bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lung Tissue Microbiome Is Associated With Clinical Outcomes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Yoon Hee-Young , Moon Su-Jin , Song Jin Woo 
Published: October 2021

Background: Several studies using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) reported that lung microbial communities were associated with the development and clinical outcome of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the microbial communities in IPF lung tissues are not well known. This study is aimed to investigate bacterial microbial communities in lung tissues and determine their impact on the clinical outcomes of patients with IPF.Methods: Genomic DNA extracted from lung tissues of patients with IPF (n = 20; 10 non-survivors) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 20) was amplified using fusion primers targeting the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S RNA genes with indexing barcodes.Results: Mean age of IPF subjects was 63.3 yr, and 65% were male. Alpha diversity indices did not significantly differ between IPF patients and controls, or between IPF non-survivors and survivors. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Paracoccus, and Akkermansia was increased, whereas that of Caulobacter, Azonexus, and Undibacterium decreased in patients with IPF compared with that in the controls. A decreased relative abundance of Pelomonas (odds ratio [OR], 0.352, p = 0.027) and Azonexus (OR, 0.013, p = 0.046) was associated with a diagnosis of IPF in the multivariable logistic analysis adjusted by age and gender. Multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age and forced vital capacity (FVC) revealed that higher relative abundance of Streptococcus (hazard ratio [HR], 1.993, p = 0.044), Sphingomonas (HR, 57.590, p = 0.024), and Clostridium (HR, 37.189, p = 0.038) was independently associated with IPF mortality. The relative abundance of Curvibacter (r = 0.590) and Thioprofundum (r = 0.373) was correlated positively, whereas that of Anoxybacillus (r = −0.509) and Enterococcus (r = −0.593) was correlated inversely with FVC. In addition, the relative abundance of the Aquabacterium (r = 0.616) and Peptoniphilus (r = 0.606) genera was positively correlated, whereas that of the Fusobacterium (r = −0.464) and Phycicoccus (r = −0.495) genera was inversely correlated with distance during the 6-min walking test.Conclusions: The composition of the microbiome in lung tissues differed between patients with IPF and controls and was associated with the diagnosis, mortality, and disease severity of IPF.
Wild Halophytic Phragmites karka Biomass Saccharification by Bacterial Enzyme Cocktail
Authors: Ansari Immad , Ejaz Uroosa , Abideen Zainul , Gulzar Salman , Syed Muhammad Noman , Liu Jing , Li Wang , Fu Pengcheng , Sohail Muhammad 
Published: October 2021

Graphical AbstractSaccharification of phragmites karka.
Blood Pressure After Endovascular Thrombectomy and Malignant Cerebral Edema in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke
Authors: Huang Xianjun , Xu Junfeng , Yang Ke , Xu Youqing , Yuan Lili , Cai Qiankun , Xu Xiangjun , Yang Qian , Zhou Zhiming , Zhu Shuanggen , Liu Xinfeng 
Published: October 2021

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) can cause blood–brain barrier disruption and facilitates brain edema formation. We aimed to investigate the association of BP level after thrombectomy with the development of malignant cerebral edema (MCE) in patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent EVT for an anterior circulation ischemic stroke were enrolled from three comprehensive stroke centers. BP was measured hourly during the first 24 h after thrombectomy. MCE was defined as swelling causing a midline shift on the follow-up imaging within 5 days after EVT. Associations of various BP parameters, including mean BP, maximum BP (BPmax), and BP variability (BPV), with the development of MCE were analyzed.Results: Of the 498 patients (mean age 66.9 ± 11.7 years, male 58.2%), 97 (19.5%) patients developed MCE. Elevated mean systolic BP (SBP) (OR, 1.035; 95% CI, 1.006–1.065; P = 0.017) was associated with a higher likelihood of MCE. The best SBPmax threshold that predicted the development of MCE was 165 mmHg. Additionally, increases in BPV, as evaluated by SBP standard deviation (OR, 1.061; 95% CI, 1.003–1.123; P = 0.039), were associated with higher likelihood of MCE.Interpretation: Elevated mean SBP and BPV were associated with a higher likelihood of MCE. Having a SBPmax &gt; 165 mm Hg was the best threshold to discriminate the development of MCE. These results suggest that continuous BP monitoring after EVT could be used as a non-invasive predictor for clinical deterioration due to MCE. Randomized clinical studies are warranted to address BP goal after thrombectomy.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type 1 Methylation Is Associated With White Matter Microstructure in the Corpus Callosum and Greater Panic Disorder Severity Among Panic Disorder Patients
Authors: Xu Huazhen , Zhong Yuan , Yuan Shiting , Wu Yun , Ma Zijuan , Hao Ziyu , Ding Huachen , Wu Huiqing , Liu Gang , Pang Manlong , Liu Na , Wang Chun , Zhang Ning 
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Methylation of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1/nNOS) gene has recently been identified as a promising biomarker of psychiatric disorders. NOS1 plays an essential role in neurite outgrowth and may thus affect the microstructure development of white matter (WM) in the corpus callosum (CC), which is known to be altered in panic disorder (PD). We examined the relationship between NOS1 methylation, WM tracts in the CC, and symptoms based on this finding.Methods: Thirty-two patients with PD and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited after age, gender, and the education level were matched. The cell type used was whole-blood DNA, and DNA methylation of NOS1 was measured at 20 CpG sites in the promoter region. Although 25 patients with PD were assessed with the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were only collected from 16 participants with PD.Results: We observed that the PD group showed lower methylation than did the HCs group and positive correlations between the symptom severity of PD and methylation at CpG4 and CpG9. In addition, CpG9 methylation was significantly correlated with the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of the CC and its major components (the genu and the splenium) in the PD group. Furthermore, path analyses showed that CpG9 methylation offers a mediating effect for the association between the MD values of the genu of the CC and PD symptom severity (95% CI = −1.731 to −0.034).Conclusions: The results suggest that CpG9 methylation leads to atypical development of the genu of the CC, resulting in higher PD symptom severity, adding support for the methylation of NOS1 as a future prognostic indicator of PD.
Interlimb Coordination Performance in Seated Position in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Reduced Amplitude Over 6 min and Higher Coordination Variability in Persons With Walking Fatigability
Authors: Goetschalckx Mieke , Van Geel Fanny , Meesen Raf , Triccas Lisa Tedesco , Geraerts Marc , Moumdjian Lousin , Feys Peter 
Published: October 2021

Background: Walking fatigability is prevalent in MS and can be measured by a percentage distance decline during a 6-min walking test. Walking is characterized by an accurate and consistent interlimb antiphase coordination pattern. A decline in coordination each minute during a 6-min walking test is observed in persons with MS (pwMS). Measuring coordination during a 6-min seated coordination task with minimized balance and strength requirements, is assumed to examine a more fundamental interlimb antiphase coordination pattern in pwMS. This research aimed to answer the following research question: How does interlimb antiphase coordination pattern change during a seated coordination task in pwMS with walking fatigability (WF), non-walking fatigability (NWF) and Healthy Controls (HC)?Methods: Thirty-five pwMS and 13 HC participated. Interlimb coordination was assessed by a seated 6-min coordination task (6MCT) with the instruction to perform antiphase lower leg movements as fast as possible. Outcomes were Phase Coordination Index (PCI) and movement parameters (amplitude, frequency).Results: Mixed models revealed a significant effect of time for the the variability of generating interlimb movements, with a difference in mean values between WF and HC. A significant group∗time interaction effect was found for movement amplitude, represented by a significant decrease in movement amplitude in the WF group from minute 1 to the end of the task.Conclusion: The higher variability in interlimb coordination and decrease in movement amplitude over time during the 6MCT in the WF group could be an indicator of decreased control of fundamental antiphase coordination pattern in pwMS with walking fatigability.Clinical Trial Registration:www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04142853 (registration date: October 29, 2019) and NCT03938558 (registration date: May 6, 2019).
Survival in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated With Sunitinib With or Without Cryoablation
Authors: Gu Cheng-Yuan , Wang Jun-jie , Zhang Hai-Liang , Shi Guo-Hai , Ye Ding-Wei 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundPercutaneous cryoablation (PCA) has emerged as an alternative to extirpative management of small renal masses in select patients. In recent years, the use of targeted therapies has become mainstream, while the role of PCA in treating primary tumor is not well established among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We sought to evaluate how mRCC patients react to PCA in combination with sunitinib.MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients with mRCC (primary tumor diameter ≤ 7 cm) treated with sunitinib between 2013 and 2019. These patients were categorized by initial treatment (cryoablation followed by sunitinib versus sunitinib only). Oncological outcomes and rate of adverse events were compared.ResultsOf the 178 patients analyzed, 65 underwent PCA prior to sunitinib. The median overall survival (OS) in the PCA-sunitinib group was 31.7 months (95% CI; 26.1-37.3), better than the sunitinib-only group, which reported a median OS of 19.8 months (95% CI; 17.1-22.4) (p &lt; 0.001). The median progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with PCA-sunitinib versus sunitinib alone was 13.8 months (95% CI; 10.0-17.6) versus 7.2 months (95% CI: 6.1-8.3) (p &lt; 0.005). No significant differences in adverse events were observed (p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionsPCA combined with sunitinib is associated with better survival outcomes than sunitinib alone in patients with mRCC. Careful patient selection remains warranted. These results should inform future prospective trials.
Albumin-To-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio as a Novel and Promising Prognostic Biomarker in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy for Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Study
Authors: Zhu Xianying , Chen Dongni , Li Shuangjiang , Zhang Wenbiao , Li Yongjiang , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhou Jian , Wen Zhesheng 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundAlbumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) has been reported as a novel prognostic predictor for numerous solid tumors. We aimed to assess the prognostic role of preoperative AAPR in surgically resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis with predictive nomograms.MethodsOur study was conducted in a single-center prospective database between June 2009 and December 2012. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to distinguish the difference in survival outcomes between patients stratified by an AAPR threshold. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was finally generated to specify independent prognostic markers for the entire and PSM cohorts.ResultsA total of 497 patients with ESCC were included in this study. An AAPR of 0.50 was determined as the optimal cutoff point for prognostic outcome stratification. Patients with AAPR&lt;0.50 had significantly worse overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to those with AAPR≥0.50 (Log-rank P&lt;0.001). This significant difference remained stable in the PSM analysis. Multivariable analyses based on the entire and PSM cohorts consistently showed that AAPR&lt;0.50 might be one of the most predominant prognostic factors resulting in unfavorable OS and PFS of ESCC patients undergoing esophagectomy (P&lt;0.001). The nomograms consisting of AAPR and other independent prognostic factors further demonstrated a plausible predictive accuracy of postoperative OS and PFS.ConclusionAAPR can be considered as a simple, convenient and noninvasive biomarker with a significant prognostic effect in surgically resected ESCC.
Respiratory Infections in Children During a Covid-19 Pandemic Winter
Authors: Diesner-Treiber Susanne C. , Voitl Peter , Voitl Julian J. M. , Langer Klara , Kuzio Ulrike , Riepl Angela , Patel Pia , Mühl-Riegler Alexandra , Mühl Bernhard 
Published: October 2021

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic compelled the implementation of measures to curb the SARS CoV-2 spread, such as social distancing, wearing FFP2 masks, and frequent hand hygiene. One anticipated ramification of these measures was the containment of other pathogens. This prospective, longitudinal study aimed to investigate the spread of 22 common seasonal non-SARS-CoV-2 pathogens, such as RSV and influenza, among children with an acute respiratory infection during a pandemic.Methods: Three hundred ninety children (0-24 months) admitted to Vienna's largest pediatric center with acute respiratory infection (November 2020-April 2021) were included in this study. The researchers tested nasal swabs for 22 respiratory pathogens by Multiplex PCR, documented clinical features and treatment, and evaluated data for a potential connection with the lockdown measures then in force.Results: The 448 smears revealed the most common pathogens to be rhino-/enterovirus (41.4%), adenovirus (2.2%), and coronavirus NL63 (13.6%). While the first two were active throughout the entire season, coronaviruses peaked in the first trimester of 2021 in conjunction with the lift of the lockdown period (OR 4.371, 95%CI 2.34-8.136, P &lt; 0.001). RSV, metapneumovirus, and influenza were absent.Conclusion: This prospective, longitudinal study shows that Covid-19 measures suppressed the seasonal activity of influenza, RSV, and metapneumovirus among very young children, but not of rhino-/enterovirus and adenovirus. The 0-24 month-olds are considered the lowest risk group and were only indirectly affected by the public health measures. Lockdowns were negatively associated with coronaviruses infections.
Prevention of Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in Mice With Traditional Chinese Medicine Xuanfei Baidu Decoction
Authors: Yan Huimin , Lu Jia , Wang Jiabao , Chen Lu , Wang Yu , Li Lin , Miao Lin , Zhang Han 
Published: October 2021

Background and aims: Xuanfei Baidu decoction (XFBD), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, was designed and successfully applied for COVID-19 disease treatment in China, while the mechanism is still not clear.Methods: To evaluate the protective effect of XFBD on immunosuppression in cyclophosphamide (CY)-treated mice, XFBD was orally administrated, the body weight was measured, and the immune organ index was calculated. HE staining was performed to analyze the pathological structures of the liver, spleen, and thymus. The levels of cytokines and immunoglobulin in the serum and spleen were evaluated by ELISA and RT-PCR. Splenic lymphocytes were isolated, and LPS-stimulated cell proliferation and the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were evaluated.Results: XFBD significantly suppressed body weight loss and increased the indices of spleen and thymus. The pathological alteration was much improved after XFBD administration. The reductions of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IgG, and IgM levels in serum and IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 expressions in the spleen were all significantly alleviated by XFBD. Splenic lymphocyte proliferation in response to LPS was further enhanced after treatment with XFBD. The reduction of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in CY-treated mice was also highly increased in XFBD groups.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that XFBD played a crucial role in protection against immunosuppression in CY-treated mice and could be a potential candidate for immune modification and therapy.
The Protective Effect of Quercetin on Endothelial Cells Injured by Hypoxia and Reoxygenation
Authors: Li Meng-Ting , Ke Jia , Guo Shu-Fen , Wu Yang , Bian Yue-Feng , Shan Li-Li , Liu Qian-Yun , Huo Ya-Jing , Guo Cen , Liu Ming-Yuan , Liu Ya-Jie , Han Yan 
Published: October 2021

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a group of clinical syndromes covering all pathological processes of small vessels in the brain, which can cause stroke and serious dementia. However, as the pathogenesis of CSVD is not clear, so the treatment is limited. Endothelial cell dysfunction is earlier than clinical symptoms, such as hypertension and leukosis. Therefore, the treatment of endothelial cells is expected to be a new breakthrough. Quercetin, a flavonoid present in a variety of plants, has the function of anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of quercetin on endothelial cell injury and provide a basic theory for subsequent application in the clinic.Methods: Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) were cultured in vitro, and the injury model of endothelial cells was established by hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R). The protective effects of quercetin on HBMECs were studied from the perspectives of cell viability, cell migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis. In order to further study the mechanism of quercetin, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress were analyzed. What’s more, blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity was also studied.Results: Quercetin can promote the viability, migration and angiogenesis of HBMECs, and inhibit the apoptosis. In addition, quercetin can also activate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway, reduce ATF6/GRP78 protein expression. Further study showed that quercetin could increase the expression of Claudin-5 and Zonula occludens-1.Conclusions: Our experiments show that quercetin can protect HBMECs from H/R, which contains promoting cell proliferation, cell migration and angiogenesis, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential damage and inhibiting cell apoptosis. This may be related to its antioxidation and inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress. At the same time, quercetin can increase the level of BBB connexin, suggesting that quercetin can maintain BBB integrity.
Potentially Inappropriate Medications and Potential Prescribing Omissions in Elderly Patients Receiving Post-Acute and Long-Term Care: Application of Screening Tool of Older People’s Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment Criteria
Authors: Candeias Catarina , Gama Jorge , Rodrigues Márcio , Falcão Amílcar , Alves Gilberto 
Published: October 2021

Background: Screening Tool of Older People’s Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START) criteria have been used to detect potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). These criteria were applied to geriatric Portuguese patients receiving post-acute and long-term care to assess the prevalence and predictors of PIMs and PPOs.Methods: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional and multicenter study was performed in 161 patients (aged ≥65 years) from eight Units for Integrated Continuous Care.Results: In these studied patients (mean age: 81.6, 64% female, median number of medications: 9) PIMs were detected in 85.1% and PPOs in 81.4% of patients. While PIMs mainly involved the central nervous system and psychotropic drugs (66.5%), PPOs were mostly related to musculoskeletal system (55.3%) and cardiovascular (39.8%) system. A subsequent analysis with logistic regression found the female gender, the hospital provenience, and the number of medications as predictors of PIMs. Predictors of PPOs were the Charlson Comorbidity Index and history of recent fractures.Conclusion: PIMs and PPOs were highly prevalent in the studied patients receiving post-acute and long-term care in Units for Integrated Continuous Care. Therefore, STOPP/START criteria might be an effective tool for improving prescribing quality and clinical outcomes in these frail elderly patients.
Emodin Interferes With Nitroglycerin-Induced Migraine in Rats Through CGMP-PKG Pathway
Authors: Sun Shuding , Zheng Guo , Zhou Decui , Zhu Lili , He Xin , Zhang Chunfeng , Wang Chongzhi , Yuan Chunsu 
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this research was to explore the effect and mechanism of emodin in interfering with nitroglycerin-induced migraine rats. We carried out behavioral research within 2 h post-nitroglycerin (NTG) injection, and blood samples were collected through the abdominal aorta for measurements of nitric oxide (NO), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the activation of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons in brain tissues. The number and integrated optical density (IOD) of c-Fos positive cells were measured using Image-Pro Plus. Western blotting was applied to detect the levels of PKG protein in rat brain tissues. The results showed that emodin can alleviate the pain response of migraine rats and significantly reduce the levels of NO, CGRP, SP, TNF-α and cGMP in migraine rats. In addition, emodin can significantly reduce the number of c-Fos positive cells and the IOD value. Moreover, the expression of PKG protein was significantly inhibited by emodin. Therefore, it is inferred that emodin can relieve migraine induced by NTG through the cGMP-PKG pathway, and can be used as a potential botanical medicine for the treatment of migraine.