bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal exposure of azadiradione leads to developmental disabilities
Authors: Jana Sudipta , Das Sagarika , Giri Bhaskarjyoti , Archak Raghavendra , Bandyopadhyay Sharba , Jana Nihar Ranjan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Azadiradione is a brain permeable phytochemical present in the seed of an Indian medicinal plant, Azadirachta Indica, well-known as Neem. Recently, this small bioactive molecule has been revealed to induce the expression of Ube3a, an ubiquitin ligase whose loss and gain of function is associated with two diverse neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we report that in uteroexposure of azadiradione in mice result in severe developmental disabilities. Treatment of well tolerated dose of azadiradione into the pregnant dam (at an embryonic day 12 and 14) causes substantial decrease in the body weight of the new-born pups at their early developmental periods along with significant cognitive, motor and communication deficits and increased anxiety-like behaviours. As the animals grow from adolescent to adult, their body weight and many behavioural deficits are gradually restored to normalcy, although, the cognitive deficit persists significantly. Biochemical analysis reveals that the azadiradione prenatally exposed mice brain exhibits about 2-3 fold increase in the level of Ube3a at post natal day 25 along with significant increase some of its target proteins linked to synaptic function and plasticity indicating enduring effect of the drug on Ube3a expression. The prenatally azadiradione exposed mice also display increased number of dendritic spines in the hippocampal and cortical pyramidal neurons. These results suggest that Ube3a might be one of the key players in azadiradione-induced developmental disabilities.
Protein Disulfide Isomerase-Enriched Extracellular Vesicles from Bladder Cancer Cells Support Tumor Survival and Malignant Transformation in the Bladder
Authors: Lee Yi-Fen , Wu Chia-Hao , Yuen Kit , Molony Ryan , Silvers Christopher , H Akash Md. Mahmudul , Messing Edward 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BC) patients face high rates of disease recurrence, partially driven by the cancer field effect. This effect is mediated in part by the release of pro-tumorigenic cargos in membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles (EVs), but the specific underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) catalyze disulfide bond formation and can help mitigate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, potentially supporting tumor survival. Here, BC cells were found to exhibit better survival under ER stress when PDI was downregulated. These cells maintained homeostatic PDI levels through the EV-mediated release of PDI. Chronic exposure of urothelial cells to these PDI-enriched BCEVs induced oxidative stress and DNA damage, ultimately leading to the malignant transformation of recipient cells. The EV-transformed cells exhibited DNA damage patterns potentially attributable to oxidative damage, and PDI was found to be a key tumorigenic cargo within EVs. Tissue microarray analyses of BC recurrence confirmed a significant correlation between tumor recurrence and the levels of both PDI and ER stress. Together, these data suggest that cancer cells selectively sort oxidized PDI into EVs for removal, and these EVs can, in turn, induce oxidative stress in recipient urothelial cells, predisposing them to malignant transformation and thereby increasing the risk of recurrence.
Exploring the effect of pre-connected pressure sensor on ultrasound-guided radial artery puncture in patients with gastrointestinal tumors
Authors: Zhong Weibo , Weng Qiaoling , Yang Qiao , Jin Xianwei , He Weihua 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the impact of pre-connecting pressure transducers on the efficacy of ultrasound-guided radial artery puncture and catheterization in patients with gastrointestinal tumors.Method Seventy-five eligible patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal tumor surgery were randomly divided into two groups: the pre-connected pressure sensor puncture group (group P = 38) and the conventional puncture group (group C = 37). The patients' vital signs were monitored upon entering the room, and a senior anesthesiologist performed the radial artery puncture and catheterization for both groups. The radial artery puncture catheterization was guided by ultrasound in both groups, Prior to the puncture, patients in group P were pre-connected to the pressure sensor. After zeroing and exhausting, the radial artery puncture catheter was performed under ultrasound guidance. with group C undergoing direct ultrasound-guided puncture catheterization. The success rate of first puncture catheterization, puncture time, puncture times, and puncture failure rate were recorded.Result The success rate of radial artery catheterization on the first attempt was significantly higher in group P compared to group C (P < 0.05). Furthermore, group P demonstrated a decrease in both arterial punctures and VAS pain scores. (P < 0.05).Conclusion Pre-connecting a pressure sensor when performing radial artery puncture and catheterization in patients with gastrointestinal tumors can enhance the success rate of radial artery puncture and catheterization under ultrasound guidance.
Analysis of the value of NLR, MLR and PLR levels in peripheral blood of patients with RRMS
Authors: Ren Jiayun , Zhang Weihua , Xue Lamei , Chen Hongping , Du Xinshu , Yu Zizhe , Zhong Di , Li Guozhong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
There is limited research on the relevance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients diagnosed with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Objective
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of NLR, MLR, and PLR levels in the peripheral blood of patients diagnosed with RRMS.
Methods
A total of 109 patients with RRMS recruited from the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2018 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, and 71 healthy population as controls (HC). Clinical data including age, sex, blood routine, serum uric acid (SUA),radiological investigations including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and spinal cord were done(A standardized protocol of MRI comprising T2-weighted and T1-weighted gadolinium enhancing were performed using 3.0 Tesla superconducting MR imager)and Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of all RRMS patients were collected.
Results
The levels of NLR, MLR and PLR were significantly higher in RRMS patients compared to the HC. RRMS patients with moderate-severe disability had higher NLR and MLR levels than those with mild disability. Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was associated with disease disability (odds ratio(OR):1.470; confidence interval(CI):1.024–1.153; P:0.046). The cutoff value for the NLR to predict RRMS disability was 2.17.NLR was higher in RRMS patients with disease activity than in those without activity (p = 0.045), while SUA was lower in RRMS patients with disease activity than in those without activity (p = 0.033). Compared with HC,RRMS patients had lower SUA levels (p = 0.008). Additionally, SUA levels decreased with the increase of EDSS scores (P = 0.003), and NLR value was negatively correlated with SUA (p = 0.022).
Conclusions
The levels of NLR,MLR and PLR in peripheral blood of RRMS patients in the acute phase are higher than those of healthy people, and NLR has a certain predictive value for the severity of disability. Furthermore, we suggest that NLR and SUA are related to the disability and activity of RRMS, albeit exerting opposing effects on the disease.
The Effect of Self-compassion, Spousal Support and Selected Factors on Psychological Well-being in Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Atik Zeynep , Çürük Gülsüm Nihal , Karayurt Ozgül 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Purpose
This study investigated the positive effects of self-compassion, spousal support and selected factors on the psychology of women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Methods
Data were collected The Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, The Spousal Support Scale and The Psychological Well-Being Scale.
Results
A significant, positive relation was found between self-compassion and psychological well-being scores of the women diagnosed with breast cancer (p < 0.05). The education level of the patients and the status of undergoing reconstruction operation after breast cancer surgery significantly affected their psychological well-being (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
In this study, the women diagnosed as breast cancer were found to have moderate levels of self-compassion and higher than moderate levels of spousal support and psychological wellbeing. The women having a high education level and a high self-compassion level and undergoing reconstruction had a significantly high level pf psychological wellbeing.
Implications for Practice:
It is important to identify patients with low levels of self-compassion and partner support, to plan interventions to increase their levels of self-compassion and partner support, and to refer patients to support groups for this purpose.
Associations of dietary magnesium intake with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with gout and hyperuricemia
Authors: Lu Xuanni , Wang Anqi , Liu Ke , Chen Ying , Chen Weiwei , Mao Yingying , Ye Ding 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: We aimed to evaluate the relationship of dietary magnesium intake with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among patients with gout and hyperuricemia (HUA).
Methods: We analyzed data of 1171 gout patients and 6707 patients with HUA from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018 and 2001-2018, respectively. Dietary intake data were obtained from 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Mortality status was determined using the NHANES public-use linked mortality fill. We used Cox regression model and restricted cubic spline analysis to probe the association of dietary magnesium intake and mortality among individuals with gout and HUA.
Results: During 7081 person-years of follow-up, 257 deaths were documented in gout patients, among which 74 died from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 48 died from cancer. For HUA patients followed up for 58,216 person-years, 1315 all-cause deaths occurred, including 411 CVD deaths and 224 cancer deaths. After multifactorial adjustments, higher dietary magnesium intake was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality among participants with gout and HUA. Restricted cubic splines showed a nonlinear inverse association between dietary magnesium intake with CVD mortality among HUA patients (P for nonlinear < 0.05), with the inflection point of 272mg/d. The results were robust in subgroup and sensitivity analyses.
Conclusions: High dietary magnesium intake was associated with decreased risk of all-cause mortality among patients with gout and HUA, and had a nonlinear inverse association with CVD mortality in HUA patients. The results highlight the potential advantages of assessing dietary magnesium intake in preventing all-cause and CVD mortality in patients with gout and HUA.
Semi-Automatic Quantification of REM Sleep Without
Atonia in Natural Sleep Environment
Authors: Hanein Yael , Possti Daniel , Oz Shani , Gerston Aaron , Wasserman Danielle , Duncan Iain , Cesari Matteo , Dagay Andrew , Tauman Riva , Mirelman Anat 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Polysomnography (PSG), the gold standard diagnostic tool in sleep medicine, typically evaluates sleep patterns and sleep-related disorders in an artificial environment, potentially leading to distorted sleep. Sleep macro-structures such as sleep stages are particularly sensitive to environmental effects, whereas micro-structures (i.e., sleep spindles, REM sleep without atonia, RSWA) tend to remain more stable.
Objective: This study aimed to apply automated algorithms to capture RSWA and sleep spindles and to compare between values measured in the lab and those recorded under natural sleep conditions at home.
Methods: The analysis included 107 full-night recordings from 55 subjects: 24 healthy adults , 28 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and three individuals with isolated Rem sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The PD population included 15 PD patients with RBD and 13 PD patients without RBD. All sessions were manually scored for sleep staging. An automatic algorithm for quantifying RSWA was developed and tested against manual scoring. Automatic artifact removal was incorporated into the process.
Results: Home versus lab RSWA, derived using the semi-automatic algorithm were moderately correlated (60% correlation).RBD detection in the home environment was achieved with 83% sensitivity, 79% specificity, and 81% balanced accuracy.
Discussion: A semi-automated algorithm was found to accurately quantify RSWA in the lab and in the home environment, enabling the detection of RBD patients. These findings could enhance clinical research, facilitate more frequent and accessible sleep testing, and provide a possible alternative for screening RBD.
Measuring the Diffusion Coefficient of Concrete with Dental X-ray Equipment
Authors: Parastegari Niloofar , Ley Tyler 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The diffusion coefficient (Dic) is an essential parameter that helps to understand various durability issues in concrete, like corrosion, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), and freeze-thaw damage. However, most research in this area has focused on homogeneous materials like paste and mortar, while concrete has proven to be challenging because of its inhomogeneous nature. This study used dental X-ray equipment adapted for transmission X-ray measurements to measure ion diffusion. This device is named CHIP (Checking Ion Penetration). This work applies the CHIP on 104 paste samples and 104 concrete samples with hydration times between 45 and 1100 days. This work improved the accuracy by combining measurements from multiple angles and correcting for X-ray beam hardening. This approach improved the accuracy of concrete Dic measurements by 20% (as indicated by R square) while also reducing variability (expressed as the coefficient of variation) by 63%.
Behavioral Activation impacts symptoms of depression and anxiety, psychological distress, and quality of life among colorectal cancer patients in medical settings
Authors: Li Anlong , Ge Han , Huang Runze , Liu Dajie , Liu Shaochun , Jia Yingxue , Chai Jiaying , Liu Lijun , Li Wen , Cai Yinlian , Zhang Qianqian , Gan Chen , Xu Jian , Wang Menglian , Tang Lingxue , Yao Shenbang , Yu Sheng , Cheng Huaidong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The protracted treatment of colorectal cancer often leads to diminished quality of life and the manifestation of psychological symptoms, notably depression, as patient survival increases. Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy is designed to bolster patients' reinforcement sources and diminish avoidance behaviors, thereby progressively fostering proactive engagement. This study aims to assess the influence of BA on the behavioral patterns of colorectal cancer patients, its therapeutic efficacy against negative emotions such as depression, and its impact on their quality of life.
Methods:One hundred and seven colorectal cancer patients with depressive symptoms were randomized into two groups: a BA group (n=54) and a conventional treatment group (n=53). Evaluations were conducted before the intervention (T0), after the fourth intervention session (T1), and upon completion of the intervention (T2).
Results:Notable differences emerged between the BA group and the conventional treatment group. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed BA’s significant efficacy in ameliorating depression (F=39.113, p<0.001, ηp²=0.439), alleviating anxiety (F=29.847, p<0.001, ηp²=0.374), enhancing quality of life (F=23.086, p<0.01, ηp²=0.316), and reducing psychological distress (F=93.684, p<0.001, ηp²=0.652). The analysis also substantiated the correlation between activation and avoidance behavioral patterns and the symptoms of depression.
Conclusion:Behavioral Activation proves to be a potent intervention for ameliorating depressive and other adverse emotional states, as well as for enhancing the quality of life among colorectal cancer patients. It effectively modifies the behavioral patterns of patients undergoing conventional treatments within clinical settings.
Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100052108, 10/17/2021.
Jumping DNA polymerases in bacteriophages
Authors: Yutin Natalya , Tolstoy Igor , Mutz Pascal , Wolf Yuri I , Krupovic Mart , Koonin Eugene V 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background Viruses with double-stranded (ds) DNA genomes in the realm Duplodnaviria share a conserved structural gene module but show a broad range of variation in their repertoires of DNA replication proteins. Some of the duplodnaviruses encode (nearly) complete replication systems whereas others lack (almost) all genes required for replication, relying on the host replication machinery. DNA polymerases (DNAPs) comprise the centerpiece of the DNA replication apparatus. The replicative DNAPs are classified into 4 unrelated or distantly related families (A-D), with the protein structures and sequences within each family being, generally, highly conserved. More than half of the duplodnaviruses encode a DNAP of family A, B or C. We showed previously that multiple pairs of closely related viruses in the order Crassvirales encode DNAPs of different families.Methods Groups of phages in which DNAP swapping likely occurred were identified as subtrees of a defined depth in a comprehensive evolutionary tree of tailed bacteriophages that included phages with DNAPs of different families. The DNAP swaps were validated by constrained tree analysis that was performed on phylogenetic tree of large terminase subunits, and the phage genomes encoding swapped DNAPs were aligned using Mauve. The structures of the discovered unusual DNAPs were predicted using AlphaFold2.Results We identified four additional groups of tailed phages in the class Caudoviricetes in which the DNAPs apparently were swapped on multiple occasions, with replacements occurring both between families A and B, or A and C, or between distinct subfamilies within the same family. The DNAP swapping always occurs “in situ”, without changes in the organization of the surrounding genes. In several cases, the DNAP gene is the only region of substantial divergence between closely related phage genomes, whereas in others, the swap apparently involved neighboring genes encoding other proteins involved in phage replication. In addition, we identified two previously undetected, highly divergent groups of family A DNAPs that are encoded in some phage genomes along with the main DNAP implicated in genome replication.Conclusions Replacement of the DNAP gene by one encoding a DNAP of a different family occurred on many independent occasions during the evolution of different families of tailed phages, in some cases, resulting in very closely related phages encoding unrelated DNAPs. DNAP swapping was likely driven by selection for avoidance of host antiphage mechanisms targeting the phage DNAP that remain to be identified, and/or by selection against replicon incompatibility.
The predictive value of serum C-reactive protein levels for disease severity in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ren Jingyi , Qiu Yingkun , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Yaqin , Liao Zhongxian , Chen Jiadi , Cao Yingping 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In the present study, we explored the predictive value of CRP in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants (omicron patients). 216 omicron patients, comprising 59 ordinary and 157 severe/critical cases, were enrolled in this study. The univariable and multivariate logistical regression revealed that age, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, CRP, and complications were independent predictors of disease severity. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CRP (0.874) was significantly higher than that of age (0.712), neutrophil percentage (0.729), lymphocyte percentage (0.734), and complications (0.673) in disease severity prediction (all p<0.05). CRP demonstrated a sensitivity of 89.7% and specificity of 78.6% at a cutoff value of 28.17. Thus, CRP could serve as a promising predictor of disease severity in omicron patients.
Effect of Maternal Diabetes on Time to Full Oral Feedings in Infant’s Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Vachharajani Akshaya , Williams Madyson , Schoening Meredith , Eichman Destri , Almashharawi Laith , Adler Loren , Hanford Jennifer , Allred Stephanie , Goodman Jean 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective
To compare the time to oral feeds in infants born to mothers with and without diabetes.
Study Design
: Retrospective study of infants born at or after 34 weeks gestational age and admitted between 1/1/2020 to 01/31/2022. Time to full oral feedings was compared between infants born to mothers with and without diabetes (267 versus 918) Continuous and binomial variables were analyzed with the Mann Whitney U test and the Chi-Square test respectively. Linear regression was then conducted to explore identified potential relationships from these analyses.
Result
Comparison of groups via univariate analysis revealed a mean difference of two more days to establish full oral feedings (p = 0.0001). Maternal pregestational diabetes (PGDM) and obesity (Body mass index;BMI > 30kg/m2) were associated with longer time for infants to complete oral feeds (p 0.034 and 0.013 respectively)
Conclusion
Infants born to mothers with diabetes took longer to achieve full oral feedings.
Dysgerminoma germ cell tumors exhibit high expression of PD-L1 and are associated with high levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and a good patient prognosis
Authors: Alwosaibai Kholoud , Alruwaii Zainab Ibrahim , Mashhour Miral , Almsned Fahad M. , Asraf Reem , Alrsheedy Wadha , Alessa Ahmed , Almohanna Hani , Selwi Waleed , Azam Faisal 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Ovarian germ cell tumors (OVGCTs) account for 28% of all diagnosed ovarian cancers, and malignant germ cell tumors specifically account for approximately 13% of diagnosed ovarian cancers in Saudi Arabia. Although most germ cell tumor patients have a high survival rate, patients who experience tumor recurrence have a poor prognosis and present with more aggressive and chemoresistant tumors. The use of immunotherapeutic agents such as PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors for OVGCTs remains very limited because few studies have described the immunological characteristics of these tumors. This study is the first to investigate PD-L1 expression in ovarian germ cell tumors and explore the role of PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment cells and genetic alterations.
Methods
A total of 34 ovarian germ cell tumors were collected from pathology archives. The collected tumor tissues included ten dysgerminomas, five yolk sac tumors, five immature teratomas, and one mature teratoma, and the remaining samples were mixed germ cell tumors. The tumors were analyzed using immunohistochemical analysis to determine PD-L1 expression, immune cell infiltration and cancer stem cell populations and their correlation with clinical outcome. Furthermore, the genetic alterations in different subtypes of germ cell tumors were correlated with PD-L1 expression and clinical outcome. Datasets for testicular germ cells (TGCTs) were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and analyzed using cBioPortal (cbioportal.org) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA).
Results
Compared with yolk sac tumors, dysgerminomas highly express PD-L1 and are associated with high levels of infiltrating lymphocytes and stem cell markers. In addition, compared with PD-L1-negative yolk sac tissue, dysgerminomas/seminomas with high PD-L1 expression are associated with more genetic alterations and a better prognosis.
Conclusion
Our findings will contribute to the knowledge about the potential benefits of ovarian cancer immunotherapy in specific subsets of germ cell tumor patients and the risk factors for resistance mediated by tumor microenvironment cells.