bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in LEP, LEPR, and PPARG With Humoral Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Li Mao , Wei Hejiang , Zhong Shuyi , Cheng Yanhui , Wen Simin , Wang Dayan , Shu Yuelong 
Published: October 2021

Background: Although previous studies have proposed leptin plays an important role in energy metabolism as well as in immune response, the effects of leptin-related genes on influenza vaccine-induced immune response remain unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential association of leptin gene (LEP), leptin receptor gene (LEPR), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma gene (PPARG) polymorphisms with humoral immune response to influenza vaccine.Methods: Based on the seroconversion to influenza vaccine, 227 low-responders and 365 responders were selected in this study, and 11 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using the MassARRAY technology platform. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association of SNPs in LEP, LEPR, and PPARG with humoral immune response to influenza vaccine. We also conducted a stratified analysis by gender to further clarify this association. The haplotypes analysis was performed using SNPStats.Results: Significant differences were observed in the genotypic distribution of PPARG rs17793951 between the two groups (p = 0.001), and the PPARG rs17793951 AG + GG genotype was associated with a higher risk of low responsiveness to influenza vaccine adjusted for gender and age (additive genetic model: OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.67–5.19, dominant genetic model: OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.61–4.92). No significant association of other SNPs in LEP and LEPR with immune response to influenza vaccine was found. The stratified analysis found the gender difference in the association of LEPR and PPARG variants with immune response to influenza vaccine. We found that LEPR rs6673591 GA + AA genotype was correlated with low responsiveness to influenza vaccine only in males (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.05–3.67), and PPARG rs17793951 AG + GG genotype was associated with low responsiveness to influenza vaccine in females (OR = 3.28, 95% CI = 1.61–6.67). Compared with the CGGAGGC haplotype composed of LEPR rs1327118, rs7602, rs1137101, rs1938489, rs6673591, rs1137100, and rs13306523, the CAAAAAC haplotype was positively correlated with immune response of influenza vaccine (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.15–0.77). Haplotype TG comprised of PPARG rs796313 and rs17793951 was associated with a 2.85-fold increased risk of low responsiveness to influenza vaccine.Conclusion: Our study identified that PPARG rs17793951 variants were significantly associated with the immune response to influenza vaccine.
Smart Chimeric Lysin ClyC Loaded Alginate Hydrogel Reduces Staphylococcus aureus Induced Bone Infection
Authors: Yao Fangfang , Wu Xinyu , Liao Yilin , Yan Qi , Li Yuhong 
Published: October 2021

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most common cause of hospital and community-acquired infections. The current clinical treatment is limited by the emergence of drug-resistant strains. We previously developed a chimeric ClyC that effectively inhibited S. aureus strains. Nonetheless, an efficient delivery system to provide sustained release of ClyC to infected site is needed. Thus, we engineered a chimeric ClyC loaded alginate hydrogel (ClyC-AH) to improve the therapeutic outcomes against S. aureus. ClyC-AH retained the stability and activity of ClyC while providing a sustained release of ClyC and a continuous antibacterial effect against S. aureus. Compared to ClyC alone, the use of ClyC-AH was relatively safe, as there was no significant cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells at a ClyC concentration≤250 μg/ml. Furthermore, in a S. aureus infected mouse model of osteomyelitis, ClyC-AH reduced bacterial burden in the femur and surrounding tissues, with a reduction of 2 log10 (CFU/ml) in viable bacterial number. Based on these results, hydrogel-delivered chimeric lysin ClyC provides a promising future in the S.aureus targeting therapy.
Florescence Intensity Ratio Thermometer in the First Biological Window Based on Non-Thermally Coupled Energy Levels of Tm3+ and Ho3+ Ions
Authors: Li Liang , Hao Haoyue 
Published: October 2021

In this study, the up-conversion luminescence and optical temperature sensing properties of Ho3+/Tm3+/Yb3+-co-doped NaLuF4 phosphors were investigated. The visible (475, 540, and 650 nm) and near-infrared light (692 and 800 nm) radiated from 1Ho3+/4Tm3+/Yb3+-co-doped NaLuF4 phosphors were obvious enough for subsequent detection. The slopes in the lnI–lnP plot of the emissions located in the first biological window (650, 692, and 800 nm) were both ∼1.5, which mean that the power had little effect on the three fluorescence peak ratios. Based on the florescence intensity ratios (FIRs) of 650 and 692 nm, the relative sensing sensitivity reaches 0.029 K−1 (476 K). The relative sensing sensitivity based on the FIRs of 800 and 692 nm reaches 0.0076 K−1 (476 K). The results reveal that 1Ho3+/4Tm3+/Yb3+-co-doped NaLuF4 phosphors have potential applications in FIR-based temperature sensing in biological tissue for their high sensing sensitivity. In addition, the emission colors of the sample stabilize in the white light region as the temperature increased from 303 to 467 K, implying that it can also be used in white display.
Process Evaluation of an Online SUpport PRogram for Older Hearing Aid Users Delivered in a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Meijerink Janine F. J. , Pronk Marieke , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , Jansen Vera , Kramer Sophia E. 
Published: October 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the process of implementing a web-based support program (SUPR) for hearing aid users in the Dutch dispensing setting in order to allow interpretation of the randomized controlled trial's results (positive effects on hearing-aid related outcomes; no effects on psychosocial outcomes).Design: Measures: context of implementation, recruitment, SUPR's: reach, implementation fidelity, dose delivered, dose received, satisfaction, and benefit. Data collection: quantitative and qualitative.Study Sample: One hundred thirty-eight clients (mean age 68.1 years; 60% male) and 44 dispensers completed questionnaires. Five clients and 6 dispensers participated in interviews and focus groups.Results: Clients and dispensers were generally satisfied with SUPR's usefulness. SUPR-videos were watched by 7–37% of the clients. Around half of the dispensers encouraged clients to watch them or informed them about SUPR. Some clients found the SUPR-materials suboptimal, and changes in personnel and limited dispenser-training were barriers acting on a contextual level.Conclusions: This study identified several factors that contributed to the success of SUPR. Others factors, acting on various levels (e.g., intervention material, dispensers, and implementation context), were suboptimal and may explain the absent psychosocial effects. The identified factors are important to consider in further development of SUPR, and in other web-based support programs.
Multimodal Exercise Effects in Older Adults Depend on Sleep, Movement Biography, and Habitual Physical Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Vogel Oliver , Niederer Daniel , Vogt Lutz 
Published: October 2021

Background: The promotion of healthy aging is one of the major challenges for healthcare systems in current times. The present study investigates the effects of a standardized physical activity intervention for older adults on cognitive capacity, self-reported health, fear of falls, balance, leg strength and gait under consideration of movement biography, sleep duration, and current activity behavior.Methods: This single-blinded, randomized controlled trial included 49 community-dwelling older adults (36 women; 82.9 ± 4.5 years of age (Mean [M] ± SD); intervention group = 25; control group = 24). Movement biography, sleep duration, cognitive capacity, self-reported health status, and fear of falls were assessed by means of questionnaires. Leg strength, gait, and current activity levels were captured using a pressure plate, accelerometers, and conducting the functional-reach and chair-rising-test. The multicomponent intervention took place twice a week for 45 min and lasted 16 weeks. Sub-cohorts of different sleep duration were formed to distinguish between intervention effects and benefits of healthy sleep durations. Change scores were evaluated in univariate analyses of covariances (ANCOVAs) between groups and sub-cohorts of different sleep duration in both groups. Changes in cognitive capacity, self-reported health, fear of falls, balance, leg strength, and gait were investigated using the respective baseline values, movement biography, and current activity levels as covariates. Analysis was by intention-to-treat (ITT).Results: We found sub-cohort differences in cognitive capacity change scores [F(3,48) = 5.498, p = 0.003, ηp2 = 0.287]. Effects on fear of falls [F(1,48) = 12.961, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.240] and balance change scores F(1,48) = 4.521, p = 0.040, ηp2 = (0.099) were modified by the level of current activity. Effects on gait cadence were modified by the movement biography [F(1,48) = 4.545; p = 0.039, ηp2 = 0.100].Conclusions: Unlike for functional outcomes, our multicomponent intervention in combination with adequate sleep duration appears to provide combinable beneficial effects for cognitive capacity in older adults. Trainability of gait, fear of falls, and flexibility seems to be affected by movement biography and current physical activity levels.Trial registration: This study was registered at the DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register) on November 11, 2020 with the corresponding trial number: DRKS00020472.
LncRNA LGALS8-AS1 Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis Through miR-125b-5p/SOX12 Feedback Regulatory Network
Authors: Zhai Duanyang , Li Tianfu , Ye Runyi , Bi Jiong , Kuang Xiaying , Shi Yawei , Shao Nan , Lin Ying 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundMetastasis is a major factor weakening the long-term survival of breast cancer patients. Increasing evidence revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of LGALS8-AS1 in the metastatic progression of breast cancer cells and its potential mechanisms.ResultsThe lncRNA LGALS8-AS1 was highly expressed in breast cancer and associated with poor survival. LGALS8-AS1 functioned as an oncogenic lncRNA that promoted the metastasis of breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. It upregulated SOX12 via competing as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for sponging miR-125b-5p and acted on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote the metastasis of breast cancer. Furthermore, SOX12, in turn, activated LGALS8-AS1 expression via direct recognition of its sequence binding enrichment motif on the LGALS8-AS1 promoter, thereby forming a positive feedback regulatory loop.ConclusionThis study manifested a novel mechanism of LGALS8-AS1 facilitating the metastasis of breast cancer. The LGALS8-AS1/miR-125b-5p/SOX12 reciprocal regulatory loop dyscrasia promoted the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. This signaling axis could be applicable to the design of novel therapeutic strategies against this malignancy.
Evaluation of MRI Features and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Prenatally Diagnosed Periventricular Pseudocysts
Authors: Sun Cong , Zhang Xinjuan , Chen Xin , Wei Xinhong , Chen Yufan , Yang Aocai , Zhu Jinxia , Wang Guangbin 
Published: October 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the morphologic features and neurodevelopmental outcomes of individuals prenatally diagnosed with a periventricular pseudocyst (PVPC).Methods: Pregnant women with a fetus prenatally diagnosed with PVPC by MRI were enrolled in this retrospective study. The fetuses with PVPCs were divided into group 1 (isolated PVPC) and group 2 (PVPC with additional findings). The surviving infants underwent brain MRI examinations and the Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS) test after birth. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in the developmental quotient (DQ) between group 1 and group 2. We also analyzed the correlations among the DQ, location (unilateral/bilateral), size (diameter), and number (single/multiple) of the PVPCs in group 1 using Lasso regression.Results: In total, 131 infants (group 1: 78 infants, group 2: 53 infants) underwent MRI examinations after birth, and 97 infants (group 1: 59 infants, group 2: 38 infants) underwent the GDS test. Upon follow-up, the sizes of the cysts had become smaller or disappeared after birth. The average DQ in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 (all with p &lt; 0.001). In group 1, the location (unilateral/bilateral), size (diameter), and number (single/multiple) of the PVPC did not affect the DQ.Conclusions: The PVPCs became smaller or disappeared after birth. Isolated PVPCs usually have a normal presentation after birth regardless of the location, number, or size. For PVPCs with additional findings, the neurodevelopmental outcomes were inferior to those in isolated PVPCs.
Repurposing Cefazolin-Avibactam for the Treatment of Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Srivastava Shashikant , Gumbo Tawanda , Thomas Tania 
Published: October 2021

Background: While tuberculosis (TB) is curable and preventable, the most effective first-line antibiotics cannot kill multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Therefore, effective drugs are needed to combat MDR-TB, especially in children. Our objective was to repurpose cefazolin for MDR-TB treatment in children using principles of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD).Methods: Cefazolin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was identified in 17 clinical Mtb strains, with and without combination of the β-lactamase inhibitor, avibactam. Next, dose-ranging studies were performed using the intracellular hollow fiber model of TB (HFS-TB) to identify the optimal cefazolin exposure. Monte Carlo experiments were then performed in 10,000 children for optimal dose identification based on cumulative fraction of response (CFR) and Mtb susceptibility breakpoint in three age-groups.Results: Avibactam reduced the cefazolin MICs by five tube dilutions. Cefazolin-avibactam demonstrated maximal kill of 4.85 log10 CFU/mL in the intracellular HFS-TB over 28 days. The % time above MIC associated with maximal effect (EC80) was 46.76% (95% confidence interval: 43.04–50.49%) of dosing interval. For 100 mg/kg once or twice daily, the CFR was 8.46 and 61.39% in children &lt;3 years with disseminated TB, 9.70 and 84.07% for 3–5 years-old children, and 17.20 and 76.13% for 12–15 years-old children. The PK/PD-derived susceptibility breakpoint was dose dependent at 1–2 mg/L.Conclusion: Cefazolin-avibactam combination demonstrates efficacy against both drug susceptible and MDR-TB clinical strains in the HFS-TB and could potentially be used to treat children with tuberculosis. Clinical studies are warranted to validate our findings.
Adaptation and Implementation of an Intervention Programme on Spanish Carers and Adolescent Patients With an Eating Disorder: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Quiles Yolanda , Quiles María José , León Eva María , Roncero María , Ruiz Álvaro , España Maite , Romero Cristina , Elvira Vicente 
Published: October 2021

Introduction:One of the major problems with inpatient treatment of adolescent girls with an eating disorder (ED) is that the strategies learned during their hospital stay are not easily applied or maintained in their daily lives, and this has been related to high rates of relapse and readmission. The ECHOMANTRA programme was developed to optimize outcomes during and following inpatient or day-patient treatment. ECHOMANTRA is based on interventions for carers (Experienced Carers Helping Others, ECHO) and patients (Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults, MANTRA) and is developed from the cognitive interpersonal model of anorexia (Schmidt and Treasure, 2006;Treasure and Schmidt, 2013). This study aims to describe the study protocol of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for evaluating the efficacy of an adaptation of a novel intervention for patients and carers (ECHOMANTRA) to be implemented as an add-on to treatment-as-usual (TAU).Method:In a multi−center pilot RCT, 80 female adolescent patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of an ED and their carers will be invited to participate in the study. They will then be randomized to receive either the ECHOMANTRA intervention as an add-on to TAU or TAU alone. A repeated measures design will be conducted across four time points. Primary outcomes will be patient psychological well-being and eating disorder symptoms, and secondary outcomes will include body mass index, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, perfectionism, motivation to change and psychosocial adjustment. For carers, outcome variables will include psychological well-being, expressed emotion, accommodation and enabling behaviors, burden, and care skills.Discussion:The results from this trial will establish the effectiveness of ECHOMANTRA and may reveal whether and to what extent this novel intervention can optimize outcomes during and following inpatient treatment. This study will also provide the adaptation of the ECHOMANTRA in the Spanish context for inpatient/day-care treatment.
Implementation and Application of an Intelligent Pterygium Diagnosis System Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Xu Wei , Jin Ling , Zhu Peng-Zhi , He Kai , Yang Wei-Hua , Wu Mao-Nian 
Published: October 2021

Objective: This study aims to implement and investigate the application of a special intelligent diagnostic system based on deep learning in the diagnosis of pterygium using anterior segment photographs.Methods: A total of 1,220 anterior segment photographs of normal eyes and pterygium patients were collected for training (using 750 images) and testing (using 470 images) to develop an intelligent pterygium diagnostic model. The images were classified into three categories by the experts and the intelligent pterygium diagnosis system: (i) the normal group, (ii) the observation group of pterygium, and (iii) the operation group of pterygium. The intelligent diagnostic results were compared with those of the expert diagnosis. Indicators including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, kappa value, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), as well as 95% confidence interval (CI) and F1-score were evaluated.Results: The accuracy rate of the intelligent diagnosis system on the 470 testing photographs was 94.68%; the diagnostic consistency was high; the kappa values of the three groups were all above 85%. Additionally, the AUC values approached 100% in group 1 and 95% in the other two groups. The best results generated from the proposed system for sensitivity, specificity, and F1-scores were 100, 99.64, and 99.74% in group 1; 90.06, 97.32, and 92.49% in group 2; and 92.73, 95.56, and 89.47% in group 3, respectively.Conclusion: The intelligent pterygium diagnosis system based on deep learning can not only judge the presence of pterygium but also classify the severity of pterygium. This study is expected to provide a new screening tool for pterygium and benefit patients from areas lacking medical resources.
Effectiveness of TES and rTMS for the Treatment of Insomnia: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Sham-Controlled Trials
Authors: Ma Haixia , Lin Jingxia , He Jiali , Lo Dilys Hoi Ting , Tsang Hector W. H. 
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Transcranial electric stimulation (TES) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have experienced significant development in treating insomnia. This review aims to examine the effectiveness of randomized sham-controlled trials of TES and rTMS in improving insomnia and examine potential moderators associated with the effect of the treatment.Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the effects of TES/rTMS with sham group on insomnia from the inception of these databases to June 25, 2021, namely, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis, and CNKI. Meta-analyses were conducted to examine the effect of TES and rTMS in treating insomnia. Univariate meta-regression was performed to explore potential treatment moderators that may influence the pooled results. Risk of bias was assessed by using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.Results: A total of 16 TES studies and 27 rTMS studies were included in this review. The pooled results indicated that there was no significant difference between the TES group and the sham group in improving objective measures of sleep. rTMS was superior to its sham group in improving sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake up after sleep onset, and number of awakenings (all p &lt; 0.05). Both TES and rTMS were superior to their sham counterparts in improving sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at post-intervention. The weighted mean difference for TES and rTMS were −1.17 (95% CI: −1.98, −0.36) and −4.08 (95% CI: −4.86, −3.30), respectively. Gender, total treatment sessions, number of pulses per session, and length of treatment per session were associated with rTMS efficacy. No significant relationship was observed between TES efficacy and the stimulation parameters.Conclusions: It seems that TES and rTMS have a chance to play a decisive role in the therapy of insomnia. Possible dose-dependent and gender difference effects of rTMS are suggested.
Effects on Growth and Metabolism of Difference between Day and Night Temperatures (DIF) and Supplementation with Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Micropropagated Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C. E. Fischer
Authors: Liu Boling , Tang Lijun , Gao Bowen , Jeong Byoung Ryong , Deng Shijun , Wei Hao 
Published: October 2021

Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C. E. Fischer is an ornamental plant with certain medicinal values from the Orchidaceae family. Currently, micropropagation is the main means through which it is propagated. In this research, the effects of different daytime and nighttime temperatures (DIF) and medium supplementation with rare earth elements (REE) on the growth and metabolism of D. aphyllum during a micropropagation period were investigated. Three kinds of REE nitrates, La(NO₃)₃, Ce(NO₃)₃ and Nd(NO₃)₃, at four concentrations, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM, were added to the culture medium. Three DIFs, 0, 6 and 12 °C, with an identical mean daily temperature of 20 °C, were used with photoperiod/dark period temperatures of 20/20 °C, 23/17 °C and 26/14 °C, respectively. After four weeks of culture, both supplemental REE and DIF treatments promoted growth of the plant compared with the control group. With increased REE concentration and DIF, the growth of the plants was suppressed and symptoms of stress response occurred. At the same concentration, Ce(NO₃)₃ had a more significant promotional effect on plant growth. In general, the medium supplemented with 100 μM Ce(NO₃)₃ combined with a 6 °C DIF was the most optimal for the vegetative growth of the plant. A 12 °C DIF promoted synthesis of more primary metabolites such as total proteins and polysaccharides. From the perspective of improving the medicinal values of this plant, increasing the DIF for an optimal growth environment is a valuable reference. This study can provide a technical basis for the propagation and production of Dendrobium aphyllum in the future.