bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and histological properties of native medial menisci compared to allograph medial menisci in the osteoarthritic knee
Authors: Weiske Max , Riedel Bianca , Kubosch Eva Johanna , Mayr Hermann O. , Schmal Hagen , Seidenstuecker Michael 
Published: April 2024

This study was designed to provide information on how the menisci change over the course of osteoarthritis, particularly with regard to their mechanical properties. The aim was to determine the difference between healthy menisci (fresh frozen meniscal transplants) and menisci harvested during total knee arthroplasty. The latter allows the grading of age-related and osteoarthritic changes in the menisci on macroscopic and microscopic levels. A total of 10 menisci from arthritic knee joints (medial) harvested during total knee arthroplasty were used and compared with 10 medial fresh frozen meniscal transplants. The mechanical measurements were carried out on a Mach-1 testing machine using indentation testing to determine the instantaneous modulus and the thickness of the menisci. The specimens were then embedded in paraffin, sectioned on a microtome, and stained with hematoxylin–eosin and safranin-O. All measurements were divided into the anterior horn, pars intermedia, and posterior horn. There was no significant difference in the instantaneous modulus for the posterior horn in the fresh frozen menisci with 0.27 ± 0.1 MPa compared to the arthritic menisci with 0.18 ± 0.03 MPa. No significant difference could be determined for the meniscus thicknesses. There was a significant difference in the safranin-O staining. There were also significant differences in the Pauli score: the arthrosis menisci showed a sum score that was, on average, four times higher than the sum score of the fresh frozen menisci. In the present study, it could be shown very well that there are significant differences in the mechanical properties as well as in the macroscopic and histopathological scores, such as the Pauli score, between the fresh frozen meniscus allografts considered healthy and osteoarthritic menisci resulting from total knee arthroplasty. With a degradation score of 3 (Pauli), the instantaneous modulus was reduced by more than 50% compared to healthy controls. More importantly, however, the fresh frozen menisci only show a grade 2 when converting the sum values into grades, where a grade 2 indicates slight degeneration. This is interesting because fresh frozen meniscus transplants were always considered healthy in previous publications and should, therefore, actually have a grade 1.
Effect of metformin adjunct therapy on cardiometabolic parameters in Indian adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mondkar Shruti , Khandagale Sukeshini , Shah Nikhil , Khadilkar Anuradha , Oza Chirantap , Bhor Shital , Gondhalekar Ketan , Wagle Aneeta , Kajale Neha , Khadilkar Vaman 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionInsulin resistance is being increasingly reported in type-1 Diabetes (T1D) and is known to accelerate microvascular complications. The Asian Indian population has a higher risk of double diabetes development compared to Caucasians. Hence, we studied the effect of adding Metformin to standard insulin therapy on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity (IS), cardiometabolic parameters and body composition in Indian adolescents with T1D.MethodsA Randomized controlled trial was conducted spanning 9 months (Registration number:CTRI/2019/11/022126). Inclusion: Age 10-19 years, T1D duration&gt;1year, HbA1c&gt;8% Exclusion: Uncontrolled vascular complications/comorbidities, Metformin intolerance, concomitant drugs affecting insulin sensitivity. Participants were randomized to Metformin/Placebo (n=41 each) groups and age, sex, duration-matched. Assessments were performed at baseline, 3 and 9 months.Results82 participants aged 14.7 ± 3years (40 females) were enrolled, with a mean diabetes duration of 5.2 ± 2.3 years. Over 9 months, HbA1c decreased significantly by 0.8 (95% confidence interval: -1.2 to -0.3) from 9.8 ± 1.8% to 9.1 ± 1.7% on Metformin but remained largely unchanged (difference of 0.2, 95% confidence interval: -0.7 to 0.2) i.e. 9.9 ± 1.6% and 9.7 ± 2.2% on placebo. HbA1c improvement correlated negatively with baseline IS (EGDR:r= -0.3;SEARCH:r = -0.24, p&lt;0.05) implying better HbA1c-lowering in those with decreased initial IS. CGM-based glycemic variability (standard deviation) reduced by 6.3 mg/dL (95% confidence interval: -12.9 to 0.2) from 100.2 ± 19.1 mg/dL to 93.7 ± 19.9 mg/dL in those on Metformin (p=0.05) but not placebo (94.0 ± 20.5; 90.0 ± 22.6 mg/dL). Insulin sensitivity: CACTIexa &amp; SEARCH scores demonstrated no change with Metformin but significant worsening on placebo. Significant increase in LDL-C(42%), total cholesterol(133.6 to 151.1 mg/dL), triglyceride (60.0 to 88.0 mg/dL) and carotid intima-media thickness was noted on placebo but not Metformin. Weight, BMI, fat Z-scores increased significantly on placebo but not Metformin. Adverse events (AE) were minor; AE, compliance and safety parameters were similar between the two groups.ConclusionMetformin as an adjunct to insulin in Asian Indian adolescents with T1D demonstrated beneficial effect on glycemic control, glycemic variability, IS, lipid profile, vascular function, weight and body fat, with a good safety profile when administered for 9 months.
Ductal stenting vs. surgical shunting in late presenting duct-dependent pulmonary circulation: a single-center experience
Authors: Prakoso Radityo , Simanjorang Christine Nathalina Sinaga , Kurniawati Yovi , Mendel Brian , Rahmat Budi , Zahara Rita , Rudiktyo Estu , Sakti Damba Dwisepto Aulia , Sukmawan Renan 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPDA stenting is an option to mBTT shunt for younger patients; nevertheless, few reports of this palliative approach have been made for the late presenter population, especially for patients who are older than 30 days but under 5 years. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical result and intra-hospital costs of ductal stenting in late-presenting patients in comparison to surgical shunting.MethodsA single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted from August 2016 to August 2022. This study included patients with pulmonary duct dependent CHD who were hospitalized for palliative therapy. The extracted data were baseline characteristics, clinical findings, supportive examination findings, complications, outcomes, and length of stay of the patients. Monitoring was carried out during treatment up to 30 days after the procedure.ResultsA total of 143 patients were included in the analysis; 43 patients underwent PDA stent and 100 patients underwent mBTT shunt with median age of PDA stent group 110 (31–1,498) days and mBTT shunt group 174.5 (30–1,651) days. Primary outcome composite was not significant in both groups including 30 days mortality [6 (14%) vs. 14 (14%), p = 1.000], reintervention [1 (2.3%) vs. 7 (7%), p = 0.436], and 30 days rehospitalization [0 (0%) vs. 2 (2%), p = 0.319]. Secondary outcome analysis showed shorter ICU length of stay in the PDA stent group [2 (0–16) days vs. 4 (1–63) days, p = 0.002].ConclusionsPDA stent has an outcome that is non inferior from the mBTT shunt procedure in the composite outcome including 30 days mortality, reintervention, and 30 days rehospitalization but significantly lower in ICU length of stay.
The prophylactic antiemetic therapies in management of differentiated thyroid cancer patients with radioactive iodine therapy: a single-center, non-randomized clinical trial
Authors: Li Xiao , Cao Jingjia , Wang Wenxiu , Zhu Xiaolu , Sun Yaru , Song Lei , Zhang Wei , Han Yong 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThe present study was to investigate three different single-drug regimens to show which was more effective to reduce radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) associated nausea and vomiting, and to compare the occurrence of long-term gastrointestinal diseases after RAI therapy.MethodWe performed a single-center, non-randomized clinical trial among patients who underwent RAI therapy from March 2016 to July 2022. Enrolled patients were divided into four cohorts based on the date of the treatment. cohort 1, with no preventive antiemetics; cohort 2, received 20 mg of pantoprazole per day for 3 days; cohort 3, received a 10 mg metoclopramide tablet two times daily for 3 days; cohort 4, oral ondansetron, 8 mg, twice daily for 3 days. The primary endpoints were proportion of patients who experience vomiting episodes and nausea during the 7-day hospital period. Secondary end points included Functional Living Index Emesis (FLIE) quality-of life questionnaires and the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases.ResultsA total of 1755 patients were analyzed, comprised of 1299 (74.0%) women and 456 (26.0%) men, with a median age of 44 years (range 18–78 years). The characteristics of patient were similar within the four groups. 465 (26.4%) patients developed RAI-associated nausea, and 186 (14.4%) patients developed RAI-associated vomiting. The rate of nausea was significantly decreased in the patients who were taking ondansetron when compared with the other cohorts (P&lt;0.05), while the rate of vomiting (≥6 episodes) was slightly lower. As secondary endpoint, FLIE measures ondansetron scored highly compared to other cohorts, from baseline (mean score of 110.53 ± 17.54) to day 7 (mean score of 105.56 ± 12.48). In addition, 48 (2.7%) patients were found to be with gastrointestinal diseases at the end of one year follow up. Multiple RAI therapy and higher dose of I-131 per body weight revealed a significantly independent risk factors of developing gastrointestinal disorders.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the present study demonstrated that short-term ondansetron could be an effective prophylactic agent in controlling RAI-associated nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders was significantly higher for patients with multiple RAI therapy and higher dose of I-131 per body weight.
Is there a causal association between gestational diabetes mellitus and immune mediators? A bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Ji Zhangxin , Zhang Chenxu , Yuan Jingjing , He Qing , Zhang Xinyu , Yang Dongmei , Xu Na , Chu Jun 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundDiabetes that only appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy is referred to as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The maternal physiological immune profile is essential for a positive pregnancy outcome. However, the causal relationship between GDM and immunophenotypes is not fully defined.MethodsBased on the high-density genetic variation data at the genome-wide level, we evaluated the logical associations between 731 specific immune mediators and GDM using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR). The inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the main method employed for MR analysis. We performed multiple methods to verify the robustness and dependability of the MR results, and sensitivity measures were applied to rule out potential heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.ResultsA substantial causal association between several immune mediators and GDM was detected. After FDR testing, HLA DR++ monocyte %leukocyte and HLA DR on plasmacytoid DC were shown to increase the risk of GDM; in contrast, CD127 on CD28+ CD45RA+ CD8br and CD19 on PB/PC were shown to attenuate the effect of GDM. Moreover, the progression of GDM has been shown to decrease the maternal levels of CD39+ activated Treg AC, CD39+ activated Treg %CD4 Treg, CD39+ resting Treg AC, CD39+ resting Treg %CD4 Treg, and CD39+ CD8BR %T cell.ConclusionsOur findings support a possible causal association between GDM and various immunophenotypes, thus facilitating the provision of multiple options for preventive recognition as well as for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of GDM in clinical practice.
Association between gut microbiota and spinal stenosis: a two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Jian , Wei Jinpeng , Wang Jiani , Xu Tao , Wu Baofeng , Yang Shuhan , Jing Shaoze , Wu Hua , Hao Haihu 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionConsiderable evidence has unveiled a potential correlation between gut microbiota and spinal degenerative diseases. However, only limited studies have reported the direct association between gut microbiota and spinal stenosis. Hence, in this study, we aimed to clarify this relationship using a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) approach.Materials and MethodsData for two-sample MR studies was collected and summarized from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of gut microbiota (MiBioGen, n = 13, 266) and spinal stenosis (FinnGen Biobank, 9, 169 cases and 164, 682 controls). The inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis (IVW), complemented with weighted median, MR-Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode, was used to elucidate the causality between gut microbiota and spinal stenosis. In addition, we employed mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and the MR-Egger intercept test to assess horizontal multiplicity. Cochran’s Q test to evaluate heterogeneity, and “leave-one-out” sensitivity analysis to determine the reliability of causality. Finally, an inverse MR analysis was performed to assess the reverse causality.ResultsThe IVW results indicated that two gut microbial taxa, the genus Eubacterium fissicatena group and the genus Oxalobacter, have a potential causal relationship with spinal stenosis. Moreover, eight potential associations between genetic liability of the gut microbiota and spinal stenosis were implied. No significant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy were detected. In addition, “leave-one-out” sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability of causality. Finally, the reverse MR analysis revealed that no proof to substantiate the discernible causative relationship between spinal stenosis and gut microbiota.ConclusionThis analysis demonstrated a possible causal relationship between certain particular gut microbiota and the occurrence of spinal stenosis. Further studies focused on the mechanism of gut microbiota-mediated spinal stenosis can lay the groundwork for targeted prevention, monitoring, and treatment of spinal stenosis.
SOX13 is a novel prognostic biomarker and associates with immune infiltration in breast cancer
Authors: Gao Ting , Jiang Baohong , Zhou Yu , He Rongfang , Xie Liming , Li Yuehua 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundThe transcription factor, SOX13 is part of the SOX family. SOX proteins are crucial in the progression of many cancers, and some correlate with carcinogenesis. Nonetheless, the biological and clinical implications of SOX13 in human breast cancer (BC) remain rarely known.MethodsWe evaluated the survival and expression data of SOX13 in BC patients via the UNLCAL, GEPIA, TIMER, and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to verify clinical specimens. The gene alteration rates of SOX13 were acquired on the online web cBioportal. With the aid of the TCGA data, the association between SOX13 mRNA expression and copy number alterations (CNA) and methylation was determined. LinkedOmics was used to identify the genes that co-expressed with SOX13 and the regulators. Immune infiltration and tumor microenvironment evaluations were assessed by ImmuCellAI and TIMER2.0 databases. SOX13 correlated drug resistance analysis was performed using the GDSC2 database.ResultsHigher SOX13 expression was discovered in BC tissues in comparison to normal tissues. Moreover, increased gene mutation and amplification of SOX13 were found in BC. Patients with increased SOX13 expression levels showed worse overall survival (OS). Cox analysis showed that SOX13 independently served as a prognostic indicator for poor survival in BC. Further, the expression of SOX13 was also confirmed to be correlated with tumor microenvironment and diverse infiltration of immune cells. In terms of drug sensitivity analysis, we found higher expression level of SOX13 predicts a high IC50 value for most of 198 drugs which predicts drug resistance.ConclusionThe present findings demonstrated that high expression of SOX13 negatively relates to prognosis and SOX13 plays an important role in cancer immunity. Therefore, SOX13 may potentially be adopted as a biomarker for predicting BC prognosis and infiltration of immune cells.
Scaled mass index derived from aerial photogrammetry associated with predicted metabolic pathway disruptions in free-ranging St. Lawrence Estuary belugas
Authors: Sherrill Meredith , Bernier-Graveline Alexandre , Ewald Jessica , Pang Zhiqiang , Moisan Michel , Marzelière Mathieu , Muzzy Maris , Romano Tracy A. , Michaud Robert , Verreault Jonathan 
Published: April 2024

The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) belugas (Quebec, Canada) are an endangered population whose numbers remain low despite ongoing conservation efforts. Multiple anthropogenic factors and changing environmental conditions are thought to have contributed to the recent 20-year decline in blubber fatty acid concentrations reported in stranded SLE belugas. Despite this evidence that energy reserves within the population are declining, there is currently no method for estimating the body condition of free-ranging animals. The potential metabolic consequences of declining fat reserves have also yet to be explored. The objectives of this study were to use unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based photogrammetry to estimate the scaled mass index (SMI) of free-ranging SLE belugas, and to compare this proxy of body condition to the lipidome of outer-layer blubber samples collected from the same individuals via remote biopsy darting. Morphometric analysis of aerial images (n = 44 SLE belugas), combined with data collected from animals under professional human care, produced SMI estimates (females: 807 ± 98 kg, males: 743 ± 39 kg) similar in range to those previously calculated for SLE beluga carcasses of known weight. A non-targeted lipidomic analysis followed by pathway enrichment analysis, identified metabolic pathways predicted to show altered activity in association with SMI in the blubber of free-ranging male SLE belugas (n = 27). Mapping of enriched pathways compared to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways maps, revealed that enriched pathways pertained to the metabolism of multiple lipid classes including fatty acyls and glycerophospholipids. Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and tyrosine metabolism pathways were also enriched in correlation with SMI. This study provides the basis for the development of a non-invasive technique for estimating the body condition of free-ranging SLE belugas and identifies metabolic pathways that merit further exploration to improve our understanding of the potential metabolic impacts of energy loss in cetaceans.
Incidence rate of mortality and its predictors among tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfected patients on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Derseh Nebiyu Mekonnen , Agimas Muluken Chanie , Aragaw Fantu Mamo , Birhan Tilahun Yemanu , Nigatu Solomon Gedlu , Alemayehu Meron Asmamaw , Tesfie Tigabu Kidie , Yehuala Tirualem Zeleke , Godana Tilahun Nega , Merid Mehari Woldemariam 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among HIV-infected adults and children globally. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the pooled mortality rate and its predictors among TB/HIV-coinfected patients in Ethiopia.MethodsExtensive database searching was done via PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Google from the time of idea conception on March 1, 2023, to the last search via Google on March 31, 2023. A meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model to determine the pooled mortality rate and its predictors among TB/HIV-coinfected patients. Heterogeneity was handled using subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis.ResultsOut of 2,100 records, 18 articles were included, with 26,291 total patients. The pooled incidence rate of mortality among TB/HIV patients was 12.49 (95% CI: 9.24–15.74) per 100 person-years observation (PYO); I2 = 96.9%. The mortality rate among children and adults was 5.10 per 100 PYO (95% CI: 2.15–8.01; I2 = 84.6%) and 15.78 per 100 PYO (95% CI: 10.84–20.73; I2 = 97.7%), respectively. Age ≥ 45 (pooled hazard ratios (PHR) 2.58, 95% CI: 2.00– 3.31), unemployed (PHR 2.17, 95% CI: 1.37–3.46), not HIV-disclosed (PHR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.65–4.70), bedridden (PHR 5.89, 95% CI: 3.43–10.12), OI (PHR 3.5, 95% CI: 2.16–5.66), WHO stage IV (PHR 3.16, 95% CI: 2.18–4.58), BMI &lt; 18.5 (PHR 4.11, 95% CI: 2.28–7.40), anemia (PHR 4.43, 95% CI: 2.73–7.18), EPTB 5.78, 95% CI: 2.61–12.78 significantly affected the mortality. The effect of TB on mortality was 1.95 times higher (PHR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.19–3.20; I2 = 0) than in TB-free individuals.ConclusionsThe mortality rate among TB/HIV-coinfected patients in Ethiopia was higher compared with many African countries. Many clinical factors were identified as significant risk factors for mortality. Therefore, TB/HIV program managers and clinicians need to design an intervention early.
Modifying soil bacterial communities in saline mudflats with organic acids and substrates
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Zhong Liang , Yang Ruixue , Wang Huiyan , Liu Xinbao , Xue Wei , Yang He , Shen Yixin , Li Jianlong , Sun Zhengguo 
Published: April 2024

AimsThe high salinity of soil, nutrient scarcity, and poor aggregate structure limit the exploitation and utilization of coastal mudflat resources and the sustainable development of saline soil agriculture. In this paper, the effects of applying exogenous organic acids combined with biological substrate on the composition and diversity of soil bacterial community were studied in moderately saline mudflats in Jiangsu Province.MethodsA combination of three exogenous organic acids (humic acid, fulvic acid, and citric acid) and four biological substrates (cottonseed hull, cow manure, grass charcoal, and pine needle) was set up set up on a coastal saline mudflat planted with a salt-tolerant forage grass, sweet sorghum. A total of 120 kg ha−1 of organic acids and 5,000 kg ha−1 of substrates were used, plus two treatments, CK without application of organic acids and substrates and CK0 in bare ground, for a total of 14 treatments.ResultsNo significant difference was found in the alpha diversity of soil bacterial community among all treatments (p ≥ 0.05), with the fulvic acid composite pine needle (FPN) treatment showing the largest increase in each index. The beta diversity differed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) among all treatments, and the difference between citric acid–grass charcoal (CGC) and CK treatments was greater than that of other treatments. All treatments were effective in increasing the number of bacterial ASVs and affecting the structural composition of the community. Citric acid–cow manure (CCM), FPN, and CGC treatments were found to be beneficial for increasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteria, respectively. By contrast, all treatments triggered a decrease in the relative abundance of Acidobacteria.ConclusionAmong the 12 different combinations of exogenous organic acid composite biomass substrates applied to the coastal beach, the CGC treatment was more conducive to increasing the relative abundance of the salt-tolerant bacteria Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria, and improving the community structure of soil bacteria. The FPN treatment was more conducive to increase the species diversity of the soil bacterial community and adjust the species composition of the bacterial community.