bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and clinical studies of Cimicifugae Rhizoma: a comprehensive review
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Wei Wei , Jin Xingyue , Lu Jin , Chen Shujing , Ogaji Omachi Daniel , Wang Shaoxia , Du Kunze , Chang Yanxu , Li Jin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCimicifugae Rhizoma, generally known as “Sheng Ma” in China, has great medicinal and dietary values. Cimicifugae Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida L., Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim. and Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom., which has been used to treat wind-heat headache, tooth pain, aphtha, sore throat, prolapse of anus and uterine prolapse in traditional Chinese medicine. This review systematically presents the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical studies, quality control and toxicity of Cimicifugae Rhizoma in order to propose scientific evidence for its rational utilization and product development. Herein, 348 compounds isolated or identified from the herb are summarized in this review, mainly including triterpenoid saponins, phenylpropanoids, chromones, alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The crude extracts and its constituents had various pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-osteoporosis and relieving menopausal symptoms. The recent research progress of Cimicifugae Rhizoma in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects demonstrates the effectiveness of its utilization and supplies valuable guidance for further research. This review will provide a basis for the future development and utilization of Cimicifugae Rhizoma.
UBE2N promotes cell viability and glycolysis by promoting Axin1 ubiquitination in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Yang Bo , Chen Weihua , Tao Tianyi , Zhang Jun , Kong Dehui , Hao Jidong , Yu Chao , Liao Guoqiang , Gong Hua 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 N (UBE2N) is recognized in the progression of some cancers; however, little research has been conducted to describe its role in prostate cancer. The purpose of this paper is to explore the function and mechanism of UBE2N in prostate cancer cells.

Methods
UBE2N expression was detected in Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) data, prostate cancer tissue microarrays, and prostate cancer cell lines, respectively. UBE2N knockdown or overexpression was used to analyze its role in cell viability and glycolysis of prostate cancer cells and tumor growth. XAV939 or Axin1 overexpression was co-treated with UBE2N overexpression to detect the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Axin1 in the UBE2N function. UBE2N interacting with Axin1 was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation assay.

Results
UBE2N was upregulated in prostate cancer and the UBE2N-high expression correlated with the poor prognosis of prostate cancer. UBE2N knockdown inhibited cell viability and glycolysis in prostate cancer cells and restricted tumor formation in tumor-bearing mice. Wnt/β-catenin inhibition and Axin1 overexpression reversed the promoting viability and glycolysis function of UBE2N. UBE2N promoted Axin1 ubiquitination and decreased Axin1 protein level.
Stable, fluorescent markers for tracking synthetic communities and assembly dynamics
Authors: Jorrin Beatriz , Haskett Timothy L. , Knights Hayley E. , Martyn Anna , Underwood Thomas J , Dolliver Jessica , Ledermann Raphael , Poole Philip S. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
After two decades of extensive microbiome research, the current forefront of scientific exploration involves moving beyond description and classification to uncovering the intricate mechanisms underlying the coalescence of microbial communities. Deciphering microbiome assembly has been technically challenging due to their vast microbial diversity but establishing a synthetic community (SynCom) serves as a key strategy in unravelling this process. Achieving absolute quantification is crucial for establishing causality in assembly dynamics. However, existing approaches are primarily designed to differentiate a specific group of microorganisms within a particular SynCom.

Results
To address this issue, we have developed the differential fluorescent marking (DFM) strategy, employing three distinguishable fluorescent proteins in single and double combinations. Building on the mini-Tn7 transposon, DFM capitalises on enhanced stability and broad applicability across diverse Proteobacteria species. The various DFM constructions are built using the pTn7-SCOUT plasmid family, enabling modular assembly, and facilitating the interchangeability of expression and antibiotic cassettes in a single reaction. DFM has no detrimental effects on fitness or community assembly dynamics, and through the application of flow cytometry, we successfully differentiated, quantified, and tracked a diverse six-member SynCom under various complex conditions like root rhizosphere showing a different colonisation assembly dynamic between pea and barley roots.

Conclusions
DFM represents a powerful resource that eliminates dependence on sequencing and/or culturing, thereby opening new avenues for studying microbiome assembly.
Short-term exposure to antibiotics begets long-term disturbance in gut microbial metabolism and molecular ecological networks
Authors: Hong Yuehui , Li Hao , Chen Linkang , Su Hongtian , Zhang Bin , Luo Yu , Li Chengji , Zhao Zuguo , Shao Yiming , Guo Lianxian 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Antibiotic exposure can occur in medical settings and from environmental sources. Long-term effects of brief antibiotic exposure in early life are largely unknown.

Results
Post a short-term treatment by ceftriaxone to C57BL/6 mice in early life, a 14-month observation was performed using 16S rRNA gene-sequencing technique, metabolomics analysis, and metagenomics analysis on the effects of ceftriaxone exposure. Firstly, the results showed that antibiotic pre-treatment significantly disturbed gut microbial α and β diversities (P < 0.05). Both Chao1 indices and Shannon indices manifested recovery trends over time, but they didn’t entirely recover to the baseline of control throughout the experiment. Secondly, antibiotic pre-treatment reduced the complexity of gut molecular ecological networks (MENs). Various network parameters were affected and manifested recovery trends over time with different degrees, such as nodes (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.6563), links (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.4543), number of modules (P = 0.0672, R2 = 0.2523), relative modularity (P = 0.6714, R2 = 0.0155), number of keystones (P = 0.1003, R2 = 0.2090), robustness_random (P = 0.79, R2 = 0.0063), and vulnerability (P = 0.0528, R2 = 0.28). The network parameters didn't entirely recover. Antibiotic exposure obviously reduced the number of key species in gut MENs. Interestingly, new keystones appeared during the recovery process of network complexity. Changes in network stability might be caused by variations in network complexity, which supports the ecological theory that complexity begets stability. Besides, the metabolism profiles of the antibiotic group and control were significantly different. Correlation analysis showed that antibiotic-induced differences in gut microbial metabolism were related to MEN changes. Antibiotic exposure also caused long-term effects on gut microbial functional networks in mice.

Conclusions
These results suggest that short-term antibiotic exposure in early life will cause long-term negative impacts on gut microbial diversity, MENs, and microbial metabolism. Therefore, great concern should be raised about children’s brief exposure to antibiotics if the results observed in mice are applicable to humans.
The change of working alliance and the association to treatment outcome in an internet-based therapy after pregnancy loss
Authors: Kramuschke Martin , Reinhardt Jana , Dölemeyer Ruth , Kaiser Julia , Kersting Anette 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Working alliance is a prominent non-specific factor for treatment outcomes in face-to-face and internet-based interventions. The association between working alliance and therapy outcome appears to be time- and disorder-specific, but less is known about the change of working alliance during the intervention and the impact of working alliance in grief-specific interventions. The present study examines the association between the change of working alliance and treatment outcomes in an internet-based intervention for parents who experienced pregnancy loss.

Methods
228 participants received a grief intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy with asynchronous text-based therapist feedback. Prolonged grief and related symptoms of traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and general psychopathology were assessed with validated instruments before and after the intervention. The change of working alliance was assessed using the short version of the Working Alliance Inventory at mid-treatment (session 4) and the end of the treatment (session 10).

Results
Data for N = 146 persons was analyzed. Working alliance in total and all subscales increased significantly from sessions 4 to 10. This change in working alliance correlated significantly with a reduction in prolonged grief. Changes in subscales of working alliance also correlated with symptoms of depression and general psychopathology. Regression analysis showed that a change in working alliance predicted a reduction in prolonged grief but did not predict improvements in other grief-related symptoms.

Conclusion
The results examine the change of working alliance during an internet-based intervention and the association with treatment outcome. A small impact of change in working alliance on treatment outcome of prolonged grief was confirmed, but not on related symptoms. Further research is needed to assess moderators of the alliance-outcome association to improve internet-based interventions.

Trial registration
Not applicable.
Sterile sentinels and MinION sequencing capture active soil microbial communities that differentiate crop rotations
Authors: Erlandson Sonya R. , Ewing Patrick M. , Osborne Shannon L. , Lehman R. Michael 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Soil microbial communities are difficult to measure and critical to soil processes. The bulk soil microbiome is highly diverse and spatially heterogeneous, which can make it difficult to detect and monitor the responses of microbial communities to differences or changes in management, such as different crop rotations in agricultural research. Sampling a subset of actively growing microbes should promote monitoring how soil microbial communities respond to management by reducing the variation contributed by high microbial spatial and temporal heterogeneity and less active microbes. We tested an in-growth bag method using sterilized soil in root-excluding mesh, “sterile sentinels,” for the capacity to differentiate between crop rotations. We assessed the utility of different incubation times and compared colonized sentinels to concurrently sampled bulk soils for the statistical power to differentiate microbial community composition in low and high diversity crop rotations. We paired this method with Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing to assess sterile sentinels as a standardized, fast turn-around monitoring method.

Results
Compared to bulk soil, sentinels provided greater statistical power to distinguish between crop rotations for bacterial communities and equivalent power for fungal communities. The incubation time did not affect the statistical power to detect treatment differences in community composition, although longer incubation time increased total biomass. Bulk and sentinel soil samples contained shared and unique microbial taxa that were differentially abundant between crop rotations.

Conclusions
Overall, compared to bulk soils, the sentinels captured taxa with copiotrophic or ruderal traits, and plant-associated taxa. The sentinels show promise as a sensitive, scalable method to monitor soil microbial communities and provide information complementary to traditional soil sampling.
Implementing a shared decision-making intervention to support treatment decisions for patients following an anterior cruciate ligament rupture — a protocol for the POP-ACLR feasibility study
Authors: Carter Hayley M. , Beard David J. , Dodsley Charlotte , Leighton Paul , McCallion Joshua , Moffatt Fiona , Smith Benjamin E. , Webster Kate E. , Logan Pip 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture may follow a surgical or nonsurgical pathway. At present, there is uncertainty around treatment choice. Two shared decision-making tools have been codesigned to support patients to make a decision about treatment following an ACL rupture. The shared decision-making tools include a patient information leaflet and an option grid. We report the protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility study, with nested qualitative interviews, to understand feasibility, acceptability, indicators of effectiveness and implementation factors of these shared decision-making tools (combined to form one shared decision-making intervention).

Methods
A single-centre non-randomised feasibility study will be conducted with 20 patients. Patients diagnosed with an ACL rupture following magnetic resonance imaging will be identified from an orthopaedic clinic. The shared decision-making intervention will be delivered during a clinical consultation with a physiotherapist. The primary feasibility outcomes include the following: recruitment rate, fidelity, acceptability and follow-up questionnaire completion. The secondary outcome is the satisfaction with decision scale. The nested qualitative interview will explore experience of using the shared decision-making intervention to understand acceptability, implementation factors and areas for further refinement.

Discussion
This study will determine the feasibility of using a newly developed shared decision-making intervention designed to support patients to make a decision about treatment of their ACL rupture. The acceptability and indicators of effectiveness will also be explored. In the long term, the shared decision-making intervention may improve service and patient outcomes and ensure cost-effectiveness for the NHS; ensuring those most likely to benefit from surgical treatment proceed along this pathway.

Trial registration
Pending registration on ISRCTN.
Tert-butylhydroquinone prevents cyclophosphamide induce lung toxicity in rats via inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis: in vivo and in silico study
Authors: Ibrahim Mahrous A. , Elsharawy Ayman Fathi , Baraka Waleed E. Abo , Khalifa Athar M. , E Abdalla Metwally , Nafie Mohamed S. , Shehata Shaimaa A. , Bakhaat Gamal Abdelrahman 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent that induces oxidative stress, causing lung tissue damage.

Aim
The study aims to explore the antioxidant role of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in ameliorating CP-induced lung toxicity exhibited as oxidative stress and programmed cell death.

Methods
Thirty-two adult male rats were allocated randomly into four groups: group 1 (control), group 2 TBHQ 50 mg/kg orally for 14 days, and group 3 single dose of (200 mg/kg, CP, i.p.) on the 9th day. In group 4, TBHQ (50 mg/kg, orally) was provided for 14 days, and (200 mg/kg, CP, i.p.) was administrated on the 9th day. Rats’ body and lung weight were measured. Oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and pulmonary tissue enzymatic antioxidant levels were assessed: glutathione S transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, glutathione level was measured. Assessment of the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were done as well as histopathological and immunohistochemistry investigations. Molecular docking studies of the protein structures of p53-MDM2, IL-6, and IL-1β were performed.

Results
CP-intoxicated rats demonstrated a significant decline (CAT, GPx, SOD, GST, and GSH) levels and a significant increase in MDA levels. The proinflammatory parameters (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß) were significantly elevated in group 3. The noted biochemical changes, accompanied by histopathological destruction, indicate CP-induced pulmonary tissue injury. TBHQ played a protective role by attenuating most of the aforementioned biochemical alterations and histopathological distortions in rats’ lungs.

Conclusions
TBHQ might be utilized as a potential ameliorative agent to inhibit CP-induced pulmonary toxicity via TBHQ’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) outcome in Middle Eastern patients with non-obstructive azoospermia: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Alquobaili Manal , Hamsho Shahd , Alhalabi Marwan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Infertility is an important health problem, affecting couples worldwide. Non-obstructive azoospermia is the most severe form of azoospermia, which is mostly idiopathic or caused by different causes such as chemotherapy and genetic disorders. Testicular fine needle aspiration (or testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)) is simple, cost-effective and less invasive than testicular sperm extraction.

Materials and methods
Three hundred twenty Middle Eastern patients with NOA were recruited in this study. The patients underwent routine infertility assessment including medical, surgical, and reproductive history, physical examination, semen analysis, and hormonal profile including FSH, Testosterone, and inhibin B in addition to Genetic assessment including karyotype and Y-chromosome micro-deletion.

Results
Testicular sperm aspiration was positive in 70 patients (22.18%). Serum FSH levels were clearly elevated in the patients with negative sperm retrieval (mean = 21.39 U/L), while they were reduced in the patients with positive sperm retrieval (mean = 14.61 U/L). Testosterone value did not clearly correlate with the results of testicular sperm aspiration in the two groups of patients, and testicular volume was normal for most of the patients in the two groups. Patients with Y-chromosome micro-deletion were 11.22% of the total patients studied and they had negative TESA results, while 13.12% of patients had Klinefelter Syndrome and their TESA results were negative.

Conclusion
We confirmed that there are many factors that negatively affect Testicular sperm aspiration results: high FSH and low inhibin B levels, smoking, and genetic disorders. Despite the absence of sperm in the semen, some NOA patients have a chance to have children by using this technique.
Accuracy of ultrasonography in predicting contralateral patent processus vaginalis compared with laparoscopic findings in children
Authors: Aboalazayem Abeer , Seif Hadeel , Kaddah Sherif , Elbarbary Mohamed , Wishahy Ahmed MK 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Objective
The study aims to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative ultrasonography (US) at the internal inguinal ring level in predicting contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV).

Methods
This is a prospective study of patients who presented with unilateral inguinal hernia and underwent laparoscopic hernia repair and contralateral side exploration. The gender, age, initial presenting side, and the preoperative width of the low echoic region at the internal ring (WLIR) of the contralateral side that was determined using US and laparoscopic findings were recorded. The preoperative diagnosis of CPPV was considered if the WLIR is > 4 mm. We compared laparoscopic with US findings.

Results
This study included 30 patients with a median age of 3.5 years (range, 25 days to 10 years), with 3 females and 27 males. The preoperative US and laparoscopic diagnoses of the contralateral side were concordant in 19 (63.3%) and discordant in 11 (36.6%) patients. US showed a sensitivity of 50.00%, specificity of 72.22%, and accuracy of 63.3% in diagnosing CPPV.

Conclusions
Measuring the WLIR by US was inadequate for an accurate CPPV diagnosis in our study. Therefore, more distinctive US criteria are required for a proper CPPV diagnosis.
TNF-α in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with sonographic parameters: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hassany Aya El , Tharwat Samar , Mansour Mostafa , Enein Asmaa Farouk 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory joint condition characterized by overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We aimed to assess TNF-α levels in both serum and synovial fluid in effusive knees in RA patients and find out if synovial fluid levels correlate with ultrasound (US)-detected local knee inflammatory and/or destructive changes in these patients.

Results
This study included 40 patients (20 with RA, 10 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 10 with osteoarthritis (OA)) who had knee effusion (unilateral or bilateral) upon clinical examination. The mean age of RA patients was 48.4 years; most of them were females (80%), with a median (min–max) duration of knee effusion of 2 (1.5–3) months. Serum TNF-α was significantly higher in RA vs. non-RA and in OA cases (p = 0.052, 0.022, respectively), while in the synovial fluid, the difference was not statistically significant (3.73 ± 0.72 vs. 3.48 ± 0.58 U/ml, p = 0.252). Serum TNF-α at a cut point of > 3.24 U/ml can significantly discriminate RA from OA with 65% sensitivity and 90% specificity (AUC = 0.725, P = 0.018). There was no statistically significant correlation between synovial TNF-α and US parameters of the knee, either in RA or non-RA patients.

Conclusions
RA, OA, and SLE effusive joints share the presence of local articular joint inflammation, while systemic inflammation is more discriminative for RA patients regarding the level of TNF-α. The lack of correlation of TNF-α with ultrasonographic findings reflects the multifactorial complexity of these autoimmune diseases.