bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical profile and outcomes of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia in Philippine General Hospital
Authors: Reña Robert , Manzano Jerome , Salamat Maria Sonia 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives. To determine the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia admitted to the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH)
Methodology. We reviewed the medical and laboratory records of patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophiliapneumonia who were admitted to the UP-PGH from January 2019 to December 2022.
Results. A total of 265 patients (50.6% males, median age of 59 years) with S. maltophilia pneumonia were included. Forty-five percent were admitted to the service ward, and 43% were admitted to the ICU. Most patients were ventilator-associated (67.2%). Only three cases were community-acquired. Sixty-four percent of S. maltophilia pneumonia cases were monomicrobial. K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii were the most common isolates in patients with polymicrobial pneumonia. Septic shock was present in 41.5% of the patients. In vitro susceptibility to levofloxacin (90.6%) and minocycline (85.7%) was greater than that to TMP-SMX (75.8%). Most patients received targeted therapy consisting of TMP-SMX monotherapy. In two-thirds of the patients, the duration of antibiotic therapy ranged from 7 to 14 days. The overall mortality rate was 45.3%, with 60.8% attributed to S. maltophilia infection.
Conclusion. S. maltophilia pneumonia was common among patients with comorbidities who were on prolonged hospitalization and on mechanical ventilation. It was associated with a high mortality rate.
Prediction of renal therapeutic efficacy of dapagliflozin in IgA nephropathy through renal pathology analysis using imaging software
Authors: MIMA AKIRA , NAKAMOTO TAKAHIRO , MATSUMOTO KEISHI , SAITO YUTA , MORIKAWA TAKAAKI , LEE SHINJI 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Studies have examined the effect of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, on chronic kidney disease (CKD), including immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Dapagliflozin decreases albuminuria and slows the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, its renoprotective effects may not be observed in all patients with IgAN in real-world clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship between renal histopathology analyzed using imaging software and the renoprotective effects of dapagliflozin. The mesangial matrix fraction in patients with IgAN was analyzed using ImageJ, an imaging software. The relationships between eGFR decline, changes in urinary protein, and the degree of mesangial matrix fraction before and after dapagliflozin treatment were investigated. A significant negative correlation was evident between the degree of mesangial matrix fraction and eGFR in patients with IgAN. Specifically, when the mesangial matrix fraction exceeded 10% of the total glomerular surface area, eGFR decline was not observed after dapagliflozin administration. Mesangial matrix fraction analysis using imaging software can predict the renoprotective effect of dapagliflozin in IgAN.
Fuzzy stress and strength reliability based on the generalized mixture exponential distribution
Authors: Tian Weizhong , Li Sha , Zhang Yunchu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we will discuss the stress and strength reliability and the fuzzy stress and strength reliability based on the generalized mixtures of exponential distribution. A fuzzy membership function is defined as a function of the difference between stress and strength values and is increasing whenever X > Y. Several estimation methods, such as Maximize likelihood estimation method, Weighted Least squared estimation method and Percentile estimation method, will be provided to estimate the corresponding measures. Simulation studies are constructed to compare the performances of the proposed estimators. The comparisons are based on the biases, mean squared errors (MSEs) and the efficiency of the estimators. One data analysis has been performed for illustrative purpose.
Morphological identification, seasonal prevalence, and predilection sites of hard tick species infesting cattle in four municipalities of the province of Tiaret, northwest Algeria
Authors: Achour Hamza , Kouidri Mokhtaria , Selles Sidi Mohammed Ammar , Bia Taha 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Hard ticks are blood-sucking obligatory ectoparasites that infest all species of domestic ruminants worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the identity, seasonal prevalence, and predilection sites of hard tick species infesting cattle in four municipalities of the province of Tiaret, northwest Algeria, during the period May 2022 to May 2023. Out of the 317 cattle that were examined in total, 111 (35.02%) were found to be infested with hard ticks. The overall mean intensity and mean abundance were assessed at 15.78 ticks/infested cow and 5.53 ticks/cow, respectively. A total of 1752 adult ticks were collected; three genera and nine species were identified. As a result, H. excavatum (43.78%), H. marginatum (20.15%), H. lusitanicum (18.32%), H. scupence (8.73%), R. bursa (7.53%), H. impeltatum (0.74%), R. (Boophilus) annulatus (0.46%), R. sanguineus (0.23%), and D. marginatus (0.06%). For the majority of tick species found, higher numbers of male ticks were collected than female ticks. Seasonally, the summer season (38.01%) had the highest frequency (p-value < 0.001) of hard ticks’ infestation, followed by spring (23.34%), winter (21.35%), and autumn (17.29%). Ticks were widely distributed in four body zones on cattle, with the highest distribution on zone 5 (95.43%) (p-value < 0.001), which includes the sternum, abdomen, udder, scrotum, and inner sides of the hind legs, and the lowest distribution on zone 1 (0.06%), which includes the legs and hooves. The research indicates that economically significant ticks are prevalent in all studied municipalities, indicating a warning sign.
Oxygen-based autoregulation indices associated with clinical outcomes and spreading depolarization in aSAH
Authors: Carlson Andrew Phillip , Jones Thomas , Zhu Yiliang , Desai Masoom , Alsarah Ali , Shuttleworth C William 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Impairment in cerebral autoregulation has been proposed as a potentially targetable factor in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), however there are different continuous measures that can be used to calculate the state of autoregulation. In addition, it has previously been proposed that there may be an association of impaired autoregulation with the occurrence of spreading depolarization (SD) events.
Methods
Subjects with invasive multimodal monitoring and aSAH were enrolled in an observational study. Autoregulation indices were prospectively calculated from this database as a 10 second moving correlation coefficient between various cerebral blood flow (CBF) surrogates and mean arterial pressure (MAP). In subjects with subdural ECoG (electrocorticography) monitoring, SD was also scored. Associations between clinical outcomes using the mRS (modified Rankin Scale) and occurrence of either isolated or clustered SD was assessed.
Results
320 subjects were included, 47 of whom also had ECoG SD monitoring. As expected, baseline severity factors such as mFS and WFNS (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale) were strongly associated with the clinical outcome. SD probability was related to blood pressure in a triphasic pattern with a linear increase in probability below MAP of ~ 100mmHg. Autoregulation indices were available for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements (PRx), PbtO2 from Licox (ORx), perfusion from the Bowman perfusion probe (CBFRx), and cerebral oxygen saturation measured by near infrared spectroscopy (OSRx). Only worse ORx and OSRx were associated with worse clinical outcomes. ORx and OSRx also were found to both increase in the hour prior to SD for both sporadic and clustered SD.
Conclusions
Impairment in autoregulation in aSAH is associated with worse clinical outcomes and occurrence of SD when using ORx and OSRx. Impaired autoregulation precedes SD occurrence. Targeting the optimal MAP or cerebral perfusion pressure in patients with aSAH should use ORx and/or OSRx as the input function rather than intracranial pressure.
Causal association of immune cell phenotypes with osteosarcoma and the mediation role of blood metabolites: A two-steps, two-samples Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Niu Chicheng , Xu Qingyuan , Wang Weiwei , Li Hao , Ding Qiang , Guo Liang , Zeng Ping , Liu Jinfu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Immunogenic nature of osteosarcoma is well-established, but the precise roles of immune cells and the potential influence of blood metabolites on its advancement remain unclear.
Methods: Two-step, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) strategy was employed to investigate causal relation between osteosarcoma risk and immune cell distribution, we sought to uncover and measure the potential mediating role of blood metabolites. Our analysis incorporated a diverse range of MR estimation techniques, encompassing inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode. Additionally, we conducted sensitivity analyses to assess the reliability of our results.
Results: MR analysis revealed that three immune cell phenotypes exhibited positive relation with osteosarcoma risk (CX3CR1 on CD14- CD16-, CD25 on CD45RA- CD4 not Treg, and CD45 on HLA DR+ CD8br), while four immune cell phenotypes illustrated negative relation to osteosarcoma risk (BAFF-R on IgD+ CD38- unsw mem, CD20 on IgD- CD38-, Naive CD4+ %T cell, and CD28+ CD45RA+ CD8br %CD8br). Moreover, mediation MR analysis demonstrated causal effect of CX3CR1 on CD14- CD16- within monocyte panel on osteosarcoma (Total effect IVW: OR = 0.3330) was predominantly mediated by dimethyl sulfone (0.0288, constituting 8.70% of Total effect) and unidentified metabolite X-12680 (0.0524, constituting 15.74% of Total effect).
Conclusions: This investigation unveiled a causal link between immune cells and osteosarcoma, potentially mediated by blood metabolites.
The Inhibitory Effect of an HPV16E7-Specific Affibody Conjugated to Granzyme B (GrB) on Cervical Cancer Cells by Bifunctional Activity
Authors: Yang Jiani , Li Yanheng , Wan Kairong , Yu Lijun , Feng Fangfang , Wang Wenhuan , Zhang Lifang , Li Wenshu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) alone is responsible for over 50% of cervical cancer (CC) cases, and the HPV early oncogenic protein E7 participates in inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to malignant transformation. The lack of effective target drugs against CC has aroused considerable concern about targeted CC treatments based on the clearance of HPV-infected cells. A novel specific affibody targeting HPV16E7 (ZHPV16E7) was conjugated to GrB (an immune-mediated killing effector) to construct an immunoaffitoxin (ZHPV16E7-GrB), which was proven to have significant target affinity for and growth inhibitory effects against HPV16-positive CC cells both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, the bifunctional inhibitory activities of ZHPV16E7-GrB, i.e., whether EMT is blocked or retarded after targeting of E7 by ZHPV16E7-GrB and whether the cytotoxicity induced by ZHPV16E7-GrB manifests as not only apoptosis but also pyroptosis, was further investigated. Our results showed that after targeting E7, ZHPV16E7-GrB significantly decreased cell viability and promoted LDH release in HPV16-positive SiHa and CaSki CC cells, and this inhibitory effect was achieved by blocking EMT, as characterized by the decreases in Vimentin and Snail expression and the increase in E-cadherin expression. On the other hand, ZHPV16E7-GrB induced obvious apoptosis and pyroptosis in cells by directly cleaving the pyroptotic executor protein GSDME through a caspase-3-independent pathway. In addition, ZHPV16E7-GrB did not cause acute toxic reactions in vivo. Our research demonstrated that ZHPV16E7-GrB has an improved cytotoxic advantage mediated by accurate delivery based on the ZHPV16E7 affibody.
Temporary CD19+ B Cell Inhibition Alleviates Ischemic Brain Damage in Mice
Authors: XU YU , Peng Jing , Yan Yizhong , Gao Min , Zang Hongjing , Cheng Lamei , Zhou Yu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with limited treatment options available. Recent studies have shown that B cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke through their interaction with T cells in the meninges. In this study, we investigated whether temporary inhibition of B-cell activity through anti-CD19 antibody (aCD19 Ab) treatment could alleviate ischemic brain injury in a stroke mouse model by suppressing meningeal immunity.
Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) to induce focal ischemia. aCD19 Ab or Iso Ab was administered intraperitoneally 3 days prior to tMCAO. The mice were euthanized 24h after tMCAO for histological and immunological analyses. Other outcomes were assessed during the 7-day period.
Results
Compared to the MCAO/R group, treatment with Anti-CD19 Ab significantly reduced infarct size and brain edema, prolonged post-MCAO survival, and improved behavioral outcomes. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and head Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) results demonstrated that temporary B cell depletion led to improvements in microvascular endothelial edema, mitochondrial protection, reduced apoptosis, and enhanced post-MCAO cerebral vascular network reconstruction. Additionally, immune cells other than B cells decreased both in the brains (including brain parenchyma and meninges) and peripheral circulation of MCAO mice following B cell blockade, accompanied by decreased levels of cerebral parenchymal pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The immune response alterations observed in the MCAO/R group were consistent with the trends indicated by stroke patient data.
Conclusion
Temporary inhibition of B-cell activity via aCD19 antibody injection may mitigate ischemic brain injury in a mouse model of stroke by suppressing systemic immune reactions. Changes in immune cells within the meninges play a role, and further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms involved. These findings suggest that post-stroke local and systemic immune responses contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, and temporary B cell depletion may represent a potential therapeutic target for stroke therapy.
Fallow season precipitation is a useful criterion to optimize nitrogen fertilizer for WUE and dryland winter wheat production
Authors: Qu Yimin , Yu Shaobo , Zhang Zhongdong , Gao Zhiqiang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Precipitation is the major cause of yield variation in rainfed agriculture production on the Loess Plateau. Overfertilization is economically and environmentally undesirable. Optimizing N inputs according to fallow season precipitation (PF) is vital for efficient crop water use. An 8 year field experiment was conducted using 7 N rates to explore the prediction of PF on optimal N input for higher yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Reference range to describe years as normal (220.7–346.2 mm), dry (< 220.7 mm), or wet (> 346.2 mm) based on 37-year precipitation. Optimum N rate varied with the PF and was 150, 150–180, and 210 kg ha−1 during dry, normal, and wet years. Maximum yield and WUE obtained by optimizing the N input was largely attributable to the increases in spike number per hectare. A non-linear regression showed that yield increased from 1.6-15 kg ha-1 with every mm increase in the PF and yield increased by 46 kg ha-1 with every 1% increase in the ratio of PF to total precipitation. Thus, dryland wheat yield may be improved by adjusting the nitrogen rate in accordance with PF in rainfed winter wheat farming systems.
Synthesis and characterization of UV-curable organic–inorganic hybrid materials based on multi-functional urethane acrylate resin (MUA) and TiO2 with high refractive index
Authors: Liu Kuan-Liang , Han Jin-Lin , Hsieh Kuo-Huang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The UV curable Multifunctional Urethane-Acrylate resin was prepared through a chemical reaction using Isophorone Diisocyanate and Pentaerythritol Triacrylate. The TiO2 was synthesized via a sol-gel reaction and then used 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate to surface treatment for increased compatibility with MUA resin and enhanced the materials of refractive index. Traditional composite materials have a combination of organic and inorganic structure. The interaction on the organic and inorganic interface mainly depends on physical forces like Hydrogen bonding or Van der Waals forces, which are relatively weak compared to covalent or ionic bonds. Consequently, the interface strength and contact area between organic and inorganic components affect the mechanical characteristics. In contrast, hybrid composite differs from composite materials in that they combine organic and inorganic substances at the nanometer scale, creating a molecular-level composite material. By utilizing van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and chemical bonding, hybrid materials overcome the macroscopic phase separation observed in traditional composite materials. This allows them to exhibit the characteristics of both organic and inorganic materials, meeting the requirements for high-performance materials. The highest refractive index of the organic–inorganic hybrid material can reach 1.71.
The association of fatty liver index and metabolic syndrome with cardiovascular outcomes, liver-related mortality, and all-cause mortality: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Park So Hee , Park Jiyun , Kim Hasung , Lee Jungkuk , Kwon So Yoon , Lee You-Bin , Kim Gyuri , Jin Sang-Man , Hur Kyu Yeon , Kim Jae Hyeon 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We investigated the risk of cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and liver-related mortality according to the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and fatty liver index (FLI). In this retrospective longitudinal population-based cohort study, we used Korean National Health Insurance Service data from 2009 to 2012. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was defined as FLI ≥ 60. Risk of all-cause mortality, liver-related mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, heart failure (HF), and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality was assessed according to the presence of MetS and FLI among adults (aged 40 to 80 years) who underwent health examinations (n = 769,422). During a median 8.59 years of follow up, 44,356 (5.8%) cases of MACE, 24,429 (3.2%) cases of all-cause mortality, and 1,114 (0.1%) cases of liver-related mortality were detected in the entire cohort. When the FLI < 30 without MetS group was set as a reference, the FLI ≥ 60 with MetS group had the highest risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98–2.13) and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.96, 95% CI 1.86–2.07). The risk of liver-related mortality (aHR 10.71, 95% CI 8.05–14.25) was highest in the FLI ≥ 60 without MetS group. The FLI ≥ 60 with MetS group had a higher risk of MACE (aHR 1.39, 95%CI 1.28–1.51), a lower risk of liver-related mortality (aHR 0.44, 95%CI 0.33–0.59), and no significant difference in all-cause mortality compared with the FLI ≥ 60 without MetS group. The FLI ≥ 60 with MetS group was associated with the highest risk of MACE and the FLI ≥ 60 without MetS group had the highest risk liver-related mortality, but there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between two groups.
Prostate MRI and Clinicopathologic Risk Calculator to Predict Laterality of Extraprostatic Extension at Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Li Eric , Kumar Sai , Aguiar Jonathan , Siddiqui Mohammad , Sun Zequn , Neill Clayton , Schaeffer Edward , Ross Ashley , Patel Hiten 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Traditional nomograms can inform the presence of extraprostatic extension (EPE) but not laterality, which remains important for surgical planning, and have not fully incorporated multiparametric MRI data. We evaluated predictors of side-specific EPE on surgical pathology including MRI characteristics and developed side-specific EPE risk calculators.
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort of patients evaluated with mpMRI prior to radical prostatectomy (RP) in our eleven hospital healthcare system from July 2018-November 2022. The dominant side was defined pre-operatively using a tiered system based on laterality of highest biopsy Gleason Grade Group (GG), highest PIRADS lesion, number of lesions, and cancer volume. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed for overall EPE, dominant side EPE, and non-dominant side EPE. Internal validation with leave one out and calibration curves were completed.
Results
EPE was identified in 53% (317/601) of patients at RP. Side-specific factors (PIRADS, GG, abutment) were only associated with EPE on their respective side. Final variables in the model associated with EPE on the dominant and non-dominant sides included age, log PSA density (PSAD), side-specific PIRADS 5, side-specific GG3-5, and percentage positivity of systematic cores. AUCs for dominant and non-dominant side EPE were 0.77 (95% CI 0.73-0.80) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.74-0.84), respectively. MRI-identified abutment and prostate health index (PHI) did not improve model discrimination. Risk calculators available online at https://rossnm1.shinyapps.io/PredictionOfEPELaterality/.
Conclusions
PSA, side-specific PIRADS, side-specific GG, and percentage positivity of systematic cores were associated with side-specific EPE at RP and incorporated into a risk calculator to assist in surgical planning and nerve-sparing decisions at time of RP.