bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of vitrification at the germinal vesicle stage on the global methylation status in mouse oocytes subsequently matured in vitro
Authors: Yan Jie , Zhang Lu , Wang Tianren , Li Rong , Liu Ping , Yan Liying , Qiao Jie 
Published: January 2024

Background
It is still unclear whether the vitrification procedure itself is associated with the incidence of abnormal DNA methylation during oocytes vitrification. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epigenetic profile of mouse oocytes, which went through vitrification either at a mature stage or at an immature stage following in vitro maturation (IVM) by analyzing the global DNA methylation.

Methods
Metaphase II (M II) stage and germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were collected from adult female mice and were vitrified respectively. The M II oocytes were assessed for cryo-survival and global DNA methylation. The GV oocytes were assessed for cryo-survival and only the surviving GV oocytes were cultured in vitro for subsequent assessment of global DNA methylation in mature oocytes. In vivo matured fresh M II oocytes without undergoing vitrification were used as control. The level of global DNA methylation in the M II oocytes was then examined by immunofluorescence using an anti-5-methylcytosine (anti-5-MeC) monoclonal antibody and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG under a laser scanning confocal microscope.

Results
In terms of the effect of vitrification on global DNA methylation status in matured oocytes, in the M II-v group, all the examined oocytes (90/90) were found with hypermethylation, including 63.3% (57/90) of them displaying DNA methylation of a very high level, 25.6% (23/90) with a high level, and 11.1% (10/90) with an intermediate level, whereas in the GV-v group, all the matured oocytes (129/129) were also examined with hypermethylation, including 67.4% (87/129) of them displaying DNA methylation of a very high level, 23.3% (30/129) with a high level, and 9.3% (12/129) with an intermediate level. Statistically, it was similar between both groups, which were similar to the control: 68.6% (83/121) of fresh M II oocytes displayed DNA methylation of a very high level, 21.5% (26/121) with a high level, and 9.9%(12/121) with an intermediate level (P >0.05). In terms of the effect of IVM on global DNA methylation status in matured oocytes, in the in vivo matured oocytes group, all oocytes examined (94/94) were found with hypermethylation, including 80.9% (76/94) displaying DNA methylation of a very high level and 19.1% (18/94) with a high level, whereas in the in vitro matured oocytes group, all oocytes examined (69/69) were also found with hypermethylation: 85.2% (56/69) of them displayed with DNA methylation of very high level, 11.9% (11/69) with high level, and 2% (2/69) with intermediate level. This result was similar to that in in vivo matured fresh M II oocytes (P >0.05).

Conclusion
The vitrification procedure at GV stage does not induce widespread alteration of global DNA methylation status of mouse oocytes subsequently matured in vitro.
Correlation of Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells with clinical parameters in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Nan Jiang , Mengtao Li , Xiaofeng Zeng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that has three major components: inflammation, fibrosis, and vasculopathy. T-helper 17 cell (Th17) and regulatory T cell (Treg) are considered to be critical for autoimmune disease pathogenesis. The role of Th17 and Treg in SSc is still unclear. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Th17s and CD4+CD25+ Tregs in peripheral blood samples from SSc patients and to investigate the possible roles of these two T cell subsets in SSc pathogenesis.

Methods
Th17s (CD4 and IL-17 positive) and CD4+CD25+ Tregs (CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 positive) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 53 SSc patients and 27 healthy controls were counted by flow cytometry. The differences between SSc and control patients were analyzed. Clinical parameters, including disease duration, duration of the second symptoms, Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS), anti-topoisomerase I antibody, anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody, systemic involvements, pulmonary function test (PFT) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score were prospectively collected following EUSTAR (EULAR scleroderma trial and research group) protocols. The correlations between the experimental and clinical data were investigated.

Results
The ratio of Th17 in SSc patients was significantly elevated compared to healthy controls (8.74% vs. 4.41%, P <0.001). The amount of Th17 was positively correlated with disease duration (R=0.531, P=0.013) and duration of the second symptoms (R=0.505, P=0.023). The ratio of CD4+CD25+ Treg in SSc patients also significantly differed from the healthy controls (3.04% vs. 2.24%, P=0.018). Elevated Tregs were more frequently observed in patients with a high interstitial lung disease (ILD) score on computed tomography (24/36) compared with patients with normal ILD scores (4/12, P=0.043). Elevated Tregs were also more often observed in patients with low carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) (24/34) compared with patients with normal DLCO (4/11, P=0.042).

Conclusions
T cell abnormalities are remarkable in systemic sclerosis. Th17s proliferate and their numbers increase with lengthened disease duration. Th17s might participate in both inflammation and fibrosis by secreting IL-17. CD4+CD25+ Tregs also proliferate in SSc and may play important roles in promoting fibrosis.
Anti-catabolic effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of honeybee propolis on bone loss in ovariectomized mice: a micro-computed tomography study and histological analysis
Authors: Duan Wangping , Wang Qing , Li Fang , Xiang Chuan , Zhou Lin , Xu Jiake , Feng Haotian , Wei Xiaochun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Osteoporosis (OP) is a common bone disease, which adversely affects life quality. Effective treatments are necessary to combat both the loss and fracture of bone. Recent studies indicated that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural chemical compound from honeybee propolis which is capable of attenuating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of CAPE on bone loss in OP mice using micro-computed tomography (CT) and histology.

Methods
Eighteen mice were prepared and evenly divided into three groups. The six mice in the sham+PBS group did not undergo ovariectomy and were intraperitoneally injected with PBS during the curing period. Twelve mice were ovariectomized (OVX) to induce OP. Six of them in the OVX+CAPE group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mg/kg CAPE twice per week for 4 weeks after ovariectomy. The other six OVX mice in OVX+PBS group were treated with PBS. All the mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after ovariectomy. The tibias were bilaterally excised for micro-CT scan and histological analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the statistical differences among groups.

Results
Bone loss occurred in OVX mice. Compared with the sham+PBS group, mice in the OVX+PBS group exhibited a significant decrease in bone mineral density (BMD, P <0.05), bone volume fraction (BV/TV, P <0.01), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th, P <0.05), and trabecular number (Tb.N, P <0.01), as well as a non-insignificant increase in the number of osteoclasts (N.Oc/B.Pm). With CAPE treatment, the microarchitecture of the tibial metaphyses was significantly improved with a reduction of osteoclast formation. Compared with the OVX+PBS group, BV/TV in the OVX+CAPE group was significantly increased by 33.9% (P <0.05).

Conclusion
CAPE therapy results in the protection of bone loss induced by OVX.
Lumbar spine superior-level facet joint violations: percutaneous versus open pedicle screw insertion using intraoperative 3-dimensional computer-assisted navigation
Authors: Tian Wei , Xu Yunfeng , Liu Bo , Liu Yajun , He Da , Yuan Qiang , Lang Zhao , Lyu Yanwei , Han Xiaoguang , Jin Peihao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Percutaneous pedicle screw use has a high rate of cranial facet joint violations (FVs) because of the facet joint being indirectly visualized. Computer-assisted navigation shows the anatomic structures clearly, and may help to lower the rate of FVs during pedicle screw insertion. This study used computed tomography (CT) to evaluate and compare the incidence of FVs between percutaneous and open surgeries employing computer-assisted navigation for the implantation of pedicle screw instrumentation during lumbar fusions.

Methods
A prospective study, including 142 patients having lumbar and lumbosacral fusion, was conducted between January 2013 and April 2014. All patients had bilateral posterior pedicle screw-rod instrumentation (top-loading screws) implanted by the same group of surgeons; intraoperative 3-dimensional computer navigation was used during the procedures. All patients underwent CT examinations within 6 months postoperation. The CT scans were independently reviewed by three reviewers blinded to the technique used.

Results
The cohort comprised 68 percutaneous and 74 open cases (136 and 148 superior-level pedicle screw placements, respectively). Overall, superior-level FVs occurred in 20 patients (20/142, 14.1%), involving 27 top screws (27/284, 9.5%). The percutaneous technique (7.4% of patients, 3.7% of top screws) had a significantly lower violation rate than the open procedure (20.3% of patients, 14.9% of top screws). The open group also had significantly more serious violations than did the percutaneous group. Both groups had a higher violation rate when the cranial fixation involved the L5. A 1-level open procedure had a higher violation rate than did the 2- and 3-level surgeries.

Conclusions
With computer-assisted navigation, the placement of top-loading percutaneous screws carries a lower risk of adjacent-FVs than does the open technique; when FVs occur, they tend to be less serious. Performing a single-level open lumbar fusion, or the fusion of the L5-S1 segment, requires caution to avoid cranial adjacent FVs.
Structural and evolutionary characteristics of pyruvate phosphate dikinase in Giardia lamblia and other amitochondriate protozoa
Authors: Feng Xianmin , Yang Chunlin , Zheng Wenyu , Wen Jianfan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) reversibly catalyzes the interconversion of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and pyruvic acid, leading to catabolism and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis or gluconeogenesis and ATP consumption. Molecular modeling of PPDKs from divergent organisms demonstrates that the orientation of the phosphorylatable histidine residue within the central domain of PPDK determines whether this enzyme promotes catabolism or gluconeogenesis. The goal of this study was to determine whether PDDK from Giardia underwent adaptive evolution in order to produce more energy under anaerobic conditions.

Methods
A total of 123 PPDK sequences from protozoans, proteobacteria, plants, and algae were selected, based upon sequence similarities to Giardia lamblia PPDK and Zea mays PPDK. Three-dimensional (3-D) models were generated for PPDKs from divergent organisms and were used to compare the orientation of the phosphorylatable histidine residue within the central domain of PPDKs. These PPDKs were compared using a maximum-likelihood tree.

Results
For PPDK from Giardia, as well as from other anaerobic protozoans, the central domain tilted toward the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain, indicating that this enzyme catalyzed ATP synthesis. Furthermore, the orientation of this central domain was determined by interactions between the N- and C-terminal domains. Phylogenetic analysis of the N- and C-terminal sequences of PPDKs from different species suggested that PPDK has likely undergone adaptive evolution in response to differences in environmental and metabolic conditions.

Conclusion
These results suggested that PPDK in anaerobic organisms is functionally adapted to generate energy more efficiently in an anaerobic environment.
Lumbar pedicle cortical bone trajectory screw
Authors: Song Tengfei , Hsu Wellington K , Ye Tianwen 
Published: January 2024

Objective
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the lumbar pedicle cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw fixation technique, a new fixation technique for lumbar surgery.

Data sources
The data analyzed in this review are mainly from articles reported in PubMed published from 1994 to 2014.

Study selection
Original articles and critical reviews relevant to CBT technique and lumbar pedicle fixation were selected.

Results
CBT technique was firstly introduced as a new fixation method for lumbar pedicle surgery in 2009. The concepts, morphometric study, biomechanical characteristics and clinical applications of CBT technique were reviewed. The insertional point of CBT screw is located at the lateral point of the pars interarticularis, and its trajectory follows a caudocephalad path sagittally and a laterally directed path in the transverse plane. CBT technique can be used for posterior fixation during lumbar fusion procedures. This technique is a minimally invasive surgery, which affords better biomechanical stability, fixation strength and surgical safety. Therefore, CBT technique has the greatest benefit in lumbar pedicle surgery for patients with osteoporosis and obesity.

Conclusion
CBT technique is a better alternative option of lumbar pedicle fixation, especially for patients with osteoporosis and obesity.
Ultrasound-guided continuous adductor canal block for analgesia after total knee replacement
Authors: Zhang Wei , Hu Yan , Tao Yan , Liu Xuebing , Wang Geng 
Published: January 2024

Background
There are several methods for postoperative analgesia for knee surgery. The commonly utilized method is multimodal analgesia based on continuous femoral nerve block. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of continuous adductor canal block for analgesia after total knee replacement and compare this method with continuous femoral nerve block.

Methods
Sixty patients scheduled for total knee replacement from June 2013 to March 2014 were randomly divided into a femoral group and an adductor group. Catheters were placed under the guidance of nerve stimulation in the femoral group and under the guidance of ultrasound in the adductor group. Operations were performed under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. After the operations, 0.2% ropivacaine was given at a speed of 5 ml/h through catheters in all patients. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and while moving were noted at 4, 24, and 48 hours after the operation, and quadriceps strength was also assessed at these time-points. Secondary parameters such as doses of complementary analgesics and side effects were also recorded.

Results
There were no significant differences between the groups in VAS pain scores at rest or while moving, at 4, 24, or 48 hours after the operation (P >0.05). At these time-points, mean quadriceps strengths in the adductor group were 3.0 (2.75-3.0), 3.0 (3.0-4.0), and 4.0 (3.0-4.0), respectively, all of which were significantly stronger than the corresponding means in the femoral group, which were 2.0 (2.0-3.0), 2.0 (2.0-3.0), and 3.0 (2.0-4.0), respectively (P <0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in doses of complementary analgesics or side effects (P >0.05). X-ray images of some patients showed that local anesthetic administered into the adductor canal could diffuse upward and reach the femoral triangle.

Conclusions
Continuous adductor canal block with 0.2% ropivacaine could be used effectively for analgesia after total knee replacement. Compared with continuous femoral nerve block, this analgesic method has similar analgesic effects and is associated with less weakness of quadriceps muscle.
An Updated Mass–Radius Analysis of the 2017–2018 NICER Data Set of PSR J0030+0451
Authors: Vinciguerra Serena , Salmi Tuomo , Watts Anna L. , Choudhury Devarshi , Riley Thomas E. , Ray Paul S. , Bogdanov Slavko , Kini Yves , Guillot Sebastien , Chakrabarty Deepto , Ho Wynn C. G. , Huppenkothen Daniela , Morsink Sharon M. , Wadiasingh Zorawar , Wolff Michael T. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In 2019 the NICER collaboration published the first mass and radius inferred for PSR J0030+0451, thanks to NICER observations, and consequent constraints on the equation of state characterizing dense matter. Two independent analyses found a mass of ∼1.3–1.4 M
⊙ and a radius of ∼13 km. They also both found that the hot spots were all located on the same hemisphere, opposite to the observer, and that at least one of them had a significantly elongated shape. Here we reanalyze, in greater detail, the same NICER data set, incorporating the effects of an updated NICER response matrix and using an upgraded analysis framework. We expand the adopted models and also jointly analyze XMM-Newton data, which enables us to better constrain the fraction of observed counts coming from PSR J0030+0451. Adopting the same models used in previous publications, we find consistent results, although with more stringent inference requirements. We also find a multimodal structure in the posterior surface. This becomes crucial when XMM-Newton data is accounted for. Including the corresponding constraints disfavors the main solutions found previously, in favor of the new and more complex models. These have inferred masses and radii of ∼[1.4 M
⊙, 11.5 km] and ∼[1.7 M
⊙, 14.5 km], depending on the assumed model. They display configurations that do not require the two hot spots generating the observed X-rays to be on the same hemisphere, nor to show very elongated features, and point instead to the presence of temperature gradients and the need to account for them.
The California-Kepler Survey. XI. A Survey of Chromospheric Activity through the Lens of Precise Stellar Properties
Authors: Isaacson Howard , Kane Stephen R. , Carter Brad , Howard Andrew W. , Weiss Lauren , Petigura Erik A. , Fulton Benjamin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Surveys of exoplanet host stars are valuable tools for assessing population level trends in exoplanets, and their outputs can include stellar ages, activity, and rotation periods. We extracted chromospheric activity measurements from the California-Kepler Survey Gaia survey spectra in order to probe connections between stellar activity and fundamental stellar properties. Building on the California Kepler Survey's legacy of 1189 planet host star stellar properties including temperature, surface gravity metallicity, and isochronal age, we add measurements of the Ca ii H and K lines as a proxy for chromospheric activity for 879 planet hosting stars. We used these chromospheric activity measurements to derive stellar rotation periods. We find a discrepancy between photometrically derived and activity-derived rotation periods for stars on the Rossby Ridge. These results support the theory of weakened magnetic braking. We find no evidence for metallicity-dependent activity relations, within the metallicity range of −0.2 to +0.3 dex. With our single epoch spectra we identify stars that are potentially in Maunder minimum–like state using a combination of log(

R

HK

′

) and position below the main sequence. We do not yet have the multiyear time series needed to verify stars in Maunder minimum–like states. These results can help inform future theoretical studies that explore the relationship between stellar activity, stellar rotation, and magnetic dynamos.
Magnetohydrodynamic Perspective on the Disappearance of Mercury’s Bow Shock by Helios Data Exploration
Authors: Lai S. H. , Yang Y.-H. , Ip W.-H. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) perspective, the planet’s bow shock would disappear when the fast-mode Mach number (M
F) of the solar wind is less than one. Compared to Earth, Mercury is subject to a lower M
F solar wind due to its proximity to the Sun, resulting in a higher possibility of the disappearance of its bow shock. To examine the variability of Mercury’s bow shock in response to the solar wind properties, analyses of the observations by the Helios spacecraft at 0.30–0.50 au during 1975–1983, covering solar cycle 21, together with the theoretical solutions and MHD simulations are conducted in this study. Our observational analyses show that more solar wind data with extremely low fast-mode Mach numbers (say, M
F ≤ 1.5) are observed during the rising and maximum phases and are characterized by a significantly low proton number density. It is also found that approximately 35% of the extremely low fast-mode Mach number solar wind events (M
F ≤ 1.5) occur within the main body of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), while about 58% of them are unrelated to ICMEs. Three of these events are selected to demonstrate that the occurrences of the solar wind with M
F ≤ 1.5 may not be necessarily affected by ICMEs. Our theoretical and numerical results indicate that when Mercury encounters the solar wind with M
F ≤ 1.5, its bow shock would move farther away, become flattened, and even disappear. Furthermore, our calculations suggest that Mercury’s bow shock would become a slow-mode shock with a concave-upward structure under such extreme solar wind conditions.
Unobscured Central Broad-line Regions in Type-1.9 AGN SDSS J1241+2602
Authors: Zhang XueGuang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Strong evidence is reported to support unobscured broad-line regions (BLRs) in Type-1.9 active galactic nucleus (AGN) SDSS J1241+2602 with reliable broad Hα but no broad Hβ. Commonly, the disappearance of broad Hβ can be explained by the AGN unified model, in which heavily obscured BLRs are expected in Type-1.9 AGNs. Here, based on properties of two kinds of BH masses, the virial BH mass and the BH mass obtained through the M
BH–σ relation, an independent method is proposed to test whether there are unobscured central BLRs in a Type-1.9 AGN. By the reliable measurement of stellar velocity dispersion of about 110 ± 12 km s −1 through the host galaxy absorption features in SDSS J1241+2602, the BH mass obtained through the M
BH–σ relation is consistent with the virial BH mass (3.43 ± 1.25) × 107
M
⊙ determined through properties of the observed broad Hα without considering the effects of obscurations in SDSS J1241+2602. Meanwhile, if considering heavily obscured BLRs in SDSS J1241+2602, the reddening-corrected virial BH mass is tens of times larger than the value expected from M
BH–σ, leading SDSS J1241+2602 to be an outlier in the M
BH–σ space with a confidence level higher than 5σ. Therefore, unobscured BLRs are preferred in the Type-1.9 AGN SDSS J1241+2602. The results indicate that it is necessary to check whether unobscured central BLRs are common in Type-1.9 AGNs when testing the unified model of AGNs through properties of Type-1.9 AGNs.