bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of acupuncture on patients with premature ovarian insufficiency and polycystic ovary syndrome: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Bai Tianyu , Deng Xinyun , Bi Jieyu , Ni Linlin , Li Zhaohui , Zhuo Xiumei 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that acupuncture could improve the clinical outcomes of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However recent meta-analyses have provided inconclusive findings. This umbrella meta-analysis aimed to explore the effect of acupuncture therapies on PCOS and POI outcomes.MethodsA systematic literature search was carried out in in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Chinese databases, including Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform, CBM, CNKI, and VIP up until April 2024 to gather relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were meta-analyses on the effect of acupuncture or combined therapies with standard medications or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on PCOS and POI. The outcomes were pregnancy rates, ovulation rates, hormone levels, glycemic indices, resumption of menstruation, endometrial thickness, live birth rates, abortion rates, and body mass index (BMI). Studies with irrelevant interventions, animal studies, reviews without quantitative analysis, and studies with insufficient data were excluded. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and relative risk (RR) with a 95% CI were used as effect sizes to pool the data using a random effects model.ResultsA total of 38 meta-analyses, 20 studies (sample size: 27,106 patients) for PCOS and 18 studies (sample size: 19,098 patients) for POI, were included. Overall, in women with PCOS, acupuncture therapies were significantly associated with a higher pregnancy rate, ovulation rate, and reduced serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin resistance, and BMI. Moreover, FSH, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin levels were improved in subgroup analyses. For POI, acupuncture significantly improved serum levels of LH, FSH, LH/FSH ratio, and estradiol.ConclusionAcupuncture-related therapies improve pregnancy rate, and metabolic and hormonal imbalances in patients with POI and PCOS.Systematic review registrationThe protocol of the study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024572893). Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024572893.
Reflexive eye saccadic parameters in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Pah Nemuel D. , Ngo Quoc C. , McConnell Nicole , Polus Barbara , Kempster Peter , Bhattacharya Arup , Raghav Sanjay , Kumar Dinesh K. 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionAbnormal reactive saccade, with reduced saccadic gain, impaired smooth pursuit, and unwarranted reactions are clinically used to assess people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD). However, there are inconsistent findings related to other saccade parameters such as latency and transition times. This study aimed to identify differences in the reflexive saccade parameters of early stage PwPD and aged-matched control (AMC).MethodsIn this observational study, the reactive eye-gaze was recorded for 70 participants (42 PwPD) and parameters of reflexive saccades and eye-gaze fluctuations were extracted. These parameters were then statistically analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test.ResultsResults showed that PwPD had significantly shorter latency than AMC for reflexive saccadic movement away from the center of the screen. The overshoot as a fraction of the screen width, a measure of the inaccuracy in reaching the target, was also significantly higher for PwPD. PwPD had greater horizontal and vertical eye gaze fluctuation with a steady target. The numbers of invalid saccades, i.e., when the gaze goes in the opposite direction from the target movement or is considered anticipatory, were similar for both groups; PwPD with 33.43% and AMC with 25.71%.DiscussionThis study shows that there are significant differences in the reflexive saccade of PwPD and AMC measured using an inexpensive eye-tracking device. The presence of invalid saccade trials, and differences between towards and away from screen center, both of which were not considered in earlier studies, may explain the discrepancies between earlier studies. The outcome of this study has the potential to be made a device that would assist neurologists in the assessment of PwPD.
Regulation of cochlear hair cell function by intracellular calcium stores
Authors: Sinha Ghanshyam P. , Frolenkov Gregory I. 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionMammalian hearing depends on the dual mechanosensory and motor functions of cochlear hair cells. Both these functions may be regulated by Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. However, it is still unclear how exactly intracellular Ca2+ release may affect either hair cell mechano-electrical transduction (MET) or prestin-dependent electromotility in outer hair cells (OHCs).MethodsHere, we used photo-activatable (caged) compounds to generate fast increases of either Ca2+ or inositol-3-phosphate (IP3) in the cytosol of young postnatal rodent auditory hair cells, thereby stimulating either Ca2+- or IP3- induced releases of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Fast Ca2+ imaging was used to monitor propagation of Ca2+ signals along the length of a hair cell. To access potential physiological role(s) of intracellular Ca2+ releases, we used whole cell patch clamp to record: i) OHC voltage-dependent capacitance, a known electrical correlate of prestin-based electromotility, and ii) MET currents evoked by stereocilia bundle deflections with fluid-jet. In the latter experiments, changes of mechanical stiffness of the hair bundles were also quantified from video recordings of stereocilia movements.ResultsCa2+ uncaging at the OHC apex initiated Ca2+ wave propagating to the base of the cell with subsequent Ca2+ build-up there. Ca2+ uncaging at the OHC base generated long-lasting and apparently self-sustained Ca2+ responses, further confirming Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in the OHC basal region. Photoactivated IP3 initiated a slow increase of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) throughout the whole OHC, confirming the presence of slow-activated IP3-gated Ca2+ stores in OHCs. Interestingly, Ca2+ uncaging produced no effects on OHC voltage-dependent capacitance. In an OHC, the rise of [Ca2+]i is known to decrease axial stiffness of the cell and may modulate the stiffness of mechanosensory stereocilia bundles. To separate these two phenomena, we explored the potential effects of intracellular Ca2+ release on mechanical properties of stereocilia bundles in cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs). Ca2+ uncaging at the apex of an IHC caused a long-lasting increase in mechanical stiffness of stereocilia bundle without any changes in the amplitude or deflection sensitivity of the MET current.DiscussionWe concluded that the most likely physiological role of IP3-gated Ca2+ release at the apex of the cell is the regulation of hair bundle stiffness. In contrast, Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release at the base of OHCs seems to regulate axial stiffness of the cells and its hyperpolarization in response to efferent stimuli, without direct effects on the OHC prestin-based membrane motors.
Vestibular afferent neurons develop normally in the absence of quantal/glutamatergic input
Authors: Regalado Núñez Katherine , Bronson Daniel , Chang Ryan , Kalluri Radha 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThe vestibular nerve is comprised of neuron sub-groups with diverse functions related to their intrinsic biophysical properties. This diversity is partly due to differences in the types and numbers of low-voltage-gated potassium channels found in the neurons’ membranes. Expression for some low-voltage gated ion channels like KCNQ4 is upregulated during early post-natal development; suggesting that ion channel composition and neuronal diversity may be shaped by hair cell activity. This idea is consistent with recent work showing that glutamatergic input from hair cells is necessary for the normal diversification auditory neurons.MethodsTo test if biophysical diversity is similarly dependent on glutamatergic input in vestibular neurons, we examined vestibular function and the maturation of the vestibular epithelium and ganglion neurons by immunohistochemistry and patch-clamp electrophysiology in Vglut3-ko mice whose hair cell synapses lack glutamate.ResultsThe knockout mice showed no obvious balance deficits and crossed challenging balance beams with little difficulty. Immunolabeling of the Vglut3-ko vestibular epithelia showed normal development as indicated by an identifiable striolar zone with calyceal terminals labeled by molecular marker calretinin, and normal expression of KCNQ4 by the end of the second post-natal week. We found similar numbers of Type I and Type II hair cells in the knockout and wild-type animals, regardless of epithelial zone. Thus, the presumably quiescent Type II hair cells are not cleared from the epithelium. Patch-clamp recordings showed that biophysical diversity of vestibular ganglion neurons in the Vglut3-ko mice is comparable to that found in wild-type controls, with a similar range firing patterns at both immature and juvenile ages. However, our results suggest a subtle biophysical alteration to the largest ganglion cells (putative somata of central zone afferents); those in the knockout had smaller net conductance and were more excitable than those in the wild type.DiscussionThus, unlike in the auditory nerve, glutamatergic signaling is unnecessary for producing biophysical diversity in vestibular ganglion neurons. And yet, because the input signals from vestibular hair cells are complex and not solely reliant on quantal release of glutamate, whether diversity of vestibular ganglion neurons is simply hardwired or regulated by a more complex set of input signals remains to be determined.
Widely targeted metabolomics and SPME-GC-MS analysis revealed the quality characteristics of non-volatile/volatile compounds in Zheng’an Bai tea
Authors: Liu Li , Qiao Dahe , Mi Xiaozeng , Yu Shirui , Jing Tingting , An Yanlin 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundAs albino tea under the geographical protection of agricultural products, Zheng’an Bai tea is not only rich in amino acids, polyphenols and other beneficial components for the human body, but also its leaf color will turn green as the temperature gradually rises, thus causing changes in the quality characteristics of tea leaves. However, these changing characteristics have not yet been revealed.MethodsIn-depth quality analysis was carried out on the fresh leaves of Zheng’an Bai tea at four different developmental stages and four samples from the processing stage through extensive targeted metabolomics and SPME-GC-MS analysis.ResultsIn this study, a total of 573 non-volatile metabolites were detected from the fresh leaves and processing samples of Zheng’an Bai tea, mainly including 96 flavonoids, 75 amino acids, 56 sugars and alcohols, 48 terpenoids, 46 organic acids, 44 alkaloids, and 39 polyphenols and their derivatives. In fresh leaves, the most significant differential metabolites (VIP &gt; 1, p &lt; 0.05) among different samples mainly include substances such as ethyl gallate, theaflavin, isovitexin and linalool, while the main differential metabolites of samples in the processing stage include alkaloids, polyphenols and flavonoids such as zarzissine, methyl L-Pyroglutamate, theaflavin 3,3’-digallate, euscaphic acid and ethyl gallate. Overall, substances such as sugars and alcohols, alkaloids and polyphenols show the greatest differences between fresh leaves and the processing process. Meanwhile, 97 kinds of volatile metabolites were detected in these samples, most of which had a higher content in the fresh leaves. Moderate spreading is conducive to the release of the aroma of tea leaves, but fixation causes a sharp decrease in the content of most volatile metabolites. Ultimately, 9 volatile substances including geraniol, linalool, nerolidol, jasmone, octanal, 1-Nonanal, heptaldehyde, methyl salicylate and 1-Octen-3-ol were identified as the key aroma components (OAV &gt;1) of Zheng’an Bai tea.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study has for the first time comprehensively revealed the quality change characteristics of fresh leaves at different developmental stages and during the processing of Zheng’an Bai tea, and provided a foundation for further process improvement.
Protective effects of betaine on the early fatty liver in laying hens through ameliorating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress
Authors: Wang Chaohui , Sun Xi , Liu Xiaoying , Wang Yumeng , Luo Jiarui , Yang Xiaojun , Liu Yanli 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionFatty liver syndrome (FLS) is a prevalent nutritional and metabolic disease that mainly occurs in caged laying hens, causing substantial losses in the poultry industry. The study was carried out to explore the protective effect and potential mechanism of betaine on early FLS.MethodsThere were three groups: Con group (basal diet), FLS group (Dexamethasone injection + basal diet) and betaine group (Dexamethasone injection + basal diet with 8 g/kg betaine). Birds in FLS and betaine groups were treated with subcutaneous dexamethasone injection once a day at a dosage of 4.50 mg/kg body weight for 7 days.ResultsThe results revealed that DXM treatment significantly increased the liver index, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TBIL), total biliary acid (TBA), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and glucose (GLU) (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, hepatic TC and TG levels were also elevated (p &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, H&amp;E and oil red O staining showed that there were a large number of vacuoles and lipid droplets in the liver of hens in FLS group. Dietary betaine addition significantly alleviated the increasing of serum TBIL, TBA and hepatic TC caused by dexamethasone treatment (p &lt; 0.05). There existed 1,083 up- and 996 down-regulated genes in FLS group when compared with the control, and there were 169 upregulation and 405 downregulation genes in BT group when compared with FLS group. A total of 37 differential expression genes (DEGs) were rescued by betaine addition, which were related to lipid metabolism and antioxidant functions including APOC3, APOA4, G0S2, ERG28, PLA2G3, GPX4 and SLC5A8. Serum metabolomics analysis showed that 151 differential metabolites were identified in FLS group when compared with the control. Dietary betaine addition could rescue the changes of metabolites partly such as chicoric acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, linoleic acid, telmisartan, which were associated with anti-oxidative function. In addition, RT-PCR results showed that genes involved in lipid metabolism, such as ACC, FAS, SCD1, ELOVL6, SREBP1, GR, ATGL and MTTP were markedly upregulated at the mRNA level (p &lt; 0.05). However, dietary supplementation with betaine can reversed the expression of these genes (p &lt; 0.05). Importantly, dietary betaine supplementation could reverse increased lipid synthesis partly by regulating PI3K/AKT/SREBP and CEBPα pathways in the liver based on western blot results (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionDexamethasone treatment could establish the early FLS model in laying hens with hepatic lipid accumulation and no inflammation, which could be attenuated by dietary betaine addition.
Bufonis venenum extract loaded novel cholesterol-free liposome for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Siqi , Lan Jinshuai , Li Zhe , Li Ming , Wu Ya , Sun Liyan , Zhang Tong , Ding Yue 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundThis study aims to improve the solubility and the toxicity of Bufonis venenum, and finally enhance the therapeutic outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe cholesterol-free liposomes simultaneously encapsulate bufadienolides and indolealkylamines (Non-Cholesterol-Bufonis Venenum Extract-Liposome, Non-Chol-BVE-LP) was prepared by the thin-film evaporation technique. In vitro, the cytotoxicity, cell apoptosis study, cellular uptake and hemolysis studies were evaluated in HepG2 cells. In vivo, the biodistribution and anti-tumor activity studies were conducted in BALB/C mice with HepG2 cells.ResultsThe liposomes showed good size distribution, encapsulation efficiency drug loading capacity and slower drug release. Non-Chol-BVE-LP had higher cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells and induced more apoptosis on HepG2 Cells compared with BVE. In addition, the liposomes could accumulate in tumor by passive targeting, thus facilitating the anti-tumor effects. In vivo, Non-Chol-BVE-LP showed equivalent anti-tumor efficacy to the first-line anti-HCC drug sorafenib.ConclusionThe study provided new ideas for the development and clinical application of Bufonis venenum related formulation and offered new drug for the treatment of HCC.
Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury leads to hypertension, reduced kidney function and cognitive impairment in postpartum rats
Authors: Griffin Ashley , Szczepanski Jamie , Spencer Shauna-Kay , Solis Lucia , Bowles Teylor , Robinson Reanna , Williams Jan M. , Kyle Patrick B. , Wallace Kedra 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionWomen with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, low platelet) Syndrome are affected by acute kidney injury during pregnancy (PR-AKI) at higher rates than women without hypertension. Both hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outside the context of pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and cognitive impairment. In our current study, we set out to determine if PR-AKI led to the development of CKD and impaired cognition in the postpartum period and if HELLP syndrome exacerbates the impairments.MethodsUsing timed-pregnant Sprague Dawley rats, on gestational day (GD) 12, mini-osmotic pumps infusing anti-angiogenic factors were surgically placed in the intraperitoneal cavity to induce HELLP. On GD18, AKI was induced via bilateral renal reperfusion ischemia surgery. Mean arterial pressure and birth outcomes were used to assess the global effects of AKI, and liver enzymes were used to assess HELLP. CKD was assessed by measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary output, and renal fibrosis. Anxiety-like behaviors, object recognition memory, spatial memory, and avoidance memory were assessed via behavioral experiments.ResultsHELLP + AKI rats demonstrated more evidence of renal injury, hypertension, and behavioral deficits compared to normal pregnant animals. In addition, AKI had a negative impact on birth outcomes and maternal survival.ConclusionHELLP + AKI together led to evidence of persistent hypertension, progressive renal dysfunction, and cognitive impairment, which were exacerbated compared to AKI or HELLP alone. These findings suggest that PR-AKI in the presence of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, such as HELLP, leads to the development of CKD, cognitive dysfunction, and hypertension.
Effects of thinning on the structure of soil microbial communities in a subtropical secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest
Authors: Yao Liangjin , Jiao Jiejie , Wu Chuping , Jiang Bo , Fan Lili 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThinning is a common practice to enhance tree growth, but its effect on rhizosphere soil microorganisms in subtropical secondary evergreen broadleaved forests remains unclear.MethodsThis study used 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to explore soil microflora of five shrubs and five tree species.ResultsThe results showed that thinning altered nutrient distribution and pH in rhizosphere soil, impacting microbial richness, which varied by tree species. The dominant bacterial phyla were Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Although the dominant microbial species remained largely unchanged, thinning increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes. Thinning intensity between 10-15% significantly altered the structure of soil microbial communities, demonstrating species-specific responses.DiscussionThese changes in microbial structure may influence tree growth. This study proposed the potential effects of thinning on rhizosphere soil microorganisms and suggests future research to investigate the specific microbial mechanisms affected by thinning.
Piece of Mind: knowledge translation performances for public engagement on Parkinson’s disease and dementia
Authors: Kuhlmann Naila , Thomas Aliki , Incio-Serra Natalia , Blain-Moraes Stefanie 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThe subjective experience of illness is often overshadowed by the disease-and-cure focus of health research, contributing to the stigmatization of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. This is exacerbated by the fact that traditional means of knowledge dissemination are inaccessible to non-academic audiences, hampering meaningful dialogue with and research uptake by the broader community.MethodsOur arts-based knowledge translation project, Piece of Mind, brought together neuroscientists, people with Parkinson’s disease or dementia, care partners and artists (musicians, dancers, circus acrobats) to co-create 2 multi-media performances based on scientific research and lived experience. We investigated whether the resulting interdisciplinary, multimedia performances could (1) challenge misperceptions around Parkinson’s/dementia; and (2) render neuroscientific research accessible to a diverse audience. Prior to and immediately following virtual screenings of the feature-length Piece of Mind Parkinson’s and Dementia filmed performances, audience members were invited to complete pre-post questionnaires comprised of demographic, Likert-scale and open-ended questions.ResultsResponses indicated that both performances elicited strong emotional engagement and improved self-reported understanding and empathy towards individuals with Parkinson’s and dementia. Based on a thematic analysis on open-ended questions, we consider the barriers and facilitators to the audience’s receptiveness and discuss the performances’ potential as a knowledge translation tool.DiscussionBy presenting an emotionally engaging perspective on Parkinson’s and dementia, Piece of Mind acts as an important complement to text-based knowledge dissemination in health research.
Association between tumor size and prognosis in bladder cancer: novel classifications and insights from a SEER database analysis
Authors: Jia Yige , Wu Kan , Li Xiang 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveAlthough tumor size is an essential oncologic feature, it is often underutilized in diagnosing and treating bladder cancer (BC). This study investigates the relationship between tumor size and BC prognosis, aiming to enhance clinical applications.MethodsBC patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004–2015). Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to identify prognostic factors, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between tumor size and survival outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate COX models were utilized to estimate the effect of the classification scheme.ResultsA total of 69,478 patients with BC were evaluated from the SEER database. Larger tumor size, recent diagnosis, older age, high pathologic grade, variant histology, advanced T stages, positive lymph node status, and receipt of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were associated with worse overall and cancer-specific survival. RCS curves of each stage showed that the relationship between tumor size and prognosis was non-linear. Optimal cut-off points were identified based on the shape of RCS curves, suggesting new classifications of tumor size: 2.5 cm and 5 cm for Ta, 3 cm and 5 cm for T1, and 4 cm and 6 cm for T2.ConclusionsIncorporating tumor size into prognostic evaluations can enhance bladder cancer risk stratification. Further research is needed to validate these findings and improve personalized treatment strategies.