar distribution. The primary endpoint was hepatotoxicity which included toxic liver disease, hepatitis, hepatic failure, liver transplantation, and other liver diseases.

Results

The risk ratios (RR) of tegoprazan vs. the six PPIs (dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole) were all significant [RR: 0.70 (95% CI: 0.69–0.72), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.79–0.83), 0.61 (95% CI: 0.59–0.63), 1.17 (95% CI: 1.13–1.20), 0.61 (95% CI: 0.59–0.62), and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.71–0.75), respectively]. The risk ratio of tegoprazan vs. the six existing PPIs was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.72–0.75). The hazard ratios (HRs) of hepatotoxicity of the six PPIs to tegoprazan showed significantly higher values apart from omeprazole (HR: dexlansoprazole, 1.13; esomeprazole, 1.04; lansoprazole, 1.25; omeprazole, 0.77; pantoprazole, 1.26; rabeprazole, 1.15, respectively, and the six existing PPIs, 1.10).

Conclusion

Using a large-scale data cohort analysis consisting of 50 million Koreans, tegoprazan did not induce higher hepatotoxicity compared with the six conventional PPIs.
Applying and assessing the PEERS model on genetic counseling training in China: A mixed-method approach
Authors: Dong Dong , Xiong Shiyi , Nichini Elena , Chen Xiaoqiong , Liu Binjuan , Zhu Liling , Yip Faustina Fu , Sun Luming , Zhu Jianfeng
Published: January 2023

Objective

Due to the changing medical demands in the healthcare system, there is a need for a standardized and professionalized curriculum for genetic counselors. This mixed-method study will observe and evaluate the first Peer Experiential and Reciprocal Supervision (PEERS) training program on genetic counseling among medical practitioners in China; to provide feedback and recommendation for future training and practices.

Methods

A genetic counselor training program was held from December 10–11, 2016 in a fetal medicine unit and prenatal diagnosis center in Shanghai with 59 participants from clinical centers, hospitals, and organizations in China. An ethnographic reflexive assessment with a structured questionnaire were used to provide insights and feedback on the training experience.

Results

Results indicate an inadequate mastery of genetic and fetal knowledge; lack of empathetic understanding and cultural sensitivity; difficulties in adopting a non-directive counseling approach; distance between reality and fictionality in the training; overall training's helpfulness.

Conclusion

The professionalization of genetic counseling in China is in the making with the soaring demands for genetic counseling services; this first experiment of PEERS training turned out to be needed, worth to be adapted toward medical centers across China, to better understand and face the challenges rising from genetic counseling practice.
Clinical characteristics and early prediction of mortality risk in patients with acute organophosphate poisoning-induced shock
Authors: Xu Bing , Zeng Weijia , Chen Feng , Lin Gui , Wang Mengjie , Ding Jie , Hong Ye , Ke Jun , Wang Xiaoping , Shang Xiuling
Published: January 2023

Objective

To further get insights of clinical characteristics of acute organophosphate poisoning-induced shock, investigate the relationship between shock and prognosis, and screen risk indicators for prognosis.

Methods

A total of 73 patients with acute organophosphate poisoning admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and December 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the shock group and the non-shock group. The pH value of blood, arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), base excess (BE), lactic acid (Lac), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine (Cr), serum potassium (K), serum calcium (Ca), serum sodium (Na), blood chloride (Cl), serum troponin I (cTNI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), platelet count (PLT), and other clinical indicators of patients were recorded. Incidence of shock, time of shock onset, and outcomes of patients were also recorded. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed for analysis.

Results

The incidence of organophosphate poisoning-induced shock was 30.1% (22/73), and 72.7% of shock patients developed shock blood pressure within 6 h. The levels of blood lactate, ALT, Cr, cTNI, BNP, and Cl in the shock group were significantly higher than those in the non-shock group, while the level of Ca and pH value was significantly lower than that in the non-shock group (all p < 0.05). Moreover, compared with patients without shock (2.0%), the mortality rate was significantly increased in patients with shock (36.4%), which was supported by the results from adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model. We found that shock and elevated serum creatinine were associated with increased risk of death in patients with organophosphate poisoning (shock: HR, 10.9; 95% CI 1.2–96.3; elevated serum creatinine: HR, 1.0, 95% CI 1.0–1.0).

Conclusion

This study indicated the association between elevated serum creatinine and increased mortality rates in patients with organophosphate poisoning, highlighting the importance of the comprehensive management of shock, especially the control of renal function, in these poisoning patients.
Proteomic and in silico analyses of dextran synthesis influence on Leuconostoc lactis AV1n adaptation to temperature change
Authors: Besrour-Aouam Norhane , de Los Rios Vivian , Hernández-Alcántara Annel M. , Mohedano Mᵃ Luz , Najjari Afef , López Paloma , Ouzari Hadda-Imene
Published: January 2023

Leuconostoc lactis is found in vegetables, fruits, and meat and is used by the food industry in the preparation of dairy products, wines, and sugars. We have previously demonstrated that the dextransucrase of Lc. lactis (DsrLL) AV1n produces a high-molecular-weight dextran from sucrose, indicating its potential use as a dextran-forming starter culture. We have also shown that this bacterium was able to produce 10-fold higher levels of dextran at 20°C than at 37°C, at the former temperature accompanied by an increase in dsrLL gene expression. However, the general physiological response of Lc. lactis AV1n to cold temperature in the presence of sucrose, leading to increased production of dextran, has not been yet investigated. Therefore, we have used a quantitative proteomics approach to investigate the cold temperature-induced changes in the proteomic profile of this strain in comparison to its proteomic response at 37°C. In total, 337 proteins were found to be differentially expressed at the applied significance criteria (adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05, FDR 5%, and with a fold-change ≥ 1.5 or ≤ 0.67) with 204 proteins overexpressed, among which 13% were involved in protein as well as cell wall, and envelope component biosynthesis including DsrLL. Proteins implicated in cold stress were expressed at a high level at 20°C and possibly play a role in the upregulation of DsrLL, allowing the efficient synthesis of the protein essential for its adaptation to cold. Post-transcriptional regulation of DsrLL expression also seems to take place through the interplay of exonucleases and endonucleases overexpressed at 20°C, which would influence the half-life of the dsrLL transcript. Furthermore, the mechanism of cold resistance of Lc. lactis AV1n seems to be also based on energy saving through a decrease in growth rate mediated by a decrease in carbohydrate metabolism and its orientation toward the production pathways for storage molecules. Thus, this better understanding of the responses to low temperature and mechanisms for environmental adaptation of Lc. lactis could be exploited for industrial use of strains belonging to this species.
Structural insights into catalytical capability for CPT11 hydrolysis and substrate specificity of a novel marine microbial carboxylesterase, E93
Authors: Li Yang , Rong Zhen , Li Zhengyang , Cui Henglin , Li Jixi , Xu Xue-Wei
Published: January 2023

Introduction

CPT11 (Irinotecan; 7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino] carbonyloxycamptothecin) is an important camptothecin-based broad-spectrum anticancer prodrug. The activation of its warhead, SN38 (7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin), requires hydrolysis by carboxylesterases. NPC (7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-amino] carbonyloxycamptothecin) is a metabolic derivative of CPT11 and is difficult to be hydrolyzed by human carboxylesterase. Microbial carboxylesterase with capability on both CPT11 and NPC hydrolysis is rarely reported. A marine microbial carboxylesterase, E93, was identified to hydrolyze both substrates in this study. This enzyme was an appropriate subject for uncovering the catalytic mechanism of carboxylesterases to CPT11 and NPC hydrolysis.

Methods

X-ray diffraction method was applied to obtain high-resolution structure of E93. Molecular docking was adopted to analyze the interaction of E93 with p-NP (p-nitrophenyl), CPT11, and NPC substrates. Mutagenesis and enzymatic assay were adopted to verify the binding pattern of substrates.

Results

Three core regions (Region A, B, and C) of the catalytic pocket were identified and their functions on substrates specificity were validated via mutagenesis assays. The Region A was involved in the binding with the alcohol group of all tested substrates. The size and hydrophobicity of the region determined the binding affinity. The Region B accommodated the acyl group of p-NP and CPT11 substrates. The polarity of this region determined the catalytic preference to both substrates. The Region C specifically accommodated the acyl group of NPC. The interaction from the acidic residue, E428, contributed to the binding of E93 with NPC.

Discussion

The study analyzed both unique and conserved structures of the pocket in E93, for the first time demonstrating the discrepancy of substrate-enzyme interaction between CPT11 and NPC. It also expanded the knowledge about the substrate specificity and potential application of microbial Family VII carboxylesterases.
PaR1 secreted by the type IX secretion system is a protective antigen of Riemerella anatipestifer
Authors: Wang Jialing , Chen Yan , He Xiaohua , Du Xiaoli , Gao Yongheng , Shan Xinggen , Hu Zhiqun , Hu Qinghai
Published: January 2023

Riemerella anatipestifer mainly infects domestic ducks, geese, turkeys, and other birds, and causes considerable economic losses to the global duck industry. Previous studies have shown that concentrated cell-free culture filtrates of R. anatipestifer induce highly significant protection against homologous challenge. In this study, 12 immunogenic proteins were identified in the culture supernatant of R. anatipestifer strain Yb2 with immunoproteomic analysis. Of these, three immunogenic proteins, AS87_RS06600 (designated “PaR1” in this study), AS87_RS09020, and AS87_RS09965, which appeared in more than three spots on the western-blotted membrane, were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Animal experiments showed that the recombinant PaR1 (rPaR1) protein protected 41.67% of immunized ducklings against challenge with virulent Yb2, whereas rAS87_RS09020 or rAS87_RS09965 did not, and that ducklings immunized once with rPaR1 were 20, 40, and 0% protected from challenge with R. anatipestifer strains WJ4 (serotype 1), Yb2 (serotype 2), and HXb2 (serotype 10), respectively. In addition, rPaR1 immunized rabbit serum showed bactericidal activity against strain Yb2 at a titer of 1:8. These results indicate that rPaR1 of strain Yb2 protects against homologous challenge. Amino acid homology analysis show that PaR1 is a non-serotype-specific protein among different R. anatipestifer serotypes. Furthermore, PaR1 is mainly secreted outside the cell through the T9SS. Overall, our results demonstrate that R. anatipestifer PaR1 is a non-serotype-specific protective protein secreted by the T9SS.
SCCPMD: Probability matrix decomposition method subject to corrected similarity constraints for inferring long non-coding RNA–disease associations
Authors: Lin Lieqing , Chen Ruibin , Zhu Yinting , Xie Weijie , Jing Huaiguo , Chen Langcheng , Zou Minqing
Published: January 2023

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated various associations of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with human diseases, such as abnormal expression due to microbial influences that cause disease. Gaining a deeper understanding of lncRNA–disease associations is essential for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. In recent years, many matrix decomposition methods have also been used to predict potential lncRNA-disease associations. However, these methods do not consider the use of microbe-disease association information to enrich disease similarity, and also do not make more use of similarity information in the decomposition process. To address these issues, we here propose a correction-based similarity-constrained probability matrix decomposition method (SCCPMD) to predict lncRNA–disease associations. The microbe-disease associations are first used to enrich the disease semantic similarity matrix, and then the logistic function is used to correct the lncRNA and disease similarity matrix, and then these two corrected similarity matrices are added to the probability matrix decomposition as constraints to finally predict the potential lncRNA–disease associations. The experimental results show that SCCPMD outperforms the five advanced comparison algorithms. In addition, SCCPMD demonstrated excellent prediction performance in a case study for breast cancer, lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma, with prediction accuracy reaching 80, 100, and 100%, respectively. Therefore, SCCPMD shows excellent predictive performance in identifying unknown lncRNA–disease associations.
Metagenomics reveals biogeochemical processes carried out by sediment microbial communities in a shallow eutrophic freshwater lake
Authors: Kuang Bo , Xiao Rong , Hu Yanping , Wang Yaping , Zhang Ling , Wei Zhuoqun , Bai Junhong , Zhang Kegang , Acuña Jacquelinne J. , Jorquera Milko A. , Pan Wenbin
Published: January 2023

Introduction

As the largest shallow freshwater lake in the North China Plain, Baiyangdian lake is essential for maintaining ecosystem functioning in this highly populated region. Sediments are considered to record the impacts of human activities.

Methods

The abundance, diversity and metabolic pathways of microbial communities in sediments were studied by metagenomic approach to reveal patterns and mechanism of C, N, P and S cycling under the threat of lake eutrophication.

Results

Many genera, with plural genes encoding key enzymes involved in genes, belonging to Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria which were the most main phylum in bacterial community of Baiyangdian sediment were involved in C, N, S, P cycling processes, such as Nocardioides (Actinobacteria), Thiobacillus, Nitrosomonas, Rhodoplanes and Sulfuricaulis (Proteobacteria).For instance, the abundance of Nocardioides were positively correlated to TN, EC, SOC and N/P ratio in pathways of phytase, regulation of phosphate starvation, dissimilatory sulfate reduction and oxidation, assimilatory sulfate reduction, assimilatory nitrate reduction and reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle. Many key genes in C, N, P, S cycling were closely related to the reductive citrate cycle. A complete while weaker sulfur cycle between SO42− and HS− might occur in Baiyangdian lake sediments compared to C fixation and N cycling. In addition, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia was determined to co-occur with denitrification. Methanogenesis was the main pathway of methane metabolism and the reductive citrate cycle was accounted for the highest proportion of C fixation processes. The abundance of pathways of assimilatory nitrate reduction, denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction of nitrogen cycling in sediments with higher TN content was higher than those with lower TN content. Besides, Nocardioides with plural genes encoding key enzymes involved in nasAB and nirBD gene were involved in these pathways.

Discussion

Nocardioides involved in the processes of assimilatory nitrate reduction, denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction of nitrogen cycling may have important effects on nitrogen transformation.
Current research on fungi in chronic wounds
Authors: Ge Yumei , Wang Qingqing
Published: January 2023

The occurrence of chronic wounds is a major global health issue. These wounds are difficult to heal as a result of disordered healing mechanisms. The most common types of chronic wounds are diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, arterial/venous ulcers and nonhealing surgical wounds. Although bacteria are an important cause of chronic nonhealing wounds, fungi also play a substantial role in them. The fungal infection rate varies with different chronic wound types, but overall, the prevalence of fungi is extremely underestimated in the clinical treatment and management of chronic wounds. Wounds and ulcers can be colonized by host cutaneous, commensal or environmental fungi and evolve into local infections, causing fungemia as well as invasive fungal disease. Furthermore, the fungi involved in nonhealing wound-related infections help commensal bacteria resist antibiotics and the host immune response, forcing wounds to become reservoirs for multiresistant species, which are considered a potential key factor in the microbial bioburden of wounds and ulcers. Fungi can be recalcitrant to the healing process. Biofilm establishment is the predominant mechanism of fungal resistance or tolerance to antimicrobials in chronic nonhealing wounds. Candida albicans yeast and Trichophyton rubrum filamentous fungi are the main fungi involved in chronic wound infection. Fungal species diversity and drug resistance phenotypes in different chronic nonhealing wound types will be emphasized. In this review, we outline the latest research on fungi in chronic wounds and discuss challenges and future perspectives related to diagnosing and managing chronic wounds.
Task aftereffect reorganization of resting state functional brain networks in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Požar Rok , Kero Katherine , Martin Tim , Giordani Bruno , Kavcic Voyko
Published: January 2023

The view of the human brain as a complex network has led to considerable advances in understanding the brain’s network organization during rest and task, in both health and disease. Here, we propose that examining brain networks within the task aftereffect model, in which we compare resting-state networks immediately before and after a cognitive engagement task, may enhance differentiation between those with normal cognition and those with increased risk for cognitive decline. We validated this model by comparing the pre- and post-task resting-state functional network organization of neurologically intact elderly and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) derived from electroencephalography recordings. We have demonstrated that a cognitive task among MCI patients induced, compared to healthy controls, a significantly higher increment in global network integration with an increased number of vertices taking a more central role within the network from the pre- to post-task resting state. Such modified network organization may aid cognitive performance by increasing the flow of information through the most central vertices among MCI patients who seem to require more communication and recruitment across brain areas to maintain or improve task performance. This could indicate that MCI patients are engaged in compensatory activation, especially as both groups did not differ in their task performance. In addition, no significant group differences were observed in network topology during the pre-task resting state. Our findings thus emphasize that the task aftereffect model is relevant for enhancing the identification of network topology abnormalities related to cognitive decline, and also for improving our understanding of inherent differences in brain network organization for MCI patients, and could therefore represent a valid marker of cortical capacity and/or cortical health.
A deep ensemble learning method for single finger-vein identification
Authors: Liu Chongwen , Qin Huafeng , Song Qun , Yan Huyong , Luo Fen
Published: January 2023

Finger-vein biometrics has been extensively investigated for personal verification. Single sample per person (SSPP) finger-vein recognition is one of the open issues in finger-vein recognition. Despite recent advances in deep neural networks for finger-vein recognition, current approaches depend on a large number of training data. However, they lack the robustness of extracting robust and discriminative finger-vein features from a single training image sample. A deep ensemble learning method is proposed to solve the SSPP finger-vein recognition in this article. In the proposed method, multiple feature maps were generated from an input finger-vein image, based on various independent deep learning-based classifiers. A shared learning scheme is investigated among classifiers to improve their feature representation captivity. The learning speed of weak classifiers is also adjusted to achieve the simultaneously best performance. A deep learning model is proposed by an ensemble of all these adjusted classifiers. The proposed method is tested with two public finger vein databases. The result shows that the proposed approach has a distinct advantage over all the other tested popular solutions for the SSPP problem.
PLP1-lacZ transgenic mice reveal that splice variants containing “human-specific” exons are relatively minor in comparison to the archetypal transcript and that an upstream regulatory element bolsters expression during early postnatal brain development
Authors: Patyal Pankaj , Fil Daniel , Hamdan Hamdan , Wight Patricia A.
Published: January 2023

Much of what is known about the mechanisms that control the developmental expression of the myelin proteolipid protein gene (PLP1) has been attained through use of transgenic animal models. In this study, we analyzed expression of related transgenes which utilize PLP1 genomic DNA from either human or mouse to drive expression of a lacZ reporter. Human PLP1 (hPLP1) sequence span either the proximal 6.2 or 2.7 kb of 5′-flanking DNA to an internal site in Exon 2, while those from mouse comprise the proximal 2.3 kb of 5′-flanking DNA to an analogous site in Exon 2. Transgenes with hPLP1 sequence were named, in part, to the amount of upstream sequence they have [6.2hPLP(+)Z/FL and 2.7hPLP(+)Z]. The transgene containing mouse sequence is referred to here as mPLP(+)Z, to denote the species origin of PLP1 DNA. Mice which harbor the 6.2hPLP(+)Z/FL transgene were used as a model system to investigate the developmental expression of splice variants that incorporate supplementary exons from what is classically defined as PLP1 intron 1. While expression of the splice variants were detected in brain through RT-PCR analysis, they are present at much lower levels relative to the archetypal (classic) transcript. Additionally, we show that mice which harbor the 6.2hPLP(+)Z/FL transgene demonstrate wide-ranging expression throughout brain at P2, whereas expression of mPLP(+)Z is quite limited at this age. Therefore, we generated new transgenic mouse lines with the 2.7hPLP(+)Z transgene, which contains hPLP1 sequence orthologous to just that in mPLP(+)Z. Of the seven lines analyzed, six showed higher levels of 2.7hPLP(+)Z expression in brain at P21 compared to P2; the other line expressed the transgene, only weakly, at either age. This trend, coupled with the robust expression observed for 6.2hPLP(+)Z/FL at P2, suggests that the distal 3.5 kb of 5′-flanking PLP1 DNA specific to 6.2hPLP(+)Z/FL contains regulatory element(s) important for promoting early postnatal expression in brain.
Traumatic neuromas of peripheral nerves: Diagnosis, management and future perspectives
Authors: Yang Hu , Dong Yanzhao , Wang Zewei , Lai Jingtian , Yao Chenjun , Zhou Haiying , Alhaskawi Ahmad , Hasan Abdullah Ezzi Sohaib , Kota Vishnu Goutham , Hasan Abdulla Hasan Abdulla Mohamed , Lu Hui
Published: January 2023

Traumatic neuromas are infrequent in clinical settings but are prevalent following trauma or surgery. A traumatic neuroma is not a true malignancy, rather, it is a hyperplastic, reparative nerve reaction after injury and typically manifests as a nodular mass. The most common clinical manifestations include painful hypersensitivity and the presence of a trigger point that causes neuralgic pain, which could seriously decrease the living standards of patients. While various studies are conducted aiming to improve current diagnosis and management strategies via the induction of emerging imaging tools and surgical or conservative treatment. However, researchers and clinicians have yet to reach a consensus regarding traumatic neuromas. In this review, we aim to start with the possible underlying mechanisms of traumatic neuromas, elaborate on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention schemes, and discuss the current experiment models and advances in research for the future management of traumatic neuromas.
Serum neurofilament light chain in myasthenia gravis subgroups: An exploratory cohort and case–Control study
Authors: Stascheit Frauke , Aigner Annette , Mergenthaler Philipp , Hotter Benjamin , Hoffmann Sarah , Lehnerer Sophie , Meisel Christian , Meisel Andreas
Published: January 2023

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the association of neurofilament light chain (Nfl) with neuromuscular destruction and disease severity in the serum of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

Materials and methods

Sera from 134 patients with MG with varying degrees of disease severity and autoantibody (Abs) status were analyzed and compared to controls in a cross-sectional design. Prospectively, we additionally measured serum NfL (sNfl) levels in patients with MG longitudinally for up to 3 years. Based on linear regression, differences between patients and controls were assessed. With correlation coefficients and mixed linear regression, the association among sNfl levels, socio-demographics, disease activity (Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale), Abs-status (acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Abs), muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase antibody (MuSK-Abs), lipoprotein-related protein 4 (LRP4), and seronegative), Abs titer, treatment regime (pyridostigmine, steroids, and immunosuppressive therapies), and thymectomy were investigated.

Results

sNfl levels were higher in patients with MG compared to controls (median: 11.2 vs. 7.88), where sNfl levels were highest in anti-AChR-Abs positive patients (median 12.6), followed by anti-MuSK-Abs positive, anti-LRP4-Abs positive, and seronegative patients. Adjusting for age and sex, sNfl levels of patients with MG were on average 35% higher compared to controls (35.1, 95% CI: 8.4;68.3) and highest for patients with seronegative MG (44.35; 95% CI 16.47; 78.90). We found no relevant relationship between individual changes in sNfl and changes in QMG and MG-ADL scores.

Conclusion

sNfl levels are higher in patients with MG than in controls but were not consistently associated with clinical severity. Thus, sNfl is not a suitable biomarker to monitor individual disease progression in patients with MG.
Blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease: A review of meta-analysis
Authors: Sáiz-Vazquez Olalla , Puente-Martínez Alicia , Pacheco-Bonrostro Joaquín , Ubillos-Landa Silvia
Published: January 2023

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder of unknown cause, resulting in the death of brain cells. Identifying some of the modifiable risk factors for AD could be crucial for primary prevention and could lead to a reduction in the incidence of AD.

Objective

This study aimed to perform a meta-meta-analysis of studies in order to assess the effect of blood pressure (BP) on the diagnosis of AD.

Method

The search was restricted to meta-analyses assessing high systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and AD. We applied the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

A total of 214 studies were identified from major databases. Finally, five meta-analyses (52 studies) were analyzed in this review. Results confirm that high SBP is associated with AD. The exploration of parameters (sex, age, study design, region, and BP measurements) shows that only region significantly moderates the relationship between BP and AD. Asian people are those whose SBP levels >140 mmHg are associated with AD. BP is associated with AD in both people aged ≤65 years and those aged ≥65 years and in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. In the case of DBP, only women are at a higher risk of AD, particularly when its levels are >90.

Conclusion

SBP is associated with both cerebrovascular disease and AD. Therefore, future studies should use other uncontrolled factors, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke, to explain the relationship between SBP and AD.
Expression characteristics of circular RNA in human traumatic brain injury
Authors: Li Zhenxing , Lin Yixing , Mao Lei , Zhang Li
Published: January 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes high rates of worldwide mortality and morbidity due to the complex secondary injury cascade. Recently, circular ribonucleic acids (circRNAs) have attracted significant attention in a variety of diseases. However, their expression characteristics in human TBI are still unclear. In this study, we examined brain injury tissues from six severe TBI patients in Jinling Hospital. The TBI tissues and adjacent brain contusion tissues were used to analyze differential expression signatures of circRNAs through full-length transcriptome sequencing, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and ceRNA network construction. Our results found that there were 126 differently expressed circRNAs in TBI. Among them, 64 circRNAs were up-regulated and 62 circRNAs were down-regulated. Moreover, GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the aberrantly expressed circRNAs participated in many pathophysiological processes of TBI, especially regarding microglial cell activation, protein transport, protein processing and inflammation. Furthermore, the ceRNA (circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) network predicted that there existed strong relationship among circRNA, miRNA and mRNA. Taken together, our results indicated for the first time that the expression profiles of circRNAs were different after human TBI. In addition, we found the signaling pathways that were related to circRNAs and predicted a ceRNA network, which provided new insight of circRNAs in human TBI.
Case report: Cerebellar sparing in juvenile Huntington's disease
Authors: Santos-Lobato Bruno Lopes , Rocha Jéssica Santos de Souza , Rocha Luciano Chaves
Published: January 2023

Juvenile Huntington's disease is an early-onset variant of Huntington's disease, generally associated with large CAG repeats and distinct clinical symptoms. The role of the cerebellum in Huntington's disease has been reevaluated, based on the presence of ataxia and findings on the impact of the disease on cerebellar volume. Recent studies showed a hyperconnectivity between the cerebellum and the basal ganglia in premanifest children with expanded CAG repeats, as well as an enlargement of the cerebellum in adolescence-onset Huntington's disease. We report a 21-year-old Brazilian female with Huntington's disease (age at disease onset 16 years) with Parkinsonism and no ataxic features. There was no reduction of cerebellar volume over 3 years of follow-up, despite the brain atrophy in other regions and clinical worsening. Furthermore, the cerebellar volume of the patient was similar to age- and sex-matched controls. These findings support the existence of compensatory mechanisms involving the cerebellum in individuals with a moderate-to-high number of CAG repeats (50–100 copies) in the early stages of life.
The potential roles of dental pulp stem cells in peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Fu Jing , Li Xigong , Jin Feilu , Dong Yanzhao , Zhou Haiying , Alhaskawi Ahmad , Wang Zewei , Lai Jingtian , Yao Chengjun , Ezzi Sohaib Hasan Abdullah , Kota Vishnu Goutham , Hasan Abdulla Hasan Abdulla Mohamed , Chen Bin , Lu Hui
Published: January 2023

Peripheral nerve diseases are significantly correlated with severe fractures or trauma and surgeries, leading to poor life quality and impairment of physical and mental health. Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are neural crest stem cells with a strong multi-directional differentiation potential and proliferation capacity that provide a novel cell source for nerve regeneration. DPSCs are easily extracted from dental pulp tissue of human permanent or deciduous teeth. DPSCs can express neurotrophic and immunomodulatory factors and, subsequently, induce blood vessel formation and nerve regeneration. Therefore, DPSCs yield valuable therapeutic potential in the management of peripheral neuropathies. With the purpose of summarizing the advances in DPSCs and their potential applications in peripheral neuropathies, this article reviews the biological characteristics of DPSCs in association with the mechanisms of peripheral nerve regeneration.
Structural atrophy and functional dysconnectivity patterns in the cerebellum relate to cerebral networks in svMCI
Authors: Acharya Alaka , Ren Peng , Yi Liye , Tian Weiming , Liang Xia
Published: January 2023

Subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) is associated with structural and functional changes in the cerebral cortex affecting major brain networks. While recent studies have shown that the intrinsic cerebral connectivity networks can be mapped onto the cerebellum, and the cortex and cerebellum are interconnected via the cortico-basal ganglia-cerebellar circuit, structural and functional disruptions in cerebellum in svMCI are rarely studied. In this study, we conducted voxel-based morphometry analysis to investigate gray matter atrophy pattern across cerebellar regions in 40 svMCI patients, and explored alterations in functional connectivity between the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The results showed that the amount of cerebellar atrophy within the default mode, salience, and frontoparietal networks correlated with their counterpart in the cerebral cortex. Moreover, key regions of the cerebellum, including the lobule VI, VIIb, VIII, and Crus I, which are reported to have a role in cognitive function, showed both anatomical atrophy and decreased functional connectivity with the striatum. These atrophy and connectivity patterns in the cerebellum also correlated with memory performances. These findings demonstrate that there are coupled changes in cerebral and cerebellar circuits, reflecting that degeneration patterns in svMCI are not limited to the cerebral cortex but similarly extend to the cerebellum as well, and suggest the cortico-basal ganglia-cerebellar circuit may play an important role in the pathology of svMCI.
Measure functional network and cortical excitability in post-anoxic patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome diagnosed by behavioral scales
Authors: Li Chen , Wang Yong , Li Wende , Yang Yi , Xia Xiaoyu
Published: January 2023

Background

Brain assessment shows great values in prognosis, treatment, resource allocation, and decision-making for patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). However, less research focused on cortical conditions of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS).

Methods

We recorded resting-state EEG and TMS-EEG from post-anoxic patients with UWS, diagnosed by repeated Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Measurements of functional connectivity and networks were performed by phase lock value (PLV) and network parameters of graph theory (average path length, clustering coefficient, and small-world). Global cortical reactivity values (GCRV) were used to assess cortical excitability.

Results

The coefficient of variation (CV) presented marked inter-individual variations of PLV (CV = 0.285), network parameters (CV > 0.2), and GCRV (CV = 0.929) within these patients. The patients’ PLV and network parameters at theta and alpha bands significantly correlated with their GCRV values. Patients with higher PLV (r = 0.560, 0.406), as well as better preserved network (lower average path length (r = −0.522, −0.483), higher clustering coefficient (r = 0.522, 0.445), and small-world (r = 0.522, 0.445) at theta and alpha bands, presented higher GCRV. The functional connectivity, which is significantly correlated with frontal GCRV, is also mainly located in the frontal region. These correlations were not significant at other frequency bands: Delta, beta, and gamma bands.

Conclusion

These findings suggested that the CRS-R-diagnosed post-anoxic patients with UWS had very different cortical conditions. Functional networks and cortical excitability measured by TMS-EEG could complement behavioral assessment to assess these patients’ cortical conditions.

Significance

It provides a deeper understanding of neurophysiological dysfunction in patients with UWS and hints to the clinics that neural-electrophysiological assessment for such patients may be necessary to acquire their brain conditions, which may benefit stratified management for them.
Effects of acupuncture on cartilage p38MAPK and mitochondrial pathways in animal model of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic evaluation and meta-analysis
Authors: Ye Jiang-nan , Su Cheng-guo , Jiang Yu-qing , Zhou Yan , Sun Wen-xi , Zheng Xiao-xia , Miao Jin-tao , Li Xiang-yue , Zhu Jun
Published: January 2023

Background

Most previous studies on acupuncture in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have focused on improving functional efficacy and safety, while related mechanisms have not been systematically reviewed. Acupuncture modulates cytokines to attenuate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, key to the pathogenesis of KOA, but the mechanisms are complex.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of acupuncture quantitatively and summarily in animal studies of KOA.

Methods

Nine databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (including Medline), Cochrane library, Scopus, CNKI, Wan Fang, and VIP were searched to retrieve animal studies on acupuncture interventions in KOA published since the inception of the journal. Relevant literature was screened, and information extracted. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata 17.0 software.

Results

The 35 included studies involved 247 animals, half of which were in acupuncture groups and half in model groups. The mean quality level was 6.7, indicating moderate quality. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture had the following significant effects on cytokine levels in p38MAPK and mitochondrial pathways: (1) p38MAPK pathway: It significantly inhibits p38MAPK, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), phosphorylated (p)-p38MAPK, matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), MMP-1, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMST-5) expression, and significantly increased the expression of collagen II and aggrecan. (2) mitochondrial pathway: It significantly inhibited the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cysteine protease-3 (caspase-3), caspase-9, and Cytochrome-c (Cyt-c). And significantly increased the expression of B cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2). In addition, acupuncture significantly reduced chondrocyte apoptosis, Mankin’s score (a measure of cartilage damage), and improved cartilage morphometric characteristics.

Conclusion

Acupuncture may inhibit cytokine expression in the p38MAPK pathway to attenuate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation, regulate cytokines in the mitochondrial pathway to inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis, and improve cartilage tissue-related phenotypes to delay cartilage degeneration. These findings provide possible explanations for the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical benefits of acupuncture for KOA.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com, identifier INPLASY20 2290125.