bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of exercise on the gut microbiota in middle-aged amateur serious runners: a comparative study
Authors: Duan Rui , Liu Yu , Zhang Yonglian , Shi Jinrong , Xue Rong , Liu Ruijie , Miao Yuanxin , Zhou Xianfeng , Lv Yongling , Shen Hexiao , Xie Xiongwei , Ai Xu 
Published: April 2024

Introduction:Exercise, health, and the gut microbiota (GM) are strongly correlated. Research indicates that professional athletes, especially ultra-marathon runners, have unique GM characteristics. However, more research has focused on elite athletes, with little attention given to amateur sports enthusiasts, especially those in the middle-aged population. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact of long-term running on the composition and potential functions of the GM in middle-aged individuals.Methods:We compared the GM of 25 middle-aged serious runnerswith 22 sedentary healthy controls who had minimal exercise habitsusing 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Additionally, we assessed dietary habits using a food frequency questionnaire.Results and Discussion:Statistical analysis indicates that there is no significant difference in dietary patterns between the control group and serious runners. Diversity analysis results indicate that there is no significant difference in α diversity between the two groups of GM, but there is a significant difference in β diversity. Analysis of the composition of GM reveals that Ruminococcus and Coprococcus are significantly enriched in serious runners, whereas Bacteroides, Lachnoclostridium, and Lachnospira are enriched in the control group. Differential analysis of functional pathway prediction results reveals significant differences in the functional metabolism levels of GM between serious runners and the control group. Further correlation analysis results indicate that this difference may be closely related to variations in GM. In conclusion, our results suggest that long-term exercise can lead to changes in the composition of the GM. These changes have the potential to impact the overall health of the individual by influencing metabolic regulation.
Time-dependent effects of tumor necrosis factor α on Ca2+-dependent secretion in murine small intestinal organoids
Authors: Pauer Svenja Mareike , Buß Brigitta , Diener Martin , Ballout Jasmin 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundIntestinal organoids are stem cell-derived, 3D “mini-guts” with similar functions as the native intestinal epithelium such as electrolyte transport or establishment of an epithelial barrier. During intestinal inflammation, epithelial functions are dysregulated by proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and other messengers from the immune system resulting in a loss of electrolytes and water due to an impaired epithelial barrier and higher net secretion.MethodsA murine small intestinal organoid model was established to study (long-term) effects of TNFα on the intestinal epithelium in vitro using live imaging, immunohistochemical staining and qPCR.ResultsTNFα induced apoptosis in intestinal organoids as indicated by an increased number of cells with immunoreactivity for cleaved caspase 3. Furthermore, TNFα exposure led to swelling of the organoids which was inhibited by bumetanide and was concomitant with an upregulation of the bumetanide-sensitive Na+-K+-2Cl- symporter 1 (NKCC1) as shown by qPCR. Fura-2 imaging experiments revealed time-dependent changes in Ca2+ signaling consisting of a rise in the basal cytosolic Ca2+ concentration at day 1 and an increase of the carbachol-induced Ca2+ response after 3 days TNFα exposure. This was prevented by preincubation with La3+, an inhibitor of non-selective cation channels, or by using a Ca2+-free buffer indicating an enhancement of the Ca2+ influx from the extracellular side by the cytokine. No significant changes in cDNA levels of epithelial barrier proteins could be observed in the presence of TNFα.ConclusionIntestinal organoids are a useful tool to study the mechanism underlying the TNFα-induced secretion on enterocytes such as the regulation of NKCC1 expression or the modulation of cellular Ca2+ signaling.
Latent profile analysis of depression in US adults with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Li Enguang , Ai Fangzhu , Liang Chunguang , Chen Qing , Zhao Ying , Xu Kaiyan , Kong Jie 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThis study used latent profile analysis to explore the level of depression among US adults with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) symptoms and to identify different latent categories of depression to gain insight into the characteristic differences between these categories.MethodsThe data of this study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, and the subjects with OSAHS symptoms were aged 18 years and older. The latent profile analysis (LPA) method was used to fit the latent depression categories in subjects with OSAHS symptoms. The chi-square test, rank sum test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of depression subgroups in subjects with OSAHS symptoms.ResultsThree latent profiles were identified: low-level (83.7%), moderate-level (14.5%) and high-level (1.8%) depression. The scores of 9 items in the high-level depression group were higher than those in the other two groups. Among them, item 4 “feeling tired or lack of energy” had the highest score in all categories.ConclusionDepression in subjects with OSAHS symptoms can be divided into low-level, moderate-level and high-level depression. There are significant differences among different levels of depression in gender, marital status, PIR, BMI, smoking, general health condition, sleep duration and OSAHS symptom severity.
Screening student drinking behaviors: examining AUDIT criterion validity using CIDI-based alcohol use disorder as the ‘gold standard’
Authors: Skogen Jens Christoffer , Thørrisen Mikkel Magnus , Knudsen Ann Kristin Skrindo , Reneflot Anne , Sivertsen Børge 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionHigh levels of alcohol consumption among college students have been observed across countries. Heavy drinking episodes are particularly prevalent in this population, making early identification of potentially harmful drinking critical from a public health perspective. Short screening instruments such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) are serviceable in this regard. However, there is a need for studies investigating the criterion validity of AUDIT in the student population. The aim was to examine the criterion validity of the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C (the first three items directly gauging consumption patterns) in a sample of college and university students using 12-month prevalence of alcohol use disorder derived from an electronic, self-administered version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview, fifth version (CIDI 5.0), which serves as the ‘gold standard’.MethodsThe study population of the current study is derived from the SHoT study (Students’ Health and Wellbeing Study), which is a large national survey of students enrolled in higher education in Norway. In a follow-up study of mental disorders among participants of the SHoT2022 study, students were invited to complete a self-administered electronic version of the CIDI. A random sample of 4,642 participants in the nested CIDI-sample was asked to fill out a set of screening instruments, including AUDIT, before starting CIDI. Based on Youden Index maximization, we estimated the sex-specific optimal cut-offs for AUDIT and AUDIT-C in relation to alcohol use disorder, as determined by CIDI.ResultsFor the full AUDIT, the optimal cut-offs were 9 for males and 10 for females. The corresponding cut-offs for AUDIT-C were 6 for males and 5 for females. The same optimal cut-offs for both the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C were replicated in bootstrapped analyses with 1,000 runs.ConclusionThe full AUDIT demonstrated acceptable criterion validity with a balance between sensitivity and specificity. However, for AUDIT-C, caution should be exercised when interpreting screening results among college and university students. In conclusion, the full AUDIT is a reliable screening instrument for college and university students, while further modification may be needed for AUDIT-C in this setting.
Can platform use patterns be an indicator of HIV-related risk and sub-group heterogeneity among men who have sex with men in Singapore: a latent class analysis
Authors: Tavitian-Exley Isabel , Hao Ying , Chen Mark I-C. , Wong Chen Seong , Kwok Chronos , Toh Matthias Paul Han Sim 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionLow-level HIV epidemic settings like Singapore face the challenge of reaching men at-risk who have less contact with programmes. We investigated patterns of meeting platform use by men seeking male sexual partners (MSM) as potential marker of risk to differentiate sub-groups for interventions.MethodsLatent Class Analysis (LCA) was applied to a survey sample of MSM recruited from bars/clubs, saunas and a smartphone application, using purposive sampling. The best-fit LCA model which identified homogeneous sub-groups with similar patterns of meeting platform was factored in multivariable regression to identify associations with risk behaviors on the pathway to HIV infection.ResultsOverall 1,141 MSM were recruited from bars/clubs (n = 426), saunas (n = 531), and online (n = 184). Five patterns emerged, reflecting salient platform use characteristics: Sauna-centric (SC; n = 413), App-centric (AC; n = 276), Multiple-platforms (MP; n = 123), Platform-inactive (PI; n = 257), and “Do not hook up” (DNH; n = 72) classes. Men in the SC and MP classes had high probabilities of using saunas to meet partners; SC were older and less likely to have disclosed their sexual orientation. The MP class had high probabilities of connecting across all platforms in addition to saunas and more likely to have disclosed their sexual orientation, than the PI class. Men in the SC and MP classes had twice the odds of reporting multiple sex partners (aORSC = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.33.2; aORMP = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.14.6). Single/non-partnered MSM and those using alcohol/drugs during sex had 1.7 (95%CI: 1.22.5) and 3.2 (95%CI: 2.05.1) the odds respectively, of reporting multiple sex partners. The SC and MP classes had higher odds of engaging in group sex while MSM using alcohol/drugs during sex had twice the odds of reporting group sex. Alcohol/drugs and group sex were independently associated with condomless sex (as was lower education). Group sex, alcohol/drugs during sex, disclosure of sexual orientation or being Singaporean/permanent resident were associated with recent testing for HIV.DiscussionThe five distinct risk profiles identified can help tailor differentiated HIV interventions—combined with field knowledge and other prevention—to expand HIV self-testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and other services (e.g., Mpox vaccination) to sub-groups at risk.
The status and influencing factors of lung ventilation function in employees exposed to dust in enterprises of the XPCC, China
Authors: Zhao Yiman , Zhao Siqi , Lu Jiaying , Dong Ruoyun , Wang Qianqian , Song Guanling , Hu Yunhua 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundOccupational health is closely related to harmful factors in the workplace. Dust is the primary contributing factor causing impaired lung ventilation function among employees with dust exposure, and their lung ventilation function may also be influenced by other factors. We aimed at assessing the status and influencing factors of lung ventilation function among employees exposed to dust in the enterprises of the Eighth Division located in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), China.MethodsEmployees exposed to dust in enterprises of the Eighth Division located in the XPCC in 2023 were selected as the subjects of this cross-sectional study. Their lung ventilation function indicators were extracted from health examination records, and an on-site electronic questionnaire survey was conducted among them. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the factors influencing lung ventilation function.ResultsAccording to the fixed value criteria, the abnormal rates of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC were 31.6, 1.4, and 0.4%, respectively. The lower limit of normal (LLN) criteria could overestimate the rate of abnormal lung ventilation function. Several factors were related to impaired lung ventilation function, including gender, age, education level, marital status, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, physical activity, the type of dust, industry, enterprise scale, occupation, length of service, working shift, monthly income, and respiratory protection.ConclusionsA relatively low abnormal rate of lung ventilation function was observed among employees exposed to dust in enterprises of the Eighth Division, XPCC, and their lung ventilation function was associated with various factors. Effective measures should be taken urgently to reduce the effects of adverse factors on lung ventilation function, thereby further protecting the health of the occupational population.
IDO1 correlates with the immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a study based on bioinformatics analyses
Authors: Gkountana Georgia Vasiliki , Wang Lezhou , Giacomini Martina , Hyytiäinen Aini , Juurikka Krista , Salo Tuula , Al-Samadi Ahmed 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCs) is a common cancer type with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Recent studies have focused on the role of immune checkpoints in HNSCC progression and in their potential use as prognostic markers and immunotherapeutic candidates. Some immune checkpoints, such as PD-1 and PD-L1, have been studied thoroughly in HNSCC. Other molecules, such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), have been investigated minimally.MethodsIDO1 expression, prognostic potential, and association with the immune profile of HNSCC were explored using online databases, including GEPIA, UALCAN, TIMER2.0, cBioPortal, and LinkedOmics, which utilize TCGA datasets and are freely available for use. For validation purposes, seven pairs of primary and metastatic HNSCC were immunostained for IDO1.ResultsOur analysis revealed significantly higher expression of IDO1 in HNSCC, especially in HPV+ SCCs compared with healthy control tissue. However, IDO1 expression showed weak to no prognostic potential for overall and disease-free survival in HNSCC. IDO1 expression in HNSCC was positively correlated with several immune-related molecules, including most of the immune checkpoints. Additionally, GO enrichment analysis revealed that several immune-related pathways are positively correlated with IDO1 expression in HNSCC, such as response to type I interferon and lymphocyte-mediated immunity pathways. Finally, IDO1 expression positively correlated with infiltration of most of the immune cells in HNSCC, such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, M1 and M2 macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells.ConclusionIDO1 expression is closely correlated with the immune profile of the HNSCC. This observation should be explored further to elucidate the potential of targeting IDO1 as a novel immunotherapeutic approach for HNSCC.
Development of the pediatric narcolepsy patient-reported outcomes scale (PN-PROs)
Authors: Wang Grace Y. , Worhach Jennifer , Zhou Eric S. , Strunc Michael , Morse Anne M. , Owens Judith A. , Flygare Julie , Revette Anna , Meltzer Lisa J. , Maski Kiran 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundPediatric narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that impacts the health and overall wellbeing of children and adolescents with the disease. Meaningful and regular assessment of symptom frequency and severity is important for the long-term management of narcolepsy and for optimizing quality of life. However, there is currently no patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measure developed from both patient and expert input that is designed specifically to assess the impact of pediatric narcolepsy on daily life and overall disease burden.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative mixed-methods study to develop a novel patient-reported outcomes measure for pediatric narcolepsy patients. We created and refined a conceptual framework through literature review, semi-structured interviews with narcolepsy experts, and focus groups of children and adolescents with narcolepsy and their parents. Guided by the domains and facets identified in our conceptual framework and further literature review, we developed a PROs item bank. Our team further refined the item bank and classified items through team discussions and expert guidance. Content validity of the item pool was evaluated with expert review, readability analysis, and cognitive interviews with narcolepsy patients.ResultsThrough our processes, we developed a PROs item bank comprising two domains (narcolepsy symptoms and functional impairment) that contains 10 facets. The final item bank consists of 55 items, with 27 items representing five facets of narcolepsy symptoms (behavior, cataplexy, cognitive difficulties, sleep quality, and sleepiness) and 28 items representing five facets of functional impairment (bothered by/worried about symptom, cognitive/academic, global functioning, safety, and social).ConclusionWe developed items for the Pediatric Narcolepsy Patient-Reported Outcomes (PN-PROs) measure that incorporates expert insight, published literature, and testimony from children/adolescents living with narcolepsy and their families. Upon completion of the psychometric testing and content validation process, we believe the PN-PROs will provide a useful longitudinal measure of disease control and standardize outcome assessments in clinical practice and research studies.
Electrocardiographic manifestations in female team handball players: analyzing ECG changes in athletes
Authors: Malmgren A. , Trägårdh E. , Gudmundsson P. , Kjellström B. , Stagmo M. , Dencker M. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionLong-term intense training leads to structural, functional, and electrical remodeling of the heart. How different sports affect the heart has not been fully investigated, particularly for female athletes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphology of 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) in elite female handball players compared to non-athlete female subjects. Potential changes will be explored to see if they could be explained by differences in cardiac dimensions and exercise hours.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study of 33 elite female team handball players compared to 33 sex and age-matched, non-athletic controls (age range 18–26 years) was performed. All participants underwent a resting 12-lead ECG and an echocardiographic examination. ECG variables for left ventricular hypertrophy and durations were evaluated and adjusted for cardiac dimensions and exercise hours using ANCOVA analysis. A linear regression analysis was used to describe relation between echocardiographic and ECG measures and exercise hours.ResultsThe female handball players had larger cardiac dimensions and significantly lower heart rate and QTc duration (Bazett's formula) as well as increased QRS and QT durations compared to controls. The 12-lead sum of voltage and the 12-lead sum of voltage ∗ QRS were significantly higher among handball players. Changes in ECG variables reflecting the left ventricle could in part be explained by left ventricular size and exercise hours. Correlation with exercise hours were moderately strong in most of the echocardiographic measures reflecting left ventricular (LV), left ventricular mass (LVM), left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) size. Poor to fair correlations were seen in the majority of ECG measures.ConclusionsFemale team handball players had altered ECGs, longer QRS and QT durations, higher 12-lead sum of voltage and 12-lead sum of voltage ∗ QRS as well as shorter QTc (Bazett's formula) duration compared to non-athletic controls. These findings could only partly be explained by differences in left ventricular size. Despite larger atrial size in the athletes, no differences in P-wave amplitude and duration were found on ECG. This suggest that both structural, and to some degree electrical remodeling, occur in the female team handball players' heart and highlight that a normal ECG does not rule out structural adaptations. The present study adds knowledge to the field of sports cardiology regarding how the heart in female team handball players adapts to this type of sport.
Impact of a varied set of stimuli on a suite of immunological parameters within peripheral blood mononuclear cells: toward a non-animal approach for assessing immune modulation by materials intended for human use
Authors: Cochrane Stella , Rajagopal Ramya , Sheffield David , Stewart Fay , Hathaway Lindsay , Barnes Nicholas M. , Qureshi Omar , Gordon John 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: In toxicology, steps are being taken towards more mechanism-focused and human relevant approaches to risk assessment, requiring new approaches and methods. Additionally, there is increasing emphasis by regulators on risk assessment of immunotoxicity.Methods: Here we present data from a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) system whereby a varied set of stimuli, including those against the TCR and Toll-like receptors, enable readouts of cytokine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production with monocyte, T cell and B cell viability, proliferation, and associated activation markers. In addition to results on the impact of the stimuli used, initial profiling data for a case study chemical, curcumin, is presented, illustrating how the system can be used to generate information on the impact of exogenous materials on three major constituent immune cell subsets for use in risk assessment and to direct follow-on studies.Results: The different stimuli drove distinct responses, not only in relation to the “quantity” of the response but also the “quality”. Curcumin had a limited impact on the B cell parameters measured, with the stimuli used, and it was noted that in contrast to T cells where there was either no impact or a reduction in viability and proliferation with increasing concentration, for B cells there was a small but significant increase in both measurements at curcumin concentrations below 20 µM. Similarly, whilst expression of activation markers by T cells was reduced by the highest concentration of curcumin, they were increased in B cells. Curcumin only impacted the viability of stimulated monocytes at the highest concentration and had differential impact on different activation markers. Levels of all cytokines and PGE2 were reduced at higher concentrations.Discussion: Although the platform has certain limitations, it nevertheless enables assessment of healthy baseline monocyte, T-, and B-cell responses, and scrutiny of the impact of different stimuli to detect potential immune suppression or enhancement from exogenous materials. In the case of curcumin, a pattern of responses indicative of immune suppressive / anti-inflammatory effects was detected. It is an accessible, highly modifiable system that can be used to screen materials and guide further studies, providing a holistic, integrated picture of effects.