bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Safety of West Nile Virus Immunity During Congenital Zika Virus Infection in Mice
Authors: Acklin Joshua A. , Cattle Javier D. , Moss Arianna S. , Brown Julia A. , Foster Gregory A. , Krysztof David , Stramer Susan L. , Lim Jean K. 
Published: June 2021

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a phenomenon that occurs when cross-reactive antibodies generated from a previous flaviviral infection increase the pathogenesis of a related virus. Zika virus (ZIKV) is the most recent flavivirus introduced to the Western Hemisphere and has become a significant public health threat due to the unanticipated impact on the developing fetus. West Nile virus (WNV) is the primary flavivirus that circulates in North America, and we and others have shown that antibodies against WNV are cross-reactive to ZIKV. Thus, there is concern that WNV immunity could increase the risk of severe ZIKV infection, particularly during pregnancy. In this study, we examined the extent to which WNV antibodies could impact ZIKV pathogenesis in a murine pregnancy model. To test this, we passively transferred WNV antibodies into pregnantStat2-/-mice on E6.5 prior to infection with ZIKV. Evaluation of pregnant dams showed weight loss following ZIKV infection; however, no differences in maternal weights or viral loads in the maternal brain, spleen, or spinal cord were observed in the presence of WNV antibodies. Resorption rates, and other fetal parameters, including fetal and placental size, were similarly unaffected. Further, the presence of WNV antibodies did not significantly alter the viral load or the inflammatory response in the placenta or the fetus in response to ZIKV. Our data suggest that pre-existing WNV immunity may not significantly impact the pathogenesis of ZIKV infection during pregnancy. Our findings are promising for the safety of implementing WNV vaccines in the continental US.
B, N Dual Doped Coral-Like Carbon Framework With Superior Pseudocapacitance and Surface Wettability
Authors: Han Lu , Chen Xu , Zeng Shijie , Liu Jia , Yang Zhongli , Wang Zhiqiang , Li Liang , Wang Haibao , Hou Zhanbin , Xu Min 
Published: June 2021

Carbon-based materials are usually considered as conventional electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs), therefore it is meaningful to enhance supercapacitive capacity and cycling stability via rational surface structure design of carbon-based materials. The bio-inspired coral-like porous carbon structure has attracted much attention recently in that it can offer large surface area for ion accommodation and favor ions-diffusion, promoting its energy storage capacity. Herein, we designed a superiorly hydrophilic B, N dual doped coral-like carbon framework (BN-CCF) and studied its surface wettability via low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation technique. The unique coral-like micro-nano structure and B, N dual doping in carbon framework can enhance its pseudocapacitance and improve surface wettability. Therefore, when used as electrodes of SCs, the BN-CCF displays 457.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, even when current density increases 20 folds, it still exhibits high capacitance retention of 66.1% and superior cycling stability. The symmetrical SCs assembled by BN-CCF electrodes show a high energy density of 14.92 Wh kg−1 (600 W kg−1). In this work, simple structural regulation with B, N dual doping and surface wettability should be considered as effective strategy to enhance energy storage capacity of carbon-based SCs.
RETRACTED: ADVIAN: Alzheimer's Disease VGG-Inspired Attention Network Based on Convolutional Block Attention Module and Multiple Way Data Augmentation
Authors: Wang Shui-Hua , Zhou Qinghua , Yang Ming , Zhang Yu-Dong 
Published: June 2021

Aim: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes 60–70% of all cases of dementia. This study is to provide a novel method that can identify AD more accurately.Methods: We first propose a VGG-inspired network (VIN) as the backbone network and investigate the use of attention mechanisms. We proposed an Alzheimer's Disease VGG-Inspired Attention Network (ADVIAN), where we integrate convolutional block attention modules on a VIN backbone. Also, 18-way data augmentation is proposed to avoid overfitting. Ten runs of 10-fold cross-validation are carried out to report the unbiased performance.Results: The sensitivity and specificity reach 97.65 ± 1.36 and 97.86 ± 1.55, respectively. Its precision and accuracy are 97.87 ± 1.53 and 97.76 ± 1.13, respectively. The F1 score, MCC, and FMI are obtained as 97.75 ± 1.13, 95.53 ± 2.27, and 97.76 ± 1.13, respectively. The AUC is 0.9852.Conclusion: The proposed ADVIAN gives better results than 11 state-of-the-art methods. Besides, experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of 18-way data augmentation.
New-Onset Postoperative Seizures in Patients With Diffuse Gliomas: A Risk Assessment Analysis
Authors: Li Lianwang , Li Guanzhang , Fang Shengyu , Zhang Kenan , Huang Ruoyu , Wang Yinyan , Zhang Chuanbao , Li Yiming , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhong , Jin Qiang , Zhou Dabiao , Fan Xing , Jiang Tao 
Published: June 2021

Background: Glioma-related epilepsy (GRE) is the most common presenting sign of patients with diffuse glioma. According to clinical experience, new-onset postoperative seizures can be observed even in patients without preoperative GRE. The current study mainly aimed to explore the risk factors of new-onset postoperative seizures in those patients. In addition, the prognostic value of new-onset postoperative seizures was also discussed.Methods: Data of 313 patients without GRE were retrospectively reviewed. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were first performed to compare categorical variables between patients with new-onset postoperative seizures and those without. Subsequently, binary logistic regression analysis was conduct to further assess risk factors of new-onset postoperative seizures. Kaplan-Meier and Cox analysis were used to investigate the prognostic value of new-onset postoperative seizures for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).Results: Patients with low-grade tumors (p = 0.006), isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation (p = 0.040) or low Ki-67 expression (p = 0.005) showed a higher incidence of new-onset postoperative seizures. IDH1 mutation was identified as the only independent predictor for new-onset postoperative seizures (OR, 2.075; 95% CI, 1.051–4.098; p = 0.035). Additionally, new-onset postoperative seizure occurrence was demonstrated as an independent predicter of prolonged OS (OR, 0.574; 95% CI, 0.335–0.983; p = 0.043), while younger age, gross total resection, low-grade and IDH1 mutation were independently correlated with prolonged OS and PFS.Conclusions: IDH1 mutation is an independent predictor for new-onset postoperative seizures in patients without preoperative GRE. Moreover, new-onset postoperative seizures can independently predict prolonged OS in those patients. The results of the current study can contribute to improving the individualized management of diffuse glioma.
Sunitinib Treatment for Advanced Paraganglioma: Case Report of a Novel SDHD Gene Mutation Variant and Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Sesti Franz , Feola Tiziana , Puliani Giulia , Centello Roberta , Di Vito Valentina , Bagni Oreste , Lenzi Andrea , Isidori Andrea M. , Cantisani Vito , Faggiano Antongiulio , Giannetta Elisa 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundParagangliomas (PGLs) are neuroendocrine neoplasms arising from chromaffin cells of sympathetic or parasympathetic paraganglia. Systemic therapies have been used only in metastatic PGLs. Antiangiogenic agents, such as sunitinib, could be a viable therapeutic choice in the subgroup of patients with SDH-positive PGLs. We describe the case of a man with Familial Paraganglioma Syndrome type 1 (FPGL) related to a novel mutation in SDHD gene treated with sunitinib. Furthermore, we performed a systematic review of the literature aimed to address the following question: is sunitinib treatment effective in patients with advanced/progressive/metastatic PGL?MethodsWe performed a data search using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus between April 2019 and September 2020. We included studies reporting data on clinical or biological characteristics, or clinical outcomes of patients with PGLs treated with sunitinib.ResultsThe search leaded to the selection of 25 publications. Data from case reports and case series showed that disease control rate (DCR = stable disease + partial response + complete response) was achieved in 34.7% of cases under sunitinib treatment. In 39% of patients DCR was followed by progressive disease (PD) or tumor relapse, 26.1% patients showed PD. Data from clinical trials showed that DCR was 83%, and the median progression free survival was 13.4 months.DiscussionData from the present literature review suggested that sunitinib could be a viable therapeutic option in advanced/progressive/metastatic inoperable PGLs. However, further trials on the efficacy of sunitinib in FPGL and sporadic PGL are needed.
Association of Mu-Opioid Receptor(MOR) Expression and Opioids Requirement With Survival in Patients With Stage I-III Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Hao , Qu Mengdi , Gorur Aysegul , Sun Zhirong , Cata Juan P. , Chen Wankun , Miao Changhong 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe use of opioids in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with shorter survival and not dependent on the expression of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). The role of opioid use and MOR expression in stage I-III PDAC has not been investigated.MethodsWe conducted retrospective study in patients with stage I-III PDAC. MOR expression and OPRM1 gene expression in tumour tissue and non-tumour tissue was measured. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints included perineural invasion, intraoperative sufentanil consumption, and length of stay. We performed a subgroup group analysis to evaluate the interaction between levels of MOR expression, amount of opioids use (high versus low) and its association with survival.ResultsA total of 236 patients were enrolled in this study.There were no significantly difference in OS rates in patients with high versus low levels of MOR (1-year OS: 65.2% versus 70.6%, P=0.064; 3-year: 31.4% versus 35.8%, P=0.071; 5-year: 19.4% versus. 16.2%, P=0.153, respectively) in the tumours. The DFS rates between the groups were no significantly difference. Of note, a high expression of MOR combined with high opioid consumption was associated with poor prognosis in stage I-III PDAC patients. Tumor expressing high levels of MOR show higher rates of perineural invasion.ConclusionMOR is not an independent predictor of poor survival in stage I-III PDAC but associated with perineural invasion. Patients requiring high amounts of opioids intraoperatively show worse outcome if they are expressing high levels of MOR.
Validity of Random Triglyceride Levels in Infants Receiving Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Bader Mohammad Y. , Lam Melanie A. , Munoz Fernando , Thompson Leslie , Kylat Ranjit I. 
Published: June 2021

Background: Intravenous lipid emulsions (IL) are an important part of parenteral nutrition (PN) to meet essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements and metabolic demands of neonates and preterm infants. Some critically-ill neonates may not metabolize IL effectively which can lead to hypertriglyceridemia. Risks associated with this include increased pulmonary vascular resistance, displaced bilirubins, and platelet or macrophage dysfunction. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentration is used as a marker for lipid tolerance and predictor of potential complications involved with IL administration, but the clinical significance of this is still debated. Management of TG levels with regard to timing of laboratory tests, the ideal goal range, and duration of infusion of IL varies across institutions and is not standardized.Methods: Single-center, retrospective study of newborn infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Fasting and non-fasting TG levels were drawn during the same lipid infusion of 2–3g/kg/day. The primary outcome was the difference between fasting and non-fasting TG levels. Statistical assessment of continuous data was done with student t-test and nominal data was evaluated using X2-test and logistic regression.Results: Forty infants were included with mean gestational age at birth of 29.5 ± 3.4 weeks and mean birth weight of 1.3 ± 0.5 kg. Mean time between lab draws while on same IL dose was 11.6 ± 0.2 h with resulting mean fasting and non-fasting (random) TG levels 82 ± 40 mg/dL (95% CI 68.4, 97.6) and 101 ± 40 mg/dL (95% CI 88.5, 115.8), respectively. Mean difference between TG levels during lipid-free interval and during infusion was −18.6 ± 51.2 mg/dL (95% CI −35.0, −2.3; p = 0.03).Conclusion: We concluded there is no difference in the management of IL, when TG level was drawn randomly or as fasting sample. Obtaining TG level during routine lab draws is appropriate. We extrapolated that the administration of IL over 24 h will not interfere with TG level.
Low-Dose Antibiotic Prophylaxis Induces Rapid Modifications of the Gut Microbiota in Infants With Vesicoureteral Reflux
Authors: Morello William , D'Amico Federica , Serafinelli Jessica , Turroni Silvia , Abati Isabella , Fiori Jessica , Baskin Esra , Yalcinkaya Fatos , Jankauskiene Augustina , Pennesi Marco , Zurowska Aleksandra , Becherucci Francesca , Drozdz Dorota , Mekahli Djalila , Krzemien Grazyna , La Scola Claudio , Taranta-Janusz Katarzyna , Mehls Otto , Schaefer Franz , Candela Marco , Montini Giovanni 
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives: Maturation of the gut microbiota (GM) in infants is critically affected by environmental factors, with potential long-lasting clinical consequences. Continuous low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) is the standard of care for children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), in order to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections. We aimed to assess short-term GM modifications induced by CAP in infants.Methods: We analyzed the GM structure in 87 infants (aged 1-5 months) with high-grade VUR, previously exposed or naïve to CAP. Microbial DNA was extracted from stool samples. GM profiling was achieved by 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing. Fecal levels of short- and branched-chain fatty acids were also assessed.Results: 36/87 patients had been taking daily CAP for a median time of 47 days, while 51/87 had not. In all patients, the GM was predominantly composed by Bifidobacteriaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. Subgroup comparative analysis revealed alterations in the GM composition of CAP-exposed infants at phylum, family and genus level. CAP-exposed GM was enriched in members of Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroidetes, especially in the genera Bacteroides and Parabacteroides, and showed a trend toward increased Klebsiella, often associated with antibiotic resistance. In contrast, the GM of non-CAP children was mostly enriched in Bifidobacterium. No differences were found in fatty acid levels.Conclusions: In infants with VUR, even a short exposure to CAP definitely alters the GM composition, with increased relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens and decreased proportions of health-promoting taxa. Early low-dose antibiotic exposure might bear potential long-term clinical risks.
Comparison of Two Types of Staged Laparoscopic Orchiopexy for High Intra-Abdominal Testes in Children: A Retrospective Study From a Single Center
Authors: Liu Jie , Tang Rui , Wang Xiao , Sui Bangzhi , Jin Zhiyuan , Xu Xudong , Zhu Qinghua , Chen Jin , Ma Honglong , Duan Guangqi 
Published: June 2021

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2nd-stage laparoscopic traction orchiopexy (Shehata technique) compared to Fowler-Stephens (F-S technique) for high intra-abdominal testes (IATs) in children.Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all children (&lt;14 years old) who underwent laparoscopic treatment of high IAT in the pediatric surgery center of Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College from April 2016 to April 2020. Participants were divided into the Fowler-Stephens (F-S) group and Shehata group according to the surgical method. We collected the medical records of all children and analyzed them statistically.Results: In this study, 43 patients in our center received 2nd-stage laparoscopic surgical treatment. The results showed that there were 23 high IATs in 22 patients in the F-S group and 22 IATs in 21 patients in the Shehata group. All patients completed the operation successfully. No significant difference in operation time was noted between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the testicular atrophy rate between the two groups (P = 0.323). The testicular retraction rate of the F-S group was greater than that of the Shehata group (P = 0.04).Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that the application of assisted laparoscopic testicular traction technology can effectively retain the main blood supply of the testis and vas deferens with a high survival rate and clear advantages. The preliminary results show that the Shehata technique is safe, reliable and effective in the treatment of high IAT in children.
Myricetin Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Viral Replication by Targeting Mpro and Ameliorates Pulmonary Inflammation
Authors: Xiao Ting , Cui Mengqi , Zheng Caijuan , Wang Ming , Sun Ronghao , Gao Dandi , Bao Jiali , Ren Shanfa , Yang Bo , Lin Jianping , Li Xiaoping , Li Dongmei , Yang Cheng , Zhou Honggang 
Published: June 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread widely around the world and has seriously affected the human health of tens of millions of people. In view of lacking anti-virus drugs target to SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to develop effective new drugs. In this study, we reported our discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. We selected 15 natural compounds, including 7 flavonoids, 3 coumarins, 2 terpenoids, one henolic, one aldehyde and one steroid compound for molecular docking and enzymatic screening. Myricetin were identified to have potent inhibit activity with IC50 3.684 ± 0.076 μM in the enzyme assay. The binding pose of Myricetin with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was identified using molecular docking method. In the binding pocket of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, the chromone ring of Myricetin interacts with His41 through π-π stacking, and the 3’-, 4’- and 7-hydroxyl of Myricetin interact with Phe140, Glu166and Asp187 through hydrogen bonds. Significantly, our results showed that Myricetin has potent effect on bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation by inhibiting the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1α, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Overall, Myricetin may be a potential drug for anti-virus and symptomatic treatment of COVID-19.
Suppression of Inflammatory Cardiac Cytokine Network in Rats with Untreated Obesity and Pre-Diabetes by AT2 Receptor Agonist NP-6A4
Authors: Gavini Madhavi P. , Mahmood Abuzar , Belenchia Anthony M. , Beauparlant Paige , Kumar Senthil A. , Ardhanari Sivakumar , DeMarco Vincent G. , Pulakat Lakshmi 
Published: June 2021

Obesity affects over 42% of the United States population and exacerbates heart disease, the leading cause of death in men and women. Obesity also increases pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause chronic tissue damage to vital organs. The standard-of-care does not sufficiently attenuate these inflammatory sequelae. Angiotensin II receptor AT2R is an anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective molecule; however, AT2R agonists are not used in the clinic to treat heart disease. NP-6A4 is a new AT2R peptide agonist with an FDA orphan drug designation for pediatric cardiomyopathy. NP-6A4 increases AT2R expression (mRNA and protein) and nitric oxide generation in human cardiovascular cells. AT2R-antagonist PD123319 and AT2RSiRNA suppress NP-6A4-effects indicating that NP-6A4 acts through AT2R. To determine whether NP-6A4 would mitigate cardiac damage from chronic inflammation induced by untreated obesity, we investigated the effects of 2-weeks NP-6A4 treatment (1.8 mg/kg delivered subcutaneously) on cardiac pathology of male Zucker obese (ZO) rats that display obesity, pre-diabetes and cardiac dysfunction. NP-6A4 attenuated cardiac diastolic and systolic dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but increased myocardial capillary density. NP-6A4 treatment suppressed tubulointerstitial injury marker urinary β-NAG, and liver injury marker alkaline phosphatase in serum. These protective effects of NP-6A4 occurred in the presence of obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia, and without modulating blood pressure. NP-6A4 increased expression of AT2R (consistent with human cells) and cardioprotective erythropoietin (EPO) and Notch1 in ZO rat heart, but suppressed nineteen inflammatory cytokines. Cardiac miRNA profiling and in silico analysis showed that NP-6A4 activated a unique miRNA network that may regulate expression of AT2R, EPO, Notch1 and inflammatory cytokines, and mitigate cardiac pathology. Seventeen pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines that increase during lethal cytokine storms caused by infections such as COVID-19 were among the cytokines suppressed by NP-6A4 treatment in ZO rat heart. Thus, NP-6A4 activates a novel anti-inflammatory network comprised of 21 proteins in the heart that was not reported previously. Since NP-6A4’s unique mode of action suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine network and attenuates myocardial damage, it can be an ideal adjuvant drug with other anti-glycemic, anti-hypertensive, standard-of-care drugs to protect the heart tissues from pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokine attack induced by obesity.
Acute Effect of Enhanced External Counterpulsation on the Carotid Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients With High Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Zhang Yahui , Mai Zhouming , Du Jianhang , Zhou Wenjuan , Wei Wenbin , Wang Hui , Yao Chun , Zhang Xinxia , Huang Hui , Wu Guifu 
Published: June 2021

PurposeEnhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) can improve carotid circulation in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the response of carotid hemodynamic parameters induced by EECP in patients with high cardiovascular risk factors remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate the acute effect of EECP on the hemodynamic parameters in the carotid arteries before, during, and immediately after EECP in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes.MethodsEighty-three subjects were recruited into this study to receive 45-min EECP, including patients with simple hypertension (n = 21), hyperlipidemia (n = 23), type 2 diabetes (n = 18), and healthy subjects (n = 21). Hemodynamic parameters in both common carotid arteries (CCAs) were measured and calculated from Doppler ultrasound images. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean inner diameter (ID), systolic/diastolic flow velocity ratio (VS/VD), flow rate (FR), and resistance index (RI) were monitored before, during, and immediately after 45-min EECP.ResultsEDV and VS/VD were significantly reduced, while RI of CCAs was significantly increased among four groups during EECP (all P &lt; 0.01). Additionally, the ID of CCAs and the FR of left CCA increased in patients with hyperlipidemia during EECP (P &lt; 0.05). PSV of left CCA was reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, immediately after EECP, ID was significantly higher in patients with hyperlipidemia. The RI of patients with hypertension and PSV and VS/VD of patients with type 2 diabetes were significantly lower compared with baseline (all P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionEECP created an acute reduction in EDV, PSV, and VS/VD, and an immediate increase in the RI, FR, and ID of CCAs among the four groups. Additionally, a single 45-min session of EECP produced immediate improvement in the ID of patients with hyperlipidemia, the RI of patients with hypertension, and the PSV and VS/VD of patients with type 2 diabetes. The different hemodynamic responses induced by EECP may provide theoretical guidance for making personalized plans in patients with different cardiovascular risk factors.