bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of 5 Intermediate Microglia’s Structural Variations Within an Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Model After Regionalized Toxic Injury
Authors: Trejos Jesus , Schanne Francis 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The dendritic cell of the CNS, the microglia (MG), is an initiation point of the immunological response within the post blood-brain barrier (BBB) compartment. Microglia drastically changes in response to cell stress to a much different non-dendritic morphology. This investigation postulates that if the first MG responses to toxic injury are isolated and studied in greater morphological detail there’s much to be learned about microglia’s metamorphosis from and M2 to an M1 state. The organotypic hippocampal slice was the experimental setting used to investigate microglial response to toxic injury; this isolates dendritic cell to post-BBB cells dynamics from the impact of nonspecific of in-vivo blood derived signaling. Within the context of biochemically verified precise toxic cell injury/death (induced with mercury or cyanide in combination with 2-deoxy-glucose) to a specific region within the hippocampal slice, MG’s morphological response was evaluated. There was up to 35% increase in microglia activation proximally to injury (CA3 region) and no changes distally (DG region) when compared to control slices treated with PBS. Maximum microglia activation consisted of a 3 plus-fold increase in the distance between the nucleus membrane and the cell membrane, which underscores an extensive and quantifiable amount of membrane rearrangement. This quantification can be applied to contemporaneous AI image analysis algorithms to demarcate and quantify relative MG activation in and around a site of injury. In between baseline and activated MG morphologies, 5 intermediate morphologies (or morphological behaviors) are described as it relates to its cell body, nucleus, and dendrites. The result from this study reconciles details of MG’s structure to its holistic characteristics in relation to parenchymal cell stress.
Antagonism of tomato endophytic fungi against grey mold disease
Authors: Pourmad Alireza , Ebrahimi Leila , Fotouhifar Khalil-Berdi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Endophytic fungi are a group of microorganisms living inside plant tissues without any immediate and visible symptoms, and in most cases have benefits for their host. In this research, 50 samples of healthy tomato plants were collected from Isfahan and Tehran provinces of Iran. Totally, 89 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from root, stem, and leaf tissues. Based on morphological characteristics, the isolates were belonged to 12 different genera including Fusarium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Acremonium, Arthrinium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Moniliophthora, Rhizoctonia, Nigrospora, Trichoderma and Colletotrichum. The biocontrol effects of the isolates were investigated against Botrytis cinerea in vitro. Based on the results of dual culture and volatile organic compounds (VOC) production, six isolates were selected with the most inhibitory effect on B. cinerea that were belonging to the genus Fusarium. Among them, isolate 41R1 with 65.8 and 65% inhibitory rate on mycelia growth of the isolates B1 and B2, respectively, showed the highest value in the dual culture test. In the VOC test, isolate 28S1 had the most inhibitory effect on mycelia growth of isolates B1 and B2, with the values of 66.6 and 62.6%, respectively. Six selected isolates reduced the tomato grey mold disease severity about 35 to 58% in greenhouse. Isolate 28S1 increased the plant dry weight, but without significant effect on other plant growth indices. Isolates 41R1, 28S1, and 16S3 with the highest inhibition, were identified based on the partial sequence of tef-1α gene, which belonged to Fusarium falciforme, Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium solani species, respectively.
Molecular characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus infection: an outbreak in children in 2023, Beijing, China
Authors: Huang Luci , Liu Ying , Li Fei , Fu Yiliang , Guan Xiaolei , Tian Xiaoyi , Zhang Xiaofei , Zhang Wei , Huo Jianbo , Song Wenqi , Xie Zhengde , Chen Xiangpeng 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

A resurgent outbreak of children respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection occurred on April 2023, Beijing. To elucidate the dominant genotypes and molecular characteristics of RSV isolates, totally 11 partial G gene sequences were obtained. Six RSVA and five RSVB isolates were clustered into ON1 and BA9 genotypes. Amino acid substitutions T113I, V131D, H258Q, and H266L were co-occurrences in four RSVA isolates. One strain had a substitution to S174N in T cell epitope of RSVA G protein. In RSVB G protein, P237L, P247T, K258N/S, H259Y, T266I, N296Y, T302I, and E305K were newly found but not in our previous study.
Integrative Genetics and Multiomics Analysis Unveil Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Vitiligo: Insights from GWAS-meta, Microarray, Single-cell Transcriptomics, and ChIP-seq Data, Highlighting JAK/STAT Pathway Regulation of CTSS in Vitiligo
Authors: Dong Zi-yue , He Ming-jie , Yu Yong-kai , wang Kun , Wang Fang , Ran De-long , Fu De-shuang , He Qing , Yang Run-ping , Zhang Jiang-an 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Vitiligo is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by the loss of melanocytes, leading to skin depigmentation. Despite advances in understanding its genetic and molecular basis, the precise mechanisms driving vitiligo remain elusive. Integrating multiple layers of omics data can provide a comprehensive view of disease pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Methods:
We first performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis and druggability assessment using the latest data from FinnGen, the GWAS Catalog, and the UK Biobank. We subsequently investigated pathogenic and protective genes associated with vitiligo via summary-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis across multiple eQTL and pQTL databases to construct a transcription factor regulatory network. Finally, we validated the genetically associated and causal genes identified in the previous analyses via microarray and single-cell RNA sequencing data.
Results:
The GWAS-meta analysis identified five genes with potential druggability: ERBB3, RHOH, CDK10, MC1R, and NDUFAF3. Drug target exploration and molecular docking were performed for these genes. SMR analysis revealed that five genes—CTSS, CTSH, STX8, KIR2DL3, and GRHPR—are causally associated with vitiligo at both the pQTL and eQTL levels. By integrating microarray and single-cell transcriptomic data, we detected differential expression of CTSS and its transcription factor STAT1/3 in both the blood and lesional skin of vitiligo patients.
Conclusions:
Our integrative multiomics approach provides new insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying vitiligo. The JAK/STAT pathway may contribute to vitiligo pathogenesis by regulating CTSS, which is involved in melanocyte antigen processing and presentation. Future research should focus on validating these findings and exploring the therapeutic potential of CTSS and genetically associated genes.
Irisin Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders via Brown Adipose Tissue Activation
Authors: Peng Xin-Gui , Dai Jingyue , Zhao Yufei , Chen Yue , Jiang Yang , Sun Rui , Tang Xingzhe , Cui Ying , Mao Hui 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
High-fat diet (HFD) induces negative effects on interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) activity and systemic energy metabolism. Irisin, a small hormonal agent known to modulate metabolism has been used for intervening HFD induced obesity. However, its mechanism of actions on iBAT function remains to be fully elucidated. This study sought to investigate whether an intervention with irisin could restore the thermogenic function of iBAT in HFD-induced mice with obesity, thereby regulating systemic metabolism.
Methods
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) were used to determine and follow the changes of thermogenic capacity of iBAT and systemic metabolism in mice with obesity and iBAT-deficient mice during intervention with irisin for varying periods of time. Pathological and molecular biology analyses were performed on tissue and blood samples.
Results
Prolonged HFD feeding in mice induced obesity and impaired the thermogenic capacity of iBAT. MRI showed that irisin intervention decreased lipid content in iBAT, coupled with increased uncoupling protein 1 (UCP 1) expression and glucose analogue uptake capacity. This restoration of iBAT activity was accompanied by an improvement in systemic metabolism. The beneficial effects of irisin appears to be dependent on the length of intervention time. When iBAT was removed, the positive effects of irisin were partially suppressed, suggesting that irisin regulates metabolism through the restoration of the thermogenic function of iBAT.
Conclusions
HFD results in reduced thermogenic capacity of iBAT, while irisin intervention can effectively restore iBAT function, leading to improvement in overall glucose and lipid metabolism.
Is a picture worth the same emotions everywhere? Validation of images from the Nencki Affective Picture System in Malaysia
Authors: Berezina Elizaveta , Lee Ai-Suan , Gill Colin Mathew Hugues D. , Chua Jie Yun 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Several validated image sets, such as NAPS, IAPS, GAPED, and OASIS, have been developed to elicit affective states. However, these image sets were primarily validated on Western populations within European and American contexts, and none have been fully validated in a Southeast Asian sample, where emotional restraint may also be valued similarly to the East Asian contexts. This study aimed to validate and provide norms for the Nencki Affective Picture System (NAPS; Marchewka et al., 2014) within a Malaysian sample. Subsets from the 1,356 NAPS images consisting of five image categories (faces, people, objects, landscapes, animals) were presented sequentially to 409 Malaysian adults aged 18 and above, who rated images for valence, arousal and approach/avoidance on a 9-point Likert scale. Valence, arousal and approach/avoidance norms were compared against the original European sample. Malaysian men and women rated images with lower valence and motivation than Europeans, but Malaysian men showed higher arousal ratings compared to European men, while Malaysian women exhibited the opposite pattern, with lower arousal ratings than European women. A linear regression was found instead of a classic ‘boomerang’ shaped quadratic regression previously observed in Western samples, suggesting that emotional suppression may be at play, in line with social norms. The Malaysian normative ratings will be freely available to all researchers.
Use of routinely collected health data (England) to identify subsequent disease-related events in patients with primary breast cancer: A practical alternative to hospital-based follow-up for breast cancer clinical trials
Authors: Kilburn Lucy Suzanne , Hinder Victoria , Ndebele-Mahati Sikhuphukile Gillian , Bliss Judith M 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background: With continued improvements in breast cancer (BC) outcomes and risk of recurrence occurring until at least 20 years post-diagnosis, it is important to continue to follow-up clinical trial participants to characterise long-term treatment impact. Traditionally follow-up has been via hospitals; entailing burden on patients and site-staff. Using routinely collected health datasets (RCHD) as an alternative method is attractive, but historically cancer recurrence is poorly recorded unlike initial cancer diagnosis. Here we use data collected prospectively from large, multi-centre BC clinical trials to develop and test a procedure to identify recurrence within RCHD.
Methods: Data from four trials of early breast cancer (TACT2, POETIC, IMPORT-HIGH and FAST-Forward) where recurrence data has been collected prospectively (gold standard) was linked with RCHD (incl. cancer registry and hospital episode statistics; HES) managed by NHS England. The procedure identified episodes of clinical activity within RCHD to classify each event type (local and distant recurrence, second cancers, death) separately then combined to derive time-to-recurrence (TTR), disease-free survival (iDFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Hazard ratios using Cox regression modelling, log rank test p-values and three-year survival-rates for the randomised treatments were reported separately for RCHD and trial data.
Results:
The final procedure used Cancer Registry diagnoses to identify initial BCs for quality control purposes and second primary cancers. Deaths were identified via death dates and cause. Distant recurrence was identified predominately by direct indicators of metastases (e.g. ICD10 codes C77X-79X). Local recurrence was identified via relevant surgeries’ OPCS4 codes. For TTR, iDFS and OS, agreement between study and RCHD events was reasonable. Specificity was good across all endpoints (range:97.9%-99.9% for three training datasets combined), as was NPV (range:95.2%-99.6%). Sensitivity and PPV were more variable with sensitivity ranging between 72.9%-97.2% and PPV ranging between 82.6%-99.5%. Values were similar when considering the test dataset. Survival estimates for TTR, iDFS and OS were similar between study and RCHD data.
Conclusion:It is possible, with reasonable accuracy, to identify cancer recurrences using RCHD in the place of hospital-based data collection after the point of primary analysis.
Herpes Zoster Presenting with Urinary Tract Irritation as the Initial Symptom in a COVID- 19 Patient
Authors: Cao Yuan , Zheng Yumin , Hu Xinhua , Li Jun 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Bladder symptoms, an atypical manifestation of herpes zoster (HZ), usually occur after a vesicular eruption and can present as urinary retention or loss of sensation, especially in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of a patient who presented with urinary irritation preceding the skin lesion symptoms while concurrently experiencing COVID-19.
Case presentation
A 67-year-old male presented with repeated episodes of frequent micturition. Initial examinations, including blood tests, urinalysis, and ultrasound of the urinary system, ruled out urinary infection or organic disorder. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19 and received in-home treatment. Despite resolution of COVID-19 symptoms, urinary irritation persisted. Unusual skin changes in the groin area were observed, leading to a diagnosis of herpes zoster. As herpes zoster improved, urinary symptoms gradually eased, and the patient returned to his pre-illness condition by discharge.
Conclusions
This case highlights an atypical presentation of herpes zoster with urinary tract irritation preceding the characteristic skin rash, potentially leading to initial diagnostic misjudgment. The patient's symptoms emerged following a COVID-19 infection, suggesting a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 and the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. Early recognition and appropriate management of such atypical presentations are crucial, especially in post-COVID-19 patients.
The association between the extent of dissection observed by intravascular ultrasound and long-term progression of vessel lesions after drug-coated balloon angioplasty in patients with de novo coronary artery disease
Authors: Feng Lijun , Sun Yong , Li Changling , Dong Liang , Chen Han , Jiang Jun 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the extent of dissection and long-term progression of vessel lesions (LPVL) after drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in patients with de novo coronary disease.
Methods: Patients who underwent DCB angioplasty and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) assessment for de novo coronary lesions were retrospectively observed. The dissections were reclassified based on IVUS images, while the angiogram, post-DCB angioplasty and follow-up angiogram were analyzed using qualitative coronary angiography (QCA). The primary endpoint was the median 12-month follow-up angiographic result of target vessel stenosis.
Results：The present study involved 115 patients who were divided into two groups based on LPVL<5%: the progression group (n=51) and the non-progression group (n=64). The median follow-up period was 12 months (IQR 6-13 months). At baseline, the result of dissection type (p=0.003) and non-small vessel disease (NSVD) status (p=0.044) were significantly different between the two groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis of LPVL revealed that dissection type (odds ratio 1.70; 95% CI: 1.27-2.29; p<0.0001) and NSVD (odds ratio: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.91; p=0.029) were predictors of LPVL. However, according to multiple logistic regression, only dissection type (odds ratio: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.13-2.66; p=0.0124) was identified as an independent predictor of LVPL.
Conclusion： The severity of dissection type after DCB angioplasty was significantly associated with LPVL. Although there was a significant difference between small vessel disease and non-small vessel disease treated with a DCB, it was not an independent predictor of LPVL. It is recommended to assess de novo coronary lesions by IVUS after DCB angioplasty.
A prospective randomized study of the efficacy of continuous active warming in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy
Authors: Luo Mengjia , Feng Xiangying , Dai Yanran , Wang Yujie , Guo Xin , Du Juan , Ji Gang , Lang Hongjuan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Despite evidence has shown that the core temperature below 36℃ under surgery would lead to a sequence of adverse complications, and active warming measures are taken in order to reduce the incidence of the intraoperative hypothermia, core temperature disturbance during laparoscopic gastrectomy is common. The purpose of this research was to determine if a significant difference between continuous active warming (CAW) and active warming when body temperature is below 36℃ (BAW) in terms of incidence of intraoperative hypothermia and clinical rehabilitation in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy surgery. Patients assigned to CAW group were warmed immediately since the surgical incision procedure, the others were warmed while the body bladder temperature dropped to 36℃. The bladder temperature of the patient was recorded every 30 minutes during the operation. The primary outcome was the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia. Secondary outcomes included presence of shivering and agitation after operation, the time from end of surgery to tracheal extubation, postoperative pain score, the time to first postoperative flatus, postoperative complications, and the inflammatory markers. The overall incidence of hypothermia was 16.13% in 62 patients who underwent elective total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. The incidence of shivering and agitation after operation was both 3.23% in CAW group, and it was 32.26% and 29.03% in BAW group. Time from end of surgery to tracheal extubation in CAW group was significantly lower than BAW group. In addition, continuous active warming could shorten time to first postoperative flatus of patients and relieve postoperative pain. In general, continuous active warming in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy decreased the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia and contributed to postoperative rehabilitation.
Clinical trial registration: Registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) on 20/07/2024.
Analysis of the macroseismic cumulative damage in the seismic sequences in Italy
Authors: Vannucci Gianfranco 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

During seismic sequences, macroseismic damage effects cannot always be distinguished and assigned with certainty to individual shocks. In particular, the intensity that quantifies the effects of the earthquakes is a measure of the cumulative effect of all the shocks that occurred. This affects the estimation of the macroseismic parameters that can be obtained (location, magnitude), which cannot have the same reliability as single mainshocks, with implications for seismotectonics or hazard assessment. To try to solve this problem, a methodology was recently proposed using the case study of the event of 2016, October 30th (Mw=6.6), based on the deletion of intensities above an established threshold for common localities hit by previous earthquakes during a sequence. In this paper, we analyse the variation of earthquake parameters of some Italian sequences by systematically applying this methodology and varying the cut threshold of intensity. The results provide a more complete evaluation of the proposed method and its reliability than classical processing based on all available MDPs.
Brain morphometric analysis in patients with glutaric aciduria type 1
Authors: Bian BingYang , Liu ChengXiang , Zhang Lei , Liu ZhuoHang , Tian Pu , Zhu XiaoNa , Liu Peng , Li Dan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

This prospective study aimed to identify the affected brain structures and their functional correlations in the cortical and subcortical regions in patients with glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1). Seventeen patients with GA-1 and 17 healthy controls (HCs) were included (mean age, 38 ± 17 months; both contained 6 males). Three-dimensional-T1 weighted imaging data were acquired, voxel- and surface-based morphometry were used to quantitatively investigate differences in gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT) and to-sample t-tests were performed. Patients with GA-1 had lower GMV in the bilateral basal ganglia, thalamus, and limbic system, default mode network, and right cerebellum, and lower CT in the bilateral insula and lateral occipital cortex, right inferior parietal cortex, inferior temporal gyrus, and posterior cingulate cortex, than HCs. Patients with GA-1 had higher CT in the bilateral lingual gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, right precuneus, precentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and inferior temporal gyrus, than HCs. In GA-1 patients, blood glutaryl-carnitine levels correlated significantly with the GMV in the left inferior temporal gyrus. These brain morphological analyses revealed quantitative differences in the GMV and CT of GA-1 patients compared to HCs, and provided useful information about normal and abnormal neuroanatomy.
Study on degradation tracer and osteogenic ability of CS / NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+ / AZ31 composites
Authors: Sun XiRao , Sun Danfang , Yin Xiumei , Li Dan , Liu Chang , Song Siyu , Wang Meng , Wang Chengyue 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

In order to reduce the degradation rate of magnesium alloys and improve their biocompatibility, polymers are often used to modify their surfaces. However, there is a lack of non-invasive means to detect degradation of polymer coatings, and tracking composite degradation is important for various of applications such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. Among various imaging tools, upconversion nanoparticles emitting visible light under near-infrared excitation hold promise in tracking post-implantation degradation of polymer composites. We therefore report a simple synthetic method to surface coat AZ31 magnesium alloy using chitosan and monitor its degradation by using the release of NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+ encapsulated therein to cause a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the coating. We found that the addition of the composite coating reduced the degradation rate of AZ31 magnesium alloy, improved its biocompatibility and verified its osteogenic ability, and that the fluorescence intensity of the composite coating had a linear relationship with the degradation time. Thus, in this study, the prepared AZ31-CN paved the way for non-invasive monitoring of the degradation behavior of the composite and could be the great candidate material for bone regeneration.