bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convergence between helminths and breast cancer: intratumoral injection of the excretory/secretory antigens of the human parasite Toxocara canis (EST) increase lung macro and micro metastasis
Authors: Aragón-Franco Raúl , Ruiz-Manzano Rocío Alejandra , Nava-Castro Karen Elizabeth , Del Rìo Araiza Víctor Hugo , Garay-Canales Claudia Angelica , Pérez-Torres Armando , Chacón-Salinas Romel , Girón-Pérez Manuel Iván , Morales-Montor Jorge 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionWorldwide, breast cancer is the most important cancer in incidence and prevalence in women. Different risk factors interact to increase the probability of developing it. Biological agents such as helminth parasites, particularly their excretory/secretory antigens, may play a significant role in tumor development. Helminths and their antigens have been recognized as inducers or promoters of cancer due to their ability to regulate the host’s immune response. Previously in our laboratory, we demonstrated that chronic infection by Toxocara canis increases the size of mammary tumors, affecting the systemic response to the parasite. However, the parasite does not invade the tumor, and we decided to study if the excretion/secretion of antigens from Toxocara canis (EST) can affect the progression of mammary tumors or the pathophysiology of cancer which is metastasis. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether excretion/secretion T. canis antigens, injected directly into the tumor, affect tumor growth and metastasis.MethodsWe evaluated these parameters through the monitoring of the intra-tumoral immune response.ResultsMice injected intratumorally with EST did not show changes in the size and weight of the tumors; although the tumors showed an increased microvasculature, they did develop increased micro and macro-metastasis in the lung. The analysis of the immune tumor microenvironment revealed that EST antigens did not modulate the proportion of immune cells in the tumor, spleen, or peripheral lymph nodes. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses of the lungs showed increased metastasis in the EST-treated animals compared to controls, accompanied by an increase in VEGF systemic levels.DiscussionThus, these findings showed that intra-tumoral injection of T. canis EST antigens promote lung metastasis through modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment.
NK cell receptor profiling of endometrial and decidual NK cells reveals pregnancy-induced adaptations
Authors: Feyaerts Dorien , Benner Marilen , Comitini Gaia , Shadmanfar Wijs , van der Heijden Olivier W.H. , Joosten Irma , van der Molen Renate G. 
Published: March 2024

Natural killer (NK) cells, with a unique NK cell receptor phenotype, are abundantly present in the non-pregnant (endometrium) and pregnant (decidua) humanuterine mucosa. It is hypothesized that NK cells in the endometrium are precursors for decidual NK cells present during pregnancy. Microenvironmental changes can alter the phenotype of NK cells, but it is unclear whether decidual NK cell precursors in the endometrium alter their NK cell receptor repertoire under the influence of pregnancy. To examine whether decidual NK cell precursors reveal phenotypic modifications upon pregnancy, we immunophenotyped the NK cell receptor repertoire of both endometrial and early-pregnancy decidual NK cells using flow cytometry. We showed that NK cells in pre-pregnancy endometrium have a different phenotypic composition compared to NK cells in early-pregnancy decidua. The frequency of killer-immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR expressing NK cells, especially KIR2DS1, KIR2DL2L3S2, and KIR2DL2S2 was significantly lower in decidua, while the frequency of NK cells expressing activating receptors NKG2D, NKp30, NKp46, and CD244 was significantly higher compared to endometrium. Furthermore, co-expression patterns showed a lower frequency of NK cells co-expressing KIR3DL1S1 and KIR2DL2L3S2 in decidua. Our results provide new insights into the adaptations in NK cell receptor repertoire composition that NK cells in the uterine mucosa undergo upon pregnancy.
Effect of simulation-based training workshop on obstetric emergency team collaboration and communication: a mixed study
Authors: Wu Na , Li Wei , Huang Rong , Jiang Hui 
Published: March 2024

Aims and objectivesTo explore the effects of simulation-based midwife training workshops and determine whether such a program can improve team collaboration and communication.BackgroundSimulation training improves communication, team cooperation, critical thinking, and situational awareness.DesignThis mixed study was conducted September 15–18, 2021.MethodsParticipants included 23 obstetricians and midwives who completed 2 days of simulation training, including communication, skills, teamwork, single technical operation, and scene running. The Clinical Teamwork Scale was used before and after the comparison, and the data were analyzed using a phenomenological analytic process.ResultsThe total team cooperation, transparent thinking, closed-loop communication, overall decision-making, clear responsibility, and leadership scores of the trainees were significantly higher after than before the training. The experience of attending a simulated training workshop can be divided into two themes: innovative ways of offering training and active learning. Three key themes emerged from each category: education combined with recreation; full participation in interactions; and teamwork and communication. (1) application of knowledge (2) dissemination, and (3) sublimation of knowledge.ConclusionThis study’s findings indicated a good experience and higher team cooperation score among midwives participating in simulation-based training in China, the value of our work is to show that the researched teaching methods, although published in other contexts, are also valuable in the Chinese context, suggesting that they will pass on the methods and concepts of the simulated training to others and change the current status of classroom teaching, which is its most meaningful practical training effect.Relevance to clinical practiceThese results imply that simulation-based midwife training for obstetric emergencies is required to improve the comprehensive ability of midwives to address obstetric emergencies, thereby improving maternal clinical outcomes.No patient or public contributionNeither patients nor the public were involved in this study, and the midwives and obstetricians voluntarily participated.
Risk factors and genetic characteristics of the carriage of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii among pregnant women
Authors: Zheng Chao , Li Defeng , Wang Yinglan , Wang Lisheng , Huang Yuting , Yao Jun 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundCarbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and its emerging evolutionary branch toward hypervirulence have been neglected in pregnancy.MethodsFrom September 2020 to August 2021, an active surveillance culture program encompassed 138 randomly selected pregnant women, with five subjected to sample collection at two different time points. The clinical characterization was explored through statistical analysis. Whole-genome sequencing, a Galleria mellonella infection model, and a global database were used to investigate the genetic characterization, pathogenicity, evolutionary history, and phylogenetic relationships of the isolates.ResultsOf the 41 CRAB isolates obtained, they were divided into four ClustersRS and an orphan pattern. ClusterRS 1 (n = 31), with eight complex types in pregnancy, was also the dominant ClusterRS globally, followed by ClusterRS 13 (n = 5), identified as hypervirulent KL49 CRAB, exhibiting phylogeographical specificity to Guangdong. A maternal carriage CRAB rate of 26.09% (36/138) was revealed, with half of the isolates representing novel complex types, prominently including CT3071, as the first KL7 isolates identified in Shenzhen. Both KL49 and KL7 isolates were most commonly found in the same participant, suggesting potential intraspecific competition as a possible reason for CRAB infection without carriers during pregnancy. The independent risk factors for carriers were revealed for the first time, including advanced maternal age, gestational diabetes mellitus, and Group B Streptococcus infection.ConclusionThe significant carriage rate and enhanced virulence of CRAB during pregnancy emphasize the imperative for routine surveillance to forestall dissemination within this high-risk group, especially in Guangdong for ClusterRS 13 isolates.
Protist communities of microbial mats from the extreme environments of five saline Andean lagoons at high altitudes in the Atacama Desert
Authors: Acosta Eduardo , Nitsche Frank , Dorador Cristina , Arndt Hartmut 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionHeterotrophic protists colonizing microbial mats have received little attention over the last few years, despite their importance in microbial food webs. A significant challenge originates from the fact that many protists remain uncultivable and their functions remain poorly understood.MethodsMetabarcoding studies of protists in microbial mats across high-altitude lagoons of different salinities (4.3–34 practical salinity units) were carried out to provide insights into their vertical stratification at the millimeter scale. DNA and cDNA were analyzed for selected stations.ResultsSequence variants classified as the amoeboid rhizarian Rhogostoma and the ciliate Euplotes were found to be common members of the heterotrophic protist communities. They were accompanied by diatoms and kinetoplastids. Correlation analyses point to the salinity of the water column as a main driver influencing the structure of the protist communities at the five studied microbial mats. The active part of the protist communities was detected to be higher at lower salinities (&lt;20 practical salinity units).DiscussionWe found a restricted overlap of the protist community between the different microbial mats indicating the uniqueness of these different aquatic habitats. On the other hand, the dominating genotypes present in metabarcoding were similar and could be isolated and sequenced in comparative studies (Rhogostoma, Euplotes, Neobodo). Our results provide a snapshot of the unculturable protist diversity thriving the benthic zone of five athalossohaline lagoons across the Andean plateau.
Reduced maximal range of ocular movements and its response to acute levodopa challenge in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Juan , Li Yuewen , Chu Xianzhou , Jiang Mengxue , Wu Tieyu , Chen Xianwen 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionAlthough restriction of vertical ocular range of motion is known to be the hallmark of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), the maximal amplitude of ocular movement has not been quantitatively assessed despite of accumulating evidences of oculomotor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we evaluated the maximal oculomotor range and its response to levodopa in PD, and compare findings to atypical parkinsonism.MethodsWe recruited 159 healthy controls (HC) as well as 154 PD, 30 PSP, and 16 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients. Oculomotor range was assessed using a kinetic perimeter-adapted device for the vertical and horizontal axes (four positions). Parameters were reassessed after levodopa challenge and compared among PD, PSP, and MSA patients.ResultsMaximum oculomotor range in PD patients was reduced as compared to HC. Levodopa improved oculomotor range in all directions; corrective effects of upward range positively correlated with improvements in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III and bradykinesia sub-scores among PD patients. Although oculomotor range was markedly restricted among PSP and MSA patients, the beneficial effects of levodopa was less pronounced. Reduced oculomotor range of motion was more significant among PSP as compared to PD or MSA patients; MSA patients did not significantly differ from PD patients. The range of upward gaze was optimally sensitive for differentiating among PD, PSP, and MSA patients.ConclusionMaximum oculomotor range was reduced among PD patients significantly improved by levodopa treatment. Variations in, as well as the positively effects of levodopa on, the range of upward gaze assist diagnostic differentiation among PD, PSP, and MSA patients.
Case Report: ALPPS hepatectomy, an alternative to liver transplantation in central PRETEXT III hepatoblastomas: a case series
Authors: Garcia Moreno Isabel Cristina , Alzate-Ricaurte Sergio , Alzate Gallego Edgar Dario , Hincapie-Ayala Daniela , Serrano Ardila Oscar Javier , Villegas Otalora Jorge Ivan 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionHepatoblastoma is the most common malignant primary liver tumor in the pediatric population, accounting for 67% of cases in the United States. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment option; however, it can be performed in only 10% of patients with primary tumors. The two most common limitations for resection are the need for extensive resections and tumors in central locations. The therapeutic hypertrophy of healthy tissue achieved with ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged Hepatectomy) enables larger resections and has been successfully employed in the pediatric population in recent years.ObjectiveTo present three cases of patients with centrally located PRETEXT II or III hepatoblastomas who underwent ALPPS procedure as a viable therapeutic alternative to liver transplantation.Discussion and resultsCentral PRETEXT III hepatoblastomas are typically indications for liver transplantation. Transplantation offers high five-year survival rates (73%). However, the associated morbidity, healthcare system costs, and limited availability make it necessary to explore alternative options. Series have reported the successful application of the ALPPS procedure in PRETEXT II and PRETEXT III hepatoblastomas in other locations. Therapeutically induced hypertrophy, characterized by an increase in the volume of healthy tissue in unaffected lobes or segments, enabled the resection of previously deemed unresectable lesions. The patients experienced uncomplicated postoperative courses and expected reduction in tumor markers. Chemotherapy selection followed the guidelines outlined in Block C of the SIOPEL IV protocol.ConclusionsALPPS hepatectomy is a viable therapeutic option for patients with centrally located PRETEXT III or II hepatoblastomas.
Astragaloside IV attenuates renal tubule injury in DKD rats via suppression of CD36-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Li Xianhong , Dong Xin , Zhang Liangyou , Zhang Shu , Huang Weiying , Wang Chao , Huo Zhihao , Li Xin , Zhang Xiwen , Jia Xiaotong , Chen Gangyi , Kuang Bin 
Published: March 2024

Background:In recent years, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has emerged as a prominent factor contributing to end-stage renal disease. Tubulointerstitial inflammation and lipid accumulation have been identified as key factors in the development of DKD. Earlier research indicated that Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, controls lipid accumulation, and provides protection to the kidneys. Nevertheless, the mechanisms responsible for its protective effects against DKD have not yet been completely elucidated.Purpose:The primary objective of this research was to examine the protective properties of AS-IV against DKD and investigate the underlying mechanism, which involves CD36, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β).Methods:The DKD rat model was created by administering streptozotocin along with a high-fat diet. Subsequently, the DKD rats and palmitic acid (PA)-induced HK-2 cells were treated with AS-IV. Atorvastatin was used as the positive control. To assess the therapeutic effects of AS-IV on DKD, various tests including blood sugar levels, the lipid profile, renal function, and histopathological examinations were conducted. The levels of CD36, ROS, NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β were detected using western blot analysis, PCR, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated CD36 overexpression was applied to explore the underlying mechanisms through in vitro experiments.Results:In vivo experiments demonstrated that AS-IV significantly reduced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, urinary albumin excretion, and serum creatinine levels in DKD rats. Additionally, it improved renal structural abnormalities and suppressed the expression of CD36, NLRP3, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MCP-1. In vitro experiments showed that AS-IV decreased CD36 expression, lipid accumulation, and lipid ROS production while inhibiting NLRP3 activation and IL-1β secretion in PA-induced HK-2 cells.Conclusion:AS-IV alleviated renal tubule interstitial inflammation and tubule epithelial cell apoptosis in DKD rats by inhibiting CD36-mediated lipid accumulation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
The effect of scutellaria baicalensis and its active ingredients on major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature in pre-clinical research
Authors: Ma Ying , Zhou Xun , Zhang Feng , Huang Cuiyun , Yang Hong , Chen Wansheng , Tao Xia 
Published: March 2024

Background: Scutellaria baicalensis, the dry root of scutellaria baicalensis georgi, is a traditional Chinese medicine with long. In clinic, scutellaria baicalensis is commonly used in prescription for the treatment of depression. Additionally, numerous pre-clinical studies have shown that Scutellaria baicalensis and its active constituents are effective for depression. In this study, we aims to systematically review the roles of scutellaria baicalensis in depression and summarize the possible mechanism.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to analyze the existing studies on the effects of scutellaria baicalensis on depression in animal models. Briefly, we searched electronic databases including Pubmed and Embase for preclinical trial studies from inception to September 2023. The items in each study were evaluated by two independent reviewers, and meta-analyses were performed on scutellaria baicalensis-induced behavioral changes in the study. Finally, random effects model is used to collect data.Results: A total of 49 studies were identified, and 13 studies were included in the final analysis. They all reported the different antidepressant effects of scutellaria baicalensis and the underlying biological mechanisms. Among the included 13 studies, the results of eight articles SPT[SMD = −2.80, 95%CI(-4.03, -1.57), p &lt; 0.01], the results of the nine articles OFT[SMD = −2.38, 95%CI(-3.53, -1.23), p &lt; 0.01], and the results of two articles NSFT[SMD = −2.98, 95%CI(-3.94, -2.02), p &lt; 0.01] were significantly different from the control group. The risk of bias was moderate in all studies, however, there was a significant heterogeneity among studies.Conclusion: These results preliminarily suggest that scutellaria baicalensis can alleviate depressive behaviors and modulate underlying mechanisms, which is expected to be a promising antidepressant.
Mitochondrial energy metabolism-related gene signature as a prognostic indicator for pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ma Yu , Tang Ronghao , Huang Peilin , Li Danhua , Liao Meijian , Gao Shoucui 
Published: March 2024

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis worldwide. Considering the effect of mitochondrial metabolism on the prognosis of pancreatic cancer has rarely been investigated, we aimed to establish prognostic gene markers associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism for the prediction of survival probability in patients with PAAD.Methods: Gene expression data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases, and the mitochondrial energy metabolism–related genes were obtained from the GeneCards database. Based on mitochondrial energy metabolism score (MMs), differentially expressed MMRGs were established for MMs-high and MMs-low groups using ssGSEA. After the univariate Cox and least absolute and selection operator (LASSO) analyses, a prognostic MMRG signature was used in the multivariate Cox proportional regression model. Survival and immune cell infiltration analyses were performed. In addition, a nomogram based on the risk model was used to predict the survival probability of patients with PAAD. Finally, the expression of key genes was verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. Intro cell experiments were performed to evaluated the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.Results: A prognostic signature was constructed consisting of two mitochondrial energy metabolism–related genes (MMP11, COL10A1). Calibration and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves verified the good predictability performance of the risk model for the survival rate of patients with PAAD. Finally, immune-related analysis explained the differences in immune status between the two subgroups based on the risk model. The high-risk score group showed higher estimate, immune, and stromal scores, expression of eight checkpoint genes, and infiltration of M0 macrophages, which might indicate a beneficial response to immunotherapy. The qPCR results confirmed high expression of MMP11 in pancreatic cancer cell lines, and IHC also verified high expression of MMP11 in clinical pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues. In vitro cell experiments also demonstrated the role of MMP11 in cell proliferation and invasion.Conclusion: Our study provides a novel two-prognostic gene signature—based on MMRGs—that accurately predicted the survival of patients with PAAD and could be used for mitochondrial energy metabolism–related therapies in the future.