bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of mouse dendritic cells in vitro by Lactobacillus gasseri postbiotic proteins
Authors: Luongo Diomira , de Sena Vincenzo , Maurano Francesco , Rossi Mauro 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Different lactobacilli are probiotics for their beneficial effects that confer to the host. Recently, some of these effects were associated to released metabolic products/constituents (postbiotics). In the present study, the potential immunomodulatory capacity of the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 cell-free supernatant (sup) was investigated in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). Bacteria induced significantly higher expression of all examined cytokines than those induced by the stimulatory lipolysaccharide (LPS) itself. On the contrary, sup only induced the anti-inflammatory IL-10 similarly to LPS, whereas IL-12 and IL-6 secretions were stimulated at a lower level. Moreover, sup reduced the surface expression of the analysed co-stimulatory markers CD40, CD80 and CD86. Treatments of sup with different digestive enzymes indicated the proteinaceus nature of these immunomodulatory metabolites. Western blot and immunoadsorption analyses revealed cross-reactivity of sup with the surface layers proteins (SLPs) isolated from OLL2809. Therefore, we directly tested the ability of OLL2809 SLPs to stimulate specifically cytokine expression in iDCs. Interestingly, we found that all tested cytokines were induced by SLPs and in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results highlighted distinct immune properties between L. gasseri OLL2809 and its metabolites, supporting the concept that bacterial viability is not an essential prerequisite to exert immunomodulatory effects.
Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome in a Tanzanian patient: A case report
Authors: Alphonce Baraka , Magitta Ng’weina , Komanya Francisca , Bitesigilwe Mbelwa , Meda John , Nyundo Azan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder resulting from an insult to the developing brain in utero or during early life which is characterized by refractory seizures and a wide variety of deficits. Due to its rarity, the condition is often overlooked although a detailed history and imaging can help distinguish it from other similar conditions and provide early diagnosis.
Case presentation:
A thirty-year-old female presented with a history of recurrent seizures and intellectual disability. Her delivery was through the vaginal route with unremarkable post-natal history. Her developmental milestones were normal until the age of three years when she was hospitalized for two weeks due to a febrile illness and generalized seizures, with full recovery. She earned a score of 14/60 on the Ravens Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) indicating an intellectual disability. The neurological examination revealed constructional apraxia, facial nerve upper motor neuron lesion (UMNL). A slow, sinuous writhing movement involving all fingers on the left hand was observed, and left spastic paresis. She underwent a computed tomography (CT) of the head which confirmed DDMS due to presence of right cerebral hemisphere volume loss with gross dilatation of the right lateral ventricle with ex-vacuo dilatation of the right lateral ventricle, right calvarial thickening and hyperpneumatization of the right frontal sinus. She was managed conservatively with anticonvulsants and had her seizure well controlled.
Conclusion
In the setting of recurrent seizures, intellectual disability, hemiparesis, or facial asymmetry, a clinician should have a high index of suspicion for DDMS. Late diagnosis is often related to intractable seizures to anticonvulsants, necessitating hemispherectomy, which is not a readily available option in limited resource settings.
Fetal hemoglobin induction in azacytidine responders enlightens methylation patterns related to blast clearance in higher-risk MDS and CMML
Authors: Chatzilygeroudi Theodora , Chondrou Vasiliki , Boers Ruben , Siamoglou Stavroula , Athanasopoulou Katerina , Verigou Evgenia , Gribnau Joost , Alexis Spyridon , Labropoulou Vassiliki , Kourakli Alexandra , Patrinos George , Sgourou Argyro , Symeonidis Argiris 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
As new treatment options for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes are emerging, identification of prognostic markers for hypomethylating agent (HMA) treatment and understanding mechanisms of their delayed and short-term responses are essential. Early fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction has been suggested as a prognostic indicator for decitabine treated patients. Although epigenetic mechanisms are assumed, responding patients’ epigenomes have not been thoroughly examined. We aimed to clarify HbF kinetics and prognostic value for azacytidine treated patients, as well as the epigenetic landscape that might influence HbF re-expression and its clinical relevance.
Results
Serial HbF measurements by high performance liquid chromatography (n = 20) showed induction of HbF only among responders (p = 0.019). Moreover, HbF increase immediately after the first azacytidine cycle demonstrated prognostic value for progression free survival (PFS) (p = 0.032, HR = 0.19, CI:0.24–1.63). Changes in methylation patterns were revealed with methylated DNA genome-wide sequencing analysis (n = 7) for FOG-1, RCOR-1, ZBTB7A and genes of the NuRD complex components. Targeted pyrosequencing methodology (n = 28) revealed a strong inverse correlation between the degree of γ-globin gene (HBG2) promoter methylation and baseline HbF levels (p = 0.003, rs=-0.663). A potential epigenetic mechanism of HbF re-expression in azacytidine responders was enlightened by targeted methylation analysis, through hypomethylation of site − 53 of HBG2 promoter (p = 0.039, rs=-0.504), which corresponds to MBD2-NuRD binding site, and to hypermethylation of the CpG326 island of ZBTB7A (p = 0.05, rs=0.482), a known HbF repressor. These changes were associated to blast cell clearance (pHBG2=0.011, rs=0.480/ pZBTB7A=0.026, rs=0.427) and showed prognostic value for PFS (pZBTB7A=0.037, HR = 1.14, CI:0.34–3.8).
Conclusions
Early HbF induction is featured as an accessible prognostic indicator for HMA treatment and the proposed potential epigenetic mechanism of HbF re-expression in azacytidine responders includes hypomethylation of the γ-globin gene promoter region and hypermethylation of the CpG326 island of ZBTB7A. The association of these methylation patterns with blast clearance and their prognostic value for PFS paves the way to discuss in depth azacytidine epigenetic mechanism of action.
Exploring Craniofacial Anthropometry in the Ethnic Adult Population of Meghalaya, Northeast India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sinha Pranoti , Chakraborty Suvamoy , Balakrishnan Manu Coimbatore , Das Sauradeep , Banerjee Indranil 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Craniofacial anthropometry is important for identity, diagnosis of congenital anomalies etc. The incidence of craniofacial abnormalities is high in the Southeast Asian region. The population of Meghalaya differs in features from other states of Northeast India and the neighbouring East Asia. The objective was to study the craniofacial anthropometric features of the ethnic adults in the Meghalaya state of Northeast India. This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2022 to 2023. Head length (HL), head breadth (HB), Cephalic index (CI), intercanthal distance (ICD), lateral canthal distance (LCD) and ear length (EL) were measured. A total of 104 adults were included. The majority of the individuals belonged to the Khasi community 51 (49%) followed by the Garo community 27 (26%) and the Jaintia community 26 (25%). The mean ± S.D age of the total sample population was 29.5 ± 8.4 years. The mean CI of the total sample population was 79.13 (mesocephalic). No statistically significant difference was noted between male-female CI in the total and subpopulation groups. In our study, the common head types were dolichocephalic (29%), brachycephalic (29%), mesocephalic (21%), hyperbrachycephalic (16%) and ultrabrachycephalic (5%). A statistically significant difference was noted between Khasi and Jaintia in HL, HW, CI, LCD; between Khasi and Garo in HL, ICD, LCD and between Garo and Jaintia in HW, CI, ICD. We believe our conventional craniofacial anthropometry data could add to the pool of regional anthropometry data and be used for future scientific purposes like anthropology, maxillofacial surgeries, designing helmets, forensic analysis and gender differentiation.
Ablation Performance of C/SiC-ZrC Composites
Authors: Hailang GE , ZHANG Lu , Jinkang DU , Fanjie FENG , Xiguang GAO , Yingdong SONG 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
To reveal the ablation performance of C/SiC-ZrC composites under different ablation methods, C/SiC-ZrC composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition and precursor impregnation cracking methods. Single ablation and cyclic ablation tests were conducted on C/SiC-ZrC composites using an oxyacetylene flame to obtain ablation parameters and macroscopic and microscopic ablation morphology for different ablation methods. The results show that the line ablation rate and mass ablation rate of different ablation methods decrease with increasing time; The linear ablation rate and mass ablation rate of cyclic ablation are 12% and 24.2% lower than those of single ablation; Within the same ablation time, the C/SiC-ZrC composites subjected to cyclic ablation has shallower and more evenly distributed pits caused by high-temperature airflow ablation; The material surface has a white oxide layer composed of SiO2 and ZrO2, and the carbon fibers inside are wrapped by oxide particles, which improves the ablation resistance of C/SiC-ZrC composites.
Double-camouflaged tellurium nanoparticles for enhanced photothermal immunotherapy of tumor
Authors: Li Chaoqing , Yang Luyao , Zhang Bin , Li Jiahao , Cai Bingjie , Ni Wei , Zhang Gunjun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The photothermal conversion properties of tellurium (Te) nanoparticles have been extensively investigated, rendering them a promising candidate for tumor photothermal therapy. However, there is still room for improvement in the development of efficient Te-based drug delivery systems. Here, Te nanoparticles are mineralized with bioactive molecules within attenuated Salmonella (S-Te), which are subsequently taken up by macrophages (RAW264.7) to construct a double-camouflaged delivery platform (RS-Te). Remarkably, RS-Te retains superior photothermal properties under near-infrared irradiation. The mineralization process eliminates bacterial proliferation potential, thereby mitigating the risk of excessive bacterial growth in vivo. Furthermore, the uptake of bacteria by macrophages not only polarizes them into M1 macrophages to induce an anti-tumor immune response but also circumvents any adverse effects caused by complex antigens on the bacterial surface. The results show that RS-Te can effectively accumulate and retain in tumors. RS-Te-mediated photothermal immunotherapy largely promotes the maturation of dendritic cells and priming of cytotoxic T cells induced by near-infrared laser irradiation. Moreover, RS-Te can switch the activation of macrophages from an immunosuppressive M2 phenotype to a more inflammatory M1 state. The double-camouflaged delivery system may offer highly efficient and safe cancer treatment.
Assessing receptivity to malaria using case surveillance and forest data in a near-elimination setting in northeast Thailand
Authors: Walshe Rebecca , Pongsoipetch Kulchada , Mukem Suwanna , Kamsri Tanong , Singkham Navarat , Sudathip Prayuth , Kitchakarn Suravadee , Maude Rapeephan Rattanawongnara , Maude Richard James 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Thailand aims to eliminate malaria by 2024, and as such is now planning for future prevention of re-establishment. Understanding the receptivity of local areas to malaria allows the appropriate targeting of interventions. Current approaches to assessing receptivity involve collecting entomological data. Forest coverage is known to be associated with malaria risk, as an environment conducive to both vector breeding and high-risk human behaviours.
Methods
Geolocated, anonymised, individual-level surveillance data from 2011 to 2021 from the Thai Division of Vector-Borne Disease (DVBD) was used to calculate incidence and estimated Rc at village level. Forest cover was calculated using raster maps of tree crown cover density and year of forest loss from the publicly available Hansen dataset. Incidence and forest cover were compared graphically and using spearman’s rho. The current foci classification system was applied to data to the last 5 years (2017–2021) and forest cover for 2021 compared between the classifications. A simple risk score was developed to identify villages with high receptivity.
Results
There was a non-linear decrease in annual cases by 96.6% (1,061 to 36) across the two provinces from 2011 to 2021. Indigenous Annual Parasite Index (API) and approximated Rc were higher in villages in highly forested subdistricts, and with higher forest cover within 5km. Forest cover was also higher in malaria foci which consistently reported malaria cases each year than those which did not. An Rc > 1 was only reported in villages in subdistricts with > 25% forest cover. When applying a simple risk score using forest cover and recent case history, the classifications were comparable to those of the risk stratification system currently used by the DVBD.
Conclusions
There was a positive association between forest coverage around a village and indigenous malaria cases. Most local transmission was observed in the heavily forested subdistricts on the international borders with Laos and Cambodia, which are where the most receptive villages are located. These areas are at greater risk of importation of malaria due to population mobility and forest-going activities. Combining forest cover and recent case surveillance data with measures of vulnerability may be useful for prediction of malaria recurrence risk.
Impact of molar incisor hypomineralization and hypersensitivity on oral health-related quality of life
Authors: Schoeffel Amanda Cristina , Rolim Tatiane Zahn Cardoso , de Souza Luíse Gomes , Lourenço Yohana , Alves Isadora , de Menezes José Vitor Nogara Borges , Zanon Luciana Reichert Assunção , de Souza Juliana Feltrin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate the impact of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and hypersensitivity on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in school children.
Materials and Methods: A representative random sample of 568 eight-year-old children, enrolled in public schools in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, were selected. The children were clinically evaluated to diagnose MIH by Ghanin (2015) criteria, hypersensitivity by the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale (SCASS) scale, and dental caries by ICDAS criteria. OHRQoL was assessed by the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) and the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM (PedsQL™). The OHRQoL scores were compared according to the clinical outcomes by the U - Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test. The CPQ and PedsQL™ scores were tested by Spearman correlation (𝛂=0.05).
Results: The prevalence of MIH was 17% (IC95% 14% - 20%), in which 36,1% was mild and 63,9% moderated/severe. Although the presence of MIH did not impact significantly OHRQoL, children with severe MIH harmed the OHRQoL. Thus, the presence of hypersensitivity reports in MIH-affected teeth or the presence of post-eruptive or dental caries cavity in MIH-affected teeth impacts significantly the OHRQoL, for both questionnaires (p<0,05). The scores of both Questionnaires had a significantly strong correlation (r=-0,761;p<0,05).
Conclusions: Only the presence of MIH did not impact the OHRQoL, however, the clinical consequences of MIH, such as post-eruptive or cavity caries lesions and the presence of hypersensitivity harmed OHRQoL.
Clinical Relevance: Dental hypersensitivity is a common symptom present in cases of hypomineralization, recognizing its impact on quality of life makes it possible to develop patient-centered outcomes.
Anakinra in the Management of Adult-Onset Still’s Disease: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Kilic Berkay , Parlar Kerem , Karup Sejla , Ozturk Admir , Karaahmetli Kardelen , Ugurlu Serdal 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic autoinflammatory disorder of unknown etiology characterized by systemic inflammation, high fever, salmon-colored skin rash, arthralgia, and arthritis. Patients with AOSD may also present with elevated inflammatory markers, hyperferritinemia, anemia, leukocytosis, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Glucocorticoids and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, including the anti-interleukin-1 agent anakinra, are used in the management of AOSD.
Methods
This retrospective single-center study included patients with AOSD who were registered at our tertiary center, and received anakinra treatment. The primary outcome of our study was the proportion of patients who achieved complete remission of disease-related clinical and laboratory complications. The glucocorticoid treatment profiles of the included patients before and after anakinra treatment were also analyzed. The occurrence of serious and non-serious adverse events was recorded to analyze the safety profile of anakinra.
Results
Thirty-four patients with AOSD, including 25 females (73.5%), were enrolled in the study. Twelve patients (35.3%) achieved complete remission and 14 patients (41.2%) achieved partial remission after anakinra treatment. Eight patients (23.5%) did not response to anakinra. Anakinra significantly decreased the number of patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment [33 (97%) vs. 22 (64.7%), p < 0.001] and the mean daily glucocorticoid dose [19 ± 13.5 mg vs. 4.6 ± 5.8 mg, p < 0.001]. Mild adverse events occurred in 11 patients (32.3%) with injection site reactions being the most common. One patient (2.9%) was diagnosed with tuberculosis within the treatment period.
Conclusion
Anakinra is an effective and generally safe option for biological treatment initiation in the management of AOSD.
A survey study on the evaluation of posed smiles by social group
Authors: Zhong Birong , Zhou Guilong , Yang Yong , Zhao Jinlong , Tian Lei , Ma Qin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Smiling, one of the main facial expressions, expresses positive emotions that promote psychological well-being and facilitate individuals’ acceptance of society. Smiles can influence others’ perceptions of facial attractiveness. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of the perception of smiling structures on the attractiveness of smiles among raters in different groups.
Methods
Smile photographs were selected and digitally manipulated to determine changes in various smile aesthetic parameters (the lip thickness ratio, smile line/ smile index, lower upper lip curve, and smile arc/dental curvature). These altered images were rated by Chinese participants stratified by social group: dentists, clinicians, nurses, and nonmedical professionals. A total of 1469 subjects were recruited to complete the questionnaire. Smile strength scores were calculated, and comparisons between groups were made.
Results
All respondents chose a 1:1.5 lip thickness ratio, average smile line, upwards upper lip curvature and a consonant smile arc parallel to the lower lip curvature smile arc. However, significant differences were detected in the rating scores across occupational groups.
Conclusions
The smile variables of the lip thickness ratio, smile line, upper lip curvature, and smile arc are predominant factors influencing smile attractiveness and should be given priority when considering and managing aesthetic treatment plans. In addition, it is necessary to account for the influence of profession on individuals’ evaluations and to conduct individualized evaluation and treatment.
Benchmarking multi-omics integrative clustering methods for subtype identification in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Lv Jiali , Fan Zhe , Gu Bingbing , Fan Bingbing , Li Chunxia , Wang Cheng , Zhang Tao 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background and objectives
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a heterogeneous malignancy that has concerned global burden of incidence and mortality. The traditional tumor-node-metastasis staging system has exhibited certain limitations. With the advancement of omics technologies, researchers are directing their focus on developing a more precise multi-omics molecular classification. Therefore, the utilization of unsupervised multi-omics integrative clustering methods in CRC, advocating for the establishment of a comprehensive benchmark with practical guidelines. In this study, we obtained CRC multi-omics data, encompassing DNA methylation, gene expression, and protein expression from the TCGA database. We then generated interrelated CRC multi-omics data with various structures based on realistic multi-omics correlations, and performed a comprehensive evaluation of eight representative methods categorized as early integration, intermediate integration, and late integration using complementary benchmarks for subtype classification accuracy. Lastly, we employed these methods to integrate real-world CRC multi-omics data, survival and differential analysis were used to highlight differences among newly identified multi-omics subtypes.
Results
Through in-depth comparisons, we observed that similarity network fusion (SNF) exhibited exceptional performance in integrating multi-omics data derived from simulations. Additionally, SNF effectively distinguished CRC patients into five subgroups with the highest classification accuracy. Moreover, we found significant survival differences and molecular distinctions among SNF subtypes.
Conclusions
The findings consistently demonstrate that SNF outperforms other methods in CRC multi-omics integrative clustering. The significant survival differences and molecular distinctions among SNF subtypes provide novel insights into the multi-omics perspective on CRC heterogeneity with potential clinical treatment. The code and its implementation are available in GitHub https://github.com/zsbvb/Comparison-of-Multiomics-Integration-Methods-for-CRC.
Ferrous Ascorbate as A Potential Biomarker for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Vitreous Humour Metabolomics Study
Authors: Liu Jinmeng , Liu Shuang , Hui Peng , Teng Siying , Xie Jinghui , Sun Yabin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to explore differences in vitreous humour metabolites and metabolic pathways between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and identify potential metabolite biomarkers.
Methods
Clinical data and vitreous fluid samples were collected from 125 patients (40 without diabetes, 85 with DR). The metabolite profiles of the vitreous fluid samples were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, Q-Exactive mass spectrometry, and multivariate statistical analysis. A machine learning model based on Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Regularized logistic regression was used to build a risk scoring model based on selected metabolite levels. Candidate metabolites were regressed to glycated haemoglobin levels by a logistic regression model.
Results
Twenty differential metabolites were identified between the DR and control groups and were significantly enriched in five Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways (arginine biosynthesis; tricarboxylic acid cycle; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; tyrosine metabolism; and D-glutamate metabolism). Ferrous ascorbate was risk factor for glycaemic control.
Conclusions
Disorders in the metabolic pathways of arginine biosynthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, alanine, aspartate, glutamate metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and D-glutamate metabolism were associated with DR. Risk scores based on vitreous fluid metabolites can be used for the diagnosis and management of DR. Ferrous ascorbate can provide insights into potential new pathogenic pathways for DR.