bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency transvenous temporary pacing during rotational atherectomy
Authors: Schwarz Konstantin , Mascherbauer Julia , Schmidt Elisabeth , Zirkler Martina , Lamm Gudrun , Vock Paul , Kwok Chun Shing , Borovac Josip Andelo , Mousavi Roya Anahita , Hoppe Uta C. , Leibundgut Gregor , Will Maximilian
Published: December 2023

Background

Rotational atherectomy (RA) during percutaneous coronary intervention may cause transient bradycardia or a higher-degree heart block. Traditionally, some operators use prophylactic transvenous pacing wire (TPW) to avoid haemodynamic complications associated with bradycardia.

Objective

We sought to establish the frequency of bail-out need for emergency TPW insertion in patients undergoing RA that have received no upfront TPW insertion.

Methods

We performed a single-centre retrospective study of all patients undergoing RA between October 2009 and October 2022. Patient characteristics, procedural variables, and in-hospital complications were registered.

Results

A total of 331 patients who underwent RA procedure were analysed. No patients underwent prophylactic TPW insertion. The mean age was 73.3 ± 9.1 years, 71.6% (n = 237) were male, while nearly half of the patients were diabetic [N = 158 (47.7%)]. The right coronary artery was the most common target for RA (40.8%), followed by the left anterior descending (34.1%), left circumflex (14.8%), and left main stem artery (10.3%). Altogether 20 (6%) patients required intraprocedural atropine therapy. Emergency TPW insertion was needed in one (0.3%) patient only. Eight (2.4%) patients died, although only one (0.3%) was adjudicated as being possibly related to RA-induced bradycardia. Five patients (1.5%) had ventricular fibrillation arrest, while nine (2.7%) required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Six (1.8%) procedures were complicated by coronary perforation, two (0.6%) were complicated by tamponade, while 17 (5.1%) patients experienced vascular access complications.

Conclusions

Bail-out transvenous temporary pacing is very rarely required during RA. A standby temporary pacing strategy seems reasonable and may avoid unnecessary TPW complications compared with routine use.
G protein-coupled receptors and obesity
Authors: Pocai Alessandro
Published: December 2023

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as important drug targets for various chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Obesity is a complex chronic disease that requires long term management predisposing to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. The therapeutic landscape for GPCR as targets of anti-obesity medications has undergone significant changes with the approval of semaglutide, the first peptide glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) achieving double digit weight loss (≥10%) and cardiovascular benefits. The enhanced weight loss, with the expected beneficial effect on obesity-related complications and reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), has propelled the commercial opportunity for the obesity market leading to new players entering the space. Significant progress has been made on approaches targeting GPCRs such as single peptides that simultaneously activate GIP and/or GCGR in addition to GLP1, oral tablet formulation of GLP-1, small molecules nonpeptidic oral GLP1R and fixed-dose combination as well as add-on therapy for patients already treated with a GLP-1 agonist.
Kin affiliation, socio-sexual and mating preference in the female Microtus ochrogaster in a multiple socio-sexual preference test
Authors: Ferreira-Nuño Armando , Young Larry J. , Morales Otal Adriana , Camacho Francisco , Díaz Néstor F. , Paredes Raúl G. , Prado Alberto , Cruz Benites Antonio , Portillo Wendy
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is a socially monogamous species that, after cohabitation with mating, forms an enduring pair bond. It has been suggested that female prairie voles avoid mating with fathers and siblings to prevent inbreeding depression. However, controlled laboratory tests of preferences involving males with varying degree of relatedness have not been conducted.

Methods

To address this, we employed a multiple socio-sexual preference arena consisting of four adjacent cylinders arranged in a closed circle. In each cylinder, we placed a male of varying relatedness to the experimental female (i.e., father, sibling, first-degree cousin, and unrelated males) and registered their behavior for five hours. Male socio-sexual preference was determined by the proportion of time spent in each male's chamber, which can be driven by affiliative preferences for the father and sibling and sexual attraction for the cousin and unrelated males. Mating preference was analyzed as the frequency of mating with each male. We hypothesized that receptive females would show sexual attraction and mating preferences for the unrelated males and cousins and affiliative preferences for the fathers and siblings.

Results

Our analyses showed that females spent more time with first-degree cousins and mated more often with them compared to unrelated males, siblings, or fathers. However, complete inbreeding avoidance was not observed, and some females mated with siblings, fathers, or both.

Discussion

Although our results did not support the hypothesis, they are consistent with other studies that have argued that mating with first-degree cousins optimizes the costs and benefits associated with inbreeding and outbreeding.
Epigenetic regulation and therapeutic strategies in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yan Liwei , Gu Chao , Gao Shanyu , Wei Benzheng
Published: December 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, and is characterized by the diffuse inflammation and ulceration in the colon and rectum mucosa, even extending to the caecum. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylations, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, are implicated in the differentiation, maturation, and functional modulation of multiple immune and non-immune cell types, and are influenced and altered in various chronic inflammatory diseases, including UC. Here we review the relevant studies revealing the differential epigenetic features in UC, and summarize the current knowledge about the immunopathogenesis of UC through epigenetic regulation and inflammatory signaling networks, regarding DNA methylation, histone modification, miRNAs and lncRNAs. We also discuss the epigenetic-associated therapeutic strategies for the alleviation and treatment of UC, which will provide insights to intervene in the immunopathological process of UC in view of epigenetic regulation.
Immunoproteomics reveal increased serum IgG3/5 binding to Dermatophagoides and yeast protein antigens in severe equine asthma in a preliminary study
Authors: Schnabel Christiane L. , Jentsch Maria-Christin , Lübke Sabrina , Kaiser-Thom Sarah , Gerber Vinzenz , Vrtala Susanne , Huang Huey-Jy , Rhyner Claudio , Wagner Bettina , Hoffmann Ralf , Volke Daniela 
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a common, chronic respiratory disease of horses characterized by hyperreactivity to hay dust which has many similarities to severe neutrophilic asthma in humans. SEA-provoking antigens have not been comprehensively characterized, but molds and mites have been suggested as relevant sources. Here, we identified relevant antigen candidates using immunoproteomics with IgG isotype-binding analyses.

Methods

Proteins from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting (2D immunoblots) resulting in a characteristic pattern of 440 spots. After serum incubation, antibody (Ig)-binding of all Ig (Pan-Ig) and IgG isotypes (type-2-associated IgG3/5, type-1-associated IgG4/7) was quantified per each spot and compared between asthmatic and healthy horses’ sera (n=5 per group).

Results

Ig binding differences were detected in 30 spots. Pan-Ig binding was higher with asthmatics compared to healthy horses’ sera on four spots, and IgG3/5 binding was higher on 18 spots. Small IgG4/7 binding differences were detected on 10 spots with higher binding with asthmatics’ sera on four but higher binding with healthy horses’ sera on six spots. Proteins from the spots with group differences including mite and yeast proteins were identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The latter likely originated from the feeding substrate of the Der p culture. Prioritized antigen candidates amongst the proteins identified were Der p 1, Der p 11, group 15 allergens, myosin heavy chain, and uncharacterized Der p proteins. Additionally, yeast enolases, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and heat shock proteins were prioritized. Eleven antigen candidates were tested for confirmation by ELISAs using the respective proteins separately. Differences in asthmatics vs. healthy horses’ serum Ig binding to Der p 1, Der p 18, and three yeast enzymes (enolase, ADH, and PGK) confirmed these as promising antigens of immune responses in SEA.

Discussion

Antigens with relevance in SEA were newly identified by immunoproteomics, and yeast antigens were considered for SEA for the first time. Serum IgG3/5 binding to relevant antigens was increased in SEA and is a novel feature that points to increased type-2 responses in SEA but requires confirmation of the corresponding cellular responses.
Soluble CD83 modulates human-monocyte-derived macrophages toward alternative phenotype, function, and metabolism
Authors: Peckert-Maier Katrin , Wild Andreas B. , Sprißler Laura , Fuchs Maximilian , Beck Philipp , Auger Jean-Philippe , Sinner Pia , Strack Astrid , Mühl-Zürbes Petra , Ramadan Ntilek , Kunz Meik , Krönke Gerhard , Stich Lena , Steinkasserer Alexander , Royzman Dmytro
Published: December 2023

Alterations in macrophage (Mφ) polarization, function, and metabolic signature can foster development of chronic diseases, such as autoimmunity or fibrotic tissue remodeling. Thus, identification of novel therapeutic agents that modulate human Mφ biology is crucial for treatment of such conditions. Herein, we demonstrate that the soluble CD83 (sCD83) protein induces pro-resolving features in human monocyte-derived Mφ biology. We show that sCD83 strikingly increases the expression of inhibitory molecules including ILT-2 (immunoglobulin-like transcript 2), ILT-4, ILT-5, and CD163, whereas activation markers, such as MHC-II and MSR-1, were significantly downregulated. This goes along with a decreased capacity to stimulate alloreactive T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays. Bulk RNA sequencing and pathway analyses revealed that sCD83 downregulates pathways associated with pro-inflammatory, classically activated Mφ (CAM) differentiation including HIF-1A, IL-6, and cytokine storm, whereas pathways related to alternative Mφ activation and liver X receptor were significantly induced. By using the LXR pathway antagonist GSK2033, we show that transcription of specific genes (e.g., PPARG, ABCA1, ABCG1, CD36) induced by sCD83 is dependent on LXR activation. In summary, we herein reveal for the first time mechanistic insights into the modulation of human Mφ biology by sCD83, which is a further crucial preclinical study for the establishment of sCD83 as a new therapeutical agent to treat inflammatory conditions.
Coastal clean-up in Southeast Asia: lessons learned, challenges, and future strategies
Authors: Purba Noir P. , Pasaribu Buntora , Faizal Ibnu , Martasuganda Marine K. , Ilmi Muhammad Hafidz , Febriani Choerunnisa , Alfarez Raffy R.
Published: December 2023

The significant accumulation of marine debris on beaches poses a challenge and raises serious concerns to the global environmental sustainability. It has been previously reported that Southeast Asian (SEA) is one of the global hotspots of marine debris contributor to almost 30% of marine debris pollution to the world oceans. This review discusses the challenge and provide the information of mitigation efforts associated with beach clean-up initiatives to combat the marine debris in Southeast Asia. We employ the comprehensive of qualitative data analysis from relevant literature reviews and conducting a structured study specific to the region, therefore, this research highlights the prevalence and characteristics of marine debris that addressed Coastal Cleanup Activities (CCA) in Southeast Asian. Plastic debris remains type of marine debris commonly found across the beaches. Furthermore, Coastal Clean Up (CCU) activities involving local communities have progressively gained prominence in addressing marine debris issues by utilizing educational outreach to raise awareness effectively. Participants in these initiatives include students, tourists, and high school students. The crucial gap of Coastal CCA required the consistent application of scientific methods during beach clean-ups in Southeast Asian. The importance of community involvement, the adoption of scientific methodology, regular clean-up initiatives, and the potential of marine citizen science formulation could potentially contribute in facilitating an effective approach of marine debris management and education in Southeast Asia. Given the substantial component of initiatives, the result of this study proposes the focus on marine citizen science emerges in the future as a potential avenue for educating and engaging the public awareness towards understanding and tackling marine debris accumulation in Southeast Asian beaches.
RFI mitigation for 2D Synthetic Aperture Interferometric Radiometers using combined theoretical and machine learning technique
Authors: Xu Ming , Li Hongping , Yin Xiaobin
Published: December 2023

Synthetic Aperture Interferometric Radiometer (SAIR) as one of the most advanced instruments for Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) observation, has been in service on SMOS mission for years and is planned on the Chinese Ocean Salinity Satellite in the near future. However, a lot of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) emissions are found in SMOS views, which contaminate the brightness temperature measurements of the SAIR instrument, and further impede the retrieval of SSS fields. Concerning SAIR’s operating mode, this study proposes an RFI mitigation method comprising two algorithms for co- and cross-polarization, respectively. First, RFI signatures are identified based on a series of thresholds defined by radiation theory, and then mitigated through a simple machine learning technique of Support Vector Regression (SVR), leveraging either SAIR’s multi-angle measurements or sea surface roughness descriptors, depending on the specific polarization mode. Finally, the outputs of all polarizations are merged and written back to the Level 1C brightness temperature product as the final result. Using the proposed method, the notable outliers arose from RFI contamination are attenuated, and the variation of standard deviations over nearby snapshots is smoothed, as expected on a homogeneous ocean. Furthermore, with the official L2OS software implementing the SSS retrieval procedure from the rewritten Level 1C brightness temperatures, the data re-gain of SSS fields is achieved in some places that are not attainable for the current SMOS Level 2 SSS products, with a reasonable error compared to WOA2009 SSS, confirming the validity of the proposed method. Hopefully, this work could provide a practical solution to current and future SAIR observing predicaments.
Combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and silicon improves growth and fatty acid composition in marine epiphytic diatoms
Authors: Yang Miao , Xu Xin-Yue , Hu Han-Wen , Zhang Wei-Dong , Ma Jing-Yi , Lei Heng-Ping , Wang Qing-Zhi , Xie Xi , Gong Zheng
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Marine epiphytic diatoms are natural diets for multiple marine invertebrates, including sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc. They also act as bioindicators in marine waters to assess water quality of coastal ecosystems.

Material and methods

We isolated three strains of Navicula and two strains of Nitzschia from macroalgal epiphytes. Combined concentrations of four macroelements, five trace metals, and three vitamins in f/2 medium were optimized for these diatoms using single-factor and orthogonal tests.

Results and discussion

The biomass productivities for 4-L enlarged cultures of the five isolated diatoms in their exclusively optimized f/2 media all increased by nearly 10-fold relative to f/2 medium, and that of Navicula-1 and Nitzschia-2 reached the highest, i.e., 29.52 ± 1.98 and 30.68 ± 2.84 g m-2 d-1, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundance of C20:5n3 in the exclusively optimized f/2 medium-cultured Navicula-1 notably rose by 24%, and that in Nitzschia-2 held stable at > 25%. Thus, Navicula-1 and Nitzschia-2 were screened out with outstanding growth traits and improved fatty acid compositions at high levels of combined nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and silicon. The two diatoms have potential for becoming quality diets for marine aquaculture, and ideal candidates for effective nutrient removal.
Neurophysiological hallmarks of Huntington’s disease progression: an EEG and fMRI connectivity study
Authors: Ponomareva Natalya V. , Klyushnikov Sergey A. , Abramycheva Natalia , Konovalov Rodion N. , Krotenkova Marina , Kolesnikova Ekaterina , Malina Daria , Urazgildeeva Gusel , Kanavets Elena , Mitrofanov Andrey , Fokin Vitaly , Rogaev Evgeny , Illarioshkin Sergey N.
Published: December 2023

Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can provide corroborative data on neurophysiological alterations in Huntington’s disease (HD). However, the alterations in EEG and fMRI resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), as well as their interrelations, at different stages of HD remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to identify neurophysiological alterations in individuals with preclinical HD (preHD) and early manifest HD (EMHD) by analyzing EEG and fMRI rsFC and examining their interrelationships. We found significant differences in EEG power between preHD individuals and healthy controls (HC), with a decrease in power in a specific frequency range at the theta-alpha border and slow alpha activity. In EMHD patients, in addition to the decrease in power in the 7–9 Hz range, a reduction in power within the classic alpha band compared to HC was observed. The fMRI analysis revealed disrupted functional connectivity in various brain networks, particularly within frontal lobe, putamen-cortical, and cortico-cerebellar networks, in individuals with the HD mutation compared to HC. The analysis of the relationship between EEG and fMRI rsFC revealed an association between decreased alpha power, observed in individuals with EMHD, and increased connectivity in large-scale brain networks. These networks include putamen-cortical, DMN-related and cortico-hippocampal circuits. Overall, the findings suggest that EEG and fMRI provide valuable information for monitoring pathological processes during the development of HD. A decrease in inhibitory control within the putamen-cortical, DMN-related and cortico-hippocampal circuits, accompanied by a reduction in alpha and theta-alpha border oscillatory activity, could potentially contribute to cognitive decline in HD.
Gray-white matter boundary Z-score and volume as imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tian Yunan , Oh Jang-Hoon , Rhee Hak Young , Park Soonchan , Ryu Chang-Woo , Cho Ah Rang , Jahng Geon-Ho
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) presents typically gray matter atrophy and white matter abnormalities in neuroimaging, suggesting that the gray-white matter boundary could be altered in individuals with AD. The purpose of this study was to explore differences of gray-white matter boundary Z-score (gwBZ) and its tissue volume (gwBTV) between patients with AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively normal (CN) elderly participants.

Methods

Three-dimensional T1-weight images of a total of 227 participants were prospectively obtained from our institute from 2006 to 2022 to map gwBZ and gwBTV on images. Statistical analyses of gwBZ and gwBTV were performed to compare the three groups (AD, MCI, CN), to assess their correlations with age and Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and to evaluate their effects on AD classification in the hippocampus.

Results

This study included 62 CN participants (71.8 ± 4.8 years, 20 males, 42 females), 72 MCI participants (72.6 ± 5.1 years, 23 males, 49 females), and 93 AD participants (73.6 ± 7.7 years, 22 males, 71 females). The AD group had lower gwBZ and gwBTV than CN and MCI groups. K-MMSE showed positive correlations with gwBZ and gwBTV whereas age showed negative correlations with gwBZ and gwBTV. The combination of gwBZ or gwBTV with K-MMSE had a high accuracy in classifying AD from CN in the hippocampus with an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.972 for both.

Conclusion

gwBZ and gwBTV were reduced in AD. They were correlated with cognitive function and age. Moreover, gwBZ or gwBTV combined with K-MMSE had a high accuracy in differentiating AD from CN in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that evaluating gwBZ and gwBTV in AD brain could be a useful tool for monitoring AD progression and diagnosis.
Age-related impairments and influence of visual feedback when learning to stand with unexpected sensorimotor delays
Authors: Rasman Brandon G. , van der Zalm Christian , Forbes Patrick A.
Published: December 2023

Background

While standing upright, the brain must accurately accommodate for delays between sensory feedback and self-generated motor commands. Natural aging may limit adaptation to sensorimotor delays due to age-related decline in sensory acuity, neuromuscular capacity and cognitive function. This study examined balance learning in young and older adults as they stood with robot-induced sensorimotor delays.

Methods

A cohort of community dwelling young (mean = 23.6 years, N = 20) and older adults (mean = 70.1 years, N = 20) participated in this balance learning study. Participants stood on a robotic balance simulator which was used to artificially impose a 250 ms delay into their control of standing. Young and older adults practiced to balance with the imposed delay either with or without visual feedback (i.e., eyes open or closed), resulting in four training groups. We assessed their balance behavior and performance (i.e., variability in postural sway and ability to maintain upright posture) before, during and after training. We further evaluated whether training benefits gained in one visual condition transferred to the untrained condition.

Results

All participants, regardless of age or visual training condition, improved their balance performance through training to stand with the imposed delay. Compared to young adults, however, older adults had larger postural oscillations at all stages of the experiments, exhibited less relative learning to balance with the delay and had slower rates of balance improvement. Visual feedback was not required to learn to stand with the imposed delay, but it had a modest effect on the amount of time participants could remain upright. For all groups, balance improvements gained from training in one visual condition transferred to the untrained visual condition.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that while advanced age partially impairs balance learning, the older nervous system maintains the ability to recalibrate motor control to stand with initially destabilizing sensorimotor delays under differing visual feedback conditions.
Assessing the length of hospital stay for patients with myasthenia gravis based on the data mining MARS approach
Authors: Chang Che-Cheng , Yeh Jiann-Horng , Chiu Hou-Chang , Liu Tzu-Chi , Chen Yen-Ming , Jhou Mao-Jhen , Lu Chi-Jie
Published: December 2023

Predicting the length of hospital stay for myasthenia gravis (MG) patients is challenging due to the complex pathogenesis, high clinical variability, and non-linear relationships between variables. Considering the management of MG during hospitalization, it is important to conduct a risk assessment to predict the length of hospital stay. The present study aimed to successfully predict the length of hospital stay for MG based on an expandable data mining technique, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Data from 196 MG patients' hospitalization were analyzed, and the MARS model was compared with classical multiple linear regression (MLR) and three other machine learning (ML) algorithms. The average hospital stay duration was 12.3 days. The MARS model, leveraging its ability to capture non-linearity, identified four significant factors: disease duration, age at admission, MGFA clinical classification, and daily prednisolone dose. Cut-off points and correlation curves were determined for these risk factors. The MARS model outperformed the MLR and the other ML methods (including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator MLR, classification and regression tree, and random forest) in assessing hospital stay length. This is the first study to utilize data mining methods to explore factors influencing hospital stay in patients with MG. The results highlight the effectiveness of the MARS model in identifying the cut-off points and correlation for risk factors associated with MG hospitalization. Furthermore, a MARS-based formula was developed as a practical tool to assist in the measurement of hospital stay, which can be feasibly supported as an extension of clinical risk assessment.
Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and chronic hydrocephalus in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with intraventricular hemorrhage
Authors: Wu Botao , Zhou Yang , Fan Hongjun , Liu Zhimin , Wu Wanyun , Chen Zebo , Yan Yong , Yuan Wen , Luo Wei
Published: December 2023

Background

Patients with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are at a higher risk of developing hydrocephalus and often require external ventricular drainage or long-term ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery.

Objective

To investigate whether cerebrospinal fluid drainage in patients with IVH due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) reduces the incidence of chronic hydrocephalus.

Method

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with aSAH treated at our hospital between January 2020 and December 2022. The first analysis compared patients with and without IVH, while the second analysis compared IVH patients with and without chronic hydrocephalus. The third analysis compared IVH patients who underwent in different drainage methods which is lumbar drainage (LD) or external ventricular drainage (EVD). The primary outcome measure was the incidence of chronic hydrocephalus.

Result

Of the 296 patients hospitalized with aSAH, 108 (36.5%) had IVH, which was associated with a significantly higher incidence of chronic hydrocephalus compared to patients without IVH (49.1% vs. 16.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IVH was independently associated with the formation of chronic hydrocephalus (OR: 3.530, 95% CI: 1.958–6.362, p < 0.001). Among the 108 IVH patients, 53 (49.1%) developed chronic hydrocephalus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the Hunt Hess grade at admission (OR: 3.362, 95% CI: 1.146–9.863, p = 0.027) and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid drainage (OR: 0.110, 95% CI: 0.036–0.336, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for the development of chronic hydrocephalus in IVH patients. Among all IVH patients who underwent cerebrospinal fluid drainage, 45 (75%) received continuous lumbar puncture drainage, and 15 (25%) received external ventricular drainage. Univariate analysis did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative chronic hydrocephalus (p = 0.283). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the drainage methods of LD and EVD might be associated with the development of chronic hydrocephalus.

Conclusion

The presence of IVH increases the risk of chronic hydrocephalus in patients with aSAH, and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid drainage appears to reduce this risk. The specific effects of lumbar puncture drainage and ventricular drainage on the incidence of chronic hydrocephalus require further investigation.
Flow diversion for unruptured fusiform aneurysms of the proximal middle cerebral artery
Authors: Gai Yanting , Nuerdong Maimaitiali , Jiang Yicheng , Wang Wei , Pu Benfang , Xu Feng , Song Donglei
Published: December 2023

Background

Managing fusiform aneurysms of the proximal (M1) segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is challenging due to difficulties in both surgical and endovascular treatment. In this study, we present our experience using flow diverter stents for managing unruptured M1 segment fusiform aneurysms.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of the database of our institution to identify all patients who underwent flow diversion treatment for unruptured M1 segment fusiform aneurysms. We collected data on patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, complications, angiographic follow-up results, and clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 10 patients (five male and five female patients) with 10 unruptured M1 segment fusiform aneurysms were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 48 years (range: 16–64 years); five patients had aneurysms smaller than 10 mm, four had aneurysms measuring between 10 and 25 mm, and one patient had an aneurysm larger than 25 mm. The successful deployment of flow-diverting stents was achieved in all cases. Procedure-related morbidity was observed in 10% of patients, but there were no deaths. All patients showed good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1); eight out of 10 patients had available follow-up angiography results with a mean follow-up period of 11.6 months (range: 6–24 months). Complete occlusion occurred in six out of eight reviewed cases (75%).

Conclusion

Our preliminary findings suggest that using flow diversion for treating unruptured fusiform aneurysms in the proximal MCA is feasible and safe, with a satisfactory rate of complete occlusion. However, further studies involving larger case series are needed to validate the durability and efficacy of this treatment approach.
The effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on lipid profiles and renal function in people with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Yazdanpanah Zeinab , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Mozaffari Zohre , Hemayati Roya
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important microvascular complications of diabetes. Despite the modern treatments, herbs or medicinal plants have gained wide attention. One of these herbs is green tea (Camellia sinensis), which may have an impact on renal function, lipid profiles, and HbA1c. However, the evidence for this is unclear and limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of green tea on these parameters in type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) with nephropathy.

Methods

Sixty-six individuals with T2DM nephropathy (aged 30–70 years) were randomly assigned to receive three cups of green tea/day (n= 22), two cups of green tea/day (n= 22), and the control group (n= 22) for 12 weeks. Lipid profiles, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and renal markers were measured before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), least significant difference (LSD)post hoc, and analysis of covariance were used to compare quantitative variables.

Results

In total, 64 participants completed the study. Consuming three cups of infusion green tea per day (7.5 gr) led to a significant reduction in serum levels of total cholesterol (p= 0.009) and HbA1c (p= 0.006) and increased in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p= 0.02) compared with the control group who did not drink green tea. However, no significant differences were observed for other variables.

Conclusion

In general, it was found that drinking three cups of green tea infusion (7.5 gr) per day produced beneficial effects on some lipid profiles and HbA1c without any adverse effects on renal function in patients with T2DM nephropathy. More studies are needed to fully elucidate these findings.

Clinical trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) under registry number: IRCT2014020114538N2.
Association between oxidative stress exposure and colorectal cancer risk in 98,395 participants: results from a prospective study
Authors: Gu Haitao , Li Bo , Xiang Ling , Xu Zhiquan , Tang Yunhao , Zhu Zhiyong , Jiang Yahui , Peng Linglong , He Hongmei , Wang Yaxu
Published: December 2023

Background

The intricate role of oxidative stress (OS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation is underscored by an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants. Utilizing the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) as a metric, this study aims to investigate the association between OS exposure and CRC risk, while also examining potential sex-specific differences in a large U.S. cohort.

Methods

The study included 98,395 adults from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. To construct the OBS, 14 dietary and lifestyle factors intricately associated with oxidative stress were quantified. A higher OBS value indicated a more favorable oxidative balance pattern or diminished OS exposure. Due to sex-specific differences in OBS, associations were evaluated separately for men and women based on Cox regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted to elucidate potential modifiers.

Results

During 867,963.4 person-years of follow-up, 1,054 CRCs occurred. The mean (SD) age and OBS were 65.52 (5.73) years and 14.09 (3.95) points, respectively. In the fully adjusted Cox model, we observed an inverse association between OBS and CRC incidence in women (HRQ5vsQ1: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.99; P for trend = 0.018) but not men. Subgroup analyses revealed the inverse association was more pronounced among women without versus with a family history of CRC (HRQ5vsQ1: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.93; P for trend = 0.001; P for interaction = 0.001). The results remained robust after several sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Higher OBS was associated with lower CRC risk in women but not men; this inverse association was stronger among women without a family history of CRC. These findings suggest exposure to OS may confer sex-specific CRC risk effects, especially for women without a family history of CRC.
TSPO is a potential independent prognostic factor associated with cellular respiration and p16 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tuominen Sanni , Nissi Linda , Kukkula Antti , Routila Johannes , Huusko Teemu , Leivo Ilmo , Minn Heikki , Irjala Heikki , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Ventelä Sami , Sundvall Maria , Grönroos Tove J.
Published: December 2023

Background

Treatment resistance and relapse are common problems in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Except for p16, no clinically accepted prognostic biomarkers are available for HNSCC. New biomarkers predictive of recurrence and survival are crucial for optimal treatment planning and patient outcome. High translocator protein (TSPO) levels have been associated with poor survival in cancer, but the role of TSPO has not been extensively evaluated in HNSCC.

Materials and methods

TSPO expression was determined in a large population-based tissue microarray cohort including 611 patients with HNSCC and evaluated for survival in several clinicopathological subgroups. A TCGA HNSCC cohort was used to further analyze the role of TSPO in HNSCC.

Results

TSPO expression was downregulated in more aggressive tumors. Low TSPO expression associated with worse 5-year survival and was an independent prognostic factor for disease-specific survival. Subgroup analyses showed that low TSPO expression associated with worse survival particularly in p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer. In silico analyses supported the prognostic role of TSPO. Cellular respiration had the highest significance in pathway analyses for genes expressed positively with TSPO.

Conclusion

Decreased TSPO expression associates with poor prognosis in HNSCC. TSPO is a prognostic biomarker in HNSCC to potentially guide treatment stratification especially in p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer.
Renal outcomes in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease: a single center experience in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Monagel Dania A. , Algahtani Shatha S. , Karawagh Lian A. , Althubaity Wafa D. , Azab Sara A. , Haneef Deena F. , Elimam Naglla
Published: December 2023

Background

Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) is a significant complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) with an asymptomatic onset in childhood and potential progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The clinical findings of SCN include hyposthenuria, hematuria, proteinuria, hyperfiltration, and CKD. Data on renal manifestation among patients with SCD in Saudi Arabia is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate renal outcomes in patients with SCD who visited a hematology clinic at the National Guard Hospital, Jeddah.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of renal complications in patients with SCD who are within 0–14 years of age and on regular follow-ups at the pediatric hematology clinic in King Abdulaziz Medical City-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Results

Among the 140 patients with SCD, 99 met the inclusion criteria. The median age at diagnosis was 18 (1–108) months. Two SCD phenotypes were observed, with 82 (83%) patients having sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and 17 (17%) having HbS/B+ thalassemia. Of the total patients, 92 (93%) were administered hydroxyurea (HU), with a median starting age of 48 (9–168) months. The most common renal complication observed during routine urinalysis was hematuria (38%), followed by proteinuria (11%). After stratifying the sample into four age groups (0–3 years old, 4–7 years old, 8–11 years old, and 12–14 years old), the mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values were 96.16, 101.36, 112.69, and 120.11 ml/min/1.73 m2 respectively. Renal imaging revealed abnormal findings in 27 (29%) patients. The most common abnormality observed on US was increased echogenicity (43%).

Conclusion

SCN is a significant complication of SCD. In this study, we assessed the renal outcomes in pediatric patients with SCD. After analyzing the clinical findings of SCN, we concluded that the presence of renal complications in pediatric patients presented a progressive pattern.
Tibetan medicine Bang Jian: a comprehensive review on botanical characterization, traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Jie , Fan Jin-ya , Zhong Shi-hong , Gu Rui
Published: December 2023

Tibetan medicine Bang Jian refers to a range of botanical drugs within the Gentiana genus. It serves as a prominent traditional Tibetan botanical drug primarily found in the ethnic minority regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Traditionally, the dried flowers of Bang Jian, known as “Longdanhua” have been employed in Tibetan medicine to address detoxification, pharyngeal relief, acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, lung infections, pulmonary fibrosis, and throat disorders. Surprisingly, there has been no comprehensive review published to date on Tibetan medicine Bang Jian. This passage systematically presents and critically assesses recent advancements in botanical characterization, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical uses of Bang Jian, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for its reasonable use and further exploration. To date, researchers have isolated and identified 92 structurally diverse compounds, with a predominant presence of iridoids, flavonoids, xanthones, and triterpenoids. The crude extracts and metabolites derived from Bang Jian have been found to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological effects, encompassing anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective properties, and protect the respiratory system. Nevertheless, detailed data on the biological effects, metabolic activities, and mechanistic research concerning active monomer metabolites remain insufficient. Consequently, there is a pressing need for comprehensive and in-depth research to guide rational clinical drug usage and evaluate the medicinal attributes of Bang Jian.
Inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by oligoarginine peptides and polyamine-related compounds
Authors: Ojomoko Lucy O. , Kryukova Elena V. , Egorova Natalya S. , Salikhov Arthur I. , Epifanova Lyubov A. , Denisova Daria A. , Khomutov Alex R. , Sukhov Dmitry A. , Vassilevski Alexander A. , Khomutov Maxim A. , Tsetlin Victor I. , Shelukhina Irina V.
Published: December 2023

Oligoarginine peptides, known mostly for their cell-penetrating properties, are also inhibitors of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Since octa-arginine (R8) inhibits α9α10 nAChR and suppresses neuropathic pain, we checked if other polycationic compounds containing amino and/or guanidino groups could be effective and tested the activity of the disulfide-fixed “cyclo”R8, a series of biogenic polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine), C-methylated spermine analogs, agmatine and its analogs, as well as acylpolyamine argiotoxin-636 from spider venom. Their inhibitory potency on muscle-type, α7 and α9α10 nAChRs was determined using radioligand analysis, electrophysiology, and calcium imaging. “Cyclo”R8 showed similar activity to that of R8 against α9α10 nAChR (IC50 ≈ 60 nM). Biogenic polyamines as well as agmatine and its analogs displayed low activity on muscle-type Torpedo californica, as well as α7 and α9α10 nAChRs, which increased with chain length, the most active being spermine and its C-methylated derivatives having IC50 of about 30 μM against muscle-type T. californica nAChR. Argiotoxin-636, which contains a polyamine backbone and terminal guanidino group, also weakly inhibited T. californica nAChR (IC50 ≈ 15 μM), but it revealed high potency against rat α9α10 nAChR (IC50 ≈ 200 nM). We conclude that oligoarginines and similar polycationic compounds effectively inhibiting α9α10 nAChR may serve as a basis for the development of analgesics to reduce neuropathic pain.
Factors associated with nonattendance at annual diabetes check-up in Ningbo, China: a case-control study
Authors: Li Ling , Chattopadhyay Kaushik , Li Xueyu , Yu Jingjia , Xu Miao , Chen Xueqin , Li Li , Li Jialin
Published: December 2023

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a grave issue in China. The annual check-up is recommended in clinical guidelines on T2DM. It plays an important role in monitoring and managing the condition and detecting and managing any comorbidities and T2DM-related complications. However, people with T2DM may miss the annual check-up, and the benefits of this check-up are lost. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with nonattendance at the annual T2DM check-up in Ningbo, China.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted using the Ningbo National Metabolic Management Center dataset. Cases were people with T2DM who were alive but did not attend the first annual check-up, scheduled between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2022 (n = 1,549). Controls were people with T2DM who were alive and attended the first annual check-up during the same period (n = 1,354). The characteristics of cases and controls were compared using logistic regressions.

Results

The odds of being a female [odds ratio (OR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.50], alcohol drinker (1.26, 1.06–1.49), and with glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥7% (1.67, 1.42–1.97) were higher among case patients than controls. The odds of being a high school graduate (0.77, 0.66–0.89) and on standard treatments in addition to lifestyle modification (oral hypoglycemic drug 0.63, 0.42–0.96; oral hypoglycemic drug and injection therapy 0.48, 0.32–0.73) were lower among case patients than controls.

Conclusion

The factors associated with nonattendance at the annual T2DM check-up in Ningbo, China were female sex, not a high school graduate, alcohol drinker, HbA1c ≥7%, and only on lifestyle modification. The study findings should be used for improving attendance at the annual check-up among people with T2DM in Ningbo.
My Diet Study: protocol for a two-part observational, longitudinal, psycho-biological study of dieting in Australian youth
Authors: Okada Mirei , Pehlivan Melissa J. , Miskovic-Wheatley Jane , Barakat Sarah , Griffiths Kristi R. , Touyz Stephen W. , Simpson Stephen J. , Maguire Sarah , Holmes Andrew J.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Self-directed dieting (i.e., unsupervised) is very common among adolescents and young adults but has had almost no direct research. This paper describes the protocol for the My Diet Study, a two-arm observational investigation of the natural progression of dieting among young people over a period of 6-months. The study aims to examine the links between self-directed dieting, general physiological and psychological metrics of wellbeing (e.g., depressive symptoms) and biomarkers of gut-brain axis functions (e.g., microbiome and hormones) that are predicted to influence diet adherence through appetite, mood and metabolism regulation.

Methods

Young people aged 16–25, intending to start a diet will be invited to participate in this observational study. For Part 1 (psychological arm), participants will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires and diaries at the beginning of every month for 6 months, to assess overall mental (e.g., psychological distress, disordered eating) and physical (e.g., weight) health, perceived diet success, food intake and gastrointestinal movements. For Part 2 (biological arm), a subsample of 50 participants will be asked to provide feces, blood and saliva for bio-sampling each month for the first 3-months of their participation in Part 1.

Discussion

The My Diet Study will be the first longitudinal, observational study of dieting in young people combining in-depth psychological and biological data. It is anticipated that the findings will yield psychological & biological information about the impacts and effectiveness of self-directed dieting in young people, inform a framework for advice on safety in dieting among young people and help to establish the potential for biomarkers for risk management and improvement of diet-based lifestyle interventions.