bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence for broad cross-reactivity of the SARS-CoV-2 NSP12-directed CD4+ T-cell response with pre-primed responses directed against common cold coronaviruses
Authors: Westphal Tim , Mader Maria , Karsten Hendrik , Cords Leon , Knapp Maximilian , Schulte Sophia , Hermanussen Lennart , Peine Sven , Ditt Vanessa , Grifoni Alba , Addo Marylyn Martina , Huber Samuel , Sette Alessandro , Lütgehetmann Marc , Pischke Sven , Kwok William W. , Sidney John , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionThe nonstructural protein 12 (NSP12) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a high sequence identity with common cold coronaviruses (CCC).MethodsHere, we comprehensively assessed the breadth and specificity of the NSP12-specific T-cell response after in vitro T-cell expansion with 185 overlapping 15-mer peptides covering the entire SARS-CoV-2 NSP12 at single-peptide resolution in a cohort of 27 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Samples of nine uninfected seronegative individuals, as well as five pre-pandemic controls, were also examined to assess potential cross-reactivity with CCCs.ResultsSurprisingly, there was a comparable breadth of individual NSP12 peptide-specific CD4+ T-cell responses between COVID-19 patients (mean: 12.82 responses; range: 0–25) and seronegative controls including pre-pandemic samples (mean: 12.71 responses; range: 0–21). However, the NSP12-specific T-cell responses detected in acute COVID-19 patients were on average of a higher magnitude. The most frequently detected CD4+ T-cell peptide specificities in COVID-19 patients were aa236–250 (37%) and aa246–260 (44%), whereas the peptide specificities aa686–700 (50%) and aa741–755 (36%), were the most frequently detected in seronegative controls. In CCC-specific peptide-expanded T-cell cultures of seronegative individuals, the corresponding SARS-CoV-2 NSP12 peptide specificities also elicited responses in vitro. However, the NSP12 peptide-specific CD4+ T-cell response repertoire only partially overlapped in patients analyzed longitudinally before and after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.DiscussionThe results of the current study indicate the presence of pre-primed, cross-reactive CCC-specific T-cell responses targeting conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2, but they also underline the complexity of the analysis and the limited understanding of the role of the SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response and cross-reactivity with the CCCs.
The subjective perception of the happiness of older adult residents in Colombia
Authors: Segura Alejandra , Cardona Doris , Segura Angela , Robledo Carlos Arturo , Muñoz Diana Isabel 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionHappiness is understood as the perception of subjective well-being, it can be a quality, a result, or a state characterized by well-being or satisfaction that every person wants to achieve. In older adults, this satisfaction is a sum of lifelong achievements and triumphs; However, some factors influence this ideal.ObjectiveAnalyze demographic, family, social, personal, and health factors associated with the subjective perception of happiness in older adults, using data from a study conducted in five cities in Colombia, in order to make a theoretical contribution in the search for improvement of their physical, mental and social health.Materials and methodsA quantitative, cross-sectional, analytical study was carried out, using primary source information, obtained with 2,506 surveys from voluntary participants aged 60 and over, who had no cognitive impairment, and who reside in urban areas but not in long-term centers. The variable happiness (classified as high or moderate/low) was used for: (1) A univariate explorative characterization of older adult, (2) a bivariate estimation of the relationships with the factors studied, and (3) a multivariate construction of profiles through multiple correspondences.Results67.2% reported high happiness levels, with differences by city: Bucaramanga (81.6%), Pereira (74.7%), Santa Marta (67.4), Medellín (64%), and Pereira (48.7%). Happiness was explained by the absence of risk of depression and little hopelessness, strengthened psychological well-being, a perception of high quality of life, and living in a functional family.ConclusionThis study provided an overview of possible factors that can be enhanced and strengthened with public policies (structural determinant), community empowerment, family strengthening (intermediate determinant), and educational programs (proximal determinant). These aspects are included in the essential functions of public health, in favor of mental and social health in older adults.
Appearance-related concerns in individuals with pathological skin picking—a comparison with individuals with dermatological conditions and skin-healthy controls
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer , Gallinat Christina , Martin Alexandra 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionPathological skin picking (PSP) is an excessive behavior which characterizes Skin Picking Disorder. Individuals repeatedly pick their skin and cause skin lesions, but are unable to control the behavior, which can cause severe distress. Visible self-inflicted skin lesions can additionally affect individuals with PSP due to emerging appearance-related concerns. However, these concerns and their role in PSP have hardly been studied, especially not in comparison with individuals with dermatological conditions and skin-healthy controls.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study (n = 453, 83.9% female, 15.9% male, 0.2% diverse) aimed at analyzing appearance-related concerns and mental health outcomes between four groups: Individuals with PSP and dermatological conditions (SP/DC; n = 83), PSP without dermatological conditions (SP; n = 56), dermatological conditions without PSP (DC; n = 176) and skin-healthy controls (SH, n = 138). We compared questionnaire data on dysmorphic concerns, appearance-based rejection sensitivity, and body dysmorphic symptoms, as well as PSP-symptoms and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and self-esteem) between groups.ResultsThe analyses showed a significant multivariate group effect in the appearance-related variables, F(6, 896) = 19.92, Wilks’ Λ = 0.78, p &lt; 0.001, and mental health outcomes, F(6, 896) = 16.24, Wilks’ Λ = 0.81, p &lt; 0.001. The SP/DC group had the strongest appearance-related concerns and mental health impairments, followed by the SP group, the DC group and the SH group. The SP/DC group and SP group only differed significantly with regard to dysmorphic concerns, but not in other variables. The DC group was less affected but still showed higher dysmorphic concerns and mental health impairments than skin-healthy controls. In contrast to the PSP groups, the other two groups did not exceed clinically relevant cut-off scores.DiscussionThe present study shows that individuals with PSP exhibit strong appearance-related concerns, regardless of the presence or absence of underlying or comorbid dermatological conditions. These findings shed new light on the importance of appearance-related concerns in Skin Picking Disorder and the role of PSP as a potentially overlooked risk factor in dermatological patients. Therefore, appearance-related concerns should be explicitly addressed in dermatological and psychotherapeutic settings. Future studies should also include longitudinal and experimental analyses to more clearly classify the role of appearance-related concerns in the etiology of PSP and Skin Picking Disorder.
The critical role of pancreatic stone protein/regenerating protein in sepsis-related multiorgan failure
Authors: Hu Ping , Lu Yuan hua , Deng Wei , Li Qi , Zhao Ning , Shao Qiang , Wu Ling , Wang Xu zhen , Qian Ke jian , Liu Fen 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionMultiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is common in patients with sepsistic admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and greatly increases mortality. Pancreatic stone protein/regenerating protein (PSP/Reg) is a type of C-type lectin protein that is overexpressed during sepsis. This study aimed to evaluate the potential involvement of PSP/Reg in MODS development in patients with sepsis.Materials and methodsThe relationship between circulating PSP/Reg levels, patient prognosis, and progression to MODS was analyzed in patients with sepsis admitted to the ICU of a general tertiary hospital. Furthermore, to examine the potential involvement of PSP/Reg in sepsis-induced MODS, a septic mouse model was established per the cecal ligation and puncture procedure, randomized into three groups, and subjected to a caudal vein injection of recombinant PSP/Reg at two different doses and phosphate-buffered saline. Survival analyses and disease severity scoring were performed to evaluate the survival status of the mice; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and organ-damage markers in murine peripheral blood; terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to measure apoptosis levels in lung, heart, liver, and kidney tissue sections and to visualize the degree of organ damage in the mouse model; myeloperoxidase activity assay, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry were performed to detect neutrophil infiltration levels in vital murine organs and the activation indexes of neutrophils.Results and discussionOur findings indicated that Circulating PSP/Reg levels were correlated with patient prognosis and sequential organ failure assessment scores. Furthermore, PSP/Reg administration increased disease severity scores, shortened survival time, increased the TUNEL-positive staining rate, and increased the levels of inflammatory factors, organ-damage markers, and neutrophil infiltration in the organs. Neutrophils can be activated by PSP/Reg to an inflammatory state, both in vivo and in vitro, which is characterized by the increased levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and CD29.ConclusionPatient prognosis and progression to MODS can be visualized by monitoring PSP/Reg levels upon ICU admission. Additionally, PSP/Reg administration in animal models exacerbates the inflammatory response and severity of multiorgan damage, which may be accomplished by promoting the inflammatory state of neutrophils.
Chemical synthesis and mechanism of a natural product from endolichenic fungus with a broad-spectrum anti microorganism activity
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Wang Ming-Yi , Cao Qian-Ping , Yang Ze , Meng Qing-Feng , Fu Shao-Bin 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe antibiotic resistance in various bacteria is consistently increasing and is posing a serious threat to human health, prompting the need for the discovery of novel structurally featured natural products with promising biological activities in drug research and development. Endolichenic microbes have been proven to be a fertile source to produce various chemical components, and therefore these microbes have been on a prime focus for exploring natural products. In this study, to explore potential biological resources and antibacterial natural products, the secondary metabolites of an endolichenic fungus have been investigated.MethodsThe antimicrobial products were isolated from the endolichenic fungus using various chromatographic methods, and the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the compounds were evaluated by the broth microdilution method under in vitro conditions. The antimicrobial mechanism has been discussed with measuring the dissolution of nucleic acid and protein, as well as the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in preliminary manner. Chemical synthesis of the active product compound 5 was also performed, starting from commercially available 2,6-dihydroxybenzaldehyde through a sequence of transformations that included methylation, the addition of propylmagnesium bromide on formyl group, the oxidation of secondary alcohol, and the deprotection of methyl ether motif.ResultsAmong the 19 secondary metabolites of the endolichenic fungus, Daldinia childiae (compound 5) showed attractive antimicrobial activities on 10 of the 15 tested pathogenic strains, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of compound 5 for Candida albicans 10213, Micrococcus luteus 261, Proteus vulgaris Z12, Shigella sonnet, and Staphylococcus aureus 6538 was identified as 16 μg/ml, whereas the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of other strains was identified as 64 μg/ml. Compound 5 could dramatically inhibit the growth of S. aureus 6538, P. vulgaris Z12, and C. albicans 10213 at the MBC, likely affecting the permeability of the cell wall and cell membrane. These results enriched the library of active strains and metabolites resources of endolichenic microorganisms. The chemical synthesis of the active compound was also performed in four steps, providing an alternative pathway to explore antimicrobial agents.
Validation of the European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) for the assessment of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Delgado-Álvarez Alfonso , Nielsen Thomas Rune , Delgado-Alonso Cristina , Valles-Salgado María , López-Carbonero Juan I. , García-Ramos Rocío , Gil-Moreno María José , Díez-Cirarda María , Matías-Guiu Jorge , Matias-Guiu Jordi A. 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) is a novel test battery specifically designed to reduce the impact of multiculturality in cognitive assessment.ObjectiveWe aimed to validate the CNTB in Spaniards in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including patients at mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia stages, and Parkinson's disease with MCI (PD-MCI).MethodsThirty patients with AD-MCI, 30 with AD-dementia (AD-D), and 30 with PD-MCI were recruited. Each clinical group was compared against a healthy control group (HC) with no differences in sex, age, or years of education. Intergroup comparisons, ROC analysis, and cut-off scores were calculated.ResultsAD-MCI scored lower than HC in those subtests associated with episodic memory and verbal fluency. AD-D also showed lower scores in executive functions and visuospatial tests. Effect sizes for all the subtests were large. PD-MCI showed lower performance than HC in memory and executive functions, particularly on error scores, with large effect sizes. Comparing AD-MCI and PD-MCI, AD-MCI had lower memory scores, while PD-MCI showed the worst performance in executive functions. CNTB showed appropriate convergent validity with standardized neuropsychological tests measuring the same cognitive domains. We obtained similar cut-off scores to previous studies performed in other populations.ConclusionsThe CNTB showed appropriate diagnostic properties in AD and PD, including those stages with mild cognitive impairment. This supports the utility of the CNTB for the early detection of cognitive impairment in AD and PD.
Motor imagery electroencephalogram classification algorithm based on joint features in the spatial and frequency domains and instance transfer
Authors: Wang Ximiao , Dai Xisheng , Liu Yu , Chen Xiangmeng , Hu Qinghui , Hu Rongliang , Li Mingxin 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionMotor imagery electroencephalography (MI-EEG) has significant application value in the field of rehabilitation, and is a research hotspot in the brain-computer interface (BCI) field. Due to the small training sample size of MI-EEG of a single subject and the large individual differences among different subjects, existing classification models have low accuracy and poor generalization ability in MI classification tasks.MethodsTo solve this problem, this paper proposes a electroencephalography (EEG) joint feature classification algorithm based on instance transfer and ensemble learning. Firstly, the source domain and target domain data are preprocessed, and then common space mode (CSP) and power spectral density (PSD) are used to extract spatial and frequency domain features respectively, which are combined into EEG joint features. Finally, an ensemble learning algorithm based on kernel mean matching (KMM) and transfer learning adaptive boosting (TrAdaBoost) is used to classify MI-EEG.ResultsTo validate the effectiveness of the algorithm, this paper compared and analyzed different algorithms on the BCI Competition IV Dataset 2a, and further verified the stability and effectiveness of the algorithm on the BCI Competition IV Dataset 2b. The experimental results show that the algorithm has an average accuracy of 91.5% and 83.7% on Dataset 2a and Dataset 2b, respectively, which is significantly better than other algorithms.DiscussionThe statement explains that the algorithm fully exploits EEG signals and enriches EEG features, improves the recognition of the MI signals, and provides a new approach to solving the above problem.
Increased serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels are associated with adverse clinical outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Chen Keyang , Huang Wenting , Wang Jing , Xu Huiqin , Ruan Lixin , Li Yongang , Wang Zhen , Wang Xue , Lin Li , Li Xiaokun 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most prevalent cause of death. We sought to explore whether serum Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is of substantial benefit in predicting poor prognosis in ICH patient.MethodsA prospective, multicenter cohort analysis of serum FGF21 levels in 418 ICH patients was carried out. At three months following ICH start, the primary endpoint was death or major disability, whereas the secondary endpoint was death. We investigated the association between serum FGF21 and clinical outcomes. We added FGF21 to the existing rating scale to assess whether it enhanced the prediction ability of the original model. Effectiveness was determined by calculating the C-statistic, net reclassification index (NRI), absolute integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) index.ResultsAmong 418 enrolled patients, 217 (51.9%) of the all subjects had death or significant disability. Compared with patients in the lowest quartile group, those in the first quartile group had higher risk of the primary outcome (Odds ratio, 2.73 [95%CI,1.42–5.26, p &lt; 0.05]) and second outcome (Hazard ratio, 4.28 [95%CI,1.61–11.42, p &lt; 0.001]). The integration of FGF21 into many current ICH scales improved the discrimination and calibration quality for the integrated discrimination index’s prediction of main and secondary findings (all p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionElevated serum FGF21 is associated with increased risks of adverse clinical outcomes at 3 months in ICH patients, suggesting FGF21 may be a valuable prognostic factor.
Outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer and brain metastases
Authors: Wang Chunyu , Mu Shuai , Yang Xuhui , Li Lingling , Tao Haitao , Zhang Fan , Li Ruixin , Hu Yi , Wang Lijie 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesBrain metastases (BMs) are common in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and are underrepresented in pivotal clinical trials that demonstrate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess the role of ICIs in BM lesions in less selected patients.Materials and methodsPatients with histologically confirmed extensive-stage SCLC who were treated with ICIs were included in this study. Objective response rates (ORRs) were compared between the with-BM and without-BM groups. Kaplan−Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to evaluate and compare progression-free survival (PFS). The intracranial progression rate was estimated using the Fine-Gray competing risks model.ResultsA total of 133 patients were included, 45 of whom started ICI treatment with BMs. In the whole cohort, the overall ORR was not significantly different for patients with and without BMs (p = 0.856). The median progression-free survival for patients with and without BMs was 6.43 months (95% CI: 4.70-8.17) and 4.37 months (95% CI: 3.71-5.04), respectively (p =0.054). In multivariate analysis, BM status was not associated with poorer PFS (p = 0.101). Our data showed that different failure patterns occurred between groups, with 7 patients (8.0%) without BM and 7 patients (15.6%) with BM having intracranial-only failure as the first site progression. The cumulative incidences of brain metastases at 6 and 12 months were 15.0% and 32.9% in the without-BM group and 46.2% and 59.0% in the BM group, respectively (Gray’s p&lt;0.0001).ConclusionsAlthough patients with BMs had a higher intracranial progression rate than patients without BMs, the presence of BMs was not significantly associated with a poorer ORR and PFS with ICI treatment in multivariate analysis.
Multimodal optical imaging and genetic features of AB variant GM2 gangliosidosis: a case report
Authors: Chen Qin , Lu Fang 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundAB variant GM2 gangliosidosis is an extremely rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease. Macular cherry-red spots are the most commonly described ocular sign in this disease. Here, for the first time we report a case of an infant with AB variant GM2 gangliosidosis, along with multimodal optical imaging and genetic testing results.Case descriptionA 7-month-old Chinese girl presented to the hospital with nystagmus for 2 months. Her family history for this condition showed negative results, and her parents were not known to be consanguineous. Fundus photography showed a cherry-red spot with a ring of whitish infiltrate surrounding both macula. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed normal retinal circulation and vessels. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed a thickening and increased reflectivity of the inner retinal layers with a shadowing effect on the outer structures. The patient had no obvious neurological symptoms, and the MRI results of the head were normal. The whole-exome genome sequencing results showed that there was a homozygous deletion (chr5: 150639196-150639548) of exon 2 in the GM2A gene. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with AB variant GM2 gangliosidosis.ConclusionsAB variant GM2 gangliosidosis is a rare disease affecting multiple nervous systems. Before the occurrence of typical neurological symptoms, the clinical features of fundus photography and OCT help us diagnose GM2 gangliosidosis.