bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The intersection of promotion policies, research habitus, and capital distribution: a qualitative case study of two higher education contexts in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Elhakim Ahmed 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionCareer advancement must be based on merit, according to the universal norm. However, faculty members continue to express their dissatisfaction with the existing promotion policies and practices, highlighting issues like ambiguity, lack of transparency, inconsistent implementation, and the overall fairness of the evaluation process. This study aimed to explore the intersections of promotion policies with the research habitus and the distribution of different forms of capital in two higher education institutes in the United Arab Emirates.MethodsData were gathered from a purposively selected sample of faculty members using semi-structured interviews in addition to key policy documents at both institutes.Results and discussionUsing Bourdieu’s notion of habitus, capital, and field, the study identified key characteristics of the research habitus and how it shapes perceptions towards aspects of competitiveness and collegiality as practiced in the research world. The study also examined potential relationships between research habitus and promotion policies. Finally, the study explored capital distribution in the research field and identified some of the undisclosed aspects of the promotion world, highlighting areas like prior education, affiliations, professional experience, cultural background, ethnicity, and social networks as some of the factors that may play a role in the promotion outcomes. The findings of the study can be used to offer an additional layer of understanding some hidden rules of academic research fields and capital distribution in light of institutional policy development and enactment. Such understanding can be used to make recommendations on how existing challenges can be addressed to improve perceptions of the clarity and fairness of faculty promotion policies and encourage more transparent practices.
Comparison of radiofrequency ablation and surgery for thyroid papillary microcarcinoma: efficacy, safety and life quality
Authors: Kong Xiaoyan , Wang Liangchen , Sun Yuchen , Zhu Di , Yang Caizhe 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy, safety and patients’ quality of life of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgery in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CNKI and other databases were searched for studies on radiofrequency ablation versus traditional surgery for PTMC up to October 2022. RevMan5.4 software was used for Meta-analysis.Results10 articles were selected from 392 articles, including 873 cases of radiofrequency ablation and 781 cases of open surgery. After meta-analysis, the incidence of postoperative complications in the radiofrequency ablation group was lower than that in the surgery group, and the difference was statistically significant [OR=0.24, 95%CI (0.14,0.41), P&lt;0.001]. There were no significant differences in lymph node metastasis rate, local recurrence rate, and new tumor rate between the two groups [OR=1.6, 95%CI (0.21, 12.41), P&gt;0.05; OR=0.85, 95%CI (0.05, 13.8), P&gt;0.05; OR=0.12, 95%CI (0.01, 0.98), P&gt;0.05]. The treatment time and hospital stay in the radiofrequency ablation group were shorter than those in the open surgery group [MD=-49.99, 95%CI (-62.02, -37.97), P&lt;0.001; MD=-5.21, 95%CI(-7.19,-3.23),P&lt;0.001], and the cost was significantly lower than that of the traditional surgery group [SMD=-14.97, 95%CI (-19.14, -10.81), P&lt;0.001]. The quality of life of patients in the radiofrequency ablation group was higher than that in the surgery group [MD=-1.61, 95%CI (-2.06, -1.17), P&lt;0.001].ConclusionCompared with traditional open surgery, radiofrequency ablation for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma has the advantages of less trauma, fewer complications, faster recovery and higher quality of life. The indications need to be strictly controlled in the treatment.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier (CRD42022374987).
The relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and sarcopenia-related traits: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Sun Zhihuang , Liu Guangwei , Xu Jiajia , Zhang Xianyu , Wei Huahua , Wu Guobao , Jiang Jian 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveObservational studies have revealed a link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and sarcopenia. However, it remains unclear whether this correlation between IBD and sarcopenia is causal.MethodsThe genetic instrumental variables (IVs) associated with IBD and sarcopenia-related traits were derived from publicly available genome-wide association studies. We employed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method. we obtained genetic IVs for five phenotypes from 34,652 cases in IBD, 27,432 cases in ulcerative colitis (UC), 212356 cases in crohn’s disease (CD), 9336415 cases in low hand grip strength (LHGS), and 450243 cases in appendicular lean mass (ALM), respectively. The inverse variance weighting and other MR methods were used to explore the bidirectional causal relationship. Furthermore, we performed heterogeneity test, pleiotropy test, leave-one-out sensitivity test, and multivariate MR to evaluate the robustness of the results.ResultsThe forward MR results showed that the UC (OR=0.994, 95% CI: 0.9876–0.9998, P = 0.044) and CD (OR=0.993, 95% CI: 0.988–0.998, P = 0.006) was negatively correlated with ALM. In the reverse MR analysis, we also found that LHGS was negatively correlated with the IBD (OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.61–0.94, P = 0.012) and CD (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.40–0.70, P &lt;0.001). Besides, genetically predicted higher ALM reduced IBD (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.79–0.95, P = 0.002), UC (OR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.76–0.93, P = 0.001), and CD (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.77–0.99, P = 0.029). However, the results of other MR Analyses were not statistically different.ConclusionsWe found genetically predicted UC and CD are causally associated with reduced ALM, and higher hand grip strength reduced IBD and CD risk, and higher ALM reduced IBDs risk. This MR study provides moderate evidence for a bidirectional causal relationship between IBD and sarcopenia.
A cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association study identifies new susceptibility genes for frailty
Authors: Lin Daoyi , Wu Shuyan , Li Wangyu , Ye Peng , Pan Xuan , Zheng Ting , Gao Fei 
Published: July 2024

Background: Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 14 loci associated with frailty index (FI) susceptibility, the underlying causative genes and biological mechanisms remain elusive.Methods: A cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) was conducted utilizing the Unified Test for Molecular Markers (UTMOST), which integrates GWAS summary statistics from 164,610 individuals of European ancestry and 10,616 Swedish participants, alongside gene expression matrices from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project. Validation of the significant genes was performed through three distinct methods: FUSION, FOCUS, and Multiple Marker Analysis of Genome-wide Annotation (MAGMA). Exploration of tissue and functional enrichment for FI-associated SNPs was conducted using MAGMA. Conditional and joint analyses, along with fine mapping, were employed to enhance our understanding of FI’s genetic architecture. Mendelian randomization was employed to ascertain causal relationships between significant genes and FI, and co-localization analysis was utilized to investigate shared SNPs between significant genes and FI.Results: In this study, two novel susceptibility genes associated with the risk of FI were identified through the application of four TWAS methods. Mendelian randomization demonstrated that HTT may elevate the risk of developing frailty, whereas LRPPRC could offer protection against the onset of frailty. Additionally, co-localization analysis identified a shared SNP between LRPPRC and FI. Tissue enrichment analyses revealed that genomic regions linked to SNPs associated with frailty were predominantly enriched in various brain regions, including the frontal cortex, cerebral cortex, and cerebellar hemispheres. Conditional, combined analyses, and fine mapping collectively identified two genetic regions associated with frailty: 2p21 and 4q16.3. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that the pathways associated with frailty were primarily related to the MHC complex, PD-1 signaling, cognition, inflammatory response to antigenic stimuli, and the production of second messenger molecules.Conclusion: This investigation uncovers two newly identified genes with forecasted expression levels associated with the risk of FI, offering new perspectives on the genetic architecture underlying FI.
Intergenerational consequences of violence: violence during pregnancy as a risk factor for infection in infancy
Authors: Blumrich Lukas , Sousa Braian Lucas Aguiar , Barbieri Marco Antônio , Simões Vanda Maria Ferreira , da Silva Antonio Augusto Moura , Bettiol Heloisa , Ferraro Alexandre Archanjo 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionPsychosocial stress during pregnancy has long-lasting and important consequences in the following generations, as it can affect intrauterine development. The impact on the developing immune system is notoriously important due to the associated morbidity and mortality in the first years of life. Little attention has been given to the role of violence during pregnancy (VDP), especially its impact on infant infectious morbidity.MethodsWe analyzed data from two Brazilian birth cohorts (n = 2,847) in two distinct cities (Ribeirão Preto and São Luís), collected during pregnancy and at the beginning of the second year of life. The association between VDP and infection in infancy was analyzed with structural equation modeling, using the WHO-VAW questionnaire as exposure and a latent variable for infection as the outcome.ResultsVDP was reported by 2.48% (sexual), 11.56% (physical), and 45.90% (psychological) of the mothers. The models presented an adequate fit. In the city of São Luís, VDP was significantly associated with the latent construct for infection (standardized beta = 0.182; p = 0.022), while that was not the case for the Ribeirão Preto sample (standardized beta = 0.113; p = 0.113). Further analyses showed a gradient effect for the different dimensions of the exposure, from psychological to physical and sexual violence.ConclusionOur results suggest an association of VDP with infant morbidity in a poorer socioeconomic setting, and highlight the importance of considering the different dimensions of intimate partner violence. These findings may have important implications for the comprehension of global health inequalities and of the effects of gender-based violence.
Neutrophilic leukocytosis and erythema nodosum leprosum in leprosy: insights from a retrospective observational study
Authors: Feitosa da Silva Barboza Marcella , de Andrea Hacker Mariana , Maria Sales Anna , Fontoura Rodrigues Débora , Pedrosa Marques Daniel , José Ciryllo Silva Noya Danillo , Leal Silveira Andrezo Rosa Thabatta , de Fátima Alvim Braga Isabel , Ferreira Helen , Porto Amadeu Thais , Gurgel de Oliveira Monique , de Miranda Machado Alice , Illarramendi Ximena , Schmitz Veronica 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundLeprosy reactions represent immunologically mediated episodes of acute inflammation that, if not diagnosed and treated promptly, can cause irreversible impairment of nerve function and permanent disabilities. A frequent type of reaction experienced by patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL) and borderline lepromatous leprosy (BL) is erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), an inflammatory complication that may become chronic or recur in multiple episodes. Although ENL is commonly described as a neutrophil-mediated immune disease, the role of neutrophils is not fully understood. In this study, we assess neutrophilic leukocytosis in a retrospective cohort of patients affected by BL or LL leprosy.Materials and methodsA retrospective observational study was performed using data from 146 patients with BL and LL leprosy diagnosed and treated at the Souza Araújo Outpatient Clinic, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Clinical, demographic, and hematological data were extracted from medical records. Skin biopsy samples obtained from patients for ENL diagnosis were used for histopathological evaluations.ResultsMost patients were male (75%) and had a reactional episode (85%), of which 65% were ENL. Multiple episodes were common, 55% of the 80 patients with ENL presented more than 2 episodes (average of 2.6 episodes). In treatment-naive BL/LL patients, the median blood neutrophil counts of patients who developed ENL at some points of their disease course were higher than those who did not experience any reaction (median= 4,567 cells/mm3 vs 3,731 cells/mm3 respectively, p=0.0286). A correlation between the increase in median neutrophil counts and ENL severity was confirmed (6,066 cells/mm3 for mild ENL vs 10,243 cells/mm3 for moderate/severe ENL, p=0.0009). A longitudinal assessment was also performed in 34 patients, confirming the neutrophilic leukocytosis (BL/LL: 4896 cells/mm3 vs ENL: 8408 cells/mm3, p&lt;0.0001). Moreover, increased NLR was associated with a greater neutrophilic infiltration in ENL lesions.ConclusionWe demonstrate that ENL episodes in patients affected by leprosy are associated with elevated blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts and an increased NLR. These findings highlight the significant involvement of neutrophils in the ENL immunological/inflammatory process.
Exploration of ferroptosis and necroptosis-related genes and potential molecular mechanisms in psoriasis and atherosclerosis
Authors: Fan Jilin , Zhu Tingting , Tian Xiaoling , Liu Sijia , Zhang Shi-Liang 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveFerroptosis and necroptosis are two recently identified forms of non-apoptotic cell death. Their dysregulation plays a critical role in the development and progression of Psoriasis (PsD) and Atherosclerosis (AS). This study explores shared Ferroptosis and necroptosis-related genes and elucidates their molecular mechanisms in PsD and AS through the analysis of public databases.MethodsData sets for PsD (GSE30999) and AS (GSE28829) were retrieved from the GEO database. Differential gene expression (DEG) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed. Machine learning algorithms identified candidate biomarkers, whose diagnostic values were assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Additionally, the expression levels of these biomarkers in cell models of AS and PsD were quantitatively measured using Western Blot (WB) and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, CIBERSORT evaluated immune cell infiltration in PsD and AS tissues, highlighting the correlation between characteristic genes and immune cells. Predictive analysis for candidate drugs targeting characteristic genes was conducted using the DGIdb database, and an lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network related to these genes was constructed.ResultsWe identified 44 differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DE-FRGs) and 30 differentially expressed necroptosis-related genes (DE-NRGs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed significant enrichment of these genes in immune-related and inflammatory pathways, especially in NOD-like receptor and TNF signaling pathways. Two ferroptosis-related genes (NAMPT, ZFP36) and eight necroptosis-related genes (C7, CARD6, CASP1, CTSD, HMOX1, NOD2, PYCARD, TNFRSF21) showed high sensitivity and specificity in ROC curve analysis. These findings were corroborated in external validation datasets and cell models. Immune infiltration analysis revealed increased levels of T cells gamma delta, Macrophages M0, and Macrophages M2 in PsD and AS samples. Additionally, we identified 43 drugs targeting 5 characteristic genes. Notably, the XIST-miR-93–5p-ZFP36/HMOX1 and NEAT1-miR-93–5p-ZFP36/HMOX1 pathways have been identified as promising RNA regulatory pathways in AS and PsD.ConclusionThe two ferroptosis-related genes (NAMPT, ZFP36) and eight necroptosis-related genes (C7, CARD6, CASP1, CTSD, HMOX1, NOD2, PYCARD, TNFRSF21) are potential key biomarkers for PsD and AS. These genes significantly influence the pathogenesis of PsD and AS by modulating macrophage activity, participating in immune regulation, and mediating inflammatory responses.
Application of CD25 and CTLA4 gene transcription levels in early prediction of acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Huang Ken , Yang Mengxin , Zhou Yuhang , Cao Yaxuan , Pang Guanxiu , Zhao Jie , Liu Yang , Luo Jianming 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionOur study investigated the potential of peripheral blood T cell CD25, CD28, and CTLA-4 gene transcription levels as predictive biomarkers for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).MethodsReal-time reverse transcription fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was conducted on day +7, +14, and +21 post-transplantation in patients undergoing allo-HSCT.ResultsElevated levels of CD25 and CTLA-4 mRNA were found to be associated with the occurrence of aGVHD, as well as severe and gastrointestinal aGVHD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to assess the predictive value of each biomarker. Combined analysis of CD25 and CTLA-4 mRNA levels demonstrated promising predictive potential for aGVHD.ConclusionOur results confirmed that the transcription levels of CD25 and CTLA-4 genes could be used as early predictive biomarkers for aGVHD post-allo-HSCT.
Relationship between the complement system and serum lipid profile in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rodríguez-González Dara , García-González María , Gómez-Bernal Fuensanta , Quevedo-Abeledo Juan C. , González-Rivero Agustín F. , Jiménez-Sosa Alejandro , González-López Elena , Heras-Recuero Elena , Ocejo-Vinyals J. Gonzalo , González-Gay Miguel Á. , Ferraz-Amaro Iván 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundThe complement system has been linked to the etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with RA exhibit a dysregulated profile of lipid molecules, which has been attributed to the inflammation present in the disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between a comprehensive assessment of the complement system and the lipid profile of patients with RA.Methods430 patients with RA were recruited. New-generation techniques were employed to conduct functional assays of the three pathways of the complement system. Serum levels of various complement components such as C1q, factor D, properdin, lectin, C1-inhibitor, C2, C4, C4b, C3, C3a, C5, C5a, and C9 were assessed. Furthermore, a complete pattern of lipid molecules was measured including high (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and lipoprotein (a). Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between the complement system and lipid profile in RA patients.ResultsAfter multivariable analysis, several noteworthy associations emerged between the complement system and lipid molecules. Notably, complement components most strongly linked to the lipid profile were C1q and properdin, representing the upstream classical and alternative pathways, along with C3 from the common cascade. These associations demonstrated significance and positivity concerning total cholesterol, LDL, atherogenic index, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a), suggesting a connection with an unfavorable lipid profile. Interestingly, complement functional assays of the three pathways and activated products such as C3a and C5a showed no correlation with the lipid pattern.ConclusionThe correlation between the complement system and lipid molecule patterns is pronounced in patients with RA. This relationship is predominantly positive and primarily associated with upstream complement components rather than activated ones.
Detection of natural autoimmunity to ghrelin in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kasim Rega H. , Chillon Thilo Samson , Eleftheriadou Anna Maria , Rijntjes Eddy , Minich Waldemar B. , Zechmann Stefan , Schomburg Lutz 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveGhrelin is an orexigenic peptide that becomes post-translationally modified. Natural autoantibodies to ghrelin (ghrelin-aAb) have been described in healthy subjects, in eating disorders and rheumatic diseases, with potential clinical relevance. Despite these important reports, the data base on the prevalence and physiological role is small and technical approaches for assessing ghrelin-aAb are few, encouraging respective research for improving knowledge on the potential endocrine significance.MethodsA novel immunoprecipitation assay was generated based on a fusion protein of human ghrelin with a reporter gene. Assay quality was verified with commercial antibodies. Assay characteristics and matrix effects were determined, including stability of natural ghrelin-aAb to freezing, signal linearity in dilution experiments, and comparison of different matrices. Three groups of serum samples were analyzed for ghrelin-aAb, comprising commercial sera from healthy subjects and patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.ResultsThe newly generated ghrelin-aAb assay proved sensitive, robust and reliable over a broad concentration range. Results from serum and plasma differed slightly. The signals from serum remained stable towards freezing and thawing, and in dilution experiments. Applying a mathematical criterion for outliers (P75 + 1.5-times IQR), an average prevalence of 11%–12% of positive samples was identified in the different human cohorts, with no significant sex-or disease-related difference.General significanceA novel diagnostic autoantibody assay detected ghrelin-aAb with a similar prevalence in diabetic patients and controls, suggesting that autoimmunity to ghrelin plays little role in diabetes mellitus, but may be of relevance in other diseases where ghrelin signaling is essential.
The causal relationship between gut microbiota and alopecia areata: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Bi Dezhao , Tey Jin Tong , Yao Dan , Cao Yutian , Qian Minyu , Shi Jianxin , Guo Shun 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests a robust correlation between the gut microbiome and alopecia areata. In light of the extensive diversity of gut microbiota, this study aims to utilize state-of-the-art and comprehensive data to explore the causative association between gut microbiota and alopecia areata.ObjectiveWe conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR)-based two-sample study to elucidate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and alopecia areata.MethodSummary information on Ncase = 767 and Ncontrol = 394,105 cases of alopecia areata was obtained from the FinnGen study. A total of 473 gut microbial taxa were summarized from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) catalog. The study comprised a forward Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis with the gut microbiome as the exposure factor and alopecia areata as the outcome, as well as a reverse MR analysis with alopecia areata as the exposure factor and the gut microbiome as the outcome. Various analytical methods including inverse variance weighting (IVW), Weighted Median, MR-Egger, Weighted Mode, and Simple Mode were employed. Subsequently, sensitivity analysis was conducted to ensure the robustness of our research findings.ResultThis study has established a causal relationship between gut microbiota and alopecia areata. Forward causal analysis revealed causality relationships between 16 gut microbial taxa and alopecia areata, while reverse causal analysis found that there may be a causal relationship between alopecia areata and 16 gut microbial taxa (not statistically significant).ConclusionOur study findings suggest a causal relationship between gut microbiota and alopecia areata, providing potential guidance for future clinical trials.