bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Uganda
Authors: Gang Roggers , Matsabisa Motlalepula , Okello Denis , Kang Youngmin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem owing to its high prevalence and increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of DM and impaired glucose tolerance in Uganda is approximately 4.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Medicinal plants are commonly used for the management of DM, especially in developing countries, such as Uganda.According to several ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Uganda, various medicinal plants are used in DM management. Meanwhile, ethnopharmacological studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic efficacy of various plants and plant-derived formulations from Uganda. However, these information remain highly fragmented without a single repository for plants used in the management and treatment of DM in Uganda, hindering further investigations. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively explore plants used for DM treatment in Uganda and retrieve relevant ethnopharmacological and ethnomedicinal information that can be used for DM therapy development. English peer-reviewed articles and books were searched in scientific databases, especially PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, SciFinder, and Medline, to retrieve information on medicinal plants used for DM treatment and management in Uganda. The databases were searched to obtain published literature on the anti-diabetic activities and safety of plants among the identified plants. The family name, plant parts used, anti-diabetic activities, dosage, and mechanisms of action of plant extracts were captured. In total, 46 species belonging to 26 families are used to treat DM in Uganda. Most species belonged to the Fabaceae (20%), Asteraceae (13%), and Solanaceae (7%) families. Anti-diabetic activities of 27 (59%) species have been scientifically investigated, whereas the rest have not been evaluated. This review indicated that various medicinal plants are used in the traditional treatment and management of DM across different regions in Uganda. Scientific investigations have revealed the anti-diabetic potential and safety of several of these plants. However, there is a need to validate the anti-diabetic potential of other unstudied plants. Additionally, isolating and characterizing active principles and elucidating the anti-diabetic mechanism of these plants and performing preclinical and clinical studies in the future could aid in the formulation of an effective and safe treatment for DM.
CircDOCK7 facilitates the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of chicken abdominal preadipocytes through the gga-miR-301b-3p/ACSL1 axis
Authors: Tian Weihua , Liu Ye , Zhang Wenhui , Nie Ruixue , Ling Yao , Zhang Bo , Zhang Hao , Wu Changxin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Abdominal fat deposition depends on both the proliferation of preadipocytes and their maturation into adipocytes, which is a well-orchestrated multistep process involving many regulatory molecules. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emergingly been implicated in mammalian adipogenesis. However, circRNA-mediated regulation in chicken adipogenesis remains unclear. Our previous circRNA sequencing data identified a differentially expressed novel circRNA, 8:27,886,180|27,889,657, during the adipogenic differentiation of chicken abdominal preadipocytes. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of circDOCK7 in the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of chicken abdominal preadipocytes, and explore its molecular mechanisms of competing endogenous RNA underlying chicken adipogenesis.

Results
Our results showed that 8:27,886,180|27,889,657 is an exonic circRNA derived from the head-to-tail splicing of exons 19–22 of the dedicator of cytokinesis 7 (DOCK7) gene, abbreviated as circDOCK7. CircDOCK7 is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of chicken abdominal preadipocytes and is stable because of its RNase R resistance and longer half-life. CircDOCK7 is significantly upregulated in the abdominal fat tissues of fat chickens compared to lean chickens, and its expression gradually increases during the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of chicken abdominal preadipocytes. Functionally, the gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that circDOCK7 promoted proliferation, G0/G1- to S-phase progression, and glucose uptake capacity of chicken abdominal preadipocytes, in parallel with adipogenic differentiation characterized by remarkably increased intracellular lipid droplet accumulation and triglyceride and acetyl coenzyme A content in differentiated chicken abdominal preadipocytes. Mechanistically, a pull-down assay and a dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that circDOCK7 interacted with gga-miR-301b-3p, which was identified as an inhibitor of chicken abdominal adipogenesis. Moreover, the ACSL1 gene was demonstrated to be a direct target of gga-miR-301b-3p. Chicken ACSL1 protein is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of chicken abdominal preadipocytes and acts as an adipogenesis accelerator. Rescue experiments showed that circDOCK7 could counteract the inhibitory effects of gga-miR-301b-3p on ACSL1 mRNA abundance as well as the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of chicken abdominal preadipocytes.

Conclusions
CircDOCK7 serves as a miRNA sponge that directly sequesters gga-miR-301b-3p away from the ACSL1 gene, thus augmenting adipogenesis in chickens. These findings may elucidate a new regulatory mechanism underlying abdominal fat deposition in chickens.
Mechanism of inulin in colic and gut microbiota of captive Asian elephant
Authors: Bo Tingbei , Liu He , Liu Min , Liu Qiyong , Li Qingduo , Cong Yipeng , Luo Yi , Wang Yuqi , Yu Bo , Pu Tianchun , Wang Lu , Wang Zheng , Wang Dehua 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Gut microbiota have a complex role on the survivability, digestive physiology, production, and growth performance in animals. Recent studies have emphasized the effects of prebiotics therapy on the gut disease, but the relationship between elephant gut-related diseases and prebiotics remains elusive. Here, a case study was undertaken to evaluate the mechanism of inulin treatment in colic in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus Linnaeus).

Methods
Fecal samples were collected from a sick elephant and four healthy elephants. Analysis of microbial profile was carried out by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the short chain fatty acids were tested by gas chromatography. The physiological function of “inulin-microbiota” of elephant was verified in mice by fecal microbial transplantation (FMT). The expression of related proteins was determined by Western blotting and qPCR.

Results
(1) Eating inulin can cure gut colic of the sick elephant and changed gut microbiota. (2) It was found that “inulin microbiota” from the post-treatment elephants can promote the proliferation of intestinal cells, increase the utilization of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), maintain intestinal barrier, and reduce the inflammation in mice. (3) The mechanism was inulin—gut microbiota—SCFAs—immune barrier.

Conclusions
Inulin contributed to rehabilitate the gut microbiota and gut immune barrier of the elephant with colic. This provides reasonable verification for using prebiotics to treat the colic in captive elephants.
Prebiotics will foresure play an increasingly important role in disease prevention and treatment of captive animals in the future.

Graphical Abstract
Pavlovian-instrumental transfer effects in individuals with binge eating
Authors: Chan Wai Sze , Lai Tsun Tak 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe food addiction model of binge-eating postulates that hyperpalatable food can sensitize the reward processing system and lead to elevated cue-elicited motivational biases towards food, which eventually become habitual and compulsive. However, previous research on food reward conditioning in individuals with binge-eating is scarce. The present study examined the Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT) effects in individuals with recurrent binge-eating. It was hypothesized that hyperpalatable food would elicit specific transfer effects, i.e., biased responding for the signaled food even after satiation on that food, and this effect would be stronger in individuals with binge-eating compared to healthy controls.MethodsFifty-one adults with recurrent binge-eating and 50 weight-matched healthy controls (mean age: 23.95 [SD = 5.62]; % female = 76.2%) completed the PIT paradigm with food rewards. Participants also completed measures of hunger, mood, impulsivity, response disinhibition, and working memory. Mixed ANOVAs were conducted to examine transfer effects and if they differed between individuals with binge-eating and those without.ResultsThe group by cue interaction effect was not significant, suggesting that the specific transfer effect did not differ between groups. The main effect of cue was significant, indicating that the outcome-specific cue biased instrumental responding towards the signaled hyperpalatable food. However, the biased instrumental responding was attributable to suppressed responding in the presence of the cue predicting no reward, rather than enhanced responding in the presence of the specific food-predicting cues.ConclusionsThe present findings did not support the hypothesis that individuals with binge-eating would be more vulnerable to specific transfer effects elicited by hyperpalatable food, as measured by the PIT paradigm.
Diffuse argyrophilic grain disease with TDP-43 proteinopathy and neuronal intermediate filament inclusion disease: FTLD with mixed tau, TDP-43 and FUS pathologies
Authors: Koga Shunsuke , Murakami Aya , Soto-Beasley Alexandra I. , Walton Ronald L. , Baker Matthew C. , Castanedes-Casey Monica , Josephs Keith A. , Ross Owen A. , Dickson Dennis W. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFrontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a group of disorders characterized by degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to progressive decline in language, behavior, and motor function. FTLD can be further subdivided into three main subtypes, FTLD-tau, FTLD-TDP and FTLD-FUS based which of the three major proteins – tau, TDP-43 or FUS – forms pathological inclusions in neurons and glia. In this report, we describe an 87-year-old woman with a 7-year history of cognitive decline, hand tremor and gait problems, who was thought to have Alzheimer’s disease. At autopsy, histopathological analysis revealed severe neuronal loss, gliosis and spongiosis in the medial temporal lobe, orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate gyrus, amygdala, basal forebrain, nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus and anteromedial thalamus. Tau immunohistochemistry showed numerous argyrophilic grains, pretangles, thorn-shaped astrocytes, and ballooned neurons in the amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, anteromedial thalamus, insular cortex, superior temporal gyrus and cingulate gyrus, consistent with diffuse argyrophilic grain disease (AGD). TDP-43 pathology in the form of small, dense, rounded neuronal cytoplasmic inclusion with few short dystrophic neurites was observed in the limbic regions, superior temporal gyrus, striatum and midbrain. No neuronal intranuclear inclusion was observed. Additionally, FUS-positive inclusions were observed in the dentate gyrus. Compact, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions, so-called “cherry spots,” that were visible on histologic stains were immunopositive for α-internexin. Taken together, the patient had a mixed neurodegenerative disease with features of diffuse AGD, TDP-43 proteinopathy and neuronal intermediate filament inclusion disease. She met criteria for three subtypes of FTLD: FTLD-tau, FTLD-TDP and FTLD-FUS. Her amnestic symptoms that were suggestive of Alzheimer’s type dementia are best explained by diffuse AGD and medial temporal TDP-43 proteinopathy, and her motor symptoms were likely explained by neuronal loss and gliosis due to tau pathology in the substantia nigra. This case underscores the importance of considering multiple proteinopathies in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Ratiometric and discriminative visualization of autophagic processes with a novel dual-responded lysosome-specific fluorescent probe
Authors: Zheng Fan , Ma Yeshuo , Ding Jipeng , Huang Shuai , Zhang Shengwang , Huang Xueyan , Feng Bin , Zeng Hongliang , Chen Fei , Zeng Wenbin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Autophagy is a critical self-eating pathway involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Lysosomal degradation of dysfunctional organelles and invading microorganisms is central to the autophagy mechanism and essential for combating disease-related conditions. Therefore, monitoring fluctuations in the lysosomal microenvironment is vital for tracking the dynamic process of autophagy. Although much effort has been put into designing probes for measuring lysosomal viscosity or pH separately, there is a need to validate the concurrent imaging of the two elements to enhance the understanding of the dynamic progression of autophagy.

Methods

Probe
HFI
was synthesized in three steps and was developed to visualize changes in viscosity and pH within lysosomes for real-time autophagy tracking. Then, the spectrometric determination was carried out. Next, the probe was applied to image autophagy in cells under nutrient-deprivation or external stress. Additionally, the performance of
HFI
to monitor autophagy was employed to evaluate acetaminophen-induced liver injury.

Results

We constructed a ratiometric dual-responsive probe,
HFI
, with a large Stokes shift over 200 nm, dual-wavelength emission, and small background interference. The ratiometric fluorescent signal (R =
I
610
/
I
460
) of
HFI
had an excellent correlation with both viscosity and pH. More importantly, high viscosity and low pH had a synergistic promotion effect on the emission intensity of
HFI
, which enabled it to specially lit lysosomes without disturbing the inherent microenvironment. We then successfully used
HFI
to monitor intracellular autophagy induced by starvation or drugs in real-time. Interestingly,
HFI
also enabled us to visualize the occurrence of autophagy in the liver tissue of a DILI model, as well as the reversible effect of hepatoprotective drugs on this event.

Conclusions

In this study, we developed the first ratiometric dual-responsive fluorescent probe,
HFI
, for real-time revealing autophagic details. It could image lysosomes with minimal perturbation to their inherent pH, allowing us to track changes in lysosomal viscosity and pH in living cells. Ultimately,
HFI
has great potential to serve as a useful indicator for autophagic changes in viscosity and pH in complex biological samples and can also be used to assess drug safety.
A comprehensive AI policy education framework for university teaching and learning
Authors: Chan Cecilia Ka Yuk 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study aims to develop an AI education policy for higher education by examining the perceptions and implications of text generative AI technologies. Data was collected from 457 students and 180 teachers and staff across various disciplines in Hong Kong universities, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Based on the findings, the study proposes an AI Ecological Education Policy Framework to address the multifaceted implications of AI integration in university teaching and learning. This framework is organized into three dimensions: Pedagogical, Governance, and Operational. The Pedagogical dimension concentrates on using AI to improve teaching and learning outcomes, while the Governance dimension tackles issues related to privacy, security, and accountability. The Operational dimension addresses matters concerning infrastructure and training. The framework fosters a nuanced understanding of the implications of AI integration in academic settings, ensuring that stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities and can take appropriate actions accordingly.
Compared efficacy of rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate or TNF inhibitors agents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Pugliesi Alisson , de Oliveira Amanda Borges , Oliveira Ana Beatrice , Xavier Ricardo , da Mota Licia Maria Henrique , Bertolo Manoel Barros , Gonzalez-Gay Miguel Angel , Citera Gustavo , de Carvalho Luiz Sergio Fernandes 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundOur aim was to compare the efficacy of rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to treatments with MTX or TNFi agents.MethodsWe searched 6 databases until January 2023 for phase 2–4 RCTs evaluating patients with RA refractory to MTX or TNFi therapy treated with rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab (intervention arm) compared to controls. Study data were independently assessed by two investigators. The primary outcome was considered as achieving ACR70 response.ResultsThe meta-analysis included 19 RCTs, with 7,835 patients and a mean study duration of 1.2 years. Hazard ratios for achieving an ACR70 response at six months were not different among the bDMARDs, however, we found high heterogeneity. Three factors showing a critical imbalance among the bDMARD classes were identified: baseline HAQ score, study duration, and frequency of TNFi treatment in control arm. Multivariate meta-regression adjusted to these three factors were conducted for the relative risk (RR) for ACR70. Thus, heterogeneity was attenuated (I2 = 24%) and the explanatory power of the model increased (R2 = 85%). In this model, rituximab did not modify the chance of achieving an ACR70 response compared to abatacept (RR = 1.773, 95%CI 0.113–10.21,p = 0.765). In contrast, abatacept was associated with RR = 2.217 (95%CI 1.554–3.161,p < 0.001) for ACR70 compared to tocilizumab.ConclusionWe found high heterogeneity among studies comparing rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab. On multivariate metaregressions, if the conditions of the RCTs were similar, we estimate that abatacept could increase the chance of reaching an ACR70 response by 2.2-fold compared to tocilizumab.
Current practice and attitudes of stroke physicians towards rhythm-control therapy for stroke prevention: results of an international survey
Authors: Jensen Märit , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Ng G. Andre , van der Worp H. Bart , Loh Peter , Campbell Bruce C. V. , Kalman Jonathan M. , Hill Michael D. , Sposato Luciano A. , Andrade Jason G. , Metzner Andreas , Kirchhof Paulus , Thomalla Götz 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF) are at particularly high risk for recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events. Early rhythm control has been shown to be superior to usual care for the prevention of stroke and cardiovascular events for people with early AF. There are no data on the willingness to use rhythm control for patients with AF and acute ischemic stroke in clinical practice.

Methods
An online survey was carried out among stroke physicians to assess current practice and attitudes toward rhythm control in patients with AF and acute ischemic stroke between December 22nd 2021 and March 24th 2022.

Results
The survey was completed by 277 physicians including 237 from 15 known countries and 40 from unspecified countries. 79% (210/266) reported that they do not regularly apply treatment for rhythm control by ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs at all or only in small numbers (≤ 10%) of patients with AF and acute ischemic stroke. In those patients treated with rhythm-control therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs were used by the majority of respondents (89%), while only a minority reported using AF ablation (11%). 88% of respondents (221/250) stated that they would be willing to randomize patients with AF after acute ischemic stroke to either early rhythm control or usual care in a clinical trial.

Conclusion
Despite its potential benefit, few patients with AF and acute ischemic stroke appear to be treated with rhythm control, which may result from uncertainty regarding potential complications of antiarrhythmic therapy in patients with acute stroke. Together with recent data on the effectiveness of early rhythm control in patients with a history of stroke, these results call for a randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy of early rhythm control in patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF.
Introducing the New Patient Expectations in Spine Oncology Questionnaire
Authors: Versteeg Anne L. , Gal Roxanne , Charest-Morin Raphaele , Reichl Leilani , Tsang Angela , Aludino Allan , Sahgal Arjun , Verlaan Jorrit-Jan , Fisher Charles G. , Verkooijen Helena M. 
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
It has been hypothesized that a discrepancy between pretreatment expectations and perceived outcomes is a significant source of patient dissatisfaction. Currently, there is lack in understanding and tools to assess patient expectations regarding the outcomes of treatment for spinal metastases. The objective of this study was therefore to develop a patient expectations questionnaire regarding the outcomes after surgery and/or radiotherapy for spinal metastases.

METHODS:
A multiphase international qualitative study was conducted. Phase 1 of the study included semistructured interviews with patients and relatives to understand their expectations of the outcomes of treatment. In addition, physicians were interviewed about their communication practices with patients regarding treatment and expected outcomes. In phase 2, items were developed based on the results of the interviews in phase 1. In phase 3, patients were interviewed to validate the content and language of the questionnaire. Selection of the final items was based on feedback from patients regarding content, language, and relevance.

RESULTS:
In phase 1, 24 patients and 22 physicians were included. A total of 34 items were developed for the preliminary questionnaire. After phase 3, a total of 22 items were retained for the final version of the questionnaire. The questionnaire is divided into 3 sections: (1) patient expectations regarding treatment outcomes, (2) prognosis, and (3) consultation with the physician. The items cover expectations related to pain, analgesia requirements, daily and physical function, overall quality of life, life expectancy, and information provided by the physician.

CONCLUSION:
The new Patient Expectations in Spine Oncology questionnaire was developed to evaluate patient expectations regarding the outcomes after treatment for spinal metastases. The Patient Expectations in Spine Oncology questionnaire will allow physicians to systematically assess patient expectations of planned treatment and thus help guide patients toward realistic expectations of treatment outcome.