bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wind tunnel experimental study on static aerodynamic performance of SB-VAWT without intermediate support axes
Authors: Zhang Huawu , Hu Yihuai 
Published: October 2023

Wind power generation is considered an effective way for ships to harness wind energy, and the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines determine wind energy utilization and efficiency. However, traditional vertical axis wind turbines have intermediate shafts and support rods, which result in large negative effects in the research of the wind turbine aerodynamic characteristics. To address this issue, a Straight-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (SB-VAWT) without intermediate support axes is proposed. The turbine can flexibly change the number of blades, rotor diameter, and installation position of blades. The static aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine with different combinations was tested in a wind tunnel laboratory at 10 m/s. The results show that the radius of the wind turbine has a greater effect on the drag coefficient for the same number of blades, with an inverse relationship between the drag coefficient and radius, and a positive association between lift coefficient, static torque coefficient, and radius. The drag coefficient is proportional to the number of blades at the same radius, while the static torque coefficient is inversely proportional to the number of blades. According to the results, placing the initial location in the azimuth range between 30° and 50° can obtain the maximum initial starting torque. Moreover, a wind turbine with a radius of 16 cm can achieve a higher average torque. Changes in the number of blades can significantly impact turbine properties, resulting in wind turbines with distinct features.
Low-dose anti-thymocyte globulin plus low-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based regimen for prevention of graft-versus-host disease after haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplants: a large sample, long-term follow-up retrospective study
Authors: Li Xingying , Yang Jun , Cai Yu , Huang Chongmei , Xu Xiaowei , Qiu Huiying , Niu Jiahua , Zhou Kun , Zhang Ying , Xia Xinxin , Wei Yu , Shen Chang , Tong Yin , Dong Baoxia , Wan Liping , Song Xianmin 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe novel low-dose anti-thymocyte (ATG, 5 mg/kg) plus low-dose post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy, 50 mg/kg) (low-dose ATG/PTCy)-based regimen had promising activity for prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in haploidentical-peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (haplo-PBSCT), but its impacts on long-term outcomes remain to be defined.MethodsWe performed a large sample, long-term follow-up retrospective study to evaluate its efficacy for GVHD prophylaxis.ResultsThe study enrolled 260 patients, including 162 with myeloid malignancies and 98 with lymphoid malignancies. The median follow-up time was 27.0 months. For the entire cohort, the cumulative incidences (CIs) of grade II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) by 180 days were 13.46% (95% CI, 9.64%-17.92%) and 5.77% (95% CI, 3.37%-9.07%); while total and moderate/severe chronic GVHD (cGVHD) by 2 years were 30.97% (95% CI, 25.43%-36.66%) and 18.08% (95% CI, 13.68%-22.98%), respectively. The 2-year overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and CIs of relapse were 60.7% (95% CI, 54.8%-67.10%), 58.1% (95% CI, 52.2%-64.5%), 50.6% (95% CI, 44.8-57.1%), 23.04% (95% CI, 18.06%-28.40%), and 18.09% (95% CI, 14.33%-23.97%, respectively. The 1-year CIs of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) reactivation were 43.46% (95% CI, 37.39%-49.37%) and 18.08% (95% CI, 13.68%-22.98%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the disease status at transplantation was associated with inferior survivor outcomes for all patients and myeloid and lymphoid malignancies, while cGVHD had superior outcomes for all patients and myeloid malignancies, but not for lymphoid malignancies.DiscussionThe results demonstrated that the novel regimen could effectively prevent the occurrence of aGVHD in haplo-PBSCT.
Brazilian autoimmune encephalitis network (BrAIN): antibody profile and clinical characteristics from a multicenter study
Authors: de Freitas Dias Bruna , Fieni Toso Fabio , Slhessarenko Fraife Barreto Maria Eduarda , de Araújo Gleizer René , Dellavance Alessandra , Kowacs Pedro André , Teive Helio , Spitz Mariana , Freire Borges Juliano Aline , Januzi de Almeida Rocha Letícia , Braga-Neto Pedro , Ribeiro Nóbrega Paulo , Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Maciel Dias Ronaldo , de Oliveira Godeiro Júnior Clécio , Martins Maia Fernanda , Barbosa Thomaz Rodrigo , Santos Mara Lúcia , Sousa de Melo Eduardo , da Nóbrega Júnior Adaucto Wanderley , Lin Katia , Graziani Povoas Barsottini Orlando , Endmayr Verena , Coelho Andrade Luís Eduardo , Höftberger Romana , Almeida Dutra Lívia 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundThe frequency of antibodies in autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) may vary in different populations, however, data from developing countries are lacking. To describe the clinical profile of AIE in Brazil, and to evaluate seasonality and predictors of AIE in adult and pediatric patients.MethodsWe evaluated patients with possible AIE from 17 centers of the Brazilian Autoimmune Encephalitis Network (BrAIN) between 2018 and 2022. CSF and serum were tested with TBAs and CBAs. Data on clinical presentation, complementary investigation, and treatment were compiled. Seasonality and predictors of AIE in adult and pediatric populations were analyzed.ResultsOf the 564 patients, 145 (25.7%) were confirmed as seropositive, 69 (12.23%) were seronegative according to Graus, and 58% received immunotherapy. The median delay to diagnosis confirmation was 5.97 ± 10.3 months. No seasonality variation was observed after 55 months of enrolment. The following antibodies were found: anti-NMDAR (n=79, 54%), anti-MOG (n=14, 9%), anti-LGI1(n=12, 8%), anti-GAD (n=11, 7%), anti-GlyR (n=7, 4%), anti-Caspr2 (n=6, 4%), anti-AMPAR (n=4, 2%), anti-GABA-BR (n=4, 2%), anti-GABA-AR (n=2, 1%), anti-IgLON5 (n=1, 1%), and others (n=5, 3%). Predictors of seropositive AIE in the pediatric population (n=42) were decreased level of consciousness (p=0.04), and chorea (p=0.002). Among adults (n=103), predictors of seropositive AIE were movement disorders (p=0.0001), seizures (p=0.0001), autonomic instability (p=0.026), and memory impairment (p=0.001).ConclusionMost common antibodies in Brazilian patients are anti-NMDAR, followed by anti-MOG and anti-LGI1. Only 26% of the possible AIE patients harbor antibodies, and 12% were seronegative AIE. Patients had a 6-month delay in diagnosis and no seasonality was found. Findings highlight the barriers to treating AIE in developing countries and indicate an opportunity for cost-effect analysis. In this scenario, some clinical manifestations help predict seropositive AIE such as decreased level of consciousness, chorea, and dystonia among children, and movement disorders and memory impairment among adults.
Marked skewing of entire T-cell memory compartment occurs only in a minority of CMV-infected individuals and is unrelated to the degree of memory subset skewing among CMV-specific T-cells
Authors: Fuhrmann Stephan , Reus Bernhard , Frey Oliver , Pera Alejandra , Picker Louis J. , Kern Florian 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundChronic CMV infection drives the clonal expansion and accumulation of terminally differentiated, dysfunctional CMV-specific T-cells. CMV infection also appears to accelerate the differentiation of non-CMV-specific T-cells; however, the extent of this phenomenon is unclear.MethodsThe distribution of CD4 and CD8 T-cells into four memory subsets determined by CD45RA and CCR7 expression was analyzed in 96 CMV-infected (CMV+) and 81 CMV-uninfected (CMV-) older individuals. In CMV+ individuals, the distribution of IFN-γ producing CMV-specific T-cells into the same subsets was analyzed following stimulation with 16 different CMV antigens using flowcytometry (intracellular cytokine staining). We used previously published results to extrapolate the relative size of the entire CMV-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell response from the summated response to selected antigens. The T-cell memory subset distribution across all CMV antigen-induced responses (weighted mean) was then used to calculate memory subset proportions (in % of CD4 or CD8 T-cells) of CMV-specific and non-CMV-specific T-cells. These were compared to the corresponding proportions in CMV- individuals.ResultsOnly a minority (20%–30%) of CMV+ individuals displayed overall proportions of terminally differentiated T-cell memory subsets above an upper outlier boundary defined in CMV- individuals. The calculated proportions of these subsets among non-CMV-specific T-cells in CMV+ individuals also exceeded the corresponding proportions in CMV- people, suggesting that their differentiation could be CMV-driven. In CMV+ people showing overall subset distributions within the outlier limits, the memory subset distributions of non-CMV-specific T-cells were more like those in CMV- people. Logistic regression revealed that CMV infection, age, and sex all had significant effects on one or more of the non-CMV-specific CD4 or CD8 T-cell memory subsets in CMV+ individuals, with CMV infection showing the strongest effect overall. Surprisingly, except for the CD45RA-/CCR7- CD4 T-cell subset, we only found weak correlations between corresponding memory subset proportions among all T-cells and CMV-specific T-cells.ConclusionOur analysis supports an effect of CMV infection on non-CMV-specific T-cells; however, it is limited to a minority of individuals and not closely related to the degree of memory subset differentiation of CMV-specific T-cells. We propose that unknown predisposing factors might determine to what extent CMV infection affects non-CMV-specific T-cell differentiation.
Case Report: Autoimmune encephalitis and other neurological syndromes with rare neuronal surface antibody in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zhang Ming-min , Wang Jing , Sun Dan , Wang Jing-xuan , Zhang Jun-hong , Xu Jia-wei 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionNeuronal surface antibody syndromes (NSAS) encompass a growing set of autoimmune neurological disorders, with their predominant clinical presentation being autoimmune encephalitis (AE). The most extensively documented form within NSAS is anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) autoimmunity. In contrast, other NSAS, such as anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5) autoimmunity, are less common and less comprehensively characterized, particularly in pediatric cases.Case descriptionIn this instance, we present the case of a 7-year-old girl who exhibited abnormal behaviors following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). She received a diagnosis of anti-mGluR5 AE, and her Electroencephalogram (EEG) displayed an increased number of generalized slow waves during wakefulness. Treatment involved intravenous administration of gamma globulin and methylprednisolone, followed by oral prednisone tablets. Levetiracetam was introduced as an antiepileptic therapy during the pulse steroid therapy. Notably, the abnormal behaviors exhibited significant improvement after treatment.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of rare pediatric NSAS involving anti-mGluR5 AE following HSCT. Enhancing our understanding and characterization of this condition may facilitate its recognition and treatment in children. Serum antibody testing could enable early identification and treatment of anti-mGluR5 AE.
Ankylosing spondylitis and psychiatric disorders in European population: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zuo Huifang , Li Min-Min 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundEpidemiologic evidence has demonstrated a correlation between ankylosing spondylitis and psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the common genetics and causality of this association. This study aimed to investigate the common genetics and causality between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psychiatric disorders.MethodsA two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to confirm causal relationships between ankylosing spondylitis and five mental health conditions including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder (AXD), schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BIP), and anorexia nervosa (AN). Genetic instrumental variables associated with exposures and outcomes were derived from the largest available summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Bidirectional causal estimation of MR was primarily obtained using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method. Other MR methods include MR-Egger regression, Weighted Median Estimator (WME), Weighted Mode, Simple Mode, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO). Sensitivity analyses are conducted to estimate the robustness of MR results.ResultsThe findings suggest that AS may be causally responsible for the risk of developing SCZ (OR = 1.18, 95% confidence interval = (1.06, 1.31), P = 2.58 × 10-3) and AN (OR = 1.32, 95% confidence interval = (1.07, 1.64), P = 9.43 × 10-3). In addition, MDD, AXD, SCZ, AN, and BIP were not inversely causally related to AS (all p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionOur study provides fresh insights into the relationship between AS and psychiatric disorders (SCZ and AN). Furthermore, it may provide new clues for risk management and preventive interventions for mental disorders in patients with AS.
Characterizing hepatocellular carcinoma stem markers and their corresponding susceptibility to NK-cell based immunotherapy
Authors: Chiang Jason , Chen Po-Chun , Pham Janet , Nguyen Cat-Quynh , Kaur Kawaljit , Raman Steven S. , Jewett Anahid 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and is the fourth-leading cause of all cancer-related deaths around the world. Liver transplantation, surgery, and local ablation are curative therapies for early-stage HCC. However, post-treatment outcomes can vary based on histopathologic stage. Poorly-differentiated HCC are associated with higher rates of tumor progression and lower overall survival compared to well-differentiated HCC after therapy. In this study, we aimed to characterize the cancer stem cell (CSC) profile of histopathologically-proven well and poorly-differentiated HCCs in an in-vitro environment. We characterized the stem-like profile of each type of HCC based on their surface markers and susceptibility to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.MethodsFlow cytometry was used to quantify differential expression of MHC-class I, CD54, and CD44 between well- and poorly-differentiated HCCs. Primary untreated NK cells, IL-2 stimulated primary NK cells, and supercharged (sNK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity was assessed against well- and poorly-differentiated HCCs. IFN-γ supernatant from each respective NK cell experimental arm was also used to induce differentiation of HCCs. Finally, we characterized the temporal NK effector cell cytotoxicity using real-time quantitative analysis of imaging and impedance (eSight study).ResultsPoorly-differentiated HCCs demonstrated low surface expression of MHC-class I and CD54, and high expression of CD44. Treatment of NK cells secreted IFN-γ or IFN-γ cytokine induced differentiation in HCCs. Poorly-differentiated HCCs in comparison to well-differentiated HCC were more susceptible to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in primary NK cells, IL-2 stimulated primary NK cells, and sNK cells. sNK cells induced significantly higher cytotoxicity against well-differentiated HCCs in comparison to untreated or IL-2-stimulated primary NK cells. These findings were recapitulated with real-time quantitative imaging analysis.ConclusionsPoorly-differentiated HCCs were found to have surface marker patterns of CSCs, making them highly susceptible to NK cell-based immunotherapy. NK-cell based therapy can potentially be leveraged as a neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy in poorly-differentiated HCCs. Supercharged NK cells, which can be rapidly expanded to therapeutic levels, are uniquely capable of lysing both poorly- and well-differentiated HCCs. This finding suggests that sNK cells not only exhibit enhanced features against NK cells’ targets but also are capable of activating T cells to induce cytotoxicity against well-differentiated HCCs with high expression of MHC class I.
Leptin favors imbalance of antigen-specific CD4+ T-cells associated with severity of cat allergy
Authors: Vollmer Carolina , Dias Aleida , Sales Marisa , Sacramento Priscila M. , Silva Júlio Cesar , Oyamada Hugo A. A. , Linhares Ulisses C. , Gupta Sudhir , Kasahara Taissa M. , Bento Cleonice A. M. 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionObesity can complicate IgE-mediated allergic diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the ability of obesity-related concentrations of leptin to modulate the in vitro effector and regulatory Fel d1-specific CD4+ T-cell subsets in patients allergic to cat, considered the third most common cause of respiratory allergy in humans.MethodsFor this study, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 30 cat-allergic patients with mild, moderate and severe respiratory symptoms were obtained. The PBMC cultures were stimulated with Fel d1 antigen (10 µg/mL) in the presence or absence of obesity-related leptin dose (50 ηg/mL). After 6 days, the levels of cytokines and IgE in the supernatants were evaluated by multiplex and ELISA, respectively. The frequency of different non-follicular (CXCR5-) and follicular (CXCR5+) Fel d1-specific CD4+ T cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry. The plasma levels of leptin and IgE anti-cat titers were evaluated by ELISA and ImmunoCAP, respectively.Results and conclusionsFel d1 induced both IgE production and release of cytokines related to Th2, Th9 and Th17 cell phenotypes. Feld1 was more efficient in increasing the frequency of TFHIL-21- cells positive for IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 than TFHIL-21+ cell subsets. Leptin favored the expansion Th2-like and Th9-like cells and TFHIL-21- cells positive for IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, but reduced the proportion of conventional (Treg/Tr-1) and follicular (TFR) regulatory CD4+ T-cell subsets expressing or not CD39 marker. Finally, many of the imbalances between Fel d1-specific CD4+ T-cells were also correlated with plasma leptin and anti-Fel d1 IgE titers. In summary, hyperleptinemia should negatively impact on the severity of cat allergies by favoring the expansion of pathogenic Fel d1-specific CD4+ T-cell phenotypes and damaging the functional status of regulatory CD4+ T-cell subsets.
Reduction of experimental ocular axial elongation by neuregulin-1 antibody
Authors: Shi Xu Han , Dong Li , Zhang Rui Heng , Zhou Wen Da , Li Yi Fan , Wu Hao Tian , Li He Yan , Yu Chu Yao , Li Yi Tong , Wang Ya Xing , Jonas Jost B. , Wei Wen Bin 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundSince the mechanisms underlying myopic axial elongation have remained unclear, we examined the effect of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), an epidermal growth factor family member, on myopic axial elongation.MethodsThe guinea pigs aged two to three weeks were subjected to bilateral negative lens-induced axial elongation and received weekly intravitreal injections into their right eyes of NRG-1 antibody (doses: 5 μg, n = 8; 10 μg, n = 8, 20 μg, n = 9) or of NRG-1 (doses: 0.05 μg, n = 8; 0.01 μg, n = 9; 0.2 μg, n = 8), underwent only bilateral negative lens-induced axial elongation (myopia control group, n = 10), or underwent no intervention (control group, n = 10). The contralateral eyes received corresponding intravitreal phosphate-buffered solution injections. One week after the last injection, the guinea pigs were sacrificed, the eyeballs were removed, the thicknesses of the retina and sclera were histologically examined, the expression of NRG-1 and downstream signal transduction pathway members (ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT) and the mRNA expression of NRG-1 in the retina was assessed.ResultsThe inter-eye difference in axial length at study end increased (p &lt; 0.001) from the normal control group (−0.02 ± 0.09 mm) and the myopia control group (−0.01 ± 0.09 mm) to the low-dose NRG-1 antibody group (−0.11 ± 0.05 mm), medium-dose NRG-1 antibody group (−0.17 ± 0.07 mm), and high-dose NRG-1 antibody group (−0.28 ± 0.06 mm). The relative expression of NRG-1, ERK1/2, and PI3K/AKT in the retina decreased in a dose-dependent manner from the myopia control group to the NRG-1 antibody groups and the normal control group. The relative NRG-1 mRNA expression in the retina was higher (p &lt; 0.01) in the myopic control group than in the NRG-1 antibody groups and normal control group. Scleral and retinal thickness decreased from the normal control group to the NRG-1 antibody groups to the myopic control group. After intraocular injection of NRG-1 protein, there was a slight dose-dependent increase in the difference in axial length between the right and left eye, however not statistically significantly, from the normal control group (−0.02 ± 0.09 mm) to the high-dose NRG-1 protein group (0.03 ± 0.03 mm; p = 0.12).ConclusionIntravitreal NRG-1 antibody application was dose-dependently and time-dependently associated with a reduction in negative lens-induced axial elongation in young guinea pigs.
Motor subtypes and clinical characteristics in sporadic and genetic Parkinson's disease groups: analysis of the PPMI cohort
Authors: Jeong Eun Hye , Lee Jae Yong , Han Sun-Ku , Song Yoo Sung 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe extensive clinical variations observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) pose challenges in early diagnosis and treatment initiation. However, genetic research in PD has significantly transformed the clinical approach to its treatment. Moreover, researchers have adopted a subtyping strategy based on homogeneous clinical symptoms to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment approaches. We conducted a study to explore clinical characteristics in genetic PD groups with motor symptom subtyping.MethodsData was driven from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database. The sporadic PD (sPD) group and the genetic PD group including patients with leucine-rich kinase 2 (LRRK2) or glucosylceramidase β (GBA) mutations were analyzed. Motor subtyping was performed using Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS) scores. I-123 FP-CIT SPECT scans were used to calculate specific binding ratios (SBRs) in the caudate and putamen. Clinical symptoms of each group were also compared.ResultsMDS-UPDRS III scores were lower in the LRRK2 group, compared with the GBA and sPD group (P &lt; 0.001), but no significant differences in striatal SBRs. The putaminal SBR value of the LRRK2 group was higher than the sPD group (P &lt; 0.05). Within the GBA group, we observed lower SBR values in the postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) subtype GBA group compared to the tremor-dominant (TD) subtype GBA group (P &lt; 0.05). The TD subtype GBA group exhibited superior putaminal SBRs compared to the TD subtype sPD group (P &lt; 0.05). The TD subtype LRRK2 group had better putaminal SBR values (P &lt; 0.001) and MDS-UPDRS Part III scores (P &lt; 0.05) compared to the TD sPD group.DiscussionsOur subtyping approach offers valuable insights into the clinical characteristics and progression of different genetic PD subtypes. To further validate and expand these findings, future research with larger groups and long-term follow-up data is needed. The subtyping strategy based on motor symptoms holds promise in enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of genetic PD.