bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The disrupted molecular circadian clock of monocytes and macrophages in allergic inflammation
Authors: Teppan Julia , Schwanzer Juliana , Rittchen Sonja , Bärnthaler Thomas , Lindemann Jörg , Nayak Barsha , Reiter Bernhard , Luschnig Petra , Farzi Aitak , Heinemann Akos , Sturm Eva 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionMacrophage dysfunction is a common feature of inflammatory disorders such as asthma, which is characterized by a strong circadian rhythm.Methods and resultsWe monitored the protein expression pattern of the molecular circadian clock in human peripheral blood monocytes from healthy, allergic, and asthmatic donors during a whole day. Monocytes cultured of these donors allowed us to examine circadian protein expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages, M1- and M2- polarized macrophages. In monocytes, particularly from allergic asthmatics, the oscillating expression of circadian proteins CLOCK, BMAL, REV ERBs, and RORs was significantly altered. Similar changes in BMAL1 were observed in polarized macrophages from allergic donors and in tissue-resident macrophages from activated precision cut lung slices. We confirmed clock modulating, anti-inflammatory, and lung-protective properties of the inverse ROR agonist SR1001 by reduced secretion of macrophage inflammatory protein and increase in phagocytosis. Using a house dust mite model, we verified the therapeutic effect of SR1001 in vivo.DiscussionOverall, our data suggest an interaction between the molecular circadian clock and monocytes/macrophages effector function in inflammatory lung diseases. The use of SR1001 leads to inflammatory resolution in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising clock-based therapeutic approach for chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma.
Tick distribution and comparative analysis of bovine blood microbiome in two provinces of South Africa using 16S rRNA PacBio sequencing approach
Authors: Khoza Bongekile L. , Byaruhanga Charles , Makgabo S. Marcus , Nyangiwe Nkululeko , Mnisi Themba , Nxumalo Samukelo , Oosthuizen Marinda C. , Mnisi Zamantungwa T. H. 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionTicks are obligate ectoparasites recognized worldwide as major vectors of several disease-causing pathogens and are good indicators of disease distribution and epidemiology. Recent years have seen a growing concern regarding emerging and re-emerging of economically important tick-borne pathogens of livestock and humans worldwide. The overall objective of the study was to give an insight into current tick distribution and associated bacterial pathogens that may pose a threat to cattle in the sampled study sites.MethodsA total of 150 cattle were randomly selected from three study sites, Harrismith and Phuthaditjhaba in Free State Province and Bergville in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. Blood samples were collected from the cattle and DNA was subjected to the 16S rRNA gene microbiome sequencing on the circular consensus PacBio sequencing platform. Ticks were also collected from various predilection sites of the sampled animals.ResultsA total of eight tick species were identified and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (79.4%) was the most abundant followed by R. appendiculatus (11.7%), R. afranicus (2.6%), R. simus (2.6%), Hyalomma rufipes (1.2%), R. decoloratus (1.0%), H. truncatum (0.7%) and R. microplus (0.7%). The bacterial microbiome sequence analysis revealed up to 16 phyla and 30 classes in the three study sites. Proteobacteria was the most dominant bacterial phyla with a relative abundance of 67.2% (Bergville), 73.8% (Harrismith) and 84.8% (Phuthaditjhaba), followed by Firmicutes at 9.6% (Phuthaditjhaba), 18.9% (Bergville) and 19.6% (Harrismith).Conclusion and perspectivesThe Chao 1 index estimator revealed significant differences in the α-diversity of microbial communities among three study sites. This study expands the knowledge on tick fauna and microbial communities in the three study sites.
Longer prostate stromal cell telomere length is associated with increased risk of death from other cancers
Authors: Mori Joakin O. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Lu Jiayun , Brame Alexandria , Han Misop , Joshu Corinne E. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Meeker Alan K. , Heaphy Christopher M. 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundTelomeres are located at chromosomal termini and function to maintain genomic integrity. Telomere dysfunction is a well-recognized contributor to aging and age-related diseases, such as prostate cancer. Since telomere length is highly heritable, we postulate that stromal cell telomere length in the tissue of a particular solid organ may generally reflect constitutive stromal cell telomere length in other solid organs throughout the body. Even with telomere loss occurring with each round of cell replication, in general, telomere length in prostate stromal cells in mid-life would still be correlated with the telomere length in stromal cells in other organs. Thus, we hypothesize that prostate stromal cell telomere length and/or telomere length variability is a potential indicator of the likelihood of developing future solid cancers, beyond prostate cancer, and especially lethal cancer.MethodsTo explore this hypothesis, we conducted a cohort study analysis of 1,175 men who were surgically treated for prostate cancer and were followed for death, including from causes other than their prostate cancer.ResultsIn this cohort study with a median follow-up of 19 years, we observed that longer prostate stromal cell telomere length measured in tissue microarray spots containing prostate cancer was associated with an increased risk of death from other solid cancers. Variability in telomere length among these prostate stromal cells was possibly positively associated with risk of death from other solid cancers.ConclusionStudying the link between stromal cell telomere length and cancer mortality may be important for guiding the development of cancer interception and prevention strategies.
Causal effects of gut microbiota on the risk of osteomyelitis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Ran , Li Si , Zhang Ying , Pu Yue , Luo Guangcheng , Wang Xinjun 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundOsteomyelitis is characterized by an inflammatory process initiated by microorganisms, leading to infection and subsequent degradation of bone tissue. Several studies have indicated a potential link between gut microbiota and the occurrence of osteomyelitis. Utilizing the benefits of Mendelian randomization, which mitigates issues of confounding and reverse causation, we employed this approach to ascertain the presence of a causal connection between gut microbiota and osteomyelitis. Additionally, we aimed to pinpoint gut microbiota that could potentially exert substantial influence.MethodsWe performed a rigorous screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms in GWAS summary statistics for gut microbiota and osteomyelitis. The 2,542 instrumental variables obtained after screening were subjected to MR analyses, including inverse variance weighting, weighted median, weighted mode, MR-Egger, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test. We then validated the reliability of the results by performing sensitivity analyses on the MR of 196 well-defined gut microbiota.ResultWe established a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteomyelitis through MR analysis. Additionally, we identified a taxon of significant importance and six taxons with nominal significance. Specifically, the family Bacteroidales S24.7 group exhibited an association with a diminished risk of osteomyelitis development. Conversely, the class Bacilli, class Bacteroidia, order Bacteroidales, order Lactobacillales, family Streptococcaceae, and genus Coprococcus3 displayed an increased risk of developing osteomyelitis. The MR outcomes for these seven taxa remained stable throughout a series of sensitivity analyses.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a causal relationship between gut microbiota and osteomyelitis by Mendelian randomization. We hope that this study will provide a new direction for the treatment of osteomyelitis, which has a paucity of therapeutic options.
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of the ophthalmic branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Li Fubo , Gong Gege , Zhang Yue , Ou Cehua 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting the supraorbital nerve for treating the ophthalmic branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients who presented at the Department of Pain, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2015 to January 2022. The patients were diagnosed with the first branch of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia. In total, 63 patients were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into the following two groups based on the treatment method used: the nerve block (NB) group (n = 32) and the PRF + NB group (radiofrequency group, n = 31). The visual analog scale (VAS) score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and pregabalin dose were compared between the two groups before treatment, 1 week after the procedure, and 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the complications, such as local infection, local hematoma, and decreased visual acuity, were monitored post-treatment.ResultsNo significant difference was found in terms of pretreatment age, sex, course of disease, preoperative VAS score, preoperative PSQI score, and preoperative pregabalin dose between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). The postoperative VAS score, PSQI score, and pregabalin dose were significantly decreased in both groups. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the two groups at each preoperative and postoperative time point (P &lt; 0.05). The VAS score was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1, 3, and 6 months, and the difference was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). The PSQI score was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the difference was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). The dose of pregabalin was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the NB group at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure, and the difference was statistically significant at 3 and 6 months (P &lt; 0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the excellent rate of VAS score in the radiofrequency group was 70.96%, and the overall effective rate was 90.32%, which was higher than that in the NB group. The difference in the efficacy was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionPRF targeting the supraorbital nerve can effectively control the pain in the first branch of the trigeminal nerve after herpes, enhance sleep quality, and reduce the dose of pregabalin. Thus, this study shows that PRF is safe under ultrasound guidance and is worthy of clinical application.
Complementary food exposure and children’s early understanding of food words: the approaching eating through language (APPEAL) study
Authors: Shapiro Allison L. B. , Lawless Megan C. , Charlifue-Smith Renee , Johnson Susan L. 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionLanguage skills, such as the ability to understand words (receptive language), develop during infancy and are built through interactions with the environment, including eating. Exposure to complementary foods also begins in infancy and may play a significant role in language development, especially in understanding of food-related words. However, the relationship between the complementary foods to which a child is exposed and early language acquisition has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that young children’s food-related receptive language (FRL) would reflect the complementary foods to which they were frequently offered by caregivers.MethodsCaregivers of young children (4-26 months; n = 408) in the Approaching Eating through Language (APPEAL) Study in the US were surveyed via Qualtrics. FRL was assessed by caregiver-report via a modified MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory. Complementary foods offered (CFO) by caregivers were assessed using a modified Food Frequency Questionnaire. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was implemented to identify, 1) groupings of foods frequently offered (&gt;1x/week) and 2) groupings of food-related words understood by the young children.ResultsA 5-class best fit LCA model was identified for CFO (-log likelihood [-llik]=-8727) and for FRL (-llik=-5476). Cross-classification of the CFO and FRL derived classes revealed that children with higher exposure to complementary foods were perceived by caregivers to be most likely to also understand a greater number of food-related words (Probability=0.48). As expected, children having been offered a greater number of complementary foods and who understood a greater number of food-related words were older, compared to those with less complementary food exposure and food-related language acquisition (p &lt; 0.001).DiscussionThese findings support the potential role of introduction to complementary foods in development of food-related language.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in the liver: a case report
Authors: Meng Yinying , Xie Jinlan , Liang Yan , Wu Mulan , Lu Yi , Lu Qian 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundHepatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an infrequent tumor with potential malignancy. However, it lacks specific clinical symptoms and usual imaging features.Case presentationA 34-year-old woman had a six-month history of fever and on-and-off pain in the upper right part of her abdomen that lasted for two weeks. Imaging tests revealed a liver mass initially thought to be liver malignancy, but subsequent histopathological examination after liver removal confirmed the diagnosis as hepatocellular inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (HIMT).ConclusionHepatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon growth with vague clinical symptoms and lab results. Surgical removal remains the primary treatment method, resulting in favorable prognostic outcomes.
Quantification of multiple steroid hormones in serum and human breast cancer tissue by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Wang Feng , Eikeland Eline , Reidunsdatter Randi J. , Hagen Lars , Engstrøm Monica J. , Geisler Jürgen , Haanpää Mikko , Hämäläinen Esa , Giskeødegård Guro F. , Bathen Tone F. 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionSystemic and local steroid hormone levels may function as novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers in breast cancer patients. We aimed at developing a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous measurement of multiple, biologically pivotal steroid hormones in human serum and breast cancer tissue.MethodsThe quantitative method consisted of liquid-liquid extraction, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography for tissue extracts, and analysis of steroid hormones by liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We analyzed serum and tissue steroid hormone levels in 16 and 40 breast cancer patients, respectively, and assessed their correlations with clinical parameters.ResultsThe method included quantification of nine steroid hormones in serum [including cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione (A4), testosterone and progesterone) and six (including cortisone, corticosterone, E1, E2, A4, and testosterone) in cancer tissue. The lower limits of quantification were between 0.003–10 ng/ml for serum (250 µl) and 0.038–125 pg/mg for tissue (20 mg), respectively. Accuracy was between 98%-126%, intra-assay coefficient of variations (CV) was below 15%, and inter-assay CV were below 11%. The analytical recoveries for tissue were between 76%-110%. Tissue levels of E1 were positively correlated with tissue E2 levels (p&lt;0.001), and with serum levels of E1, E2 and A4 (p&lt;0.01). Tissue E2 levels were positively associated with serum E1 levels (p=0.02), but not with serum E2 levels (p=0.12). The levels of tissue E2 and ratios of E1 to A4 levels (an index for aromatase activity) were significantly higher in patients with larger tumors (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively).ConclusionsThe method was convenient and suitable for a specific and accurate profiling of clinically important steroid hormones in serum. However, the sensitivity of the profile method in steroid analysis in tissue samples is limited, but it can be used for the analysis of steroids in breast cancer tissues if the size of the sample or its steroid content is sufficient.
Quantifying fetal heart health in gestational diabetes: a new approach with fetal heart quantification technology
Authors: Zhang Pengjie , Fu Xinghui , Zhao Lijuan , Wang Lu , Wu Shuning , Liu Yanyan , Cheng Jingliang , Zhang Shan 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on fetal heart structure and function using a technique called fetal heart quantification (Fetal HQ), with a focus on mitochondrial dynamics, which employs advanced imaging technology for comprehensive analysis.MethodsA total of 180 fetuses with normal heart structures, aged 24–40 weeks of gestation, were examined. A 2–3 s cine loop in the standard four-chamber oblique view was captured and analyzed using the speckle-tracking technique with Fetal HQ. Various echocardiographic parameters were evaluated, including four-chamber view (4CV), global spherical index (GSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), 24-segment spherical index (SI), ventricular fractional area change (FAC), cardiac output (CO), and stroke volume (SV). These parameters were compared between the GDM group and the control group during two gestational periods: 24+0 to 28+0 weeks and 28+1 to 40+1 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests to identify significant differences.ResultsTwenty fetuses from mothers with GDM and 40 from the control group were recruited at 24+0 to 28+0 weeks. At 28+1 to 40+1 weeks, 40 fetuses from mothers with GDM and 80 from the control group were recruited. The fetal left ventricular global longitudinal function was similar between the GDM and control groups. However, compared to the controls, right ventricular function in the GDM group was lower only at 28+1 to 40+1 weeks. In the GDM group, the global spherical index (GSI) was lower than in the control group at 28+1 to 40+1 weeks (1.175 vs. 1.22; p = 0.001). There were significant decreases in ventricular FAC (38.74% vs. 42.83%; p &lt; 0.0001) and 4CV GLS for the right ventricle (−22.27% vs. −26.31%; p = 0.005) at 28+1 to 40+1 weeks.ConclusionOur findings suggest that GDM is associated with decreased right ventricular function in the fetal heart, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy (28+1 to 40+1 weeks), compared to fetuses from healthy pregnancies. The Fetal HQ technique represents a valuable tool for evaluating the structure and function of fetal hearts affected by GDM during the advanced stages of pregnancy.
Dysexecutive symptomatology in everyday functioning and academic achievement in adolescents
Authors: Pablo-Ríos María Victoria , Navarro-Asencio Enrique , Mateos-Gordo Patricia , García-Gómez Raquel , Porras-Truque Claudia , García Moreno Luis Miguel 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundDuring the educational stage, academic achievement depends on various social, family, and personal factors. Among the latter, executive skills in everyday life play a significant role in dealing with the academic demands of adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of executive symptomatology in everyday functioning on academic achievement in adolescents.MethodThe study involved 910 students aged between 13 and 15 years (M = 14.09, SD = 0.68) from both public and private schools in the Community of Madrid. The DEX, BDEFS-CA, and BRIEF-SR questionnaires were utilised to assess executive difficulties, while grades in language, mathematics, and natural sciences were used as a measure of academic achievement.ResultsThe data revealed statistically significant differences in working memory, emotional control, materials organisation, and task completion. In relation to language and natural sciences subjects. In the case of mathematics, emotional control and task completion were significant variables.ConclusionOur results indicate that certain executive skills that are manifested in everyday life activities can contribute, albeit in a variable way, to academic achievement in the subjects studied. This aspect is relevant insofar as it allows us to develop preventive interventions based on the executive training of these everyday skills.
Ukrainian–Russian bilingualism in the war-affected migrant and refugee communities in Austria and Germany: a survey-based study on language attitudes
Authors: Warditz Vladislava , Meir Natalia 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThis paper provides an initial exploration of Ukrainian–Russian bilingualism in the context of the war-affected migration from Ukraine to Austria and Germany. While extensive research exists on various aspects of Ukrainian– Russian bilingualism in relation to Ukraine itself, thus far no studies have been conducted on this bilingualism in the diasporic context, i.e., as a language of the first and subsequential generations with a migrant background in Austria and Germany.MethodsTo address this research gap, our paper examines the language attitudes of two respondent groups with a Ukrainian background in the two countries: migrants and refugees who left Ukraine after 2014 and those who left after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. In the framework of a sociolinguistic survey, we describe their current attitudes regarding the use of Ukrainian and Russian, among others, in relation to the actual and intended use of the language(s) in the multilingual context of migration. The survey eliciting information on demographic information, language proficiency, language attitudes and language use was conducted on 406 Ukrainians in two host countries (Austria: n = 103; Germany: n = 306). First, we compared self-rated proficiency in Ukrainian and Russian as well as attitudes and use of these languages. Second, we applied a network modelling analysis to determine the nature of relationships between these variables.Results and discussionThe results indicated that proficiency in Ukrainian and in Russian were the strongest nodes in the model affecting language use and language attitudes toward the respective languages. Our data analysis focused on the pragmatic and symbolic value of Russian and Ukrainian playing a crucial role in the language vitality in multilingual settings. The paper discusses the imbalanced correlation of the symbolic and pragmatic value of Ukrainian and Russian in the diasporic Ukrainian communities. While Ukrainian has gained a higher symbolic status, Russian maintains a better pragmatic one, despite its negative symbolic status. However, we anticipate that the increasing symbolic value of Ukrainian and the diminishing value of Russian will lead to an increase in the use of Ukrainian also in Russian-dominant bilingual groups of Ukrainian migrants and refugees, even as an insider-code in hermetic minority groups.