bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of PDZD4 in colorectal cancer and its impact on colorectal cancer progression
Authors: Yu Ziyue , Wang Zhonghua , Wang Huan , Huang Yafeng , Lai Xiaoxuan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: CRC, as a common malignant tumor of the digestive system, ranks third in terms of incidence and second in terms of mortality among all cancers, representing a significant global public health challenge. PDZ domain-containing protein 4 (PDZD4) has been identified as a reliable biomarker in various tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, but its functional role in CRC remains poorly understood.
Methods: Differential expression of PDZD4 in CRC patients was detected through bioinformatics analysis in the TCGA database, and the correlation between PDZD4 and clinical indicators of CRC patients was analyzed in the GSE17536 dataset. Univariate and multivariate COX analysis was performed to verify whether PDZD4 could serve as an independent prognostic factor for CRC. The biological role of PDZD4 in CRC was analyzed through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The expression differences of PDZD4 in CRC tissues and cells were validated through Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and q-PCR. PDZD4 was overexpressed in SW620 and SW480 CRC cell lines, and the transfection efficiency was verified by Western blot and q-PCR. The regulatory effect of PDZD4 on proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells was assessed through CCK-8, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay. Lastly, the regulatory effect of PDZD4 on the PI3K-AKT pathway was examined through Western blot.
Results:PDZD4 was significantly downregulated in CRC. Low expression of PDZD4 was positively correlated with poor prognosis and higher clinical stage in CRC patients. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that PDZD4 played multiple biological roles in the progression of CRC. Loss-of-function experiments showed that PDZD4 had significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of CRC cell lines in vitro. Western blot experiments indicated that PDZD4 inhibited the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in CRC cells.
Conclusion: PDZD4 can suppress the progression of CRC by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in CRC cell lines, suggesting the potential of PDZD4 as a new tumor biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.
Genotoxicity and acute toxicity of Hyunburikyung-tang: assessing the safety of prescribing traditional Korean medicine for dysmenorrhea
Authors: Jo Sung-young , hwang Sung-min , Kim Jun-sub , Kim Su-yeong , Woo Kyeong-wan , Cho Hyun-woo , Nho Jong-Hyun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Hyunburikyung-tang exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E2 and is clinically used to improve dysmenorrhea in Korea. It contains various medicinal plants including peach seeds (Prunus persica Batsch) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn). Peach seeds contain amygdalin, which demonstrates teratogenic effects, and safflower is reported to cause reproductive toxicity and teratogenic effects in mice. These findings raise concerns regarding the teratogenic potential of these substances. A potential correlation exists between genotoxicity and teratogenicity. Genotoxic substances can damage DNA and cause mutations or chromosomal abnormalities, which may result in developmental malformations. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether Hyunburikyung-tang causes acute toxicity or genotoxicity.
Methods
Male and female rats were orally administered Hynburikyung-tang to assess acute toxicity. Body weight measurements, general symptom observations, and autopsy examinations were used to confirm toxic responses. Genotoxicity assessment was conducted with bacteria, cells, and mice, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guidelines.
Results
Regarding acute toxicity assessment, no toxic reactions were observed when male and female rats received oral doses of Hyunburikyung-tang (626, 1,250, or 2,500 mg/kg). The genotoxicity tests, which included assessments of reverse mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus formation, showed no genotoxic responses.
Conclusions
Our findings suggested that Hyunburikyung-tang does not induce acute toxicity or genotoxicity. Nevertheless, follow-up research should be conducted to confirm toxicity caused by repeated administration.
A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating the inhibitory effect of sphenopalatine ganglion needling on the overactivation of NF-κB signaling pathway in mucosal cells of patients with allergic rhinitis.
Authors: Zhang Peng , chen lu-quan , shnag Xiao-juan , Guan Rui , Lin Lu-lu , Yu Li 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
In Chinese clinical practice, the stimulation of sphenopalatine ganglion with a 60mm filiform needle has been utilized for over 50 years to treat rhinitis. Compared to using a 25mm filiform needle to stimulate Xiaguan point on Stomach Channel of Foot Yangming, this method demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating rhinitis symptoms despite being inserted at the same position. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between acupuncture stimulation of sphenopalatine ganglion and ST7 point and their respective therapeutic mechanisms, providing evidence-based medical support for modern acupoint structure research.
Methods
This study aims to employ a randomized single-blind controlled trial design, enrolling patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis as the subjects. The intervention method will involve 60mm filiform needle acupuncture targeting the sphenopalatine ganglion, while 25mm filiform needle acupuncture at Xiaguan point will serve as the control. Both groups of patients will receive acupuncture treatment twice a week for a duration of 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week period for monitoring and evaluation.A comparison between the two groups will be conducted regarding the activation pattern of NF-κB signaling pathway, levels of inflammatory factors, and improvements in nasal ventilation function in terms of degree and speed. The objective is to determine whether there is a shared mechanism underlying rhinitis induced by acupuncture at both the sphenopalatine ganglion and Xiaguan point.
Discussion
Acupuncture of sphenopalatine ganglion provides a non-drug approach for rhinitis treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture at SPG and ST7 acupoints in terms of symptom improvement, modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and enhancement of nasal ventilation function. This novel investigation will contribute further clinical evidence towards addressing the issue of vague acupoint structure descriptions. However, certain limitations exist within this study, including challenges in evaluating stimulus volume, a relatively short follow-up period, and an insufficient sample size.
Trial registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(ChiCTR2300073792),Registered on 20 July 2023.
Species integrity and ploidy stability despite extensive gene flow via introgressive hybridization: The case of Betula species in Iceland
Authors: Leduc Benjamin , Thórsson Ægir Thór , Anamthawat-Jónsson Kesara 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Introgressive hybridization is common in natural birch woodlands in Iceland, where two birch (Betula) species (diploid dwarf birch B. nana and tetraploid tree birch B. pubescens) coexist and hybridize readily. Our previous botanical, cytogenetic and palynological studies show that triploid hybrids can mediate gene flow between the two species. Our previous molecular study based on chloroplast haplotyping confirms the hybrid introgression and provides information about the genetic origin of Betula species in Iceland. The question remains, however, as to what extent nuclear gene flow is involved in this hybrid introgression process. The objective of the present study was therefore to use nuclear markers to probe birch introgressive hybridization.
Results
AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis was performed on genomic DNA isolated from 169 individual Betula plants (67 diploid B. nana, 82 tetraploid B. pubescens and 20 triploid hybrids), from birch woodlands in Iceland in comparison to those from northern Scandinavia. The generated 115 polymorphic markers were subjected to analysis of molecular variance across ploidy groups, locations, and major chloroplast haplotypes. A new R package, Linarius, was developed for use with this mixed ploidy dataset. All markers were considered nuclear as no allele specific to any chloroplast haplotypes was detected. The results were to a certain extent congruent with those from our previous chloroplast study. No ploidy- or species-specific alleles were detected, confirming bidirectional introgression. Almost all alleles were shared among all three ploidy groups, confirming gene flow via hybridization. The most striking difference, however, was that the nuclear markers clearly differentiated between diploid B. nana and tetraploid B. pubescens, whereas the chloroplast haplotype variation was non-significant. The triploid hybrid group was scattered within both ploidy clusters, in line with its role as a bridge to introgression. This nuclear separation between the two species is comparable to that from our previous analysis based on species- specific morphological characters, implying that the whole genomes may be selected for species adaptability in their different habitats. Furthermore, the present AFLP study depicted a clear east-west geographical separation among Icelandic Betula populations, based on both genetic distance analysis and anamorphosis modelling. This geographical separation is prominent in B. nana while B. pubescens is more genetically homogeneous.
Conclusion
The present study shows that despite extensive gene flow, Betula species maintain their species integrity and ploidy stability. This in turn allows the long-term survival of the species in their local habitats.
Derotational Distal Femoral Osteotomy Yields Better Outcomes in Patellar Dislocation With Supracondylar Femoral Torsion Compared With Distal Femoral Torsion: A Retrospective Comparative Study
Authors: Jia Yanfeng , Bao Hongwei , Hou Jingzhao , sun Ran , Wang Zhao , Jiang Junjie , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhai Leilei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background:Controversy exists regarding the origin of femoral torsion, and specific treatment rules regarding the optimal position of femoral osteotomy in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) and excessive femoral torsion are scarce.Purpose:To establish a novel classification system for such patients, and to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after derotational distal femoral osteotomy (DDFO) between femoral torsion at supracondylar (neck and shaft) and distal levels.Methods:Between January 2014 and June 2019, patients who underwent DDFO were retrospectively reviewed. The segmental torsion analysis was performed to establish a novel classification system, and classify included patients into two groups: 35 patients in supracondylar torsion group and 38 patients in distal torsion group. These patients were followed-up for at least 3 years. Clinical evaluations included functional outcomes, physical examinations, quality of life, activity level, satisfaction, and complications. Radiological outcomes included patellofemoral osteoarthritis, congruence, and alignment.Results:Type I was defined as the supracondylar torsion. Type II was defined as the distal torsion. Supracondylar torsion group had lower postoperative femoral torsion (12.6 ± 2.6° vs 14.8 ± 3.6°;P= .004) and higher surgical correction angle (21.6 ± 5.0° vs 19.1 ± 3.0°;P= .009). All clinical and radiological outcomes improved significantly in both groups, but supracondylar torsion group had significantly higher quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: 0.96 ± 0.06 vs 0.91 ± 0.07;P= .003. EQ-VAS: 92.0 ± 6.0 vs 88.7 ± 5.8;P= .021) and Tegner activity score (5.2 ± 1.5 vs 4.5 ± 1.4;P= .040), and fewer patellofemoral osteoarthritis (8.6% vs 26.3%;P= .048). Two patients in the distal torsion group had subjective patellar instability. The percentage of patients with anterior knee pain was higher in the distal torsion group.Conclusion:A novel classification system for patients with RPD and excessive femoral torsion based on segmental femoral torsion analysis was established. DDFO was more appropriate for patients with supracondylar torsion, yielding higher surgical correction angle, and better clinical and radiological outcomes.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
Risk factor analysis and prediction modeling for the occurrence of perioperative complications in abdominal wall incisional hernia patients
Authors: Shi Shuai , Feng Tao , Wu Yun-hua , Wu Xi , Chen Zun , Gao De-jian , Duan Xiang-long , Wang Ze-zheng 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Aim: The occurrence of perioperative complications in patients with abdominal wall incisional hernia not only affects their postoperative recovery but also increases their financial burden and pain. Therefore, the influencing factors predicting the occurrence of perioperative complications in abdominal wall incisional hernia should be determined, so that clinicians can perform perioperative patient management and early interventions before surgery to reduce the occurrence of complications.
Methods: This retrospective analysis included 212 patients with incisional hernia of the abdominal wall in Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2013 to December 2020. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was applied to optimize factor selection, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to construct a predictive model. The performance and clinical utility of the nomogram were determined, and internal validation was conducted.
Results: The prediction nomogram showed that abnormal preoperative pulmonary function, defect in the central region of the anterior abdominal wall, hernia size, and intraoperative bleeding were predictors of perioperative complications in abdominal wall incisional hernia. The model showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.771 (95% confidence interval: 0.687–0.767). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the perioperative complications risk nomogram had a good net clinical benefit.
Conclusions: We developed a nomogram to help clinicians identify abdominal wall incisional hernia patients who are at a greater risk of perioperative complications, which may aid in early intervention and reduce the incidence of perioperative complications in them.
The correlation between ANA and pregnancy loss and their impact on IVF/ICSI-ET pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Liu Manman , Zhang Hebo , Xu Shilian , Zhang Rui , Yuan Mengfan , Ren Bingnan , Zhang Wenjuan , Liu Zhaozhao , Guan Yichun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The relationship between antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) or single pregnancy loss (PL) is unclear. In this retrospective study, patients first seen at the hospital between January 2016 and December 2022 and who underwent two ANA tests within 4-6 weeks were included. After exclusion of confounding factors, patients were divided into the non-PL, single-PL or RPL group according to previous number of PLs, and the correlation between PL and ANA was analysed. The first embryo transfer (ET) after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) without immunological treatment was selected in the RPL group, and patients were classified into the ANA-negative subgroup or ANA1:80 subgroup according to ANA titre. The effect of ANA on pregnancy outcomes in the RPL patients after IVF/ICSI-ET was further analysed. The results of multivariate unordered logistic regression showed that when the non-PL group was used as the reference, ANA positivity was an independent risk factor for RPL (P=0.023) but not for single PL (P=0.654). When the single-PL group was used as the reference, ANA positivity was an independent risk factor for RPL (P=0.022). There was no significant difference in ANA titre among the three groups of ANA-positive patients (P=0.106). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the early PL rate of the ANA1:80 subgroup was significantly higher than that of the ANA-negative subgroup (P=0.039), and the total PL rate of the ANA1:80 subgroup was significantly higher than that of the ANA-negative subgroup (P=0.033). The results showed that ANA positivity may be related to RPL occurrence, but there was no significant correlation between ANA positivity and single PL. ANA positivity (titre 1:80) is associated with PL occurrence in RPL patients after transplantation, and the correlation is reflected mainly in the first trimester. RPL patients should be screened for ANA and receive treatment.
Shaping Corticospinal Pathways in Virtual Reality: Task Complexity and Sensory Feedback in Mirror Therapy
Authors: Norris Trevor A. , Augenstein Thomas E. , Rodriguez Kazandra M. , Claflin Edward S. , Krishnan Chandramouli 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Restoration of limb function for individuals with unilateral weakness typically requires volitional muscle control, which is often not present for individuals with severe impairment. Mirror therapy—interventions using a mirror box to reflect the less-impaired limb onto the more-impaired limb—can facilitate corticospinal excitability, leading to enhanced recovery in severely impaired clinical populations. However, the mirror box applies limitations on mirror therapy, namely that all movements appear bilateral and are confined to a small area, impeding integration of complex activities and multisensory feedback (e.g., visuo-tactile stimulation). These limitations can be addressed with virtual reality, but the resulting effect on corticospinal excitability is unclear.
Objective
Examine how virtual reality-based unilateral mirroring, complex activities during mirroring, and visuo-tactile stimulation prior to mirroring affect corticospinal excitability.
Materials and Methods
Participants (n = 17) donned a virtual reality system (NeuRRoVR) that displayed a first-person perspective of a virtual avatar that matched their motions. Transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced motor evoked potentials in the nondominant hand muscles were used to evaluate corticospinal excitability in four conditions: resting, mirroring, mirroring with prior visuo-tactile stimulation (mirroring + TACT), and control. During mirroring, the movements of each participant’s dominant limb were reflected onto the nondominant limb of the virtual avatar, and the avatar’s dominant limb was kept immobile (i.e., unilateral mirroring). The mirroring + TACT condition was the same as the mirroring condition, except that mirroring was preceded by visuo-tactile stimulation of the nondominant limb. During the control condition, unilateral mirroring was disabled. During all conditions, participants performed simple (flex/extend fingers) and complex (stack virtual blocks) activities.
Results
We found that unilateral mirroring increased corticospinal excitability compared to no mirroring (p = 0.018), complex activities increased excitability compared to simple activities during mirroring (p < 0.001), and visuo-tactile stimulation prior to mirroring decreased excitability (p = 0.026). We also found that these features did not interact with each other.
Discussions
The findings of this study shed light onto the neurological mechanisms of mirror therapy and demonstrate the unique ways in which virtual reality can augment mirror therapy. The findings have important implications for rehabilitation for design of virtual reality systems for clinical populations.
GNSS-A Observation Model with Attached Oceanic Slowness Gradient
Authors: Wang Kaiming , Xue Shuqiang , Xiao Zhen , Zhao Shuang , Zhu Jixing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The Global Navigation Satellite System-Acoustic (GNSS-A) geodetic observation model needs to consider the spatiotemporal variation of sound velocity to achieve centimeter-level precision positioning. Existing research has mainly explored high-precision GNSS-A observation models from the perspective of the four-dimensional sound velocity field in the ocean. In fact, it is more directly effective to discuss the construction of high-precision positioning models from the perspective of the four-dimensional slowness field in the ocean. This paper investigates the impact of oceanic slowness variation on geodetic positioning. Under the assumption of a single-layer slowness field (SSF), a GNSS-A observation model with an attached slowness gradient is proposed. This model has significant advantages in simplifying the observation model formula and improving the efficiency of model solving. The proposed model and algorithm are validated through actual measurements and simulated GNSS-A data. The results show that the positioning accuracy in deep sea using the observation model with an attached slowness gradient can reach centimeter-level, comparable to the traditional sound velocity error compensation model. It has the same effectiveness as traditional sound velocity parameter estimation but with higher computational efficiency.
Precision diagnostics of COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae through random forest and biomarkers integration
Authors: Zhou Xun , Zhang Jie , Deng Xiu-Mei , Fu Fang-Mei , Wang Juan-Min , Zhang Zhong-Yuan , Zhang Xian-Qiang , Luo Yue-Xing , Zhang Shi-Yan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for precise diagnostic methods to distinguish between similar respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). Identifying key biomarkers and utilizing machine learning techniques like Random Forest analysis can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory data from 214 acute respiratory infections patients, categorized into three groups: COVID-19 positive (n = 52), MP-positive (n = 140), and co-infected with both positive (n = 22). Key biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and white blood cell (WBC) counts were evaluated. The Random Forest algorithm was applied to analyze the discriminative power of these biomarkers. Our analysis revealed significant correlations between age, PCT, IL-6, CRP, and the patient groups. The Random Forest model demonstrated high classification performance with area under the ROC curve (AUC) scores of 0.91 for COVID-19, 0.90 for MP, and 0.65 for co-infections. Feature importance analysis indicated that age, CRP, IL6, and PCT were the most significant predictors. Confusion matrices and Spearman correlation heatmaps highlighted the model's accuracy and the relationships between different biomarkers. The integration of computational methods, particularly Random Forest analysis, in evaluating clinical and biomarker data presents a promising approach for enhancing diagnostic processes for infectious diseases. Our findings support the use of specific biomarkers in differentiating between COVID-19 and MP, potentially leading to more targeted and effective diagnostic strategies. This study underscores the potential of machine learning techniques in improving disease classification in the era of precision medicine.