bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impulse oscillometry for detection of small airway dysfunction in subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and preserved pulmonary function
Authors: Li Liang-Yuan , Yan Tian-Sheng , Yang Jing , Li Yu-Qi , Fu Lin-Xi , Lan Lan , Liang Bin-Miao , Wang Mao-Yun , Luo Feng-Ming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and preserved pulmonary function (PPF) may have small airway dysfunction (SAD). As the most common means to detect SAD, spirometry needs good cooperation and its reliability is controversial. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) may complete the deficiency of spirometry and have higher sensitivity. We aimed to explore the diagnostic value of IOS to detect SAD in symptomatic subjects with PPF.

Methods
The evaluation of symptoms, spirometry and IOS results in 209 subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and PPF were assessed. ROC curves of IOS to detect SAD were analyzed.

Results
209 subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and PPF were included. Subjects who reported sputum had higher R5–R20 and Fres than those who didn’t. Subjects with dyspnea had higher R5, R5–R20 and AX than those without. CAT and mMRC scores correlated better with IOS parameters than with spirometry. R5, R5–R20, AX and Fres in subjects with SAD (n = 42) significantly increased compared to those without. Cutoff values for IOS parameters to detect SAD were 0.30 kPa/L s for R5, 0.015 kPa/L s for R5–R20, 0.30 kPa/L for AX and 11.23 Hz for Fres. Fres has the largest AUC (0.665, P = 0.001) among these parameters. Compared with spirometry, prevalence of SAD was higher when measured with IOS. R5 could detect the most SAD subjects with a prevalence of 60.77% and a sensitivity of 81% (AUC = 0.659, P = 0.002).

Conclusion
IOS is more sensitive to detect SAD than spirometry in subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms and PPF, and it correlates better with symptoms. IOS could be an additional method for SAD detection in the early stage of diseases.
Primary sacral non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: report of a case and systematic review of literature
Authors: Chigurupati Satya Vijay , Shukla Mridula , Pandey Manoj 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Isolated primary sacral diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a very rare entity, and only 11 cases have been reported previously.

Case presentation
A 36-year-old man was referred with low backache and radiculopathy pain with a clinico-radiological and cytological diagnosis of sacral metastasis. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of image-guided tissue core biopsy from the sacral mass confirmed it as high-grade diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). With normal blood counts and bone marrow, and no lesions elsewhere on imaging, he was staged IAE and received 6 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) regimen chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. The patient has completed a 3-year follow-up and is doing well with yearly imaging showing no evidence of active disease or recurrence.

Conclusions
The case shows the importance of an image-guided core biopsy and immunohistochemistry over a fine needle aspiration cytology in select cases as it can alter the treatment and outcome in patients. Because of rarity, the treatment and prognosis in primary sacral NHL is not still very clear as it is treated as per the guidelines of treatment of bone lymphoma.
Chronic inflammation of middle ear cholesteatoma promotes its recurrence via a paracrine mechanism
Authors: Schürmann Matthias , Oppel Felix , Shao Senyao , Volland-Thurn Verena , Kaltschmidt Christian , Kaltschmidt Barbara , Scholtz Lars-Uwe , Sudhoff Holger 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Cholesteatoma disease is an expanding lesion in the middle ear. Hearing loss and facial paralysis alongside with other intracranial complications are found. No pharmaceutical treatment is available today and recurrence after surgical extraction occurs. We investigated possible TLR4-based mechanisms promoting recurrence and explore possible treatments strategies.

Methods
We isolated fibroblasts and epidermal stem cells from cholesteatoma tissue and healthy auditory canal skin. Subsequently, their expression under standard culture conditions and after stimulation with LPS was investigated by RT-qPCR. Cell metabolism and proliferation were analysed upon LPS treatment, with and without TLR4 antagonist. An indirect co-culture of fibroblasts and epidermal stem cells isolated from cholesteatoma tissue was utilized to monitor epidermal differentiation upon LPS treatment by RT-qPCR and immunocytochemistry.

Results
Under standard culture conditions, we detected a tissue-independent higher expression of IL-1β and IL-8 in stem cells, an upregulation of KGF and IGF-2 in both cell types derived from cholesteatoma and higher expression of TLR4 in stem cells derived from cholesteatoma tissue. Upon LPS challenge, we could detect a significantly higher expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in stem cells and of TNF-a, GM-CSF and CXCL-5 in stem cells and fibroblasts derived from cholesteatoma. The expression of the growth factors KGF, EGF, EREG, IGF-2 and HGF was significantly higher in fibroblasts, particularly when derived from cholesteatoma. Upon treatment with LPS the metabolism was elevated in stem cells and fibroblasts, proliferation was only enhanced in fibroblasts derived from cholesteatoma. This could be reversed by the treatment with a TLR4 antagonist. The cholesteatoma fibroblasts could be triggered by LPS to promote the epidermal differentiation of the stem cells, while no LPS treatment or LPS treatment without the presence of fibroblasts did not result in such a differentiation.

Conclusion
We propose that cholesteatoma recurrence is based on TLR4 signalling imprinted in the cholesteatoma cells. It induces excessive inflammation of stem cells and fibroblasts, proliferation of perimatrix fibroblasts and the generation of epidermal cells from stem cells thru paracrine signalling by fibroblasts. Treatment of the operation site with a TLR4 antagonist might reduce the chance of cholesteatoma recurrence.
Generation and immunogenicity analysis of recombinant classical swine fever virus glycoprotein E2 and Erns expressed in baculovirus expression system
Authors: Wei Qiang , Bai Yilin , Song Yapeng , Liu Yunchao , Yu Wei , Sun Yaning , Wang Li , Deng Ruiguang , Xing Guangxu , Zhang Gaiping 
Published: February 2021

AbstractClassical swine fever (CSF) caused by the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a highly contagious swine disease resulting in large economical losses worldwide. The viral envelope glycoprotein E2 and Erns are major targets for eliciting antibodies against CSFV in infected animals. In this report, the glycoprotein E2 and Erns were expressed using the baculovirus system and their protective immunity in rabbits were tested. Twenty CSFV seronegative rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Each rabbit was intramuscularly immunized with CSFV-E2, CSFV-Erns, or their combination (CSFV-E2 + Erns). Besides, a commercial CSFV vaccine (C-strain) and PBS were used as positive or negative controls, respectively. Four weeks after the second immunization, all the rabbits were challenged with 100 RID50 of CSFV C-strain. High levels of CSFV E2-specific antibody, neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses to CSFV were elicited in the rabbits inoculated with C-strain, CSFV-E2, and CSFV-E2 + Erns. And the rabbits inoculated with the three vaccines received complete protection against CSFV C-strain. However, no neutralizing antibody was detected in the Erns vaccinated rabbits and the rabbits exhibited fever typical of CSFV, suggesting the Erns alone is not able to induce a protective immune response. Taken together, while the Erns could not confer protection against CSFV, E2 and E2 + Erns could not only elicit humoral and cell-mediated immune responses but also confer complete protection against CSFV C-strain in rabbits.
Disorders of sex development in Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome: a genotype–phenotype correlation and MSX1 as candidate gene
Authors: Rjiba Khouloud , Ayech Hédia , Kraiem Olfa , Slimani Wafa , Jelloul Afef , Ben Hadj Hmida Imen , Mahdhaoui Nabiha , Saad Ali , Mougou-Zerelli Soumaya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundWolf–Hirschhorn (WHS) is a set of congenital physical anomalies and mental retardation associated with a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4. To establish a genotype–phenotype correlation; we carried out a molecular cytogenetic analysis on two Tunisian WHS patients. Patient 1 was a boy of 1-year-old, presented a typical WHS phenotype while patient 2, is a boy of 2 days presented an hypospadias, a micropenis and a cryptorchidie in addition to the typical WHS phenotype. Both the array comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques were used.ResultsResults of the analysis showed that patient 2 had a greater deletion size (4.8 Mb) of chromosome 4 than patient 1 (3.4 Mb). Here, we notice that the larger the deletion, the more genes are likely to be involved, and the more severe the phenotype is likely to be. If we analyze the uncommon deleted region between patient1 and patient 2 we found that the Muscle Segment Homeobox (MSX1) gene is included in this region.MSX1is a critical transcriptional repressor factor, expressed in the ventral side of the developing anterior pituitary and implicated in gonadotrope differentiation.Msx1acts as a negative regulatory pituitary development by repressing the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) genes during embryogenesis. We hypothesized that the deletion ofMSX1in our patient may deregulate the androgen synthesis.ConclusionBased on theMSX1gene function, its absence might be indirectly responsible for the hypospadias phenotype by contributing to the spatiotemporal regulation ofGnRHtranscription during development.
Serum complement 3 is a potential biomarker for assessing disease activity in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Chen Rongyi , Ma Lingying , Lv Peng , Lin Jiang , Li Chaolun , Yan Yan , Jin Xuejuan , Dai Xiaomin , Ji Zongfei , Chen Huiyong , Ma Lili , Sun Ying , Jiang Lindi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare disease, lacking convenient and feasible biomarkers to identify disease activity. We aimed to evaluate the value of complements in distinguishing active TA.

Methods
Consecutive patients were enrolled from the prospective East China TA cohort from April 2008 to June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to their baseline Kerr score. The value of complements and other biomarkers in identifying disease activity were analysed with cluster analysis, ROC curves, and combined tests. An independent group of patients from July 2019 to December 2019 were employed to validate the results.

Results
Of the enrolled 519 patients, 406 (72.2%) cases were identified as active disease. Higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and complement 3 (C3) levels were observed in the active group. Elevated C3 (≥ 1.085 g/L) had a high value to identify active TA with a sensitivity of 69.9%, specificity of 66.7%, and AUC of 0.715. Combining the CRP (≥ 10.65 g/L; sensitivity, 50.7%; specificity, 82.4%) and C3, the sensitivity could be improved to 85.1% in parallel test and the specificity could be improved to 94.1% in serial test. Validation was further performed to confirm the value of C3 for disease activity assessment. The accuracy of the parallel test of CRP and C3 in external validation with independent 53 TA cases was 72.73% with the AUC of 0.721.

Conclusion
Elevated C3 could effectively evaluate the disease activity of TA, and C3 combining with CRP could further improve the disease activity evaluation.
Clinical signs predictive of severe illness in young Pakistani infants
Authors: Shahid Shahira , Tikmani Shiyam Sunder , Nayani Kanwal , Munir Ayesha , Brown Nick , Zaidi Anita K. M. , Jehan Fyezah , Nisar Muhammad Imran 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective
Early detection of specific signs and symptoms to predict severe illness is essential to prevent infant mortality. As a continuation of the results from the multicenter Young Infants Clinical Signs and Symptoms (YICSS) study, we present here the performance of the seven-sign algorithm in 3 age categories (0–6 days, 7–27 days and 28–59 days) in Pakistani infants aged 0–59 days.

Results
From September 2003 to November 2004, 2950 infants were enrolled (age group 0–6 days = 1633, 7–27 days = 817, 28–59 days = 500). The common reason for seeking care was umbilical redness or discharge (29.2%) in the 0–6 days group. Older age groups presented with cough (16.9%) in the 7–27 age group and (26.9%) infants in the 28–59 days group. Severe infection/sepsis was the most common primary diagnoses in infants requiring hospitalization across all age groups. The algorithm performed well in every age group, with a sensitivity of 85.9% and specificity of 71.6% in the 0–6 days age group and a sensitivity of 80.5% and specificity of 80.2% in the 28–59 days group; the sensitivity was slightly lower in the 7–27 age group (72.4%) but the specificity remained high (83.1%).
Are radiologists ready to evaluate true response to immunotherapy?
Authors: Yirgin Inci Kizildag , Erturk Sukru Mehmet , Dogan Izzet , Vatansever Sezai 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Standardized response criteria for evaluating patients radiological imaging have an essential role in oncological management. Immunotherapy, using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including drugs targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 and programmed cell death protein 1 or its ligand, promise a new role that has demonstrated improvement management in cancers resistant to chemotherapy. This article reviews the literature to understand the most useful response evaluation criteria for optimal patient management under immunotherapy treatment. Areas that warrant further research are described.

Conclusion
In conclusion, ICIs have become more widely accepted and used by medical oncologists. Radiologists face challenges in assessing tumor response and becoming more involved in the management of treatment. The latest published immune-RECIST criteria can be used in response assessment, but further prospective evaluation is needed with registration clinical trials to be definitively validated.
Role of advanced imaging in COVID-19 cardiovascular complications
Authors: Catapano Federica , Marchitelli Livia , Cundari Giulia , Cilia Francesco , Mancuso Giuseppe , Pambianchi Giacomo , Galea Nicola , Ricci Paolo , Catalano Carlo , Francone Marco 
Published: February 2021

AbstractClinical manifestations of COVID-19 patients are dominated by respiratory symptoms, but cardiac complications are commonly observed and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Underlying pathological mechanisms of cardiac injury are still not entirely elucidated, likely depending on a combination of direct viral damage with an uncontrolled immune activation. Cardiac involvement in these patients ranges from a subtle myocardial injury to cardiogenic shock. Advanced cardiac imaging plays a key role in discriminating the broad spectrum of differential diagnoses. Present article aims to review the value of advanced multimodality imaging in patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2-related cardiovascular involvement and its essential role in risk stratification and tailored treatment strategies. Based on our experience, we also sought to suggest possible diagnostic algorithms for the rationale utilization of advanced imaging tools, such as cardiac CT and CMR, avoiding unnecessary examinations and diagnostic delays.
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived conditioned medium protects vascular grafts of brain-dead rats against in vitro ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Korkmaz-Icöz Sevil , Zhou Pengyu , Guo Yuxing , Loganathan Sivakkanan , Brlecic Paige , Radovits Tamás , Sayour Alex Ali , Ruppert Mihály , Veres Gábor , Karck Matthias , Szabó Gábor 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Brain death (BD) has been suggested to induce coronary endothelial dysfunction. Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury during heart transplantation may lead to further damage of the endothelium. Previous studies have shown protective effects of conditioned medium (CM) from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) against IR injury. We hypothesized that physiological saline-supplemented CM protects BD rats’ vascular grafts from IR injury.

Methods
The CM from rat MSCs, used for conservation purposes, indicates the presence of 23 factors involved in apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. BD was induced by an intracranial-balloon. Controls were subjected to a sham operation. After 5.5 h, arterial pressures were measured in vivo. Aortic rings from BD rats were harvested and immediately mounted in organ bath chambers (BD group, n = 7) or preserved for 24 h in 4 °C saline-supplemented either with a vehicle (BD-IR group, n = 8) or CM (BD-IR+CM group, n = 8), prior to mounting. Vascular function was measured in vitro. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) have been performed.

Results
BD in donors was associated with significantly impaired hemodynamic parameters and higher immunoreactivity of aortic myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrotyrosine, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-12 compared to sham-operated rats. In organ bath experiments, impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation to acetylcholine in the BD-IR group compared to BD rats was significantly improved by CM (maximum relaxation to acetylcholine: BD 81 ± 2% vs. BD-IR 50 ± 3% vs. BD-IR + CM 72 ± 2%, p < 0.05). Additionally, the preservation of BD-IR aortic rings with CM significantly lowered MPO, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 immunoreactivity compared with the BD-IR group. Furthermore, increased mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in the aortas from the BD-IR rats compared to BD group were significantly decreased by CM.

Conclusions
The preservation of BD rats’ vascular grafts with CM alleviates endothelial dysfunction following IR injury, in part, by reducing levels of inflammatory response and caspase-mediated apoptosis.
Myogenic progenitor cell transplantation for muscle regeneration following hindlimb ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Messner Franka , Thurner Marco , Müller Jule , Blumer Michael , Hofmann Julia , Marksteiner Rainer , Couillard-Despres Sebastien , Troppmair Jakob , Öfner Dietmar , Schneeberger Stefan , Hautz Theresa 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Muscle is severely affected by ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Quiescent satellite cells differentiating into myogenic progenitor cells (MPC) possess a remarkable regenerative potential. We herein established a model of local application of MPC in murine hindlimb ischemia/reperfusion to study cell engraftment and differentiation required for muscle regeneration.

Methods
A clamping model of murine (C57b/6 J) hindlimb ischemia was established to induce IRI in skeletal muscle. After 2 h (h) warm ischemic time (WIT) and reperfusion, reporter protein expressing MPC (TdTomato or Luci-GFP, 1 × 106 cells) obtained from isolated satellite cells were injected intramuscularly. Surface marker expression and differentiation potential of MPC were analyzed in vitro by flow cytometry and differentiation assay. In vivo bioluminescence imaging and histopathologic evaluation of biopsies were performed to quantify cell fate, engraftment and regeneration.

Results
2h WIT induced severe IRI on muscle, and muscle fiber regeneration as per histopathology within 14 days after injury. Bioluminescence in vivo imaging demonstrated reporter protein signals of MPC in 2h WIT animals and controls over the study period (75 days). Bioluminescence signals were detected at the injection site and increased over time. TdTomato expressing MPC and myofibers were visible in host tissue on postoperative days 2 and 14, respectively, suggesting that injected MPC differentiated into muscle fibers. Higher reporter protein signals were found after 2h WIT compared to controls without ischemia, indicative for enhanced growth and/or engraftment of MPC injected into IRI-affected muscle antagonizing muscle damage caused by IRI.

Conclusion
WIT-induced IRI in muscle requests increased numbers of injected MPC to engraft and persist, suggesting a possible rational for cell therapy to antagonize IRI. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the regenerative capacity and therapeutic advantage of MPC in the setting of ischemic limb injury.
Diagnosis of tuberculosis in wildlife: a systematic review
Authors: Thomas Jobin , Balseiro Ana , Gortázar Christian , Risalde María A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAnimal tuberculosis (TB) is a multi-host disease caused by members of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTC). Due to its impact on economy, sanitary standards of milk and meat industry, public health and conservation, TB control is an actively ongoing research subject. Several wildlife species are involved in the maintenance and transmission of TB, so that new approaches to wildlife TB diagnosis have gained relevance in recent years. Diagnosis is a paramount step for screening, epidemiological investigation, as well as for ensuring the success of control strategies such as vaccination trials. This is the first review that systematically addresses data available for the diagnosis of TB in wildlife following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The article also gives an overview of the factors related to host, environment, sampling, and diagnostic techniques which can affect test performance. After three screenings, 124 articles were considered for systematic review. Literature indicates that post-mortem examination and culture are useful methods for disease surveillance, but immunological diagnostic tests based on cellular and humoral immune response detection are gaining importance in wildlife TB diagnosis. Among them, serological tests are especially useful in wildlife because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to perform, facilitate large-scale surveillance and can be used bothante-and post-mortem. Currently available studies assessed test performance mostly in cervids, European badgers, wild suids and wild bovids. Research to improve diagnostic tests for wildlife TB diagnosis is still needed in order to reach accurate, rapid and cost-effective diagnostic techniques adequate to a broad range of target species and consistent over space and time to allow proper disease monitoring.