bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inactivation of pentraxin 3 suppresses M2-like macrophage activity and immunosuppression in colon cancer
Authors: Chen Feng-Wei , Wu Yung-Ling , Cheng Chao-Chun , Hsiao Yu-Wei , Chi Jhih-Ying , Hung Liang-Yi , Chang Chih-Peng , Lai Ming-Derg , Wang Ju-Ming 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The tumor microenvironment is characterized by inflammation-like and immunosuppression situations. Although cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are among the major stromal cell types in various solid cancers, including colon cancer, the interactions between CAFs and immune cells remains largely uncharacterized. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is responsive to proinflammatory cytokines and modulates immunity and tissue remodeling, but its involvement in tumor progression appears to be context-dependent and is unclear.

Methods
Open-access databases were utilized to examine the association of PTX3 expression and the fibroblast signature in colon cancer. Loss-of-function assays, including studies in tamoxifen-induced Ptx3 knockout mice and treatment with an anti-PTX3 neutralizing antibody (WHC-001), were conducted to assess the involvement of PTX3 in colon cancer progression as well as its immunosuppressive effect. Finally, bioinformatic analyses and in vitro assays were performed to reveal the downstream effectors and decipher the involvement of the CREB1/CEBPB axis in response to PTX3 and PTX3-induced promotion of M2 macrophage polarization.

Results
Clinically, higher PTX3 expression was positively correlated with fibroblasts and inflammatory response signatures and associated with a poor survival outcome in colon cancer patients. Blockade of PTX3 significantly reduced stromal cell-mediated tumor development. The decrease of the M2 macrophage population and an increase of the cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell population were observed following PTX3 inactivation in allografted colon tumors. We further revealed that activation of cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) mediated the PTX3-induced promotion of M2 macrophage polarization.

Conclusions
PTX3 contributes to stromal cell-mediated protumor immunity by increasing M2-like macrophage polarization, and inhibition of PTX3 with WHC-001 is a potential therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.
Circulating palmitoyl sphingomyelin levels predict the 10-year increased risk of cardiovascular disease death in Chinese adults: findings from the Da Qing Diabetes Study
Authors: Qian Xin , Jia Hongmei , Wang Jinping , He Siyao , Yu Meng , Feng Xinxing , Gong Qiuhong , An Yali , Wang Xuan , Shi Na , Li Hui , Zou Zhongmei , Li Guangwei , Chen Yanyan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Higher levels of palmitoyl sphingomyelin (PSM, synonymous with sphingomyelin 16:0) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with diabetes. Whether circulating PSM levels can practically predict the long-term risk of CVD and all-cause death remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether circulating PSM is a real predictor of CVD death in Chinese adults with or without diabetes.

Methods
A total of 286 and 219 individuals with and without diabetes, respectively, from the original Da Qing Diabetes Study were enrolled. Blood samples collected in 2009 were used as a baseline to assess circulating PSM levels. The outcomes of CVD and all-cause death were followed up from 2009 to 2020, and 178 participants died, including 87 deaths due to CVD. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate HRs and their 95% CIs for the outcomes.

Results
Fractional polynomial regression analysis showed a linear association between baseline circulating PSM concentration (log-2 transformed) and the risk of all-cause and CVD death (p < 0.001), but not non-CVD death (p > 0.05), in all participants after adjustment for confounders. When the participants were stratified by PSM-tertile, the highest tertile, regardless of diabetes, had a higher incidence of CVD death (41.5 vs. 14.7 and 22.2 vs. 2.9 per 1000 person-years in patients with and without diabetes, respectively, all log-rank p < 0.01). Individuals with diabetes in the highest tertile group had a higher risk of CVD death than those in the lowest tertile (HR = 2.73; 95%CI, 1.20–6.22).

Conclusions
Elevated PSM levels are significantly associated with a higher 10-year risk of CVD death, but not non-CVD death, in Chinese adults with diabetes. These findings suggest that PSM is a potentially useful long-term predictor of CVD death in individuals with diabetes.
Transforming growth factor-induced gene TGFBI is correlated with the prognosis and immune infiltrations of breast cancer
Authors: Wang Haiwei , Wang Xinrui , Xu Liangpu 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a critical regulator of lung metastasis of breast cancer and is correlated with the prognosis of breast cancer. However, not all TGFβ stimulated genes were functional and prognostic in breast cancer lung metastatic progress. In this study, we tried to determine the prognosis of TGFβ stimulated genes in breast cancer.

Methods
TGFβ stimulated genes in MDA-MB-231 cells and lung metastasis-associated genes in LM2-4175 cells were identified through gene expression microarray. The prognosis of the induced gene (TGFBI) in breast cancer was determined through bioinformatics analysis and validated using tissue microarray. The immune infiltrations of breast cancer were determined through “ESTIMATE” and “TIMER”.

Results
TGFBI was up-regulated by TGFβ treatment and over-expressed in LM2-4175 cells. Through bioinformatics analysis, we found that higher expression of TGFBI was associated with shorted lung metastasis-free survival, relapse-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival of breast cancer. Moreover, the prognosis of TGFBI was validated in 139 Chinese breast cancer patients. Chinese breast cancer patients with higher TGFBI expression had lower overall survival. Correspondingly, breast cancer patients with higher TGFBI methylation had higher overall survival. TGFBI was correlated with the score of the TGFβ signaling pathway and multiple immune-related signaling pathways in breast cancer. The stromal score, immune score, and the infiltrations of immune cells were also correlated with TGFBI expression in breast cancer.

Conclusions
TGFβ-induced gene TGFBI was correlated with the prognosis and immune infiltrations of breast cancer.
An efficient grafting method for phytoplasma transmission in Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Chang Ho-Chun , Chen Jen-Chih 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Phytoplasmas are parasitic plant pathogens that reside intracellularly within the sieve tube cells. Phytoplasmas induce various symptoms, including floral virescence, phyllody, leaf yellowing, and witches’-broom. Currently, it is challenging to culture phytoplasma in vitro. In the laboratory, phytoplasmas are generally maintained in alternative host plants, such as Catharanthus roseus. Grafting is used to transmit phytoplasmas among the alternative hosts. During the experiment, scions from infected plants are grafted onto healthy plants using a side grafting method. However, the practice has certain limitations, including its inability to be applied to small plants and its irregular disease incidence.

Results
Here, we demonstrate a new approach, penetration grafting, to overcome the limitations of side grafting. This grafting method allows phytoplasma to be efficiently and uniformly transmitted into the inoculated plants. No significant difference was observed in phytoplasma accumulation between both grafting techniques. However, penetration grafting allows rapid symptom development, saving waiting time and reducing space usage.

Conclusions
This study provides a reliable and stable method for experiments that require grafting transmission.
Finite element analysis of the effect of residual lateral wall volume on postoperative stability in intertrochanteric fractures
Authors: Zhang Yachun , Zhao Enzhe , Zhu Jian , Wu Dou , Fu Yujie , Zhang Xingyu , Zhang Xiaolun , Song Xubin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Lateral wall fractures represent crucial risk factors for postoperative internal fixation failure in intertrochanteric femoral fractures. However, no consensus exists on the type of lateral wall fracture requiring interventional management. This study aimed to investigate the effect of residual lateral wall volume on the postoperative stability of intertrochanteric femur fractures with associated lateral wall fractures, providing valuable reference for the clinical management of the lateral wall.

Methods
Eleven bone defect models of intertrochanteric femur fractures with varying residual lateral wall volumes were constructed using finite element analysis. These models were fixed with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). Simulations of von Mises stress and displacement distribution of the PFNA and femur during normal walking were conducted. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between volume and the maximum von Mises stresses and displacements of the PFNA and femur.

Results
In all 11 models, the maximum von Mises stress and displacement of the helical blade, intramedullary nail, and femur occurred at the same locations. As residual lateral wall volume increased, the maximum von Mises stress and displacement of the helical blade, intramedullary nail, and maximum femoral displacement gradually decreased. However, the overall trend of the maximum femoral von Mises stress gradually decreased. At 70% retention of the residual lateral wall volume, there was a more pronounced change in the value of the maximum stress change of the helical blade and the intramedullary nail. Statistical analysis, including the Shapiro–Wilk test and Pearson correlation analysis, demonstrated a significant negative correlation between volume and the maximum von Mises stress and displacement of the helical blade, intramedullary nail, and femur. Linear regression analysis further confirmed this significant negative correlation.

Conclusion
Finite element analysis of the residual lateral wall revealed a significant correlation between volume and the postoperative stability of intertrochanteric femur fractures. A volume of 70% may serve as the threshold for stabilizing the residual lateral wall. Volume emerges as a novel index for evaluating the strength of the residual lateral walls.
High and selective cytotoxicity of ex vivo expanded allogeneic human natural killer cells from peripheral blood against bladder cancer: implications for natural killer cell instillation after transurethral resection of bladder tumor
Authors: Wang Fangming , Zhang Gang , Xu Tianli , Ma Jianlin , Wang Jing , Liu Shuai , Tang Yuzhe , Jin Song , Li Jianxing , Xing Nianzeng 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by intravesical instillation of chemotherapy or Bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapy. However, these treatments have a high recurrence rate and side effects, emphasizing the need for alternative instillations. Previously, we revealed that expanded allogeneic human natural killer (NK) cells from peripheral blood are a promising cellular therapy for prostate cancer. However, whether NK cells exhibit a similar killing effect in bladder cancer (BCa) remains unknown.

Methods
Expansion, activation, and cryopreservation of allogeneic human NK cells obtained from peripheral blood were performed as we previously described. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8. The levels of perforin, granzyme B, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and chemokines (C-C-motif ligand [CCL]1, CCL2, CCL20, CCL3L1, and CCL4; C-X-C-motif ligand [CXCL]1, CXCL16, CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL8; and X-motif ligand 1 and 2) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of CD107a, major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), MHC-I polypeptide-related sequences A and B (MICA/B), cytomegalovirus UL16-binding protein-2/5/6 (ULBP-2/5/6), B7-H6, CD56, CD69, CD25, killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR)2DL1, KIRD3DL1, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp46, and CD16 of NK cells or BCa and normal urothelial cells were detected using flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using lactate dehydrogenase assay in patient-derived organoid models. BCa growth was monitored in vivo using calipers in male NOD-scid IL2rg−/− mice subcutaneously injected with 5637 and NK cells. Differential gene expressions were investigated using RNA sequence analysis. The chemotaxis of T cells was evaluated using transwell migration assays.

Results
We revealed that the NK cells possess higher cytotoxicity against BCa lines with more production of cytokines than normal urothelial cells counterparts in vitro, demonstrated by upregulation of degranulation marker CD107a and increased interferon-γ secretion, by MICA/B/NKG2D and B7H6/NKp30-mediated activation. Furthermore, NK cells demonstrated antitumor effects against BCa in patient-derived organoids and BCa xenograft mouse models. NK cells secreted chemokines, including CCL1/2/20, to induce T-cell chemotaxis when encountering BCa cells.

Conclusions
The expanded NK cells exhibit potent cytotoxicity against BCa cells, with few toxic side effects on normal urothelial cells. In addition, NK cells recruit T cells by secreting a panel of chemokines, which supports the translational application of NK cell intravesical instillation after TURBT from bench to bedside for NMIBC treatment.
Study protocol for a randomised cross-over trial of Neurally adjusted ventilatory Assist for Neonates with Congenital diaphragmatic hernias: the NAN-C study
Authors: Poole Grace , Harris Christopher , Shetty Sandeep , Dassios Theodore , Jenkinson Allan , Greenough Anne 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a mode of mechanical ventilation that delivers oxygen pressures in proportion to electrical signals of the diaphragm. The proportional assistance can be adjusted by the clinician to reduce the patient’s work of breathing. Several case series of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) have shown that NAVA may reduce oxygenation index and mean airway pressures. To date, no clinical trial has compared NAVA to standard methods of mechanical ventilation for babies with CDH.

Methods
The aim of this dual-centre randomised cross-over trial is to compare post-operative NAVA with assist control ventilation (ACV) for infants with CDH. If eligible, infants will be enrolled for a ventilatory support tolerance trial (VSTT) to assess their suitability for randomisation. If clinically stable during the VSTT, infants will be randomised to receive either NAVA or ACV first in a 1:1 ratio for a 4-h period. The oxygenation index, respiratory severity score and cumulative sedative medication use will be measured.

Discussion
Retrospective studies comparing NAVA to ACV in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have shown the ventilatory mode may improve respiratory parameters and benefit neonates. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective cross-over trial comparing NAVA to ACV.

Trial registration
NAN-C was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.govNCT05839340 Registered on May 2023
Potential role of RhoA GTPase regulation in type interferon signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Fan Wei , Wei Bo , Chen Xuyan , Zhang Yi , Xiao Pingping , Li Kaiyan , Zhang Yi qin , Huang Jinmei , Leng Lin , Bucala Richard 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal activation of the type I interferon (IFN) pathway, which results in tissue inflammation and organ damage. We explored the role of the RhoA GTPase in the type I IFN activation pathway to provide a potential basis for targeting GTPase signaling for the treatment of SLE.

Methods
Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and healthy controls, and the mRNA expression levels of RhoA and IFN-stimulated genes were measured by SYBR Green quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. IFN-a-stimulated response element (ISRE)-luciferase reporter gene assays and Western blotting were conducted to assess the biologic function of RhoA. An enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) measured C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) protein expression.

Results
Our studies demonstrate that the expression of RhoA in the PBMCs of SLE subjects was significantly higher than in healthy controls and positively correlated with type I IFN scores and type I IFN-stimulated gene (ISGs) expression levels. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of RhoA and the RhoA/ROCK inhibitor Y27632 reduced the activity of the type I IFN-induced ISRE, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT-1) phosphorylation, and the expression of CXCL10 and 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1). Finally, we verified that Y27632 could significantly down-regulate the OAS1 and CXCL10 expression levels in the PBMCs of SLE patients.

Conclusion
Our study shows that RhoA positively regulates the activation of the type I IFN response pathway. Reducing the expression level of RhoA inhibits the abnormal activation of the type I IFN system, and the RhoA/ROCK inhibitor Y27632 decreases aberrant type I IFN signaling in SLE PBMCs, suggesting the possibility of targeting the RhoA GTPase for the treatment of SLE.
A systematic review of the relationship between muscle oxygen dynamics and energy rich phosphates. Can NIRS help?
Authors: Maliszewski Kevin , Feldmann Andri , McCully Kevin K. , Julian Ross 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Phosphocreatine dynamics provide the gold standard evaluation of in-vivo mitochondrial function and is tightly coupled with oxygen availability. Low mitochondrial oxidative capacity has been associated with health issues and low exercise performance.

Methods
To evaluate the relationship between near-infrared spectroscopy-based muscle oxygen dynamics and magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based energy-rich phosphates, a systematic review of the literature related to muscle oxygen dynamics and energy-rich phosphates was conducted. PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform a comprehensive and systematic search of four databases on 02-11-2021 (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science). Beforehand pre-registration with the Open Science Framework was performed. Studies had to include healthy humans aged 18–55, measures related to NIRS-based muscle oxygen measures in combination with energy-rich phosphates. Exclusion criteria were clinical populations, laboratory animals, acutely injured subjects, data that only assessed oxygen dynamics or energy-rich phosphates, or grey literature. The Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess methodological quality, and data extraction was presented in a table.

Results
Out of 1483 records, 28 were eligible. All included studies were rated moderate. The studies suggest muscle oxygen dynamics could indicate energy-rich phosphates under appropriate protocol settings.

Conclusion
Arterial occlusion and exercise intensity might be important factors to control if NIRS application should be used to examine energetics. However, more research needs to be conducted without arterial occlusion and with high-intensity exercises to support the applicability of NIRS and provide an agreement level in the concurrent course of muscle oxygen kinetics and muscle energetics.

Trial registration
https://osf.io/py32n/.

Key points
1. NIRS derived measures of muscle oxygenation agree with gold-standard measures of high energy phosphates when assessed in an appropriate protocol setting.
2. At rest when applying the AO protocol, in the absence of muscle activity, an initial disjunction between the NIRS signal and high energy phosphates can been seen, suggesting a cascading relationship.
3. During exercise and recovery a disruption of oxygen delivery is required to provide the appropriate setting for evaluation through either an AO protocol or high intensity contractions.
Indigenous art-themed personalised theatre caps improve patient perioperative experience and perceived staff communication in the operating theatre: a quality improvement project at Royal Darwin Hospital in Australia
Authors: Peake Benjamin , Smirk Alexander , Debelak Guy 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Personalised theatre caps have been shown to improve staff communication in the operating theatre. The impact of these caps on the patient perioperative experience, particularly in Indigenous Australian patients, has not been well established.

Methodology
Surgical patients and operating theatre staff at Royal Darwin Hospital in Australia were surveyed before and after the introduction of Indigenous art-themed personalised (name and role) theatre caps in October 2021 and January 2022. Staff name and role visibility in operating theatres was also audited.

Results
A total of 223 staff and patients completed surveys. Most patients reported the theatre caps to be helpful (90%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 81–99) and felt more comfortable because staff were wearing them (91%, 95% CI 82–100). These results were consistent across Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients. The majority of staff agreed that personalised name and role theatre caps improved staff communication (89%, 95% CI 81–97), improved the staff-patient interaction (77%, 95% CI 67–87), and made it easier to use staff names (100%). Staff name and role visibility increased from 8 to 51% (p < 0.001) after the introduction of personalised theatre caps.

Conclusions
The introduction of Indigenous art-themed personalised theatre caps for operating theatre staff at Royal Darwin Hospital improved perceived staff communication and the patient perioperative experience.
Integrative analysis identifies gene signatures mediating the effect of DNA methylation on asthma severity and lung function
Authors: Dessie Eskezeia Y. , Ding Lili , Mersha Tesfaye B. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDNA methylation (DNAm) changes play a key role in regulating gene expression in asthma. To investigate the role of epigenetics and transcriptomics change in asthma, we used publicly available DNAm (asthmatics, n = 96 and controls, n = 46) and gene expression (asthmatics, n = 79 and controls, n = 39) data derived from bronchial epithelial cells (BECs). We performed differential methylation/expression and weighted co-methylation/co-expression network analyses to identify co-methylated and co-expressed modules associated with asthma severity and lung function. For subjects with both DNAm and gene expression data (asthmatics, n = 79 and controls, n = 39), machine-learning technique was used to prioritize CpGs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for asthma risk prediction, and mediation analysis was used to uncover DEGs that mediate the effect of DNAm on asthma severity and lung function in BECs. Finally, we validated CpGs and their associated DEGs and the asthma risk prediction model in airway epithelial cells (AECs) dataset. The asthma risk prediction model based on 18 CpGs and 28 DEGs showed high accuracy in both the discovery BEC dataset with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.99 and the validation AEC dataset (AUC = 0.82). Genes in the three co-methylated and six co-expressed modules were enriched in multiple pathways including WNT/beta-catenin signaling and notch signaling. Moreover, we identified 35 CpGs correlated with DEGs in BECs, of which 17 CpGs including cg01975495 (SERPINE1), cg10528482 (SLC9A3), cg25477769 (HNF1A) and cg26639146 (CD9), cg17945560 (TINAGL1) and cg10290200 (FLNC) were replicated in AECs. These DEGs mediate the association between DNAm and asthma severity and lung function. Overall, our study investigated the role of DNAm and gene expression change in asthma and provided an insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of DNA methylation on asthma, asthma severity and lung function.