bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Key Candidate Genes Related to Cartilage development during Murine embryonic limb development by single cell RNA-sequencing and Experimental Confirmation
Authors: Xiong Fei , Chen Wenxuan , Tan Jiyang , Wang Xunhao , Qiu Yang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background Cartilage, characterized by its limited self-repair capacity due to avascularity and low metabolic activity of chondrocytes, poses a significant challenge for regenerative medicine. Osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent cartilage disorder, highlights the urgent need for effective cartilage regenerative therapies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cartilage development during embryonic stages is crucial for advancing regenerative strategies and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Methods This study employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to explore the transcriptional landscape of mouse embryonic limb development at various stages, focusing on identifying genes pivotal for cartilage differentiation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to cartilage development were pinpointed through comparative analysis. Functional validation of these marker genes was conducted using immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR to confirm their roles in chondrocyte maturation and differentiation. Results Our scRNA-seq analysis identified a set of novel marker genes, including Bgn, Ucma, Fmod, Msmp, and 1500015O10Rik, as specific indicators of cartilage development. Functional experiments supported the crucial roles of these markers in the differentiation and maturation of chondrocytes. Additionally, our findings revealed the dynamic transcriptomic alterations during cartilage development, emphasizing the significance of specific regulatory factors in guiding mesenchymal stem cells towards chondrogenesis. Conclusions The study elucidates the complex transcriptomic landscape governing cartilage development in embryonic mice, highlighting the discovery of novel marker genes crucial for chondrocyte differentiation. These insights into the molecular mechanisms of cartilage formation lay the groundwork for developing targeted regenerative therapies for OA and related musculoskeletal disorders. Our research underscores the importance of identifying reliable regulatory factors that enhance the effectiveness of regenerative treatments, providing a valuable reference for future studies on cartilage repair and regeneration.
Kidney function in newly diagnosed myeloma patients: factors associated with kidney impairment and recovery
Authors: Cesar Bruno Nogueira , Braga Walter Moises Tobias , Hamerschlak Nelson , Durao Marcelino de Souza 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Kidney disease is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM) and a risk factor for increased morbimortality. In this retrospective cohort study based on medical records, we analyzed the kidney function of patients with renal disease related to MM during the first year of treatment. All patients included were consecutively admitted to the outpatient services of two hospitals between January 2009 and January 2019 and met the diagnostic criteria for MM regardless of the reason for seeking medical help. We excluded patients who had kidney disease or who were on dialysis before MM diagnosis. We investigated the factors associated with renal function recovery using multivariate analysis. We evaluated 167 patients (median age of 66 ± 11.49 years). Almost half of the patients had arterial hypertension (76; 45.5%). The majority had International Staging System (ISS) grades 3 (73; 43.7%) or 2 (60; 35.9%). Seventy-four (44%) patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² at the time of MM diagnosis. Fifty-two patients (31%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). After 12 months, 4 (2.3%) patients needed dialysis, and 18 (10.7%) died. The factors associated with an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² were anemia, hyperuricemia, 24-hour proteinuria > 1.0 g, and extramedullary plasmacytoma. However, only baseline renal function (eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and HSCT were associated with greater recovery of renal function at 12 months of follow-up.
Assessing the effects of Guiera senegalensis, Pluchea odorata, and Piliostigma reticulatum leaf powder supplementation on growth, immune response, digestive histology, and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles before and after Aeromonas hydrophila infection
Authors: Ndour Paul Mamadou , Fall Jean , Darias Maria J. , Caruso Domenico , Canonne Marc , Pepey Elodie , Hermet Sophie , Fall Sokhna Khady Lo , Diouf Malick , Sarter Samira 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of including leaf powder from three medicinal plants collected in Senegal in the feeds of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on growth, survival, immunity, and digestive histology. Four experiments were conducted in triplicate, testing each plant alone or in combination at different inclusion levels: A) Guiera senegalensis at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8%; B) Pluchea odorata at 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4%; C) Piliostigma reticulatum at 0, 1 and 2%; and D) a mixture of the three plants at 0, 1 and 2% per plant. After 28 days of feeding, fish underwent an experimental infection with Aeromonas hydrophila for 12 days. Immunological (bactericidal, lysozyme, and respiratory burst activities) and digestive histology analyses were performed following both feeding and infection trials. Except for G. senegalensis, the inclusion of medicinal plants, either alone or in combination, positively influenced the immune response at all inclusion levels. The diet containing 4% P. odorata increased plasma lysozyme and bactericidal activities without compromising feed conversion efficiency or growth. Despite the observed improvements in immunity, none of the dietary treatments enhanced survival following the infection. However, fish fed the 1% mixture diet exhibited healthier livers and intestines, characterized by reduced cell swelling and normal lipid deposits appearance, followed by the 2% mixture and the control groups. These results highlight the potential benefits of incorporating P. odorata and the plant mixture in the diets of Nile tilapia juveniles for enhancing their immune response and defense against A. hydrophila infections.
Trends in traffic accidents mortality and social inequalities in Ecuador from 2011 to 2022
Authors: Holguín-Carvajal Juan Pablo , Otzen Tamara , Sanhueza Antonio , Castillo Álvaro , Manterola Carlos , Muñoz Georgina , García-Aguilera Fernanda , Salgado-Castillo Fernanda 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
According to WHO data, traffic accidents caused 1,282,150 deaths globally in 2019, with a projection to become the fifth leading cause of mortality by 2030, highlighting significant public and economic health impacts. This study aimed to describe the trends in traffic accidents mortality in Ecuador between 2011 and 2022, by year, gender, age group, geographic location, type of accident and social inequalities.
Methods
A population-based study was conducted using national statistics on mortality due to traffic accidents in Ecuador, between 2011 and 2022, obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Census. Crude mortality rates, adjusted per region per 100,000 inhabitants, were calculated by region, province, gender, and age group. The annual percentage change of the traffic accidents mortality rate and the Absolute Risks were calculated, as well as rate ratios between the groups. Inequalities by per capita income and by illiteracy rate were also calculated.
Results
The average mortality rate due to traffic accidents in Ecuador (2011–2022) was 19.1. The rates were higher in men (31.3) than in women (7.2), with a rate ratio of 4.3. The rates were higher in the Amazon region (24.0), decreasing in recent years, with a statistically significant negative annual percentage variation of -1.2%, as in the Sierra region and Coast. Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas presented the highest rate (30.6), while, the highest rate related to age, (27.4) was identified in the 17 to 24 years group. In 2011, the highest rate (22.0) was recorded. The most frequent type of accident was "unspecified" followed by pedestrians.
Conclusions
There was evidence of an increase (247.7%) of traffic accidents mortality inequalities stratified by per capita income between 2011 and 2019 and a decrease (18.9%) of traffic accidents mortality inequalities stratified by the illiteracy rate between 2014 and 2019. In Ecuador, between 2011 and 2020, transport accident mortality rates are decreasing significantly, showing important disparities by gender, age group, and province. The high frequency of “unspecified” causes denotes the necessity to improve the registration and/or coding system of the causes of death due to traffic accidents in Ecuador.
Engineering inducible signaling receptors to enable erythropoietin-free erythropoiesis
Authors: Cromer M. , Shah Aadit , Majeti Kiran , Ekman Freja , Selvaraj Sridhar , Soupene Eric , Chati Prathamesh , Sinha Roshani , Luna Sofia , Charlesworth Carsten , McCreary Travis , Lesch Benjamin , Sharma Devesh , Chu Simon , Porteus Matthew 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Blood transfusion plays a vital role in modern medicine. However, availability is contingent on donated blood, and frequent shortages pose a significant healthcare challenge. Ex vivo manufacturing of red blood cells (RBCs) derived from universal donor O-negative pluripotent stem cells emerges as a solution, yet the high cost of recombinant cytokines required for ex vivo erythroid differentiation remains a major barrier. Erythropoietin (EPO) signaling through the EPO receptor is indispensable to RBC development, and EPO is one of the most expensive components in erythroid-promoting media. Here, we used design-build-test cycles to develop highly optimized small molecule-inducible EPO receptors (iEPORs) which were integrated at a variety of genomic loci using homology-directed repair genome editing. We found that integration of iEPOR at the endogenous EPOR locus in an induced pluripotent stem cell producer line enabled culture with small molecule to yield equivalent erythroid differentiation, transcriptomic changes, and hemoglobin production compared to cells cultured with EPO. Due to the dramatically lower cost of small molecules vs. recombinant cytokines, these efforts eliminate one of the most expensive elements of ex vivo culture media—EPO cytokine. Because dependence on cytokines is a common barrier to ex vivo cell production, these strategies could improve scalable manufacturing of a wide variety of clinically relevant cell types. More broadly, this work showcases how synthetic biology and genome editing may be combined to introduce precisely regulated and tunable behavior into cells, an advancement which will pave the way for increasingly sophisticated cell engineering strategies.
Exploring Motor Imagery and Execution of Lower Limb Tasks: EEG Analysis during Transitions from Sitting to Standing
Authors: Triana-Guzman Nayid , Guerrero-Mendez Cristian D. , Moreno-Arevalo Brayan S. , Orjuela-Cañon Alvaro D. , Jutinico-Alarcon Andres L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose: Motor Imagery (MI) and Motor Execution (ME) of the upper limbs have been extensively studied in the literature, whereas research on MI and ME of lower limb movements remains comparatively scarce, especially in tasks related to those involved in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as standing and sitting. Therefore, in this study, the temporal and frequency features of EEG signals recorded by healthy subjects with no previous experience in recording Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were analyzed.
Methods: The roles of MI and ME were investigated in a paradigm based on standing and sitting transitions tasks guided by visual cues presented on a screen, by randomizing MI and ME. Sensorimotor Rhythms (SMR) were analyzed using power spectral modulation and Event Related Synchronization/Desynchronization (ERDS) features.
Results: As a result, Alpha waves (7-13 Hz) are more discriminant between MI and ME than Beta waves (14-35 Hz). Significant differences were observed between the standing and sitting MI and ME groups. In addition, the sitting task was found to have higher power spectral than the standing task.
Conclusion: EEG analyses during the evaluation of complex and natural tasks, such as standing and sitting in inexperienced subjects, could serve as a basis for more effective interventions. In addition, novel strategies for motor rehabilitation could be applied, as well as increasing the understanding of the Central Nervous System (CNS) related to standing and sitting transitions tasks.
Barriers and facilitators for strengthening physiotherapy services in Nepal: perspectives from physiotherapists and health providers
Authors: Shakya Nishchal Ratna , Emén Amanda , Webb Gillian , Myezwa Hellen , Karmacharya Biraj Man , Stensdotter Ann-Katrin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: Physiotherapy provides non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical intervention for curative, rehabilitation and preventative purposes. Physiotherapy is also a central provider of health promotion. As the global burden of non-communicable diseases and chronic health conditions is rising, the importance of physiotherapy services increases. Unfortunately, physiotherapy services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are generally unsatisfactory. In Nepal, the earthquake in 2015 and the COVID pandemic have clearly illuminated the importance of physiotherapy.
Objective: This qualitative study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators at different system levels for strengthening physiotherapy services in Nepal.
Methods: Forty semi-structured individual interviews were performed with different health providers. Transcribed interviews were assessed with thematic analysis. A five-level socioecological framework conceptualised multilevel determinants of barriers and facilitators.
Results: The study revealed various factors that were potential barriers and facilitators across five different levels, namely individual (taking the lead, need for advocacy), interpersonal (lack of recognition and autonomy, networking for referrals and coordination), community (lack of knowledge and awareness, social and family support), organisational (accessibility, workplace and clinical practice, educational opportunities, role of organisations and rehabilitation centres), and public policy level (planning and implementation of policies and programs, medical hegemony, priorities). Government officials, local leaders, and clinicians, half of whom were physiotherapists, agreed on many of the same issues, where a lack of awareness of what physiotherapy is and knowledge about what physiotherapists do was central.
Conclusions: The results provide information for the development of physiotherapy by pointing out key elements that need attention, which are applicable to the situation in most LMIC countries where special focus needs to be directed towards rural and remote areas.
Mild Form of Guillain Barre Syndrome, Clinical Characteristics and Outcome with or Without Plasmapheresis: A Local Experience
Authors: Adnan Tariq  , Bano Safia , Ayesha Aslam  , Syed Arsalan Haider  , Rashid Imran  , Ahsan Numan  
Published: April 2024

Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome is an immune mediated poly-radiculo-neuropathy with a variable clinical presentation and prognosis. Plasma exchange and Intravenous immunoglobulin are treatment options with proven efficacy by various clinical trials. But these trials demonstrate improvement in a classical and moderate to severe GBS. In clinical setting, problem may occur in treatment of those patients who present with mild symptoms & signs, clinical variants of GBS, or when the duration of weakness is > 2 weeks from onset of symptoms.
Objective: To determine the frequency of mild GBS, its clinical characteristics & to compare clinical outcome of patients treated with or without plasmapheresis.
Methods: Prospective, Quasi experimental study was done in Neurology, MHL from June, 2020 to June, 2022. Diagnosis of mild GBS was made on basis of patient ability to walk without support/ GBS disability score is ≤ 2. Outcome in these patients was assessed by using MRC sum score at presentation one and 3month post treatment.
Results: Patients with diagnosis of GBS (n=154) were admitted and treated during 2years.out of these patients, 22(14.28%) were diagnosed as mild GBS, 18 males and 4 females. MRC Sum score at presentation 18.5, at 1-month 19.7 and at 3 month it was 19.5 on average. MRC sum score improvement noted in patients treated with plasma-pheresis at one and three months with p value less than 0.01. There was no difference in recovery with increased number of sessions of plasma-pheresis 3 versus 5 sessions at one month and 3months with p value 0.18 &0.32 respectively.
Conclusion: Mild GBS is not uncommon, remained under-reported in clinical scenario. Plasma-pheresis seems to have a beneficial role in mild form of GBS
Potencjał małżeństwa i rodziny w świetle nauczania błogosławionego kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego
Authors: Rynio Alina 
Published: April 2024

Publikacja przybliża i uszczegóławia kwestie związane z potencjałem i małżeństwa i rodziny w świetle nauczania bł. kard. Stefana Wyszyńskiego. Autorkę interesuje, jak kard. Wyszyński rozumiał małżeństwo i rodzinę; w czym upatrywał ich potencjał i możliwości jego realizacji; co według niego uniemożliwiało realizację potencjału małżeństwa i rodziny; co warunkowało skuteczność wychowawczych oddziaływań rodziny; w czym wyraża się uniwersalny wymiar prymasowskiego nauczania o małżeństwie i rodzinie. W rozumieniu prymasa małżeństwo i rodzina są środowiskiem życia i urzeczywistniania się człowieka jako osoby. Wśród celów małżeństwa, priorytetowe są: wzajemna pomoc małżonków i zaspokojenie popędów przyrodzonych, prokreacja i dobre wychowanie potomstwa. Z kolei rodzina, będąc trudnym, ale zarazem pięknym sposobem realizacji powołania, pozwala żyć w miłości i pokoju, prze- kazać życie, przygotować dzieci do zadań społecznych i obywatelskich, odpowiednio ukształtować charakter, dać „szkołę pracy i oszczędności”, wychować po chrześcijańsku, zachowując element integralności. Nie dziwi zatem, że małżeństwo i rodzina, będąc podstawową społecznością naturalną ustanowioną przez Boga i przez Niego chronioną, a zarazem miejscem przekazywania życia i najważniejszym środowiskiem międzypokoleniowej transmisji tradycji, opieki, stabilizacji emocjonalnej, socjalizacji i inkluzji – stoją w centrum pasterskiej troski, miłości i nauczania Stefana Wyszyńskiego.
Z przesłania prymasa wynika, że jeśli rodzina żyje zgodnie z zasadami chrześcijańskimi, może skutecznie się oprzeć wszelkim masowym wstrząsom tak od wewnątrz, jak i z zewnątrz. Optymalne, skuteczne wychowanie odbywa się w pełnej rodzinie, jest ojcowskie i macierzyńskie; rodzice akceptują, że dziecko jest darem Boga i zostało im powierzone, dlatego czują respekt, szacunek i drżenie wobec tajemnicy zawartej w dziecku. Wychowanie jest skuteczne, gdy przygotowuje do zadań społecznych i obywatelskich, służy temu, aby „Bóg był uwielbiony, człowiek uszanowany, a ziemia odsłużona”. Uniwersalność prymasowskie- go przesłania pedagogicznego zdaje się tkwić w tym, że wychowując człowieka, obywatela i świętego, prymas zabiega o zachowanie zasad ewangelicznych w życiu społecznym. Jest przekonany, że wychowanie odbywa się przez przynależność i uczestnictwo w życiu rodziny, narodu, państwa i Kościoła.
Ampliação Foraminal na Endodontia - Revisão de Literatura
Authors: Barbosa Mateus Cabral Alves , Toledo Luís Felipe Coutrin de , Rangel Luiz Felipe Gilson de Oliveira , Silveira Joaquim Carlos Fest da 
Published: April 2024

Introdução: o objetivo do tratamento endodôntico é reduzir a carga microbiana dentro dos sistemas de canais radiculares e criar um ambiente propício à cicatrização. No entanto, ainda não há um consenso na literatura sobre o diâmetro do forame apical após a terapia endodôntica. Esta revisão de literatura teve como objetivo avaliar se a ampliação foraminal trás uma melhor previsibilidade de sucesso nos casos de tratamento endodôntico. Materiais e Métodos: a busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Bireme, Medline, Pubmed, Lilacs e Scielo. Foram selecionados 48 estudos. Resultados: Após a leitura de todos os resumos, foram excluídos 21, sendo a amostra do estudo, portanto, composta por 27 trabalhos. Discussão: uma pesquisa avaliaram amostras bacterianas coletadas em canais radiculares após a primeira e a segunda instrumentação. O terço apical sofreu ampliação com limas de maior diâmetro, e os pesquisadores descobriram que o aumento do terço apical resultou em aumento de redução bacteriana. Em contrapartida, outro estudo comparou a redução bacteriana intracanal em canais tratados com e sem alargamento apical das raízes linguais dos molares. Após o preparo químico mecânico a redução da carga bacteriana não foi significativamente diferente. Conclusão: não há um consenso no arcabouço literário sobre o assunto, porém com base na literatura consultada, preparos com diâmetros maiores parecem apresentar uma desinfecção do canal radicular melhorada.
Palavras-chave: Forame Apical; Endodontia; Bactérias.
Digital Infrastructure and Increasing Farmers’ Income: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the “Broadband China” Strategy
Authors: Yang Yimeng 
Published: April 2024

Digital infrastructure serves as a significant catalyst for economic advancement, capable of narrowing the digital gap that exists between urban, rural, and regional areas. And it enables more people to enjoy the convenience brought by digitalization, and promote social inclusion and equality. This study employs the "Broadband China" strategy as a quasi-natural experiment and employs a progressive Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to investigate the effects of digital infrastructure on increasing farmers' income. The findings of the study indicate that the development of digital infrastructure can assist in increasing farmers’ income. The establishment of digital infrastructure has greatly facilitated industrial rationalization, non-agricultural employment and human capital improvement in rural areas, provided farmers with more business opportunities and employment options, and contributed to the realization of rural revitalization and common prosperity. This research provides empirical support to gain a more profound insight into the significance of digital advancement to rural economic growth, and also provides a useful reference for relevant policy formulation.