bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Decaffeinated Green Tea Polyphenols on Body Fat and Precocious Puberty in Obese Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Xie Luyao , Tang Qingya , Yao Die , Gu Qiuyun , Zheng Hao , Wang Xiaodi , Yu Zhiping , Shen Xiuhua 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundObesity has been reported to be an important contributing factor for precocious puberty, especially in girls. The effect of green tea polyphenols on weight reduction in adult population has been shown, but few related studies have been conducted in children. This study was performed to examine the effectiveness and safety of decaffeinated green tea polyphenols (DGTP) on ameliorating obesity and early sexual development in girls with obesity.DesignThis is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Girls with obesity aged 6–10 years old were randomly assigned to receive 400 mg/day DGTP or isodose placebo orally for 12 weeks. During this period, all participants received the same instruction on diet and exercise from trained dietitians. Anthropometric measurements, secondary sexual characteristics, B-scan ultrasonography of uterus, ovaries and breast tissues, and related biochemical parameters were examined and assessed pre- and post-treatment.ResultsBetween August 2018 and January 2020, 62 girls with obesity (DGTP group n = 31, control group n = 31) completed the intervention and were included in analysis. After the intervention, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio significantly decreased in both groups, but the percentage of body fat (PBF), serum uric acid (UA), and the volumes of ovaries decreased significantly only within the DGTP group. After controlling confounders, DGTP showed a significantly decreased effect on the change of PBF (β = 2.932, 95% CI: 0.214 to 5.650), serum UA (β = 52.601, 95% CI: 2.520 to 102.681), and ovarian volumes (right: β = 1.881, 95% CI: 0.062 to 3.699, left: β = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.019 to 1.923) in girls with obesity. No side effect was reported in both groups during the whole period.ConclusionDGTP have shown beneficial effects of ameliorated obesity and postponed early sexual development in girls with obesity without any adverse effects. Clinical Trial Registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03628937], identifier [NCT03628937].
The Particulate Organic Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio Varies With Ocean Currents
Authors: Xiao Shengjun , Zhang Linlin , Teng Yuhao , Huang Tao , Luo Wen 
Published: October 2021

Ocean currents could adjust ocean carbon and nitrogen composition which are an important part of the global carbon and nitrogen cycle. We procured global concentrations of particulate carbon and nitrogen in different depths, classified them according to ocean currents (upper 300 m), and analyzed POC-to-PON ratio (particulate organic carbon-to-nitrogen ratio) variations. We found that the regions with currents have a higher ratio than those without currents in the northern hemisphere, except in 50°–60°N (median ratio without currents is 8.38). Warm currents (median ratio ranges from 5.96 to 8.44) have a higher ratio than cold currents (6.19–8.89), except for the East Greenland Current (reach to 8.44) and Labrador Current (reach to 8.89). Meanwhile, we also analyzed the effects of ocean currents’ flowing and found that the distributions of the POC-to-PON ratio vary in different current types (e.g., cause of formation and distance from the shore). Generally speaking, the POC-to-PON ratio of the eolian currents and near-ocean currents change fiercer than that of compensation currents and near-coast currents. Ocean currents also have a buffering effect in the variation between surface and deep water, which prevents the severe change of the POC-to-PON ratio. The high-value anomaly of POC-to-PON caused by the confluence of warm and cold currents was also analyzed. It can be deduced that the high ratio in the high-latitude region was mainly caused by the terrigenous organic matter (especially carbon) and low nitrogen.
Case Report: Variations in the ALPL Gene in Chinese Patients With Hypophosphatasia
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Qin Zailong , Yi Shang , Wei Hao , Zhou Xun zhao , Shen Fei 
Published: October 2021

Background: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an autosomal genetic disorder characterized biochemically by abnormal of bone parameters and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as well as clinically by deficiency of teeth and bone mineralization. The clinical presentation is a continuum ranging from a prenatal lethal form with no skeletal mineralization to a mild form with late adult onset presenting with non-pathognomonic symptoms. ALP deficiency is the key to the pathogenesis of abnormal metabolism and skeletal system damage in HPP patients.Methods: We investigated five patients with skeletal dysplasia in the clinic. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in order to aid diagnosis of the patients.Results: Eight variants in the ALPL gene in the five unrelated Chinese patients (PA-1: c.649_650insC and c.707A &gt; G; PA2: c.98C &gt; T and c.707A &gt; G; PA3: c.407G &gt; A and c.650delTinsCTAA; PA4: c.1247G &gt; T (homozygous); PA5: c.406C &gt; T and c.1178A &gt; G; NM_000478.5) were found. These variations caused two types of HPP: perinatal HPP and Odonto HPP. All cases reported in this study were autosomal recessive. Among the variants, c.1247G &gt; T/p.Gly416Val (PA-4); c.1178A &gt; G/p.Asn393Ser (PA-5) and c.707A &gt; G/p.Tyr236Cys (PA-1, PA-2) have never been reported before.Conclusion: Clinical phenotypes of perinatal HPP (PA-1,PA-2,PA-3 and PA-4) include skeletal dysplasia, shorter long bones, bowing of long bones, tetraphocomelia, abnormal posturing and abnormal bone ossification. Odonto HPP (PA-5) only presents as dental abnormality with severe dental caries and decreased ALP activity. Our study extends the pool of ALPL variants in different populations.
Identification of miRNA Signature Associated With Erectile Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination
Authors: Xu Haibo , Zhao Baoyin , Zhong Wei , Teng Peng , Qiao Hong 
Published: October 2021

Diabetic mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), which seriously affects the self-esteem and quality of life of diabetics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs whose expression levels can affect multiple cellular processes. Many pieces of studies have demonstrated that miRNA plays a role in the occurrence and development of DMED. However, the exact mechanism of this process is unclear. Hence, we apply miRNA sequencing from blood samples of 10 DMED patients and 10 DM controls to study the mechanisms of miRNA interactions in DMED patients. Firstly, we found four characteristic miRNAs as signature by the SVM-RFE method (hsa-let-7E-5p, hsa-miR-30 days-5p, hsa-miR-199b-5p, and hsa-miR-342–3p), called DMEDSig-4. Subsequently, we correlated DMEDSig-4 with clinical factors and further verified the ability of these miRNAs to classify samples. Finally, we functionally verified the relationship between DMEDSig-4 and DMED by pathway enrichment analysis of miRNA and its target genes. In brief, our study found four key miRNAs, which may be the key influencing factors of DMED. Meanwhile, the DMEDSig-4 could help in the development of new therapies for DMED.
Rituximab Immunomonitoring Predicts Remission in Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Teisseyre Maxime , Cremoni Marion , Boyer-Suavet Sonia , Crepin Thomas , Benzaken Sylvia , Zorzi Kévin , Esnault Vincent , Brglez Vesna , Seitz-Polski Barbara 
Published: October 2021

Primary membranous nephropathy (pMN) is an autoimmune kidney disease and a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Rituximab is becoming a first line therapy for patients with persistent nephrotic syndrome with proven safety and efficacy, achieving remission in 60%–80% of cases. For the remaining 20%–40% of patients there is an urgent need to identify early biomarkers of resistance to rituximab to adapt therapeutic management. In nephrotic patients, rituximab is found in the blood more transiently than in other autoimmune diseases without proteinuria, due to rituximab wasting in the urine. However, rituximab immunomonitoring is not routinely performed. We evaluated the predictive value of serum rituximab levels in patients with pMN three months after rituximab injection (month-3) on clinical remission rates six months (month-6) and 12 months (month-12) after injection and investigated predictive factors for serum rituximab levels at month-3. Sixty-eight patients treated with rituximab between July 2015 and January 2020 from two French nephrology centers were included. We identified residual rituximab levels at month-3 as a novel early predictor of remission at month-6 (p &lt;0.0001) and month-12 (p = 0.001). Reduced likelihood of remission in patients with undetectable rituximab at month-3 was associated with lower serum albumin and higher anti-PLA2R1 titers at baseline and with lower serum albumin, higher proteinuria, higher CD19+ counts and higher anti-PLA2R1 titers during follow-up. In multivariate analysis, high baseline proteinuria and undetectable rituximab levels at month-3 were independent risk factors for treatment failure at month-6 and high baseline weight and undetectable rituximab levels at month-3 were independent risk factors for treatment failure at month-12. We identified serum albumin at baseline as a predictive factor for serum rituximab levels at month-3. Patients with serum albumin below 22.5 g/L at baseline had an 8.66-fold higher risk of having undetectable rituximab levels at month-3. Therefore, rituximab immunomonitoring in pMN patients treated with rituximab would allow the detection of patients at risk of treatment failure as early as month-3. Studies are needed to assess whether patients with low residual rituximab levels at month-3 may benefit from an early additional course of rituximab.
Effect of Immune Checkpoint Blockade on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Populations in Patients With Melanoma
Authors: Sun Steven H. , Benner Brooke , Savardekar Himanshu , Lapurga Gabriella , Good Logan , Abood David , Nagle Erin , Duggan Megan , Stiff Andrew , DiVincenzo Mallory J. , Suarez-Kelly Lorena P. , Campbell Amanda , Yu Lianbo , Wesolowski Robert , Howard Harrison , Shah Hiral , Kendra Kari , Carson William E. 
Published: October 2021

IntroductionMyeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a subset of immature myeloid cells that inhibit anti-tumor immunity and contribute to immune therapy resistance. MDSC populations were measured in melanoma patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).MethodsPatients with melanoma (n=128) provided blood samples at baseline (BL), and before cycles 2 and 3 (BC2, BC3). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analyzed for MDSC (CD33+/CD11b+/HLA- DRlo/-) and MDSC subsets, monocytic (CD14+, M-MDSC), granulocytic (CD15+, PMN-MDSC), and early (CD14-/CD15-, E-MDSC) via flow cytometry. Statistical analysis employed unpaired and paired t-tests across and within patient cohorts.ResultsLevels of MDSC as a percentage of PBMC increased during ICI (BL: 9.2 ± 1.0% to BC3: 23.6 ± 1.9%, p&lt;0.0001), and patients who developed progressive disease (PD) had higher baseline MDSC. In patients who had a complete or partial response (CR, PR), total MDSC levels rose dramatically and plateaued (BL: 6.4 ± 1.4%, BC2: 26.2 ± 4.2%, BC3: 27.5 ± 4.4%; p&lt;0.0001), whereas MDSC rose less sharply in PD patients (BL: 11.7 ± 2.1%, BC2: 18.3 ± 3.1%, BC3: 19.0 ± 3.2%; p=0.1952). Subset analysis showed that within the expanding MDSC population, PMN-MDSC and E-MDSC levels decreased, while the proportion of M-MDSC remained constant during ICI. In PD patients, the proportion of PMN-MDSC (as a percentage of total MDSC) decreased (BL: 25.1 ± 4.7%, BC2: 16.1 ± 5.2%, BC3: 8.6 ± 1.8%; p=0.0105), whereas a heretofore under-characterized CD14+/CD15+ double positive MDSC subpopulation increased significantly (BL: 8.7 ± 1.4% to BC3: 26.9 ± 4.9%; p=0.0425).ConclusionsMDSC levels initially increased significantly in responders. PMN-MDSC decreased and CD14+CD15+ MDSC increased significantly in PD patients. Changes in MDSC levels may have prognostic value in ICI.
Oxidation Resistance of Double-Layer MoSi2–Borosilicate Glass Coating on Fiber-Reinforced C/SiO2 Aerogel Composite
Authors: Dai Tao , Song Zihao , Du Yuxuan , Zhao Yifan , Cui Sheng 
Published: October 2021

An MoSi2–borosilicate glass coating with high emissivity and oxidation resistance was prepared on the surface of the fiber-reinforced C/SiO2 aerogel composite by the slurry method combined with the embedding sintering method under the micro-oxygen atmosphere. The microstructure and phase composition of the coatings with different MoSi2 contents before and after static oxidation were investigated. This composite material has both excellent radiating properties and outstanding oxidation resistance. The total emissivity values of the as-prepared coatings are all above 0.8450 in the wavelength of 300∼2,500 nm. Meanwhile, the as-prepared M40 coating also has superior thermal endurance after the isothermal oxidation of 1,200°C for 180 min with only 0.27% weight loss, which contributes to the appropriate viscosity of the binder to relieve thermal stress defects. This material has broad application prospects in thermal protection.
Reliability and Validity of the Function Impairment Screening Tool in Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Zhang Yaxin , Liu Pan , Pan Yiming , Li Ying , Zhang Li , Li Yun , Ma Lina 
Published: October 2021

Background: Physical function gradually decreases with age in older adults, affecting their independence and quality of life and leaving them prone to adverse outcomes. Despite the importance of assessing function for older adults, most studies have focused on disability and paid less attention to functional impairment. Thus, given the lack of valid and practical methods for evaluating functional impairment for older adults, we developed the function impairment screening tool (FIST) using the Delphi method.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the FIST in Chinese older adults.Methods: A total of 489 participants aged 60 years or older, and who had completed the FIST were included. A subgroup of 50 participants completed the FIST a second time, 1 week after the first round, and the test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. Validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity was assessed using correlations between the FIST and the Barthel Index activities of daily living (ADL), Lawton, and Brody instrumental activities of daily living (LB-IADL).Results: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the FIST was 0.930 (P &lt; 0.001). The test–retest reliability was good, with an ICC of 0.928 (95% confidence interval [0.874, 0.960]). Exploratory factor analyses revealed one factor accounting for 60.14% of the scale's variance and the load values of every item were &gt;0.4 (0.489–0.872). The correlation coefficient was 0.572 (P &lt; 0.001) between the FIST score and ADL, and was 0.793 (P &lt; 0.001) between the FIST score and IADL. The FIST score was positively correlated with walking speed (r = 0.475, P &lt; 0.001) and grip strength (r = 0.307, P &lt; 0.001), and negatively correlated with age (r = −0.588, P &lt; 0.001) and Fried frailty phenotype (r = −0.594, P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: The FIST is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing physical function impairment in older adults.
Efficacy of Jinhua Qinggan Granules Combined With Western Medicine in the Treatment of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: An XueDong , Xu Xi , Xiao MingZhong , Min XiaoJun , Lyu Yi , Tian JiaXing , Ke Jia , Lang SuPing , Zhang Qing , Fan An , Liu BinBin , Zhang Ying , Hu YaLing , Zhou YaNa , Shao JiaKai , Li XiaoDong , Lian FengMei , Tong XiaoLin 
Published: October 2021

Objective: To conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy and prognostic value of Jinhua Qinggan granules in patients with confirmed and suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: A total of 123 suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients participated in this clinical trial and were randomly divided into Jinhua and Western medicine groups. For 14 days, the Jinhua group was treated with Jinhua Qinggan granules and antiviral drugs, and the Western medicine group was treated with antiviral drugs alone. We collected information on clinical symptoms, disease aggravation rates, and negative conversion rates of nucleic acids in patients, and observed the effects of anti-infective drugs.Results: There was no significant difference in symptom improvement rates between the two groups, both confirmed and suspected patients (P &gt; 0.05). Both treatments relieved symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and diarrhea. However, the Jinhua treatment was superior in relieving fever and poor appetite. Anti-infective drug use rates were significantly lower in the Jinhua group than in the control group.Conclusion: Jinhua Qinggan granules combined with Western medicine could relieve the clinical symptoms of fever and poor appetite in COVID-19 patients, reduce the use of antibiotics to a certain extent.Clinical Trial Registration: The registration number at China Clinical Trial Registry is ChiCTR2000029601.
Varenicline Prevents LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response via Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in RAW 264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Baris Elif , Efe Hande , Gumustekin Mukaddes , Arici Mualla Aylin , Tosun Metiner 
Published: October 2021

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway plays an important role in controlling inflammation. This study investigated the effects of varenicline, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonist, on inflammatory cytokine levels, cell proliferation, and migration rates in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell lines. The cells were treated with increasing concentrations of varenicline, followed by LPS incubation for 24 h. Prior to receptor-mediated events, anti-inflammatory effects of varenicline on different cytokines and chemokines were investigated using a cytokine array. Nicotinic AChR–mediated effects of varenicline were investigated by using a non-selective nAChR antagonist mecamylamine hydrochloride and a selective α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine citrate. TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were determined by the ELISA test in cell media 24 h after LPS administration and compared with those of dexamethasone. The rates of cellular proliferation and migration were monitored for 24 h after drug treatment using a real-time cell analysis system. Varenicline decreased LPS-induced cytokines and chemokines including TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β via α7nAChRs to a similar level that observed with dexamethasone. Varenicline treatment decreased LPS-induced cell proliferation, without any nAChR involvement. On the other hand, the LPS-induced cell migration rate decreased with varenicline via α7nAChR. Our data suggest that varenicline inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response by activating α7nAChRs within the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, reducing the cytokine levels and cell migration.
Functional Abnormality Associated With Tau Deposition in Alzheimer’s Disease – A Hybrid Positron Emission Tomography/MRI Study
Authors: Fu Liping , Zhou Zhi , Liu Linwen , Zhang Jinming , Xie Hengge , Zhang Xiaojun , Zhu Mingwei , Wang Ruimin 
Published: October 2021

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of tau deposition and its impact on functional connectivity (FC) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods: Hybrid PET/MRI scans with [18F]-THK5317 and neuropsychological assessments were undertaken in 26 participants with AD and 19 healthy controls (HC). The standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) of [18F]-THK5317 PET imaging was compared between the AD and HC groups. Significant clusters that revealed higher tau deposition in the AD group compared to the HC group were selected as regions of interest (ROI) for FC analysis. We evaluated the difference in the FC between the two groups for each ROI pair. The clinical and radiological characteristics were compared between the AD patients with negative FC and AD patients with positive FC for exploratory analysis.Results: The bilateral inferior lateral temporal lobe, dorsal prefrontal cortex, precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and occipital lobe showed significantly higher [18F]-THK5317 accumulation in AD patients. Decreased FC in regions with higher SUVR was observed in AD patients, and the FC strength was negatively correlated with regional SUVR. Patients with a positive FC exhibited older ages, better cognitive performances, and a lower SUVR than patients with a negative FC.Conclusions: An impact of tau deposition was observed on FC at the individual level in AD patients. Our findings suggested that the combination of tau-PET and rs-fMRI might help predict AD progression.
Comprehensive Analysis of Prognostic Alternative Splicing Signature Reveals Recurrence Predictor for Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Liu Mian , Khushbu Rooh Afza , Chen Pei , Hu Hui-Yu , Tang Neng , Ou-yang Deng-jie , Wei Bo , Zhao Ya-xin , Huang Peng , Chang Shi 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundAlternative splicing (AS) plays a key role in the diversity of proteins and is closely associated with tumorigenicity. The aim of this study was to systemically analyze RNA alternative splicing (AS) and identify its prognostic value for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).MethodsAS percent-splice-in (PSI) data of 430 patients with PTC were downloaded from the TCGA SpliceSeq database. We successfully identified recurrence-free survival (RFS)-associated AS events through univariate Cox regression, LASSO regression and multivariate regression and then constructed different types of prognostic prediction models. Gene function enrichment analysis revealed the relevant signaling pathways involved in RFS-related AS events. Simultaneously, a regulatory network diagram of AS and splicing factors (SFs) was established.ResultsWe identified 1397 RFS-related AS events which could be used as the potential prognostic biomarkers for PTC. Based on these RFS-related AS events, we constructed a ten-AS event prognostic prediction signature that could distinguish high-and low-risk patients and was highly capable of predicting PTC patient prognosis. ROC curve analysis revealed the excellent predictive ability of the ten-AS events model, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.889; the highest prediction intensity for one-year RFS was 0.923, indicating that the model could be used as a prognostic biomarker for PTC. In addition, the nomogram constructed by the risk score of the ten-AS model also showed high predictive efficiency for the prognosis of PTC patients. Finally, the constructed SF-AS network diagram revealed the regulatory role of SFs in PTC.ConclusionThrough the limited analysis, AS events could be regarded as reliable prognostic biomarkers for PTC. The splicing correlation network also provided new insight into the potential molecular mechanisms of PTC.