bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biofilm-dispersed pneumococci induce elevated leukocyte and platelet activation
Authors: Chao Yashuan , Mørch Martina , Håkansson Anders P. , Shannon Oonagh 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionStreptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) effectively colonizes the human nasopharynx, but can migrate to other host sites, causing infections such as pneumonia and sepsis. Previous studies indicate that pneumococci grown as biofilms have phenotypes of bacteria associated with colonization whereas bacteria released from biofilms in response to changes in the local environment (i.e., dispersed bacteria) represent populations with phenotypes associated with disease. How these niche-adapted populations interact with immune cells upon reaching the vascular compartment has not previously been studied. Here, we investigated neutrophil, monocyte, and platelet activation using ex vivo stimulation of whole blood and platelet-rich plasma with pneumococcal populations representing distinct stages of the infectious process (biofilm bacteria and dispersed bacteria) as well as conventional broth-grown culture (planktonic bacteria).MethodsFlow cytometry and ELISA were used to assess surface and soluble activation markers for neutrophil and monocyte activation, platelet-neutrophil complex and platelet-monocyte complex formation, and platelet activation and responsiveness.ResultsOverall, we found that biofilm-derived bacteria (biofilm bacteria and dispersed bacteria) induced significant activation of neutrophils, monocytes, and platelets. In contrast, little to no activation was induced by planktonic bacteria. Platelets remained functional after stimulation with bacterial populations and the degree of responsiveness was inversely related to initial activation. Bacterial association with immune cells followed a similar pattern as activation.DiscussionDifferences in activation of and association with immune cells by biofilm-derived populations could be an important consideration for other pathogens that have a biofilm state. Gaining insight into how these bacterial populations interact with the host immune response may reveal immunomodulatory targets to interfere with disease development.
Preclinical evaluation of reversible pulsed electrical field: electrophysiological and histological assessment of myocardium
Authors: Zhai Zongwang , Ling Yuchen , Wang Yanjiang , Shi Liang , Liu Xingpeng 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundPulsed field ablation, as a non-thermal ablation modality, has received increasing attention. The aim of this study is to explore whether a reversible pulsed electric field (RPEF) can temporarily inhibit electrical conduction and provide a novel method for precise ablation of arrhythmia.MethodsRPEF energy was delivered from an ablation catheter to the atrium of six dogs, followed by a series of electrogram and histology assessments.ResultsRPEF ablation of ordinary myocardium resulted in an average reduction of 68.3% (range, 53.7%–83.8%) in electrogram amplitude, while 5 min later, the amplitude in eight electrograms returned to 77.9% (range, 72.4%–87.3%) of baseline. Similarly, the amplitude of the sinoatrial node electrograms reduced by an average of 73.0% (range, 60.2%–84.4%) after RPEF ablation, but recovered to 84.9% (range, 80.3%–88.5%) of baseline by 5 min. No necrotic change was detected in histopathology. Transient third-degree atrioventricular block occurred following the ablation of the maximum His potential sites with RPEF, the duration of which was voltage dependent. The histopathological results showed necrosis of the myocardium at the ablation sites but no injury to His bundle cells.ConclusionsRPEF can be applied to transiently block electrical conduction in myocardial tissues contributing to precise ablation.
Estimation of latent heat flux of pasture and maize in arid region of Northwest China based on canopy resistance modeling
Authors: Wang Biyu , Yan Haofang , Zheng Hexiang , Wu Jiabin , Tian Delong , Zhang Chuan , Zhu Xingye , Wang Guoqing , Lakhiar Imran Ali , Liu Youwei 
Published: August 2024

Estimating the latent heat flux (λET) accurately is important for water-saving irrigation in arid regions of Northwest China. The Penman-Monteith model is a commonly used method for estimating λET, but the parameterization of canopy resistance in the model has been a difficulty in research. In this study, continuous observation of λET during the growing period of maize and grassland in Northwest China was conducted based on the Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB) method and the Eddy covariance system (ECS). Two methods, Katerji-Perrier (K-P) and Garcıá-Santos (G-A), were used to determine the canopy resistance in the Penman-Monteith model and the estimation errors and causes of the two sub-models were explored. The results indicated that both models underestimated the λET of grassland and maize. The K-P model performed relatively well (R2 &gt; 0.94), with the root mean square errors (RMSE) equaled 37.3 and 28.1 W/m2 for grass and maize, respectively. The accuracy of the G-A model was slightly lower than that of the K-P model, with the determination coefficient (R2) equaled 0.90 and 0.92, and the RMSE equaled 46.2 W/m2 (grass) and 42.1 W/m2 (maize). The vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was the main factor affecting the accuracy of K-P and G-A sub-models. The error of two models increased with the increasing in VPD for both crops.
Spatial distribution characteristics of soil organic matter in different land uses and its coupling with soil animals in the plateau basin in the South China Karst basin
Authors: Wang Xingfu , Huang Xianfei , Zhu Xun , Wu Nayiyu , Zhang Zhenming , Liu Yi , Huang Yu , Hu Jiwei 
Published: August 2024

Karst landforms are widely distributed in southern China. The terrain and soil properties in karst basins are complex, which results in high spatial heterogeneity of the ecological environment and soil organic matter (SOM) in karst watersheds. To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of SOM in different land uses in the karst plateau basin, a total of 3,816 soil samples were taken from 568 soil profiles. The soil animals and different soil properties were recorded, and the concentration of SOM was tested using the potassium dichromate method in the laboratory. Then, the changes in the SOM content associated with soil animals and the soil properties associated with the different land use types were analyzed. The results showed a large discrepancy in SOM in the karst plateau basin. The average values of SOM in different soil layers were between 9.23 g kg−1 and 59.39 g kg−1. The SOM decreased in the following order: forestland &gt; grassland &gt; barren land &gt; cultivated land &gt; garden land. The SOM in soil in which soil animals are present is generally greater than that in the absence of soil animals, and the SOM partially increases with soil species diversity. Agrotis segetum is the main soil animal species that positively affects the distribution of organic matter in the surface soil layer. The SOM in soil with the phylum Annelida is much greater than that in soils with other animals, and earthworms are the main contributor. The structure of soil animal species is complex, and the change trend of SOM is stable. The major positive factors affecting soil animal diversity are soil thickness, soil humidity and soil structure, and rock outcrops are the main negative factor. In summary, good land use can increase animal diversity and abundance in soil, which promotes soil organic matter accumulation. Moreover, microtopography is an important factor that influences soil organic matter accumulation in karst basins and further affects the restructuring of the spatial distribution of soil organic matter.
Authentication and validation of key genes in the treatment of atopic dermatitis with Runfuzhiyang powder: combined RNA-seq, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental research
Authors: Lin Yan , Xiong Guangyi , Xia Xiansong , Yin Zhiping , Zou Xuhui , Zhang Xu , Zhang Chenghao , Ye Jianzhou 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is inflammatory disease. So far, therapeutic mechanism of Runfuzhiyang powder on AD remains to be studied. This study aimed to mine key biomarkers to explore potential molecular mechanism for AD incidence and Runfuzhiyang powder treatment.MethodsThe control group, AD group, treat group (AD mice treated with Runfuzhiyang powder were utilized for studying. Differentially expressed AD-related genes were acquired by intersecting of key module genes related to control group, AD group and treatment group which were screened by WGCNA and AD-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). KEGG and GO analyses were further carried out. Next, LASSO regression analysis was utilized to screen feature genes. The ROC curves were applied to validate the diagnostic ability of feature genes to obtain AD-related biomarkers. Then protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, immune infiltration analysis and single-gene gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were presented. Finally, TF-mRNA-lncRNA and drug-gene networks of biomarkers were constructed.Results4 AD-related biomarkers (Ddit4, Sbf2, Senp8 and Zfp777) were identified in AD groups compared with control group and treat group by LASSO regression analysis. The ROC curves revealed that four biomarkers had good distinguishing ability between AD group and control group, as well as AD group and treatment group. Next, GSEA revealed that pathways of E2F targets, KRAS signaling up and inflammatory response were associated with 4 biomarkers. Then, we found that Ddit4, Sbf2 and Zfp777 were significantly positively correlated with M0 Macrophage, and were significantly negatively relevant to Resting NK. Senp8 was the opposite. Finally, a TF-mRNA-lncRNA network including 200 nodes and 592 edges was generated, and 20 drugs targeting SENP8 were predicted.Conclusion4 AD-related and Runfuzhiyang powder treatment-related biomarkers (Ddit4, Sbf2, Senp8 and Zfp777) were identified, which could provide a new idea for targeted treatment and diagnosis of AD.
Preliminary effects of risk-adapted PSA screening for prostate cancer after integrating PRS-specific and age-specific variation
Authors: Liu Xiaomin , Duan Hongyuan , Liu Siwen , Zhang Yunmeng , Ji Yuting , Zhang Yacong , Feng Zhuowei , Li Jingjing , Liu Ya , Gao Ying , Wang Xing , Zhang Qing , Yang Lei , Dai Hongji , Lyu Zhangyan , Song Fangfang , Song Fengju , Huang Yubei 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundAlthough the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) varies across different ages and genetic risks, it’s unclear about the effects of genetic-specific and age-specific prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for PCa.MethodsWeighed and unweighted polygenic risk scores (PRS) were constructed to classify the participants from the PLCO trial into low- or high-PRS groups. The age-specific and PRS-specific cut-off values of PSA for PCa screening were determined with time-dependent receiver-operating-characteristic curves and area-under-curves (tdAUCs). Improved screening strategies integrating PRS-specific and age-specific cut-off values of PSA were compared to traditional PSA screening on accuracy, detection rates of high-grade PCa (Gleason score ≥7), and false positive rate.ResultsWeighted PRS with 80 SNPs significantly associated with PCa was determined as the optimal PRS, with an AUC of 0.631. After stratifying by PRS, the tdAUCs of PSA with a 10-year risk of PCa were 0.818 and 0.816 for low- and high-PRS groups, whereas the cut-off values were 1.42 and 1.62 ng/mL, respectively. After further stratifying by age, the age-specific cut-off values of PSA were relatively lower for low PRS (1.42, 1.65, 1.60, and 2.24 ng/mL for aged &lt;60, 60–64, 65–69, and ≥70 years) than high PRS (1.48, 1.47, 1.89, and 2.72 ng/mL). Further analyses showed an obvious interaction of positive PSA and high PRS on PCa incidence and mortality. Very small difference in PCa risk were observed among subgroups with PSA (−) across different age and PRS, and PCa incidence and mortality with PSA (+) significantly increased as age and PRS, with highest risk for high-PRS/PSA (+) in participants aged ≥70 years [HRs (95%CI): 16.00 (12.62–20.29) and 19.48 (9.26–40.96)]. The recommended screening strategy reduced 12.8% of missed PCa, ensured high specificity, but not caused excessive false positives than traditional PSA screening.ConclusionRisk-adapted screening integrating PRS-specific and age-specific cut-off values of PSA would be more effective than traditional PSA screening.
Post-SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-vaccine-related neurological complications share clinical features and the same positivity to anti-ACE2 antibodies
Authors: Bellucci Margherita , Bozzano Federica Maria , Castellano Chiara , Pesce Giampaola , Beronio Alessandro , Farshchi Alireza Hajabbas , Limongelli Alessandro , Uccelli Antonio , Benedetti Luana , De Maria Andrea 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionA potential overlap in symptoms between post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome has been noted. We report a paired description of patients presenting with similar manifestations involving the central (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS) following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, suggesting that both may have triggered similar immune-mediated neurological disorders in the presence of anti-idiotype antibodies directed against the ACE2 protein.Patients and methodsFour patients exhibited overlapping neurological manifestations following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination: radiculitis, Guillain–Barré syndrome, and MRI-negative myelitis, respectively, sharing positivity for anti-ACE2 antibodies. Autoantibodies against AQP-4, MOG, GlyR, GAD, and amphiphysin, onconeural antibodies for CNS syndromes, and anti-ganglioside antibodies for PNS syndromes tested negative in all patients.DiscussionAnti-idiotype antibodies against ACE2 have been detected in patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection, and it has been hypothesized that such antibodies may mediate adverse events following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, resulting in the activation of the immune system against cells expressing ACE2, such as neurons. Our data reveal clinically overlapping syndromes triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, sharing positivity for anti-ACE2 antibodies. Their presence, in the absence of other classic autoimmune markers of CNS or PNS involvement, suggests that they might play an active role in the context of an aberrant immune response.ConclusionAnti-idiotype antibodies directed against ACE2 may be triggered by both SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, possibly contributing to neurological autoimmune manifestations. Their pathogenic role, however, remains to be demonstrated in large-scale, more structured studies.
A nomogram model combining computed tomography-based radiomics and Krebs von den Lungen-6 for identifying low-risk rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Han Nie , Guo Zhinan , Zhu Diru , Zhang Yu , Qin Yayi , Li Guanheng , Gu Xiaoli , Jin Lin 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesQuantitatively assess the severity and predict the mortality of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was a challenge for clinicians. This study aimed to construct a radiomics nomogram based on chest computed tomography (CT) imaging by using the ILD-GAP (gender, age, and pulmonary physiology) index system for clinical management.MethodsChest CT images of patients with RA-ILD were retrospectively analyzed and staged using the ILD-GAP index system. The balanced dataset was then divided into training and testing cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. A clinical factor model was created using demographic and serum analysis data, and a radiomics signature was developed from radiomics features extracted from the CT images. Combined with the radiomics signature and independent clinical factors, a nomogram model was established based on the Rad-score and clinical factors. The model capabilities were measured by operating characteristic curves, calibration curves and decision curves analyses.ResultsA total of 177 patients were divided into two groups (Group I, n = 107; Group II, n = 63). Krebs von den Lungen-6, and nineteen radiomics features were used to build the nomogram, which showed favorable calibration and discrimination in the training cohort [AUC, 0.948 (95% CI: 0.910–0.986)] and the testing validation cohort [AUC, 0.923 (95% CI: 0.853–0.993)]. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram performed well in terms of clinical usefulness.ConclusionThe CT-based radiomics nomogram model achieved favorable efficacy in predicting low-risk RA-ILD patients.
Rheological behavior of the synovial fluid: a mathematical challenge
Authors: Ouerfelli Noureddine , Vrinceanu Narcisa , Mliki Ezzedine , Amin Kamal A. , Snoussi Lotfi , Coman Diana , Mrabet Dalila 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundSynovial fluid (SF) is often used for diagnostic and research purposes as it reflects the local inflammatory environment. Owing to its complex composition, especially the presence of hyaluronic acid, SF is usually viscous and non-homogeneous. The presence of high-molar-mass hyaluronan in this fluid gives it the required viscosity for its function as a lubricant. Viscosity is the greatest major hydraulic attribute of the SF in articular cartilage.MethodsEmpirical modeling of previously published results was performed. In this study, we explored the flow of a non-Newtonian fluid that could be used to model the SF flow. Analyzing the flow in a simple geometry can help explain the model’s efficacy and assess the SF models. By employing some viscosity data reported elsewhere, we summarized the dynamic viscosity values of normal human SF of the knee joints in terms of time after injecting hyaluronidase (HYAL) at 25°C. The suggested quadratic behavior was obtained through extrapolation. For accurate diagnosis or prediction, the comparison between three specific parameters (ai, t0, and ln η0) was made for normal and pathological cases under the same experimental conditions for treatment by addition of HYAL and for investigation of the rheological properties. A new model on the variation of viscosity on the SF of knee joints with time after injection of HYAL with respect to normal and postmortem samples at different velocity gradients was proposed using data previously reported elsewhere.ResultsThe rheological behavior of SF changes progressively over time from non-Newtonian to a Newtonian profile, where the viscosity has a limiting constant value (η0) independent of the gradient velocity at a unique characteristic time (t0 ≈ 8.5 h). The proposed three-parameter model with physical meaning offers insights into future pathological cases. The outcomes of this work are expected to offer new perspectives for diagnosis, criteria, and prediction of pathological case types through comparisons with new parameter values treated under the same experimental conditions as HYAL injection. This study also highlights the importance of HYAL treatment for better intra-assay precision.
Matching supplementary motor area-primary motor cortex paired transcranial magnetic stimulation improves motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: a single-center, double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial protocol
Authors: Tang Xiaoshun , Huang Zhexue , Zhu Guangyue , Liang Haoyuan , Sun Hui , Zhang Yu , Tan Yalin , Cui Minglong , Gong Haiyan , Wang Xijin , Chen Yu-Hui 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundNon-invasive neuroregulation techniques have been demonstrated to improve certain motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the currently employed regulatory techniques primarily concentrate on stimulating single target points, neglecting the functional regulation of networks and circuits. The supplementary motor area (SMA) has a significant value in motor control, and its functionality is often impaired in patients with PD. The matching SMA-primary motor cortex (M1) paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment protocol, which benefits patients by modulating the sequential and functional connections between the SMA and M1, was elucidated in this study.MethodsThis was a single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. We recruited 78 subjects and allocated them in a 1:1 ratio by stratified randomization into the paired stimulation (n = 39) and conventional stimulation groups (n = 39). Each patient underwent 3 weeks of matching SMA-M1 paired TMS or sham-paired stimulation. The subjects were evaluated before treatment initiation, 3 weeks into the intervention, and 3 months after the cessation of therapy. The primary outcome measure in this study was the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale III, and the secondary outcome measures included non-motor functional assessment, quality of life (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39), and objective assessments (electromyography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy).DiscussionClinical protocols aimed at single targets using non-invasive neuroregulation techniques often improve only one function. Emphasizing the circuit and network regulation in PD is important for enhancing the effectiveness of TMS rehabilitation. Pairing the regulation of cortical circuits may be a potential treatment method for PD. As a crucial node in motor control, the SMA has direct fiber connections with basal ganglia circuits and complex fiber connections with M1, which are responsible for motor execution. SMA regulation may indirectly regulate the function of basal ganglia circuits. Therefore, the developed cortical pairing stimulation pattern can reshape the control of information flow from the SMA to M1. The novel neuroregulation model designed for this study is based on the circuit mechanisms of PD and previous research results, with a scientific foundation and the potential to be a means of neuroregulation for PD.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier [ChiCTR2400083325].