bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining identical twins undergoing bariatric surgery: the single anastomosis duodeno–ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) approach
Authors: Menon Rahul , Lockie Philip 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Studies in monozygotic (MZ) twins may help researchers elucidate the complex relationships between genetic and environmental factors on weight loss. We present a world first of MZ twins who have undergone the single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) procedure who have identical weights 3 years post-operatively. Two MZ twin 49-year-old females were assessed preoperatively and were indicated for the SADI-S procedure. They underwent surgery in 2020 by the same surgical team. Three years later post-operatively they had identical weights of 62 kg (and a BMI of 23) and %EWL of 126 and 124% respectively. SADI-S is a novel bariatric procedure for morbid obesity. Studies have found concordant epigenetic patterns in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery as well as MZ twins who have hypocaloric diets. Genetics exert a strong influence in weight management. Surgical management as well as a collaborative multidisciplinary approach is beneficial in supporting long lasting weight loss in bariatric surgery.
Towards a ‘synergy’ of text mining and critical discourse analysis: a corpus-assisted discourse study of imagining China in Hong Kong political discourse
Authors: Liu Ming 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This study proposes to incorporate text mining into critical discourse analysis (CDA) to give a corpus-assisted discourse study of the particular ways of imagining Hong Kong’s relations to China in the public speeches of three former Chief Executives in the two decades after its handover. With the computer-assisted text-mining tool KH Coder, this study combines the methods of quantitative text mining and qualitative discourse analysis to examine their preferential ways of imagining China at different levels of discourse: (1) topics/themes, (2) discursive strategies, and (3) linguistic means and realizations. It generates illuminating findings concerning their preferential ways of imagining Hong Kong’s relations to China as well as the analytic potential of incorporating text mining into CDA. It is expected that it can lead to more studies towards this endeavour.
Microbial Translocation and Gut Damage Are Associated With an Elevated Fast Score in Women Living With and Without HIV
Authors: Duarte Maria J , Tien Phyllis C , Kardashian Ani , Ma Yifei , Hunt Peter , Kuniholm Mark H , Adimora Adaora A , Fischl Margaret A , French Audrey L , Topper Elizabeth , Konkle-Parker Deborah , Minkoff Howard , Ofotokun Ighovwerha , Plankey Michael , Sharma Anjali , Price Jennifer C 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Steatohepatitis is common in persons living with HIV and may be associated with gut microbial translocation (MT). However, few studies have evaluated the gut-liver axis in persons living with HIV. In the Women's Interagency HIV Study, we examined the associations of HIV and circulating biomarkers linked to MT and gut damage using the FibroScan–aspartate aminotransferase (FAST) score, a noninvasive surrogate for steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis.

Methods
Among 883 women with HIV and 354 without HIV, we used multivariable regression to examine the associations of HIV and serum biomarkers linked to MT and gut damage (kynurenine and tryptophan ratio, intestinal fatty acid–binding protein, soluble CD14, and soluble CD163) with a log-transformed FAST score after adjusting for key covariates. We used a path analysis and mediation models to determine the mediating effect of each biomarker on the association of HIV with FAST.

Results
HIV infection was associated with a 49% higher FAST score. MT biomarker levels were higher in women with HIV than women without HIV (P &lt; .001 for each). MT biomarkers mediated 13% to 32% of the association of HIV and FAST score.

Conclusions
Biomarkers linked to MT and gut damage are associated with a higher FAST score and mediate the association of HIV with a higher FAST score. Our findings suggest that MT may be an important mechanism by which HIV increases the risk of steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis.
Biomaterials for immunomodulation in wound healing
Authors: Wang Ying , Vizely Katrina , Li Chen Yu , Shen Karen , Shakeri Amid , Khosravi Ramak , Smith James Ryan , Alteza Eugene Alfonzo I I , Zhao Yimu , Radisic Milica 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The substantial economic impact of non-healing wounds, scarring, and burns stemming from skin injuries is evident, resulting in a financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system. This review paper provides an overview of the skin’s vital role in guarding against various environmental challenges as the body’s largest protective organ and associated developments in biomaterials for wound healing. We first introduce the composition of skin tissue and the intricate processes of wound healing, with special attention to the crucial role of immunomodulation in both acute and chronic wounds. This highlights how the imbalance in the immune response, particularly in chronic wounds associated with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and immunosuppression, hinders normal healing stages. Then, this review distinguishes between traditional wound-healing strategies that create an optimal microenvironment and recent peptide-based biomaterials that modulate cellular processes and immune responses to facilitate wound closure. Additionally, we highlight the importance of considering the stages of wounds in the healing process. By integrating advanced materials engineering with an in-depth understanding of wound biology, this approach holds promise for reshaping the field of wound management and ultimately offering improved outcomes for patients with acute and chronic wounds.
Long-term efficacy and safety of subcutaneous tocilizumab in clinical trials of polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Brunner Hermine I , Ruperto Nicolino , Ramanan Athimalaipet V , Horneff Gerd , Minden Kirsten , Calvo Penades Inmaculada , Alexeeva Ekaterina , Cleary Gavin , Stern Sara M , Kone-Paut Isabelle , Maldonado Velázquez María del Rocío , Rabinovich C Egla , Remesal Agustin , Silva Clovis Artur , Nikishina Irina , Zucchetto Mauro , Brockwell Laura , Gordon Oliver , Nagel Sandra , De Benedetti Fabrizio ,   for the PRINTO and PRCSG Investigators, Cuttica Rubén , Rama Maria Elena , Akikusa Jonathan , Chaitow Jeffrey , Len Claudio , Silva Clovis Artur , Schmeling Heinrike , Schneider Rayfel , Kone-Paut Isabelle , Hufnagel Markus , Minden Kirsten , Horneff Gerd , de Benedetti Fabrizio , Velázquez María del Rocío Maldonado , Rubio Nadina , Alekseeva Ekaterina , Remesal Agustin , Boteanu Alina , Torrent Rosa Bou , Penades Inmaculada Calvo , Ramanan Athimalaipet V , Cleary Gavin , Brunner Hermine I , Janow Ginger , Weiss Jennifer , Lovell Daniel , Martin Alan , Nanda Kabita , Wagner-Weiner Linda , Stern Sara , Zeft Andrew , Dare Jason 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous tocilizumab (SC-TCZ) treatment in a long-term extension (LTE) of clinical trials in polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA or sJIA).

Methods
Patients with pJIA or sJIA from two open-label, 52-week phase 1b core trials of SC-TCZ who had adequate response per investigator assessment entered the LTE and continued SC-TCZ treatment according to body weight–based dosing regimens until commercial availability or up to 5 years. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy were assessed for up to 3 years, and safety for up to 5 years in the LTE.

Results
Forty-four patients with pJIA and 38 patients with sJIA entered the LTE. Tocilizumab trough concentrations were maintained within the range expected to provide clinical benefit (mean values: pJIA, ∼10 μg/ml; sJIA, ∼75 μg/ml over 3 years). Pharmacodynamic parameters (interleukin-6, soluble interleukin-6 receptor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein) were maintained throughout the LTE at levels achieved in the core trials. Inactive disease per American College of Rheumatology provisional criteria was reported for 90% (17/19) and 53% (8/15) of patients with pJIA and 91% (10/11) and 92% (12/13) of patients with sJIA in the &lt;30 and ≥30 kg body weight groups, respectively. Serious adverse events in the LTE were reported in six patients with pJIA (13.6%; five serious infections) and five patients with sJIA (13.2%; one serious infection).

Conclusion
Patients with pJIA or sJIA experienced long-term disease control with SC-TCZ treatment. Long-term safety was consistent with the known tocilizumab safety profile.

Clinical trial registration
clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02165345
SERPINA3, FGA, AGP1, ITIH3 and SAA1 as novel biomarkers for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis diagnosis and activity assessment
Authors: Liu Yun , Kong Xiufang , Zhang Xiao , Chen Zhihong , Wang Jinghua , Chen Huiyong , Jiang Lindi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective
The objective of this study was to identify novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of active eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) through data-independent acquisition (DIA) analysis.

Methods
Plasma samples from 11 EGPA patients and 10 healthy controls (HCs) were analysed through DIA to identify potential biomarkers. The results were validated in 32 EGPA patients, 24 disease controls (DCs), and 20 HCs using ELISA. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of candidate biomarkers.

Results
Thirty-five differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (24 upregulated and 11 downregulated) were screened between the EGPA and HC groups. Five proteins, including serine proteinase inhibitor A3 (SERPINA3), alpha-fibrinogen (FGA), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein 1(AGP1), inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 (ITIH3), and serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), were significantly upregulated in EGPA compared with HCs. Apart from SAA1, all proteins were also higher in EGPA patients compared with DCs. Furthermore, a panel of SERPINA3 and SAA1 exhibited potential diagnostic value for EGPA, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.953, while a panel of SERPINA3, FGA, AGP1 and ITIH3 showed good discriminative power for differentiating EGPA from DCs, with an AUC of 0.926. Moreover, SERPINA3, FGA and AGP levels were significantly higher in active EGPA and correlated well with disease activity. A combination of SERPINA3 and AGP1 exhibited an excellent AUC of 0.918 for disease activity assessment.

Conclusion
SERPINA3, FGA, AGP1, ITIH3 and SAA1 were identified as potential biomarkers for EGPA diagnosis and disease activity assessment. Among them, as a single biomarker, SERPINA3 had the best diagnostic performance.
Investigating a clinically informed sleep disturbance threshold for physical and mental health among Gulf War Illness veterans
Authors: Allen Nathaniel , Crock Lucas , Chun Timothy , Reinhard Matthew J 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Study Objectives
This study (1) assessed sleep quality and health in Gulf War veterans (GWV) meeting the Gulf War Illness (GWI) criteria and (2) compared health associations for both those meeting a “clinically disturbed sleep” threshold, and those below, as determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) cutoff for military populations (≥10) on measures of physical, mental, and cognitive health.

Methods
Participant data consisted of questionnaires and assessments completed prior to group assignment in a clinical trial. The sample consisted of 147 GWV, where 81.0% were males, and the median age was 53.4 years.

Results
The mean (SD) PSQI global score was 12.34 (4.00) with 61% of the sample qualifying as clinically disturbed sleepers according to the cutoff (global PSQI ≥ 10). GWI veterans with PSQI scores ≥10 did not differ from others in age (p = 0.20), sex (p = 0.19), or years of education (p = 0.87), but showed worse GW-related symptomology on the Gulf War Kansas questionnaire (p &lt; 0.01), and poorer mental health on the Veterans Rand-36 (p &lt; 0.01).

Conclusions
Disturbed sleep was associated with measures of pain, fatigue, and cognitive health. Our results suggest that a previously determined clinical threshold for clinically disturbed sleep is useful when examining the health status of the study population. Given that GWI is associated with elevated PSQI scores and a high frequency of disturbed sleep, cutoffs determining sleep health should be sensitive to population exposures and health history to improve interpretability.
What is the Long-term Wear of a 5-Mrad Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene Liner? A 14-year RSA Study
Authors: Callary Stuart A. , Sharma Deepti K. , D’Apollonio Taisha M. , Critchley Owain , Mercer Graham , Wilson Christopher , Campbell David G. 
Published: March 2024

Background
Lower doses of irradiation (≤ 5 Mrad) during the manufacture of highly crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liners may result in less crosslinking and an increased wear rate. Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) studies have found that wear of more highly irradiated highly crosslinked polyethylene liners (7 to 10 Mrad) decreases at longer-term follow-up compared with earlier reports of the same cohorts. Although wear of 5-Mrad irradiated liners appears to increase at midterm follow-up, it is unclear whether that remains true at longer follow-up.

Questions/purposes
We asked: (1) In patients who underwent THA with a 5-Mrad highly crosslinked polyethylene liner, what is the wear rate evaluated with RSA during the first 14 years? (2) Does the wear rate decrease after 6 years in situ?

Methods
This is a brief follow-up of prior RSA studies performed at 2 and 6 years. We prospectively reviewed the longer-term wear rate in 13 patients who underwent primary THAs with the same design of a 5-MRad irradiated crosslinked acetabular liner and a 28-mm cobalt-chromium articulation. Of the initial 30 patients who were enrolled, 13 (43%) were available at the 14-year timepoint; nine patients had died, 1 patient had withdrawn, 1 had an intraoperative fracture, 3 patients were too infirm to have radiographs, 2 had no baseline RSA radiographs, and 1 had poor-quality RSA images. Tantalum markers were inserted during surgery, and all patients had RSA radiographic examinations at 1 week, 6 months, and 1, 2, 6, and 14 years postoperatively.

Results
The mean ± standard deviation proximal, 2D, and 3D wear rates calculated between 1 year and 14 years were 0.019 ± 0.013 mm, 0.022 ± 0.015 mm, and 0.025 ± 0.019 mm per year, respectively. No patient had proximal 2D or 3D wear rates exceeding 0.06 mm per year. An increasing wear rate over time was measured for proximal and 2D wear rates between 6 and 14 years (0.024 and 0.030 mm per year) compared with that between 1 and 6 years (0.008 and 0.010 mm per year; p = 0.03).

Conclusion
The proximal, 2D, and 3D wear of a highly crosslinked polyethylene liner produced using 5-Mrad radiation remains low in the longer-term. With the small numbers available in a long-term RSA study such as this, we confirmed that the wear rate did not decrease at longer-term follow-up, unlike previous RSA studies of more highly irradiated highly crosslinked polyethylene liners. Nevertheless, the wear rate remains very low and below the threshold typically associated with the development of osteolysis (0.1 mm/year of wear). This should provide assurance to orthopaedic surgeons monitoring patients with this 5-Mrad irradiated liner in situ, while providing useful information to manufacturers of future highly crosslinked polyethylene liners.

Level of Evidence
Level IV therapeutic study.
Effects of different neuraxial analgesia modalities on the need for physician interventions in labour
Authors: Wang Lizhong , Huang Jiayue , Chang Xiangyang , Xia Feng 
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND
Neuraxial labour analgesia can be initiated with epidural (EPL), combined spinal epidural (CSE) or dural puncture epidural (DPE) and maintained with continuous epidural infusion (CEI), patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) or programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB), but the optimal analgesia modality is still controversial.

OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of commonly used neuraxial analgesia modalities on the proportion of women needing physician interventions, as defined by the need for physician-administered epidural top-ups for inadequate analgesia in labour.

DESIGN
Bayesian network meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science and Wanfang Data were searched from January 1988 to August 2023 without language restriction.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials comparing two or more modalities of the following six neuraxial analgesia modalities in healthy labouring women: EPL+CEI+PCEA, EPL+PIEB+PCEA, CSE+CEI+PCEA, CSE+PIEB+PCEA, DPE+CEI+PCEA and DPE+PIEB+PCEA.

RESULTS
Thirty studies with 8188 women were included. Compared with EPL+CEI+PCEA, EPL+PIEB+PCEA [odds ratio (OR) = 0.44; 95% credible interval (CrI), 0.22 to 0.86], CSE+PIEB+PCEA (OR = 0.29; 95% CrI, 0.12 to 0.71) and DPE+PIEB+PCEA (OR = 0.19; 95% CrI, 0.08 to 0.42) significantly reduced the proportion of women needing physician interventions. DPE+PIEB+PCEA had fewer women needing physician interventions than all other modalities, except for CSE+PIEB+PCEA (OR = 0.63; 95% CrI, 0.25 to 1.62). There were no significant differences in local anaesthetic consumption, maximum pain score, and the incidence of instrumental delivery between the different neuraxial modalities.

CONCLUSIONS
PIEB+PCEA is associated with a lower risk of physician interventions in labour than CEI+PCEA. DPE or CSE and PIEB+PCEA may be associated with a lower likelihood of physician interventions than other neuraxial modalities. Otherwise, the new neuraxial analgesia techniques do not appear to offer significant advantages over traditional techniques. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to limited data and methodological limitations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42023402540).
Hypericin Alleviates Chronic Kidney Disease–induced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy by Regulation of FGF23-FGFR4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Min , Cheng Linting , Ye Qianru , Liu Huamin , Shu Cong , Gao Haocheng , Liu Xin , Zhang Xiuhua , Chen Gaozhi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health threat that imposes a substantial burden on both individuals and societies. CKD frequently correlates with cardiovascular events, particularly left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which contributes to the high mortality rate associated with CKD. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a hormone primarily involved in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism, has been identified as a major risk factor for LVH in CKD patients. Elevated serum FGF23 levels are known to induce LVH and myocardial fibrosis by activating the fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) signal pathway. Therefore, targeting FGFR4 and its downstream signaling pathways holds potential as a treatment strategy for cardiac dysfunction in CKD. In our current study, we have discovered that Hypericin, a key component derived from Hypericum perforatum, has the ability to alleviate CKD-related LVH by targeting the FGFR4/phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCγ1) signaling pathway. Through in vitro experiments using rat cardiac myocyte H9c2 cells, we observed that Hypericin effectively inhibits FGF23-induced hypertrophy and fibrosis by suppressing the FGFR4/PLCγ1/calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT3) signaling pathway. In addition, our in vivo studies using mice on a high-phosphate diet and rat models of 5/6 nephrectomy demonstrated that Hypericin has therapeutic effects against CKD-induced LVH by modulating the FGFR4/PLCγ1/calcineurin/NFAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, our research highlights the potential of Hypericin as a candidate for the treatment of CKD-induced cardiomyopathy. By suppressing the FGFR4/PLCγ1 signaling pathway, Hypericin shows promise in attenuating LVH and myocardial fibrosis associated with CKD.
Chronotropic Responses to GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Sitagliptin in Atria From Diabetic Rats
Authors: Akcabag Esra , Aksoyalp Zinnet Sevval , Oner Feride , Bayram Zeliha , Ozbey Gul , Nacitarhan Cahit , Ozdem Sebahat , Tasatargil Arda , Ozdem Sadi S. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, elucidation of the cardiovascular effects of antidiabetics is crucial. Incretin-based therapies are increasingly used for type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment as monotherapy and in combination. We aimed to study the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sitagliptin on beating rates in isolated atria from diabetic rats. The chronotropic responses to GLP-1 RAs and sitagliptin as monotherapy and in combinations with metformin, pioglitazone, and glimepiride in isolated atria from control and diabetic rats were determined. GLP-1 (7–36), GLP-1 (9–36), and exendin-4 (1–39) produced increases in beating rates in both control and diabetic rat atria. However, sitagliptin increased the beating frequency only in the diabetic group. Exendin (9–39), nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, and indomethacin blocked responses to GLP-1 RAs but not the response to sitagliptin. Glibenclamide, 4-aminopyridine, apamin, charybdotoxin, superoxide dismutase, and catalase incubations did not change responses to GLP-1 RAs and sitagliptin. GLP-1 RAs increase beating rates in isolated rat atrium through GLP-1 receptor, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase pathways but not potassium channels and reactive oxygen radicals.